Stephen Lustica signed for Gold Coast United first-team this week.
What young Canberran wouldn't want to swap places with Canberra's Andrew Baresic and Lustica as they start their first A-League contracts onlongside Jason Culina and the richest team in the league..supposedly.
And Central Coast Mariners are increasingly likely to bring an A-League game to Canberra...if the price is right I guess.
Canberran Stephen Domenici opened the scoring for the Joeys in Tashkent yesterday. Danai Gapare also got game time. I'm assuming Chris Bush was injured.See release below.
Question: How many other Canberran or Goulburn Under 16's or younger have ever even been to Uzbekistan?
And who in that age range from this region,if anyone, has ever played a sporting contest in that country?
The Qantas Joeys have recorded a confidence boosting 3-0 victory in a friendly match against the Uzbekistan U16 National team in Tashkent overnight.
Qantas Joeys Head Coach Martyn Crook used the fixture to fine tune his teams preparations for the AFC U16 Championships, which kick-offs this weekend, and as a result gave the majority of the 23-player squad match time.
Stephen Domenici opened the scoring for the Qantas Joeys just after the half-hour mark and five minutes later Eli Babalj doubled the lead with a well finished goal.
Ben Kantarovski completed the scoring for the Qantas Joeys late in the match when he headed home a Marc Warren free kick at the far post.
The Qantas Joeys open their AFC U16 Championships campaign on Sunday 5 October when they face Saudi Arabia at the Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent.
Match Details:
Uzbekistan 0
Qantas Joeys 3 (Stephen Domenici 33’, Eli Babalj 38’, Ben Kantarovski 85’)
Pakhtakor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Qantas Joeys line-up: Robert Kolac, Nathan Farrell (Chahine Noujaim), Brendan Hamill (C), Petar Franjic, Trent Sainsbury (Mark Perrone), Ben Kantarovski, Jared Lum, Stephen Domenici (Teddy Yabio), Nikola Stanojevic (Kamal Ibrahim), Cameron Edwards (Marc Warren), Eli Babalj (Danai Gapare).
Substitutes not used: Julius Davies, Bailey Wright, Dimitrios Petratos.
Yellow Cards: Nathan Farrell
QANTAS JOEYS SQUAD
AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
4-18 October 2008
Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACTAS), Julius Davies (WA), Stephen Domenici (ACTAS), Cameron Edwards (WA), Petar Franjic (VIS), Nathan Farrell (SASI), Danai Gapare (ACTAS), Brendan Hamill (NSWIS), Kamal Ibrahim (VIS), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Robert Kolac (NSWIS), Aaron Lennox (NSWIS), Jared Lum (NSWIS), Chahine Noujaim (SASI), Mark Perrone (SASI), Dimitrios Petratos (NSWIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSWIS), Nicholas Tubbs (QAS), Marc Warren (NSWIS), Bailey Wright (VIS) and Teddy Yabio (VIS).
AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
OFFCIAL MATCH SCHEDULE
Group A: BAHRAIN, I.R. IRAN, SINGAPORE, UZBEKISTAN
#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off
1
4 Oct 2008
I.R. IRAN vs. BAHRAIN
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00
2
4 Oct 2008
SINGAPORE vs. UZBEKISTAN
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00
9
6 Oct 2008
BAHRAIN vs. SINGAPORE
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00
10
6 Oct 2008
UZBEKISTAN vs. I.R. IRAN
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00
17
8 Oct 2008
I.R. IRAN vs. SINGAPORE
MHSK Stadium
15:00
19
8 Oct 2008
UZBEKISTAN vs. BAHRAIN
Pakhtakor Stadium
15:00
Group B: INDIA, INDONESIA, KOREA REPUBLIC, SYRIA
#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off
3
4 Oct 2008
SYRIA vs. INDONESIA
MHSK Stadium
18:00
4
4 Oct 2008
KOREA REPUBLIC vs. INDIA
MHSK Stadium
14:00
11
6 Oct 2008
INDONESIA vs. KOREA REPUBLIC
MHSK Stadium
14:00
12
6 Oct 2008
INDIA vs. SYRIA
MHSK Stadium
18:00
18
8 Oct 2008
SYRIA vs. KOREA REPUBLIC
Pakhtakor Stadium
19:00
20
8 Oct 2008
INDIA vs. INDONESIA
MHSK Stadium
19:00
Group C: AUSTRALIA, CHINA P.R., SAUDI ARABIA, TURKMENISTAN
#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off
5
5 Oct 2008
CHINA P.R. vs. TURKMENISTAN
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00
6
5 Oct 2008
SAUDI ARABIA vs. AUSTRALIA
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00
13
7 Oct 2008
TURKMENISTAN vs. SAUDI ARABIA
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00
14
7 Oct 2008
AUSTRALIA vs. CHINA P.R.
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00
21
9 Oct 2008
CHINA P.R. vs. SAUDI ARABIA
Pakhtakor Stadium
15:00
23
9 Oct 2008
AUSTRALIA vs. TURKMENISTAN
MHSK Stadium
15:00
Group D: JAPAN, MALAYSIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN
#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off
7
5 Oct 2008
JAPAN vs. MALAYSIA
MHSK Stadium
14:00
8
5 Oct 2008
YEMEN vs. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
MHSK Stadium
18:00
15
7 Oct 2008
MALAYSIA vs. YEMEN
MHSK Stadium
14:00
16
7 Oct 2008
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. JAPAN
MHSK Stadium
18:00
22
9 Oct 2008
JAPAN vs. YEMEN
Pakhtakor Stadium
19:00
24
9 Oct 2008
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. MALAYSIA
MHSK Stadium
19:00
Quarter Finals
#
Date
Match
Venue
QF1
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group A vs. Runner Up Group B
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00
QF2
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group B vs. Runner Up Group A
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00
QF3
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group C vs. Runner Up Group D
MHSK Stadium
14:00
QF4
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group D vs. Runner Up Group C
MHSK Stadium
18:00
Semi Finals
#
Date
Match
Venue
SF1
15 Oct 2008
Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF3
Pakhtakor Stadium
15:00
SF2
15 Oct 2008
Winner QF2 vs. Winner QF4
Pakhtakor Stadium
19:00
Final
#
Date
Match
Venue
F
18 Oct 2008
Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00
Adam Mark
A great name! A great Canberra football name.
And congratulations to Dane Milovanovic and Sam Munro on being named in the Young Socceroos side to play in the upcoming ASEAN tournament.
But pity the Newcastle Jets. 4 injured on the weekend and James Holland and Jason Naidovski to head o/s as well.
Kaz Patafta to play:)
Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen has selected a squad of 20 players for the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation U19 Youth Championships which will be held in Thailand from 5-11 October 2008.
“We recently held a short training camp in Europe to have a look at a number of overseas based players.
"As a result I have included a number of those overseas based players along with the Australian based players in this squad that will compete in Thailand,” said Versleijen
The ASEAN tournament will be used to strengthen the team for the AFC Championships which will be held in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) starting at the end of October.
“I believe we have a good team, with a mix of players with special qualities as well as good team players .
“With this mix, we are all looking towards qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt next year," concluded Versleijen.
Included in the squad are thirteen Hyundai A-League players as well as James Brown and Dane Milovanovic from the Australian Institute of Sport.
The Hyundai A-League players are Luke De Vere (Queensland Roar), Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Milos Lujic, (Melbourne Victory), Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar), Sam Munro (Sydney FC), Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets), Mitchell Nichols (Queensland Roar), Thomas Oar (Queensland Roar), Andrew Redmayne (Central Coast Mariners), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory) and Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC).
Versleijen has also included five overseas based players in Scott Balderson (Stevenage Borough, UK), Alex Cisak (gk) (Leicester City, UK), Peter Cvetanovski (Borussia Monchenlabach, Germany), Andreas Govas (Apollon Kalamarias, Greece) and Ryan McGowan (Hearts FC, Scotland).
The Qantas Young Socceroos will play their play their first match of the tournament against China PR on Sunday 5 October (kick-off 11.30pm AEDT), and then face the Korea Republic on Tuesday 7 October (kick-off 9:00pm AEDT) before their final group match against Thailand on Thursday 9 October (kick-off 11.30pm AEDT).
The Qantas Young Socceroos will depart Australia on Wednesday 1 October and will use the AFF U19 Youth Championships Tournament as part of their preparations for the AFC U19 Youth Championships Which will be held in Saudi Arabia from the 31 October – 14 November 2008. The top 4 nations from the AFC U19 Youth Championships will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup which will be held in Egypt from 10-31 July 2009.
ENDS
The Qantas Young Socceroos will be departing Sydney International Airport on Wednesday 1 October (check-in 1:30pm). Any media interested in interviewing or filming squad members should contact Adam Mark on 040... by 5.00pm Tuesday 30 September.
Qantas Young Socceroos Squad List
ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championships, 5-11 October 2008
Scott Balderson (Stevenage Borough, UK), James Brown (AIS), Alex Cisak (gk) (Leicester City, UK), Peter Cvetanovski (Borussia Monchenlabach, Germany), Luke De Vere (Queensland Roar), Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory), Andreas Govas (Apollon Kalamarias, Greece), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Milos Lujic (Melbourne Victory), Ryan McGowan (Hearts FC, Scotland), Dane Milovanovic (AIS), Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar), Sam Munro (Sydney FC), Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets), Mitchell Nichols (Queensland Roar), Thomas Oar (Queensland Roar), Andrew Redmayne (gk) (Central Coast Mariners), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory) and Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC).
ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championships
Official Match Schedule
MatchDateFixtureKick-Off TimeVenue
1Sun 5 Oct 08Korea Republic. vs. Thailand5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
2Sun 5 Oct 08Australia vs. China PR7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
3Tues 7 Oct 08Korea Republic vs. Australia 5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Royal Thai Army Stadium
4Tues 7 Oct 08China PR vs. Thailand 7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Royal Thai Army Stadium
5 Thurs 9 Oct 08China PR vs. Korea Republic5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
6Thurs 9 Oct 08Thailand vs. Australia 7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
7Sat 11 Oct 083rd Position vs. 4th Position5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
8 (final)Sat 11 Oct 08Group Champion vs. Group R-up7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
A young Canberra team took on Sydney FC in a Youth League game yesterday. I know we're not in the league...yet. But take a look at the names below....plus how quick is Kofi Danning?
How many of these lads could get a paid gig in a Canberra A-League Youth side in 2010if we get an A-League side?
How many would get (some) game time in Season 1 of Canberra's A-League side?
Codey Larkin (GK), Damien Mahon (GK), Zac Maybury, Jonathan Reis, Aaron Cashman, Bernard Rene, Edgar Daly, Luke Pilkington, Billy Sgouros, Taylor Beaton, Ben Mitchell, Dean Tomeski, Steven Lustica, Matt Atkins, Josip Jadric, Zvonimir Rogic
And great to see many families supporting the concept of Foundation Memberships. After all it's these players most likely to have a sniff of a contract in a Canberra team.
To all FM's, I'll vote for your son to have a place in the initial squad:)
And we're over 750 Members now, aren't we doing well. Well done Canberra.
For the record Canberra lost 3-2 with Sam Munro scoring two for Sydney and Kofi Danning scoring one and had a very impressive game..for Sydney.
One report from the game, "Kofi Danning is the quickest player I've ever seen live."
No news yet on the Canberra scorers.
FourFourTwo are hyping up "our Kofi" Danning as he aims to take it to the other Youth Teams in the National Youth League.
Sydney FC's Kofi Danning (right) and Newcastle Jets, Jason Naidovski recently appeared on Nearpost Radio.
The former Majura junior club will be back to earth with a bang when he takes on his Canberra mates, the ACT Youth Rockets, in Sydney this arvo.
Not sure about the nickname, good old Australia I guess never lets you down does it!
And "The Coffee Man" as he's nicknamed perhaps not surprisingly hopes to be in Europe in the future, but right now, establishing himself in the A-League with a senior contract is his goal.Full fourfourtwo article on Kofi below.
FFA Release below
The Westfield ‘Promising Matildas’ have arrived in Canberra ahead of an international friendly against China U20 this Thursday at 4.00pm AEST.
“Every game that we can play against Asian opponents is important to further our development –particularly when it is against a power nation like China,” said National Women’s Coach, Tom Sermanni.
The Westfield ‘Promising Matildas’ squad offers an opportunity for players to further develop their skills and show their capabilities at international level and in a match situation.
The match will provide good preparation for players in the lead up to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championships to be held in Ho Chi Minh City next month.
The AFF Women’s Championships will see Australia play against Thailand, Philippines and Singapore.
Joining the Westfield ‘Promising Matildas’ in Canberra will be the Westfield Young Matildas (U20) who arrive on Friday for two matches against their Chinese counterparts on Saturday 27 September and Monday 29 September.
Many of the Young Matildas players will be in contention to participate in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U19 Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur in October/November.
ENDS
Squad Lists
Westfield ‘Promising Matildas’
Player
Home city
Position
Casey Dumont
Gold Coast
Goalkeeper
Lydia Williams
Canberra
Goalkeeper
Brooke Spence
Brisbane
Defender
Christine Walters
Canberra
Defender
Clare Polkinghorne
Brisbane
Defender
Kim Carroll
Brisbane
Defender
Lyndsay Glohe
Sydney
Defender
Ruth Blackburn
Brisbane
Defender
Amy Chapman
Canberra
Midfielder
Elise Kellond-Knight
Gold Coast
Midfielder
Ella Mastrantonio
Perth
Midfielder
Karina Roweth
Sydney
Midfielder
Lauren Colthorpe
Brisbane
Midfielder
Nicole Sykes
Dubbo
Midfielder
Renee Rollason
Sydney
Midfielder
Tameka Butt
Gold Coast
Midfielder
Ashley Sykes
Dubbo
Striker
Servet Uzunlar
Sydney
Striker
Angela Fimmano
Adelaide
Striker
Leena Khamis
Sydney
Striker
Victoria Balomenos
Adelaide
Striker
Westfield Young Matildas
Player
Home city
Position
Casey Dumont*
Gold Coast
Goalkeeper
Nikki Dieter
Corowa
Goalkeeper
Sian McLaren
Adelaide
Goalkeeper
Alesha Clifford
Sydney
Defender
Bronwyn Studman
Canberra
Defender
Christine Walters*
Canberra
Defender
Jessica Seaman
Sydney
Defender
Ruth Blackburn*
Brisbane
Defender
Samantha Spackman
Sydney
Defender
Elise Kellond-Knight*
Gold Coast
Midfielder
Ella Mastrantonio*
Perth
Midfielder
Emily van Egmond
Newcastle
Midfielder
Karina Roweth*
Sydney
Midfielder
Linda O'Neill
Sydney
Midfielder
Marianna Tabain
Perth
Midfielder
Nicole Sykes*
Dubbo
Midfielder
Samantha Kerr
Perth
Midfielder
Samantha Wood
Newcastle
Midfielder
Sophie Hogben
Brisbane
Midfielder
Tameka Butt*
Gold Coast
Midfielder
Teresa Polias
Sydney
Midfielder
Angela Fimmano*
Adelaide
Striker
Ashleigh Sykes*
Dubbo
Striker
Kyah Simon
Sydney
Striker
Rachel Quigley
Adelaide
Striker
* staying on after Westfield Promising Matildas camp
Upcoming Match Details
Thursday 25 September
* Westfield 'Promising Matildas' v China U20, AIS Canberra, 4.00pm AEST
Saturday 27 September
* Westfield Young Matildas v China U20, AIS Canberra, 4.00pm AEST
Monday 29 September
* Westfield Young Matildas v China U20, AIS Canberra, 4.00pm AEST
Ned Zelic, Carl Valeri, Joe Simunic, Peter Buljan, Lindsay Wilson and others, and our A-League Five, Kaz Patafta, Shaun Ontong, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Adam Casey, and Matty Kemp.. all are professional footballers from Canberra but do we produce enough?
We've got thousands playing at junior level and there is no reason to think this will change.
Football has it's highest ever profile in this country and there is no reason to think this will change in the next twenty years.
And yet the FIVE Canberrans playing professionally in Australia are all products of the AIS.
This begs the question is this the only way a boy can hope to get a professional contract and if so what hope is there for all the boys in Capital Football Academies or indeed in ACTAS who miss out.
From every two year groups with Capital Football only one might earn a contract. Not promising is it?
For each one or two who get through to the AIS, fantastic and hopefully they continue to train and go on to better things.
But does this mean that a 16 or 17 year old Canberran who doesn't make the AIS is doomed to a non-professional career?
And the answer is yes. Exceptions may exist, provide them if you know of any in the last 15 years, but the norm and more says you've got buckleys and none in Canberra if you don't make the AIS.
Boys who get a two year AIS apprenticeship will improve both technically and physically at a superior rate to any player who trains in any other program in Canberra. ACTAS generally provide players for the AIS. Premiership clubs, where most ACTAS boys go after missing the cut at the AIS go nowhere near maintaining never mind improving our young players.
So what's to be done?
Do we accept that 2 or maybe 3 boys will get into the AIS each year and hope to god they are good enough and healthy enough to become professionals. Or can we be doing something more to produce a bigger pool of professional players.
When will we have a Primary School to match Singkok who came for the Kanga Cup from Korean? And impressed everyone with their football prowess. Can't we match their skills.
Of course we can I see Canberrans every week with wonderful skills but not enough time to practice and improve.
When will we have North and South Academies or even Club Academies of the same standard across the city. When will these Academies be attached to our schools with outstanding facilities.
ACTAS should be attached to a school and a partnership be built between ACT Education, Northside and Southside to provide excellence in player facilities and player development.
Why should development be better for just 15 or 16 boys from our player pool when we know that players develop physically and emotionally at different rates. Even these players have to travel so far so often to me it seems we could do it better.
Kofi Danning wasn't in a Capital Football Academy and is now at the AIS. I have no idea whether Kofi's way is the best, only that it shows that we need to provide more opportunities for our boys other than the limited number of Academy places.
Why aren't we thinking about our own High School, our own AIS in some form. We could have 20 players, each year, to match the AIS and maybe aim to get 15 every year into Professional contracts.
There has never been so many contracts either Youth or Professional available in Australia. With more clubs we expect more contracts. But our strategy hasn't changed, not yet.
Canberra FC are the current National Youth League title holders. That should tell you something about the quality of player we can produce and the number.
Our current professional list in good, but we should be aiming to double if not triple the numbers playing professional football from this city.
Afterall our player base has probably tripled since Ned Zelic's days on the local ovals.
Currently players are being locked out from an early age.
If you don't make the AIS, you've pretty much had it in Canberra boys football. Can we change that?
And more importantly how? Incrementally and quick.
Who is working on the plan? Anyone?
Football thrives on rumours and take these with a big pinch of Canberra Spin.
Dom Giampaolo...
to trial with Jets first team, Dane Milovanovic heads to Europe, Sam Munro to trial with Sydney FC Youth.
Carl Valeri off to Serie A, currently he is training twice a day in the mountains in Northen Italy. "We're getting smashed."
Summer League quashed, The Gong pulled the pin. ACT Rockets to play Rep games during the summer.
Andrew Bernal, Canberra born, Narrabundah FC, former Socceroo, ex-Reading FC Captain and David Beckhams personal advisor when Becks moved to Real Madrid (Andrew speaks Spanish)has signed up.
As has Andrew Young former National Soccer League Canberra Metros player and Socceroo and Fulham FC Fitness and Conditioning Head Coach.
The support from our talented footballers and experts within the game is growing as word spreads. And let's face it we have plenty of football knowledge and expertise within the ranks of our Canberra community here and across the World
Canberra's Socceroo Nikolai Topor-Stanley comes off contract at the end of next season.
Seems like he could be off to Turkey, or possibly the more lucrative English Championship. The Glory will want a fee, and with Topor-Stanley expected to play in the Olympics in August, he may not move until January.
Watch him while you can!
The Women's National League has been given the green light for this season. It will definitely go ahead. Still some details to be sorted out, but unlike A-League Clubs member federations can get involved.
Which adds opportunities for traditional strongholds of women's football who don't have an A-League team (yet), like Canberra, to get involved.
My prediction:
A seven team league. Six clubs linked to A-League Clubs, and a Canberra team, with the financially strapped Mariners to miss out.
And rumours abound that the FFA are looking for names for the Women's Under 17 and Women's Under 14 teams
The Joanna's and Young Joanna's have been mentioned. Surely not...got a better idea, let me know, I'll pass it on to those that may be considering the Joanna's.
Coach Tom Sermanni has radically changed the Australian team for tonight's Asian Cup Semi Final with competition favourites North Korea in Vietnam.
As the Matildas attempt to become the first Australian team to win a competition in Asia, Sermanni has stunned Matilda supporters with his team selection.
Out go World Cup stars Melissa Barbieri, Collette McCallum, and Kate Gill.
The Canberra trio of Lydia Williams, Amy Chapman and Caitlin Munoz will all start.
Team is:
Keeper: Lydia Williams
Back Four: Ellyse Perry, Kate McShea, Clare Polkinghorne, Di Alagich
Mids: Amy Chapman, Lauren Colethorpe, Amber Neilson, Heather Garriock
Forwards: Caitlin Munoz, Lisa De Vanna
Kick-off is 7pm AEST. Result here around 9.05pm!
NSW Football Federation highlighted former Canberra and Belconnen Blue Devils player Steve Hayes in this weeks newsletter. Steve is another example of a Canberra player who has to move from the city to better himself in a football sense.
Steve Hayes is loving life in the Wollongong FC midfield at the moment.
The 23-year-old electrician, who was raised in Canberra,.......
Steve Hayes is loving life in the Wollongong FC midfield at the moment.
The 23-year-old electrician, who was raised in Canberra, is currently adding the spark to his side in the TeleChoice Premier League.
“We are on a bit of a roll at the moment so hopefully we can keep it going,” he said. “I am enjoying playing for Wollongong and it’s good under [coach] John Turner.
“All the boys have pulled together well and the morale within the team couldn’t be better at the moment.”
Given that Hayes grew up in the nation’s capital it was inevitable that he would end up at the Australian Institute of Sport after going through the various development programs in the ACT.
After a brief stint at the AIS, Hayes started his career in the TeleChoice Premier League with the Belconnen Blue Devils before moving to Wollongong FC where he has now been for three years.
Hayes, who prefers the central midfield position, also enjoys going forward in an attacking role.
“I love going forward, so whenever I can I go forward in a game,” he stated.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season Hayes, like many other players, would love the chance to show his worth in the A-League.
“Obviously I would love to play in the A-League,” he said. “In the end, wherever football takes me that’s where I want to go.
“Yes, I am definitely concerned about the limited number of A-League teams and therefore limited A-League spots to fill.
“However, you really have to be on top of your game if you are going to get a chance in that competition.
“It’s all about getting that chance, getting your foot in the door and then taking it with two hands if it comes along.
“I am waiting for my chance and, hopefully, it comes around soon and if it does I’ll certainly take it.”
by Joe Russo
PFA Boss Brendan Schwab reckons Aussie are increasingly staying or planning to stay in Australia to play their football.
PFA says, the A-League and growth of the game is encouraging young players to stay longer. That's an important development in my view.
They also say, "one in four are intending to play all their football in Australia." I don't believe this has changed since the days of the NSL.
But how many are planning to stay in Canberra?!?
From the FourFourTwo website
Schwab said: "Our players surveys are increasingly showing that players see their futures in Australia.
"Over 40 per cent of the A-League players last year have indicated to us that they don't intend to transfer overseas for at least three years and around one in four plan to spend the rest of their career in the A-League.
"That's a very encouraging trend. Players know they are at the table (with a CBA in place), they know they will be protected in the event of injury, they know the financial benefits will increase and that the A-League will become increasingly attractive."
Canberra's Ned Zelic took his Dinamo Tbilisi team to the Georgian title on the weekend. Zelic who is on a two year deal played throughout the season.
Many fans thought Ned was finished after leaving the Newcastle Jets. How wrong we were. Ned will play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Zelic clinches Georgian title with Dinamo Tbilisi
By Andrew Slevison - May 07, 2008 Former Australia international Ned Zelic has tasted success in Georgia, by helping his club Dinamo Tbilisi win the title after going seven points clear with a victory over FC Zestafoni on the weekend.
It was the Georgian heavyweight's 13th league title and will ensure they secure a return to the UEFA Cup competition next season.
Zelic signed with the club in 2007 after stints with various European and Japanese clubs, and of course with Australian clubs, most recently being with Newcastle Jets in the 2005-6 A-League season
Watch the stars of the future:
AIS take on Fawkner in the Foxtel Cup on Saturday 1pm kick off at the AIS. Kofi Danning a star on the rise?
And this weekend in the Capital Football men's premier league, Nearpost host Russell Gibbs will report on the Queanbeyan/Tuggeranong United clash.
Four Canberrans likely to start for a depleted AIS side this Saturday.
A-League clubs have signed a fair few of last years intake, injuries are starting to bite, but there could be four Canberrans starting this weekend.
And have a lookout for Kofi Danning. The Canberran was recently featured in FourFourTwo as a player to watch. Big things are predicted for Kofi if he stays injury free and continues to develop.
Who know you could be watching a future Socceroo or maybe a future A-League player in Canberra!
Robbie Cattanach is getting a big wrap over at fourfourtwo
Pity we don't have our own team with all these Canberrans filling spots at other clubs. Good luck Robbie!
Football Tragic Jeremy Butler joined us at the Nearpost, with Matchday Reporter Russell Gibbs this week. Jeremy is Club Captain with one of the Cities biggest clubs Tuggeranong United FC. Organiser of Charity events, developing a community sporting facility and winning the Men's Premier League are all part of his dreams.
Read their Premier League Predictions below:
Don't agree with the Duo's predictions? Prove it on the park:)
Belconnen United: Top two finish
Russ: Astute signings with Dustin Wells coming back.
Jeremy says: Definitely top two. A lot of young boys coming through. Danny Macor knocks them in for fun. He's slowing but he's getting smarter, that's our problem!
O'Connor Knights:
Russ: Would have been a little disappointed to get Canberra FC the week after the Federation Cup Final. Dominic Matic at the back, runs the show. Top three for me.
Jeremy says: Will definitely finish in the top four.
Queanbeyan City: Bottom 3 or 4.
Russ: Haven't seen too much of them yet, but I think bottom 3 or 4.
Jeremy says: Bottom 3 or 4 for me
Woden Valley: Will struggle
Russ: Not a great start, Paul Gagetti mentioned his team didn't fight hard enough on the weekend. That's a worry in the first game of the season.
Jeremy says: Great Youth development program but not had a great start. If they can keep some of their young players in the future they'll be very strong.
Canberra City: Bottom 3.
Russ: A young side will find it hard
Jeremy:They will struggle I think
Canberra Olympic: Russ: Very strong side, class all over the park. On the weekend with 9 men they didn't stop playing. They could have won by more.
Jeremy says: Sometimes they turn up and sometimes they don't.
ANU FC: Middle of the table
Russ: Will give all sides a good run for their money.
Jeremy: Darren Viskovich will have this side well prepared. They will make teams earn their points.
Canberra FC: Number 1
Russ: Definitely top two, have recuited well again.
Jeremy: Always very hard to beat, Even when you think you might have them, they always step up and have the players who can.
Tuggeranong United:Definitely top four.
Russ: Over to Jeremy
Jeremy: Missed out by one point last year, and the Gaffer (Coach Scott Conlon) knows where we missed that point and will make sure we know what we need to do to get in the four this time. And we will. 3rd or 4th for us. Once you are in the final anything can happen.
Looks like Kaz Patafta may start for the Victory against Gamba Osaka tonight.
Just reading the tea leaves this afternoon and that's what they said.
Game starts 8pm on Fox. Will Kaz start his first Victory competitive game?
Canberra had a strong representation at the recent Young Matildas Camp despite what you may have thought from reading this blog!
Steph Tokich Jennifer Bisset Rebecca Kiting Bronwyn Studman Christine Walters and Maja Blasch were all part of the recent Young Matildas camps.
All played a significant in the games during the camp. However The girls names didn't appear on any FFA releases.
Apparently to keep costs down the local players stayed at home rather than at the AIS.
Still well done to the girls and we wish them well with their football futures.
And four Canberrans were nominated for the Under 17 side but were unable to attend camp due to various injuries.
