Mitch Langerak has made his triumphant return to Melbourne Victory, where he’s preparing for his first Melbourne Derby. In an interview with aleagues.com.au, the Socceroo reflects on returning home, the exceptional standard of the Isuzu UTE A-League, and the growing interest of Japanese players in making the leap to Australia.
The Japanese market has always been a focal point for both supporters and analysts eager to see Isuzu UTE A-League clubs invest in talent.
This season, the A-Leagues have welcomed a wave of Japanese players, featuring the renowned Samurai Blue great and Auckland FC’s inaugural captain, Hiroki Sakai. For the 2024-25 season, there are ten players who have previously played in the J.League making their mark in the competition.
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Sakai is part of a talented group that includes former Yokohama F.Marinos star Kota Mizunuma, who has greatly influenced Newcastle Jets, as well as Western United’s Tomoki Imai, Hiroshi Ibusuki, and Riku Danzaki. Perth Glory’s Hiroaki Aoyama, Yuto Misao, Takuya Okamoto, and Wellington Phoenix’s Hideki Ishige and Kazuki Nagasawa are also among this season’s new recruits.
And now, it’s time for Langerak to step up as a key figure.
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Returning to Melbourne Victory after a successful period in the J1 League with Nagoya Grampus, Langerak has noted a rising interest among Japanese players wanting to move to Australia. He’s been pleasantly surprised by the calibre of talent reaching out about joining the A-League.
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“Japanese players exhibit exceptional technical and tactical skills,” Langerak shared with aleagues.com.au as preparations ramp up for Saturday night’s highly-anticipated derby against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
“They are incredibly talented, as demonstrated by their significant contributions to the league in recent seasons.”
“I’ve received numerous inquiries from players expressing interest in coming to Australia and playing in the A-Leagues.
“It’s surprising to see the level of interest from such highly skilled players who have reached out to me recently and over the past few years.”
“There’s a world of potential for those with the ambition to compete in the A-League.”
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The increasing allure of the A-League can be attributed to several factors, including its rising quality.
Langerak has had firsthand experience of both the A-Leagues and the J1 League.
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Having made his debut for Victory in 2007 and subsequently moving to Bundesliga powerhouses Borussia Dortmund three years later, Langerak has witnessed significant changes to the club, league, and even himself. The 36-year-old goalkeeper has had the privilege of playing under Jurgen Klopp and has solidified his place as a legend in Japan during a remarkable six-year tenure with Nagoya.
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After 14 years overseas, returning to the fold with Arthur Diles’ Victory has opened Langerak’s eyes to the A-League’s talent.
“I was genuinely surprised by the pace of play. There are very few stoppages, which is thrilling for fans and players alike.”
“The gameplay is quicker, with the ball in play more often than in other leagues. There’s a lot of intensity and an abundance of football being played.”
“The physicality, speed, and overall quality of the players have undoubtedly progressed in the last decade or so.”
Langerak hasn’t missed a beat since returning in January once the mid-season transfer window opened.
The opportunity to rejoin Victory presented itself in July last year, a decision he reached in “less than 24 hours,” although bidding farewell to Nagoya was no easy task.
He became a respected figure within the club, having arrived from Spanish team Levante in 2018, making over 200 appearances and achieving multiple cup triumphs in the J1 League.
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After four months in Spain, Langerak soon realised he had prospects in the J1 League, leading to his successful spell with Nagoya, where he became the first Australian to surpass 200 appearances in Japan’s top tier, won two cup titles, and set records for clean sheets.
He led Nagoya as captain in 2024 and holds the record for the most appearances by a foreign player for the club.
“When I decided to move on, it was a challenge to inform Nagoya and make it official; a tough conversation for sure,” Langerak reflected.
“All good things have their time. Although it was hard, it also came with great excitement.”
His legacy was acknowledged by Nagoya’s fans with farewell events, including t-shirts and posters commemorating his service.
Saying goodbye was an emotional experience for Langerak.
“It felt surreal,” he admitted.
“Finding the right words was challenging because it’s not a typical experience. The farewells and the final match were particularly poignant.”
“On an emotional level, it was quite challenging, as I was still focused on winning and achieving success. However, looking back, I appreciated the opportunity to bid farewell to the Nagoya supporters properly.”
Langerak had always envisioned a return to Australia prior to retirement, as he had stated in an earlier interview.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he declared.
“From the moment I left, coming back was my ambition. I always held onto the hope that I’d have the opportunity to return.”
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“The timing felt perfect, both in terms of opportunity and for my family, as we wanted to bring our children back to Australia as they start school. It was just the right moment across the board.”
“Everything just fell into place, which felt like a sign that this was the right time to come home.”
Langerak shared, “Walking through the doors at Victory felt special. It was heartwarming to reunite with familiar faces and to meet so many new ones.”
“The culture at Melbourne Victory is outstanding and something we take great pride in.”
Now, Langerak is excitedly gearing up for his first Melbourne Derby.
The inaugural derby occurred in the 2010-11 season when Melbourne City was known as Melbourne Heart, but Langerak had already moved to Klopp’s Dortmund by then.
This weekend’s clash features Victory in third place facing off against fourth-placed City, with only a point separating them, though City has a game in hand as Round 20 approaches.
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“I’m truly looking forward to it,” he expressed. “It’s essential to remain composed amidst the excitement leading up to the match.”
“With all the buzz and adrenaline, everything is set to ignite on Saturday night, but it’s crucial to stay calm until then. We know how important this derby is for our club and the city.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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