FOR Tolgay Ozbey (pictured), the grass may not seem greener on Indian soccer pitches, but the opportunity he has been given may suggest otherwise.
Earlier this month the now-former Blacktown City FC striker who scored 22 goals from 21 matches in the 2010 NSW Premier League season signed a contract with the Indian League’s East Bengal FC, until January.
The 24-year-old, who helped Blacktown to this year’s premiership title, said he was looking forward to the challenge.
Speaking to the ifAdvocatenf hours before he boarded a plane, he took a parting shot at A- League teams who were not willing to offer him a contract.
``I would have wanted to get a contract in the A-League because Australia is home, but for my career I believe this is actually a bigger opportunity,’’ he said.
``It’s a shame the A-League couldn’t recognise my 22 goals… while the NSW Premier League is not the same standard as the A-League, I’m sure that both those teams in the grand final (where Blacktown beat Bonnyrigg 1-0 two weeks ago) would put up a challenge in the A-League.
``I’ll bet anything on that because some of the quality in the A-League is very poor.’‘
Playing in India will be a huge change for him. Home games can have up to 120,000 people in the stadium. He thanked fans, teammates, coach Aytek Genc and the club’s director of football Ken Schembri for their support

Ozbey secures deal with Indian League side East Bengal FC
01.09.10 09:45



Blacktown City FC striker Tolgay Ozbey has signed with Indian League club East Bengal FC
2010 Golden Boot and Robbie Slater Medal winner Tolgay Ozbey has been snapped up by Indian League outfit East Bengal FC and is due to fly out of Australia on Thursday bound for his new club.

The NSW Premier League’s deadliest striker was terrific for 2010 Champions Blacktown City FC having scored 22 goals in 21 matches which alerted the Indian club about the marksman’s ability.

“East Bengal FC are the biggest club in India and I have signed until the end of January 2011 with an option to extend till May.

“Everything has happened so quickly but I cannot wait for this challenge to commence.

“I’ve had a great time with Blacktown in 2010 it has been an amazing and very successful season for myself and the club.

“Winning the Grand Final against Bonnyrigg White Eagles and taking out the Robbie Slater Medal for Player of the Match was unbelievable and a moment that I will never forget.

“To have been able to pick up my third Golden Boot was also very special for me but I have my teammates to thank for this.”

East Bengal FC are managed by Englishman Trevor Morgan who played for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City and a couple of lower English sides before moving to the managerial side of things in 1995 where he took over West Australian State League side Sorrento FC.

The club itself plays its home matches at the Salt Lake Stadium which holds 120,000 as its official capacity something Ozbey cannot wait to play in front of.

“I have heard that during the big derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, the stadium is packed to the brim, something like 120,000 crammed into one stadium, you don’t get to see that even for a Barcelona match at the Nou Camp its apparently that crazy.”

FIFA approved agent Paul Dickinson contacted Ozbey after he continued hearing of the Blacktown City FC star’s good run of form in the NSW Premier League which led to the deal going through with East Bengal FC.

“Paul Dickinson contacted me and told me that there was an ideal opportunity for me to continue playing football abroad and I went from there and have not looked backed since.”

The 24-year-old has become the second Australian in playing in the Indian League as former Sutherland Sharks player Srecko Mitrovic also played for East Bengal after his short stint in the NSW Premier League in 2009.

The ‘I-League’ as it is known commenced in 2007 and has 14 teams competing for the championship while there are two domestic Cup competitions as well.

I wouldn't mind if more players who can't secure A-League contracts started exploring Asian football a little more, in the likes of India, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. The experiences they will bring back to share with others will be invaluable in the longer term, both in a football and socio/cultural sense.