CanadaFan

The Canadian Underdog, always underestimated, i like it. Canadians are naturally used to the underdog status living next door to the "almighty" US of A. So ..... being quiet isn't such a bad thing for Ante afterall, if he can sneak into spaces and doesn't draw too much attention to himself. Maybe that is why the other teams don't notice Jazic coming. .......................................... Good luck to the Rapid in your next match. Do you guys belong to a fan club? Do you guys get together for beer before, during or after the games? Particularly the important games. Thanks for the updates.

Jazic scores!!! I know I'm a little late. WOW! Did Jazic play well all game? Did the Rapid play well? As per our discussion Dannyo, I will attempt to keep this thread alive for Jazic. Hope that does not offend anyone. Cheers, Georgio

Oh and your right about the sponsors, soccer is not the media darling that Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and Football are in North America. Not enough media exposure and investment ............. yet! It's slowly moving into mainstream though. You can't kill a good thing. But a lot of North American journalists have tried over the years. It seems to be a social thing....I even hear on occasion that they equate soccer/football with socialism and even communism .... it's too european for the US (and canada's media is basically the US media) ... which is why when they had the NASL in the 70's that Pele played in, they were even trying to change the rules ... to appeal to north Americans (larger nets, no offsides, field dimensions). Quite funny actually.

dannyo, I appreciate your knowledge of foreign leagues and am impressed by what you pay attention to. It would be preferable to have teams in the MLS and Canada is hopefully moving in that direction. The A-League is second tier US and has a very short, rigorous season (5 mths) so we need more options to develop and sustain talent. The problem with a US administered league is that they have control over imports and coaching. There has been a vast amount of undiscovered talent in Canada because we have no control over developing from within but must adhere to US team stipulations or leave players in amateur. The MLS started out as a league that would only allow 3 imports and have deveolped the League to such a high standard now that they can start allowing more imports over time. And this has effected of course there National Team with great results. We in Canada require either a full Canadian division within the top US league with majority control over those teams imports and player development or our own domesic league. The US are way ahead of us in development. Which ever way is most feasable. Things are improving in Canada but there is a long way to go. Belotte has had real difficulties in the foreign markets and has not lived up to expectations - recently dropped by Winslow Krakow because the coach didn't believe he has the will power. Mayber he will turn things around. I would like for you to remember these two names: Ian Hume and Atiba Hutchinson who were on the U-20 Canada Team that made it to the Quarter Finals of the World Youth Cup. They are getting alot of press and Premier League teams, Serie A teams are paying alot of attention. Also in the German league at Julian De Guzman who is no doubt our best player along with Radzinski and Stalteri. He is very skilled and fearless. Then we have DeRosario in the MLS at San Hose who excellent. Our best team would likely look like this: Goal: Hirschfeld Four Back: Stalteri Klukowski DeVos Jazic Four Mid: Nsaliwa Aguiar De Guzman Brennan Two Strikers: Radzinski De Rosario Subs: Onstadt, McKenna, Hutchinson, Peschisolido, Pozniak, Bent, Bircham, Hume

Dannyo, Frosch The Rapid should therefore win Saturday .... and people will dance in the streets. Best of luck and have fun - soccer fans of Canada envy your league and the fact that you get to watch a National League. We in Canada have no domestic Pro Soccer League - but have teams in the USA's A-League. We hope and dream to one day have a league such as yours. I live in Calgary, Canada and I am fortunate to live in one of the few cities in Canada to have a pro soccer team - I just wish it were in a Canadian League. Hope you or your group members don't mind updating the Canadian fans with little details about Ante? We have a section on our website/chat forum about player's abroad and I would like to add Ante Jazic to that list so that the people of Canada are informed of his success or failures on a weekly basis. I would like to be able to ask you or the people within your chat forum once a week (after games) about how Ante and the Rapid have played so that I can inform the Canadian public with your knowledgeable, unbiased posts. Just a short paragraph about Ante and the Rapid would be spectacular. If you are unable to do that...it is ok...I'll just contine to translate through Google ... but I'm not sure how accurate it will be. Cheers, Georgio

Well it appears as though Rapid Wien have tied Bregenz 1-1 according to the official website. And it also appears that Ante Jazic recieved favorable comments from a lot of people in that game (on the officail website and from you guys). I use the Google Translator Tool to attempt at translating your guy's comments regarding Ante and it sounds as though he almost scored with a nice crack at goal (hit's the post). The Google Translator does not work that great so maybe someone here could give a little detail if you have the time. I think comments mentioned that he was getting forward in yesterday's game. Maybe Ante has been reading your comments and wishes to improve in that regard From the comments it also seems that some of you were surprised by Ante's play because it is rare that he get's forward in the offense. Maybe this is a sign of things to come. Dannyo, Sladdi, or Frosch??? Was Ante making overlapping runs in this game or was it his routine 10 - 20 meter give and go sprints?

Hi guys, Thanks for the welcoming responses. Your input is excellent and I will be sharing it with the rest of the Canadian soccer supporters at this website: http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/ Please drop by anytime. My name is Georgio and that is who I post as over at the Voyageurs website (the name of the large group of supporters of Canada's National Teams). I wish you, the Rapid squad and the Austrian National Team well in all football endeavours in upcoming years, unless of course you are to meet Canada at the World Cup (doubtfull but one can dream) in which case I hope we shock you with a stunning upset If anyone else could share info regarding Ante's personal life in Austria that you are privvy to that would also be awesome to hear. Rumours, embarrasing moments, girlfriends, anything. If not , that's ok, we are most interested in his soccer abilities anyways and it sounds as though he could fit in perfectly with our National squad. On the subject of maintaining the teams possession of the ball with accurate short and long passes, would you say that Ante does not give the ball away to the opposition? Would you say that he does not make many mistakes while the Rapid are in possession of the ball? I understand that he plays safe, but does Ante give the ball away much? Prior to Ante playing in the left fullback position for Canada we had a player in that position (Richard Hastings) who also played in the Austrian league for GAK and he was just downright scary at times by giving the ball away or miss passing. So you can understand our concern in that regard. You guys are very helpfull and I hope at some stage we, over at the Canadian Soccer chat forum can also help you with questions in the future. Take care, Georgio

Frosch, You are very kind to give me such a quick reply. The strengths you have mentioned are quite consistent with what fans in Canada have noticed in the short time we've seen him play or have heard about him - although I was not aware that he is not that great with the head (I'm assuming technique rather then intellect) I am happy to hear that he is doing well. Do you believe that he is or ever has been in serious danger of losing his role with the Rapid? I hope not as we could really use a solid left fullback. The concerns that most in Canada have had from watching him play is that he was unwilling to take chances by getting up in the attack, he was quiet and looked as though he was content not being to involved, so he would play safe even in the role of left midfield. Safe is fine as a left fullback but we are hoping that he gains some courage and shows us what he can do with that left foot. He has an excellent opportunity to gain that left back position and I wish him well. He is 28 years old so if he is ever to be a leader on any team, now is a good time to start. Ante is quite a hero in his hometown where soccer is quite popular, not to mention the die hard football fans across the country. Hockey is the most popular sport for viewing (spectator) but soccer is the most popular sport in Canada by means of participation (significantly higher number who participate verses hockey). Thanks again.

Hello Rapid fans. I don't speak German (austrian) so if anyone could answer my questions in English I would be very gratefull. I am curious as to how Ante Jazic is doing. Ante plays for the Canadian National Team and is likely to be a starter in the left fullback position in our upcoming attempt at qualifying for Germany 2006. Would someone be able to give me an indication of what Ante's strengths and weeknesses are??? You guys are able to watch Ante a great deal and no one in Canada has that luxury, if that is what you would call it. There is some competition for the left back role but Ante has a good opportunity to obtain it. Most people in Canada have only watched Ante play a grand total of two times (1 half game against Finland and 1 full game against Ireland) and in both instances he was not kept very busy and did not manage to get into the play much. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Thankyou and have a nice day.