Football
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John Aloisi raises doubts over A-League's Asian quota rule

A-League coaches will have no choice but to expand their scouting networks in Asia if new foreign player rules are introduced, John Aloisi says.

But the Brisbane Roar boss warned it won't be so easy for Australian teams to attract top-level players from major Asian countries because of financial constraints.

Football Federation Australia has flagged the likely introduction of the '4+1 rule' from the 2018-19 season onwards.

It would move the A-League in line with other top competitions in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Clubs would still be permitted to sign up to five foreigners under the change, but one would have to be from an AFC member nation.

"I haven't really thought about it too much," Aloisi said.

"I know that in the [Asian] Champions League we've got the 3+1 -- whether they bring that into the A-League or not, they're saying they are.

"If they do, we have to deal with it, and try and look in the Asian market for a player."

There are only two Asian imports in the A-League at the moment -- the Newcastle Jets' Chinese winger Ma Leilei and Western Sydney Wanderers' Japanese attacker Jumpei Kusukami.

The Roar, who need to win two upcoming playoffs to qualify for the AFC Champions League, have three foreigners on their books -- veteran Thomas Broich, midfielder Thomas Kristensen and attacker Manuel Arana.

They are not planning to add to their squad during the January transfer window.

Aloisi said it would be tough finding quality Asian players who would accept the wages on offer in the A-League.

"It's not that easy. Not when they earn bigger money in those sort of countries that the best players are in -- Japan, Korea, China," he said.

"It's pretty difficult then to bring someone who's earning millions to earning $100,000.

"Of course you've got your agents who put names forward, then you have to go back and watch the players yourself, and then if you get the opportunity, to fly over and watch them, you can.

"[But] our scout network is myself and Craig Moore. It's pretty hard."

Many Australian players have been able to play in other Asian competitions over the years because of similar quota systems, although the Chinese Super League moved to scrap the 4+1 rule in a shock decision this week.

Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin claims there is "strident objection" from clubs against the rule because it would "compromise" the A-League product.

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