-Ognenovski is a separate case, due to Verbeek stating he’s better off chasing an international career Macedonia, even when he was in the A-League.
-North has simply fallen out of favour at club level and therefore isn’t getting the gametime required to play internationally.
-And Bosnar seems to not be deemed good enough for the Socceroos.

When you look at Mark Milligan, playing in China, getting called up you realise Pim must believe these leagues aren’t too bad. I mean, China is clearly weaker than Korea and Japan (just look at ACL performances) and Milligan can get a run.

So theoretically Pim could still select the six foot five central defender to play for the Socceroos and woudn’t he love to mark up against the Serbian team in South Africa for the WC.

The games between the two, footage of which exists online, were very watchable. With far more imagination and inspiration coming from players like Henry Templeton (Ayr) and Craig Robertson (Dunfermline) than most SPL players now, and certainly far more than the garbage served up by Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners tonight and their previous two games this season!

I’ve watched Eddie when he played for Chiba and he isn’t as good as the other prospects for the position. It is as simple as that.

Spira’s move is a good one as he has no doubt been told that his main problem is game time. Uruwa is a good choice. Uruwa are still a very, very big club. There’s something about living in Saitama that puts a chip on the shoulders of the supporters and they really want to give it to the rest of Japan. He will be under incredible pressure to perform; and perform he will.

As for Milligan he needs to move his career along and Chiba, whilst not my first choice, isn’t a bad one either.

Ogenovski is a better question as he has shown some quality.

1. all of the national U17 team ply their trade in Japan
2. all of the national U20 team ply their trade in Japan, and
3. all of the current squad play in Japan, although there are a few famous names likely to get call ups that play in Europe, e.g. Morimoto, Honda and Nakamura.

It’s not that the SPL is rated highly in Japan – it’s that Europe is rated highly in Japan, so any player that goes from Japan to any somewhat recognisable league in Europe will be considered a fantastic player.

That’s not to say I agree with David V., but I felt the urge to respond to this comment.

Ognenovski had his chance to represent Australia before moving to Korea, but all the “um-ing and ah-ing” about declaring for a national team blew it for him, and Pim essentially gave up. Sasa later declared for Macedonia, which is why Pim hasn’t looked any further. Funnily enough, he’s yet to earn a cap for Macedonia, despite nearly being named the country’s best player of 2008.

North was given several caps for the Socceroos, but having fallen out of favour at his club and given very little playing time over the last year, it doesn’t take quantum physics to understand why he hasn’t been called up for so long.

Bosnar’s issue has been previously discussed to some length on the Roar, and I remember discussing with Mike the pros and cons of his time at JEF. He was a regular starter, obviously, but his temperament and concentration caused plenty of fouls and slip-ups in defence. That’s not to say he was the cause for JEF’s relegation – that was inevitable, and S-Pulse wouldn’t have signed him if it were the case – but it was not the performance of a national team member. We can’t really question why he hasn’t been called up if he’s playing for Shimizu, either, because he’s only just made the move and isn’t currently in season.

Spiranovic’s move clearly is to benefit Urawa more than himself, but I can see him also getting a valuable return so long as Finke continues to run the show. Volker Finke’s focus is on player development, and being able to play against the likes of Lucas, Okazaki, and Sato – all extremely talented forwards – should help him learn and grow as a player.

Milligan will benefit from the huge load of games he’ll be playing in J2, along with all the cup games that are involved. It’s also quite different from a technical perspective, and proving he can successfully adapt to another pace will prove his worth even further.

I think the upcoming Asian Cup game may be an ideal time for those playing in Asia to get a run – Milligan, Kennedy, Spira, the Ogre, Bosnar, North, Ryan Griffiths. See if they’re any better than the A-League players who would otherwise be playing. Also would help draw a line to see how their form stacks up as a measure of the relative strength of the Japanese and Korean leagues.

~~~~~~~
AF

Anyway

Pim dose rate the J-league, K-league, remember Jade North got a run before he stopped getting game time. Sprias move was the best thing he could have done for his career his young he needs to be playing, i hope he does well in the J-league a lot of people are counting on him. I think is his German team get relegated it would probably be best to switch leagues if they stay in 1.Bundesliga then i would say perhaps come back at the end of the loan.
A
No doubt Pim rates the J/K-league but he doesn’t overated it! I’ve notice a lot of football experts seem to think the J-league is as good as playing in Europe. Whilst the league is a step or two up from the A-league, it’s not as good as the Greek or Turkish super league, Scottish premier league etc and many other mid level European leagues. Technically advanced but Finishing, Physical play and tactics its will far behind. Also I’ve noticed Goal keeping in Asia in general is of a very poor standard.

And a very interesting article from Jesse.

These Aussie boys are probably doing what they’ve been brought into do and most seem to be doing it well.

However throw them into the international arena against the skills and technique of the Sth Americans and the European big guns, the brute strength and force of the eastern Europeans, the raw speed and talent of the Africans (all of which Australia will be facing in WC10) and those playing in J and K will be tested and may very well not scrub up.