Yeah I was disappointed when I heard that, he was linked to both Melbourne and Sydney but both clubs baulked at it. Outside of the quality he'd bring to a team its a big marketing opportunity missed. I'd imagine his price tag was too high for both clubs - you'd hope thats the reason anyway - but then again Sydney have paid 1 million for Aloisi.
Sydney paying $1M for Aloisi, it still brings mixed reactions. But yeah, lets hope other clubs will be able to offer similar to high calibur and still decent quality stars, like Sukur and what have you, in the future. The A-League shouldn't have to rely on Sydney or Melbourne to bring in the 'stars,' I'm hopeful the likes of other Marqee pursuers like Newcastle will strike the right vein one day. There's no reason the likes of Queensland, Adelaide or Perth could not draw a name and talent like Juninho or Yorke, they just need to put themselves out there a little more. Though no doubt as the A-League's profile overseas grows and the investment grows along with the advent of cashed up clubs like Gold Coast, that sooner rather than later, this league will start to more often draw some major talent who can currently offer similar to what the likes of Yorke brought to the A-League - Off AND ON the field. BTW Context - It's only just this season many clubs have fine tuned their recruiting practives somewhat and clubs like Adelaide and Melbourne atleast, have really found quality imports. While Queensland and Perth have definately improved in this area and Newcastle has to a fair degree though questions still surround their Marquee, who was recruited through the infamous 'DVD route' largely it seems, though it's still too early to judge. So I guess it's baby steps for this league, in a way. But given how things have progressed recruiting wise, this season alone, one can look forward to things only improving and maybe more than just the odd high quality star who still has some substance, arriving on our shores. And I like Bleiberg's bringing up of the Guest player option. That option has been under utilised tbh. Sydney used it well for a while, like with the Japanese guy. But yeah generally not exploited soo well. If say, the likes of Davids, Kluivert, Sukur, Cafu, Figo, Crespo, Veron, Seedorf, Vieira, Pires, Kanu, Del Piero or what have you, could come in for 5 matches and impress. Edit: HOW'S THIS FOR A SUGGESTED MARQUEE FOR GOLD COAST... Freddie Ljungberg? He's currently a free agent and will only be 32 next season and he just retired from his NT after Euro 2008. Seems like a perfect choice, one would think. Let's hope it's on the table! Gaizka Mendieta is also without a club and he'd be 35 next season. PAtrik Berger is 35 and at Sparta Prague atm, so could be another who might be tempted this way. The above 3 players have all played high level football (EPL) till recently. Christian Vieri could also be considered - he's currently playing Serie A with Atalanta, but is 35 and a stint here from here would be massive for the game.
lol sorry, bit of a rant from me above, but I think it's quite feasible for a few A-LEague clubs to be in the seriosu running to pick up not just one of those players I mentioned, but a few, for this league. I really hope Clive Palmer can put his money where his mouth is and unlike the Jets and even Sydney, will spend big on the right guy. Not only a star for the club, but like Dwight Yorke's period with SFC, a star and ambassador of the league. A Ljungberg or Vieri would be massive for this league - they'd be bigger than Dwight Yorke even, dare I say, given their more relatively recent success. And perfectly feasible I believe - Gold Coast/Palmer or no Gold Coast. MLS has Beckham, Juan Pablo Angel, Marcelo Gallardo, Claudio Lopez, Darren Huckerby AND 'Fred' and co. I believe the A-League's progress is getting to that stage soon. What do people reckon?
Colour me skeptical about this wave of poachers from the Land of the Rising Sun having much effect. The J-League pays better but 1) The style of football is very different 2) The level of play isn't drastically higher than the A-League, 3) There isn't the bridge to Europe that there is down here. Career-wise it's almost a lateral move. I can see them getting our retiring Euro players (homesickness nonwithstanding) but most of our rising stars are going to look to Europe and view Asia as a sidestep.
I still think it would be a good move for our league, if a similar rule was introduced. Maybe not have say all 8 required (Though why not?), but maybe just have an exception for the Expansion teams only? Either way, Asia has alot of talent and is a growing market that Europe itself is increasing trying to tap into. We seemed to be heading into the right direction earlier in the league, when QLD recruited Seo, Adelaide that Shengqing Qu and Sydney with that Kazu guy as a guest player. But now things have stagnated, maybe slowed even, in regards to the recruitment of Asian players. China's league is full of corruption and the standard is not quite up to the same as here (Though Chanchun Yatai were decent). Though they likely pay more and language can be a problem, I truly think China could be tapped into a bit more. I'm sure a few quality players would like to test themselves in the more 'European' environment of our league, especially it's a bit faster paced, more physical. Any younger East Asian players (Like Newcastle's Song eventually) who can tear it up here, would surely become attractive propositions for Europe or bigger leagues. An SBS analyst Scott McIntyre mentioned how their are soo many quality younger Japanese or Korean players who are on the perephery or their elite leagues. A few of them may be interested in coming over to Australia for a better and more unique opportunity, like how Song has. It's been mentioned before, but closer neighbours like Thailand and maybe even Indonesia may have the odd talent worth seriously checking out. Further afield, Uzbekistan and other former central Soviet states now in Asia are interesting. Though direct to Europe/Russia or their cashed up super club who has Rivaldo, may be their preferred route, but once again the A-League is a very competitive league who offers a largely alternate style to the rest of Asia (Uzbeks included). I'm sure it's possible to snap up a top quality Uzbek gem who might be under the radar atm, come this upcoming qualifier. Mid East can be tough, due to money, but some places like Oman still seem relatively untapped. And even dare I say, Iraq. These National teams we play are soo often very competitive and that's inpart because soo many are based in their domestic league. But many of these boys have yet to leave their country's league and given the odd star or two, it might be worth investing some time atleast scouting seriously some of these guys. And going even further - the NSL used to have a few Oceanic players. It would not suprise if the likes of Fiji or the Soloman Islands have that A-League quality player or two. And we'd be doing our part for our backyard. I know the drawback can be 1 less spot for Aussie players, but with expansion expected to add 4 teams within the next 3 seasons, I think Aussie boys should be more than satisfied and infact a measure to introudce an AFC player quota would be quite beneficial for all concerned, in regards to maintaining an improving league standard.
^^ Totally agree Glory. I think Asian players are a hugely under-utilised area in the A-League. That said the league is still getting its act together regarding recruitment so i'm still hopeful asian players will be looked at in more detail in the future. I like the idea of having 2 (or maybe more) asian players outside of the foreign player allowance for A-League rosters. I think this is a clever way of making A-League teams look more closely at Asian talent. I also think about concerns that people have expressed in this forum about the expansion of the A-League (more teams, larger rosters) and whether Australia has the depth to cover all these new positions without lowering the quality of the league. I cant help but think that having an asian player allowance is a perfect solution to this issue. It could also help create and strengthen relationships with other asian football countries, not to mention the potential commercial possibilities.
And an interesting read this one......... rest of article in link! http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league...killer-instinct/2008/09/15/1221330748805.html
Interesting, but all of those countries mentioned do not have any comparisons really. Do they have AFL? Do they have Rugby League? Do they have Rugby Union? Are they sporting obsessed countries? I don't understand the point of the article to be honest.... Mike C is a tool sometimes. The A League will never be what we would like. When John Aloisi can't score a contract anywhere and then comes in as the highest profile player earning the most money.... it says a lot about the A League and the challenge the FFA have. We didn't like what Pim said, but its the truth. I go to Syd FC games, but the football is crap if I am going to assess it compared to EPL, Primera, or serie A.
Actually- The US comparison has probably the most common ground. They are sports mad, and have a pointy ball football as their major football code, they play with a salary cap, they started again with a new league...... I think what Cockerill was getting at, was pointing out that although this year doesn't look as good on paper in terms of crowds etc, that it has happened around the world, and then it got better- eventually- so not to worry. I know a few people have mentioned the crowds this year have been poor, that's who this piece was aimed at. In regards to the level of play- of course we're never going to get to the level of the EPL or the other big Euro leagues- ever- no-one in their right mind would suggest otherwise. However, as the professional soccer league in Australia, this model is going to be the best we're going to get, and as long as its entertaining people- it has a market.
Ever the optimist Cap. I was a tad harsh. Sorry mate. Its just that the A League really frustrates me and I don't think a lot of people accept it for what it is. Mike Cockerill commentates and says he cant believe the crowds aren't great in Sydney and then writes articles like this. The A League is poor quality football. The standard of football (soccer) cannot compete with the standard of rugby league, AFL, and to a lesser degree Rugby Union, which are the best in the world. Australians expect a lot out of sport and sportsman and due to the professionalism and quality of our athletes we are used to seeing world class displays in most sports. Our football is not world class. It is not even close. It frustrates me when Andy Harper, Robbie Slater and Mike C try to make out as if we are watching top quality football. We aren't. Yes football is improving, yes our National Team is an awesome team to watch, but the A League .... There is genuine interest in football in Sydney, other cities and Australia in general. But don't expect the crowds to always be there when there are better things to see and do. Some honest commentary and journalism would be appreciated.
Fair enough! And yes- I'm always looking on the bright side, but I can be a realist when it matters, and sure- it frustrates me as well when they talk it up like its God's own football when we (the football fraternity) know its not. But can you blame them? They are trying to sound enthusiastic and positive about something that's giving them a job! That being said- the last thing we want is everyone to get so apathetic abuot the A-League that it becomes NSL Mark 2! So I'll let them keep on talking it up and maybe that will help bring in the neutrals!
^ How interesting. Anothere interesting article giving some insight from the SMH boys. SMH may've unfortunately had some recent downsizing, but atleast they still have Cockerill and Hassett still contributing as well as ever.