Mark Bresciano (born on February 11, 1980 in
Melbourne) is an Australian football (soccer) midfielder, who
currently plays for Parma in Italy's Serie A. Previous clubs
include Carlton (1998-99) in Australia and Empoli (1999-2002) in
Italy, from which he joined Parma in the summer of 2002 for
around 7 million Euro. In 2003/2004, Bresciano scored the most
goals of any mid-fielder in the Italian Serie A. Marco Bresciano
is one of Australia's most talented footballers and has a
renowned eye for goal. He usually plays his football on the left
side slotted in the midfield but can also play as a forward and
in the central midfeild role. Bresciano is a very versatile
player who often assists in both attack and defence and is also
a set-pice specialtist. Many regard him as the unsung hero of
Australia's recent World Cup qualification victory.
His correct first name is Mark and not, as is often reported,
"Marco". As he told Australian magazine Inside Sport: "In
Australia it’s Marco. In Italy, it’s Mark. Work that one out. My
birth certificate says Mark. But I’m named after my grandfather
Marco. I like Marco but not Mark-O. I prefer Mark."
He has played for the Australian national team and has also
represented Australia at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Bresciano and
fellow Parma midfielder Vincenzo Grella were excused from the
2005 Confederations Cup by the then Australian manager Frank
Farina to allow them to take part in a relegation playoff
between Parma and Bologna. Bresciano has also played with Grella
at Carlton and Empoli prior to the pair being reunited in 2004
when Grella joined Parma from Empoli.
On November 16, 2005, Bresciano scored the only goal in the
Socceroos' home (second) leg of their 2006 World Cup
qualification playoff against Uruguay. The playoff would end 1-1
on aggregate after extra time, and the Socceroos won the ensuing
penalty shootout to advance to the World Cup, which will be held
in Germany in mid-2006. |
