Speedster combines skill, street smarts
CAIRNS FC recruit Gianni Allebi will be nothing but a blur at times for his rivals and the Barlow Park crowd getting their first look at the speed demon in action tomorrow against Brisbane Roar Youth.
The wide midfielder hopes he can bring all his South American “street smarts” and the technical skills of a top NPL upbringing at Oakleigh Cannons to move his new club up the ladder in 2018.
Allebi is on somewhat of a redemption trail after a serious knee hyperextension had him falling from Victorian NPL to the state league, but from Cairns he feels he has the chance to rise again.
“It’s hard enough to get into the NPL system as it is and once you’re injured and take a break, it’s even harder to get back in,” he said.
Despite the hard luck in some aspects, Allebi feels fortunate to have knowledge of structured Australian football and the passion-driven Chilean game, an experience he enjoyed in 2010 thanks to his family links with the nation.
“In South America, football isn’t as fast-paced and physical as here. But over there it’s about using your street smarts to outplay the other team,” he said.
“The players are doing what they feel is right coming from their heart when they play.
“Everything here is very structured, but over there they really trusted us to know what to do and be able to outplay our opponent one-on-one.
“Now, when I look at myself, I see someone that’s skilful and fast and very physical, so if I have to challenge someone I’ll never back out and most of the time I’ll come out with the ball as well.”
Contrast that with training under former A-League coach Miron Bleiberg, known for being a character off the pitch but ultra-serious on it.
It reflects Allebi’s attitude to the game, which has had to be strong to compete in a highquality football landscape down south.
“I’ve got a good taste of what it’s like to have to perform against those type of players,” he said.
“I’m good one-on-one tech- nically and it’s just training with good players that makes you a better player.”
Even after a couple of weeks training at Cairns FC, the business and real estate student can see the potential at his new club.
“The quality is great, the speed is there, all the boys have technical ability and it’s a great NPL club. Now it’s all about trying to find my place in the team,” Allebi said.
Tom Murphy should join him in the match against Roar Youth after recovering well from a hyperextended knee last weekend.