Del Piero unsure of Sydney stay

Updated December 12, 2012 16:51:04

Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero wants to play another season in Australia but says his discussions with Sydney FC have stalled.

The former Juventus playmaker joined the club in September, making the 2006 World Cup winner the biggest signing in the domestic A-League history.

The lucrative deal, reportedly worth 1.6 million euros (US$2 million) a season, was for one-year with another one-year option.

He told journalists on Wednesday talks had taken place between his management and the club about staying on but the situation had turned into a waiting game.

"We have been talking. We are waiting (for) what it (the club) decide ... they wait (for) me. Everybody is waiting," Del Piero told The Australian.

"We have discussed things. We have a good relationship, but at the moment we have to think day by day."
Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata, who was instrumental in bringing Del Piero to Australia, confirmed the player wanted to take up the extra year option.

"We had preliminary discussions a few weeks ago and Ale indicated he was keen to stay," Pignata told the newspaper.

"But the focus, as you would understand, has been on finding a new coach after Ian (Crook) left and getting the club back on track.

"Now we have appointed Frank Farina (as coach). It will be a matter for the board to sit down and sort out something in regards to Ale in the next few weeks".

Sydney has had a miserable season and is currently bottom of the A-League ladder after 10 games, having won just three.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, sydney-2000, australia

First posted December 12, 2012 16:51:04

View the original article here

Osieck unsure of Cahill's fitness

Updated June 09, 2012 12:26:28

Australia coach Holger Osieck says he left Tim Cahill on the bench for the Socceroos' 0-0 draw with Oman as he was not sure of the star striker's fitness.

Cahill was not even called off the bench in Friday's World Cup qualifying match in Muscat.

And Osieck finished the match with a substitution up his sleeve.

Cahill was one of the first names picked in the national team as recently as September last year.

But his services were not required at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex with Archie Thompson called into action to replace Harry Kewell up front on the hour mark.

When asked post-match about Cahill's omission from the starting side, Osieck says he was not convinced about the Everton star's fitness.

The coach praised the attitude of players such as Thompson, who attended a training camp in London before last week's friendly in Copenhagen.

"The starting 11 was based on my impressions during training," Osieck said.

"I have been together with a couple of boys for almost three weeks and you see them on a daily basis and you expect something.

"Some others, like Josh (Kennedy) he joined the team pretty late.

"Timmy joined us late.

"So I wasn't quite sure of their physical status, if it was sufficient."

Osieck's reservations about Kennedy could be the result of the big striker having had a stop-start season in the J-League to date.

Cahill has not played much either, having only had about an hour on the pitch in the past month.

He returned to Australia to conduct coaching clinics for a fortnight last month following the end of the English Premier League season.

While he was putting youngsters through their paces, the likes of Thompson were putting their best foot forward in front of Osieck.

With a tough turnaround for Tuesday's clash against Japan in Brisbane, it will be interesting to see whether Cahill is able to convince Osieck he is worthy of selection.

AAP

Tags: sport, socceroos, soccer-world-cup, soccer, oman

First posted June 09, 2012 12:22:45

View the original article here