Ante LONCARIC

Women's soccer in Australia is set to receive a massive boost in coming years with the increasing rise in prominence of young Aussie-Croat teen superstar, Marijana Tabain.

The right-footed midfielder from Perth took to the infectious 'world game' almost instantly upon being introduced to the sport by her soccer-mad father and brother.

''Soccer runs in the family, both my dida and dad played the game and after watching my brother play I was hooked', she says in retrospect.

At the tender age of 15, Tabain has already impressed national selectors and has been included in trials for the Under 20 Matildas side. Indeed, her sights are firmly set on playing for the senior Matildas and the blistering rate at which she has been able to progress so far suggests that she is more than likely to see her dream through.

Tabain is currently plying her trade with the National Training Centre in Perth and also the state representative side where she works hard to fine-tune her playing skills. 

Her outstanding performances at last year's Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament in Perth for Women's Division champions,  North Fremantle Croatian Centre, earned her the coveted ''Player of the Tournament'' award and helped to further establish her as one of the community's most exiting prospects.

She was pivotal in her team's grand final victory over traditional powerhouse Canberra Croatia (Canberra FC) and rates winning the annual tournament back-to-back in Geelong in October, amongst some of her main goals she wants to achieve in 2008.

Beyond the soccer pitch, the teen whiz-kid is immersed in her studies, although, with so much soccer on her plate, she does at times find it hard to balance the two.

''I'm more interested in soccer but I try to keep my studies up and one day I'd like to become a Physical Education teacher'', she says.

This career path may have to be put on hold for the time being though, as a lengthy career with the young Matildas and dream move to the lucrative US women's professional league is likely to keep her busy for several years to come.