FOX SPORTS to broadcast AFC U19 Championships Final

Football fans in Australia can rejoice after FOX SPORTS confirmed today that it will broadcast LIVE & EXCLUSIVE the final of the AFC U19 Championships between Australia and DPR Korea.

FOX SPORTS confirmed to Asian Football Feast earlier this morning that they were looking to secure the broadcast rights and the confirmation came through early this afternoon that the rights had been secured.

Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley was delighted with FOX SPORTS decision to broadcast the game LIVE.

“It is testament to Fox Sports’ commitment to football in Australia that they will broadcast this important continental championship match and we thank them for their support.

“The Qantas Young Socceroos, lead by Head Coach Jan Versleijen and captain Ben Kantarovksi, have had a very successful tournament in China so far and it is fantastic that Australian football supporters will now be able to watch and cheer them on for Sunday’s final.

“I am sure I speak on behalf of all football supporters in Australia when we wish Jan and the players all the best for the match and I am confident that whatever the result they will do Australia proud,” Buckley said.

The match is an historic one for Australia, with the Young Socceroos becoming the first mens team to qualify for an AFC tournament final since Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation at the start of 2006.

The match will kick off at 10:30pm (AEDST), with coverage on FOX SPORTS 2 to begin at 10:25pm.

Q&A with Marcus Morrison: the superstar of the ASEAN League!

Marcus Morrison, 6-6 swingman from St. Petersburg Florida, played four years at Middle Tennessee before starting his pro career in Israel and Japan. This summer he signed for Satria Muda Jakarta, the Indonesian national league reigning champions. Satria Muda also plays the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) League. Marcus stepped out with 34 points (5/8 from 2's and 7/10 from behind the 3 point arc) in the season opener in Singapore against the local Slingers. In the second game the all-around former Middle Tennessee graduate scored 20 points in the win on the road at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia against the KL Dragons. Marcus talked to BT columnist Dr FingerRoll about his career thus far.

Marcus, how is life in Jakarta, Indonesia for an American basketball player?

It is a different experience playing in Jakarta. The way the team has it set up is unlike any team I have played with before. They have it so everything that you need is in the same building, like a Basketball Workshop. It is similar to a prep school in the US: we have around the clock access to the gym, weight room, and food. I think this is a great advantage, because it really helps me focus and has helped my basketball considerably. And it has also helped me gain 4 kilos in about a month! So the living is pretty much in the gym, I have not seen the city much but that's not why I'm here. I'm here to hoop!

What were your expectations after college? How did you end playing in Asia? And tell us a bit about your pro career overseas.

My expectations after college were to play overseas, I didn't know what country or what level but I did expect to play. Well, things didn't end so well with me and my coach at Middle Tennessee so, after college, I was on my own as far as finding somewhere to play. I was one of those players in the US just trying to find a way on to somebody/anybody's team. I didn't play my first year out of college, but I was attending local camps and playing in a semi-pro league where I caught the eye of a few small time agents (which I am thankful for because without them I may not be here today). They landed me a job in Israel, and I loved it out there. Then a coach from Japan saw my stats and wanted me to join his B-J League team. From there I kept ALL of my games and created a highlight tape which landed me in Jakarta.

We always hear that the American game is different from the European game. But we seldom hear about Asia. How is it playing ball in Asia? And tell our readers about the fans as well.

I would say the Asia game is different from the US game due to the tempo: it's more of an up and down game; Asia has a lot of great shooters as well, it's an adjustment because here the emphasis is more on defending the three. As for the fans, playing in Asia is very exciting, the fans support is amazing! They are really crazy about basketball here in Jakarta as well as in Japan. I also must say I have been to Singapore and Malaysia and they really have some great fans, they really let you have it as an opposing player!

Satria Muda is the only team in the Indonesian League to have an American player in its roster. You are the star of the League.

Yes, we are the only team in this country with US imports so it's kinda crazy, because when you walk around the city or when you're in the airport the people are not used to seeing such tall individuals. But we don't play against anyone in the country, we have two separate teams, one playing in Indonesia and one playing in the ASEAN League. This helps us because we get scrimmage against a very good team whenever we need to. They are a great team and a great bunch of guys and I will be shocked if they don't repeat as champions this year. As far as being the star of the league, that's not my goal; my goal is to win the championship. I have always been a very energetic type of player who also gives the fans a show.

Satria Muda plays also in the ASEAN League, so you have an overall idea of the quality of basketball throughout South-East Asia. Can you briefly rate the other leagues for our readers?

Well, I have only played two games so far but the competition is tough, you can expect a war every night. As far as comparing it to other leagues, I would say it is similar to B-J League in Japan. In Japan you are allowed  3 US imports on the court and as many as you want on the roster so that made it possible for some pretty tough teams.

At 26 you are still a young player, what's your goal for the future? Where do you see yourself in a couple of years?

Yes, I'm 26, but I feel even younger than that. Hopefully, God willing, I will still be playing ball in the next couple years. I'm just trying to compete at the highest level possible. I've heard good things about the Middle East, Korea and The Philippines and I would love to make my talents to either of those countries. And I have not giving up on my dream of playing in the NBA.

Maybe some of our readers are young players considering balling in Asia: what would you say to them? What's the right mindset to approach this experience?

Basically just be ready to grind. It's different in this part of the world, there will be certain things that you will have to get used to but it's a very exciting place to play ball. The fans really will love you if they see you playing your heart out, and you can inspire a lot of people.

Thank you Marcus! And good luck for the season.

I just want to say thanks for the interview, and before I go I would like to give a shout out to my team Satria Muda, my family and friends back home in St. Petersburg FL and all over the States. And I thank God for putting me in this position.

13-10-10

Aku terbangun dari tidur yang sangat tidak nyenyak, pikiran bercabang tak tentu arah. Berharap ada secercah harapan esok hari. Di Kamar tak ada yang ku lakukan kecuali diam dan menghayal apa yang akan terjadi esok. Pagi menyingsing dan aku tak tak bisa tidur, sidang yang akan beberapa jam lagi ku hadapi membuat ku gelisah sepanjang malam.


Sidang ku hadapi dengan sangat gugup, sakit perut terus mengiringi ku saat sidang skripsi. Pertanyaan demi pertanyaan mampu ku jawab walau terkadang menghadirkan gelak tawa penguji dan penonton sidang. Yap, aku memang terkenal konyol di kalangan teman kampus ku, entah mengapa mereka bisa menilai aku sebagai pribadi yang konyol dan yang pasti tidak peka terhadap perasaan wanita, ah entah lah. Hampir satu jam kemudian sidang selesai dan aku berharap-harap cemas mengenai hasil sidang, dan syukur Alhamdulillah aku lulus..hoosshhh..


Perasaan bercampur aduk ketika mendengar pengumuman tersebut, akan tetapi mayoritas cabang-cabang pikiranku bermuara pada satu hal, perjuangan. Yap, perjuangan ku selama hampir 7 bulan ini tak sia-sia. Begitu banyak cobaan dan keegoisan yang telah aku lakukan. Selama mengerjakan skripsi hampir tiap bulan aku mendaki gunung bahkan pernah sampai ada yang dua pendakian di dalam satu bulan. Banyak foto yang sengaja aku tidak unggah agar teman-teman ku tidak menilai diriku sebagai orang yang gila jalan. Akan tetapi dari semua perjuangan itu, hal yang paling aku syukuri adalah aku mampu mengkhatamkan Al-Quran di malam sebelum aku sidang, selain itu aku mampu mencapai tanah tertinggi di PuLau Jawa, Mahameru!. Semeru memendam kisah sendiri buat diri ku, bertahun-tahun gagal untuk pergi mendakinya, hingga aku pernah berujar jika aku harus menggapainya sebelum lulus kuliah, alhamdulillah semua dapat terkabulkan.


Lulus bukan berarti telah berakhirnya perjuangan, akan tetapi awal dari perjuangan yang lebih berat kedepannya. Banyak pendakian-pendakian kehidupan yang menantang di depan, bak pasir mahameru yang bisa menelan siapa saja yang tak mampu survive ketika melewatinya. Semoga aku mampu melewatinya, sebagaimana aku menggapai 3676 mdpl dan berguna bagi individu lain di sekitar ku. Amin! (Kamar sumpek, 13-10-10)

Ron Artest provocation: "There's no balance..". Too many non-Americans in the NBA?

Is the NBA board or Commissioner David Stern thinking to put a limit to the number of  international players in the League? This sounds like a shocking project: is there something real in that idea? America has always been open but something could change in the next future.

The NBA has become in the recent years a melting pot of players from all the nationalities. There are almost one hundred ballers non-Americans in the League, lots of them just make the team but no more than a dozen of them have an effective impact on the game.

Does the NBA need to keep the door open to international players when thousands of Americans have to ball overseas at any level, from the Euroleague to the Careebean leagues or North Africa for a living? The topic is serious, even more in a so troubled economy.

Maybe the big media didn't take too serious what Lakers forward, Ron Artest said  when on tour in Europe with Kobe and co. the other day about the international leagues: "They need to let more Americans play in the European leagues".

The provocation of Ron Artest hit the core of the problem. With the exception of the Euroleague, all the domestic major leagues - like the spanish ACB, the italian Lega A, the greek league and the russian one.. -allow a maximum of two-three non-europeans per teams. Is that fair comparing to the NBA?

The Ron Artest analisys makes sense if you think about the Milwaukee Bucks but even to the Toronto Raptors.

"You see a lot of foreign players - Artest said - come over to America to play in the NBA. It's not fair that a lot of American players can't come to China or can't come to Europe to play with as many players as they want, so there's no balance.. They should just make it more even".

What might it happen if the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) should decide to threaten a strike to defend more jobs to Americans?

Young Socceroos provide glimpse into the future

Back in September I wrote about the bright future for Australian Football.

This was on the back of performances by Spiranovic, Holman and Federici against Poland. It’s not a view that everyone shared, but that is what is great about Football – everyone has their own opinion.

And after seeing the recent performances of the Young Socceroos at the AFC U19 Championships in China I have to revise my earlier prediction. The future isn’t bright. It’s positively glowing.

It might seem a bit of an overreaction, but I think anyone who has seen their performances in recent times will tell you the same thing – this group has some special young talents.

We already know some of them thanks to their exploits in the A-League, namely Tommy Oar and Matthew Leckie. Both are pegged as the “next big thing” in Australian Football. Their exploits in China have done nothing to dampen those expectations. If anything, they’ve only enhanced them.

A player who doesn’t get the same attention, but who has a future just as bright is captain Ben Kantarovski. Kantarovski has been a regular member of the Newcastle Jets team since he was 16 years of age. Given he has been around for a few years it’s hard to believe that he is still only 18.

He was also a member of Australia’s squad at the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup. He has experience beyond his years. Earlier this year he turned down an offer to join Bayern Munich’s youth system. His recent performances will only increase the level of interest in the Novacastrian.

Mustafa Amini, who with his red afro will become a cult hero before too long, and Czech Republic-based Kerem Bulut have also impressed during the tournament.

It appears that new national team coach Holger Osieck will wait until after January’s Asian Cup to regenerate the ageing Socceroos squad. But he could do a lot worse than to start giving opportunities to these younger guys.

I’m not advocating giving them all starting berths for the next friendly against Egypt, but if we want to ensure that we have a generation of players coming through ready to step into the national team we need to start including them in the set-up.

Include these players in the squads and get them involved in the environment of the national team. They already have some experience of it at junior level, and Oar has the experience of being in the extended squad for the recent World Cup in South Africa.

With the Socceroos squad not getting any younger, there is going to be a large turnover in personnel for Brazil in 2014. By then Kantarovski will be 22, Oar will be 22, Leckie will be 23, Bulut will be 22 and Amini will be 21.

Whilst that is still very young, Germany showed this year just what can be achieved with a youthful side full of enthusiasm.

I’d wager that a number of this current crop will make it and appear at Brazil 2014 and given their age these youngsters will form the nucleus of the national team for the best part of the next decade, even longer.

By 2022 most of them will only be just turning 30…dare we dream that these youngsters be the players we watch and idolise when the FIFA World Cup is held on Australian soil?

PhD position in exercise physiology in Switzerland

There is a PhD position opening in exercise physiology in Lausanne, Switzerland under Prof Gregoire Millet. If you are interested, please let me know so that I can send you more details.

Why I support...

Urawa fans in full voice

In the latest edition of why I support, Ryan Steele from Adelaide explains his love for Urawa Red Diamonds.

“Why are you wearing this scarf?” an old lady – an Urawa supporter – asked me during half-time at Nagai Stadium. Urawa were away to Cerezo Osaka on a Saturday afternoon in the Springtime, and I found myself being the only foreigner in the away section.

It was a novelty for everyone involved and a tale for the supporters to tell their children and their children’s children.

I shrugged at the question. I sipped my bottle of water, wondering how it could be answered in the space of a half-time break. All I could think to say was, “We are Reds,” a universal phrase known across all Urawa supporters; a motto that reflects the passion and love that every Red Diamonds fan has for the club, one that’s even emblazoned on the jerseys of each season.

She nodded in agreement, as if to suddenly forget that I was a white man in a Japanese stadium, wearing Japanese clothes, following a Japanese team and leaving all of her curiosity behind.

I looked into his history and found that the man – a Japanese man – came from a team called Urawa Red Diamonds.

After a lot of thorough searching, I finally found some footage. Some of it was from earlier years – years when the likes of Masahiro Fukuda, aka “Mr Reds”, was scoring goals left, right and centre – and some small snippets were from the then-current years, being their stint in J2, and also video and pictures of their supporters.

I’m an Urawa Red Diamonds supporter. I have been for many, many years. It’s an ongoing story that throughout the years has become a little (very) blurry from many drunken nights in Tokyo.

Back in the early turn of the century, I was a big fan of Dutch football, notably of Feyenoord. One of the players, Shinji Ono, quickly became my favourite player after seeing many moments of brilliance in passing, vision and even the occasional goal (whenever he wasn’t injured from a heavy challenge).



The view from the away fans section at Nagai Stadium
for the game between Cerezo Osaka and Urawa Reds



I was thoroughly impressed; not in love, but definitely a fan. If Facebook was around at the time, Urawa would have been liked with the biggest thumbs up possible.

I did my best to keep tabs on the club. It definitely wasn’t easy back then; streaming video wasn’t very common or even well-known, nor was information in English (not to mention my limited knowledge of Japanese, which more or less came from friends in Japanese and an early school education).

Some amazing players came through the club; Emerson (now known as the controversial Brazilian-Qatari national team representative), Donizete and Tomislav Maric to name but a few.

Then, joy of joys, Shinji Ono returned to the Red Diamonds. My attention became more serious through that amazing 2006 season. They won the major double that year – the J. League and the Emperor’s Cup (and the Super Cup at the start of the season) – and I fell more in love with them each game. The players, the formation, the manager; it all seemed brilliant.

Shinji Ono left after winning the AFC Champions League in 2007, when his contract ended, signing a contract with Bochum. I found that my attention didn’t leave the club.



Urawa's home ground - Saitama Stadium - in all its glory



I was captivated. I soon realised it wasn’t just Shinji Ono, it was Urawa that I liked so much. They had become a part of me and I had formed a link that was so strong, so unbreakable that Urawa was part of my heartbeat.

I’ve been to Japan – Tokyo, specifically – several times in recent years and I even lived there for a very brief spell in 2008. I’ve made a lot of friends through football in Japan and I have a lot of memories; most of which are good.

The J. League, and Urawa specifically, has unexpectedly been a large factor in who I’ve become today and I find it hard to imagine a life without the Red Diamonds.

If I had said that to the old lady, we would have missed the rest of the game. I think “We are Reds” sums it up nicely and it’s exactly how I feel today.