Malaysia will spend three weeks in Australia preparing for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
They are expected to play three friendlies against the Australian Olympic side, Sydney FC and Western Australia whle they are here.
Malaysia, one of the co-hosts, are grouped with Iran, China and Uzbekistan in Group C which will be held in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
The Olyroos have been defeated 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in Damman. Mark Bridge scored for the Olyroos but two second half goals sealed the game for the Saudis.
Australia has five points from four games, behind Saudi Arabia who have nine points.
Two teams go through. to the next stage of qualifiers. Australia have games against Jordan (away) and Iran (home) to come.
Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer will captain the Qantas Under 23s for the first time this morning(AEST time) as Australia meet Group D leaders Saudi Arabia in Dammam. With previous captain Mark Milligan injured Leijer will lead the Olyroos in this crucial Olympic qualifier.
Group D Gd Pts
Saudi Arabia 3 6
Australia 3 5
Jordan 3 2
IR Iran 3 2
Latest reports state Queensland Roar are talking to ex-England striker Andrew Cole. A former team-mate of Dwight Yorke at Manchester United Cole would be an excellent addition to the Roars strike force.
Stuart Petrie and Jamie McMaster have been released by the Central Coast Mariners due to Salary Cap constraints.
Its an election year in Australia and no stone will be left unturned as political parties and pressure groups aim to get their message across.
It seems nothing is safe from politics this year, not even kids sport.
Tuart Hill soccer club in Perth have arranged a sponsorship deal with Union WA.
The children aged between 6-15 will have the words "Your rights at work," on the front of their team shirts.
Unions WA secretary Dave Robinson says the deal is no different to a normal commercial sponsorship.
Federal Sports Minister George Brandis told ABC radio in Brisbane "It is sick to be requiring school kids as a condition of playing sport to be carrying political propaganda on their jerseys."
Tuart Hill SC president Sean Eldridge has told The West Australian newspaper several parents have told the newspaper they are not concerned by the sponsorship.
Should parents be concerned? What do you think?
Australian clubs should benefit if proposed changes to the AFC Champions League are introduced in 2009.
Currently 28 teams from 15 countries are divided into seven groups. Only the winners proceed to the next stage where they are joined by last years AFC Champions.
If recommendations are approved two teams will qualify from each group and an extra knockout round will be introduced.
This year the final will be played over two legs on a home and away basis. This would be changed to a one-off final at a neutral venue.
Australia's current entrants Sydney FC and Adelaide United would be sitting in a much healthier position if these rules had been in place for this season.
The new rules will ensure that the wealthier clubs can extend their ACL season, allowing increased revenues from sponsorship and television deals.
Playing in the 2010 World Cup for Australia is now the focus for all Australian footballers and Sydney FC’s Nikolai Topor-Stanley could be a man in the right place at the right time.
Topor-Stanley, 22, is a left-sided defender with the Olyroos and Sydney FC. He recently signed a two-year deal with Perth Glory for season three of the A-League.
“The deal with Perth Glory gives me a secure future and allows me to focus on developing my game. Things are really taking off in Perth,” said Topor-Stanley.
Perth Glory have new co-owners in Tony Sage, Brett McKeon and John Spence and the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in the A-League with Chinese company Delong Holdings pumping in $750,000 in a one-year deal.
FAST RISE
Topor-Stanley has risen quickly after a slow start. Like Socceroos Mark Viduka, Brett Emerton, and Vince Grella, Topor-Stanley had a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport.
“Once I went to the AIS I became immersed in football.” The 191cm, 85kg defender said.
“They teach you how to be a footballer. You live and breathe football. Coach Steve O’Connor was a great help.”
In 2004 he joined local Canberra club Canberra Deakin and helped them secure the National Youth League title.
Canberra Deakin secretary Matin Radic said, “Nikolai played for us in the National Youth League. He was strong, comfortable on the ball, a fantastic player. Without him we would not have won the league. He was easy going and a great guy.”
“We’ve seen Ned Zelic, Joe Simunic, and Carl Valeri go on to play international football from Canberra Deakin. I hope Nikolai does the same.”
However, when Topor-Stanley graduated from the AIS, the death of the National Soccer League in 2004 meant there was little professional football on offer in Australia.
Topor-Stanley waited for the A-League to start - only to find he wasn’t required. Having already tried out for German side Borussia Munchengladbach he could have gone overseas again, but he joined New South Wales Premier League club Manly United, and waited.
A-League season two saw a long-term injury to Sydney FC’s defender Jacob Timpano and Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher gave Topor-Stanley his chance.
Sydney fans loved his rugged energy.
In a pre-season game in Canberra the call Hyphen was heard from the Cove supporters group and the nickname has stuck.
HECTIC SCHEDULE
The A-League season may be over, but with the Olyroos currently involved in qualification games for the Beijing Olympics and Sydney FC disputing Group E of the Asian Champions League, Topor-Stanley’s schedule is hectic. He’s been to more countries since February than some of us get to in a lifetime.
Topor-Stanley has played in Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong with the Olyroos, and China and Indonesia with Sydney FC. By the end of May he will have played in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Japan. Not to mention the Olyroos home games in Adelaide and Sydney FC’s at Aussie Stadium. No surprise then that he’d like a few more days’ rest.
“I’m living the dream really and I love it, although I don’t get much time off,” Topor-Stanley said.
“So much flying, I recently had to fly back from Iran via three connecting flights, pick up a visa and go straight to China. I use my new play station a lot!
“I never take playing and the lifestyle for granted. The guys at Sydney FC all help each other. You learn so much from guys like Steve Corica. I love playing against guys desperate to succeed from all over Asia. I sometimes have to pinch myself.”
His goal is clear.
“Like all Australian footballers I want to make the Socceroos squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”
With the World Cup still three years away and a two-year contract with Perth Glory secured, Topor-Stanley could be a man in the right place at the right time. There is a dearth of left-sided defenders in Australia football. Scott Chipperfield is 31. Recent Socceroos debutant Shane Stefanutto is playing in the Norwegian League.
Topor-Stanley is aware of his opportunities. Softly spoken, his determination to succeed is high.
“If I can keep fit, learn from each game I have a chance.”
With Australia joining the Asia Football Confederation in 2006 a new path for Australian players has been created. A-League, Olyroos and Asian Champions League now provide a route to International football that few Aussie boys could have imagined just two years ago. For Nikolai Topor-Stanley playing his football in Australia may bring the highest reward.
This article was first published at www.netfa.com
Sydney chief executive George Perry last night confirmed Robbie Fowler,the 32-year-old striker, once simply known as "God" to Liverpool fans, is wanted by the club for Version Three of the A-League.
"He's been discussed at board room level and it shows just how determined we are to set the benchmarks in Australian football that we are serious about targeting a player of his calibre," said Perry.
"He's out of the top drawer and though an official approach has not yet been made, it goes without saying that if he did come to Australia it would be a huge signing for us."
Fowler is already making plans for life after Liverpool, the club he has scored 128 goals for in 262 games over two spells.
There is reported interest in Fowler from the United States. Following David Beckham's move to LA Galaxy a number of older English players are looking to head west.
"If he's looking for a new challenge and a new frontier then we can offer him that, plus a great lifestyle," added Perry.
"It's obvious we wouldn't be able to pay him the sort of money he's on at Liverpool."
One major stumbling could be money. It is thought Sydney could offer around $25,000 a week less than a third of his current earnings.
Robbie Fowler may be on his way to Sydney FC.
Sounds like paper talk to me.
He would be good for Sydney I reckon. Fans would surely come for a look. Better than Dwight Yorke?
Dwight had the skill to play all over the park. He still got criticised by many but some people don't know a good thing until its gone.
Should Sydney bring back Dwight?
What do you think? Robbie or Dwight?
Australian football has taken off. Since 16th November 2005 when Australia beat Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 World Cup life has been good. A-League, World Cup, Asian Champions League, 2007 Asia Cup, Olympic qualifiers men and women, Asian Futsal Championships, Futsal World Cup, and the Womens World Cup in China in September.
You get the picture.
I'll start with that match. No, not the Uruguay game, the Iran one in 1997. Sorry I had to. Its only since November 2005 that I can even discuss it.
Two nil up ,the Socceroos are cruising. We're off to the World Cup. Iran equalize and the night turned black.
Next morning I'm smacking some weeds down the garden. Depressed, angry and just plain teary if the truth be known. Four more years and only two significant games of football to be played in Australia. I heard a rustle from t'other side of hedge.
"G'day mate," thats what you say in Australia even if you're from somewhere else.
"G'day," he says.
"Where are you from," I ask recognising his foreign accent.
"Iran," he smiles
I never saw him again. The world can be a cruel place.
Got a game that still haunts you? Let me know
