Kaz Patafta enjoying life in Melbourne.

Kaz Patafta: A young player to watch this season.

Kaz Patafta spoke to Football in the Capital today from his Melbourne home. Kaz is looking forward to the big kick-off next week away to Wellington Phoenix.

"It will be a busy week for sure. We've got a lot of training but I can't wait," said Kaz

"I'm really settled in Melbourne, it's been a great time."

Kaz, some Victory fans have been oozing over your quick feet, the response from the Victory fans seems very positive.

"Well, it's certainly great to hear people giving their support. It's very encouraging and makes you want to try even harder. I'll be pushing as hard as I can to get as much game time as I can."

"I'm realistic I'm young but I want to work as hard as I can to test myself."

Any differences from Benfica?

"Not really, I've been really impressed with the Sports Science side of things at Melbourne. Victory really look after us in that way. Obviously that is really important for athletes.

"People always expect European clubs to be much better but it's not always the case."

The Olyroos are away this week. Any thoughts?

"Well it's a goal of mine to play for the National team. But I've been hidden away a bit in Portugal. Non of my games were shown on TV. I'll be trying as hard as I can to get in the side."

How is life in Melbourne?

"Flat out with training and promotional work, it's been really busy. But I'm looking forward to the first game, we're really focused on that."

Good luck Kaz, Football in the Capital will be keeping a close on eye on all the Canberra lads in the A-League. We wish them well.

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Kaz Patafta: A Victory view

Kaz Patata: Up for a big season?

Walking away from Olympic Park, Melbourne last night, a couple of friends rang me to tell me Sydney had won the pre-season game against Victory 1-0.



They were not happy with roly-poly Coata Rican Carlos Hernandez contribution.



"Can't pass, can't run," was how Sarah, a Victory member, described his performance.



What about Canberra's Patafta.



"Fantastic, beautiful feet."



Is he good?



"Oh my word is he, he is wonderful."



And the man from Victory added,



"He won't just be the best young player in the League this year. He'll be the best player in the league."



Now that is a big call. But class is easy to spot.



Here's hoping the Victory observers are right.



For the record Alex Brosque scored the winner in Sydney's 1-0 Victory.

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Patafta to start up front for Victory

Good to see Canberran Kaz Patafta set to partner Allsopp in attack tonight.

Former Young Socceroo Captain Kaz Patafta is likely to fill the boots of Archie Thompson as Melbourne Victory takes on Perth Glory in Round 3 of the Pre-Season Cup in Darwin.

Victory report, "Following a grueling trip back from Asian Cup duty with the Qantas Socceroos, Thompson has been ruled out of the clash, leaving the door open for Patafta to make his mark in the forward line along side Danny Allsopp."

Wonder how hard the trip back was for Archie? A flight from Hanoi to Melbourne. Yep sounds really gruelling, probably in Economy class alongside people like me!

More importantly Patafta has had some excellent game time for Victory since his return but with The Gruelled (is that a word)Archie, Brazilian Love (that is his name)and Hernandez all pushing for game time, competition for places is heating up ahead of the A-League opener against Wellington.

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Quick Quiz: Know your football

Quiz Level:Rated Very hard.

See answers and how you rate below

Who did Canberran and Adelaide United's Shaun Ontong travel overseas with for a trial in Germany? (2 points)

Kaz Patafta. Who did he support when he was boy? In Europe? In Australia? (2 points)

Which club did Kaz trial with in Europe when he was 15? (1 point)

Kaz has written a foreword for a book, alongside Mr. Football Les Murray. Name that book. (5 points)

Which Australian sides were Shaun Ontong and Kaz Patafta captain of. (2 points)

Most correct answer gets listed as the first ever Football in the Capital quizmaster.

Answers below:

1. Matthew Spiranovic, FC Nurnberg

2. Man United (Boo) Canberra Cosmos (hooray)

3. Real Madrid

4. http://www.notjustfootyclub.com.au/

5. Under 20'sand Under 17's

Out of 12

If you got 12: You must be Les Murray

more than 9. A real football fan. Well done you're are a champion. Have a great day, you deserve it.

6-9 Don't study enough football on the net when you are at work. Lift your game.

3-6 Really, suppose you still call it soccer

0-2 So you are watching those other codes. Stop it, or you'll never score more than 2!

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Kaz Patafta: Why I signed for Melbourne Victory

Football in the Capital caught up with Australian under 17 and under 20 representative Kaz Patafta.

This was his first interview since returning to Australia from Portugese giants Benfica. Thanks for you support Kaz.

Let's clear one thing up: "Jorges Mendes is my manager, not my girlfriend." says Kaz Patafta.

Canberra footballer Kaz Patafta is back in Australia.

Patafta has signed a one-year loan deal with A-League Champions Melbourne Victory as he looks to further his career.

Patafta’s, who moved to Portugese giants Benfica last year straight from Radford College, has a further two years to go on his Benfica contract.

But for now he’s back in Australia and looking forward to joining up with his new team-mates on Monday as Victory fly put to play the Chinese National side in China.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the guys. It’ll be good to play with Leigh Broxham. I’m good mates with Leigh so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Leaving Canberra for European football is many players dream, but it can also have it’s drawbacks.

“I was living the dream really. I’d always wanted to play in Europe, so when I got the chance I jumped at it. I was training every day with guys like Rui Costa (ex-AC Milan) Nuno Gomes. They are amazing players. Watching what they could do with the ball in training was a fantastic learning experience.”

“I played in front of 20,000 in a Youth game between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon at the new Benfica stadium. (Stadium of Light).

“But it’s also hard being so far from home if things are tough. You don’t have your friends and family to talk to. You have the phone and internet but it’s not the same."

“I learnt a lot. Benfica wanted me to go on loan to a Portugese club where thy could keep an eye on me. But once they researched Melbourne and the quality of the A-League they were happy to let me come here. I’ll be able to send video’s so they can see how I’m going.”

Patafta was signed by chance. Victory Coach Ernie Merrick was watching Sydney play in the Asian Champions League. He got talking to a young woman, Patafta’s girlfriend and manager. From this chance meeting Patafta was signed.

Patafta laughs, “Yes it’s true about the chance meeting, but my girlfriend is not my manager. My manager is Jorges Mendes.”

The Canberran is in good company. Mendes is also manager of Portugese and Manchester United superstar Ronaldo.

The A-League has been criticised for not having enough games. In fact A-League player of the year Nicky Carle has just left for Turkish club, Genclerbirligi stating a lack of games as a reason for going.”

Patafta is aware of this but adds, “I want to improve as a player. Benfica wanted me to do pre-season with their first team, but I wanted to get more game time. To develop as a player I need to play in a positive environment. Melbourne has 24 A-League games plus at least 6 Asian Champions League. I also want to play for the Olyroos in their Olympic qualifiers. I was asked to join up for previous games, but Benfica wouldn’t release me. Being in Australia I will have more opportunity to play.”

“Playing for Australia is an amazing thrill. Captaining the Under 17’s at the World Cup in 2005 was the highlight of my career. It’s something I’m passionate about.”

Patafta played junior football for Belnorth.

“I used to play against (former Australian under 20 captain) Shaun Ontong. Belnorth v Belsouth. Shaun has just been signed by Adelaide United and that’s a great move for him.”

Canberran Ontong found it hard to get a club last season, despite being a former captain of the Australian Under 20 side.

“That was hard to take. As my captain at the Under 20’s and a great friend I wanted to see Shaun playing. He got some games with FC Sion in Switzerland but it’s great he’s at Adelaide for next season.

“Shaun is my best friend in football. We alwaystrained to gether at the Australian Institue of Sport. We use to run up Black Mountain together. We were always doing extra training.”

So when you Melbourne run out against Adelaide it will be like Belnorth v Belwest?

Patafta laughs, “Yes I suppose it will.”


Football in the Capital will have more from Victory's Kaz Patafta later in the week, including what he's heard about the Victory fans.

We'll also have updates from Victory's Patafta and Matthew Kemp during the season.

Follow Melbourne Victory, through Canberran eyes here on this blog, as they try to win the A-League back-to-back, and become the first Australian club to progress beyond the group stages of the Asian Champions League.

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Another Canberran back in the A-League

Kaz Patafta with his Benfica shirt

Copyright: Kaz Patafta

Kaz Patafta is back in town.

Kaz Patafta joins a growing band of Canberrans now playing in the A-League.

Former Australian Under 17 Captain has joined Melbourne Victory. Former Australian Under 20 Captain Shaun Ontong is with Adelaide United, Olyroo Adam Casey, Sydney FC, Matthew Kemp, Melbourne Victory and Olyroo Nikolai Topor-Stanley, joins Perth Glory.

It's a pretty impressive line-up from our fair city.

Football in the Capital caught up with Kaz before he flies out to China with his new club Melbourne Victory on Monday.

"I'll be great to play with my good mate Leigh Broxham at Victory. I'm looking forward to that."

Kaz had a two week trial at Real Madrid when he was 15. He is the proud owner of a signed David Beckham Real Madrid shirt and a Harry Kewell Liverpool shirt.

Kaz is back and ready to play.

"I can't wait to meet the team on Monday. I'm really looking forward to the game against China. They should be really well prepared as they are just about to go into the Asia Cup."

We'll have a full interview with Kaz over the next couple of days.

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Kaz Patafta at Real Madrid

How did your training go lat night? Get stuck in. Couple of crunchers going around.

Well here’ s food for thought.

Did you know Melbourne Victory signing and Canberran Kaz Patafta went to Real Madrid for a two week trial when he was 15.

Sitting in the dressing room, young Kaz was putting his shinpads on.

“You won’t need those here,” stated the Madrid coach.

And he didn’t.

While competition is tough at the World’s most famous club, players are taught to respect their fellow teammates in training.

Yes, they have to tackle, but if there is risk of injury they are expected to pull out.

Focus is on skills development and attacking creativity.

Is your club keeping up with Madrid?

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Kaz Patafta heads to China

First Portugal ,then Australia, now China.

Kaz Patafka: A Canberran on the move

Football in the Capital will catch up with Melbourne Victory's new signing Kaz Patafta when he arrives back in Australia next week.

Currently with Benfica in Portugal, Patafta has joined Melbourne on a one-year loan deal.

Kaz will join Victory on their pre-season tour of China.

In other Victory news. Victory beat South Melbourne 5-1 overnight with over 7,500 in attendance.

Speaking with club sources yesterday, Victory hope to crack the 20,000 membership mark this year. They are expecting attendances to rise significantly given all home games this year are at the Telstra Dome.

Last year, their poorest attendance at the Dome was 23,000 in Melbourne Race week on a Thursday night.

Expect them to average over 30,000 comfortably this season, on the back of last year's success and, in view of their outstanding recruitment campaign.

Check back here for more on Kaz and his move to Melbourne next week.

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Canberra's KazPatafta signs for Victory

Welcome home Kaz

It'll be a pleasure to watch another Canberran at Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory announced today that Kaz Patafta is heading back to Australia. He will join fellow Canberran Matthew Kemp at Melbourne Victory. Patafta signed a one year loan deal. Patafta, currently with Benfica, will add further quality to the A-League Champions.

“Kaz is a terrific talent with enormous potential,” Victory coach Ernie Merrick said. “The quality of our league and the calibre of facilities here in Melbourne makes us a really viable alternative for big European clubs looking to loan players like Kaz.

“We hope to provide Kaz with every possible opportunity to continue to improve as a footballer and we look forward to seeing him develop as a key player for Melbourne Victory and for the Australian national team.”

Haven't Victory recruited well?

Hernandex from Costa Rica, Miliecivic from Young Boys, Switzerland and now Patafka,

It will be great to watch a future Socceroo make his mark at home in the A-League.

Victory may have missed out on Canberra's Carl Valeri earlier this year, but have recognised the quality of player produced in this town.

God luck Kaz, as you embark on A-League and Asian Champions League duties for Victory.

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Rumour: Canberran off to Melbourne Victory?

Is Kaz Patafta set to sign for Victory?

Kaz Patafta is a rising star of Australian football. Currently with Benfica in Portugal, this ex-Radford College student is rumoured to be ready to sign a loan deal with Melbourne Victory.

I have no way of knowing how close this is to being a done deal. Tuesday is supposed to be the day for the announcement.

Good deal for Kaz? Yes, he would play for Victory in front of 30,000 plus crowds, Asian Champions League and maybe the Olyroos.

As history shows any player who can make a good impact in the old NSL or A-League can make it big overseas. Vinny Grella, Brett Emerton, and Jason Culina haven't done so badly have they.

Should Kaz come back for a couple of years? Why not, if he gets game time in Australia it won't do his development any harm.

What say you?

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