Having left a powerhouse, Amini targets first team football

Mustafa Amini receives possesson from the left wing at Randers Stadion, taking the ball into the penalty box while simultaneously evading a sliding challenge from an opposing defender.

The 22-year-old cuts inside onto his right foot, and with a second defender bearing down on him coolly hits the ball past the keeper into the top right corner.

Welcome to Randers FC. Superligaen fans just got a little taste of what this young man with burning red locks can deliver in his debut season.

Amini’s goal against Sant Julia secured passage into the next round of Europa League qualification for his new club, and although Randers FC’s continental dream has since been quashed, the immediate impact of their new signing is promising.

“It was good to score my first goal and it certainly helps to settle in,” Amini says.

“I’m very happy here and so far it’s been all good.”

The early signs are all pointing to the former Central Coast Mariners playmaker having a breakout season that many Australian fans have been pining for since he left the A-League.

Amini, like Tom Rogic, has long been touted as a future Socceroo; one of Australia’s prodigies who possesses a clear creative streak that can break open games. It is likely these qualities, as well as a strong physical presence and improved tactical awareness, are what convinced Randers FC coach Colin Todd to lure Amini away from Borussia Dortmund.

Amini’s three-year spell at the Bundesliga powerhouse coincided with Mitchell Langerak’s five-year tenure at the famous Westfalenstadion. Both players have received criticism for sticking with Dortmund in their quest to crack Europe.

While players of similar attributes such as Mat Ryan and Massimo Luongo chose to kickstart their careers in lower leagues or at lesser clubs, and have found themselves thrust firmly in the Socceroos’ first team, Amini and Langerak chose to complete apprenticeships surrounded by world-class teammates, coaches and facilities.

It is clearly a longer road, a lack of first team action hurting their national team chances. However three years spent at one of the best clubs in Europe cannot be underestimated. Over the next two years both players will be determined to prove it was not a waste of time.

For Amini, he wouldn’t trade the three years at Dortmund, convinced it has helped him grow into European football.

“I think being in Germany at Dortmund was fantastic,” Amini says.

“I spent three wonderful years there playing and training with some of the best players in the world and that has given me confidence to take [to Denmark] and push on.

“It’s a big step up playing first team football, though that’s not to say the 3. Liga wasn’t tough because it was. But I think this is the next step. I have to start playing first team.”

Amini’s game has also significantly developed from his time at Dortmund, particularly tactically. While in the A-League Amini was best known as a creative force, at Dortmund he was playing within a fluid midfield three, the prototype used by Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.

Usually deployed as a number six, or a deep-lying playmaker, Amini is equally adept in the number eight role. Already at Randers FC he has found himself playing in both roles, as well as on the right of a 4-4-2, as a pure number 10, and as a second striker.

“[Randers FC] play good football,” Amini explains, “obviously it depends on the opponent and the situation, but they normally play a 4-4-2 with two strong strikers. The quality of the team is good, they like to keep the ball and get forward as much as possible.”

Having such a round understanding of the football pitch is a neat skill to possess, not only so a footballer can excel in many roles, but also to be aware of where and how his teammates will perform and react. Three years of training at Dortmund has provided Amini with invaluable knowledge.

Yet, as Amini says, at 22 he has to start playing first team football. Which is where Randers FC and English coach Todd come in.

“Obviously I was playing for Dortmund and playing every game for the second team, but I always knew I needed to move on.

“My agent was searching around and there was interest from Germany and Belgium but when Randers came along there was no doubt.

“They seemed pretty keen on me and once I saw the facilities and the professionalism of the club there were no more questions. The treatment of the players is second to none, just like at Dortmund.

“The professionalism and how they want to reach their goals is really promising.

Todd, who hails from Chester-le-Street in north-east England, has been with the club since 2012 and played a big role in Amini’s decision. Amini says he is quite hands on, speaking with players often about expectations and goals.

“He wants me working hard, expressing myself and pushing the team forward. It’s nice to have a coach that tells you to believe in yourself and to make a difference, to not have restrictions [when attacking].

Amini played every minute of the recent two-legged tie against IF Elfsborg in the Europa League qualifiers. In the first game he was a standout on the right side of midfield, taking on board set piece duty and creating a number of chances for his new teammates.

Unfortunately, the chances were not converted, Randers FC left with a 0-0 stalemate when they could have laid on two or three.

The second leg in Sweden went into extra time, Randers losing 1-0 after a second yellow card to striker Nicolai Brock-Madsen left them struggling to maintain intensity levels. Amini was more subdued in this match, playing as a second striker, though his hassling and harrying of opponents led to a number of turnovers.

The two games showed firstly what Amini can achieve in this team, but also highlighted the level of football and the need for Amini to grow into first team action and continue his learning curve.

“The goals for me are to keep my form going, stay in the first team and hopefully play more football in Europe,” Amini says.

“Qualifying for the Europa League would have been massive, and a big bonus to the club, the players and the fans.

“But unfortunately that’s football. I think against Elfsborg it could have gone either way but now we concentrate on the Superligaen and hope to be able to compete in Europe next season.”

The next six months will be purely about the Danish league for Amini. But come early next year all thoughts will turn to Qatar.

The Olyroos travel to the Middle East in February for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup, which acts as a qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Aurelio Vidmar’s side head to the tournament on a three-match winning streak after scoring 15 goals past Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Myanmar earlier this year. They will have to finish in the top three of the Asian Cup to secure a spot in the Olympics.

Qualification is essential for the Australian youth set-up, which has failed to participate in this year’s Under-20 World Cup (after failing to win a match in qualifiers) and the 2012 Olympics (after failing to score a goal in six qualifying matches).

Amini has been a focal point of the Olyroos’ recent revival, which has included a cracking volley against Hong Kong and a penalty in a surprise 2-2 draw with Brazil.

The fiery midfielder had a prolonged spell away from the youth national setup after a falling out with Paul Okon, though should be an automatic starter for Vidmar.

Amini has worn the captain’s armband for the Olyroos recently and his place in the midfield trio appears a no-brainer.

“I’m hoping to be an important member for the Olyroos,” Amini says.

“It would be massive for Australia [to qualify for Rio] and it’s a big goal of mine to make the Olympics, I think it would be for any footballer.

As for the Socceroos? Amini is eager to break into Postecoglou’s Asian Cup champions, of which he was named in the extended 50-man squad, but is willing to bide his time and wait for the right moment.

“It’s never too early, I’ve played and competed with a lot of the players in the current Socceroos squad,” he says.

“And when I see players like Danny Da Silva and Chris Ikonomidis in there I know I can be there.

“But maybe it’s a good thing I haven’t been brought in yet. The Olympics and Olyroos are my priority now as the Socceroos are always there. And it’s always possible.

“Once I’m in there [the Socceroos] I want to stay there. I want to keep my place.”