Australian club football tasted Asian Champions League for the first time on Wednesday night, Sydney winning away to Shanghai Shenhua, Adelaide losing at home to Shandong Luneng. I held off on this update hoping footage of Ufuk Talay's stunning strike for Sydney would appear on YouTube so it could be embedded into the article, but you can see footage of it here nonetheless.

Adelaide's problems continued against Shandong in front of goal. Playing negative football for two years is going to be hard to shake, and Aurelio Vidmar has done nothing more than the word-perfect definition of an interim manager since taking over. Adelaide appear to be a distinct third banana in group G, and having already lost a home game will have to pull off some miracle results if they want to topple Shandong and Korean side Seongnam.

Despite a nervous finish, Sydney's 2-1 win in China shows they have gone some way to overcoming the defensive legacy of recently departed manager Terry Butcher, and are a genuine chance to qualify from their group. They have Urawa Reds in Sydney as their next match, in a game that will let us know if they are for real or not. Urawa only put three goals past Persik Kediri of Indonesia, in the past double-figure scorelines were the norm for Indonesian clubs on the continent, but cruise control won't get a win against Sydney.

Back "home", a decision is still yet to be made on the New Zealand based team for the 2007/8 A-League season. It is likely that Wellington will produce the capital required to move the Knights from Auckland, but there is still some hope that the deal falls through and Townsville, Australia will pick up the slack. If the Kiwis do keep their team, everyone expects it to be an infinite improvement on what was offered in the first two A-Leauge seasons.

Australia's greatest one-day cricket team has been named tonight with no real surprises, I have to say i'm relieved Michael Bevan was there. A lot of critics left him out, the only selection I thought was questionable was Dennis Lillee in at the expense of Andy Bichel. Maybe it's a generational thing but for a cricketer given limited opportunities in the test arena Bic gave his all in the one day team...

Wait a minute, this isn't right, what am I talking about?

OH, the A-League.

First, even more good news for Melbourne Victory fans. Channel 9 reported tonight here in Melbourne that the proposed rectangular stadium to be built on Edwin Flack Field may be 30,000 seats capacity with 4,000 standing room. Due for completion in 2009, such a stadium would probably be better than the oval 55,000 capacity Telstra Dome for atmosphere.

Next, the end of season awards; Newcastle's Nick Carle took out the Johnny Warren medal comfortably. The award, voted on by fellow players going to the playmaker of Chilean background ahead of Melbourne's Danny Allsopp, Kevin Muscat and Archie Thompson. On Friday of last week Allsopp and Muscat had shared the Victory medal for the club's best player. Melbourne's Adrian Leijer won young player of the season.

Carle also won goal of the year for this mazy run and placed shot against Adelaide. For a bit of context, the score was tied 1-1 after Adelaide's Carl Veart missed a penalty, Newcastle defender Jade North had tipped a shot over the bar with his hand and was red carded for the offense.



So now it's time for Sydney and Adelaide to start their Asian Champions League journey, both begin with matches against Chinese opposition on March 7th. Sydney are away to Shanghai Shenhua, while Adelaide start at home against Shandong Luneng.

Melbourne Victory celebrate with the A-League trophy

Melbourne Victory have delighted their fans by winning the Grand Final of the A-League, thrashing Adelaide 6-0 at Telstra Dome in Melbourne. Archie Thompson helped himself to five goals, four of which were assisted by Fred, while the man substituted on in his place in the dying minutes, Kristian Sarkies, added the sixth. You can read a match report here.

It was an astounding night for Melbourne, and everything about it was perfect. The team a mile clear on top of the table at the end of the home and away season won, the team with the most goals this season hit a record A-League winning margin, and the team with the biggest fan base in the league broke another record. 55,436 fans packed into Telstra Dome, meaning Melbourne’s average attendances over the season (including games at the 19k capacity Olympic Park) passed 30,000.

Archie Thompson was understandably in a great mood after the match. “I was speaking to Danny Allsopp and he mentioned a couple of weeks ago that there was a place that I should visit, and today I visited it, and I think it was called ‘The Zone’” said Thompson. He was quick to acknowledge Fred’s contribution, the Brazilian with whom Thompson shared the player of the season award was magnificent, and was only denied a goal of his own by the width of the post. Thompson received the Joe Marston medal for his man-of-the-match performance, one that would “never be beaten in 100 years” according to captain Kevin Muscat.

Ernie Merrick didn’t provide a marquee sound bite, but at least was smiling. He finally smiled on the sidelines after Sarkies scored his goal, and was jubilant with the players and officials after the match.


Kristian Sarkies does a 'Laurent Blanc'...to the Prime Minister

The movement and goals in the match were of a high standard, but the refereeing was called into question by a bitter Adelaide. It was quite satisfying to see Adelaide respond so bitterly to their thrashing. Ross Aloisi showed a lack of class post match, saying the game was “destroyed”. Aloisi was sent off for a second yellow card just after the half hour mark, the unnecessary violence of his second yellow cancelling out his dubious first. The captain’s attitude spread through the squad.

“I think the three blind mice could have done a better job out there” was the sentiment of veteran Carl Veart. “We’re getting basic errors made every week. If the league wants to go on we need to start getting better officials”. Veart has potted World Cup referee and FIFA golden child Mark Shield (became the youngest ever match referee at a World Cup in 2002) and his World Cup assistants Ben Wilson and Nathan Gibson. Should the A-League actively try to recruit officials from England or Scotland? Veart may have a point, Matthew Breeze was considered the 2nd best field referee this season (got the preliminary final) and performed poorly. Shield divides opinions on a regular basis. None the less, Veart can help himself to a nice big fine courtesy of the FFA.

Adelaide manager John Kosmina wasn’t much better. He offered his runners-up medal to the referees after coming down from the podium, no doubt with a few more choice words. He’s already serving a 5 match touchline ban for referee abuse, will he ever learn? He claimed there were “dark forces” that had predetermined the result of the match before his team even kicked off. Kosmina played the role of villain perfectly this week, right down to the petulant reaction to his team getting their asses smacked, and denial that the better team won.


Archie Thompson enjoys one of his five goals

The Victory fans are left to celebrate now, and enjoy a magnificent season. Merrick said there would be an announcement about a big name returning to Australia to play for Melbourne next season, there is speculation it will be Josip Skoko. Maybe there will be something in the next two to three weeks about exactly who that player will be.

So that’s the A-League finished for season 06/07. Sydney and Adelaide progress to the Asian Champions League courtesy of their exploits in 05/06, so there will be regular football to accompany the Asian cup of nations in the European offseason. I look forward to bringing you the news and views on those events, and keep an eye on OleOle over the next week for the best and worst of the 2006/7 A-League season, and also an update on Melbourne’s celebrations, and ongoing stadium arrangements.

Well done Melbourne!

Some Grand Final art circulating the Melbourne Victory forum

The Grand Final is here, Melbourne Victory hosting Adelaide United at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne this Sunday. With just two more days until the match all the signs have been good for the game and the host city. For starters the match has sold out, a capacity crowd of up to 56,000 to pack in. At this stage the temperature on game day is expected to hit 38 degrees Celsius, and with storms a possibility in the evening there has been no definitive ruling on whether or not the roof will be open or closed for the 6pm kickoff.

On the sidelines Adelaide coach John Kosmina has been handed a five match touchline ban for his verbal attack on referee Matthew Breeze after United’s penalty shootout win over Newcastle to qualify for the Grand Final last weekend. Kosmina had a suspended sentence hanging over his head after putting his hand around Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat’s throat during the regular season, making the ban something of a formality after even the most amateur lip reader got a look at the extent of his vocabulary. Kosmina bragged that sitting in the stands meant nothing, as he could manage the team from a coffee shop – and the sad reality is he will be able to quite easily relay messages to assistant manager Aurelio Vidmar on the touchline from the comfort of one of the AFL coaching boxes on level 2.

The starting teams for both sides are still unclear, Melbourne have had to sweat on Adrian Leijer and Kristian Sarkies who have only recently flown back from an Olympic qualifier against Chinese Taipei. It didn’t matter that the first leg was an 11-0 win to Australia, both had to make the trip, but at least Leijer was substituted at half time, and Sarkies not used at all. In fairness, Adelaide benchwarmers Robert Cornthwaite and Bruce Djite did combine for more than 120 minutes in the 1-0 win.

Injuries are also a matter for speculation going into the match, with Melbourne’s Scottish midfielder Grant Brebner straining a quadricep. He is expected to start the match courtesy of an altered training program. Adelaide very much have the fog of war up, with striker Nathan Burns, and creative midfielder Jason Spagnuolo both in a race against time. Defender Richard Alagich is suspended for the match after collecting his second yellow card of the finals series last week.

The match is attracting worldwide attention, ESPN will film an episode of PressPass in Melbourne on Friday, while international viewers with a bit of internet savvy should be able to watch the match via a bootleg feed of the American Fox Soccer Channel. You can also hear streaming online commentary on SEN radio, and read live text commentary courtesy of yours truly on the Victory website. Accept no impersonations from 3AW or ABC radio, SEN have supported the Victory from day one, and Michael Zappone and Paul Trimboli will give the best call of the match. Kickoff is 6pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings time, so overseas readers please note Australia is currently only +9GMT.

My predictions for the match: Melbourne 2-0 inside 90 minutes, the Joe Marston medallist for best on ground going to striker Danny Allsopp. Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat has the big match experience to rally the troops, while Adelaide might take one gamble too many on unfit players, leaving them the counter-attack as their only forward option. Melbourne have been the best side by far in the A-League this season, and although the neutrals in Sydney might disagree, fans of good football will be hoping that the team with more goals and more fans than any other in 2006/7 will give the headliners their day in the sun, with Victory related puns.

Enjoy the match!

An entertaining preliminary final ended in a penalty shootout, and Adelaide progressing to the grand final of the A-League to face Melbourne Victory. You can read a match report here.

With the game at 1-1 in the last 10 minutes Nick Carle had Newcastle's best chance to take the match, but Beltrame showed a sign of what was to come and tip over. Extra time flew by with few opportunities, and despite the cramps and trouble, Adelaide had the better of the half-chances. The penalty shootout wasn't a great standard, most of the shots hit at a saveable height, and ultimately it was Newcastle who blinked, with Coveny and Musialik both saved.

So it means Adelaide get a re-match against Melbourne in Sunday's grand final. Keep watch on OleOle for a full preview of the game when suspensions and injuries from today's match are confirmed.

Melbourne players celebrate after beating Adelaide in the major semi-final

A 92nd minute goal has given Melbourne a dramatic win, and advanced the side to the grand final of the A-League. After a 0-0 first leg in Adelaide, the 2-1 win put Melbourne through, despite being behind, either on aggregate or away goals, for 91 of the 98 minutes in the match. James Robinson’s looping header put the Victory in front, but even then the drama was not done. In the fifth minute of stoppage time Adelaide’s Travis Dodd ran through on goal, and a sliding block from Melbourne goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos was needed to protect the Victory’s lead. You can read a full match report here, and highlights should be up on Fox Sports video reasonably soon.

Melbourne did not play at their best, the chances created were ambitious most of the time, a result of a steadfast refusal to have an overlapping runner out wide. This lack of width often resulted in Thompson and Allsopp being doubled or triple teamed on the corner of penalty area and byline. But it’s difficult to criticise Ernie Merrick, as all three of his substitutes created the winning goal. Alessandro won the free kick, Sarkies sent in the cross, Robinson nodded the winner. The psychological advantage of winning in this manner overrides the tactical deficiencies, and the reality is there would have been goals and probably quite a few had Adelaide’s antithesis of likeability Angelo Costanzo had not played a blinder at the back. Ultimately it was John Kosmina and Adelaide who made the mistake of accepting one was enough. Dodd’s late chance aside, there was only one real chance for a second goal for the visitors to kill the tie. Had Bruce Djite shot first time in the 86th minute rather than stall and turn on the ball (giving Vargas time to backtrack and dispossess him) then maybe it would be Adelaide hosting the grand final. Still, no time for sympathy, after 47413 packed into the Dome it’s only appropriate Melbourne host the finale in two weeks time. Across town, the one day cricket international attracted just a thousand fans more, inside a ground with a capacity of 100,000 as opposed to Telstra Dome’s 53,000 minus restricted view seating.

The way they players celebrated with the fans after the win was special, there is no word to describe it better. If this is what happens when Melbourne make the grand final, one can only imagine the party that will break out if they can win the grand final...and then there is Asia to think about for the future. With a week off to await our opponent on the final weekend, the celebration didn't go too far - the man who matters, manager Ernie Merrick, once again stood stone faced after both goals, and was absent from the on field celebrations. How a man fails to even crack a smile while the rest of his bench leap and dance onto the field is a feat of discipline in itself. The players and fans will celebrate for a few days, then focus will turn to the grand final, and all of us can get Merrick-serious about winning the big one.

In the other result this weekend, Newcastle eliminated Sydney after their 2-0 win meant they progressed 3-2 on aggregate. Essentially it means the only way Sydney will play Asian Champions League in 2008 is if they win the 2007 competition. The Jets now meet Adelaide for the right to play off against Melbourne, but that almost seems secondary to the fact that the winner qualifies for Asia in 2008.

On a weekend where my time was occupied by a less than competitive Australian tennis open, the A-League provided the tension and tight results. Sydney beat Newcastle 2-1, Adelaide and Melbourne drew 0-0.

Let’s start with the Melbourne result. The side was under the pump for the entire match, and barely created a chance. Given our patchy form at home, coming back to Melbourne is no certainty, and a plucky Adelaide goal against the run of play at any stage will see the expected crowd of 45,000 plus turn from supporting to sharing the frustration. For all Adelaide’s endeavour, the quality was lacking, Fernando had arguably the best chance with a header that hit the bar, otherwise it was the desperate fare that gets elevated to the status of “chance” when a match finishes 0-0. The good news is that the defence held out. Vargas had a good game, Storey made himself useful, and they had to be after Kevin Muscat had one of his less effective days in midfield. A clean sheet in Melbourne should be enough to see the team through to host the grand final, 120 minutes in front of a packed house is going to will the ball over the line at some stage. In a penalty shootout, I fancy the Victory to hold their nerve, but I don’t think the fans deserve more than 200 minutes of goalless football. I’m not saying it’s impossible, if either side goes down to 10 men while the game is scoreless, then penalties becomes the hot favourite. The A-Leauge has shown itself to be a competition where a man advantage, or even two, doesn’t condemn the penalised team to defence and nothing else. And let’s be honest, everyone wants us to win. The A-League don’t want the grand final to be at that shitbox Hindmarsh when they know a stadium more than 3 times the capacity is waiting to be filled in Melbourne.

Speaking of pathetic crowds, Sydney were only able to get 21,000 and change to their first leg of the elimination final against Newcastle. And that includes travelling Newcastle fans. One has to wonder what on earth is going on in that city – in any Australian sport, a premiership generally increases the attendances of a side. One can only roll their eyes at the excuses provided by some Sydney fans, claiming people have “better things to do” such as go to the beach or enjoy the Sydney nightlife…it’s hard to argue with total morons so I emplore the Victory fans surfing our forum to worry about Adelaide for now! And as for the 2nd leg? Melbourne want Sydney to hold on and get through, Newcastle have form on the Victory home and away, while Sydney are the sort of negative team that would produce cards and hard tackles in a potential preliminary final against Adelaide.

Don’t forget you can hear live online commentary of the 2nd leg between Melbourne and Adelaide on SEN radio at 6pm Melbourne time, on Sudnay February 4th. And also read live text commentary, provided by yours truly, on the Victory website.

Until next week, enjoy your football.

So we got smashed, super smashed in fact. The Newcastle Jets made the Melbourne defence look like a slow pack of Bramble’s and Carragher’s falling over each other as four relatively easy goals were scored. The result very nearly sent Melbourne back to EnergyAustralia Stadium next weekend for the first final, but almost thankfully, Adelaide came through against Central Coast. Let’s put this final round of the regular season out of mind and focus on beating Adelaide at their home ground. At this stage a large contingent of Victory fans will be making the trip back in time to the sleep city, confident that Adelaide’s porous home record will deliver us plenty of away goals. Hindmarsh Stadium has seen more goals for both teams by a long way this season, more than 4 per game, quite an achievement given John Kosmina is actually still coaching the Reds. Adelaide’s reputation for choking in finals has extended to all sports, be it United last season (finished top and went out in straight sets), Port Adelaide in the AFL, or even Lleyton Hewitt at the Australian Open. This time the tables have turned, and its Melbourne who have to guard against what would be an embarrassing straight sets exit.

Newcastle’s win got them two legs against Sydney FC, with the victor facing the loser from the Melbourne and Adelaide clash. Despite being in sweet goal scoring form in the last two weeks (seven in two games), Sydney’s recent win away in Newcastle suggests that they have the defence to hold the Jets out.

Finally, a farewell to the four teams now eliminated from this A-League season. Queensland, who really don’t have the squad to challenge with a potluck manager like Farina at the helm. Central Coast, who need durable strikers that won’t succumb to injury if they want to make it back to the four next season. Perth, who are an out an out rabble, god knows what to do, and New Zealand Knights, who with the All Whites coach Ricki Herbert in control, and at last the backing of the national federation, could actually turn things around next year.

But for now, let’s focus on the real stuff, and bring on the weekend.

The question for Melbourne fans after Round 20 of the A-Leauge is…how do we feel? The Victory have sacrificed some form over the last two games, and Queensland’s late winner maintained the trend of late drama being the talking point in every game.
Melbourne now come up against Newcastle who are literally in a win-or-die situation, if it’s a final for them, it’s perfect finals practise for Melbourne. Yellow cards from the Newcastle game will be cleared for the week after, and Ernie Merrick has given no indication that rotations will continue. Leigh Broxham and Antun Kovacic have been drafted into the squad to replace the departed Claudinho and injured Daniel Piorkowski, but the time for experimentation appears to be over. The strongest combination is expected to be on the pitch for every minute from now on. Still, with Brebner turning 30 next season and Muscat always 1 major injury away from career over, Broxham’s aggressive and competitive approach has left fans convinced he should get a contract for next season. It’ll be a stronger and hungrier Melbourne looking to end the season of one of the teams that has beaten them at Telstra Dome.

The other three games of the round were all dramatic, as the finals race only got a little clearer. Fernando’s late goal put Adelaide into the four, and favouritism for 2nd place and first crack and Melbourne in the finals. Sydney were on the end of that result, and now face Queensland in what could prove an elimination final of its own. Newcastle looked like they were done at 3-1 down, but a stoppage time double from Joel Griffiths got the score back to 3-3 and kept the Jets alive for their match against Melbourne. Central Coast had a ball cleared off the very last painted blade of grass on the back of the line against New Zealand, the ball’s unwillingness to go over and a 0-0 draw means the Mariners' season is over. They still have a role in where Adelaide finish, and could open the door for Queensland or Sydney to take 2nd spot.

Check out the ladder here.

I’m off to enjoy some tennis. Hopefully the Australian Open can provide the thrills and spills the A-League’s final round is sure to do.

Melbourne finished off Round 19 of the A-League with a come-from-behind draw away at Perth Glory. Down 2-0 at half time, young midfielder Kristian Sarkies stepped up and claimed his first two goals for the club, including one from a free kick. It was a surprising fightback from a team that was for all intensive purposes, the reserves, in a dead rubber. It’s pleasing to know that the change in attitude towards working hard for the full 90 minutes has spread through every member of the squad, that’s what a winning culture does.

Despite drawing, Melbourne managed to increase their lead on top of the A-League yet again, this time to 17 points, after results in the other three matches conspired to make things even tighter in the chase for finals places. Now there are two weeks to go, and Adelaide getting rolled at home by Queensland, while Sydney suffered the ultimate humiliation going down at home to New Zealand, means spots 2-5 on the table are still interchangeable. Central Coast will be home to New Zealand, and the Mariners are one of the few sides who prior to the last month had difficulty against the Knights – but their finals chances are by no means over.

The table reads:
Melbourne 45, Sydney 28, Adelaide 27, Newcastle 26, Queensland 25, Central Coast 23, Perth 19, New Zealand 15.

During the week Sydney elected not to challenge the FFA’s penalty of a 3 point deduction (and fine) for mismanagement of the salary cap. However, today’s loss against New Zealand was a far more embarrassing denial of three points than any off-field penalty.

The story of Melbourne’s weekend was with its fans. Members of the Victory Supporters Forum coming together for a series of friendly matches. It was an interesting opportunity to put names to faces. You can hear my audio summary of the day by downloading this file.

Next week, Melbourne play their final home game of the regular season, against the Queensland Roar. At this early stage it’s hard to say exactly what approach Melbourne will take, Queensland’s desperation will be obvious.

Until next time, enjoy your football.