Adelaide United skipper Isaias’ Socceroos hopes at the mercy of red tape

ADELAIDE United skipper Isaias is sweating on his chances of representing the Socceroos at January’s AFC Asian Cup in the UAE as red tape stalls his Australian status.

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ADELAIDE United skipper Isaias is sweating on his chances of representing the Socceroos at January’s AFC Asian Cup in the UAE as red tape stalls his Australian status.

Having missed his chance to qualify for an official Socceroos debut at the FIFA World Cup in Russia next month by a matter of days, a high-ranking national team official at the Football Federation Australia awards on Monday in Sydney told The Advertiser Isaias becoming an Australian was exciting news for the Socceroos.

FFA has also supported Isaias becoming an Australian via letters to government immigration authorities, the player revealed.

Adelaide United skipper Isaias is tackled by Leroy George of the Victory during the A-League elimination final. Picture: AAP Image/George Salpigtidis

The Spanish-born midfield maestro, however, is at the mercy of citizenship exam waiting times before he departs on a well-deserved six-week break to visit family in Spain on Sunday.

If Isaias doesn’t get his status soon it could even end the Reds hopes of keeping the skipper on the roster as an Australian rather than an import in the new 2018/19 season.

Isaias claimed all the paperwork is in order except for one formality.

“I need to wait for an exam and the waiting list is more than a year,’’ Isaias said in Sydney.

“That’s what my immigration agent told me.

“If we cannot change the process I will still be regarded as a foreign player.

“There is a few ways to make it faster and my immigration agent is talking to FFA and politicians to see if they can help speed the process and support my application.

“Authorities need to see that a lot of people support my application.

“I’m hoping to get it done before we start the new A-League season.

“I also want to be involved with the Socceroos they have a new coach Graham Arnold and they will have a new style and I really want to be part of it, I will give my all.”

Isaias Sanchez and wife Sara at the Adelaide United club champion awards night where he took home the Aurelio Vidmar medal. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

Isaias ahead of the Reds’ elimination final loss. Picture: Sarah Reed

Isaias missed a chance to qualify for an official Socceroos debut at the FIFA World Cup in Russia next month by a matter of days due to FIFA’s eligibility rules which state a foreign player must live continuously in a new country for five years.

After winning the club’s Aurelio Vidmar medal, The Advertiser/Channel 7 golden boot award and finishing fifth in the Johnny Warren medal count on Monday, Isaias, 31, said he would take two weeks off from any physical activity during his downtime in Spain.

He plans on holidaying in Marrakesh, Morocco and Paris before returning to his family in Spain where his father Isaias (senior) is making plans to ensure the midfielder arrives back in Adelaide to start preseason on June 25 in premium condition.

“My dad will take me to the park and train me very hard,’’ Isaias said.

“My dad played in second division and he helped me a lot in my career, he trained me hard when I was young he wanted me to be the best.

“I know he is proud of me and he enjoys training me.”

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