Socceroos - Looking to the Future....

[El Zilcho]

Okay, with the World Cup done and dusted (for us at least) its time to start looking to the future at the younger players who may come into the team to replace our aging world cup guys, starting with the Asian Cup qualifers and leading up to the 2010 World Cup. Plenty of potential, really depends on how they continue to develop at their clubs....

Here are a few contenders i can think of that will be under 30 by the time 2010 rolls around (age in brackets) :

Brad Jones (24)
Nathan Coe (22)
Neil Kilkenny (21)
Kristian Sarkies (20)
Kaz Patafta (18)
Patrick Kisnorbo (25)
David Williams (18)
James Wesolowski (19)
Jon McKain (24)
Scott McDonald (23)
Ljubo Milicevic (25)
David Carney (23)
Brett Holman (22)
Adrian Leijer (20)
Nick Ward (21)
Mark Milligan (21)
Ljubo Milicevic (25)
Jacob Timpano (20)
Alex Brosque (23)
Michael Baird (23)

[bazza]

This was the golden generation which all play in europes top leagues, it will be hard to replace them with a bunch of A-league semi-profesionals.

[dave30]

first a-leauge is professional not semi professional.

Could be some promise as long as we keep the core for the next world cup guys like cahill, culina, bresciano,Neil, Kennedy,Emerton.

[H(c)unter]

This was the golden generation which all play in europes top leagues, it will be hard to replace them with a bunch of A-league semi-profesionals.

Can't agree there!!

That play in European leagues :confused: :confused: :confused:

Like just as many players won't play in Europe erm all these guys started in the NSL anyway, so what's your point.

Also in the A-League there's youngsters like Sarkies and that who can actually cross unlike the so called European superstarts like Sterjovski's in the current team who have very little crossing ability, ney ability to attack the goals at all.

The golden generation, gimme a break. What makes you say that? Because they were the first ones to have success, what makes you think this golden generation is not just the first generation of a long-line of success.

[XYNO]

Players can come a long way in four years......


here's hoping anyway !!!!!

[El Zilcho]

This was the golden generation which all play in europes top leagues, it will be hard to replace them with a bunch of A-league semi-profesionals.

Only 5 of those players i mentioned are in the A-League at the moment. Chances are by 2010 they wont be. And as has been said, players can come a long way in 4 years. Look at Cahill or Chipperfield 4 years ago. David Williams is 18, he has another 12 years to get to where Aloisi or Viduka are today. Same goes for many others.

[El Zilcho]

Worry about the A-League, worry about the state leagues, worry about grass-roots, and the rest will follow suit. We will win the world cup when we deserve to win the world cup.


You're an idiot. What does that have to do with our current generation of players and our immediate national team needs over the next 4 years? If you cant post on topic, start your own thread.

[bazza]

first a-leauge is professional not semi professional.

Could be some promise as long as we keep the core for the next world cup guys like cahill, culina, bresciano,Neil, Kennedy,Emerton.

At Everton Cahill played upto 50 games in a season. In the A-league we only have 21 rounds. How is a player meant to develop into star if he isnt getting enough match practise? We know that our youth system is poor and unless their is a overhual of this the only way our national team will get better is when we have more youngsters like Kewell leaving to europe at a young age to develop their skills.

[dave30]

At Everton Cahill played upto 50 games in a season. In the A-league we only have 21 rounds. How is a player meant to develop into star if he isnt getting enough match practise? We know that our youth system is poor and unless their is a overhual of this the only way our national team will get better is when we have more youngsters like Kewell leaving to europe at a young age to develop their skills.
you're an idiot semi professional means you get payed but have to have a full tim job too

[bazza]

you're an idiot semi professional means you get payed but have to have a full tim job too
In comparision to europe we are semi profesional, almost amatuer. No league in europe has less than 8 teams and no league has less than 21 games in a season. I again stress the point players cant develop if they are no playing all season long, how will players like Sarkies develop if they are only playing 21 weeks of football, what about the other 30 weeks in the year? That's why we will continue to see an exodus of young talent in this country- just look at Nick Ward.

[El Zilcho]

Latvia and Moldova have 8 team leagues ;)

But seriously, there are plenty of leagues that have 10 teams, it doesnt make that much difference.

[vichead]

In comparision to europe we are semi profesional, almost amatuer. No league in europe has less than 8 teams and no league has less than 21 games in a season. I again stress the point players cant develop if they are no playing all season long, how will players like Sarkies develop if they are only playing 21 weeks of football, what about the other 30 weeks in the year? That's why we will continue to see an exodus of young talent in this country- just look at Nick Ward.

21 try 30-35 with preseason games and friendlies, the future looks alright. Hard to tell, we mighten have the Harry Kewells or Vidukas for the next WC (who knows). But i think the depth will be greater in 4 years time than it is now. IE. this world cup we had top premier league players in the starting 11 ranging to a League 1 battler. In four years i dont think we'll see this gap exist.

[Socceroo_06]

There is a lot of tallent there. Bazza i have to disagree with you there about the so called "golden age" of australian football. We have had gifted players from the start of the sport in this country however we lacked a person like Guus to put it all together.

If we are to step up to that next level in international football a few things need to happen:
- An overhaul in our junior development. A proper Technical Director needs to be employed to set up an FFA youth academy, like most top nations have.
- The TD must teach our local coaches how to coach. Our domestic league will not imporove if we have a bunch of mediocore managers coaching our kids in the A-league. We have to be looking at getting coaches that bring something to this league, maybe young up and coming dutch, french, argentinian coaches. Remember Wenger coached in Japan before he made it at EPL.
- Our best young talent cannot settle for anything less than a transfer to the top 5 leagues in the world. I am sick of seeing young players going to the championship, Romania, Belgium, Denmark etc. etc.

[bazza]

Latvia and Moldova have 8 team leagues ;)

But seriously, there are plenty of leagues that have 10 teams, it doesnt make that much difference.

If you want to be a footballing minnow then an 8 team league is fine.

[bazza]

Just have a look at our youth teams recent performances and you will realise that this is the golden generation. All our youth teams have failed, we couldnt get our under 17's to get past Laos and failed to qualify for the asia cup, and our under 20's got knocked out first stage at the World youth cup in the Netherlands.

[RunnaLittle]

It is so frustrating how Australians love to overlook the fact that countries that compete and succeed in the World Cup, tend to be countries with strong, high-standard and respectable domestic leagues - they are "football countries", where football is #1.
We will never achieve real success, glory, or "destiny" if we expect the national team to kick arse all the time when all our top players prefer to play abroad, and local professional football is a heavily advertised and overly-meticulous experiment!

Worry about the A-League, worry about the state leagues, worry about grass-roots, and the rest will follow suit. We will win the world cup when we deserve to win the world cup.

andr.
Of the Round of 16 qualifiers, Suspect Domestic Competitions exist in:
Ukraine, Czech Republic, Sweden, Mexico, Australia & Ecuador (maybe even Switzerland)

Large Portion of Domestic Players flocking elsewhere to play:
Brazil, Argentina

That is 50% of the wound of 16 teams that fit that bill. In reality, the only true strong leagues exisit in:
England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, France (not suprising all European Leagues)

[El Zilcho]

Just have a look at our youth teams recent performances and you will realise that this is the golden generation. All our youth teams have failed, we couldnt get our under 17's to get past Laos and failed to qualify for the asia cup, and our under 20's got knocked out first stage at the World youth cup in the Netherlands.

And what did this "golden generation" win at youth level? The only real success we have had at youth tournaments was NZ '99 from which Josh Kennedy is the only survivor.


Anyway, this whole thread has gone totally off topic, it was intended to discuss the current crop of twentysomthings who will play an immediate part in our national team over the coming months and years. Not to discuss the well known problems with our league and youth development structure. Might as well lock it.

[jonk]

I think over the next few years the standard of the A-League will increase dramatically with a lot of those guys who play in Romania et al. knocking on the door to come back!

With Kennedy, Kilkenny and players of such ilk coming through I don't think we have too much to worry about.

Heck, we might even have another Tim Cahill type just pop out of seeming nowhere to lead a team like Millwall to the FA cup final.

[bazza]

Actually the talent pool isnt as bad as I thought, allthough there is a sever lack of depth.

Future socceroos team for 2010 WC?
________Jones________
Emerton__Neil_Kisnorbo_Wilkshire
____Grella__Cahill___Culina
Breciano__Kennedy___Holham

Bench
Leijer
Sarkies
Kilkenny
McDonald
Ward
Mckain
Twaite

[[Steve]_*MV/Juve*]

I'd say that until we get our youth system together then we will have to rely on individual talent come through. And also the right coach will be needed to inspire and lead the new socceroos.

[vichead]

Actually the talent pool isnt as bad as I thought, allthough there is a sever lack of depth.

Future socceroos team for 2010 WC?
________Jones________
Emerton__Neil_Kisnorbo_Wilkshire
____Grella__Cahill___Culina
Breciano__Kennedy___Holham

Bench
Leijer
Sarkies
Kilkenny
McDonald
Ward
Mckain
Twaite

and others, if this kid gets over his 2 broken legs he copped in the past year i think we'll see James Wesolovski involved in the NT in the near future. He probly would have even made this WC squad if he didnt break his leg in the second half of the Championship season for Leicester, where he was dominating. Throw in other youngsters coming thru like Patafa, Williams and also big wraps on Giannou, the future depth of players looks better.

[T.S.R]

Fuck that shit man! Enough of this deluded preoccupation with the national team!
Lets worry about getting our national league in order, lets make sure the local standard improves (both on and off the pitch ;) )...

It is so frustrating how Australians love to overlook the fact that countries that compete and succeed in the World Cup, tend to be countries with strong, high-standard and respectable domestic leagues - they are "football countries", where football is #1.
We will never achieve real success, glory, or "destiny" if we expect the national team to kick arse all the time when all our top players prefer to play abroad, and local professional football is a heavily advertised and overly-meticulous experiment!

Worry about the A-League, worry about the state leagues, worry about grass-roots, and the rest will follow suit. We will win the world cup when we deserve to win the world cup.

andr.

Pfftt

[Socceroo_06]

Two words:

Kaz Ptafta

[jonk]

I know nothing about this Parafta bloke is he allright?

[vichead]

I know nothing about this Parafta bloke is he allright?

supposed to be, never seen him play though.

[El Zilcho]

I know nothing about this Parafta bloke is he allright?

Its Patafta. Came through the AIS and played in the last u-17 championship. Is now on the books of Benfica, playing in their b team. Was also part of the train-on squad before the world cup. Very good prospect.

[TheDutchman]

Hey, Beauchamp is also looking very promising. He is only 25. Playing in the German League next season. Dean Heffernan could also improve alot over there with Nurnberg.

[Socceroo_06]

Don't get confused when you see Benfica B team. It actually is the Benfica Junior team, not there second string squad.

I have a few friends who follow benfica closely and have also read on forums that he is one of, if not the best junior at Benfica at the moment and that everyone is hoping he will play in the Benfica shirt in years to come.

Want more insight have a look here:
http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=80197&st=60

And here is an article from the SMH:
KAZ PATAFTA(Benfica). Born 25.10.88.

When Kaz Patafta grows up, he wants to be an architect. But before that he might turn out to be Australia's next star player.

Just 17 years old, the Canberran received a phone call three weeks back: Pack a bag for Mierlo. He was going to Holland for a World Cup training camp with the big boys.

"What am I doing here?" Patafta said, with a smile. "I asked the same question."

Captain of last year's under-17 national team, Patafta shows modesty. To anoint youth as the next big thing can be a curse but this midfielder is a smart combination of Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill on the pitch and hints at his elders' swagger off it.

He signed for Portuguese side Benfica earlier this year, and with his father moved to Lisbon five months ago (FIFA regulations do not allow international transfers for players under 18 unless accompanied by a parent) where he attends school between training sessions.

"I'm doing two English subjects," he said. "One day, I hope to be an architect, so I'm also studying science and maths."

First, however, there may be the small matter of a football career. Patafta believes that including young players in senior squad camps accelerates development. Australian players, he said, had often struggled to cross the bridge between talented teenager and finished adult article.

"We need experience. As I've seen here in two or three days, it's a big jump. In Europe, you see the young boys playing at a high level each week and that is what we need back in Australia.

"Calling us up for this camp shows that Australia is now getting serious about our youth players. We're the next generation…"

[Rob]

Australian "Wonderkids" (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366461)

- Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn Rovers – 17)
- James Wesolowski (Leicester City – 18)
- Cameron Watson (FC Porto – 18)
- Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne Victory – 19)
- Kaz Patafta (Benfica – 17)
- Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City – 19)
- David Williams (Brondby FC – 18)
- James Troisi (Newcastle United – 17)
- Scott Jamieson (Bolton Wanderers – 17)
- Adam Hardy (Olympic Marseilles – 17)
- Nathan Coe (PSV Eindhoven – 22)

[El Zilcho]

Wonder if Adam Hardy is really any good, kicks arse for Marseille in 2010 in my FM2006 game ;)

[Rob]

2010:

Schwarzer 37
Niell 32
Moore 34
Cahill 30
Culina 29
Popovic 37
Emerton 31
Skoko 34
Viduka 34
Kewell 31
Lazaridis 37
Covic 35
Grella 30
Chipperfield 34
Aloisi 34
Beauchamp 29
Thompson 31
Kalac 37
Kennedy 27
Wilkshire 28
Sterjovski 31
Milligan 24

[El Zilcho]

Don't get confused when you see Benfica B team. It actually is the Benfica Junior team, not there second string squad.


Yeah i read that Benfica scrapped their actual reserves at the end of last season?

[Socceroo_06]

Australian "Wonderkids" (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366461)

- Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn Rovers – 17)
- James Wesolowski (Leicester City – 18)
- Cameron Watson (FC Porto – 18)
- Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne Victory – 19)
- Kaz Patafta (Benfica – 17)
- Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City – 19)
- David Williams (Brondby FC – 18)
- James Troisi (Newcastle United – 17)
- Scott Jamieson (Bolton Wanderers – 17)
- Adam Hardy (Olympic Marseilles – 17)
- Nathan Coe (PSV Eindhoven – 22)

Great work!!

We should really give some of these guys a cap in the up and coming Asia Cup qualifiers so we can secure them for the future.

[loyalroyal]

My 2010 team

Jones
Neil(C)/Kisnorbo/Beauchamps/Killkenny
Grella
Bresciano/Cahill/Cullina
Kewell
Kennedy

[Rob]

I've had this feeling that 'our golden' generation; the current 25-28 yoa class might all retire at the same time and leave us in an average state.

Being a United supporter it was great having a side made up of; Scholes, Becks, Giggs, Keane, Butt and co. a fantastic midfeild but all in the same age group. Dominate at 26/27 but all going past their prime 3/4 years later at the same time. As good as the class of 92 was the downside was they mature and get old together.

I have a bad feeling something similar will happen with 'our golden generation': Cahill, Culina, Kewel, Bresciano, Grella etc. - our strongest and current midfeild all going to be about 29-31 next World Cup. 2010 onwards we might drop off.

[H(c)unter]

'golden generation' - vomit.

theyre only golden coz theyre the best we've had in a sport thats only just beginning.

[Rob]

'golden generation' - vomit.

They are the golden generation because they have taken us to our 2nd ever World Cup and got us inches away from the 1/4 finals, dispite having never scored a WC goal in our previous single appearences.

theyre only golden coz theyre the best we've had in a sport thatsonly just beginning.

WTF are you on about :rolleyes:

How the fuck is football just beginning :mad:

Iran '98? Urugay '02?

Read Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters .

[H(c)unter]

yawn :roll:

'golden generation' - most countries who consider themselves a top footballing nation would not consider players the class as scott chipperfield as golden generations.

[H(c)unter]

not sayin these guys arent great but alot of them proved they cant even cross from wide areas, not knocking them i love them but id thinnk we can get alot better than our current crop.

[Socceroo_06]

Guys, check out this web site

www.zoomproductions.com.au/panos/index.html

Username is australia
Password is germany

Its a video of our future ronaldinho, Pano Armenakis ;)

[rhinoceros]

I feel that ther eisn't a wonderkid in this bunch. Kewell was, as was Dukes in the old NSL.

And you need players like that.

But, players develop later too.

[jonk]

Hey that panos kid is a freak!! Plays with both feet and he's like .... 9

[bazza]

Im glad FFA have taken steps in the right direction regarding youth and senior coaching. I know we are in good hands, but the reward of their hard work will be seen in 10-15 years time.

[El Zilcho]

Australian "Wonderkids" (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366461)


That guy has done well compiling that list! A good read.

[bazza]

It feels like this generation has been around forever. Schwazer, Moore, Viduka, Kewell, Lazaridis and Emerton. Will be a shame to see the back of them.

[Rob]

Kewel and Emerton have a few years left..

Not quite in the Schwazer / Lazaridis age group.

[rhinoceros]

That guy has done well compiling that list! A good read.

Cheers for that link.

Wonderkid, imo, is a kid who at 17-18-19 is mixing it and beating seniors.

Sarkies, Wesolowski and Williams I'd say.

Looks promising.

[Popos]

--------------------------Jones

----Neill-------Beauchamp--------Kisnorbo------Leijer

---Wesolowski------Ward--------Grella-------Kewell

------------------Kennedy------Williams

Could be decent for 2010.

[El Zilcho]

Sarkies, Wesolowski and Williams I'd say.


Williams will be starting the season in the Brondby B Team.

[BigV]

Hey that panos kid is a freak!! Plays with both feet and he's like .... 9
Born in US, European passport.....Give the kid a senior game NOW and lock him in!! :D

[Simon]

There is a lot of tallent there. Bazza i have to disagree with you there about the so called "golden age" of australian football. We have had gifted players from the start of the sport in this country however we lacked a person like Guus to put it all together.

If we are to step up to that next level in international football a few things need to happen:
- An overhaul in our junior development. A proper Technical Director needs to be employed to set up an FFA youth academy, like most top nations have.
- The TD must teach our local coaches how to coach. Our domestic league will not imporove if we have a bunch of mediocore managers coaching our kids in the A-league. We have to be looking at getting coaches that bring something to this league, maybe young up and coming dutch, french, argentinian coaches. Remember Wenger coached in Japan before he made it at EPL.
- Our best young talent cannot settle for anything less than a transfer to the top 5 leagues in the world. I am sick of seeing young players going to the championship, Romania, Belgium, Denmark etc. etc.
Bang on mate.

Getting a TD and a proper youth system is paramount to the future of Australian football.

Craig Foster explains it beautifully.

We need to hire someone (on big bucks even) from overseas to develop a systema nd oversee it for the first couple of years. The results will be shown at the the 2014 and even more so 2018 World Cup.

[Simon]

--------------------------Jones

----Neill-------Beauchamp--------Kisnorbo------Leijer

---Wesolowski------Ward--------Grella-------Kewell

------------------Kennedy------Williams

Could be decent for 2010.
The big question: will they develop?

[H(c)unter]

The big question: will they develop?

when dont they.

[vichead]

The big question: will they develop?

yeah thats it. We've seen people like Ferrante, Caceras, Valeri, Mcdonald go to overseas youth sides, but they have probly not turned out the stars we had hoped. Im sure everyone back here would have been excited when they heard that a young man Ferrante captained the West Ham youth side to a FA cup win. But has he turned out to be a star?
Then ya get the odd one like Kewell who progresses to playing senior football, hopefully this happens with some of our so called Wonderkids.

[[Steve]_*MV/Juve*]

Australian "Wonderkids" (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366461)

- Rostyn Griffiths (Blackburn Rovers – 17)
- James Wesolowski (Leicester City – 18)
- Cameron Watson (FC Porto – 18)
- Kristian Sarkies (Melbourne Victory – 19)
- Kaz Patafta (Benfica – 17)
- Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham City – 19)
- David Williams (Brondby FC – 18)
- James Troisi (Newcastle United – 17)
- Scott Jamieson (Bolton Wanderers – 17)
- Adam Hardy (Olympic Marseilles – 17)
- Nathan Coe (PSV Eindhoven – 22)
Everyone check out that wonderkids thread if you wanna see our future talent. Going by the thread i think we have the talent in midfield and upfront but there doesnt seem to be any decent defenders in there besides Spiranovic. Another thing all these wonderkids are around 17 years old and by the time of the next world cup would be only about 21 and 22 years old. Id like to see the wonderkids that are currently in our under 23's rather that our under 17's as they would make up the next world cup team.

[Kiza]

IMO Kewell won't be around come next World Cup. It is amazing to see the difference that the groin injury has made to his game the last few years and I think it will eventually be the end of him. Don't get me wrong, he will be around for a few more years but performing at the highest level could be the difference.

Also, I've heard very promising things about Adam Hardy who plays for Marseille. Only 17 and I read an article a little while back with comments from Kewell's former coach at youth level who said Hardy was a better player at the same age. Also read that within a metre of space this kid could beat 3 defenders (Archie beat 5 though). Sounds promising.

[El Zilcho]

If you read that thread you will also see that somebody has posted saying Hardy broke his ankle and is now back in Australia doing his HSC. Probably bullshit though.

[Kiza]

Just read this on a Marseille forum that was posted on 17th June so it looks like Adam Hardy is still there. Sorry for the dodgy translation but I used Google translator.

Adam Hardy Another exotic player in sub18, this time coming from Australia. It is possible to be connected to all the positions of mediapunta. He is young and he can have future but he ahead has a long way for professional soccer.

Basically I think this guy means that he is exotic = skillful, flashy???, is playing under 18's, plays a lot of positins and has to improve alot if he is to achieve something. However it looks like he is alright. He actually played for Lyon before going to Marseille so even if Lyon didn't see something, Marseille definately did which is a good sign.

[=waffles=]

Just read this on a Marseille forum that was posted on 17th June so it looks like Adam Hardy is still there. Sorry for the dodgy translation but I used Google translator.



Basically I think this guy means that he is exotic = skillful, flashy???, is playing under 18's, plays a lot of positins and has to improve alot if he is to achieve something. However it looks like he is alright. He actually played for Lyon before going to Marseille so even if Lyon didn't see something, Marseille definately did which is a good sign.
Exotic might refer to the fact he is from overseas I think mate.

[rhinoceros]

Playing senior football is better imo than these youth teams.

Guys like Viduka, Emerton, Bresciano, Grella and so on were playing in a substandard NSL - toughened them up. Sure, they aren't the complete players that we need but they made it. I wanna see Sarkies play more.

[gasbill]

Nick Ward has signed with QPR

[Socceroo_06]

_*MV/Juve*']Everyone check out that wonderkids thread if you wanna see our future talent. Going by the thread i think we have the talent in midfield and upfront but there doesnt seem to be any decent defenders in there besides Spiranovic. Another thing all these wonderkids are around 17 years old and by the time of the next world cup would be only about 21 and 22 years old. Id like to see the wonderkids that are currently in our under 23's rather that our under 17's as they would make up the next world cup team.

This is match details from the last U23's match against Uzebekistan.

Match Details

Australia 1 (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 75’)
Uzbekistan 0

Australian line-up: Danny Vukovic (gk); Mark Milligan, Adrian Leijer, Jacob Timpano, Ruben Zadkovich, Spase Dilevski (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 54’), Stuart Musialik, David Micevski (Tyler Simpson 66’), Nick Ward (Jordan Simpson 61’), Dez Giraldi (Mark Bridge 74’), Kristian Sarkies

Subs not used: Justin Pasfield (gk)

Unavailable: Vince Lia (suspended), Adam Casey (hamstring)

[Rob]

This is match details from the last U23's match against Uzebekistan.

Match Details

Australia 1 (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 75’)
Uzbekistan 0

Australian line-up: Danny Vukovic (gk); Mark Milligan, Adrian Leijer, Jacob Timpano, Ruben Zadkovich, Spase Dilevski (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 54’), Stuart Musialik, David Micevski (Tyler Simpson 66’), Nick Ward (Jordan Simpson 61’), Dez Giraldi (Mark Bridge 74’), Kristian Sarkies

Subs not used: Justin Pasfield (gk)

Unavailable: Vince Lia (suspended), Adam Casey (hamstring)

- Vudovic is a very good young keeper.
- Milligan was in the WC squad
- Leijer, Timpano, Zadkovich, Dilevski, Sarkies, Musialik are good young A-League players
- Dez Giraldi is going to Adelaide after being contracted to a Seria-A club

Not a team of super-stars who are going to take the world by storm but there is some potential it looks.

[acmilan_victory]

- Vudovic is a very good young keeper.
- Milligan was in the WC squad
- Leijer, Timpano, Zadkovich, Dilevski, Sarkies, Musialik are good young A-League players
- Dez Giraldi is going to Adelaide after being contracted to a Seria-A club

Not a team of super-stars who are going to take the world by storm but there is some potential it looks.
Ye Giraldi was contracted to Empoli i believe...never played but.

[Socceroo_06]

- Vudovic is a very good young keeper.
- Milligan was in the WC squad
- Leijer, Timpano, Zadkovich, Dilevski, Sarkies, Musialik are good young A-League players
- Dez Giraldi is going to Adelaide after being contracted to a Seria-A club

Not a team of super-stars who are going to take the world by storm but there is some potential it looks.

I would be interested to know all our aussie abroad players between the ages of 20-23 and which have huge potential.

This is from the FFA website:
The majority of the squad that went to Vietnam have previously played in the National Youth teams, a good learning curve for what they can expect ahead of them with the Under 23’s.

Significantly though, all but two played regularly in the inaugural Hyundai A-League season and with another solid season behind them, they should prove very competitive come the commencement of the qualifiers early in 2007.

Several overseas-based players, who were not selected for the Vietnam tournament, are also likely to come into consideration.

This is what i have managed to find:

Adam Federici (Reading FC, 21, GK)

Adam Federici (born 31st January 1985, Nowra, Australia) is an Australian football (soccer) player. He currently plays for Reading F.C. in England, but he is yet to make any first team appearances. He was signed in September 2005 as a free agent. Federici played for the Australian youth side in the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005, but has yet to make any appearances for the first team.

Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, 23, Def)

Michael Thwaite (born May 2, 1983) is a promising young Australian football (soccer) player. He plays as a Defender for FC Naţional Bucureşti in Romania's Divizia A. His career began at Sydney University in the New South Wales Winter Super League. He then spent two seasons playing for Marconi Stallions (2002-2004) in the now defunct NSL, before heading off to Romania. He has signed a contract to join Polish team Wisła Kraków on a Bosman transfer when his contract with the Romanian side finishes in June 2006 [1].

Scott McDonald (Motherwell, 23, STK)

After joining Motherwell he had a slow start, scoring only 2 goals during the second half of the 2003/04 season despite impressive performances. The following season he proceeded to score 15 goals. McDonald famously scored two late goals against Celtic at the end of season 2004-05 to deny them the Scottish Premier League championship though he now looks set to leave the Well after recent transfer speculation.

Jordan Simpson (BSC Young Boys of Berne, 21, CM)

Jordan Simpson (born August 28, 1985 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian footballer who plays as a central midfielder. He played for the Queensland Roar in the A-League competition but was released in January 2006. He is the twin brother of Tyler Simpson. In summer 2006, he will play for BSC Young Boys of Berne, Switzerland.

Brett Holman (Excelsior, 22, STK)

Brett Holman (born March 27, 1984) is an Australian football (soccer) player. He currently plays as a striker for the Dutch club Excelsior Rotterdam. He made his debut for Australia against Bahrain on February 22, 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier. He previously played for Parramatta Power in Australia before moving to Dutch football in 2002.

[Rob]

I would be interested to know all our aussie abroad players between the ages of 20-23 and which have huge potential.

This is from the FFA website:

A few others that come to mind around that age group:

* Micheal Beachamp (25)
* Brad Jones (24)
* Nathan Coe (22)
* Neil Kilkenny (21)
* Patrick Kisnorbo (25)
* David Williams (18)
* Jon McKain (24)
* Scott McDonald (23)
* Ljubo Milicevic (25)
* Brett Holman (22)

[Socceroo_06]

Has Rostyn Griffiths already qualified for playing for Wales, because that what i have been hearing.

I know there is a 16 year old at Aston Villa called Chris Herd who plays in villa reserves. If anyone knows more about him please post.

We also lost Shane Lowry who is also a villa reserves player to Ireland.

[vichead]

Has Rostyn Griffiths already qualified for playing for Wales, because that what i have been hearing.

I know there is a 16 year old at Aston Villa called Chris Herd who plays in villa reserves. If anyone knows more about him please post.

We also lost Shane Lowry who is also a villa reserves player to Ireland.

Dont know much about Herd and Lowry, but that Lowry played in some underage tournament with Ireland a while ago. Im pretty sure that doesnt mean he is a locked in player for the Irish. Isnt it a full international cap that bars you from playing for another country?

Heres a thing about Lowry, says "Lowry recently declared for the Republic through his Irish-born parents and is set to feature for the first time in the green jersey over the course of Ireland’s three game series."

Dunno if that means he cant play for the Aussies, but obviously Ireland think something of him, its wrong. Its why we need bigger A-League squads and a youth league.

http://www.ireland-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?cid=ED91&id=272644

[futuremelvicstar]

A few others that come to mind around that age group:

* Micheal Beachamp (25)
* Brad Jones (24)
* Nathan Coe (22)
* Neil Kilkenny (21)
* Patrick Kisnorbo (25)
* David Williams (18)
* Jon McKain (24)
* Scott McDonald (23)
* Ljubo Milicevic (25)
* Brett Holman (22)
Brett Holman is going to be an awesome player Most of those guys are but he is one to watch out for.

[futuremelvicstar]

Playing senior football is better imo than these youth teams.

Guys like Viduka, Emerton, Bresciano, Grella and so on were playing in a substandard NSL - toughened them up. Sure, they aren't the complete players that we need but they made it. I wanna see Sarkies play more.
I think mybe not an e.g under 23 youth league i would prefer to see reserves. Then i think every A-league team should have youth teams in there state like South Melbourne do and Preston and so on they should have players from under 10's all the way to under 18's then theres reserves after that.

[Rob]

I for one would love a Victory under 20 (or something) side in the VPL.

That'd be cool.

[Simon]

I for one would love a Victory under 20 (or something) side in the VPL.

That'd be cool.
I'd like it MVFC had underage teams from the whipper snippers up, like South Melbourne do.

Can't see it happening though :(

[Kiza]

I was reading a few things about Kaz Patafta this morning and he looks to be doing really well over at Benfica. The youth team that he plays in just won a tournament back in may where they competed with the youth teams of Barcelona, AC Milan, Anderlecht and a few others. Also which is great news and I quote:

Seven junior Benfica players were called up for the pre-season training camp. Six from the B team and Patafta the only player from the junior team. Congrats to him and hopefully he can play some part this season

Sounds really good that he is making the first team pre-season training. Maybe he will play some games this year.

[Socceroo_06]

I was reading a few things about Kaz Patafta this morning and he looks to be doing really well over at Benfica. The youth team that he plays in just won a tournament back in may where they competed with the youth teams of Barcelona, AC Milan, Anderlecht and a few others. Also which is great news and I quote:



Sounds really good that he is making the first team pre-season training. Maybe he will play some games this year.

I have a source who says that Patafta and a brazillian guy named Tiago are the most promising juniors at Benfica. They are best friends and hopefully these guys can crack into the 1st team squad in the not too distant future.

Here are some pics. It was a tournament that benfica junior squad played in france in the last May (that they won) and they played against teams like Ac Milan, Barcelona, Anderlecht, Brugge, etc..they played this tournament after the portuguese championship ended... these are photos in a airport in france when they were coming back to portugal...

http://img445.imageshack.us/img445/5937/kazp14nz.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/8310/kazp26jp.jpg

[Jewboy]

ais vs. japan u19s match was yesterday.

no idea who won.

found these pics on getty. some players i know of there are bruce djite, nathan burns and matthew spiranovic.

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/FrameSet.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState%7c0%7c1%7c0 %7c28%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c1%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c71299508%7c0%7 c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0&p=7&tag=9

[futuremelvicstar]

I'd like it MVFC had underage teams from the whipper snippers up, like South Melbourne do.

Can't see it happening though :(
Yeah thats what i'm talking about.

[futuremelvicstar]

- Vudovic is a very good young keeper.
- Milligan was in the WC squad
- Leijer, Timpano, Zadkovich, Dilevski, Sarkies, Musialik are good young A-League players
- Dez Giraldi is going to Adelaide after being contracted to a Seria-A club

Not a team of super-stars who are going to take the world by storm but there is some potential it looks.
He was with the mariners before he went to Empoli. I think he is being loaned out to Adelaide not sure though if they brought him or not.

[El Zilcho]

He was with the mariners before he went to Empoli. I think he is being loaned out to Adelaide not sure though if they brought him or not.

Thats not the case, he was with Empoli and was loaned to the Mariners in the arse end of last season.

[El Zilcho]

Dont know much about Herd and Lowry, but that Lowry played in some underage tournament with Ireland a while ago. Im pretty sure that doesnt mean he is a locked in player for the Irish. Isnt it a full international cap that bars you from playing for another

Thats right. A player can switch the nation he represents as long as he is under 21 and has not represented the other country at senior level. I believe Tim Cahill was over 21 but got to switch under a FIFA exemption a couple of years ago.

[Rob]

Cahill got 'banned' from playing for Australia for many years because he played for Somon Island U14's - or something along those lines

[El Zilcho]

Cahill got 'banned' from playing for Australia for many years because he played for Somon Island U14's - or something along those lines

Yep, i believe his case was pretty much a catalyst for FIFA to change the rules.

[futuremelvicstar]

Thats not the case, he was with Empoli and was loaned to the Mariners in the arse end of last season.
My mistake.
On topic four years ago Messi was only 15 now he is 19 and representing his country in the world cup. So alot can happen in four years new stars can come of age and i think the A-league as time goes by will have more to do with young guys coming along and going straight into first division clubs in Spain,England,Germany,Italy,Holland. Players are to quick to leave Australia and go to europe in 3rd divison teams in england and other crap leagues in europe.

There is a lot of tallent there. Bazza i have to disagree with you there about the so called "golden age" of australian football. We have had gifted players from the start of the sport in this country however we lacked a person like Guus to put it all together.

If we are to step up to that next level in international football a few things need to happen:
- An overhaul in our junior development. A proper Technical Director needs to be employed to set up an FFA youth academy, like most top nations have.
- The TD must teach our local coaches how to coach. Our domestic league will not imporove if we have a bunch of mediocore managers coaching our kids in the A-league. We have to be looking at getting coaches that bring something to this league, maybe young up and coming dutch, french, argentinian coaches. Remember Wenger coached in Japan before he made it at EPL.
- Our best young talent cannot settle for anything less than a transfer to the top 5 leagues in the world. I am sick of seeing young players going to the championship, Romania, Belgium, Denmark etc. etc.
Exactly right with everythinh you said. Fossie would be proud ;)

[El Zilcho]

Very true. Consider that about 3 years ago a 23 year old Ronaldinho was a good, but not spectacular, player at Paris St. Germain. Now at 26 he is arguably the best player in the world.

[Simon]

I was reading a few things about Kaz Patafta this morning and he looks to be doing really well over at Benfica. The youth team that he plays in just won a tournament back in may where they competed with the youth teams of Barcelona, AC Milan, Anderlecht and a few others.
Does anyone else think that Patafta should be called up to the Australian squad for the next Asian Cup qualifier?

[futuremelvicstar]

Does anyone else think that Patafta should be called up to the Australian squad for the next Asian Cup qualifier?
Caping them young is a good idea you have seen how its effected sarkies he is going to work harder then ever.

This is match details from the last U23's match against Uzebekistan.

Match Details

Australia 1 (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 75’)
Uzbekistan 0

Australian line-up: Danny Vukovic (gk); Mark Milligan, Adrian Leijer, Jacob Timpano, Ruben Zadkovich, Spase Dilevski (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 54’), Stuart Musialik, David Micevski (Tyler Simpson 66’), Nick Ward (Jordan Simpson 61’), Dez Giraldi (Mark Bridge 74’), Kristian Sarkies

Subs not used: Justin Pasfield (gk)

Unavailable: Vince Lia (suspended), Adam Casey (hamstring)
Mainly A-league players?? Howcome some of our young guns from overseas didn't play showing by this thread we have alot of young guys overseas doing well at such a young age. The future looks bright but why didn't they play here?

[Jewboy]

9 times out of 10 I reckon the local players are better. The guys who go to the academy overseas, hmmm I reckon it's sought've an easy way to start your career. I think state league and a-league should be the best path.

Sarkies, Zadkovich, Leijer, Milligan, I guarentee you none of the overseas guys will be as good as them unless theyre playing EPL first team football at 17 like Harry Kewell. But how many of them are playing first team football like Haz? Just Weso at Leicester I think.

[futuremelvicstar]

9 times out of 10 I reckon the local players are better. The guys who go to the academy overseas, hmmm I reckon it's sought've an easy way to start your career. I think state league and a-league should be the best path.

Sarkies, Zadkovich, Leijer, Milligan, I guarentee you none of the overseas guys will be as good as them unless theyre playing EPL first team football at 17 like Harry Kewell. But how many of them are playing first team football like Haz? Just Weso at Leicester I think.
Very good point. It's proberbly even better that we don't have a youth league so these young guys are up against better players. Though the players not as good as them don't get a chance.

[huzzman5]

calling Patafta a 'warhorse' is just retarded. Pantelidis is a war horse, Patafta is a technically gifted footballer.