EXCLUSIVE: Former Socceroo striker Ante Milicic says tomorrow night's Asian Cup qualifier with Indonesia is a shop window for the A-League to attract undiscovered foreign stars based in Asia's smaller leagues.
To see today's training session...
The ex-Queensland Roar and Newcastle Jets forward Milicic, 34, enjoyed two stints in Malaysian club football with Pahang and Shazan Muda in 2004 and last season.
There he saw a regular flow of African players through the smaller AFC leagues. He believes there are plenty of unheard of gems in the smaller leagues of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia who could make the grade in the A-League.
"I'd say those leagues in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, you will find the odd foreigner I'm sure could do very well here," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
Already foreign stars Ney Fabiano of Melbourne Victory and Adrian Trinidad at Perth Glory have shown their quality in the A-League, despite some temperament issues.
And with five visa spots now available in Australia next season, there could be foreign gems waiting to be discovered by A-League clubs.
Milicic, who holds an AFC "B"coaching licence and is player-coach at NSW club Sydney United, says such talent will put the A-League in the spotlight after tomorrow night's Jakarta game and be alerted to the quality on offer.
"I played alongside some good Moroccan players in Malaysia who'd come from the Indonesian league. African players are used to going to south-east Asia.
"But while the A-League is a new market, but I've no doubt there are some foreign players who could do well here."
That's why tomorrow night is a good shop window, says the former Croatian based striker.
"Not only for our players going to Asia but also for Asian-based players who want to play in the A-League.
"They'll see the standard on offer in the A-League and I'm sure we'll get some good reviews in that part of the world.
"You'd be surprised how many people across Asia will watch the game."
To see today's training session...
The ex-Queensland Roar and Newcastle Jets forward Milicic, 34, enjoyed two stints in Malaysian club football with Pahang and Shazan Muda in 2004 and last season.
There he saw a regular flow of African players through the smaller AFC leagues. He believes there are plenty of unheard of gems in the smaller leagues of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia who could make the grade in the A-League.
"I'd say those leagues in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, you will find the odd foreigner I'm sure could do very well here," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
Already foreign stars Ney Fabiano of Melbourne Victory and Adrian Trinidad at Perth Glory have shown their quality in the A-League, despite some temperament issues.
And with five visa spots now available in Australia next season, there could be foreign gems waiting to be discovered by A-League clubs.
Milicic, who holds an AFC "B"coaching licence and is player-coach at NSW club Sydney United, says such talent will put the A-League in the spotlight after tomorrow night's Jakarta game and be alerted to the quality on offer.
"I played alongside some good Moroccan players in Malaysia who'd come from the Indonesian league. African players are used to going to south-east Asia.
"But while the A-League is a new market, but I've no doubt there are some foreign players who could do well here."
That's why tomorrow night is a good shop window, says the former Croatian based striker.
"Not only for our players going to Asia but also for Asian-based players who want to play in the A-League.
"They'll see the standard on offer in the A-League and I'm sure we'll get some good reviews in that part of the world.
"You'd be surprised how many people across Asia will watch the game."
To see today's training session...
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