Sydney Olympic FC is directed from the bench by also Spaniard Gorka Etxeberria, a former technical director of Alaves.
Rafael is a naturalised Australian, carries the Australian passport of his parents and is determined to one day play for the Socceroos.
Jimenez took the first step to that dream when he played for the Young Socceroos against Mexico in the second match of the COTIF under-19s tournament in Valencia in 2013.
Rafael was born in Madrid and is a strapping central defender who has earned the nickname "The Beast", Rafael started his early football life at a junior academy at Real Madrid before he was scouted as a 12-year-old by Atletico Madrid, where during his four seasons he was named captain. He then continued his career at Villarreal academy.
Rafael believes his best qualities are his speed, physical strength, forward projection and ability to cause problems in the opposition box from set pieces, especially corners.
An assessment rated him a nine out of 10 in three categories -- technical, tactical and physical.
