Sydney FC marquee Milos Ninkovic has backed Caltex Socceroo defender Milos Degenek’s move to the Serbian Superliga, believing it could help supercharge his dream of forging a big career in Europe.
Elsewhere, Perth Glory are making big waves on their tour of Asia and Western Sydney’s epic new stadium is getting closer to completion.
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You’ll find all that and more in our latest edition of Hyundai A-League Paper Talk.
NINKO PRAISES DEGENEK’S MOVE
Johnny Warren Medallist Milos Ninkovic has no doubt Australian defender Milos Degenek is in the right-place to develop his game to forge a strong career in Europe.
Degenek recently swapped the J-League with Yokohama F.Marinos for Serbian powerhouses Red Star Belgrade.
In an interview with FourFourTwo Ninkovic, who spent one season at Red Star in 2013/14, says Degenek made the right move for his career.
“If Degenek wants to forge a career in Europe, Red Star could be the right club for him,” Sydney FC’s Serbian star said.
“They will either play in the Europa League or Champions League and it can be used as a stepping stone to a bigger club.
“In Serbia there are only two teams that can win the league – Partizan and Red Star Belgrade.”
Still on Ninkovic and the Sky Blues playmaker is hoping to gain permanent Australian residency as he heads into his fourth season at the club.
“Sydney is the most beautiful city I’ve ever lived in,” the 33-year-old said.
“Sydney has offered me and my wife the best lifestyle in my career. Rather than going back to Europe after football, I’m very close to retiring here instead.
“I’ve applied for Australian residency – there’s no guarantee I’ll get it but I really hope I do.”
GLORY IN THE HEADLINES
Perth Glory have been making a huge impact during their tour of Malaysia, with the Sarawak International Football Symposium, in which the club played a key role, all over the newspapers and leading the coverage on several prominent local TV networks.
Coach Tony Popovic and Head of Football Jacob Burns took part in a panel discussion with delegates, coaches and football administrators from across South-East Asia focusing on the club’s Academy structure, while other Glory staff delivered presentations to the delegates focusing on their respective areas of expertise.
Members of Glory’s coaching staff also ran a series of clinics for local youngsters at the Stadium Negeri on Monday afternoon.
After a big 7-1 win over local Premier League side Sarawak FA on the weekend, Glory will play the final match of their tour on Wednesday evening against the Sarawak State team.
One Glory, three headlines…
Glory and the Sarawak International Football Symposium making the news in three different languages here in Sarawak this morning. 📰📰📰👍@swkfa @tony_thughes #SarawakGlory #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/ad3zr91hYy— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) August 12, 2018
WANDERERS SWEATING ON VEDRAN
Western Sydney Wanderers keeper Vedran Janjetovic should later this week learn the full extent of a pelvis injury that has plagued his pre-season.
According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, Janjetovic has scans on Tuesday for the problem which has kept him off the training pitch for almost two months.
The Wanderers are hoping to find some answers as to why their gloveman hasn’t been able to shake off the problem and whether Janjetovic will be fit for the start of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season.
But in some good news for the club, their new home ground in Parramatta continues to remain on track to open in early 2019.
And as this Tweet shows below, it’s going to be an absolute ripper once it’s completed.
The latest image of the under-construction Western Sydney Stadium. 👌
📸 https://t.co/EJ4Bgow7VI#WSW #ALeague pic.twitter.com/G0Wol6Bryj
— Daily Football Show (@DFS_AUS) August 10, 2018
