Australian-born defender Ersan Gulum has been called up for Turkey’s national soccer team, effectively ending any prospect of him playing for the Socceroos.
Gulum, 23, has broken into the first-team at leading Turkish club Besiktas and cemented a spot in central defence, playing six solid matches in succession.
But despite being raised in Melbourne and playing twice for the Olyroos during Graham Arnold’s reign, he had not been picked at senior level for Australia.
He was again overlooked by new coach Holger Osieck for the Socceroos squad to play Egypt next Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).
Instead ex-Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has swooped on the dual citizen, and he has been added to Turkey’s squad to play Holland – also next Wednesday.
Should he be capped in that match, he would be unable to play for Australia.
Gulum told SBS’s The World Game website he hoped people would understand his decision to play for Turkey, whose federation has been watching his progress closely of late, after he had continually been ignored by Australia.
“I have and always and will have a close allegiance with Australia. I love the country,” he said.
“Through my management, Football Australia has been notified of my ongoing progress.
“For me it has been a case of being overlooked at all levels in the past for Australia, for whatever the reason has been.
“People would have differing views about my decision to play for Turkey and I can assure everyone that it wasn’t an easy one.
“I hope all concerned will respect me for the decision that I have had to make, based on my current position in Turkey.”
Osieck said last week Gulum was in his thoughts, but he would not be rushed into selecting him.
“In my network I talk to Besiktas head coach Bernd Schuster and believe me we are not leaving any stone unturned,” Osieck said.
“It would be ignorant of me not to have a look at him. But four good games do not give you a clear indication.
“I know about the activities of the Turkish federation. They go everywhere whenever they see a player with a Turkish name.”
Phutbol
Guest
Richard Porta..
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
If he is clearly the best defender, why haven't we heard of him before this season? Why has he been consistantly over looked at all junior levels? Two Olyroos caps is harldy a positve view. Pim Verbeek was very keen to convice and cap dual citizen, we saw both Rhys Williams and Shane Lowry capped and Dean Bouzanis was conviced to commit to the Socceroos, why wasn't Gulum a part of this programme? I also remember their being a lot of talk of an Australian born Uruguayn kid playing in South America... Striker I think...
Danny_Mac
Roar Guru
It isn't as though he's been playing regularly for Australia... Two caps for the Olyroos is hardly a ringing endorsement of what the federation thinks of you... Given that we did exactly the same thing for Dean Bouzanis (Greece), Rhys Williams (Wales) and Shane Lowry (Rep of Ireland), Tim Cahill was one of the first players to switch nationalities after the rules were changed (He played junior football for Samoa, hence the late age of his Socceroos debut) Gulum is 23, if there are still questions about him, then the FFA are right to not have their hand forced by the player. If he is as good as everybody is saying he is, then surely he would have been identified earlier...
David
Guest
This is FFA fault no effort in contacting the player, he is clearly the best defender we have why not cap him? why not at least call him? blah i've almost had it with how bad the FFA have been doing lately
gday mate
Guest
you can be annoyed all you want , Either decision would have been the right one, his parents have moved back to Turkey and most of his family is there, so its not such a bad decision for him after all. if it annoys you that the australian taxpayer has paid to develop him well then take into count how many overseas athletes, professionals, doctors, nurses are courted by australia from other developing countries who have also paid for their training but then stolen away. it works both ways. if anyone is annoyed then you have double standards.
Realfootball
Guest
Well he's not very committed to Australia, is he? I can understand Osieck's position on this, though I do think it is a shame that he hasn't been called into our squad. It really annoys me that Australian taxpayers effectively pay to develop players like this, then they jump on the first bus that comes along. If he is good enough for Turkey, he will certainly play for Australia. So why can't he wait then? Frankly, if that is his attitude, I think the Roos are well rid of him.