Nebojsa Marinkovic is still unsure if he will be fit to play against the Western Sydney Wanderers this Sunday despite making his first official appearance in a Glory top at training today.
Nebojsa Marinkovic is still unsure if he will be fit to play against the Western Sydney Wanderers this Sunday despite making his first official appearance in a Glory top at training today.
Marinkovic managed to get through the first hour of training this morning following his arrival in Perth on Sunday and successful medical yesterday, but was unable to complete the full session as the arduous travel routine and sweltering whether conditions got the better of the 27-year-old attacking midfielder.
“It-s very difficult because I come after a lot of travel, 27 hours, and I don-t sleep too much because it-s a different time in my country is 8 hours, so first training is OK but a bit difficult for me but one week for adaptation and I will be ok,” Marinkovic said.
Marinkovic, who represented Serbia at U17, U19 and U21 level, said he didn-t know a great deal about the Hyundai A-League prior to signing with the Glory, but had spoken with other Serbian players in Australia, who had told him of the league-s characteristics.
“Not so much but I know that people from Serbia in Sydney, 3 players, Petkovic (Nikola), Despotovic (Ranko) and Dimitrijevic (Milos). Petkovic play with me in national team under 21. I know Del Piero plays here and I know Gallas plays here.”
“They have told me it-s a very strong league. It-s very professional. It-s very good organisation – all the teams are tactically disciplined and very tough to play. So I want to come here to enjoy and to play.”
And Perth Glory-s newest recruit was quick to back-up the Sydney trios- summary following his first hit-out on Australian soil.
“It-s very different. It-s shown in the first training. It-s very tough league – all the players close, all the players press on the ball. In Europe, it-s a little bit different so I need a little bit more time to adaptation for everything.”
Over the past four years Marinkovic has played in the Israeli Premier League, most recently with Hapeol Haifa, scoring 20 goals in 98 games.
The 172cm midfielder is likely to travel with the team for their clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Australia Day, but it remains to be seen if he will be play in the match with his conditioning to be further monitored by the coaching staff and his international transfer certificate still pending.
”Maybe I fly with team to feel a little bit more atmosphere. If coach want, I can play but we need to talk more,” he added.
