The value of foreign-developed players: What Football Australia can learn from Morocco for Socceroos success
Morocco is not the only nation to find success with a large contingent of foreign-developed players - and the Socceroos can join that list.
Evergreen Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is targeting a slice of World Cup history after reiterating his desire to carry on for Australia until Brazil 2014.
The Fulham keeper turns 40 in October but wants to continue playing for at least another two seasons as he eyes an international swan song in South America.
Should Schwarzer make it to Brazil, he would become the oldest goalkeeper and the second oldest player ever, behind Cameroon star Roger Milla, to compete at a World Cup finals.
Milla was 42 years, one month and eight days old when he competed at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Schwarzer will be 41 years, eight months and six days old when the 2014 event begins in Brazil and he has every intention of being there.
“It’s great, I am living the dream,” Schwarzer said after returning from two month’s out with a spinal injury in Fulham’s 2-1 Premier League win over Stoke on Saturday.
“I am playing football at the highest level and I am almost 40 years old.
“There are not too many of us that can say that so I am still playing because I love playing.
“As long as you love playing and you’re still good enough to play at this level, then I want to continue.
“I still have ambitions to go and represent Australia in another World Cup in 2014, that is my ultimate goal and I am working towards it.”
Schwarzer, Australia’ most capped player in A internationals, has been a mainstay in Fulham’s side since joining from Middlesbrough in 2008.
Last month he penned a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2012/13 season.
Schwarzer could be named in Australia’s squad for the World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne on February 29, though he may be rested until the second stage of qualifiers starting in June as progression in already assured.
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Morocco is not the only nation to find success with a large contingent of foreign-developed players - and the Socceroos can join that list.
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