Australia NewsCulina: I've Never Played Better |
EXCLUSIVE: Jason Culina has a blunt message to those who questioned his move to the A-League: he's says his game has been taken to a new level with swashbuckling Gold Coast.
The former PSV Eindhoven stalwart says because he's playing regularly in a league that meets his exacting standards, he's in a better position than many current Socceroos who aren't playing regular football in the lead up to the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking in Sydney today to promote the upcoming glamour friendly between the Socceroos and Holland on October 10 at SFS, Culina said the Dutch game will show that he's a better footballer now as a result of moving to Clive Palmer's football revolution on the Gold Coast.
"I think my level has actually been raised. I'm fitter now, I feel better, and I'm enjoying my football even more," the 29-year-old told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"There's no need for people to question that side of things. What a lot of people don't realise that playing games, week to week, is better than certain situations with players in the Socceroos who aren't playing.
"Just because you're playing in Europe doesn't mean it's any better than playing in the A-League.
"When I was in Europe, there were a lot of poor games I saw on TV and in the Dutch league. A lot of people perceive Europe as being great and all that and forget about their own A-League, which I think now is actually at a very high level.
"When people talk about this and that and your standard dropping... I think that's just s.h.i.t."
Part of that mantra of not dropping his standards is the extra training sessions that the former UEFA Champions League player does every week at the A-League leaders.
United keeper Scott Higgins told au.foufourtwo.com recently that Culina has shown the way for other players at the Gold Coast and across the league.
"People see him doing extras [extra training sessions], and they see that even though he's our marquee player, he's doing the work. He's setting the example for all of us," Higgins said.
Culina hopes it's a culture that catches on across the league - and it's starting to show at Gold Coast who've taken Aussie club football to a new level this season.
"All credit to the boys, we've been working super hard in training and to see how committed everyone is, it doesn't come as a surprise to me that our results have been going our way," he said.
United are 3-0 after three rounds following impressive wins over Roar, Fury and the Reds, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one - a penalty.The way they've played has been even more impressive - at times it's been like watching a top J-League side.
"Ultimately I'm a winner and I want to win things. Hopefully nobody can stop me and when I do extra work, it makes it difficult for everybody else to stop me," added Culina.
"When I first came here I wanted to bring something different to Australian football, bring an extra professional side of things. And I'm willing to do that. It's something I've always done in my career.
"I have pride in what I do. Every time I step onto that field I treat it like it's my last game. So I want to go out their and bust my gut, for the team and for myself.
"I can't push other players. They've got to want to do it for themselves. I've done it my whole career and I'll keep doing it till the day I stop playing.
"Hopefully I can bring that culture to Gold Coast United."
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