Passport Hunting???

 

November 13, 2007 QUEENSLAND striker Reinaldo has pledged his future to Australia, saying his long-term goal is to represent the nation that he and his imminent young family plan to call home.

The Brazilian, Roar's all-time leading goalscorer with 10 in 36 A-League matches, including three in his past two games, can apply for permanent residency next month, having first linked with Queensland two years ago.

Citizenship would be the next step and, if all goes to plan, Reinaldo would become an Australian by 2010, when he would still only be 26.

"I love Australia, I love Queensland," the lanky forward from the small Brazilian town of Mariana said.

"Australia has some very good strikers but if I have the opportunity I'd like to play for Australia."

Roar coach Frank Farina, a former Socceroos striker and coach, backed Reinaldo to wear the green and gold.

"He's only 23 and if he wants it to happen, I don't see why it wouldn't," Farina said.

"He has all the attributes. He's good in the air, strong, holds the ball up, he's quick and he'll just continue to improve."


Head over heels ... Reinaldo is about to become a father. Pic: Darren England
Reinaldo struggled to keep a smile off his face yesterday.

The scorer of two goals in Roar's 3-0 win over Wellington Phoenix on Sunday night was thrilled not only about his current form, but also the impending birth of his first child, a baby boy whom he and wife Claudineia plan to name Phelipe.

"With the baby coming, I'm very excited," he said.

"And for me to score goals at home is very good for my confidence. The support from the crowd was so beautiful.

"When you work hard and you don't score, sometimes fans don't appreciate it. But I'm a striker and I know that all the time, a striker needs goals."

Reinaldo, whose Queensland contract expires at the end of the 2008-2009 season, ended a nine-week goal drought by scoring a cracker in Roar's 1-0 away win over Adelaide Utd on November 2.

He continued his form against Phoenix, netting a 67th-minute penalty and a second goal with a delightful back heel.

 

Smeltzy's already halfway to that total and he's only played 11 games!

 

Would hate to see this happen for the AWs

 

Its different if say a foriegn born player moves to NZ when he/she is 12 and goes to school here and in a sense "grows up" here etc then its ok in my opinion. other than that, no.

 

 

If not OZ ..................... maybe all white, not as silly as it sounds.

 

As an aside when you come to play fifth best Asian nation in WCQ would be good to have mids of this class.

 

All that I have tio say about that is...

 

ALL BLACKS!!!

Ricky and Tony P think about it and PM me in case the outcome is positive. I'd make a great pain up front with Shane. He's tall and holds the ball. I'm quick and good at feeding him.

Sawwwweeet!