Liverpool's Robbie Fowler celebrates scoring the third goal against 1. FC Kosice during the UEFA Cup, first round, second match at Liverpool's Anfield stadium Tuesday Sept. 29, 1998. AP Photo/Adam Butle
After arguably the most exciting winter of A-League recruiting, and with the new season kick-off less than ten days away, I thought I’d compile a list of the Top Five most interesting new signings.
True Aussie football fans aren’t foolish enough to expect the A-League to be the best league in the world. Instead, things like the exciting youngsters or foreign personalities and characters make us content enough to hand over our admission fees.
And with plenty of interesting new names on A-League rosters this season, heaps of Australian football fans will be curious to find out more down at their local stadium
5. Mile Sterjovski
Whilst never really reaching any dizzying heights during his European career, Mile Sterjovski is high-profile in Australia. He’s a regular Socceroo, who seems to pop up and score the occasional handy goal for the national team, and that’s why his return home has been greeted with such fanfare.
There’s no doubt either that Sterjovski is very good and his quality will shine in the A-League, so the Perth public, who’ve been starved of decent football for years, will enjoy a marquee player like him.
In saying all that, he’ll probably have to do most of his talking on the field, as he’s not a massively marketable player off-the-field.
But with the Glory building a decent squad, the club will surely improve and you suspect Sterjovski, as the marquee, will be the face of the new Glory.
4. Surat Sukha
To be honest, I don’t know a lot about Melbourne Victory’s new Thai international defender Surat Sukha. But that adds to the interest of him. He will be, of course, the first South East Asian footballer to play in the A-League, and in the context of Australia’s move into the Asian Football Confederation, the success of Sukha will be closely monitored.
His move to the Victory in May was big news back in Thailand, and should he succeed in Australia, there’s no doubt it will encourage others from the region to follow in his footsteps.
Also, should Sukha prove a hit, A-League clubs will be more inclined to scout the region, thus forging a new context for the Australian competition in our part of the world.
3. Karol Kisel
Slovakian midfielder Karol Kisel arrives at Sydney FC with a good reputation, having forged a decent career in the Czech Republic with top clubs like Sparta Praha and Slovan Liberec, whilst also having appeared plenty of times for his national team.
There’s no doubt the right-winger is expected to bring some real technical quality.
But Kisel’s arrival also provokes interest as part of Sydney FC’s new ‘East European’ revolution, generated by the arrival of Russian owner David Traktovenko and Czech coach Vítězslav Lavička.
Gone is the bling tag and in it’s place is an emphasis on discipline and professionalism.
Lavička’s regime has changed things dramatically at Sydney, and in some ways, you could say Kisel is the on-field part of this new wave. Technical, pragmatic and effective.
I know I’m curious to see more.
2. Jason Culina
Many claim Culina’s signing by Gold Coast United is the best in the history of the A-League. Culina, as a regular starting Socceroo who is only 28, is certain to provide some real quality for Gold Coast for years to come, whilst also offering a good professional image as the face of the club.
And with the number 10 on his back, he’ll be expected to provide a few goals as well.
No Australian football fan could forget the amazing long-range goal he scored for FC Twente in the Netherlands a few years back. If he does that again, I dare say Gold Coast might enjoy some big crowds up at Robina.
1. Robbie Fowler
Anyone who is nicknamed God is going to attract interest. North Queensland’s signing of Robbie Fowler, the man dubbed God by the Liverpool faithful, is one which will, and already has, caught plenty of people’s interest.
For starters, he has already appeared on NRL’s Footy Show.
Fowler is a household name and for him to be playing on Australian pitches in an Australian league is exciting and interesting.
And a scenario never imaginable five or ten years ago.
But after several injury interrupted years with various clubs, Fowler is obviously not what he once was. Many football pundits are expecting him to struggle for fitness. But nobody knows for sure, especially following a pre-season where there were few opportunities to witness him first-hand.
It all adds to the intrigue of what has become a bit of a saga. “Will Robbie Fowler succeed or not?” is what everyone’s asking.
And while he may not have the quality he once did, he’ll definitely create some entertainment and drama, and for the pundits, that’s worth paying your admission fee for.
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