A Dutchman, 63-year-old Rob Baan, has been appointed Australia's "first meaningful and internationally experienced" technical director, Craig Foster commented in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Baan's appointment has been received with a subdued acceptance, yet his influence could potentially be as great as that of Guus Hiddink ... because the work can now begin under Baan for Australia to win a World Cup, not just qualify for one. If Hiddink's influence quickly showed a better way for Australia, and thus that change was both needed and eminently possible, Baan's appointment will solidify gains made, and ensure methodology is imported to accelerate our improvement."