midfielder
Well-Known Member
If this happens ... WELL DONE MATE ... never my best in squad but always played with heart and passion .... hope it is true and he gets picked...
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/australia/hutchinson-may-play-for-malta-180769/
Hutchinson may play for Malta
6 April 2009 | 12:44 - SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef
Eyes on international football ... Central Coast Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson
may shortly fulfil his childhood dream of becoming an international player by playing for Malta.
The 29-year-old said he was considering a surprise invitation by the Maltese FA for him to play for the Mediterranean island in the current World Cup campaign and possibly even the 2012 European Championship qualifiers.
Hutchinson was born in Morwell, Victoria, but has Maltese heritage in that two of his grandparents are Maltese.
This makes him eligible to play for the Maltese team because he has never represented Australia at any level.
"The Malta FA contacted the club and I am just looking into it now," Hutchinson said. "I'm definitely interested in playing international football.
"My nan and pop on my mum's side were born in Malta and I would love to represent Malta against some of the best nations in the world but there is a bit of red tape to get through."
Hutchinson is fully aware that if he makes the choice to play for Malta he would be ineligible to don the Socceroos jersey if an opportunity arose.
"If I make the choice to play for Malta then that's the Australian dream over," he admitted. "I've waiting a long time for it and I'm in my late, late 20s now. So if it is to be Malta, so be it."
Hutchinson has more pressing matters to deal with this week as Kawasaki Frontale of Japan are in Gosford for a crucial AFC Champions League Group H match at Bluetongue Stadium.
The perceptive midfielder, with the peripheral vision and ability to unleash rockets from either foot, has had to sacrifice some of his attacking instincts since holding midfielder Mile Jedinak left the club in search of greener pastures in Europe after the New Year.
But Hutchinson said he was looking forward to a few scoring opportunities against the Japanese now that coach Lawrie McKinna has opted for a slight tactical change.
"We're beginning to get over the Mile factor and I thought we played our best football in six months when we played Tianjin Teda in China three weeks ago," he said.
"I would have settled for a draw beforehand but the way things panned out I must say that the 2-2 draw was a point lost after we conceded two goals from set pieces.
"Against Kawasaki, however, we must take the three points if we are to make the second phase.
"I do like getting forward because I am an attacking player but Lawrie needed me to sit back a little bit (after Jedinak left).
"But lately we have been playing with a flat four across midfield, which allows me to get forward a bit more.
"This suits me more because it gives me a chance to try and score some goals."
Hutchinson, who has been with the Mariners since day one, said he was enjoying the experience of testing himself against quality Asian opposition.
"In Australia we are quicker and we attack more," Hutchinson explained.
"But the Asian teams we have met so far (Pohang Steelers and Tainjin) are more tactical and try to keep the ball a bit more.
"It has been a good experience so far and one that we have taken to."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/australia/hutchinson-may-play-for-malta-180769/
Hutchinson may play for Malta
6 April 2009 | 12:44 - SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef
Eyes on international football ... Central Coast Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson
may shortly fulfil his childhood dream of becoming an international player by playing for Malta.
The 29-year-old said he was considering a surprise invitation by the Maltese FA for him to play for the Mediterranean island in the current World Cup campaign and possibly even the 2012 European Championship qualifiers.
Hutchinson was born in Morwell, Victoria, but has Maltese heritage in that two of his grandparents are Maltese.
This makes him eligible to play for the Maltese team because he has never represented Australia at any level.
"The Malta FA contacted the club and I am just looking into it now," Hutchinson said. "I'm definitely interested in playing international football.
"My nan and pop on my mum's side were born in Malta and I would love to represent Malta against some of the best nations in the world but there is a bit of red tape to get through."
Hutchinson is fully aware that if he makes the choice to play for Malta he would be ineligible to don the Socceroos jersey if an opportunity arose.
"If I make the choice to play for Malta then that's the Australian dream over," he admitted. "I've waiting a long time for it and I'm in my late, late 20s now. So if it is to be Malta, so be it."
Hutchinson has more pressing matters to deal with this week as Kawasaki Frontale of Japan are in Gosford for a crucial AFC Champions League Group H match at Bluetongue Stadium.
The perceptive midfielder, with the peripheral vision and ability to unleash rockets from either foot, has had to sacrifice some of his attacking instincts since holding midfielder Mile Jedinak left the club in search of greener pastures in Europe after the New Year.
But Hutchinson said he was looking forward to a few scoring opportunities against the Japanese now that coach Lawrie McKinna has opted for a slight tactical change.
"We're beginning to get over the Mile factor and I thought we played our best football in six months when we played Tianjin Teda in China three weeks ago," he said.
"I would have settled for a draw beforehand but the way things panned out I must say that the 2-2 draw was a point lost after we conceded two goals from set pieces.
"Against Kawasaki, however, we must take the three points if we are to make the second phase.
"I do like getting forward because I am an attacking player but Lawrie needed me to sit back a little bit (after Jedinak left).
"But lately we have been playing with a flat four across midfield, which allows me to get forward a bit more.
"This suits me more because it gives me a chance to try and score some goals."
Hutchinson, who has been with the Mariners since day one, said he was enjoying the experience of testing himself against quality Asian opposition.
"In Australia we are quicker and we attack more," Hutchinson explained.
"But the Asian teams we have met so far (Pohang Steelers and Tainjin) are more tactical and try to keep the ball a bit more.
"It has been a good experience so far and one that we have taken to."
..........even one G. Arnold on his worst day wouldn't pick Hutch in an Aussie squad. (As i write that i am trying to figure out if that is good or bad for Hutch?)
