Australia has seen its World cup end in a resounding roar, cheer and a few tears. Our squads average age is 31.5 years old and it time for a new coach to start a new era for the Socceroos. The A-league is Australia’s professional competition and is the future for producing future socceroos, however overseas players have been far more preferred over our domestic boys and I think fans need to understand why.

There are a number of arguments for and against and many precedents that have set to argue both ways in regards to the quality of the A-league. New Zealand has shown that A-league boys are more than capable of holding their own. However losses to Kuwait and an unconvincing display against Indonesia away from home have shown the A-league has a long way to go.

A-league players shouldn’t be relied on over European based and it’s a very simple reason why, the best A-league players all play in Europe now. People forget the days Mile Jedinak, Dario Vidosic, Djti etc graced our league and were considered our ‘best’ players . People would cry and complain that these players should be on the national team now they are and they are better than before and people don’t want European based players.

Just because Tommy Oar is in Holland now doesn’t mean he isn’t a product of the A-league. The best of the A-league go overseas for more money and to further their career which ultimately makes them better players.

So I think people who complain about A-league guys not getting ago should be quite. These young guys that go overseas are the A-league they are just in Europe now. If these players were still lighting up the A-league it would make no difference.
I do believe that players should only be selected that are playing in top European leagues and not some second rate league. I feel it is unfair for Milligan to get away with playing in the J2 league and expect Spira to get the same amount of game time in the 1. Bundesliga.

That is my take on it what do you think? I call it the cycle of the A-league here is a simple follow chat
Grass Roots -> NYL -> A-league -> Europe -> Socceroos – it is simple



By D.Grubesic

Edited by Davstar: 6/7/2010 11:40:51 AM

I still want to know why people are calling Oar, Ora.

Edited by Jets_Fan: 6/7/2010 11:37:31 AM

Over 30 A-League players were called up for Socceroos duty in the last 12 months or so and nearly all of them weren't good enough to get a place in the World Cup squad... enough said I think.

Have to agree with Gyfox. Give them ago in the Asian Cup qualifiers, maybe even a few spots in the Asian Cup squad as some players will find it hard to get away from their clubs. But as for the World Cup, the squad picks itself. Our best players are in Europe.

Edited by simmo_1988: 6/7/2010 12:05:16 PM

Spot on...

I really hope with our next Socceroo's coach that he begins to intergrate the A-league into the international fold; Maybe running camps to build team cohesion, having joint training with the European boys...etc Even if we don't have 'all our very best' we will have a well drilled unit that is competitive. The European players will not always be available or be the best option (due to tiredness) it is important that what the A-league has is an excellent support. If we always rely on players who have to travel great distances it may really come back to haunt us.
Also, I disagree that our players are not good enough, there are many decent players playing domestically Sterjovski, Culina, Carle, Aloisi, Thompson, Coyne..etc. Graham Arnold managed to do with the 'A-league players' what Pim wasn't able to do- win and qualify with an all A-league squad in Asia.
I would suggest Pim was our weak link. If you cannot get an A-league team to beat Kuwait in your own backyard then questions need to asked about the coaches tactics. Adelaide have proven time and time again that they can play and win in Asia under the right structure. Pim's structure was based on defensive pragmatism and on indiviual skill (Cahill). He used this same system with a young all A-league based squad and it just doesn't work. The players looked much flatter than they do for their clubs. Let's hope the new guy get's it right.

Sums up my thoughts immensely. There have been very few from the A-League able to make the step up.

The A-League will end up like the Sth American Leagues- as a feeder for the European clubs if the players are good enough, or Japan and Korea if they are tall and strong enough (they don't need skilled midfielders or defenders, they have better). Ergo the best players will always be overseas.

FWIW I'm not convinced that NZ ability to defend in numbers as a team with handful of A-League players says anything about the international quality of A-League players.

I agree with the Article A-league players that move to europe and prove them selves in europe are still A-league players at heart just playing somewhere else! These should always make up the majority of our squadwe because they are the best of the best =)