I hope he doesn't pull a Stensness though. You give kids opportunities, including taking them to world cups and Olympics, then you expect them to play for the country at a senior level.
Would love to see a push to have Jelacic represent Australia. There aren't many similar Australian players to him in his age group and he would be a good addition to the Olyroos 2024 cohort.
Would love to see a push to have Jelacic represent Australia. There aren't many similar Australian players to him in his age group and he would be a good addition to the Olyroos 2024 cohort.
The tweet about having a word with Gianni Stensness first before commiting though. 😆
I fear it'll play out similar to how Stensness/Champness has played out, where his career trajectory in the next couple seasons could dictate who he represents. Stensness got his Eliteserien move and decided he was now good enough to represent the country he always wanted to, whereas Champness had probably given up on representing Australia after his career break, and now might not even play football again.
You'd think Arnold, or whoever takes the U23s, would already be taking serious notes, especially given the Volpato situation. They could easily sell the idea whether he would want to spend his international career in 35C heat, avoiding ACL injuries on torn-up pitches in Port Vila, Noumea, Port Moresby, Honiara or test himself in a better team against the Japanese in Saitama, the Koreans in Seoul or Saudis in Riyadh.
There are also few opportunities to cap-tie players for NZ, the next being the OFC Nations Cup, possibly two years away, which, looking at the 2016 squad, can easily be skipped (Tyler Boyd). I mean, even Sarpreet Singh isn't yet cap-tied and could theoretically still represent India and he debuted for the All Whites nearly five years ago. If the Australians were desperate, though not sure they would be, they could cap-tie Jelacic next year in the Asian Cup or 2026 WC qualifying with a minute versus a minnow, and, as he'd be over 21, he'd be gone for good.
Thought he did well last night with some good touches... but can still work on his decision-making.
Perth had 14 odd shots at goal last night, he didn't have one by memory despite playing up top all game. Little gun shy? I did think he had a chance to shoot on a couple occassions but didn't.
Would be a good addition to the u20 squad it available. Him, Herman and Karutanae (sorry on spelling) are a lively attacking midfield trio.
Thought he did well last night with some good touches... but can still work on his decision-making.
Perth had 14 odd shots at goal last night, he didn't have one by memory despite playing up top all game. Little gun shy? I did think he had a chance to shoot on a couple occassions but didn't.
Would be a good addition to the u20 squad it available. Him, Herman and Karutanae (sorry on spelling) are a lively attacking midfield trio.
Jelacic unfortunately too old for the U20s (born July 2002).
A prospect for 2024 Paris Olympics, but hopefully new AWs coach gets a commitment in advance that it's NZ and not Australia where his heart lies, ie not another Stensness (or Boyd) scenario.
I spoke to Shane Smeltz who believes Perth Glory’s Keegan Jelacic should be considered for an Australia call up given his form in the #aleagues. Jelacic also qualifies to play for New Zealand. https://t.co/emyvO1Lahp
Keegan Jelačić (2002) stats for Perth Glory this season, percentile ranked compared to all other A-League central midfielders.
Really interesting profile. Of particular interest is his activity out of possession, where he ranks highly for successful defensive actions. pic.twitter.com/Cs8MT6jUHt
I guess we will know where Jelacic's loyalties know soon enough.
Doubt he is close to Socceroos selection, but the U23 Olyroos are having a training camp in Italy, inlate March. That's as they build up to the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, taking place in September. Get through that, then is the U23 Asian Cup in Jan 2024, that provides AFC teams for Paris Olympics 2024.
Otherwise yes it's the AWs or Olywhites in March for their respective Chinese friendlies.
Wonder if they Nix were monitoring Jelacic as a 'Kiwi' killing it in the QLD NPL last year. Welly is as close to Brissy as Perth where he signed.
So when exactly does he have to change his allegiance with FIFA? I'm assuming these matches being friendlies, don't require it just yet. Would it be the Olympic qualifiers?
Win some - Champness, Weemac, Tommy Smith, Winny Reid, young Herdman etc etc
Lose some - Stensness, Jelacic
Well, if we're being honest, Reid might be the only 'foreign' call up ever for the AWs that would have had any chance at playing for the other country. I can't think of any others. So it's possibly a case of we win the ones when the opposition doesn't show up and lose when they do.
Tyler Boyd is the big loss for me. Probably the only one that is truly annoying. He was actually developed in the NZ system and made the breakthrough here from youth into senior. His career peak coincided with the AWs quiet period around 2018-19, but he'd definitely still be a key player now.
If there's a lesson to be learnt, it's possibly to focus more energy and resources on the New Zealand talent, rather than cast offs from Australia.
And he's off to Belgium after only one season, having turned out in the QLD NPL just last year. 😳
Exclusive: After a sparkling A-League Men season, Perth Glory young gun Keegan Jelacic is on the verge of securing a move to the Belgian Pro League - subject to him passing a medical. https://t.co/3BXJNahNTt
Well, if we're being honest, Reid might be the only 'foreign' call up ever for the AWs that would have had any chance at playing for the other country. I can't think of any others. So it's possibly a case of we win the ones when the opposition doesn't show up and lose when they do.
What is meaning of ‘foreign’ here? And ‘ever’? Jock Aird, Ken Armstrong, Ken Hough, Bill Hume all actually played for their respective ‘home’ countries. Wynton Rufer would have been a decent shout for Switzerland had he not committed to New Zealand. Jeram, Roux, Kalua, Singh even, who knows whether they may have had a call up had they not committed to NZ. Bound to be a few with Aussie claims too.
Win some - Champness, Weemac, Tommy Smith, Winny Reid, young Herdman etc etc
Lose some - Stensness, Jelacic
Joe Gauci (who got his aussie debut vs Ecuador in the recent friendlies) is another one to add to the 'lose some'. Not cap tied but as expected his loyalities appear to be with the aussies - probably didn't help we had no coach to try and talk him around (we played China in the same window).
