Monday October 16, 2017
Kabul (BNA) The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has been alerted about the talents of Brisbane Roar attacking midfielder Rahmat Akbari and Sydney United 58 midfielder Naim Rahimi.
The AFF may look to convince Australian-based players, who were either born in Afghanistan or who have heritage links to the country, to commit their international allegiance to the Lions of Khurasan in the future. In 2015, South Melbourne striker Iqi Jawadi, now signed with Oakleigh Cannons, was called up to a training camp for Afghanistan. Ehsan Popal, co-founder of T3 Australia, confirmed that the AFF has been in contact and is monitoring the progress of these players. Popal was born in Afghanistan and his father played for their national team. Previously the AFF attempted to lure Mustafa Amini to represent Afghanistan before he played for the Socceroos’. “They’re on the radar,” Popal, a former Sutherland Sharks player, told Four Four Two. “Afghanistan’s priority is to make the 2019 Asian Cup. They were really big on getting Amini, but he ended up playing for Australia." Roar starlet Akbari was born in Afghanistan but left the country when he was a baby and his family relocated to Australia in 2005. The 17-year old came through the Brisbane Strikers and the Queensland Academy of Sport’s National training Centre, joining Brisbane Roar this year.
He has made one appearance in the A-League for the Roar and has played for the Joeys 15 times. Akbari was the second player of Afghan descent, after Amini, to play in the A-League. “I rate Akbari very, very highly,” Popal said. “He’s a talent. He’s a fantastic footballer.” Rahimi has spent time with Blacktown Spartans and Sydney Olympic, and will play for Sydney United 58 in the NSW NPL next year. The 23-year old, who was born in Iran, has also previously played professionally in Malaysia and Singapor. Popal said there is a number of talented young players with Afghan backgrounds currently coming through the Australian youth development systems. He believes that a new wave of players who have migrated or are refugees from Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Syria, could make a big impact on Australian football in the years to come. “It’s a big thing,” he said. “There’s a lot of young ones coming through, at NPL or A-League level. A lot of 14, 15 year olds are playing for top NPL clubs. It’s just a matter of time. Some of them aren’t coming through the curriculums.”
Monitoring Desk
