Socceroo nearly man Danny Invincibile now thriving in Thailand at Bangkok United

FROM Socceroo nearly man, Danny Invincibile now coaches in Thailand and has issued a warning to Ange Postecoglou’s men.

Former Socceroo Danny Invincibile coaching Thai club Bangkok United.

DANNY Invincibile takes a rare breather from the busy Bangkok real estate game to reflect on the ultimate “so near and yet so far” Socceroo story and issue a warning to Ange Postecoglou’s men.

As Australia desperately look to bounce back from the gut-wrenching reverse in Japan by giving Thailand a real tonking in Tuesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Melbourne, Invincibile is better placed than most to offer a view on the visitors.

It’s a view from a man we can almost call a former Socceroo. Perhaps the most “almost” Socceroo of them all.

Invincibile has lost count of the number of letters inviting him to be part of “initial to be trimmed down” Socceroos squads, training camps and the calls saying, “Get on the plane,” followed by another, “Sorry, we won’t be needing you now”.

Former Socceroo Danny Invincibile (left) coaching Thai club Bangkok United.

“I’m not bitter,” he said. “I came so close to a (full international) cap and I represented my country (at a high level). I was also part of squads that featured players who played at the very, very top.”

As he says, no regrets.

Instead, life has taken a different turn for Brisbane boy Invincibile, 38, who now combines his role as youth coach/academy boss for top tier Thai outfit Bangkok United with running his own property business, Cityhomes Realty Co Ltd. It’s the best of both worlds and different challenges he embraces with relish.

Thailand is not a world power in footballing terms but Invincibile can see the passion growing and insists that the Socceroos would be wise not to let their guard down in Melbourne.

The visitors won’t be going to the World Cup in Russia next year but a 2-2 draw with Australia in the reverse qualifying clash in November last year should serve as a warning to Postecoglou’s men.

“The Socceroos have to ­realise that Thailand have come extremely far in the past five to six years, really grown,” Invincibile said.

Danny Invincibile scoring for Swindon Town. Picture: Swindon Advertiser

“This is part to do with the popularity of the sport growing at a rapid pace and also the influx of foreign coaches and players moving here.

“The younger generation have great talent as the old national coach Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang picked only players under 25 and had them together for a good few years.

“Also, the money on offer here has grown with many players now making in excess of a million dollars per season.

“Thai players are very technical and mobile and a couple of key players such as ‘Messi J’ (playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin), and (striker) Teerasil Dangda can make a big impact.

“But Thailand know that they are still not there yet to compete player-for-player on the world stage, so they will stay very compact and deeper to make it difficult for the opposition to break them down.”

Dangda already has a taste for goals against Australia, having bagged a brace at Rajamangala Stadium last year.

Australia have it all ahead of them against Thailand after their loss to Japan.

Mile Jedinak’s double ensured Australia weren’t completely embarrassed.

As Invincibile helps bring through the next generation of Thai talent, he also takes a moment or two to examine the journey that has brought him here.

So what of the “so near and yet so far” Socceroo status of this Queenslander, who almost became part of an Ange Postecoglou squad — at Melbourne Victory rather than in the green and gold.

“I got stuck between two different scenarios at international level,’’ he said.

“Players in the top divisions in England, in Serie A, they would get the call for the ‘big’ games, if you like. For the smaller matches, no disrespect, they (the Australian football powers that be) would use domestic-based players.

“As an attacking player, when you find yourself competing for a place with the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill and John Aloisi, well, it’s tough, isn’t it?”