Courtesy: Gold Coast Bulletin


Eastern United Saints sign former Adelaide United star Cristiano

by Val Migliaccio

December 21, 2016

NOT many semi professional players in world soccer can actually say they have a FIFA Club World Cup goal of the tournament winner as a teammate.

But Eastern United Saints now has those bragging rights after signing Cristiano.

He won the coveted award in 2008 when he scored a 35m screamer for Adelaide United in a 1-0 win over Egypt’s Al Ahly at Yokohama Stadium to secure fifth place at the Club World Cup and a purse worth more $2.26 million for his then club.

Cristiano, 35, was lured out of 11-a-side retirement by Saints new boss Raff Frisina who at just 28 years old is possibly the youngest ever state league 2 coach.

Cristiano last featured for Western Strikers in the NPL three years ago.

“The reason I’m playing for Eastern United is because Raff is a good friend of mine,’’ said Cristiano who is the coaching education manager for Football Federation SA.

“He asked if I could join and play a few games for the club in the competition during the year.

“I know Diego Pellegrini (a UEFA Cup winner with Parma of Italy) who has been involved with the club for years.

“But it’s going to be good for me as well to help guide the younger players in the side.”

Cristiano also plays futsal (indoor five-a-side soccer) with SA Futsal League club FC Metropolitan with Frisina.

Frisina is also a director of SA Futsal League.

Frisina also led the Vanuatu national team in the FIFA futsal World Cup qualifiers in February with Saints current assistant coach Josh Smith

But with Cristiano expecting to make his debut for the Saints against Modbury Vista at Athelstone Recreation Reserve on Saturday, March 4, Frisina is hoping the Brazilian’s presence will help give his young side a small insight to the life of a professional footballer.

“Cristiano can help grow our club and we have also been bolstered by the return of so many of our very good former players who are coming back to us for the new season,’’ Frisina said.

“Many of them played seniors in NPL teams and in the state league, gaining valuable experience and given we’re a tight knit family club their return has set our same goals in concrete.

“With Cristiano he will help raise our profile and we want to establish better relationships with other clubs.

“A lot of our young players have also earned contracts overseas and with Cristiano being at our club it will create a huge buzz at the club.”

Cristiano has had a superb career with Dutch clubs Roda, NAC and Adelaide.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com