Episode 5 of Stama & Toddler's Snobcast Asian Cup Experience

Your favourite football comedy podcast is back. 

https://itun.es/au/0gzc4.c

The Australian football Snobcast hosted by comedian Rob Toddler and journalist Con Stamocostas (me) brings you 

Episode 5: The Asian Cup Experience 

We reveal who won the Asian Cup, in case you haven't watched it yet. Also, why you shouldn't go to the toilet during a massive final, Ange Postecoglou stirring speech that inspired the Socceroos to victory we have the secret recording.

Plus the Cup's NRL organising committee, Cahill's selfie skills, FIFA's massive Qatar blunder. And heaps more!

The 2015 Asian Cup Review

The 2015 Asian Cup is over and the comedown/hangover has already begun.

So to help from any Asian Cup withdrawals you are having it's time to look back on the highs and lows, the winners and losers as I give out my 2015 Asian Cup Awards.

The Winners

The Socceroos

Was this victory as good as the Socceroos qualifying for the World Cup in 2005? Or the Japan and Croatia games at the 2006 World Cup?

Some fans tell me it is, I wish I wasn’t in the toilet when James Troisi scored because I would be saying it was right up their too. 

Now I have to wait another 50 years when Australia hosts the Asian Cup again and Troisi’s grandson scores the winning goal against South Korea in extra time.

Multiculturalism

The Australian fans from all backgrounds confounded nervous organiser’s worries of a low turnout by coming out in their thousands to make this Asian Cup a grand spectacle.

Multiculturalism was the one of the big winners as fans from all over the word with different ethnic backgrounds showcased a different side of culture that the Australian media usually portrays.

Usually associated with terms like refugees, boat people, or even sometimes terrorists, these were simply football fans, enjoying themselves and supporting their team and respecting the opposition.

Iran fans holding placards such as this is what a free Tehran looks like, Palestine fans watching an historic occasion in Newcastle were indicative of the tournament vibe.

The adopt a second team strategy worked to make this Asian Cup more than just about the home team, from the comedy element of Australian fans making fun of North Korea by dressing up as  Kim Jong Un, to the strong turnout in Canberra and Melbourne when teams like North Korea, China, Iraq and Iran played.

The Losers

Sepp Blatter

The sneaky Penguin from the movie Batman Returns Blatter had the nerve to come to Australia and help present the Asian Cup to Australia after FIFA gave the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Are you watching Sepp? 

Did you see who good this Asian Cup was? Did you see what an amazing show the 2022 World Cup would have been if you gave us the tournament?

Dudes at the AFC x2

Certain members of the Asian Football Confederation for trying to stir shit up before the final by hinting that they wanted to kick out the Socceroos of the AFC.

The AFC get two loser awards and the second one is for not giving any prize money to the winners of the Asian Cup.

An official quote from the AFC was:

“Generally, AFC is a non-profit making association.

“As such, any surpluses generated through its activities are reinvested in its competitions and other football development activities.”

My official quote back is: “Show me the Money!”

The Tim Cahill Selfie Award goes to..

Super Selfie Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill has been going Tim Cahilling crazy. Selfies in the change rooms after games. Selfies on the ground after games.

The funniest one was the next day after the final when the Socceross where celebrating with fans in Pitt Street Mall, Sydney.

While talking to the mainstream TV media scrum Cahill offered his thoughts about what winning the Asian Cup meant for Australian football and then showing the same agility and athleticism as when he scored that bicycle kick against China, he quickly posed for a selfie with adoring Socceroos fans, all in the same movement.

The Ben Williams Award for Highest Achievement in Refereeing Standards goes to..

Ben Williams

Williams’ refereeing performance copped it in this tournament, accused of holding a grudge against Iran coach Carlos Queiroz and of not giving penalties to John Aloisi as a player or as a coach.

Williams’ refereeing performance might benefit from a change in attitude he should see grudges as a place to park his car, not to hold one against one of team’s coach you are refereeing. (Thank you the 12th Man).

The Fans of the Tournament Award goes to…

Superstitious Italian-Australian fans sitting next Dave during the final.

A group of Socceroos fans with Italian background were sitting next my mate Dave during the final.

Dave who is of Italian background got chatting with a member of that group because he noticed that all five of them were doing the gesture that you sometimes see at heavy metal and rock concerts.

But Dave found out that the Italians-Aussies were not rocking out, they were actually doing the il malocchio or the evil eye which is an old Italian custom. They were aiming the hand gesture at the South Korean team to try and curse them with bad luck. 

The lady sitting next to Dave explained that because the South Koreans were wearing a red strip that meant the malocchio hand signal didn’t work so well.

So to get it to work more effectively they wore their underpants inside out, so this would reverse the curse! 

This is no joke!

The Socceroos and Ange Postecoglou should give a thanks to the superstitious and eccentric five Aussie-Italians for cursing out the South Koreans and helping win Australia the Asian Cup!

The Messi Lookalike Contest Winner is….

There was the Chinese Messi, The UAE Messi, The Kuwait Messi, the Japan Messi, but where was the Chinese Paul Wade? 

Or the UAE Chad Gibson? 

Or the Kuwait Alun Hunter? 

Or the Japan Nick Meredith?

Surely some hard working journey man comparison would be nice for a change. 

442 Asian Cup Final Podcast

I'm on latest @FourFourTwoOz  Asian Cup Podcast. It's the special Asian Cup final edition, we talk Socceroos, We are the Champions of Asia! + A League and Tim Cahill's move to China:

 http://au.fourfourtwo.com/podcasts/442FM_10x11.mp3

Asian Cup Blog Socceroos UAE Analysis and South Korea Preview

My latest Asian Cup Blog @FourFourTwoOz The Socceroos rewriting the script in their quest for glory with UAE Analysis and South Korea Preview.

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/asian-cup-socceroos-rewriting-script

Socceroos China Blog: Super Timmy Cahill

My latest Blog @FourFourTwoOz  Socceroos legend Tim_Cahill slowed down the space time continuum with his bicycle kick.

The Socceroos consigned the Caddy Shack Stadium in Brisbane to the dustbin of history by giving Super Timmy the Super Freak the perfect opportunity to use his world class aerial strength.

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/features/asian-cup-super-timmy-super-freak

Asian Cup Blog: The Socceroos tread a new path via China

 If Brisbane Stadium plunges into darkness during the quarter final game against China I’d be checking up on Exodus Chapter 10 again, especially after a plague of moths of biblical proportion descended over Brisbane Stadium Saturday night.

  

Looking at the horrible state of the pitch and the countless bobbles it produced during the game against Taegeuk Warriors, and the sight of moths being hoovered out of the coaches and substitute benches it all shows yet again that if you ain't living in Sydney you are camping out. (That’s a Paul Keating line by the way don’t blame me I’m just an agent of information)

Apparently the six yard pitch on both ends is being replaced.  The six yard box doesn’t need to be dug up, the whole pitch does! Perhaps the groundsmen got confused, that he may of thought he wasn’t laying a football pitch but a cricket pitch instead, were usually cracks in the pitch one the fifth day of play are a good thing.

 Having to play China in Brisbane on Thursday night  means that Melbourne (Quarter Finals) and Sydney (Semi Finals) miss out on any more Socceroos games at the Asian Cup, until the final in Sydney and that the cow paddocks of Brisbane (Quarter Finals) and Newcastle (Semi Finals) will now host the Socceroos not so set in stone march to glory. 

#i'llcampwithyou

Ange Postecoglou didn’t play his best side in the most important game of the group and now he’s stuck in Brisbane.

In solidarity of the Socceroos cause many fans (me) found that the overwhelming response to the Socceroos loss to South Korea was not disappointment but sympathy.

When news came out that the Socceroos would have to stay in Brisbane for another five days, a social media campaign in solidarity with the Socceroos precarious accommodation situation led to an outpouring of support by a single Australian fan. 

Sympathising with the Socceroos plight a social media campaign almost started to go viral.

Taking inspiration from the #illridewithyou hash tag that sprung up during the Sydney siege a new hash tag started to emerge with the campaign #i'llcampwithyou.

The twitter hash tag started to show up on twitter. Ok it was only my twitter account but if it gets to 10 people it’s gone viral right?  

One point three Billion Dragons

The Socceroos will have to not only fight the threat of the Chinese momentum and their over one billion Team Dragon supporters cheering them on back home, but it’s the conditions in Brisbane that will be the biggest obstacle our brave Socceroos will have to overcome.

 To defeat Team Dragon the Socceroos will have to play two games in Brisvegas in five days.  Can they get over the swamp like conditions that permeate the Brisbane Stadium, a low lying area that often floods and causes moth plagues and kills stadium grass?

Add to that, the heat and muggy conditions and I ask you: how will the players be in top condition when they will be unable to sleep due to the sound of Brisbane locals waking up at six am to mow their lawns and weed waker their driveways?

  

More One – Two’s!

 China have three danger men that none of the Socceroos would ever have heard of. (Especially if they have the same attitude as this arrogant ignorant Australian journalist/blogger)

Midfielders Cai Huikang, Zheng Zhi and right winger Sun Ke, do the rotation of positions, flicks and one two's very well.

The Socceroos have done just two – one, two in two games and they scored one goal (Robbie Kruse against Oman) and just missed another (Kruse against South Korea).

Surely two, one- two’s in two games is not enough? That’s almost as hard as saying red leather, yellow leather very fast.

 Couldn’t host a fart in a baked beans factory!

The Asian Cup has been a good tournament but it hasn’t been a great one, it’s shown up the limitation of Australia to run a football tournament.

I don’t understand the choice of having Newcastle Stadium, with its limited capacity due to grassy hills, as a host of a Semi Final? WTF?

The omission of the Sydney Football Stadium and the lack of proper football stadia in Adelaide and Perth, the state of the pitches in Newcastle and Brisbane highlight the work that needs to be done structurally. WTF?

The AFC have has also contributed to the mini debacle, the ridiculous scenario of having teams like China, Japan and South Korea play away from Sydney and in Brisbane, Newcastle and Canberra instead is mind boggling. WTF?

The choice of Stadium Australia for games like Uzbekistan - North Korea, Bahrain – Qatar. WTF?

Melbourne is the sporting capital of the world? My Greek Hairy arse you are! The rectangular stadium in Melbourne with its limited capacity opening the tournament was a joke! WTF?

Brisbane (we’ve already talked about them) 

The coverage has also been a contentious issue. The ABC showing Socceroos group games on a two hour delay is a disgrace! WTF?

 Fox Sports coverage of the Asian Cup is great but for international journo’s to come to Australia and not being able to get coverage in some hotels because the channels have changed is really amateur hour. WTF?

Australia acts like a first world country with the way some of their citizens throw the modern epitaph “ first world problems” around,  but in football terms sometimes the land down under has “third world problems”, no wonder we only got one vote during the World Cup bidding process.

 Let hope the Socceroos can beat China. It sets up an exciting semi final against the team the Socceroos can’t beat at the Asian Cup – Japan.

Perhaps a new dream meeting in the final awaits us? The Socceroos vs Iran.

Does anyone know where serial pest Peter Hore is? Get the straight jacket ready now!

Socceroos Kuwait Asian Cup Blog

Read my Blog of the opening game of the Asian Cup The Best and Worst of the Socceroos 

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/best-and-worst-socceroos

via @FourFourTwoOz

Socceroos Belgium and Saudi Arabia Analysis

After watching the Socceroos fumble and bumble their way with a lucky loss against Belgium and a very lucky win against Saudi Arabia, the World Cup afterglow has well and truly faded.

Recently there has been boasting predictions by some of the Socceratti that the Asian Cup victory on home soil is there for the taking.

The Socceroos chucked their 2014 Copo do Mondo performances into the waste bin of history and reminded fans, pundits and bandwagoners that there is lots of work to be done.

The Socceroos have planty of excuses why they played so badly. Sure it's hard to rise up to and match the performances that the Socceroos gave against Chile and Holland when your are playing in half empty stadiums in Belgium and London.

Compared to the pageantry and excitement of the world's biggest organised piss-up. the buzz of full stadiums and the gaze of the world's eyes, the atmosphere and the importance of the friendly games against the Chocolatiers and the Oil Botherers are a Debbie Downer in comparison to Brazil.

Sure Grumpy Postecoglou used a bunch of new players and  used the game to widen the net and add more depth to the national team’s small pool of players.

But talk about comedown Tuesday! I haven't felt so low on a Tuesday morning since the late 90's and early noughties of my misspent youth.

Sure the game was played on a Monday morning Australian time but everyone associated with the term "comedown Tuesday" knows that the low doesn't hit till the following day.

The Socceroos were pedestrian, lazy and as Alan Partridge says just too "cas" in defence.

The midfield is an ongoing saga and the attack is the same old story: a lot of conversation and very little action.

Fire up Tommy!

Before the first game against Belgium I had the opportunity to interview World Cup 2014 Socceroos members, Tommy Oar and Bailey Wright. Click on the their last names for the interviews.

Oar will want to forget these two games and Wright will never ever forget the Saudi Arabia game.

Oar continues to disappoint for the Socceroos while the Preston North End veteran (he's only 22 and has played over 100 games for the Lilywhites) made his full Socceroos debut and scored

After being a suited and booted cheerleader for the Socceroos last six or seven games including the World Cup, Wright would have been thinking 'finally'!

Oar is a mystery to me, and the Utrecht winger is probably puzzling many Socceroos observers and himself over why he can bring it for his club but not for his country.

The 22 years old's performances at the World Cup were mixed, Oar said so himself when I interviewed him:

"I've got mixed feelings,” he says. “Obviously playing at the highest level, coming up against the best defenders in the world is always going to be tough. I’m disappointed I couldn't have a more positive impact; however I am grateful for the experience. It has highlighted for me the things which I need to work on and what I need to improve."

It’s easy for this coach on a keyboard to say, but what Oar needs to improve upon when playing for the Socceroos is his composure.

When Oar plays for his club side in Holland he seems more relaxed. He's been on fire for Utrecht, starting the Eredivise season with three assists in two games.If you look at the highlights Oar's been giving some sublime passes to his teammates.

Where is Utrecht Tommy Oar when he plays for the Socceroos? Perhaps Oar is trying too hard and trying to do too much when he puts on the green and gold. I'd like see Grumpy Ange give him a free role. Give him the freedom to move inside from the left and into the middle like he does for his club side.

Poor Ol' Mitch

Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak must have done something wrong in his past Socceroos life because his current Socceroos teammates are causing the Borussia Dortmund's Goalkeeper all sorts of grief every time he puts on the Socceroos keeper's uniform.

Langerak's Socceroos career seems jinxed. His debut for the green and gold was against France when the Frogs thrashed the Aussies by six goals to nil. It was the last game dour game Holger Osieck ever coached for Australia.

In the lead up to the World Cup, Langerak's poor performance against Ecuador were he got sent off gave Socceros number one GK position to Mat Ryan, wrapped up in a green and gold bow tie.

Langerak must be thinking to himself: “At least I don't have to put up with this shit at Dortmund.”

Hipster bearded kreas Mile Jedinak has Tommy Oar's disease, were he excels for his club and plays crazy in the coconut (go "The Avalanches" reference!) for the Socceroos.

To continue with the Avalanches references: Since the Socceroos left us at the World Cup, Ange Postecoglou's five year project, is still a work in progress.

The Fringsters

Joshua Brilliante, Trent Sainsbury, Mitch Langerack, Massimo Luongo, Bailey Wright, Ben Halloran, Chris Herd, Tomi Juric and Brad Smith all need proper playing time or to move to proper clubs.

The Socceroos can't be having League One players and bench players trying to keep up with your Belgium's and trying to dominate your Saudi Arabia's.

It will take time to get regular games and proper clubs, for some players in the Fringsters list, perhaps the Asian Cup is a year too soon.

The Regulars

Tommy Oar, Jason Davidson, Mile Jedinak, Mathew Leckie, Mat Ryan can’t keep on playing below their ability or better for their clubs.

Step it up, you're playing for Australia farken!

The Meek

Robbie Kruse, Rhys Williams, Mathew Spiranovic and Terry Antonis see more of the inside of a doctor’s office than the outside of a football pitch.

You all don't want to be called the next Hayden Foxe especially by Andy Harper do you?

Generation What's Next? may look like a mad woman’s breakfast at the moment, but with some refinement of the squad particularly the fringsters, regulars and some luck with the meek, I’m still intrigued to see how the story ends.

I just hope it doesn't have the same ending as another disastrous and embarrassing home football tournament.

The Sydney 2000 Olympics anyone?

Aussies Abroad Month in Review August 2014

Here is the Aussies Abroad Month in Review for August 2014 compiled by Damian Davies. Email Damian for any updates or new info damiandavies@ymail.com

The European season is back for 2014/15, the Asian leagues continue, the transfer window has just closed and the Socceroos are getting ready to play a few friendlies - football is back and plenty to review for the month of August!!

Transfers:-  the number of Aussies Abroad continues to swell with some more interesting destinations like Uzbekistan, Kenya and The Maldives now seeing Aussie expats plying their trade.  Some notable movements with several Aussies such as Davidson, Demetriou and Gallifuoco joining the English Premier League. Current Socceroos Ivan Franjic and James Troisi finding new homes, along with recent Socceroos in Luke Wilkshire and Jackson Irvine.  Of the more notable players seemingly still searching for a club are Lucas Neill and Kerem Bulut.

Additions/changes to player database:

Evan Alexandrow-Ridley (19 Jun 1994) - transferred to Ekranas, Lithuania

Mitchell Austin (3 Apr 1991) - loan from Cambridge Town to Brackley Town, England

Emre Balci (5 Apr 1987) - transferred from Inegolspor to Diyarbakir Buyuksehir Belediyespor, Turkey

Andrew Barisic (22 Mar 1986) - transferred from South China to Kerala Blasters, India

Brandon Chin (14 Feb 1995) - transferred to FC Hennof 05, Germany

Daniel Collins (15 Jun 1995) - transferred from Bala Town FC to Wrexham, Englanf

Jason Davidson (29 Jun 1991) - transferred from Heracles Almelo to West Bromwich Albion, England

James Demetriou (14 Aug 1995)  - transferred from Nottingham Forest to Swansea City, England

Kenny Dougall (7 May 1993) - transferred to Telstar 1963, Netherlands

Jonathan Faerber (15 Mar 1988) - transferred from FSV Erlangen-Bruck to TSV 1860 Rosenheim, Germany

Ivan Franjic (10 Sep 1987) - transferred from Brisbane Roar to FK Torpedo Moscow, Russia

Petar Franjic (7 Apr 1992) - transferred to Olmaliq, Uzbekistan

Rocci Gabey (TBC) - transferred to Kaya FC, Philippines

Giancarlo Gallifuoco (12 Jan 1994) - transferred from Tottenham to Swansea City, England

Sam Gibson (11 Nov 1988) - transferred from SV Bergisch Gladbach 09 to TSV Germania Windeck, Germany

Carter Glockner (16 Sep 1994) - transferred to 1. CFR Pforzheim, Germany

Tom Glover (24 Dec 1997) - transferred to Tottenham, England

Liam Graham (14 Aug 1992) - loan from Monza to Pro Partia, Italy

Alex Grant (23 Jan 1994) - loan from Stoke City to Macclesfield Town, England

Max Haubus (8 Mar 1993) - transferred from TuS Koblenz II to SV Rot WeiB Hadamar, Germany

Jackson Irvine (7 Mar 1993) - loan from Celtic to Ross County, Scotland

Luke Kairies (4 Mar 1995) - transferred to FC Eindhoven, Netherlands

Josip Konyit (29 Apr 1992) - transferred from Trento Calcio to Inter Zapresic, Croatia

Evan Kostopoulos (7 May 1990) - transferred from Sydney Olympic to South China, Hong Kong

Theo Markelis (24 Jun 1992) - transferred from Hercules Alicante to PAE Veria, Greece

Josh Macdonald (TBC) - transferred from Sydney FC to Nottingham Forest, England

Ian Niva (1994) - transferred to Gor Mahia, Kenya

Richard Porta (1 Aug 1983) - transferred from Nacional to Independiate del Valle, Ecuador

Alistair Quinn (1 Jun 1993) - transferred from NAC Breda to Telstar 1963, Netherlands

David Rowley (6 Feb 1990) - transferred to Club Sportif Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Mario Simic (28 Dec 1989) - transferred to Lucko, Croatia

Brad Smith (9 Apr 1994) - loan from Liverpool to Swindon Town, England

Roko Strika (12 Feb 1994) - transferred from Velika Gorica to GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia

Dean Tomeski (4 Feb 1991) - transferred to FY Makedonija GJP, Macedonia

James Troisi (3 Jul 1988) - loan from Juventus to SV Zulte Waragem, Belgium

Luke Wilkshire (2 Oct 1981) - transferred from Dinamo Moscow to Feyenoord, Netherlands

Removed from player database: 

Luis Abadia (Kaya FC) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Dario Al Saad (B&I Svebolle) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Matthew Bonasera (CF Badalona) - uncontracted, returned to Australia

Bryan Bran (FC Chabab) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Kerem Bulut (Akhiser Belediyespor) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Billy Celeski (Liaoning Whowin) - transferred to Newcastle Jets

Christian Esposito (Novara) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Matthew Fletcher (Hull City) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Charlie Fuller (Balzan Youths) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Iain Fyfe (Mes Kerman) - transferred to Campbelltown City, SA

Ryan Go (Feyenoord) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Calvin Lovric (Hercules Alicante B) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Ben McNamara (Northampton Town) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Jordan Nadalin (Balzan Youths) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Lucas Neill (Watford FC) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Conor O'Neill (Middlesbrough) - uncontracted, returned to Australia

Stepehen O'Neill (Middlesbrough) - uncontracted, returned to Australia

Robert Paratore (Leicester City) - transferred to Barwell, England (non-league)

Adam Parkhouse (Stalybridge Celtic) - uncontracted, whereabouts unknown

Steve Pepper (FCV Dender) - transferred to Croydon Kings, SA

Connor Thurston (Blackpool) - uncontracted, returned to Australia

Sebastian Usai (Cowdenbeath FC) - uncontracted, returned to Australia

Daniell Zeleny (Churchill Brothers) - uncontracted, returned to Australia

Club Level:-

England (Premier League) - Mile Jedinak has continued as captain at Crystal Palace, playing 90 minutes in each of the club's first three fixtures.  Jason Davidson has made his starting debut after a prolonged transfer from Holland.  The only other Aussie that has made a match day squad to date is Liverpool reserve keeper Brad Jones.

England (Championship) - making their senior debuts for Fulham were young defender Cameron Burgess and Ryan Williams.  To recap, Williams had a fantastic loan spell at Oxford United last year and has returned a better player.  Great to see Scott McDonald on the scoresheet early in Millwall's new campaign.  He seems to have moved to an attacking midfield role, and initial reports were positive on his involvement level.  Great to see Adam Federici back between the sticks at Reading after a disappointing last season.  Also featuring for Reading has been Ryan Edwards after returning from a loan in the A League.

England (League One) - of the Aussies in this league, Brad Inman has possibly started the strongest at Crewe, scoring twice in six league/cup appearances.  The boys at Swindon are also impressing with young defender Brad Smith joining on loan from Liverpool, complimenting our other young Aussie Mass Luongo who will be looking to build on his World Cup experience.  Another returning Socceroo is Bailey Wright, who will also be looking for a career defining club season.  Neil Kilkenny has had a good start to the new season at Preston North End.

England (League Two) - early days but Shane Cansdell-Sheriff's Burton Albion sit top of the table with Shane playing centre back in a miserly defence.

Italy (Serie A) - a rapid rise to fame with Josh Brillante debuting for Fiorentina in the first game of the season.  Some negative press after the game but tipping Josh to bounce back strongly after featuring in the Socceroos camp this week.

Germany (Bundesliga) - Mitch Langerak started the first game in goal but was promptly relegated to the bench for the second game.

Germany (2. Bundesliga) - an impressive start to Mat Leckie's Inglostadt career with goals and assists flowing.  A mixed start for Ben Halloran as he tries to nail down a starting berth at Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Netherlands (Eredivisie) - a few great stories with Tommy Oar showing great form after returning from injury at Utrecht.  Trent Sainsbury is moving towards a regular centre-back role at PEC Zwolle after several starts, and Luke Wilkshire may have a new lease of life after starting his career at Feyenood strongly.

Austria (Bundesliga) - James Holland has returned to the starting eleven but Austria Wien have had a terrible start to their season.

Belgium (Pro League) - Mat Ryan may not have started with a high number of clean sheets, but qualifying for the Europa League group stage would be arguably more satisfying.

Croatia (1. HNL) - great to see Tomislav Mrcela scoring on debut for his new club NK Lokomotiva Zagreb.  He was rewarded with a starting position.  Another to start the season in the senior squad is Steven Ugarkovic at NK Osijek.

Greece (Super League) - a bright start for Apostolis Giannou with two starts and two goals at Panionios Athens.  A debut as well for Robert Stambolziev at Niki Volos.

Iceland (2. Deild) - the amazing run continues at club level for Kile Kennedy.  KF Fjardabyggd have 13 points up their sleeve as they look for a second successive automatic promotion while Kile is in goal each week.

China (Super League) - plenty of minutes for veteran Jonas Salley at Guizhou Renhe.  Another who has seemingly worked his way back to a regular starting role is Harbin Yiteng midfielder Adam Hughes. 

Korea (K-League Classic) - the standout Aussie in this league for August would have to be defensive midfielder Aleksander Jovanovic.  He has now made 19 starts for Jeju United in a tough league.

Thailand (Premier League) - mixed results for our Aussies with Michael Beauchamp and Matt Thompson starting regularly for PTT Rayong.

Maldives (Dhivehi) - nearing the end of the season, journeyman Dane Milovanovic has featured prominately on the scoring charts for New Radiant as they push for the title.

Injuries:-   a fair number of Aussies in the medical rooms. Socceroos Curtis Good (hip), Adam Taggart (abdominal), Rhys Williams (achilles), Robbie Kruse (knee) and Tom Rogic (Abductor) all yet to appear this season.

Club Competitions:-

Europe                             

(UEFA Champions League) – no Aussies appeared during August, however Leverkusen (Kruse) did progress to the group stages.

(UEFA Europa League) – a bit of Aussie action with Mat Ryan appearing as Club Bruge progressed to the group stages.  Similar story for Luke Wilkshire as he started both legs that saw Feyenoord progress.  Trent Sainsbury also played both legs for PEC Zwolle who lost their playoffs and failed to enter the group stages.

North Amercia

(CONCACAFChampions League) – Tim Cahill started in the 2-0 win against FAS (El Salvador).

South America

(Copa Sudamericana) – Richard Porta was an unused sub for Independiate del Valle.

Asia

(Asian Champions League) - no Aussies Abroad remain.

(AFC Cup) - no Aussies Abroad remain.

Reserves and Youth:-

Youth leagues just recommencing, next report in September

International level:- preparations begin now for the Asian Cup in January.  Most notable inclusions for me were Josh Brillante who was close to the WC Squad, but has had a great pre-season in Italy.  Brad Smith has been recognised for a strong season at Liverpool and after appearing for the England youth team, would be great to lock him away.  Chris Herd hasn't been able to break into the Villa squad, so he is an interesting pick.  He has had injuries preventing him from appearing in the green and gold before now, hope to see how he is travelling now with a position at both club and national level seemingly on his agenda.  He certainly looked very promising a year or two ago so reason to be optimistic.  The last player I wanted to mention was Carl Valeri.  Certainly a player that has given his all to the Socceroos over the years.  With a transfer back to Melbourne Vicotry, I hope he has a fantastic six months at both club and national level. All in all, great to see Ange continue to look to build the depth of Australian football.

Socceroo (capped) of the month – on hold

Nov - Ryan, Dec - Jedinak, Jan - Jedinak, Feb - Ryan, Mar – Kennedy, Apr - Jedinak

Under the radar (uncapped)  - on hold.

Nov - Luongo, Dec - Mrcela, Jan - Giannou, Feb - Wright, Mar – Lowry, Apr - Halloran

Young player (U21) of the month – on hold.

Nov - Ryan Williams, Dec - Cooper, Jan - B.Smith, Feb - Grant, Mar – Tanner, Apr - Ugarkovic