Andrew Nabbout (Courtesy of a-league.com.au)

For a sushi-loving winger with speed and technical skill like Andrew Nabbout, signing with Japanese giants Urawa Red Diamonds represents a dream move. And it also marks a remarkable rise, barely 18 months after being cut by a Malaysian second division team.

The 25-year-old capped off a memorable week when he earned his first ever call-up for the Socceroos. He was named in Bert van Marwijk’s squad for March’s pre-World Cup friendlies against Norway and Colombia.

The news came as he flew to Japan after saying goodbye to his Newcastle Jets teammates, just hours after masterminding a stunning upset victory over A-League champions, Sydney FC.

The Lebanese-Australian scored the match-winner in Sunday’s 2-1 triumph for the 10-man Jets in front of more than 18,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium, as the perennial strugglers moved within eight points of the runaway leaders.

And yet, Nabbout’s career was in limbo as recently as June 2016 when he was shown the door by Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan in the mid-season transfer window, along with fellow Aussie Joel Chianese.

Nabbout, Chianese and two other former A-League players — Taylor Regan and Alex Smith — were recruited by Sabah head coach Gary Phillips as Negeri Sembilan aimed for instant promotion to the Malaysia Super League. But, despite a solid start to the season — Nabbout and Chianese led the goals and assists chart with Negeri in the top three — both were moved on after just five months.

It was a bitter blow to Nabbout’s career — he had been released by his junior club Melbourne Victory the previous year — but the 2015 FFA Cup champion went about rebuilding his career with struggling Newcastle.

Despite Nabbout’s eight league goals and being named player of the season, Newcastle finished bottom of the A-League for the third time. But in 2017-18 under new coach Ernie Merrick, the Jets have had their best campaign since winning the 2008 title, with Nabbout scoring 12 times in 20 games in all competitions.

“Ironically, being released by Negeri Sembilan was probably the best thing that could have happened to him because his blood was boiling at the time,” Phillips said.

‘’He has shown such focus and determination, and the fact that Urawa chose him over seasoned Socceroo and ex-Bundesliga forward Robbie Kruse is an indication of his quality in the final third. And he virtually lives on sushi, so he’s pretty excited about the sushi trains that Japan will offer!”

Nabbout can play out wide, or as a central striker where he filled in during an injury to Jets’ teammate Roy O’Donovan earlier this year. He’ll fill the Asian players’ import spot at reigning AFC Champions League holder, Urawa, captained by ex-Japan midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi.

Despite its continental success, Urawa was a disappointing seventh in the 2017 J.League. And, although it has begun the 2018 J1 season with a draw and a loss, it is determined to rebuild its reputation this year.

“The Red Diamonds are one of the biggest clubs in Asia,” Jets’ coach Ernie Merrick said. “The transformation that I’ve seen from Andrew [Nabbout] since arriving at the club has been nothing short of spectacular.

“He arrived at the club last season and had a strong year, but he has raised the bar once again. I have no doubt he’ll grab this opportunity with both hands.”

Transformation is an accurate description of what Nabbout has achieved in the relative blink of an eye.

Just like national skipper Mile Jedinak — who went from the fringes of the A-League to captaining Crystal Palace in the Premier League and 2016 FA Cup final against Manchester United — Nabbout has proved wrong the naysayers who considered him a flashy bench player with no end product.

Establishing himself in Asia’s toughest league — and earning selection in the 2018 World Cup squad — would complete the fairy tale for a man who was scratching out a modest living in Seremban, south of Kuala Lumpur less than two years ago.

And, if he wants, Nabbout will get to eat sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Saitama, 15 kilometers north of Tokyo.
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The writer is a Singapore-based TV broadcaster and event emcee. Twitter: @JasonDasey

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