Borussia Dortmund are one of the greatest football clubs in the world, currently boasting five World Cup winning players.
The club is more distinguished than Bayer Leverkusen, where our esteemed Robbie Kruse struggles for game-time when fit, and on par with Liverpool, where reputable youngster Brad Smith has developed into a highly sought after defender.
Smith is now on loan to third tier Swindon Town alongside another popular young Aussie Massimo Luongo, who went to the World Cup but failed to make an appearance.
Both players are high on the Socceroo’s radar, unlike Mustafa Amini, who is arguably at a much better club than both players, though has fallen behind with the national team.
Similar to League One in England, Borussia Dortmund’s development squad plays in Germany’s third tier – 3. Liga – where Amini has developed into one of Australia’s most promising, albeit neglected, footballers.
During the 2012/13 season, Amini featured for Dortmund II consecutively in the latter stages of the season, and carried this run of form into the following season, making 15 appearances before injuring and ultimately ruling himself out for the remainder of 2014.
Having overcome injury, Amini was gifted three appearances with Dormund’s first team during pre-season and heads into the 2014/15 season in the best form of his life. A strong showing in Borussia II this year could force the youngster into Jurgen Klopps plan’s for the near future, though the same can’t be said about Ange Postecoglou.
Amini has fallen out of favour with the Australian national team, and may struggle to reappear if he remains in the Dortmund development squad, despite its striking similarities with Swindon Town in League One.
The falling-out occurred when Amini was controversially left out of Australia’s U20s World Cup side in 2013, as he was beginning to flourish with Dortmund. Whether fitness was an issue or not, as coach Paul Okon claimed, Amini hasn’t represented Australia since, despite being one of our most promising footballers.
With the Asian Cup approaching, and with Amini looking for a breakthrough season at Borussia Dortmund, the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Saudi Arabia have been reported as scouting games for Ange, who is likely to reveal a few new faces for the Socceroos.
How does a powerhouse like Borussia Dortmund see talent that the Australian national set-up does not? Amini is obviously in good hands, and should be in a similar position to Luongo in regard to the national team.
Amini has made almost as much noise as Josh Brillante at Fiorientina during pre-season, sadly such noise may have fallen on deaf ears.
anthony khoudair
Guest
Mustafa Amini plays better football than any A league player. The way he reads the game and the accuracy of his passing is what Australia need. In order to compete globally we need a player of his capabilities. I've personally watched him play and think that he should've been picked a long time ago to represent Australia in the senior team. You got the likes of Rogic who couldn't even make the field at Celtic which resulted him coming back to the A league. It's unfortunate that some players are unseen or ignored.
sam smith
Guest
amini is by far the best midfielder Australia has. Paul Okon is a dirty dog for leaving him out even though amini performed the best in the trial game against the Dutch. okons spiteful act can possibly ruin a career of upcoming star. ange and the aleague are kidding themselves when they compare their football to Europe. Amini and Antonis are the future for the socceroos
Brad Pope
Guest
What I don't understand is why everyone is referring to the need to play "first team football". Not all of the Socceroos manage to play "first team football" and in Mustafa's case, prior to being injured, he was playing regularly for the reserves in the third league ("competitive football"). I mean, Borussia Dortmund is one of the greatest teams in the world and surely cracking into the starting line-up of any A-league team would be 19277291 times easier. Has everyone forgotten that he was smashing the A-league earlier in his career? A third tier German team is if not equal to, then better than any A-league team. He also gets mentored by one of the best coaches in the world.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Good News for AUS, agree that he would be behind Shaw for England. Interesting reading comments when Smith was called into England U/21 squad around his desire to represent the Three Lions etc etc. Lets hope Ange can get the best out of him!
Adam
Guest
haha talk about timing! I am shocked that Smith is in there too. We did a bit of a double take at work this morning when announced
cookyjar
Guest
As sorry as I feel for Amini, he can walk straight into the starting XIs of Afghanistan or Nicaragua(his dual-heritage) if he never wins a Socceroo cap.
Alexander Mitchell
Roar Pro
Agree with Rogic, I'm still not convinced by Amini though.
Fadida
Guest
I'm sure Brad realises that his chance of playing for England are limited by Luke Shaw, who cost 30 million and will start for Man U. He is already an established EPL player. Liverpool have bought another option for Smith's position, making his chance did playing for Liverpool, let alone England, slim.
Fadida
Guest
Oops, perhaps Smith is on the NT radar.... :D
Griffo
Roar Guru
From memory Amini was with Dortmund in England and a subsequent post-match party and then questions of fitness arose...dunno if this was selection spin for 'you could have been with us instead you were with your club 'boozing' it up' but Amini wasn't happy to be left out, and Okon not happy to be called on it. Don't think that has helped Amini (sans injury) since. Possibility with Okon working closely in the NT setup that he's not recommending Amini to Ange? A bit conspiracy theory-like which only game time and playing well will overcome if that is the case. -- In saying that, if playing Amini could be called up next month. Ange is expanding out the list so not inconceivable for Luongo etc. to make way for the likes of Amini for a couple of matches...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I felt the same. They play their cards pretty close to their chest with the youth sides.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Good to see Sainsbury back in the mix. Valeri getting a look in once more I see and Herd named once more. A few names missing however with injuries and the like that is not surprising.
Midfielder
Guest
When Oken dropped Musty in the U 23 match you get the feeling there may have been more in it than was reported ... Given he has been developed as a 6 or 8 by his club side ... a position we are weak in I do wonder aloud why he is not selected when some players in England two to three divisions down from the EPL are ...
Mantis
Roar Guru
Good news, hope he keeps improving
aladdin sane
Guest
last time I really got a good look at him was the friendly pre-u20 world cup vs a strong Dutch u-23 side, and he was head and shoulders our best player. Opened them up on more than one occasion with his passing. I nearly fell off my chair when Okon left him out a month later. He certainly looked fit enough when he was pulling the strings against the Dutch. At any rate, I'm fairly sure Klopp has said positive things about him on a few occasions which he doesn't have to do, so if he can stay fit, who knows.
Griffo
Roar Guru
A bit of a fan of Brillante so good to see him in there. A bit surprised by Leckie considering the press on him taking it easy on his abdominal injury. Good for Antonis, Juric and Sainsbury. Will Chris Herd make it this time? Expecting Langerak and Ryan to share games but that has not always transpired but a good feeling Langerak will see some game time.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Brad Smith has just been named in the AUS squad to play friendlies against Belgium & Saudi Arabia. Ange said he's spoken to Brad & Brad is committed to representing his country, Australia.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Ange has just announced the squad for the friendlies against BEL & KSA Antonis, Brilliante, Cahill, Davidson, Halloran, Herd, Jedinak, Juric, Kruse, Langerak, Leckie, Luongo, Milligan, Oar, Ryan, Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Valeri, Wilkinson, Bailey Wright This via TWG: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bvhi_QfIMAAa4M9.png
Griffo
Roar Guru
Amini's contract is up at end of this season but he is still being encouraged by Klopp. He just has to knuckle down and do everything and more and see what comes of it this season. He may see more bench time with the first team...get a few minutes here...then who knows? Word is Ange will look at some new players for the upcoming games, but he does want you playing first team football regularly, and playing well. That's the expectation. That's what Amini has to do. How much of second team action is enough isn't really a platform Amini should rest on.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Amini is a class act. 2 weeks ago, he came on for the final 15' against Liverpool in a friendly. And, just by the way he controls the ball, shields the ball, sees passing options, executes the pass & runs into space ... he's got more technical ability & tactical nous than many other midfielders who were part of the AUS squad in Brasil. Amini & Rogic .. that's the creative future for Australia.