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Pablo Cardozo hungry for Tigers success[/size]
Former Socceroos and National Soccer League marksman Pablo Cardozo has once again returned to pitches of NSW after he was snapped up by the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers for the remaining 2010 NSW Premier League season.The 37-year-old has had a colourful playing career especially in the National Soccer League playing for the likes of Sydney Olympic, West Adelaide, Northern Spirit and Parramatta Power and also had stints overseas with Austrian side Rapid Wien and Greek outfit Athinaikos.
The NSW Premier League competition has been no stranger to the Argentine born striker as he played for Sydney United in their Championship winning season in 2006 before he made the move to the Victorian Premier League where he spent the last three seasons playing for Oakleigh Cannons, Richmond Eagles and more recently Green Gully Cavaliers before returning to Sydney.
“You could say that I have had a taste of playing football for a couple of clubs both locally and abroad but I spent three really good seasons in the Victorian Premier League.
“I made the move to Melbourne three years ago after I won the Championship with Sydney United in 2006 and signed up for the Oakleigh Cannons. I then went to the Richmond Eagles the following year which was to be my best season in Victoria as I was crowned the Golden Boot winner scoring 21 goals in 23 games. It was a great year for me on the basis also that I had the chance to play alongside my brother Richie too.
“Last year I was recruited by the Green Gully Cavaliers which was decent as well but I knew I needed a change and returned to Sydney this year.”
Cardozo’s reason for coming back to Sydney was pinpointed to one reason as he stated exclusively to Football NSW.com.
“There was no major reason to be truthfully honest it was more of an opportunity that was presented to me off the park.
“I believed that the competition in Victoria was a touch better NSW a few years ago but now things have really picked up in the NSW Premier League from what I have seen so far.
“For me it was the fact that I had more options off the pitch for example in coaching kids where I could be more involved.”
Prior to the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers snapping up Cardozo it was his former club Sydney Olympic that looked set to agreeing to terms with the lethal marksman.
“Originally I was set to sign with Sydney Olympic but things didn’t happen for me there so fortunately for me the Tigers were looking for a striker and I joined them soon after.”
Thus far, the Tigers have had a luckless start to the NSW Premier League season as they have only managed to pick up one solitary point from five matches and that came in the form of a 2-2 draw against new boys Rockdale City Suns in round 5.
“We’ve had a heap of troubles with injuries which has not helped our cause one bit in remaining consistent on the pitch.
“We’ve had issues with that and also situations such as waiting for FIFA to clear one of our other new recruits Michael Baird so these things have not helped one bit.
“I know that we’re working very hard at training in ironing out small issues which have been pin-pointed towards key elements in improving our game but I believe once this has been addressed and we have the majority at one hundred percent I feel as though we can certainly move up the ladder.
“You can bet on seeing a new Tigers team slowly but surely as the team progresses as every one of the squad members are hungry for notching up points for the year.”
The Tigers face 2009 Champions Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park this Easter Saturday with Cardozo hoping that they may well notch up their first victory for 2010.
“You have to believe as a team and I know we will be coming into the match against the Sharks ready and prepared.
“Prior to leaving for Melbourne three years ago Sutherland weren’t seen as a major force in the NSW Premier League and now that I have come back, I have heard they’ve won a few titles and cups as well so they’ve changed the mentality of the way they do things at the club which has worked well for them.
“It will certainly be a tense affair as both teams will be chasing three points. I know the Sharks dropped points last week against Marconi so they’ll be pumped as much as we will be so it will surely be an entertaining affair.”
Asked what he thought of playing on Seymour Shaw’s artificial turf Cardozo responded.
“I personally am not a huge fan of playing on artificial turf especially playing week in week out on it, it’s not really my cup of tea but we all have to deal with it and go for the three points.
“Obviously I would rather play on this type of surface compared to some of the pitches that I was used to in the Victorian Premier League that’s for sure.
“Unfortunately the players aren’t too impressed with the prospect of playing on the turf either as I have been told the squad had a pre-season tournament in Melbourne this year and a number of the players sustained injuries there which has since carried on into the season.
“Regardless it will be a big test for us especially in character and after some promising signs against Rockdale last week I believe we will be ready for the Sharks who by no means will be a walk in the park.”
Touching on the issue of pitches in the Victorian Premier League, Cardozo believes that the NSW Premier League boosts better venues especially with the quality surfaces currently being played in the competition.
“It was unfortunate for Victoria but the severe hot weather conditions and drought damaged many of the better surfaces in their top tier competition.
“With the poor surfaces led to teams battling to play good football down there, it was really tough, especially if you were a team that loved played free flowing football, this just could not happen due to the poor state of the pitches.
“This is of course an advantage here in the NSW Premier League as I believe a fair few pitches here could certainly host respective A-League matches.”
At the age of 37 many questioned the signing of Cardozo however this experienced striker still has plenty of quality left up his sleeve in continuing to put something back into the game he loves and has adored his entire life.
“As long as you look after yourself you can play for as long as you want.
‘You see players such as Kevin Muscat and Eugene Dadi to name a few currently playing in the A-League and they seem like they can continue playing on for a couple more years.
“You can even look at the Sharks’ skipper George Souris, at 40 he is going very strong and credit to him.
“I have been fortunate that I have been looking after myself and have been training constantly in keeping myself as fit as possible and proving that I can still do it.”
For a player that has scored 130 National Soccer League goals and made almost 300 appearances in the then top tier competition of Australia, the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers will be looking for Pablo Cardozo to resurrect and re-ignite their 2010 NSW Premier League season for the better.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
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