Amini tips Danish delight in Ikonomidis double act

Danish-based Mustafa Amini is hoping an all-Australian collaboration with new recruit Chris Ikonomidis can help ignite AGF Aarhus's spluttering season.

Sonderjyske vs AGF Aarhus - Danish Alka Superliga

Amini celebrates a win against Sonderjyske Source: FrontzoneSport

The pair combined for Lazio loanee, Ikonomidis to score his first goal for the club in the 3-1 midweek DBU Pokalen win over third-tier Holbaek.

And midfielder Amini, 24, believes the duo, deployed on opposite wings against Holbaek, can contrive a constructive partnership.

"Our teammates called it an Aussie combination and I think myself and Chris can build on that and hopefully we will have a hand in a few more goals," said Amini, who has been a regular this season his arrival from Randers, while Ikonomidis, 21, is striving to nail down a regular starting spot.
"It's all new to Chris and he's happy here."

"It's always good to have another Aussie on board.

"I had that at Randers with Jack Duncan and now Chris here.

"We both played on the wings in the cup game before I switched to the number ten role and that was when I set him up for his goal, which he took really well.

"Chris is a good player - we were together with the Olyroos and I am sure he can do well here."

Ambitious AGF are sitting 11th on the Danish Superliga ladder after 14 games, and need three points in what promises to be a fixture stacked with Australian talent when they face an Esbjerg team on Tuesday (AEDT), which includes Awer Mabil and Brent McGrath.

"We are a work in progress after the team was pretty much rebuilt last season," Amini said.

"On a personal level, I am happy to have scored three times so far. Last year at Randers I scored one in 36 games, so that's an improvement."

Though Amini is the senior partner in his double act with Ikonomidis at AGF, it's the youngster who has become a regular in recent Socceroos squad selections, while ex-Olyroos skipper Amini awaits a maiden senior call-up.
He missed out on the extended squad for November 15's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Thailand, but is content to keep knocking on the door, confident the call will eventually come.

"I am at the heart of football in Europe ... It's where everybody wants to come and where people dream of back in Australia," he said.

"I know they (the national team hierarchy) are keeping an eye on a lot of players.

"I just have work hard, do well, score a few goals and see what happens.

"Of course you want to get selected but the squad is quite strong at the moment and you just have to wait for your chance.

"You saw that with Jimmy Jeggo getting his opportunity because he's been doing well in Austria and that shows that rewards can come if you are making an impression with your club.

"The Socceroos midfield is particularly good, but you have to back yourself, and I am just waiting my chance.

"I played with Maty Ryan, Tom Rogic and Trent Sainsbury at the Mariners and they have all broken through.

"I have been in Europe now for nearly six years, since I was 18, and I am just committed to helping my club climb the table because we need to improve."

Share
Follow SBS Sport
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
3 min read

Published

By Dave Lewis

Share this with family and friends


SBS Sport Newsletter

Sign up now for the latest sport news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS On Demand
SBS Audio

Listen to our podcasts
The SBS Cycling Podcast is a punchy podcast covering the world of professional cycling, coming to you during the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
Get the latest with our sport podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS Sport
Sport News

Sport News

News from around the sporting world