EX-SYDNEY pair Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay have been linked with a possible return from Avispa Fukoaka in Japan's J2-League for new A-League club North Queensland FC.
To see the pair at their new club...
They joined the Japanese side under former Sydney manager Pierre Littbarski. He's since been sacked by the club - but the two Aussies remain, although Rudan has missed much of the season through a long-term knee injury.
Rudan is now set to make his comeback in his club's next game after having been given the all clear by medics.
And he's ready to consider his future with the Big Blue Man's contract up in December, 12 months after he left Sydney FC midseason last year.
But neither was giving anything away about their future plans when our man in Japan, Jan Andre Kallestad, caught up with them after training recently.
Jan Andre Kallestad: How are you settling in at the club?
Ufuk Talay: I've settled in quite well, the people are friendly here, and make things really easy for me.
Mark Rudan: Really well, no problems at all, the city is beautiful, the people are warm and friendly, communication was a problem to begin with but it is getting better.
JAK: Mark, you have been out with an injury for most of this season, how is the recovery coming along, and any ideas of a return date to the team?
MR: The recovery has been going really well, I'm working on my fitness and I'm not that far away from returning to the first team.
JAK: What are the differences [if any] from playing football in Australia, Europe or in any other countries where you have played so far compared to playing football in Japan?
UT: I think overall the game is a lot quicker here than in Australia.
Maybe a little more technical and also less physical.
MR: There is a lot of emphasis on the small details in training and in games over here. I find that the Japanese are not as physically or mentally strong as people are back home or over in Europe.
JAK: What differences do you find culturally and socially from home living in Japan?
UT: The Japanese people are very respectful and really have an attention to detail for even the most simplest of things unlike home in most cases.
MR: I find that Japanese people are very intense people, extremely professional, honourable and respectful.
JAK: What is the best thing about playing soccer in Japan?
UT: Everything!
MR: The total professionalism and playing so many games.
JAK: What the worst thing about playing soccer in Japan?
UT: Nothing that I can think of
MR: It has to be the constant diving and trying to milk fouls during the game.
JAK: What do you miss most from home?
UT: My family and friends.
MR: The beaches and the easy going attitude of the Australian people.
JAK: What would you say that the highlights and lowlights of your
playing career would be so far in Japan?
UT: Highlights would be scoring in the seasons opening game on my debut
at Avispa Fukuoka FC. There are no lowlights as yet thank god!
MR: Highlights would be winning our local derby away from home. The lowlight would be my current injury.
JAK: Finally, any thoughts about returning home, or are you planning on
finishing your playing career in the J1 / J2 Leagues or elsewhere?
UT: To be really honest I have not really thought about this, football
is a funny game you never know where you will end up.
MR: At this moment in time I really do not know, so watch this space.
Pictures courtesy of Avispa Fukuoaka FC and Jan Andre Kallestad
To see the pair at their new club...
They joined the Japanese side under former Sydney manager Pierre Littbarski. He's since been sacked by the club - but the two Aussies remain, although Rudan has missed much of the season through a long-term knee injury.
Rudan is now set to make his comeback in his club's next game after having been given the all clear by medics.
And he's ready to consider his future with the Big Blue Man's contract up in December, 12 months after he left Sydney FC midseason last year.
But neither was giving anything away about their future plans when our man in Japan, Jan Andre Kallestad, caught up with them after training recently.
Jan Andre Kallestad: How are you settling in at the club?
Ufuk Talay: I've settled in quite well, the people are friendly here, and make things really easy for me.
Mark Rudan: Really well, no problems at all, the city is beautiful, the people are warm and friendly, communication was a problem to begin with but it is getting better.
JAK: Mark, you have been out with an injury for most of this season, how is the recovery coming along, and any ideas of a return date to the team?
MR: The recovery has been going really well, I'm working on my fitness and I'm not that far away from returning to the first team.
JAK: What are the differences [if any] from playing football in Australia, Europe or in any other countries where you have played so far compared to playing football in Japan?
UT: I think overall the game is a lot quicker here than in Australia.
Maybe a little more technical and also less physical.
MR: There is a lot of emphasis on the small details in training and in games over here. I find that the Japanese are not as physically or mentally strong as people are back home or over in Europe.
JAK: What differences do you find culturally and socially from home living in Japan?
UT: The Japanese people are very respectful and really have an attention to detail for even the most simplest of things unlike home in most cases.
MR: I find that Japanese people are very intense people, extremely professional, honourable and respectful.
JAK: What is the best thing about playing soccer in Japan?
UT: Everything!
MR: The total professionalism and playing so many games.
JAK: What the worst thing about playing soccer in Japan?
UT: Nothing that I can think of
MR: It has to be the constant diving and trying to milk fouls during the game.
JAK: What do you miss most from home?
UT: My family and friends.
MR: The beaches and the easy going attitude of the Australian people.
JAK: What would you say that the highlights and lowlights of your
playing career would be so far in Japan?
UT: Highlights would be scoring in the seasons opening game on my debut
at Avispa Fukuoka FC. There are no lowlights as yet thank god!
MR: Highlights would be winning our local derby away from home. The lowlight would be my current injury.
JAK: Finally, any thoughts about returning home, or are you planning on
finishing your playing career in the J1 / J2 Leagues or elsewhere?
UT: To be really honest I have not really thought about this, football
is a funny game you never know where you will end up.
MR: At this moment in time I really do not know, so watch this space.
Pictures courtesy of Avispa Fukuoaka FC and Jan Andre Kallestad
To see the pair at their new club...
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