Alfredo In Elite Match

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday May 3, 2008

FOOTBALL By PAUL ZALUNARDO

WOLLONGONG FC defender Alfredo Esteves has been invited to take part in an international football extravaganza in Romania later this month.

Due to his role as captain of East Timor's national team, Alfredo has been selected for the Champions Evening solidarity game in Bucharest on May 26.

The charity foundations set up by former international greats Gica Popescu and Luis Figo have invited more than 100 players and celebrities from all over the world to be part of the fundraiser.

Alfredo's inclusion has him placed alongside the likes of David Beckham, Andriy Shevchenko, Carlos Tevez and Formula One ace Michael Schumacher on the list of invitees.

Wollongong FC officials this week received an official invitation for Alfredo to be part of the festivities, which are aimed at helping fund the foundations presided upon by Popescu and Figo.

A final decision on who plays in the match won't be made until acceptances are received.

Alfredo may have another reason to celebrate tonight, with his likely return to the Wolves starting side for the NSW Premier League meeting with Marconi at Marconi Stadium.

Wollongong captain Ben Blake is in doubt with a knee injury, a blow likely to present Alfredo with an opportunity to get back into the senior team.

Wolves coach John Turner said Alfredo had handled his extended period out of the team in a professional manner.

"He has been fine. In fairness to him he was about to keep Ben Blake on the bench earlier in the season but had to pull out of that match injured," he said.

"He has been a true professional throughout it all, he has never whinged about not playing and I truly believe he will do the job for us," Turner added.

"The only problem is whether he will have the same understanding and cohesion with DC (Danial Cummins) and Justin Pasfield that Blakey has."

While Blake is in extreme doubt, Wolves midfielder Michael Hawrysiuk definitely won't play.

Hawrysiuk's troublesome groin failed to improve during the week.

His departure opens the door for either Mitchell Long or Lachlan Cahill to be promoted from the substitutes bench.

Turner said Marconi's winless start to the season had his team on high alert.

"They are very close to their first win, I just hope it isn't this week," he said.

"I am more worried about them than I am about (next week's opponent) Sutherland. I hate playing teams that are desperate like Marconi will be.

"It looks like we are about to strike them when they are hitting form."

Wollongong enter the game in third place on the ladder.

Winless Marconi will welcome Tolgay Ozbey and Nahuel Arrarte back into a team that drew 0-0 with high-flying Sutherland last weekend.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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