Perth’s Brazilian import Amaral believes he has the skill and experience to help the Glory climb the Hyundai A-League table and threaten for a top four position.
Perth’s Brazilian import Amaral believes he has the skill and experience to help the Glory climb the Hyundai A-League table and threaten for a top four position.
Speaking through a translator following his first training session for the club on Tuesday morning, the slightly-framed Amaral said he would thrive on the physicality of Australian football and lend his experience to his younger team-mates.
And, despite his small size, the former Fiorentina midfielder said he was ready to be a ‘giant’ player out on the pitch for the Glory, a team that’s never made the Hyundai A-League finals in the first three years of the competition.
“He is very confident about Perth Glory, they have a good chance,” said his translator.
“He is very confident and he thinks the club has a good team, good players, good coach and he is very happy to stay here and to help the performance of the team in the tournament.”
“He said he’s prepared to run 90 minutes (and) also if it’s necessary to run extra time, he’s ready to go.”
“He’s very fit, this is the main characteristic of Amaral, all his career he’s always prepared well, his physical condition, it’s his brand.”
“He said, when he takes the field, he becomes a giant, he can play with the size of any type of player. He has large experience, playing in Europe with those type of players, Zidane, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and he knows how he can play in different situations,” his translator said.
The 35-year-old journeyman has played for a number of teams since making his debut for Sao Paolo side Palmeiras in 1992. His career highlights have included a bronze medal playing for the Brazilian national side at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and playing in Fiorentina’s Coppa Italia-winning side in 2000-2001, alongside another Perth resident, legendary former Viola striker Gabriel Batistuta.
Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell said he was initially concerned Amaral’s age would count against him but said seeing the Brazilian in action while on a Pre-Season trip to Indonesia eased his mind.
“I think in the past, there’s been a lot of signings who haven’t lived up to expectations (and) particularly about his age, I was worried and wanted to see if he was fit and capable,” Mitchell said.
“(But) as you can see, he’s an ultimate professional … He’s very fit and he’s looked after his body. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t go out with bad women, so he’s ok,” Mitchell joked.
And, despite a lengthy wait to get Amaral’s Australian work visa through Immigration, Mitchell believes he has the characteristics the Glory has lacked in past seasons.
“He’s a midfield general, a sort of holding midfielder,” Mitchell said. “His touch is good and he sees thing happening on the park and he’ll be a good link player for us and that’s exactly where he’ll play for us.”
“He’s played with some big clubs around the world and played for Brazil 31 times, so he can’t be a mug.”
