Bradley Grobler: I have adapted to Europe
Grobler: I have adapted to Europe
Posted: 2012-01-22 13:04
Bafana Bafana striker Bradley Grobler feels he is now ready to leave an indelible mark in Turkish football as he slowly comes to terms with the unfamiliar European conditions.
In an exclusive interview with KickOff.com, the former Platinum Stars hitman – who is now playing for Goztepe in the Turkish second tier League – says he is eager to make the most of his European stint.
"I am adapting well. The language is really difficult but I am slowly understanding and communicating well with the team.
"The people here are very friendly and have welcomed us with open arms. Turkish lifestyle is not very different to an African lifestyle so I'm adapting well," Grobler says.
After having scored 13 League goals last season while still with Platinum Stars, Grobler has had a slower start in Turkey.
He has found the back of the net just three times so far with the League now past the halfway mark.
He attributes his low scoring rate to the coach's decision to use him as a midfielder in several matches during a crisis that saw almost half of the team going onto the injury list.
"So far I have played every game but the team really struggled as we had nine injuries in our 24-man squad. This resulted in me changing positions between midfield.
"I played really well and I enjoyed myself in the midfield. The coach has brought in more players now and hopefully I can start scoring again since I am now back in my familiar position," Grobler says.
While he has set himself a target of 10 goals, the striker's long term goal is to cement his place in the national team.
After an impressive performance that saw him scoring Bafana's solitary goal in the 2-1 defeat to Zimbabwe, Grobler is hoping to be considered by Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane for the forthcoming fixture against Senegal next month.
"It has been an amazing experience to be part of the Bafana squad and it would be great to be part of that squad that will play Senegal.
"I find that with each camp I attend, I grow as a player, but I also know that it is really difficult as there are many young players doing well at the moment as well," Grobler says.
: 2012-01-22 13:41
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