Soon the Australian under-20s will be playing in a youth World Cup. It seems Bernie Ibini-Isei will make the first team as a striker. Is he the next Mark Viduka? I think he could be.
He can play with his back to the defence, hold the ball and play others into position. Further, he is calm on the ball and has a very soft touch.
He played only a handfull of games for the Mariners last year, essentially because Arnold believed he was not strong enough and would get hacked into long-term injury.
He is a year older and from what I am told is developing the strength Arnold wanted. His partnership with Amini (assuming Amini stays) will be interesting. They have played together for years and have a natural understanding that is hard develop other than on the park.
They could also find themselves in the Socceroos together and their understanding will only help.
Without going over all his strengths, I suggest all The Roar readers watch Bernie closely. I think he will be a Socceroo and in Europe before too long.
So do yourself a favour and go and watch him in the A-League when you can as it may not come again for a long time.
Hacky
Guest
Little narrow minded there mate.... Okon played at Lazio and was named their best first year player (when Lazio were good and Italian football was the pinnacle), Zelic at Dortmund when i think they won the league, Bosnich Man Utd, + schwarzer is good enough for a big club, and Lucas Neill circa 05-06 was wanted by Liverpool and Barcelona.
Midfielder
Guest
We as the Roar got in first .... we said is he the new Dukes ... now some of the best in the land are saying the same thing... http://player.sbs.com.au/theworldgame#/twg_08/AussieFocus/AussieFocus/playlist/Feature-Bernei-Ibini-Isei/
Thommo
Guest
I've gotta say, when Bernie came on for CCM in the GF, I was sweating bullets (especially as I was sitting on the right corner of the field). Everytime he had the ball he was making dangerous runs down the right and looking very much like he was going to score. Thanks to some excellent goal keeping, he would have scored at least one , possibly two. Can't wait to see how he has developed during the off-season. In regards to the long off-season, one could suggest that this is similar to what young players woulkd receive if they head overseas and on't get much playing time...assuming of course that the training is of a similar standard!!
Jack
Guest
WHAT ABOUT TOM ROGIC? & GEORGE MELLS? - ALSO BRAD INMAN! etc, etc
Jack
Guest
WHERE WOULD YOU FIT - 'TOM ROGIC THEN?'
paul
Guest
yea he's got everything to be a great target man... i dont know why u compare him to viduka... bernie is lightning quick while v-bomb had the pace of a wounded tortise (although being a great striker) bernie is my favourite player in the A-league behind flores and leckie and i follow his carrer closely, being the top scorer in the youth league shows he's got the nouse and he definatly has all the physical attributes and he is black... what more can u ask for... please come to the mighty reds bernie! youth marquee
Midfielder
Guest
Harry has a European Champion League winners medal ... when at Liverpool...
apaway
Guest
Futbanous When Kewell and Viduka were playing for Leeds, they were constant Premiership contenders and made the last 4 of the Champions League. That's pretty "big."
apaway
Guest
It is, Ben, but the season should just be finishing about now, rather than mid-March.
Titus
Guest
With Amini and Antonis central, Schwing!
whiskeymac
Guest
yeah well said - and even though we have a few potentials, there is Langerak at Dortmund (and potentially amini)
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
And Leckie too. What a forward line - Leckie on the right, Bernie on the left and Bulut in the central striking role. If they all play to their best ability they will cause some problems.
punter
Guest
I think a 33 year old experienced hack, whose experience allows him to get around the football field, but really dosn't add much the spectacle or give us much of a future. For example John Hutchinson could do a ok job in the centre of the midfield for CCM to replace Perez, but why would you have him there in place of Amini, despite the fact Amini may be more prone to errors. We need our young players to learn & get experience. This is what this league is all about.
Midfielder
Guest
Ben Leckie is worth the price of admission by himself ... will be interesting seeing him and Amini in the same team ...
Midfielder
Guest
jameswm Not slow but does not have blinding speed... more elusive and very quick off the mark.... has a hack of knowing where to go and getting in position early ... sota reads his options early and moves often before the reciever has the ball to make their pass ...
nordster
Guest
just on the youth league ... be great if they could find a way to at least keep the NYL going for 10 months of the year if not the A-L ... no stadium availability or pay TV scheduling to get in the way there. Would certainly help the game get through what u might call the 'Blue Balls' phase of the A-League's development !
jameswm
Guest
How fast is this kid? I have a feeling he was a brilliant athlete when younger (10-12). My kid's that age and does the same events and I think Bernie holds a few records.
Midfielder
Guest
whiskeymac No one can replace Amini .... he has a skill I have only ever seen in Harry ...a player with his touch and passing ability and vision is hard to find ... remember he was only 17 when he played in the grand final ... if he reaches his potential he will be one of our greats ... My tho's for what they are worth is we will play a 4-3-3 system of sorts...
Midfielder
Guest
Mick I watched him play a lot in the youth league... he was a stand out .. He played less than a handful of matches for the Mariners ... but has class written all over him... he had a very slender build almost spider like frame ... a match box with skin a mate of mine said once ... Arnold said he will get hacked to long term injury if we play him to much in the top team... I have not seen him but they say he is getting more strength and has a tad more meat now... Will be interesting to watch this kid develop as it will with a number of young players...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Mick, evey country should talk about the potential of various kids coming through the ranks regardless of the level of quality the country produces. It's all about the excitement of football and watching development. Here we talk about the potential of some of the young Cambodian kids who, if things go exceptionally well, may have a chance to play in Thailand or Indonesia. Just because they are not going to be playing for Manchester United doesn't mean discussing football development and the possibility of Cambodian football taking another small step isn't enjoyable.