Asian/Australasian Football Discussion

Apostolos Giannou signs for Guangzhou R&F, declares intention to play for Socceroos

IT’S Ange Postecoglou’s incredible Greek heist.

At a time where there’s been plenty of questions about where goals will come from apart from Tim Cahill, the national team boss has pulled off an extraordinary coup.

Greek born but Melbourne bred Apostolos Giannou, who is the second top scorer in Greek’s Super League with 13 goals this term for Asteras, is set to switch allegiances to the Socceroos, despite debuting internationally with Greece.

Giannou has also become the latest Australian to join China’s revolution, signing overnight with Guangzhou R&F, and reports from Fox Sports News 500 suggest he’ll be included in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers squad to face Tajikistan and Jordan.

The 26-year-old has played for Greece’s under-21s and under-19s and even appeared as a substitute in an international friendly in November 2015, a 0-0 draw against Turkey.

But that appearance didn’t tie the striker to the Greek national side. He was named on the bench for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Hungary, and thankfully for Australia, he didn’t get on the pitch.

Greece may be left to rue that decision, because sensationally, Postecoglou, who coached him in the Australian under-17s, has convinced the striker to pledge his allegiance to the Socceroos.

Not only is he set to be named in the squad for the March World Cup qualifiers, but sensationally, Giannou, who credited Postecoglou’s efforts in making his decision, could face the nation that blooded him internationally when Greece travel to Australia in June this year.

“The effort of coming here to see me tells it all,” Giannou told Fox Sports News’ Daniel Garb in Athens. “You don’t need to say much. The thing about Ange, which I appreciate, is he didn’t push me to play for Australia. He wanted to see how my mind was and how I thought about it.”

But this is no brazen Socceroos raid. Giannou is no stranger to Australia and says “I think my friends will be buzzing”.

He played at the Victorian Institute of Sport, Oakleigh Cannons and South Melbourne before moving abroad eight years ago. It’s been a breakthrough season for him, having travelled from Apollon, Kavala, PAOK, Platanias on loan and Panionios before his current club.

But why the change of heart about the national team?

“It hasn’t been easy and obviously it’s difficult to choose which country to play for since I feel the same for both countries,” he explained.

He added: “The politics here are more than usual, I know that Australia has been going upwards since Ange took over.

“Australia would be better for me as a footballer, to play for them and to give them everything I can and to bring the best out of me.”

It’s a whirlwind period for Giannou, who has also just secured his immediate club future with the move to China as well.

“Very excited,” he added.

“I think it’s time for me to move on. I’ve been wanting to get out of Greece to play internationally in other countries.

“If it didn’t happen in Europe, I think Asia is the next big thing.”

The great stadium war is over with a major upgrade of ANZ Stadium winning out over a new stadium at Moore Park.

Fairfax Media can reveal that state cabinet is expected to be told tomorrow that an upgrade of Parramatta Stadium will continue and ANZ Stadium will be refurbished after that and leftover funds will be used to refurbish Allianz Stadium.

Political infighting between Premier Mike Baird and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres has brought the issue to a head with the premier freezing Mr Ayres out of negotiations since returning from Israel on Sunday.

Mr Baird will take control of Sydney's stadium negotiations after agreeing to meet with the three furious Allianz Stadium tenants, in another blow to the ambitions of the under-fire Sports Minister.

The Premier has also given Mr Ayres a Friday deadline to gain a 100-game commitment from the three football codes at the network of major stadiums, allowing Mr Baird to take control of the allocation of the $1.6 billion investment.

That allocation will be $350 million for a new stadium at Parramatta, $450 million for a refurbishment of Allianz Stadium and $700 million to turn ANZ Stadium into a permanent 75,000-seat rectangular stadium.

This is a victory for the Sydney-based NRL clubs, who have campaigned against the NRL and Ayres to ensure a shift of funding away from Allianz Stadium to Olympic Park.

The Sydney Roosters, NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC were seething on Monday after Mr Baird announced a new stadium at Moore Park would be built on the existing site, which the clubs allege is not the message Mr Ayres has been spreading.

The clubs, who insist Mr Ayres gave them multiple assurances they wouldn't be displaced, had sought an urgent meeting with Mr Ayres after plans to build a 55,000-seat stadium over Kippax Lake were quashed by the Premier.

However, Mr Baird has stepped in an attempt to solve the now farcical stadium dilemma, agreeing to meet with the clubs, which insist they will not compromise on a plan that involves having to be relocated during the construction of a new venue.

"We want to meet with the decision-maker, and it appears that is what is happening," Waratahs chairman Roger Davis told Fairfax Media.

"We're happy to listen and wait and we're encouraged that the key decision-makers have indicated they want to meet with us to work out what is best for the clubs, the community and the state. It's positive that people are willing to talk but we will not compromise on the fact that we must continue to have access to Allianz Stadium."

A spokesman for Mr Baird confirmed "the Premier is willing to meet the clubs, although no date has been arranged".

This is a major blow for Mr Ayres who, up until the past week, had control of negotiations with clubs, codes and venues about the allocation of the $1.6 billion. Mr Ayres, with the Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, who have championed a brand new stadium at Moore Park, to cost around $1 billion.