Hell And Back For Milicevic

Sun Herald

Sunday April 3, 2005

By MATTHEW HALL

AUSTRALIA'S vulnerable defence added an extra piece of insurance with the debut of Ljubo Milicevic against Indonesia on Tuesday.

Frank Farina may not publicly admit his team has rearguard frailties but will have been relieved to see Milicevic play his first match for the senior team.

The defender's debut was all the more remarkable after injury forced his career not just off the rails but crashing down a steep embankment.

Injury and lack of form mean Craig Moore and Tony Popovic are not certain starters against South American strikers in November and the former Perth Glory star believes he is ready to tame Latin attacks.

"It would be fantastic to play in November," Milicevic said.

"I love playing for my country and after the past year I'm ready for anything mentally. I've been to hell and back a few times. Going to South America would be heaven."

The 24-year-old's career was sidetracked while he was captaining the Olympic team on Australia Day 2004, in a qualifying play-off against Oceania rivals New Zealand. The talented defender, who plays for FC Thun in Switzerland, limped off with a groin torn in two places.

Doctors failed to detect the second tear until an operation rectified an injury that refused to heal. Frustrated by the setbacks, Milicevic hit the bottom.

"I went out a lot, and I guess I drank a lot, and I eventually realised that you can't make a career out of going out nightclubbing," he said.

"Quitting went through my mind nearly every day but I'm not a quitter. I found the love again. I'm now more determined than ever."

A few nervous first-half moments in Perth on Tuesday were erased by a surging run forward that carved apart Indonesia's defence.

"Since I was a boy I dreamed of playing for the Socceroos and it was traumatic missing the Olympics," Milicevic said.

"I couldn't even bear to watch the boys play in Athens on TV."

Meanwhile, in the English Premier League Everton manager David Moyes has said he fears for midfielder Tim Cahill's long-term ability to cope with the demands of top-flight football.

Socceroo Cahill flew back from Australia last week after playing two internationals for his country, just in time to figure in the Everton squad for the game at struggling West Brom.

Moyes is worried about the physical and mental demands on his young midfielder. "We must look particularly at Tim, who has flown back from Australia and I don't know what effect jet-lag will have on him," Moyes said.

"You can't see that being right for a player. But overall that's what it is like for a top player in the international game."

Chris Perry scored with seconds of injury time remaining to earn Charlton a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City last night.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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