Holger Osieck’s Socceroos have recently been questioned for their recent form and labelled ‘Dad’s Army’, but one standout in recent performances has been the rejuvenated Mark Bresciano – partly down to his form in the Middle East.
After taking a national team break, Bresciano has been the spark which the Socceroos have recently lacked, with an exceptional range of passing and the creativity to either create chances or to finish them off himself.
It was evident during the recent friendlies against Scotland and Lebanon that the Melbournian was on form, scoring a stunning volley against the Scots, before creating two of the Green and Gold’s goals against the Lebanese.
Bresciano has found a new life to his Socceroos career in the Middle East, first with UAE club Al Nasr, before signing with Qatari side Al-Gharafa last month.
At Al Nasr is where the former Palermo playmaker regained his form with ten goals from 17 games, which prompted Osieck to call back the 32-year-old.
Many believe players move to the Middle East to finish their careers, or to gain a quick buck, but Bresciano’s success has led others to seeing the Gulf states as a viable option with an influx of Australians jumping ship to the Middle East.
Socceroos Skipper Lucas Neill is currently at his second Emirati club, after joining Al Wasl recently from Al Jazira, the former happened to be coached by Diego Maradona last season.
Follow Socceroo defenders Sasa Ognenovski and Matt Spiranovic have just joined Qatari sides Umm-Salal and Al-Arabi respectively, continuing Asian clubs fond of strong Australian defenders.
UAE Pro League side Baniyas was recently interested in Brisbane Roar’s Erik Paartalu, but the Roar and Paartalu were reluctant depart, hence why they signed Nick Carle on loan from Sydney instead.
One may ask why all of a sudden are the Gulf clubs interesting in Australians?
Since Australia was accepted into the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Australian players are categorized as Asian players, so most AFC leagues can register Australians without taking up a foreign spot in their squad.
But why would one move to such a cultural diverse country?
Not only is the financial aspect appealing, the quality of the leagues in the Gulf are improving year by year.
Australians would also be closer to World Cup Qualifiers; they are prepared for the conditions which World Cup Qualifiers in Asian present and they waste less time travelling from Europe back to Asia.
TC
Guest
There was a funny moment during the broadcast of the game this morning on Fox. Harps notes how all the Jordanian players earn a living in the Middle East. The obvious thought came to me.... TC
Nick
Guest
After playing in the intense heat of the middle east. Playing in other conditions would seem easier by comparison. He should dominate the Qualifiers in Australia. Like Goku going into that time capsule thing to train in in Dragon Ball Z.
Chris
Guest
The Middle East is the least "culturally diverse" place on earth. If you do anything even slightly outside of the accepted cultural norms there they lock you up and whip the hell out of you.
nordster
Guest
On the contrary, the money generated from the occasional sale to clubs in AFC or UEFA will help fund future development of the next batch of players. Even the ones that just go across for wages and no fee are potentially blazing a path for future moves there that could generate a fee. Every player that goes over and makes an impact will improve the stature and value of our players. Of course that goes both ways but plays out over time in our favour imo.
bergkamp
Guest
Damn pesky foreigners. Imagine them have a different time zone to ours. Probably don't eat Vegemite either. Think you'll find even Latvia and Faroe Island cause problems to other teams at home, and don't lose 4 or 5 nil. And, by the way, it is on SBS.
Bondy.
Guest
Love your football Vic'y dont be a hater.
Daniel Quinn
Roar Pro
Matt Spiranovic has only really started his career.... Couple big stadiums, the rest have capacities of like 8-10k. Baniyas, where Carle is, only 8k
Newcastle Michael
Guest
They've been decent servants to their country, let them go and earn a big paypacket. However, I'd rather they came back here to play while they aren't geriatrics, but I can see why they go there. You would think that it would be a bit hollow though, wouldnt you? Umm-Salal not exactly a household name, is it? But money talks. Can anyone provide stats on attendances in the UAE & Qatari leagues?
Stefanov
Roar Pro
Money + Low Tax Rates + Greedy Socceroos = Reasons why they play in the Middle East... We are not going to develop another Kewell or Cahill with our players going to the Gulf. Not good. Not healthy at all.
Vic
Guest
We are playing a team of semi-pros. In Europe, Jordan would be the equivalent of a Latvia or a Faroe Islands. Oz should win 4 or 5 blob. Anything less is not acceptable. A real shame of this match is the complete lack of media due to a number of factors. They schedule matches at early hours of the morning and on Fox Sports. Even if you wanted to go to a pub to watch it, you can't because it would be shut. So your option is a pirate stream or not at all. The FFA should get the AFC to schedule these matches in our time zones and on free to air when we can see it. The so called soccer sleeping giant will never awaken unless soccer gets its act together. Hardly anyone has pay tv and our clubs and teams are not worth paying that much money to watch. We are not England. I am actually coming to the realisation we were better off being semi pro and on SBS regularly when we were all part of the community. Now it is just easier to follow the foreign teams in Europe than here. Maybe the FFA needs to look at how the basketball people are handling it. Put it on the web if it is so hard to deal with this Fox Sports cartel.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah - "but Bresciano’s success has led others to seeing the Gulf states as a viable option " BUT what about the HAL as a viable option? OK, ADP got a bag full $$$$ but imagine Bresc at HeartFC and ADP at BlingFC at a sellout AAMI???? That's what I want!!! Come on Socceroos Golden Generation, come home and turn the HAL into somehting really special - please.
Tigranes
Guest
"But why would one move to such a cultural diverse country?" Are these countries truly diverse - they dont exactly treat subcontinental workers too well and foreigners are restricted on purchasing real estate.