Wanderers praise Ono's professionalism

Updated October 11, 2012 09:14:28

Western Sydney's new recruit Shinji Ono has hit the ground running at his new A-League club with his team-mates praising the Japanese star's professionalism.

Ono came on as a 59th-minute substitute for former Newcastle forward Labinot Haliti in the Wanderers' debut match against minor premiers the Central Coast at Parramatta Stadium last Saturday.

He had only been in the country for five days before the match - which ended 0-0 - but displayed flashes of quality and had a visible impact on the game including a shot on goal.

Wanderers striker Mark Bridge, who had chances of his own in the entertaining stalemate, said Ono is only going to get better.

"It was hard for him last week, he only arrived on the Monday," Bridge said on Wednesday.

"I think he looked really good on Saturday night for only having been here a week and not training much.

"But he's a massive player and a massive professional, so I'm sure he'll have a big year."

The Wanderers travel to Adelaide for their first game on the road on Friday and coach Tony Popovic may decide to change his lineup to accommodate Ono.

The former Asian Player of the Year will have the benefit of another full week of training and could play a vital playmaking role.

Local western Sydney product Aaron Mooy, an attacking midfielder who returned from a stint in Scotland to be one of the Wanderers' inaugural signings, says Ono is already fitting in well with his new team-mates.

Mooy said the squad was learning from Ono's routine.

"Just the little things he does for example before training - the way he stretches, everything is professional about him," Mooy said.

"It's good for all the boys to see that and be around someone like that.

"He's looking really good in training. He's a great player.

"He's having a joke around with the boys too now so that's good."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, parramatta-2150, nsw, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 09:05:44

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Perry's choice: professionalism and women's sport

Naomi Woodley

Updated May 31, 2012 17:10:12

Ellyse Perry is an incredibly inspiring figure. Her feats in representing Australia at both football and cricket are worthy of the highest praise.

Her goal in the 2011 Women's World Cup was one of the best of the tournament, and should be on highlight reels for years to come. Her determination and talent is, and should continue to be, an inspiration for girls and young women around the country for years to come.

Perry should be given the opportunity to continue to play both sports if she wishes to do so. But unlike Gerard Whateley, I also believe Canberra United should be given the opportunity to make its club the most professional organisation it can.

I went to all bar one of CU's home games in the past season, and I watched every W-league game broadcast by the ABC. I was among the 2,500 fans who saw our club secure its first championship, with a nail-biting win over a talented Brisbane Roar side, as the sun beat down at McKellar Park in January. Like all sports fans, I want my team to continue to be the very best it can be.

Like many Canberra United fans, I know a significant factor in CU's success this year was the drafting of Czech coach Jitka Klimkova, and the professional attitude she brought to the club. I know Capital Football has worked hard to entice her back for another season and that in return she's demanding a more professional outfit.

It's not "dismal", "selfish" or "unimaginative", as Whateley says. It's professional. Would it be dismal if an AFL club ruled out a player because they weren't willing to live in the club's home city or attend every training session? Or an A-league club? I suspect not. Why should the standard be any different for women's sport?

The next W-League season will hopefully feature two sides based in Sydney, with the new Western Sydney franchise promising to field a women's team. If Perry was to play for a Sydney-based club, it's more feasible that she would be able to attend all training sessions, and continue with her cricket commitments. If so, good luck to her, and the club. I have no doubt she would continue to excel at both, and the club would have gained a recognisable talent, which can only help to strengthen the league as a whole.

Canberra United recruited Perry when the Central Coast Mariners were not willing to let her continue with both sports. With a championship to defend, it's well within its rights to decide it needs a full commitment from all its players.

Remember, Perry ruled herself out of Canberra's semi-final in favour of a cricket match. I'm sure it was a heartbreaking choice, and she did so knowing she would be unlikely to be selected for the final. But it was her choice, and now the club is asking her to choose again.

As the club itself has stated, this has been an issue for some time. While it may have come as a surprise to some, it's not a surprise to those of us who followed the 2011-12 season closely.

Yes, Capital Football's Heather Reid could have expressed the ultimatum with a little more eloquence, but the request is not unreasonable. Canberra United and Jitka Klimkova should not be criticised for their decision.

Canberra United shouldn't be asked to "reconsider its place in the grand scheme of Australian sport". It should be congratulated for aiming to set new standards for this semi-professional league, just as Ellyse Perry should be congratulated for her incredible achievements on the football and cricket pitch. 

To Whateley and all the others who have expressed outrage, I admire your passion, but don't forget the dozens of other women playing for Canberra and the other clubs in the W-league. They deserve your support too, regardless of whether they excel at one sport, or two. And if you do all feel so passionately about this, I hope I'll see you at a W-league game next season.

Naomi Woodley is a Canberra-based journalist for the ABC. You can follow her on Twitter.

Tags: soccer, women

First posted May 30, 2012 15:34:57

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