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Opinion: Start to life in Vienna a happy one for James Holland
James Willoughby believes the Australian midfielder, 22, may have made the right move in leaving the bench at AZ Alkmaar for a starting role at Austria Vienna.
21/02/2012 1:51:00 PM
Getty
COMMENT
By James Willoughby
Less than a week after meeting his teammates for the first time, Holland starred for Newcastle on A-League debut as they beat the Wellington Phoenix 2-1.
He ran the show against experienced campaigner Ross Aloisi, scored a terrific goal and immediately looked a player who could make it at a higher level.
Newcastle saw his potential and quickly tied him up on a longer deal, which saw him make 19 appearances and score three goals in a two-year stint at the club.
When AZ Alkmaar came calling for Holland in January 2009, the Jets did not stand in their way.
They picked up AU$650,000 from the Dutch side and when AZ won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title a few months later, it seemed like a dream move for the Australian.
He was mixing with the best players in the country at training and the club's European fixtures in the next season could have provided a great opportunity for his development.
But first-team opportunities were hard to come by at the AFAS Stadion and the former Young Socceroos captain found himself out of the picture.
For any young footballer who moves from Australia to Europe, it can be a bit of a shock.
Everything you have ever known is all of a sudden over 10,000km away. And if the one thing you are in Europe to do – which is play football – is not happening regularly in a competitive environment, things can be tough.
To Holland's credit, he kept working hard and a loan move in the second-tier for Sparta Rotterdam last season showed what he could do.
By James Willoughby
With less than 50 league appearances in his career, 22-year-old James Holland already has five Socceroos caps.
That indicates just how highly rated the Sydney-born midfielder is.
Holland first came to the attention of Australian football fans in October 2007 when, as an 18-year-old, he signed a short-term injury replacement deal with the Newcastle Jets.
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Less than a week after meeting his teammates for the first time, Holland starred for Newcastle on A-League debut as they beat the Wellington Phoenix 2-1.
He ran the show against experienced campaigner Ross Aloisi, scored a terrific goal and immediately looked a player who could make it at a higher level.
Newcastle saw his potential and quickly tied him up on a longer deal, which saw him make 19 appearances and score three goals in a two-year stint at the club.
When AZ Alkmaar came calling for Holland in January 2009, the Jets did not stand in their way.
They picked up AU$650,000 from the Dutch side and when AZ won the 2008-09 Eredivisie title a few months later, it seemed like a dream move for the Australian.
He was mixing with the best players in the country at training and the club's European fixtures in the next season could have provided a great opportunity for his development.
But first-team opportunities were hard to come by at the AFAS Stadion and the former Young Socceroos captain found himself out of the picture.
For any young footballer who moves from Australia to Europe, it can be a bit of a shock.
Everything you have ever known is all of a sudden over 10,000km away. And if the one thing you are in Europe to do – which is play football – is not happening regularly in a competitive environment, things can be tough.
To Holland's credit, he kept working hard and a loan move in the second-tier for Sparta Rotterdam last season showed what he could do.
He impressed in his 14 Eerste Divisie appearances, scoring twice and returning to Alkmaar confident in his ability.
Some players would have preferred another move, but Holland - who just missed out on a place in Australia's 2010 World Cup squad - went back to AZ keen to fight for his place.
But by January 2012, he had been an unused substitute on five occasions and not seen a minute of football.
A move was clearly needed and when an opportunity arose to trial with Austria Vienna, Holland did everything he could to make it happen.
That included leaving an AZ winter break training camp to attend the trial and, after impressing, he signed a one-and-a-half year deal.
Holland's debut came on February 11 and he impressed, helping set up a goal and completing 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over Ried.
On Saturday, he got another full match as Austria Vienna drew 0-0 with city rivals and league leaders Rapid Vienna.
Holland's new club - the second-most successful outfit in Austria, behind only Rapid - sit second in the league and trail their city rivals by just two points.
Early signs indicate he will play a key part in his new side's push for the title, something which is surely a lot more appealing than sitting on the bench.
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