Tards Vs Smurfs V632 - The Grand Final

THE future of Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo is delicately poised as a bevy of Asian clubs prepare to make a swoop for the 31-year-old, leaving his prospects of appearing in the A-League grand final on a knife edge should the Sky Blues qualify for the season decider.

Colosimo has enjoyed a brilliant season in the heart of defence for Sydney, and now has to undertake a difficult juggling act as he tries to realise three simultaneous ambitions - winning the A-League, playing overseas and making Pim Verbeek's World Cup squad.

Originally, Colosimo's agent Leo Karis was looking to secure an overseas move for his client at the end of the regular season on the proviso that Sydney were able to claim the minor premiership, thus qualifying for the Asian Champions League.

However, Asian transfer deadlines have been relaxed, meaning the rush to move has been somewhat tempered. Players can now move into the Chinese Super League until March 12, with the J-League window closing a day later, and the K-League's on March 28, eight days after the A-League's showpiece match.

Colosimo is trying his best to stay focused on the most immediate job - impressing Verbeek when the Socceroos assemble in Brisbane today to begin preparing for next Wednesday's Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia - but admitted the oriental lure was weighing on his mind.

''I've always said it's great to be in a position to go to Asia and to have a look at going there would certainly give my World Cup chances a real boost,'' Colosimo told the Herald yesterday. ''But when I'm in camp, if I don't do well, then it's all really for nothing, isn't it? So my priority for now is just focusing on the process and doing what I can to get things right in every match I play.''

While he's barely played for the Socceroos in recent times, Colosimo is the fourth most-capped player in Verbeek's squad, and he sees this as another chance to leave a favourable impression on the Dutchman after starting in the 2-2 draw in Kuwait.

''I'll be giving it everything I've got,'' he said. ''Ultimately, it's another opportunity. No more, no less. It will all come down to performance.''

Sydney were initially at pains not to let any player depart before the end of their A-League campaign, and while there's a strong chance Colosimo will leave before then, he is keen to finish what he helped start.

''I genuinely believe that we've got an opportunity to win the A-League, and that's something I want to be a part of,'' he said. ''I've got a great relationship with the club and with Scott [Barlow, club vice-chairman]. We've spoken about what might happen, and there's been some good dialogue, but while I'm here, my priority is winning, and I think everyone at Sydney has shown their desire to do well for the club.''

While interest is high in the out-of-contract Colosimo, the lack of a firm offer is frustrating. ''I'll sit down with Scott and we'll have a chat again about it soon, but it's pointless carrying on about it until it [the offer] is there,'' Colosimo said.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory have until noon today to appeal against the two-match ban handed to striker Nik Mrdja for elbowing Sydney defender Shannon Cole during last week's major semi-final first leg.