Manny and Vinnie for Malta?!

25 replies · 685 views

almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/trainon-socceroo-poached-by-malta/2009/04/07/1238869961451.html

On page two it says that among the other players being sought after are the right Muscat and our boy Vinnie Lia.

Good or bad, boys?

I'm keen to see us provide internationals for someone other than ourselves, but the travel factor will be a real issue. I wouldn't pass up a trip to Malta, though. Great place.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I say good... can only help the profile of the club (and the league) and having our guys involved with other professionals can only (well, hopefully) be positive.

And who knows what other Maltese Falcons could find a path to success via the ROF??? (probably very few... but you get what I mean).

The more exposure our players can get to a higher level of football, and other professional environments and experiences, the better. Whether for NZ, Aus, Malta, Khazakstan, Tasmania (or Tanzania), Taihape... whoever.

Ummmmm.... so.... yeah

E + R + O

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

International football will be good for them, especially since they could find themselves playing against some of the biggest names in europe

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Mebbe they could bring Michael Mifsud back from training camps for us.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Good, playing the likes of Sweden and Portugal could only be good for their development.

It may mean they would return from mid week internationals very tired, but I think internationals come first.

A long shot but perhaps they could also come back with scouting suggestions.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Would love to see Manny face up againts Ronnie, Nani or Quaresma

You know we belong together...

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Critical_Lemon wrote:

personally found malta a bit dire

" If you only have a hammer you tend to see every problem as a nail" - maslow

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Vince Lia - Quality guy, I hope he stays here. He can make a positive difference for the Nix next season. he'll be wanting to make up for missing the last one.

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

The way I see it, having national players in a club has both good and bad sides.

the players will increase their experience and will be exposed to top-level football, no matter what team they play for. Malta, Moldova, Liecthenstein, Costa Rica, Mozambique..it doesn't matter. Every national team end up playing against other great teams.

On the other hand travelling time, tiredness and the possibility of picking up an injury whilst on national duties are all downsides which affect one player or another, sooner or later.

But I think that for the Phoenix (and for Vinnie and Manny) it will be good. Apart from having a good number of all whites (who mostly have to play around the Pacific Islands during the season), we don't really have other national team players (or do we?) so if we have to do without Lia or Muscat for one match..I think that we can compromise with the improvement the players will benefit from. It's a fair trade.

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Vince Lia is born in Australia from Italian heritage, Malta is just clutching at straws. Manny on the other hand is from Maltese heritage and can play for Malta which would be great.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

new Lia chant "You'll never play for Malta"

Founder

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Tony P wrote:

Vince Lia is born in Australia from Italian heritage, Malta is just clutching at straws. Manny on the other hand is from Maltese heritage and can play for Malta which would be great.

that's what I thought!!

That being said though, he wouldn't be the first athlete to represent a country with which he has very little in common with.

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

newzealandpower wrote:

Tony P wrote:

Vince Lia is born in Australia from Italian heritage, Malta is just clutching at straws. Manny on the other hand is from Maltese heritage and can play for Malta which would be great.

ï¿½

that's what I thought!!

ï¿½

That being said though, he wouldn't be the first athlete to represent a country with which he has very little in common with.

There is absolutely no chance at all Lia could ever play for Malta.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

But Lia is getting called up to the Italian national team, isn't he?

a.haak

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

There is absolutely no chance at all Lia could ever play for Malta.

What IF he MOVED there?? Malta is a big carrot (not, literally).

Or was Cahill 'last of the age-groups'...has that ACTUALLY happened yet?

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Masty wrote:

el grapadura wrote:

There is absolutely no chance at all Lia could ever play for Malta.

ï¿½

What IF he MOVED there?? Malta is a big carrot (not, literally).

ï¿½

Or was Cahill 'last of the age-groups'...has that ACTUALLY happened yet?

Lia has represented Australia at U17 and U20 level - he's 24 now, so it's too late for him to switch to another country, even if he became the king of Malta tomorrow.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Here's me thinking *I* was the king of Malta. Hmm.

So what's the deal - you can switch regardless of if you've represented another country at age-groups, so long as you're still eligible for age-groups?

OR...did they put a stop to all that after Cahill?

I ask, because you know.

He could always switch codes to netball, and play for Australia, Malta, AND New Zealand AT THE SAME TIME, Irene...

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

If you have played at Yoof level for one nation, you can declare before your 21st birthday should you wish to change to another country you are eligible for.

If you do not do so you are tied to the original nation.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Bugger, I'm tied to New Zealand then

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Its bad for us cos then the'll be counted as players not from new zealand or oz

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

exactly, although my knowledge of that rule has been pretty fuzzy after I found out that all Smeltz needed was an Aussie citizenship or something and he's know longer an import for the Billionaires, even though he's an All White

You know we belong together...

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Nah, we'd be fine as long as Manny keeps his Australian citizenship.

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Players can have residency in another nation but remain available for an existing country. Daniel doesn't count as an import now but if he got a Brazil call up (before he was capped by NZ) he would still be an NZ resident and therefore not an import.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Is that how the 6+5 rule would work as well?

You know we belong together...

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almost 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

My understanding is that 6+5 would place emphasis on 'genuine' home-grown players, whih is why it's legal standing in Europe seems a bit under the cloud for now.

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