Asian Cup

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1

I'm not trying to jump the gun here, but Fox Sports did a review on some of the Aussies' performances overseas before to start of European leagues. It still a few months away, but the hype around the tournament will only build and with the first taste of FFA action tonight - Australian Soccer is in a pretty good place at the moment with a heap of 'young guns' coming through the European ranks. 

 

Newcastle Jets graduate Josh Brilliante has impressed in his debut for Serie A club Fiorentina, playing 90 minutes against Estudiantes in a friendly on the weekend.

The Italian outfit beat the Argentine‘s 1-0 courtesy of a Mario Gomez goal after 30 minutes, as Brilliante enjoyed a positive start to the three-match tour of the South American country.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said before the match: “Josh Brillante is ready physically and I consider him to be a nice surprise”.

Keep an eye on Chris Ikonomidis, who scored for Lazio in its 10-0 rout of Asiago.

Great news for the Socceroos ahead of the Asian Cup, with Robbie Kruse back in action after his heartbreaking knee injury.

GERMANY

Kruse, 25, made a cameo in the 79th minute in a 1-1 draw with Alemannia Aachen.

“It felt good. Of course, I was careful but it was a good first step,” he said.

It was his first outing for Bayer Leverkusen since a knee injury in January.

Mitchell Langerak played 45 minutes of Borussia Dortmund‘s 5-1 win over RW Essen, while there was a great boost for former Central Coast Mariners protegee Mustafa Amini, who played 17 minutes for the Dortmund Bundesliga outfit.

ENGLAND

Two Aussies have started the season well at Championship club Reading, with former Perth Glory midfielder Ryan Edwards setting up a goal in a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers, while Adam Federici got a chance to re-assert himself between the sticks.

“Ryan‘s got an opportunity and he‘s grasping it,” Reading coach Nigel Adkins said.

“His attitude is spot on. I‘ve always said if you have a good solid attitude and you‘re prepared to work hard, you will keep improving.”

Elsewhere, very promising news out of Aston Villa, with Chris Herd featuring for a full match against Houston Dynamo in 1-0 win in their US tour.

SWITZERLAND

No Europa League for World Cup starlet Oliver Bozanic, whose side FC Luzern lose their qualifier against Scotland‘s St Johnstone on penalties.

 

 

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/aussie-index-robbie-kruse-returns-to-action-josh-brilliante-and-ryan-edwards-earn-praise/story-e6frf423-1227006201503

 

 

2

Hopefully they can find a team (or the guts thereof) to develop to take to the next big one.

(ie the exact opposite of what we did this time.)

3

Will probably be our best chance to win a trophy. Go all out.

Kruse will be a massive addition to the front half.

Would people go nuts if Neil was brought back in, he could provide some much needed stability at the back. I can’t stand the guy but he could help.

4

Will probably be our best chance to win a trophy. Go all out.
Kruse will be a massive addition to the front half.
Would people go nuts if Neil was brought back in, he could provide some much needed stability at the back. I can't stand the guy but he could help.

No
5

Will probably be our best chance to win a trophy. Go all out.
Kruse will be a massive addition to the front half.
Would people go nuts if Neil was brought back in, he could provide some much needed stability at the back. I can't stand the guy but he could help.

Would rather lose every game than bring that plodder back.
6

It was heart-breaking that Kruse missed the World Cup with injury. World class player who take us a long way in the Asian Cup, as long as Australia finds a defence.