Star power ... Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard will grace our shores. Source:AFP
How far has the A-League come in the eight short years it's been around? I could throw facts and figures on crowd numbers and television ratings at you all day, but how about this instead?
In three months Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez will be on our shores, playing in our stadiums against the A-League’s best players, as they prepare for the 2013-2014 Barclays Premier League season.
Think about that for a second ...
Australia’s two most supported English teams playing in this country in the space of a week.
Barclays Premier League giant Liverpool have followed Manchester United’s lead in announcing a tour of Australia, where they will play Melbourne Victory at the MCG on July 24.
Just four days earlier the Red Devils will line up against a fan-voted A-League All-Stars team, expected to feature the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey, in Sydney. Not even the A-League’s staunchest supporter could have envisaged this a few years ago.
The strength of the A-League is now a beacon for Australian football. No longer do the Socceroos carry the burden alone for Australian football. In fact, FFA chief executive David Gallop says even the code can continue to flourish on the back of the A-League - if, in a worst case scenario, the Socceroos aren't in Brazil.
"It wouldn't be catastrophic (if Australia didn't qualify). Season eight of the A-League has demonstrated that the true backbone of the game now is the A-League."
Fans and journalists alike have waxed lyrical about the growth of the A-League all season – and for good reason - but in July we get to see tangible evidence of that growth.
Excitement is building and we’ve picked out five things we can’t wait to experience when Manchester United and Liverpool touch down on our shores.
1- The big names
Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Pepe Reina, Ryan Giggs ...
These are some of world football’s best players. The absolute cream of the crop, squads stacked with UEFA Champions League and Premier League winners. Don’t expect Sir Alex Ferguson or Brendan Rodgers to field second-string sides either as both have promised to take the tour very seriously.
2- The coaching duels
The duel between Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers is particularly intriguing as both coaches are noted for using a high-tempo, short passing and high-pressing style of football. Regarded as one of Australia’s best tacticians, and a future contender for the Socceroos post, this is Ange’s chance to show what he's got against world class opposition in Rodgers and Sir Alex.
3- Heskey faces old friends and foes
The big Jets striker might feel he has a point to prove after a tepid end to his career in England. He was a shining light in a disappointing season for the Jets, banging in nine goals, but Manchester United is a very different animal. Fitness issues permitting, he could be marked by former Three Lions teammate Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, arguably the most physical defender in the world. No doubt the English press will be delighted to see him again, too!
4- The ADP factor
What A-League All-Stars list would be complete without a mention of Alessandro Del Piero? The Italian was involved in some great battles with Man United in his Juventus days, particularly during the Red Devils' run to the treble in 1999. Del Piero toyed with defenders in his first season in the A-League and the July 24 clash will provide the stage for the Italian maestro to once again put his skills on display against the game’s elite.
5- Ange's brigade on the world stage
Earlier this season, Liverpool sent scouts to watch ‘Kiwi Messi’ Marco Rojas in action. Now the little man has a chance to impress Rodgers and co in the flesh. Who knows, he might even play his way into a Reds contract. Mark Milligan and the classy Marcos Flores will be relishing their roles on the field, while off it, the Northern Terrace - Melbourne Victory’s passionate supporter group - will compete against the Liverpool faithful singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' for this first time ever in this country.
What are you most looking forward to? Have your say by leaving a comment below.
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