MELBOURNE, Dec 6: Former Australia football international Martyn Crook died suddenly in the United States while on tour with the Australian Under-17 team, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Saturday.

The 52-year-old, who played 14 times for the Socceroos from 1979-83, had been head coach of “the Joeys” since 2007.

“Martyn was a terrific coach and mentor to the...Joeys, and he was highly respected by the players and his professional colleagues alike,” FFA Chief Executive Ben Buckley said in a statement.

The team was in the United States for friendly internationals against Brazil and the host country. Friday’s game against the US was cancelled, though the team would play two other matches before returning to Australia next Wednesday, FFA said.—Reuters