The bald truth
Far be it for us to pre-empt the AFC investigation into allegations Syria fielded overage players in the U19 Championship being held in UAE but it seems there was a healthy dose of suspicion long before protests were lodged by the Aussies and Saudis. Let’s be frank - receding hairlines were mentioned. Melbourne’s Huss Skenderovic, youth technical director for Pro League outfit Ajman FC, told au.fourfourtwo.com of his meeting with National Technical Director Han Berger and some player agents on the tournament sidelines when the conversation turned to the maturity of the Syrians. “I’m not joking there was one player there who had lost all his hair,” Huss said. “How does a kid of 18 lose all his hair? He was going bald.” Evidently follicly-challenged player agent John Grimaud was quick to point out: “He’s lost more hair than me!” But Huss said the surprise was short-lived: “People I’ve spoken to at the club about this said that’s pretty much normal practice for them.”

Name, rank and spelling
Sydney FC held a friendly against cross town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers behind closed doors this week to give some of their returning players a hit-out before the Big Blue on Saturday. The security posted at the entrance of the Macquarie University ground get top marks for zealousness although maybe a quick brush up on their football basics might be in order. Former Sydney FC coach Branko Culina was chatting on the phone with au.fourfourtwo.com when he arrived at the venue to watch Socceroo son and two world cup veteran, Jason, play his first match for the Sky Blues, leading to this interesting exchange.

Branko: Hi I’m here to watch the game - Jason Culina’s father

Security: Sorry?

Branko: Jason Culina

Security: Jason Culina – is that your name?

Branko: No, that’s my son’s name.

Security: Ah, Culina with a K?

Branko: No, C.U.L.I.N.A

There was more but you get the gist.

The taming of Jamo
What is anyone to make of the new found form of Scott Jamieson? Perhaps Glory team-mate Michael Thwaite has the answers. The defender believes he may be a calming influence on the mercurial 24-year-old who is back to his impressive best since leaving the Sky Blues at the end of last season. Thwaite made the Socceroos 19-player squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against South Korea – not so Jamieson – but he is still be one for the future according to the Queenslander. He’s also predicting a big game from “Jamo” against the Reds on the weekend. Thwaite told au.fourfourtwo.com:  “I’ve really enjoyed playing with him - I think we’re starting to get a really good relationship down the left hand side. He’s been very consistent this year and I think maybe my relationship with him has calmed him down a little bit. I remember he always used to be a little bit hot-headed but now I think he’s really purely focusing on his angles and the way he keeps the ball and the crosses that he’s putting in. I think he’s a very attractive player for the A-League.”

Mooy of Aaron please
And still on the Socceroos it seems everyone had silky-skilled midfielder Aaron Mooy pencilled in for next week’s friendly except the one that mattered - Holger Osieck. Sydney FC’s Dutch import Pascal Bosschaart who has been sidelined with injury since the last game of last season was full of praise for the 22-year-old, even tweeting after the Western Sydney Wanderers notched up their first win: “Pretty impressed again by Mooy. I do like him.” Later he told au.fourfourtwo.com. “To be honest I hadn’t heard of him. I’ve only seen him playing for a few weeks and I really like him. He wants to get the ball, he’s not shy for anything, he can run, he can pass, actually he’s a really good player. To be honest I’m surprised he didn’t get a call from the national team coach.”