Milos Degenek makes Saudi Arabia switch

Caltex Socceroos defender Milos Degenek has joined Al-Hilal, signing a three-and-a-half year deal with the Saudi Arabian club.

The 24-year-old centre-back joins from Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, where Degenek made 33 appearances in all competitions.

Degenek – who has amassed 22 caps for the Caltex Socceroos – will link up with Al-Hilal following his national team duties at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™.

Speaking after he signed his Al-Hilal contract in Dubai, Degenek said he was delighted to have joined the powerhouse club.

“I’m very happy and very honoured to be part of the big club, the biggest club in Asia,” he said in a video posted on Al-Hilal’s Twitter page.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans, to meeting my new teammates, the club, and to winning a lot of trophies and being successful.

“I hope you’re all waiting for me and I’m very excited to come out and see you and play well.”

Degenek progressed through the youth ranks in Germany at Stuttgart before joining 1860 Munich in 2015.

He then made the move to Japan, playing for Yokohama F.Marinos in the J-League.

He impressed for the Japanese outfit, attracting the interest of Red Star Belgrade who Degenek has represented with distinction, particularly in the UEFA Champions League.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514577001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5828488719001

Al-Hilal – reigning champions in Saudi Arabia – sit top of the Pro League after 16 matches, three points clear of Brad Jones’ Al-Nassr.

Among Degenek’s teammates at Al-Hilal will be Bafetimbi Gomis, Andre Carrillo, Omar Abdulrahman and Ali Al Habsi.

Al-Hilal are also a regular contender in the AFC Champions League and lost the final in both 2014 and 2017.

Hyundai A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers beat them in the 2014 decider.

Source : Socceroos WEBSITE

Degenek backs upbeat Caltex Socceroos to improve against Palestine #AFCAsianCup2019

Milos Degenek believes the opening game defeat to Jordan has allowed the Caltex Socceroos to sharpen their focus for what’s ahead in the rest of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™.

The squad have analysed the Jordan game thoroughly and are now fully focused on getting things back on track in Friday night’s (AEDT) clash with Palestine in Dubai.

“We’ve got three days to work on things and we are going to work, we are going to improve and be prepared for the next game which is very important for us,” Degenek told www.socceroos.com.au.

“We want to go out there and show what we can do and put a good foot forward into going out of the group.”

Asked the message from coach Graham Arnold following the Jordan game, Degenek said: “To look at the positives, switch on and look forward to the next game.

“Just to forget this as quickly as possible, learn from it and move on.

“Obviously we take all the positives out of the game, implement other things into the next game and start the game strong, and show what we’re all about.”

And Degenek is thriving showing what he’s all about as a starter at a major international tournament.

The 24-year-old defender was part of the Australian squad that went to last year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia but didn’t play a minute during the three group stage matches.

But after moving to Serbian club Red Star Belgrade in the off-season, Degenek has enjoyed a stunning period and played UEFA Champions League football against the likes of Liverpool and PSG.

Degenek in action against Mohamed Salah of Liverpool

It’s meant he has arrived in the UAE at the peak of his game and allowed him to start against Jordan and play his first minutes at a major tournament.

“It’s obviously massive for me. I was at the World Cup with the boys but I didn’t get to play but I was there and I was part of the family which I was very proud of,” Degenek said.

“I’m very fortunate to get the chance to play for my country at an Asian Cup.”

(Feature image courtesy of the Asian Football Confederation, www.the-afc.com)

Source : Socceroos Website

Caltex Socceroos’ home record a huge boost: Milos Degenek

Australia’s formidable home record and attacking strength has defender Milos Degenek confident the Caltex Socceroos will beat Thailand convincingly in Tuesday night’s massive FIFA World Cup qualifier in Melbourne.

 

The equation for Ange Postecoglou’s side is simple. Beat Thailand by a big margin and hope it’s enough to earn their spot in Russia in 2018

HOME RECORD A BOOST FOR AUSSIES

“It gives me a lot of confidence because I believe in the whole squad, I believe in all the players and not just the strikers to score goals,” Degenek, who plays his club football in Japan, told reporters on Saturday.

“I’m quite confident going into the game, I believe we’ll do the job and hopefully it works out all well for us after the game and after the Japan-Saudi game as well.

“We’re still confident, we’re still capable of winning and we’re still positive,” the Yokohama F.Marinos defender added.

“It’s not 100% in our hands obviously but if we win on Tuesday with a good game and score a few goals then we’ll feel a bit more confident.”

MOOY A LIKELY STARTER?

Illness kept midfielder Aaron Mooy out of the defeat to Japan but Degenek hopes the in-form Huddersfield Town star will be right to play in Melbourne.

“He seems to be alright, he looks fine,” Degenek said of Mooy.

“He’s been laughing and chatting with us. He’s healthy I think.

“I haven’t spoken to him too much about that but I can see he feels and looks a lot better.”

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Who’ll start for the Caltex Socceroos against Thailand?

Matthew Ryan;Bailey Wright,Matthew Spiranovic,Milos Degenek ,Alex Gersbach ; Mark Milligan , Massimo Luongo, Aaron Mooy ;Matthew Leckie,Tomi Juric,Jamie Mclaren

Source : Football Federation Australia

Caltex Socceroos fans pick their 23-man squad for Japan and Thailand

The Caltex Socceroos squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Thailand will be trimmed to 23 on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Ange Postecoglou will pick his 23-man Caltex Socceroos squad for Australia’s upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Japan and Thailand.

With these fixtures to decide Australia’s fate for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, we asked fans who they thought should be chosen in the Socceroos’ final squad.

Which midfielders make the final 23? https://t.co/SToea5mveB

— Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) August 18, 2017

And the votes are in! Here’s the 23-man Socceroos squad as chosen by the fans.

GOALKEEPERS

Mat Ryan, Mitch Langerak and Danny Vukovic.

*Ryan was clearly the most popular choice with almost 38% of the vote with Langerak and Vukovic the next two most preferred between the sticks.

DEFENDERS

Trent Sainsbury, Bailey Wright, Matthew Spiranovic, Milos Degenek and Matt Jurman.

*Sainsbury was clearly first choice in the heart of the Socceroos defence ahead of the dependable Bailey Wright and the returning Matthew Spiranovic. Milos Degenek earned a call-up as did former Sydney FC centre-back Matt Jurman.

 

Central midfielders – Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo and Mustafa Amini.

Wing-backs – Mathew Leckie, Brad Smith, Aziz Behich, Alex Gersbach.

*Huddersfield star Aaron Mooy was the popular choice amongst the fans just ahead of teammates Mat Leckie and Mark Milligan.

ATTACKERS

Tom Rogic, Tomi Juric, Tim Cahill, James Troisi and Robbie Kruse.

*Celtic ace Tom Rogic was the overwhelming choice of the Socceroos faithful ahead of the improving Tomi Juric and all-time leading scorer Tim Cahill.

CALTEX SOCCEROOS 23-MAN SQUAD (as chosen by fans)

Mat Ryan, Mitch Langerak, Danny Vukovic, Trent Sainsbury, Bailey Wright, Matthew Spiranovic, Milos Degenek, Matt Jurman, Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Mustafa Amini, Mathew Leckie, Brad Smith, Aziz Behich, Alex Gersbach, Tom Rogic, Tomi Juric, Tim Cahill, James Troisi and Robbie Kruse.

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Caltex Socceroos: club form update

A month out from their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Thailand, we track the club progress of some of the overseas-based Caltex Socceroos.

Tomi Juric (Luzern, Switzerland)

The 2017/18 Swiss Super League season is already underway, and Juric started with a bang, scoring in his side’s very first game, a 1-0 win over Lugano.

Tommy Rogic (Celtic, Scotland)

The Scottish giants have won through to European Champions League play-off round with a 1-0 aggregate win over Norway’s Rosenborg. Rogic played a full part in the first leg and came off the bench in the second.

Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town, England)

Newly-promoted Huddersfield open their English Premier League campaign away at Crystal Palace next Sunday, and have warmed up with friendlies against Italian club Udinese and German outfit VfB Stuttgart.

Milos Degenek (Yokohama, Japan)

The Caltex Socceroos defender played a full 90 minutes in his side’s latest J-League encounter, a 2-2 draw with Shimizu.

Mat Ryan (Brighton and Hove Albion, England)

The Caltex Socceroos number one played a full part in his new side’s friendly against Spanish side Girona as they build towards a blockbuster Premier League opener against Manchester City next weekend.

Aziz Behich (Bursaspor, Turkey)

The energetic left-back has caught the eye of Turkish giants Galatasaray who are reportedly keen on signing him ahead of the new Super Lig season starting next weekend.

Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa, England)

The Caltex Socceroos skipper is still battling the groin injury that ruled him out of June’s Confederations Cup and won’t be fit to start the Championship season with Villa this weekend.

Trent Sainsbury (Jiangsu Suning, China)

With his loan spell at Inter Milan over, the Caltex Socceroos defender has returned to China, but hasn’t featured for his club with speculation of a number of offers for his services.

Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin, Germany)

The Caltex Socceroos attacker joined Hertha at the start of July and debuted for his new side last weekend.

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Milos Degenek backing Ange’s new-look Caltex Socceroos

Milos Degenek is confident the Caltex Socceroos’ re-jigged formation will start to bear fruit ahead of Friday’s Confederations Cup clash with Cameroon.

 

The combative defender is the only man to have played all five games since coach Ange Postecoglou changed to a three-man defence with high wing-backs earlier this year.

 

And after an encouraging second half against world champions Germany at the Confederations Cup, Degenek has declared the squad has complete faith in the system.

FULL BACKING FOR FRESH FORMATION

“Yes, one-hundred percent,” Degenek told FFA TV shortly after the side’s arrival in Saint Petersburg.

“The first game in Tehran was a bit difficult because it was brand new to us and we had two or three sessions before we started with it.

“It’s a lot easier to play now.

“We understand each other’s roles and I’m starting to get an understanding with Leckie – we’re working together really well – and with Trent in the middle and Bailey on the other side, we’re understanding each other a lot better.

“We’re moving forward a lot better and controlling games a bit more and we’re playing our football.

 

Superb praise from Loew for Socceroos

“There are not many teams doing that. They are very bold." https://t.co/q9TaOQjtWH pic.twitter.com/BJmn9ber30

— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) June 19, 2017

“I don’t think Maty Ryan played one ball long from a goal-kick, which shows how confident we are in playing out from the back.

“It shows the system is working and we are capable of playing football against the world’s best.

“I’m 100 percent behind this system because it’s an offensive system and most of the boys in the midfield will get a good role.

“It’s suited for players like Rogic, Mooy, Luongo, Troisi, Milligan, Jedinak and Irvine to start creating a bit of magic and get on the ball a lot more.”

CRUCIAL CAMEROON CLASH

The Caltex Socceroos have moved from Sochi to Saint Petersburg for their second game of the Confederations Cup against Cameroon on Friday.

And Degenek is predicting a titanic battle between the champions of Asia and Africa.

“I’m expecting a game that’s going to mean a lot for both countries,” he said.

“It’s a must-win game for both of us because we both lost our first games.

“A win for us means we go on against Chile and win that and we’re into the semis.

“Against Chile, they were sitting back and hitting on the counter attack.

“They’re very, very direct and very quick.

“I expect them to be very physical, very present and attack-minded.

“I’m expecting a lot of transition, fast football, a lot of breaks.

“They won’t underestimate us – they’ll see from our second half against Germany that we’re a team that plays a lot of good football.

“They’ll be prepared for us and we’ll be prepared for them as well.”

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

 

Milos Degenek: Australia capable of winning Confederations Cup

Caltex Socceroos defender Milos Degenek is daring to dream and believes Australia are capable of winning the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Despite being drawn in a difficult group alongside World Champions Germany, Chile and Cameroon, Degenek insists Ange Postecoglou’s side aren’t there just to make up the numbers.

“We’re here to win it,” Degenek told reporters in Sochi ahead of their first game on Tuesday.

“You don’t want to go to a tournament just to say to your grandkids that you’ve swapped a few jerseys with some big players.

“That’s not the point.

“The point is to come here and make an impact and make a statement and to go back one day and be able to say, ‘We were there, we did that’ so people can start talking about that.

“Not just us talking about it, but other people in the world talking about it and about us as a team and a country.

“So we’re here to win it, not to have fun and experience Russia and its beauties.

“We’re here for the football and to win the tournament and stay until the second of July.”

A difficult game but a good performance by Milos Degenek vs Brazil in Melbourne. #Star #Brazil #socceroos pic.twitter.com/lXv30KNMkC

— Star Sports & Ent (@star_signings) June 13, 2017

MILOS ADAMANT SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE

When asked how realistic the goal of winning the tournament was, the Croatian-born 23-year old was equally bullish.

“I feel everything is realistic in my life,” he said.

“I’ve been through a lot and if I don’t believe in this, then I’d quit on myself.

“But I believe in what we’re doing and I believe in this so I think it’s a realistic thing.”

NO SUCH THING AS AN UNDERSTRENGTH GERMANY

Australia meets Germany in their opening game of the tournament on Tuesday morning.

The World Cup holders come to Russia with an inexperienced side, missing the likes of Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels.

Degenek played five seasons in Germany with VfB Stuttgart and more recently 1860 Munich before a move to Japan.

.@Socceroos pre-training presser. Miloš Degenek delighting the German press with his linguistic skills. #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/SLqwL321QL

— Lucy Zelić (@LucyZelic) June 16, 2017

But Degenek refuted suggestions the Caltex Socceroos will face a weak side on Tuesday. “I don’t think they’ve brought an understrength team,” he said.

“If you look at their squad overall, all of their players played a full season in the Bundesliga, which is one of the top leagues in the world.

“They could bring another three or four teams and it would still be the same. “Obviously they’re missing some of their bigger players but that doesn’t change much.

They’ve got the same German mentality – it’s a very good team.”

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Who’ll start for the Caltex Socceroos against Saudi Arabia ?

Matthew Ryan; Milos Degenek,Bailey Wright,Trent Sainsbury,Mile Jedinak;Aaron Mooy,Tommy Rogic,Mathew Leckie;Brad Smith,Jackson Irvine,Tomi Juric .

 

Source : Football Federation Australia Website

Who’ll start for the Caltex Socceroos in Tehran?

Matthew Ryan;Rhyan Grant,Milos Degenek,Bailey Wright,Brad Smith;Mile Jedinak,Aaron Mooy;Massimo Luongo,Matthew Leckie,Tim Cahill,James Troisi

 

Football Federation Australia