Aussie-Lanka teen dreams of playing football in Europe

A 15-year-old Australian of Sri Lankan origin with a passion for football is determined to pursue his ambition of playing in Europe after learning the Barcelona way in their academy in Dubai.

Born to Sri Lankan parents in Sydney, Australia, Muhammed Ijaz Miskin is a gangly teenager who showed amazing striking ability at an early age and is a gifted athlete.

“I have been playing football since 6 or 7. I just started playing for fun. I watch a bit of cricket but mainly play football. I got into a club St Michael’s and played matches weekly. When I was a young forward I scored 10 goals one season,” said Ijaz who came under the wing of FCB school coaches in Dubai.

“When he was playing under 10 for St Michael’s, he scored the winning second goal and sealed the Grand Final,” said his proud father Rizwan who accompanied his son to Spain and the UAE.

“Ijaz went from playing at St Michael's at the district level and now plays in the New South Wales (NSW) Elite football tournament in the Youth League at State level,” he said.

“He wants to use the training and knowledge gained under the FCB Barcelona coaches in Barcelona, Spain and Dubai (UAE) in his NSW league competition,” he added.

An ardent Chelsea supporter, young Ijaz aspires to play professionally at international level in England or Spain and represent Australia if the opportunity arises.

From a goal-hungry striker, he was converted into a defender while playing for AC Milan Soccer School academy team last season.

“Over there one of the coaches recognised me as a good defender. So I’m playing as a left back since,” said Ijaz whose all-round skills were honed at the FCB school during an extended period of three months in Dubai.

“When we work with hard opposition, we get better. My ambition is to play in Europe first or second division. In Australia, last year I played in the regional youth league. Now I’m a defender so I don’t get many goal scoring chances,” said the southpaw who has the pace to marshall the left flank.

“He is very athletic and has good speed without training,” said his father, a champion Sri Lankan schoolboy athlete in the longer distance of 5000 and 10,000m.

Second in a family of two, Ijaz seems to be following in the footsteps of his grandfather Arifeen Miskin who played as a midfielder for a top Sri Lankan club Victory SC.

There is undoubted sporting pedigree running in Ijaz's blood with his paternal uncle Mahroon ‘Tiny’ Miskin having played rugby football with distinction for CH and FC and Sri Lanka as a hooker.

Recently Ijaz also came first in the Under 16 800 metres for the Sydney West Zone and will be representing them at the Regional level in the 800  and 6,000 metre races.

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