Both a physical and cerebral presence has been added to Emirates Club’s defence with the acquisition of Zac Anderson.
The imposing Australian centre-back is the latest Arabian Gulf League recruit from Down Under.
Here, we look at some of the best Australian players to ply their trade in the AGL.
MARK BRESCIANO
Position: Centre midfielder
UAE club(s): Al Nasr
Time in AGL: August 2011-August 2012
AGL appearances: 17
AGL goals: 10
The 84-times-xecapped Australia stalwart experienced a rollercoaster stay at Al Nasr.
Brought in on a free transfer from Italian giants Lazio, he arrived on a wave of excitement but left amid a hail of controversy. Bresciano was suspended for four months and fined €1,377,000 (Dh5.6m) after he was found to have unilaterally breached his contract at Al Maktoum Stadium to force the switch to Qatar’s Al Gharafa. Prior to this, he had excelled in Dubai. An impressive 10 goals were plundered in 17games. How Nasr wish he’d stayed longer.
ALEX BROSQUE
Position: Forward
UAE club(s): Al Ain
Time in AGL: September 2012-June 2014
AGL appearances: 39
AGL goals: 14
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – MAY 18: Al Ain Manager Zlatko Dalic celebrates with Alex Jason Brosque after winning the Presidents Cup Final match between Al Ain and Al Ahli at Zayed Sports City on May 18, 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
There can be little doubt the Australia forward was a successful buy for the Boss. With an eye for goal on the pitch and immense popularity in the dressing room, Brosque fully justified the decision to snap him up from Japan’s Shimizu S-Pulse. Silverware was picked up during two contrasting seasons. The Sydney-native helped his side race to the 2012/13 Arabian Gulf League title, before helping a miserable defence end on a positive note in the next campaign with victory in the President’s Cup. Can now be found captaining Sydney FC.
DINO DJULBIC
Position: Centre-back
UAE club(s): Al Wahda
Time in AGL: January 2013-April 2014
AGL appearances: 15
AGL goals: 3
Djulbic provided a giant figure at the back for Al Wahda during a mixed period in their recent history. The 1.95m centre-back formed a decent pairing with then UAE regular Hamdan Al Kamali upon arrival from China’s Guizhou Renhe in January 2013. He joined with the club in seventh, a position they remained in until the end of the 2012/13 season. Djulbic was the only foreign player retained for 2013/14, yet a series of injuries saw him restricted to just three appearances before heading back home to Perth Glory in April 2014.
BRETT HOLMAN
Position: Playmaker
UAE club(s): Al Nasr, Emirates Club
Time in AGL: June 2013-June 2016
AGL appearances: 70
AGL goals: 13
An indelible mark was left by the dogged midfielder in the UAE. The 63-times-capped star’s leadership and playmaking skills shone through at Al Nasr, helping end a 12-year wait for silverware with victory in the 2013/14 GCC Club Cup. Even better was to follow, a double of the President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup coming in his second and final season in Dubai. Not bad for a free transfer acquisition from Aston Villa. Last term was more frustrating, a succession of injuries negating his impact on the pitch as Emirates Club narrowly avoided the drop.
MARK MILLIGAN
Position: Defensive midfielder
UAE club(s): Bani Yas
Time in AGL: June 2015-to date
AGL appearances: 21
AGL goals: 3
The quality and leadership offered by Milligan has proven that the Sky Blues were right to see their long pursuit of him finally reach a successful conclusion.
It was a case of ‘third-time lucky’ last summer as a deal was agreed with all parties after aborted attempts in the two previous years. Bani Yas flattered to deceive for much of a frustrating campaign, yet Milligan did more than enough to stick around for the final year of his contract. Still a regular for the Socceroos, he will be key in 2016/17.
