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.
The Socceroos have secured a match against Canada in London four days after playing France in Paris as they attempt to bounce back from their thrashing by Brazil.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) annnounced on Thursday that the Socceroos would play Canada at Fulham’s home ground, Craven Cottage, on Tuesday, October 15.
The friendly match was warmly welcomed by coach Holger Osieck, who needs all the match practice for his team after they were drubbed 6-0 by Brazil earlier this month while preparing for next year’s World Cup.
“The opportunity came up to play Canada on the second FIFA match date in October after we play France on the Friday evening in Paris,” said Osieck.
“For us it is important to play as many international matches as possible in the lead-up to the World Cup.”
Canada are ranked 91st in the world while the Socceroos are 53rd.
The Canadians failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup and have begun a rebuilding program under new coach and former Real Madrid manager Benito Floro.
The teams have met eight times previously, with Australia winning four times and drawing once.
Australia won the two most recent meetings – home and away – in 1993 during qualifying for the 1994 World Cup.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Morocco is not the only nation to find success with a large contingent of foreign-developed players - and the Socceroos can join that list.
Cameron Burgess scored the winner to confirm Ipswich’s status as a Premier League club.
Socceroo Cameron Burgess has put Ipswich within touching distance of the Premier League after a 2-1 win over Coventry in the English Championship. Kieffer…
Who stood out from the Australians both here and overseas in a busy week of the world game? Goalkeeper - Mathew Ryan- 3-0 win…
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?