Iranians in the A-League?

[Mir Javad]

I was wondering if there was any opportunity or possibility in the future for Iranians to come and play in Australia. The A-league at the moment is one of the fastest growing leagues in Asia and the quality is becoming higher. The growth of coverage of the A-League outside Australia has seen the league broadcast in 65 countries around the world. Many players have transferred from the A-league to Europe in recent years. Recent Asian Champions of the ACL were the Western Sydney Wanderers from Australia.

Notable players in the A-League have included Alessandro Del Piero, who signed with Sydney FC, on a two-year four million dollar deal, as well as Dwight Yorke, Emile Heskey, David Villa who signed for Melbourne City as well as Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler and Brazilian legend Romario. Famous Australian player have included Harry Kewell, John Aloisi, Brett Emerton and Joshua Kennedy. The current Austrian captain, Marc Janko is currently playing for Sydney FC and is at the moment competing in the 2016 Euro qualifiers.

I feel Iranians will adapt very well in the A-League and it will give them more consideration by European club scouts, who come to Australia regularly to analyse players. Instead of Iranians, playing in low-quality Persian Gulf Arab leagues, they can instead try come to Australia where there will be some real opportunities for these players in the future and even if the players choose to stay and play in Australia, it will be quite beneficial for them and Team Melli overall.

[Z Joon]

Our players want either money or development. A-League is none of these if I'm not mistaking, so they will either go to Arab leagues, to Europe or stay in Iran.

And that theory that going to Chinese league or A-League will help them be scouted by European teams doesn't have much weight to me. I personally don't believe in it, anyone that transfers to those leagues or Arab leagues is a good indication of the end of their club career. We are not Iraq, Indonesia or Singapore to beg and hope our players to go to leagues like Australia's, these cases would be when their moves would be a progression (eg Iraq league to Australian league), in this case they won't even get paid that much more and won't play better football than in Iran.

One guy I would remember is Sergio van Dijk who came to the IPL from a A-league team and was total shit for Sepahan, he was tearing it up in Australia apparently, scoring 25 goals in 50 games for "Brisbane Roar", 25 in 55 for "Adelaide United". Now that I check, he won the A-League Golden boot in 2010-2011.

[Mir Javad]

If they really want to develop, A-League seems to be the real solution for them. Unlike Qatar and other Persian Gulf counties there is obviously a big difference in money compared to Australia.

A-league is quite underrated, just last year an A-league team won the ACL. Maybe the next transfer window, A-league teams will be looking for some Asian players, especially Iranian after performances in the Asian Cup. Team Melli, was praised for their performances, by the Australian Media during the Asian Cup. The league has greatly developed and changed from what it was 3 or 5 years ago.

[Z Joon]

If they really want to develop, A-League seems to be the real solution for them. Unlike Qatar and other Persian Gulf counties there is obviously a big difference in money compared to Australia.

A-league is quite underrated, just last year an A-league team won the ACL. Maybe the next transfer window, A-league teams will be looking for some Asian players, especially Iranian after performances in the Asian Cup. Team Melli, was praised for their performances, by the Australian Media during the Asian Cup.

I don't think so, they are advertised and promoted quite a lot compared to the leagues of their own level. As I said, Van Dijk is an example, golden boot in the A-League in 2010-2011, but was total shit for Sepahan. If average IPL Iranian players want to go there I wouldn't be against it, otherwise I'd say it's a waste of time.

[Mir Javad]

I don't think so, they have quite a lot of advertisements compared to the leagues of their own level. As I said, Van Dijk is an example, golden boot in the A-League in 2010-2011, but was total shit for Sepahan. If average IPL Iranian players want to go there I wouldn't be against it, otherwise I'd say it's a waste of time.

Few years ago the quality of the A-league was poor, but now the situation has changed a lot. I suggest you watch some recent A-league matches. A lot of the players in the Australian team that won the Asian Cup have moved from playing in the A-league to playing in Europe in teams like Crystal Palace, Club Brugge and Bayer Leverkussen.

Some players simply can't adjust to the playing quality and style of football or the atmosphere that they are used to playing, when they move to other countries, league or even other clubs. We have seen this in Europe as well.

At the end we just have to wait and see, what happens in the next few months. Australian clubs are at the moment on the look out for more Asian players, after the Asian Cup in January.

[KC McElroy]

They'd have a better chance of exposure in MLS. And that's really not a complement to MLS but a reality check on what the world and European scouts think of the A-League. What you wrote about the A-League actually applies to NASL and USL Pro (even down to the players involved such as Romario, Raul, Zinho, etc.) which is one/two divisions below MLS .

[Mir Javad]

They'd have a better chance of exposure in MLS. And that's really not a complement to MLS but a reality check on what the world and European scouts think of the A-League. What you wrote about the A-League actually applies to NASL and USL Pro (even down to the players involved such as Romario, Raul, Zinho, etc.) which is one/two divisions below MLS .

MLS is quite good. But I don't think any of the MLS clubs would want any Iranian players.

A-league clubs are more willing, and are more keen on getting Asian players in their teams.

I am just saying A-league is just a possibility for Iranians in the future.

During the Asian cup, I once heard from some Australian sport commentators a possibility of bringing Gucci to the A-league.

[04041374]

Iranians in the A-League?

Actually Christian Fuchs of Schalke is Austria's captain

But with WSW winning the ACL and many starts playing in Australia it would be nice to see some Iranian legionnaires playing in OZ. Way better than any Persian Gulf state

[KC McElroy]

MLS is quite good. But I don't think any of the MLS clubs would want any Iranian players.

A-league clubs are more willing, and are more keen on getting Asian players in their teams.

I am just saying A-league is just a possibility for Iranians in the future.

During the Asian cup, I once heard a possibility from some Australian sport commentators of bringing Gucci to the A-league.

Are you kidding me? Have you heard of LA and its Iranian population?

[Mir Javad]

Are you kidding me? Have you heard of LA and its Iranian population?

Yes I have heard of Tehrangeles and the great number of Iranians in California.

IR would probably put pressure and restrictions on Iranian players not to play in the US, like they did with Nekounam when he was about to join a club in the UAE. Politics will make it hard for MLS clubs to bring Iranian players and visa issues.

I am not saying MLS is bad, it has become quite a quality league but I don't think Iranian players will not be that profitable and worth it for the MLS clubs. Maybe Iranian Americans ?

[ArminSh]

There is lots of money being invested in the A-league currently but as far as star players transferring there , they are somewhat like Qatar currently, only ones that are at the end of their career make a move there basically to promote the league but the quality of their matches are much better and they have bad-ass amenities.

As far as Iranian going there, Why not? They will have a much better chance getting recruited by other European leagues, Sadly, i cant say the same about IPL.

I'm all up for it but history says our players are more attracted to money. It's like they have no faith in their future and want to get the big money as soon as possible even if it means ruining their career.

[Mir Javad]

Actually Christian Fuchs of Schalke is Austria's captain

But with WSW winning the ACL and many starts playing in Australia it would be nice to see some Iranian legionnaires playing in OZ. Way better than any Persian Gulf state

I have been reading quite a few football articles, stating Janko as Austrian Captain. My bad if I was wrong.

It would be definitely be nice seeing Iranians playing in the A-league hopefully in the near-future.

[Mir Javad]

There is lots of money being invested in the A-league currently but as far as star players transferring there , they are somewhat like Qatar currently, only ones that are at the end of their career make a move there basically to promote the league but the quality of their matches are much better and they have bad-ass amenities.

As far as Iranian going there, Why not? They will have a much better chance getting recruited by other European leagues, Sadly, i cant say the same about IPL.

I'm all up for it but history says our players are more attracted to money. It's like they have no faith in their future and want to get the big money as soon as possible even if it means ruining their career.

I doubt many European scouts care about or even observe the IPL unfortunately. These players have to start from somewhere where there is a considerable amount of world sporting exposure (Australia) and prove their worth before they can go on to the best leagues in Europe. A-League shouldn't be a problem for Iranian Players, as it is apart of the AFC and also Australia is also politically and socially well connected with Europe, unlike Iran.

The reality is money simply beats passion.

If they really want to develop, they have to stop trying to play in these poor-quality Persian Gulf Arab leagues, where they are destroying themselves.

[kami_kakashi]

Iranians in the A-League?

A League is properly run like a business. Only last week they proposed to open up the league to Asian clubs (they already have a team from NZL playing there).
Quality has improved massively and funny enough they see 1997 game against Iran as the turning point for their football and plans to revamp their league.
Manchester City recently purchased Melbourne Heart. Investments are there and they have the right idea. Paid HD TV coverage through Foxtel, great grounds and training facilities, etc....

[pres80]

Dude come one, A League is trash.