Sydney FC’s Alex Brosque takes a shot at goal during the A-League match against the Wellington Phoenix FC. AAP Image/Paul Miller
When Alex Brosque stepped up to the penalty spot in stoppage time on Wednesday night, he had the weight of a football-mad town on his shoulders. Shimizu S-Pulse are one of the most popular clubs in Japan, and Brosque is developing into a key man for the Shizuoka side.
Shimizu were awarded a penalty four minutes into stoppage time in their clash with Montedio Yamagata on Wednesday night, and although the home side had several notable players on the pitch – including ex-Bundesliga star Naohiro Takahara – it was Brosque who stepped up to take it.
If ever there was a moment to test Brosque’s mental fortitude, this was it.
A quick glance at referee Masaaki Iemoto, a deep breath and then euphoria: Brosque had side-footed a confident spot-kick past Yuki Uekusa to send the S-Pulse fans into delirium.
I’m often accused of viewing the J. League through orange-tinted glasses, but the reason I believe Shimizu are an important Asian club is because they’re one of the few teams in the region founded as the result of community rather than corporate interests.
But with such a deep connection to the local community comes expectation, and one of my concerns when Brosque moved to the J. League was how he would handle the pressure of being a high-profile foreign signing.
That hasn’t been a problem according to S-Pulse fan Daisuke Matsuura, who says Brosque has been quick to win over hearts and minds.
“Alex Brosque has earned trust from coach Ghotbi, his teammates, and supporters simply by showing his continuous dedication to his team,” Matsuura told me.
“What impressed me the most was how much he ran for defence in a few games in the beginning of the season. It was almost like he was trying to cover the entire field,” he said.
Another man who has seen Shimizu’s vociferous supporters turn against foreign signings is Barry Valder, who writes a long-running blog about the Shizuoka club.
“Alex has settled in well. Playing behind the top three but with a free reign to go forward. Good that he got his first goal early versus Nagoya,” Valder told me, adding that he expects to see the Australian international chime in with ten goals this season.
So far he’s scored three, but impressively they’ve all been vital ones.
There was the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against defending champions Nagoya, the opener before laying on a second away at Omiya and Wednesday’s heart-stopping clincher to see off a stubborn Yamagata in front of the Shimizu fans.
What makes Brosque’s form all the more impressive is the fact he’s joined a side unrecognisable from previous campaigns.
Shimizu saw 15 players depart during the off-season, including jewel in the crown Jungo Fujimoto, while long-serving coach and former club stalwart Kenta Hasegawa announced his decision to step down midway through a disappointing 2010 campaign.
Whether Shimizu win a trophy this season or not, Brosque should take immense satisification from the fact he’s able to cut it in the best league in Asia.
Recently I spoke to another peripatetic Australian, Danny Allsopp, and he told me how proud he was to have played professionally on four different continents.
As fans and analysts desperate to see Australians excel on the highest stage, we sometimes forget that simply moving to another country to experience different sights and cultures can be a personal triumph all on its own.
Brosque has a young family by his side in Shizuoka, and of course the influence of the redoubtable Eddy Bosnar shouldn’t be understated.
But the Australian international has also overcome a controversial departure from Sydney FC, being played in an unfamiliar position and the high expectations which come with joining a club desperate for silverware.
There’s still a long way to go, but if Alex Brosque wants his critics to judge him for his on-field performances, he’s certainly going the right way about it.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I guess we just have to agree to disagree. I still haven't heard a single Japanese forward named to support your supposition which is a little disappointing as some informed debate is always welcome.
Uncle Bob
Guest
The Japanese players in those Euro clubs are the equivalent of 'pay' drivers in Formula 1. Half the local kids could play as good if not better but the Japanese bring in commercial factors to make them attractive. You put them in your team to increase sales of merchandising, tv back in the large Japanese market. They are hopeless forwards in reality.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Kagawa, Honda and Okazaki rubbish? Dortmund, CSKA Moscow and Stuttgart beg to differ. Their young centre backs are considered good enough to be centrebacks in Bundesliga & Eredivisie which, to my understanding, requires rather robust individuals. Do you have any idea as to how strong Honda is? Perhaps it could help Uncle Bob, if you could ascertain which particular players are rubbish and why as the generalisation you offer does not appear to hold up to even casual scrutiny.
Uncle Bob
Guest
They were quicker and more skillful, not stronger. And they only barely managed to get by us. They are utterly rubbish up front, the Japanese.
Titus
Guest
As a season ticket holder, even in the direst of games, Brosque was all class. You could see he was a level above in skill on the ball and ability to take players on. Yes, he was let down a little by an annoying habit of shooting straight at the keeper, and going down too easily. But I always felt happy that he couldn't score, because then he would be playing at Arsenal and not Sydney.
punter
Guest
Maybe Shimizu playing him behind the strikers is the way to go. I thought he was a very good player at SFC but just wasn't a great goal scorer.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The opinion that matters the most to me is always expert opinion. And, for me, one of the world's most highly qualified experts of technical ability is Australia's National Team manager, Holger Osieck. Osieck was Assistant Manger of the German National Team when it won the 1990 FIFA WC and served as FIFA's Technical Director for many years. The fact that Osieck recently recalled Alex Brosque to the National Team for the games against Serbia & NZ is the expert opinion that means something to me.
Nelson
Guest
Exactly, Ben of P.P.
David Paul Grubesic
Guest
no, just no.... im so over NSW overrating players, yes he played for SFC no he isn't good
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Just like we out muscled the Japanese at the Asian Cup and the Danes out muscled them at the World Cup.... oh, hang on...
Nelson
Guest
Erm, making a bit of an assumption there, buddy.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Great news for everyone - the lad, CCM & Dortmund. On the TWG Football Forum, which aired on SBS on Monday night, Holger Osieck suggested a loan back to HAL clubs would be an ideal option for young players to ensure they kept playing regularly. So, that makes it: => 4 players, who only ever played in the HAL, signed by Bundesliga 1 clubs, including 2 players signed by the Dortmund, the current Champions of Germany => a couple more ex-HAL players signed by Bundesliga 2 clubs => 3 players, who only ever played in the HAL, signed by Eredivisie clubs Yeah ... not bad for a league that is only SIX years old and is allegedly ... not good enough quality to bother watching!
whiskeymac
Guest
this isnt a bad transfer outcome if amini is loaned back and the CCM get some $ for him. Well done Pete Turnbull and Co... http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1061139/Amini-commits-to--Dortmund
Uncle Bob
Guest
Brosque was a bit of a dud I thought. Highly over-rated. Maybe he can out muscle the Japanese but he struggled in our league.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Composing Haiku from Sunpu-jinja with Mt Fuji in the background or getting on the shinkasen for a long night in Roppongi? Options, oh the options.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
A spot of green tea, perhaps? Or maybe Alex and Eddy are living it up at popular local nightspot Hippy Shake? The mind boggles!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Nice article, MIke. Indeed the chance to live and work abroad is an adventure in itself, and certainly Shizuoka has much to offer beyond football.
Titus
Guest
I loved watching Brosque at Sydney last season. He is fantastic on the ball, fast, attacking, whenever he gets the ball there is a sense of anticipation. His only problem at Sydney was his scoring record, he created enough chances to probably have a few more to his name. I haven't seen his games for S-Pulse but I would be interested to watch him play as a CAM. Anyway if he keeps scoring then that is great and I will always be happy to see him in the national team, and hopefully back at Sydney soon.
whiskeymac
Guest
good story Mike - I wasn't sure how Brosque wld go - his early hype as the next best thing never seemed to materialise much beyond being a good player for an average Roar and SFC - so its good to hear he is making a positive impact in the JLeague. All power to him and maybe if he keeps this form up he will be adding a few more socceroo caps to his collection?
whiskeymac
Guest
Thats the silver lining to the cloud Fuss (and its true re: transfers post bosman can see clubs lose a lot (Flamini, Cole, Henry and possibly Nasri and Fabregas for Arsenal fans...). But i also agree with JAJI's snetiment that aussie clubs need to be a bit more astute - the clause in Brosque's contract was ridiculous for someone of his importance to the team. The transfer deals involving Langerak, Zullo, Oar, Sarota, Djite, Burns etc are a mixed bag - it will be interesting to see how Amini's works out with CCM. I am all for HAl teams and players getting the opportunity to be involved in transfers, but lets not sell ourselves short when these players represent the best assets/ our clubs need the money!