Manton St Tales: Time to shift focus onto the pitch – and there’s plenty to like
It’s the eve of the A-League season, and Paul Marcuccitti can’t wait to stop fretting about the year ahead and start discussing what actually happens on the field. Particularly since, with a new breed of international arrivals, the competition looks set to lift to another level.
When the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calendar in some European territories in 1582, the day after October 4 was October 15.
The oddity isn’t likely to be repeated any time soon. A pity, because I almost wish today was October 15.
Sure it would mean missing the opening round of the A-League (featuring a Sydney derby that might set a new attendance record), Adelaide United’s first match at Hindmarsh, and a couple of crucial Socceroos qualifiers.
But you know what’s likely to be happening by October 15? We’ll finally be talking about the game – the happenings on the pitch, not off it.
That may seem a bit rich coming from me; I certainly discuss off-field matters a lot. But it’s been five months since the last A-League campaign ended and for many Australian soccer fans that’s too long.
Because although we have overseas action and state-based competitions to entertain us, the more obsessive supporters spend this seemingly interminable period talking about what the next season must deliver.
And as we’re not always the most positive bunch, our anxiety levels continue to rise until it begins. The sooner a few balls are kicked in our sport’s top domestic competition, the better.
So bring on October 15 and a reduction in the number of intense discussions about how high the attendances and ratings need to be, what the next TV rights deal needs to deliver, and whether Yoshi’s search for a team will encourage other kids to find one to support.
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A-League campaign mascot Yoshi (centre) surrounded by players from all teams at yesterday’s season launch in Sydney. Photo: Dan Himbrechts / AAP
Coincidentally, that date will see the season’s first Melbourne derby which is likely to include the A-League debut of Tim Cahill (who will be on international duty throughout this weekend’s first round).
It would have been something if the Socceroos’ all-time leading goalscorer was the only big addition to the competition but, in fact, there are several. And, oddly enough, Cahill is atypical of the new arrivals.
A-League clubs are increasingly bringing in younger players from overseas leagues – there’s been less of the ‘hey-30-something-come-to-Oz-to-wind-down-your-career’ approach to new signings.
And there have been so many examples of this that some of these new arrivals are flying under the radar.
Cahill, here shaking hands with a reporter after a media conference, has made headlines, but other important signings have flown under the radar. Photo: Tracey Nearmy / AAP
Nicolás Colazo is a domestic title winner in Argentina with one of that nation’s most storied clubs, Boca Juniors. He may only be on loan to Melbourne City but he’ll be in Australia for at least a season. And he’s 26.
Melbourne Victory have brought the gifted Marco Rojas (24) back after the New Zealander spent three years on Stuttgart’s books. He didn’t break through there and, despite finding some game time on loan at Swiss club FC Thun, he’s down under again. I hope he gets another chance in Europe but for now it’s A-League fans who’ll get to watch the Kiwi international’s wing play. It’s something to see.
Speaking of things from across the ditch, I did a double take when I saw that Marco Rossi (29) joined Wellington Phoenix. Surely not the Marco Rossi (a name which is about as unusual as John Smith) who has played for a few different clubs in Italy’s first division? But it is him. The A-League won’t have many better credentialed players but few have noticed this signing because defenders are less exciting and Wellington is … well, over there.
For comparison, Iacopo La Rocca – a championship-winning defender with Adelaide United at the age of 32 – never played in Italy’s top league.
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"Maybe we won’t spend so much time fretting about attendances, ratings, TV deals and Yoshi twelve months from now"
Unfortunately A-League clubs haven’t rushed to sign players from Asia, the region Australia is part of, but Western Sydney have again brought in a Japanese midfielder: Jumpei Kusukami (29). He hasn’t had much game time this year but he does have years of experience in his country’s first division. And pace.
Adelaide United also followed the trend of bringing in younger overseas players by signing Sergi Guardiola (25) on loan from Spanish top flight club Granada. It looks like a good bit of business. Guardiola, a striker, will be hungry to prove himself to his parent club and that could mean he scores frequently for the Reds.
And this isn’t an exhaustive list. Far from it.
It’s also complemented by some returning Socceroos and they’re mostly under 30 as well.
Asian Cup winner James Troisi (28 years old, 28 caps) is back at Melbourne Victory and he’s joined in the 2016-17 A-League by: Rhys Williams (Perth Glory, 28 years old, 14 caps); Adam Taggart (Perth Glory, 23, 7); Josh Brillante (Sydney FC, 23, 5); and James Holland (Adelaide United, 27, 15).
A move back to Europe isn’t out of the question for any of those players.
Adelaide United signing James Holland is one of several Socceroos returning to play in Australia. Photo: Lukas Coch / AAP
Another returning Socceroo of note is 2010 World Cup hero Brett Holman. He’ll make his A-League debut for Brisbane Roar more than 14 years after his last match in Australia’s old National Soccer League.
With more than 30 players joining (or returning to) the A-League from overseas, it’s hard to predict which ones will star and which ones might flop.
Last season Italian forward Federico Piovaccari brought an impressive CV to Western Sydney Wanderers which included a recent stint in Spain’s top division. He flopped.
Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli arrived at Melbourne City with what appeared to be an underwhelming goalscoring record. He starred.
What is certain is there are enough high-calibre arrivals to lift the competition’s standard again. And don’t underestimate the Cahill effect. He is a promoter’s dream; mainstream media can’t get enough of him.
And if that opens a few more eyes to the entertainment on offer, maybe we won’t spend so much time fretting about attendances, ratings, TV deals and Yoshi twelve months from now.
But hey FFA, start the 2017-18 season earlier, just in case.
Paul Marcuccitti is a co-presenter of 5RTI’s Soccer on 531 program which can be heard from 10am on Saturdays.
