Mark Bosnich: Socceroos being let down by A-League’s late start

THE A-League’s late start and strict rules are hurting the prospects of Socceroos players and are at the root of the Tim Cahill-Melbourne City unrest, ­former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich claims.

Melbourne City's Tim Cahill came on late again when they played Perth. Picture: Michael Klein

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THE A-League’s late start and strict rules are hurting local players’ Socceroos prospects and are at the root of the Tim Cahill-Melbourne City unrest, according to ­former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.

Cahill’s future is no clearer after his late cameo in a worrying 3-1 home loss to under-strength Perth on Friday night.

City’s Manchester-based football chief Brian Marwood returned home yesterday after a busy week in Melbourne, dealing with the stand-off between Cahill and coach Warren Joyce before watching a sub-par performance against Glory.

Melbourne City's Tim Cahill came on late again when they played Perth. Picture: Michael Klein

Cahill replaced striker and goalscorer Ross McCormack in the 69th minute and made an instant impact before the game fizzled out.

The A-League’s October start left Cahill and the local-based players underdone for the September and October World Cup qualifiers while he missed league and Cup games due to Socceroos duty.

Bosnich, a Fox Sports commentator, said Cahill and local players were being let down by A-League rules.

“Not starting the season early enough is starting to cost us in terms of the national team, as is no loan system and no transfers between A-League clubs,’’ Bosnich said.

Mark Bosnich believes the A-league lets our international stars down.

“With this (Cahill) situation, if it came to the fact that Timmy was going to go, I would have thought it would be better for him and the ­national team to be here. But you can’t do that because of the way the system is and that’s ridiculous.

“(If allowed) he could be loaned out quite easily to ­another A-League club, or even transfer, which everyone could benefit from. It’s starting to cost us in ways that are quite blatant.

“Longer season, or start it earlier. It’s the longest pre-season ever.”

Bosnich was not concerned by a potential overlap with the AFL and NRL finals.

Tim Cahill in action during the Australia v Honduras World Cup decider at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello

“So what?” he said. “On their grand final weekends, don’t have any games in Melbourne or Sydney — or have the weekend off.”

Bosnich urged Cahill and City to resolve their impasse, which the club has played down while Cahill has stayed silent since his post-Honduras win comments.

“It’s understandable that Timmy wants to play in a ­record fourth consecutive World Cup and if he can’t get game time it’s understandable that he leaves,” he said.

“It’s also understandable that Melbourne City cannot build their whole season around getting one player fit for the World Cup — it’s not fair on everyone else.”