General Asian/Oceanic Football Thread

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Quiet a few news stories:

Tony Xia is looking to emulate Manchester City. He is looking into markets in India, America, Australia and China as areas where villa could be represented.

Its a bit plastic but if it helps it helps. I think India would be the easiest market since most of the teams aren't that great there. If he got a team to participate in both the ISL and I-League then Villa would have massive reach. China is harder since the money just flows, same with America, plus in America they may not bite and go for it either unless its some untapped market (San Fran proper maybe). I think Australia could be done but they would have to choose very carefully, the Heart-City switch worked because the Heart where a mess with no identity, don't expect to go into Sydney or Melbourne and buy an NPL club and expect it to work, same with every other a-league club. In this case maybe it would be better for a more Watford-Udinese sort of relationship.

Also the Newcastle sale looks like it will happen tomorrow with businessman Martin Lee to become the new owner. Hopefully this means a competitive team because the Jets fans really do get behind their team (crowds over 10-11k despite being bad). If they're successful they'll be a sign that a semi-big regional city can succeed in the a-league.

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and the Newcastle deal is done. With Martin Lee and his Ledman group looking to get more opposition in China and build them up as a force. Lawrie McKinna has been appointed CEO (much to the dismay of the mariners fans). In addition Luciano Tranni has replaced Mariagny as assistant manager after the latter left to go back to the Victory.

The Newcastle Jets have unveiled their fourth owner in 11 years, with FFA announcing they have sold the club to the Ledman Group, a company headed by Chinese millionaire Martin Lee.

The new owners have also swiftly installed a new CEO, with former Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna to now head up the club’s front office.

Ledman have an established connection with football, with the LED signage manufacturer already owning the Shenzhen Renren club in the Chinese League Two, and acting as a naming rights partner in Portugal’s second league.

“We see a bright future for football across Asia and the Hyundai A-League is at the forefront as one of the top professional leagues in the region,” said Lee.

“The investment aligns with Ledman’s activities in several sectors of the sports industry and I’m excited by the potential of the club.”

And after a series of false starts under former owners Con Constantine and Nathan Tinkler, Lee has promised to work with the local community.

“Most of all, I understand that the Newcastle Jets are a very important part of the Newcastle community,” he said.

“I want to work closely with everyone in Newcastle, the fans, members and the local football community, to make this club the best it can be.

“In the coming months we will announce ways in which the community, and especially club members, can have a regular say in the running of the Jets. We will also announce a board which will include a minimum of two local directors.

“All existing agreements with Jets staff, sponsors, suppliers, and the community at large will be honoured in full following the formal handover from FFA to Ledman.”

In welcoming Ledman’s investment in the local game, FFA CEO David Gallop praised the Chinese company’s sports knowledge.

“I warmly welcome the Ledman chairman and majority owner Martin Lee to Australian football and the Hyundai A-League,” said Gallop.

“Over the past few months of talks over the purchase we have been impressed by Ledman’s plans and ambitions for the Newcastle Jets as part of its global football investments.

“I’m pleased that from the outset community engagement and football development in Newcastle and northern NSW have been top priorities for Ledman.

“This move is significant for the way it demonstrates the Hyundai A-League’s multiple connections to Asia.”

McKinna’s role
A Central Coast legend, having both coached the Mariners and served as Gosford’s mayor, the appointment of McKinna as CEO of his former F3 Derby rivals could be seen as controversial.

However, McKinna was making all the right noises at the announcement, reminding locals of his history in the Steel City.

“I am excited to be taking up the challenge of administering one of the Hyundai A-League most unique clubs, and look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue with Jets members and supporters soon as we seek to take the club from strength to strength,” he said.

“I was a player, albeit briefly, with Newcastle Breakers in the National Soccer League, and like many people have long recognised the enormous potential that exists for professional football in Newcastle.

“With Ledman’s backing combined with the continued support of our local and national stakeholders, I feel that we can build something big here in the Hunter.”

This will be interesting thats for sure.

Also in the interview, Martin Lee stated he wants to qualify for the Champions League in 3 years, now that will be difficult. that means being a top 3 side in the league which will not be an easy task (i think the top 5 at least last year were all reasonably worthy of the title and about the same level until Adelaide just charged through at the end). For them to pull it off in 3 years, they'd have to buy and buy pretty bloody well for it to happen, Miller is a good coach so he could very well lead a side to the top 3 but the players who play for them would have to be class 

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Jose Antonio Reyes has been linked with Sydney FC, as has Mark Schwarzer (who has also been linked to Newcastle)

I don't think either will come. Reyes because he's like Holosko, good winger, not a goalscorer, they need goals and they need it badly. His expected price is around 2.5 million a year which isn't bad though.

Mark Schwarzer is more that he has his family settled in England so i can't see him uprooting himself and leaving, i see him retiring and getting a goalkeeeping coaching gig at a top club.

Joey Katabian and Thomas Deng (victory youth talent) is being linked with a move to Red Star Belgrade and PSV respectively. Deng is a promising young CB who broke into the first team this year whilst Katabian has mostly played for the youth team, he was impressive for them.

both these moves would be good (as long as Serbia doesn't steal Katabian thanks)

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There has been a player swap

Mitch Austin has moved from the Central Coast Mariners to the Melbourne Victory for Connor Pain

Austin is the slightly better player so good on him, however Pain, whilst not as big or strong as Austin is, had been talked up a fair bit and hasn't lived up to potential. I'd say the Victory won this but Pain isn't terrible return either. In saying that Austin will provide the victory some pace they need down the wing and will be a different type of player from FBK. Still though for the mariners i'd wonder if a transfer fee would have been better for them, probably why we need transfers in the league, would benefit the mariners the most. If they could have gotten a good fee for Austin and get fees for players like Rose etc and then chuck on a sell on clause they would be sweet (kind of like Ryan and Rogic).

The Wanderers are making an audacious bid for Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque.

This is just ballsy, not sure if it benefits the Wanderers though since Butters is one of the better CAM's in the league and they really need a goalscorer, not Brosque who will get like 6-7 goals this season if healthy.

Ben Garrucio has also moved to Adelaide United

This is very very good for United, Garrucio is a handy player at left back and good aussie left backs are a rarity. Not exactly sure why City would let him go on the free since they just lost Zullo to Sydney also. Either way good business by Adelaide who probably secure their Goodwin replacement

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Andrew Hoole has left Sydney FC and will most likely go back to Newcastle after a terrible stint, in all honesty he may not even go back to Newcastle and just go to another club (i know he wasn't great but i'd take him at the roar, could be like halloran was, no skill really outside of pace)

Archie Thompson has signed with top NPL Club Heidelburg United in Victoria (honestly probably the best club in Victoria outside of South Melbourne, i'm amazed they didn't make the ffa cup) though it isn't confirmed yet, and Archie saying he doesn't have an idea yet (its archie and he is a bit of a troll so details will be confirmed soon)

Another big story is that Mark Schwarzer could be heading to the A-League to play for the Glory, not this would be huge, i mean he is the best aussie keeper of all time so getting him back would be great, but he seems settled in the UK so i would be shocked if this goes through, would love it though and he would be a huge upgrade over Covic, plus he could coach at the a-league level (talking future head coach).

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Central Coast Mariners have signed with kit Umbro, may not sound like a big deal but after putting bloody palm trees on their kit this season this is a big improvement.

Charlseworth have stated they are looking for a marquee, in january........ they'll be dead last and will be mathematically out of the finals race so whats the point?

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A few signings (one huge one) in australia and asia

Josh Brillante has signed for Sydney FC after a rather unsuccesful stint in Italy

Western Sydney Wanderers have signed Uruguyan midfielder Bruno Pinatares

Victory are rumored to be signing greek international Vanngelis Moras after he was granted his release from Hellas Verona

And for the big one, Hulk has moved to Shanghai SIPG for a record breaking 48 million pounds (58 million euros)

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Josep Gombau has been appointed the new U23's (and U21's) head coach.

Also Aaron Mooy has confirmed a move to Manchester City (probably to be loaned to a club in Belgium) with the new marquee to be announced soon (probably Tim Cahill).

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Jun 30, 2016 11:19:42 GMT clueless1 said:

Josep Gombau has been appointed the new U23's (and U21's) head coach.

Also Aaron Mooy has confirmed a move to Manchester City (probably to be loaned to a club in Belgium) with the new marquee to be announced soon (probably Tim Cahill).

Appointed where?

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Jun 30, 2016 23:09:49 GMT @ausred88 said:

Jun 30, 2016 11:19:42 GMT clueless1 said:

Josep Gombau has been appointed the new U23's (and U21's) head coach.

Also Aaron Mooy has confirmed a move to Manchester City (probably to be loaned to a club in Belgium) with the new marquee to be announced soon (probably Tim Cahill).

Appointed where?

whoops should have made that clear

for Australia (the olyroos)

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Who is that Mooy dude City have signed from their FFPworkaround feeder club?

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Jul 1, 2016 13:16:56 GMT clueless1 said:

Jun 30, 2016 23:09:49 GMT @ausred88 said:

Appointed where?

whoops should have made that clear

for Australia (the olyroos)

He will be brilliant for them

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Jul 1, 2016 13:25:27 GMT @dedrevil said:

Who is that Mooy dude City have signed from their FFPworkaround feeder club?

Aaron mooy

national team cm and one of our best cms at that

most likely loaned to Belgium however (one of the bigger clubs) then sold on a year later for a huge profit 

the feeder club is getting Cahill most likely though

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Chris naumoff has been forced into retirement, aged 21 due to a heart condition, he had signed recently with 2nd division side numancia in Spain, he has reiterated his desire to stay in the game somehow

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sorry for the lack of posts, been running around a fair bit recently

Kwame Appiah-Kubi and Blake Powell have signed with the Central Coast Mariners (Powell is decent, Kubi not so much)

Terry Antonis is returning to the a-league on loan from PAOK, with the Wanderers, Adelaide and Melbourne City all interested (Adelaide United would make him a national team player)

Ante Covic has trialled with Sydney FC (yikes, that would add some spice to the derby)

one of the greatest A-league strikers of all time, Shane Smeltz has signed for Kedah in Malaysia