November 6th, 2009

TERRITORY soccer's entry into Asia could be decided as early as today.

The Northern Territory News understands the Darwin-based consortium headed by former Manchester United and England international Paul Parker will meet high ranking S-League officials in Singapore this afternoon.

There will also be plenty of activity in the Middle East, where Darwin soccer identity and businessman Con Delo will this weekend work on securing lucrative partnerships in the region in readiness for an immediate launch into action for the yet to be named club.

"We are at zero hour," Delo said. "Right now we are dotting our Is and crossing our Ts." We couldn't be any closer to being done."

It seemed as though the ambitious plans to move into Asia had been roadblocked by Football Federation Australia (FFA) when it raised "significant concerns around the concept'' in a letter to Football Federation Northern Territory (FFNT).

Singapore League

* By Football Admin
* Published 4/03/2010
* News and Events , Frontpage
*
*


Football Federation Northern Territory (FFNT) has received a proposal for entering a Northern Territory team to play in the Singapore League. The proposal neither has enough information to assess its merit nor is there any evidence provided of support from the Football Federation of Australia (FFA).

FFNT has received in writing that FFA does not support the proposal. Without FFA support and adequate details the FFNT is not in a position to support this proposal.

The FFNT Board will only support this proposal provided that FFA and the Asian Football Confederation give their approval. The FFNT Board also needs to be satisfied with the business plans, financials, feasibility studies and any other relevant documentation which will make this initiative a strong and viable concern for the long term that will benefit Territory football.

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/