Path to Asia skips the A-League

Soccer21 Sep 10 @ 07:01am by Steven Deare

THE late former Socceroo Johnny Warren used to say the road ahead for Australian soccer was not through Europe or South America, but Asia.

That is the path for two promising local players, who will soon embark on a football tour of Malaysia and Singapore.

Eighteen-year-old Daniel Mitwali of Old Guildford and 14-year-old Lahai Tengbeh of Parramatta are part of the Australasian Soccer Academy’s touring squad.

Academy director Tony Basha said matches against the likes of professional sides and junior academies would allow his Sydneysiders to bid for a contract.

``We give them experience and exposure,’’ he said of the trip.

``We play against the S-League teams, which is the equivalent of the A-League.

``There are so many good players running around here and it’s difficult to get in (to the A-League).

``So we’re trying to open avenues overseas.’‘

For midfielder Mitwali, a professional contract would avenge a chequered 12 months.

He played for his native Syria’s under-17 national team and last year appeared on Foxtel’s Football Superstar.

Yet for all the hype, little happened.

``I thought my career would take off because I made Football Superstar,’’ he said.

``But nothing happened.

``My career was at a standstill.’‘

Then around the same time, he parted with his West Sydney Berries team, which play in the NSW Premier League.

Mitwali said the coach told him he wasn’t good enough.

Yet the teenager isn’t embarrassed by the criticism, and is using it as motivation to secure a career in Asia.

``I want that in the article,’’ he told the Advertiser.

``You can print that.

``So when I look back, I can read that.’’
http://parramatta-advertiser.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/path-to-asia-skips-the-a-league/