Lowy Urged to Seal Kiwi Deal

Lowy Urged to Seal Kiwi Deal

As posted on the front page, interesting SBS story re the PHoenix and the AFC, including comment from the former AFC boss, who backs the Phoenix and has a crack at Bin Hammam  Marius Lacatus2009-12-23 20:23:37

Bin Hammann and Velappen have been at loggerheads for years. 

Great article - Velappen's thoughts mirror many Nix fans feelings I would say.

The article talks about how Australian football has improved through being a part of Asia. I'm not sure that is true, I'd have thought that Asian football is better through Australia being  a part of it rather than the other way around. Australia's WC talent come from the leagues in Europe don't they? not from Asia. And Aussie players would still be able to play in Asian leagues if they were still in Oceania surely?

I don't think Aussie has seen the improvement yet but they definately will in the future. Age group teams playing travelling so much and playing Asian teams is bound to be better than playing a few grossly underfuned island teams.

Second string players are playing in Asia a lot more due to the AFC's 3+1 rule, e.g. Mark Milligan, Joel Griffiths, the Ogmonster etc. And I think this benefits Asian football as much if not more than it benefits Australia as it gives Asian players an insight into how players in the Western world play (apologies for the crass generalisation). With the exception of Josh Kennedy at Nagoya these are not first choice players anyway, who still play in Europe and obviously will continue to do so.

True, also I think the national teams are a more 'cohesive' unit not that the play more meaningful games in Asia. The players are able to know each others strengths and weaknesses a bit more, as opposed to getting the crew together every now and then for a friendly then a big match.

The improvements since leaving Oceania for Asia (for Australia) are subtle in parts, but will come out fully in time as you say valeo.