Thursday, 17 April 2003 12:00 AM
Yet another of South Melbourne’s “Young Guns” is leaving Australian shores for trials with a leading European Club. The “baby” of the Senior Squad, Vince Lia, joins Patrick Kisnorbo, Massimo Murdocca and Michael Baird who are all trialing overseas.
Vince, who only turned 18 a few weeks ago, is leaving for a trial with Germany’s leading Clubs – Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Founded in 1893, FdV Stuttgart has a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 60,000 people. It has a proud record in the Bundesliga and reputation for producing and developing young players.
Vince told southmelbournesc.com.au, ‘I had the opportunity to travel to Stuttgart earlier in the year but decided instead to finish the NSL season with South Melbourne. Now that the opportunity has arisen again, I am excited and can’t wait to get over there’.
‘The Bundesliga is a fantastic league and has produced some great players over the years. There is no doubt that I have been given a fantastic opportunity. I will give it everything I’ve got, and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead’.
Vince has impressed many fans at the South Melbourne Soccer Club with his exciting, “gliding” style of football. Season 2002-2003 has seen him cement a position in the Senior Team, with several starts in the starting eleven. Many feel that he has the potential to reach great heights with his soccer career. He has not only caught the eye of fans, but has also caught the eye of the Australian ‘Joeys’ Coach Ange Postecoglou when – along with Massimo Murdocca and Michael Baird – he was named in the squad to travel to the United Emirates for the World Under20 Championships. This will now take place in December 2003.
South Melbourne wishes Vince the best of luck for his time in Germany.