Frank Farina: You owe me $25,000.

Queensland Roar keep losing at home. And Frank Farina can't solve the problem. Not last year, not this year.

A team that can cruise past league leaders Melbourne Victory 2-0 at the Dome a few weeks ago lost to Adelaide United 1-0 last night.....and what is Frankie ever going to do?

Time to tinker Frank....

You've got the tools Frank, you just need to use them....effectively.

My Invoice to Queensland Roar: $25,000

Increase gate revenue as a result of my changes: $1 million..read on.

You'd think by now Frank, remember he was a great player, and a former Socceroo Coach, would be able to come up with a win.

Never mind a formula to entertain the home crowd.

He has neither.

And it's criminal. Well in football terms.

The team is sent out every home game to huff and puff and score a goal or two. But how long do we have to suffer a Queensland side with a strong squad but no ability to entertain the home side never mind the TV lard arses like me self.

Michael Zullo, Reinaldo, Charlie Miller, Taj Minniecon, Robbie Kruse, and Sergio Van Djik provide enough variety.

But Farina can't seem to provide a style that works at home.

So Frankie how about a bit of radical therapy.

Matt MacKay and Massimo Murdocho the engine of the team so we hear, but can they score at home, MacKay occasionally, and can they create....I'd argue never.

And there in lies the problem.

You always play them Frank because they work so hard, but they both lack that little extra that your team needs. And at home that extra is a goal or five. There is only place for one of them in midfield...or dare I suggest it none of them!!

Huyk Sun Seo at right-back is 35. And it shows. He never attacks. And on the other side Andrew Packer is well Andrew Packer. You get little in an attacking sense from your full-backs.

Which makes it very very easy to defend against a team who rely on a midfield trio of Danny Tiatto never mind no goals, no shots, Mackay may as well be no goals and Murdocha, well he should sold to the Miron Bleiberg at the Gold Coast.

He played the M and M's in midfield a lot as well.

Get Murdocha into right back and watch the attacking energy of the team change overnight particularly at home where teams come and defend. Think Brett Emerton Socceroos.

How much more would Murdocha give to the team in attack. An extra man, coming from deeper with pace would cause havoc and assist the attacking movement of the team.

And from full-back he doesn't need to score does he?

Play Miller in a Dwight Yorke role. Much deeper. His football quality could provide Mackay, or even the pacy Michael Zullo or Taj Minniecon to benefit particularly if they start from deeper a little bit tucked in. So they get the chance to use their pace with maximum effect for the team, more often.

Reinaldo, Sergio Van Djik and Robbie Kruse are more than good enough when on form to create and score in the A-League.

And Zullo and Minniecon will get more goals than the M and M show. I guarantee it or you cna have your money back.

So you want to be really radical.

Chuck Mackay to the other full-back then you'd have some attacking verve like few sides and energy to recover.

Then you really would be using your assets to hurt other teams.

Zullo/Kruse, Tiatto, Miller and Minniecon across the park.

You've got the tools Frank, you just need to use them....effectively.

Bill to Queensland Roar: $25,000

Increase gate revenue as a result of my changes: $1 million

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Aloisi the new Zdrillic?

Sydney drew with Queensland Roar last night 1-1. A good game and with the Roar leading 1-0, Australia's fattest import Charlie Miller heading towards goal with a minute to play....there could be only one winner.

Charlie, okay I'm a Celtic fan, and the wee Ger is scoring goals galore despite his girth, was sure to score to make it 2-0 at the death.

Much like Michael Zullo did last week in Melbourne. But he struggled to get to the ball and blasted into the small group of Roar fans behind the goals.

Nay bother, game over.

But as often happens in the A-League this season a goal comes in the last ten seconds.

Sydney had played "Fosteresque" nice passing football all night particularly once they'd gone behind early in the second half. But in truth their forward play where it counts was woeful.

Hardly a shot all night nor an attacking ball of note.

In fact not since John Aloisi's played, who had his best game last night, has Sydney mark 4 looked potent.

This was a team that put three past the Central Coast early on. Without Aloisi!

Anyway the ball was slung in and fell to Musialik who placed it home. 1-1 Cue delirium in the stands, but really Sydney offered little.

Just after half-time Charlie Miller, the slowest man on the field, had found space behind Stuey Musialik and touched the ball about ten times before the Sydney defence thought "hey up, this guy can score from here," but it was too late as Charlie wellied it past Clint Bolton 1-0.

What an import the Roar have in Miller, not to mention his five goals. Good work Charlie, I'm loving it.

And Aloisi, cut his hair to be like Zdrillic and now looks like him and is starting to play like him.

Tries hard, runs a lot just not very fast, is strong but just can't score.

And when you see Charlie Miller scoring, Reinaldo creating havoc with his mobility, Bruce Djite last season, Cristiano for Adelaide it seems the older reputable Aussie striker can't make it in the young mans A-League.

David Zdrillic, Ante Milicic, Paul Agostino, and now John Aloisi.

Aloisi is not a lone striker, never has been in my view....or Gus Hiddinks.

And his lack of pace is playing right into defenders hands.

Gary Van Egmond recognised this in last years Grand Final, every club must be delighted to see Aloisi setting up for an afternoons stroll around the box.

Sure if he gets a chance he may well score, but he hasn't yet.

And Sydney are now dropping points, or maybe still saving them.

Alex Brosque is restricted now by Aloisi's central position. Mark Bridge slung wide as well.

Against the Mariners it was the creativity of Brosque, Bridge and Corica than appealed. Movement across positions. Hard to track and players appear faster when moving with some freedom.

When Aloisi is in pole position Sydney's assets appear stunted. Bridge and Brosque told to toe the line. Stevie Corica and John Aloisi lacking pace to hurt any team.

Shannon Cole has been moved from an attacking position to full-back although he still got more balls into the box then any other player.

Adam Casey has wicked pace, Adam Biddle is strong and quick, Brendan Santalab too. As the game went on Kossie needs to play his bench. At least two of the pacey young players could be called on. It wouldn't hurt the impact surely. Ask Frank Farina.

So what will Kossie do?

Persevere and hope Aloisi scores? He will score eventually. But enough?

And more importantly will Sydney score enough with Aloisi the so-called main strike weapon.

Seven games gone and Aloisi has shown little for anyone to fear.

More significantly he is restricting the Sydney style of play and potential creativity and excitement this Sydney side could produce.

Don't believe me?

Look at what Archie Thompson is doing for Melbourne this year. For that matter Danny Allsopp.

Two strikers. Mobile.

If Aloisi is to succeed the formation needs to change. Two strikers. But in the pacy modern game who can risk that when the slowing Steve Corica is just behind.

Not to mention Stuey Musialik still some way off the pace of the games and Terry McFlynn a player of some note, but still limited in forward play.

Queensland the ever-ready men didn't look so ever-ready last night. In the last 15 they couldn't get forward. Not so energetic after all.

But a great game of cat and mouse but Sydney need to revisit the attacking plan and dare I say it, leave Aloisi on the bench.

Or are we about to see another Zdrillic unfold.

And remember Aloisi is three times the cost and is signed up for next year.

And he won't be any quicker then will he?

Maybe the Gold Coast should buy him!

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Jets Kruse past Farina's men

Joel Griffiths who else, tucked a scrappy goal away to earn the Newcastle Jets their first win of the season, and an away win in Fortress Suncorp:)

Uber Coach Gary Van Egmond is making the best of a bad bunch and quickly.

A side looking a shadow of their former Champion selves stuttered early in the season and got flogged 5-0 in Melbourne.

Two weeks later against a team fresh from a 3-0 away win in Perth, the Jets kept a second top team scoreless and pinched one at the end.

Not pretty, but Frank Farina's tactics play into everyone's plans when they play at home.

How many goals do Matt Mackay and Massimo Murdocha ever score or perhaps more importantly create. Nil, certainly not at home.

Everyone talks about the pace of these guys, but you need more than pace.

And you need Robbie Kruse. Last year he was the star for the Roar. Not Michael Zullo.

It was Kruse who can play that special ball, score a goal and create something every game.

Time to play him, and often.

Kruse could change this Roar side. A side with too much experience and not enough guile.

But Farina sends the same pattern out week after week at home, and it doesn't work.

And if it does it's more by luck than a plan. And it's pretty easy to overcome for the following weeks coach.

Defend, let the Roar huff and puff which they do so well but rarely create real chances, or not many of them, and then when the Roar goes out of them you start to attack.

And even if like Newcastle you have few forwards, one is all you need to come alive around the 80th minute.

This defeat is blamed fairly and squarely on Frank Farina. He has the squad.

A squad that can hit teams away from home but our former National Coach has done little or nothing to improve on all-attack home style of former Coach Miron Bleiberg.

Time for a rethink Queensland.

Bring in Robbie Kruse get rid of Massimo Murdocha, or move him into full-back to replace Seo and give the ageing team more pace out wide, and see what difference that makes.

As for the Jets they have sorted their defence but will they ever score more than one?

Unlikely, but Gary Van Egmond will be sorting something, don't worry about that.

At this stage expect the Jets to soar above the Roar in the League table and stay there.

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Magnificent Mariners...Mile and McAllister

Central Coast Mariners smashed Queensland 4-2 and Sydney FC put five (5-2) past Perth.

The Mariners lost Ahmed Elrich for the season due to injury and Adrian Caceres before the match.

But they needn't have worried.

Mile Jedinak was back and wiped out any threat from Charlie Miller or indeed any Roar player. How the Mariners had missed him.

Keeper Mark Bosnich returned significantly overweight but it was Liam Reddy who stole the show...with a number of embarassing errors giving Matt Simon and Dylan MacAllister easy opportunities. They both scored.

The Mariners looked well-organised this week. Jedinak ran the show and scored a wonderful free-kick. Their confidence grew throughout.

They may have lost their wingers but with Dylan MacAllister adding a serious goal threat, two on debut he should have had three, the Mariners will take some stopping.

Even if they have no width.

The Roar have a lot of work to do. Matt MacKay and Massimo Murdocho huff and puff but they'll rarely blow much down, not regularly anyway. One has to go and Frank Farina needs to reshape his team.

Danny Tiatto is way too slow at full-back these days and Robbie Kruse needs to start.

He, not Michael Zullo, was dynamic last season and it's time to give him an extended run.

Farina has plenty of talent but the team is lacking variety and invention. They may do better away from home. With Reddy gifting goals a poor performance tonight was punished further.

In Sydney Perth somehow contrived to give away a shocking first goal to Alex Brosque. Eugene Dadi showed they are a team to reckon with, if they get their collective minds on the job.

Dino Djubic was sent-off for abusing or maybe even spitting at the ref and Sydney converted the penalty and scored at will for a 4-1 half-time score.

Were Sydney any good? Hard to tell. But their fourth goal showed three Sydney players in the box waiting for a cross. Shannon Cole scored and that might be the difference.

Players actually getting into the box. Sydney missed that last year. Corica, Cole Bridge, Brosque all scored and John Aloisi came on to look for more goals. Sydney were shocking in the second half against ten men. Perth were poor throughout. But it's Sydney's goal threat that will give them hope this season.

They are already top...with Melbourne.

Interestingly Canberra's Nikola Topor-Stanley looks jaded, like his mind or body hasn't quite returned from Beijing. Seems like he needs a break after three months training leading into the Olympics. But there's no time for that is there?

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Mario Jardel is back

but this time he's Scottish and he's playing for Queensland Roar.

Charlie Miller is doing his best to impersonate Mario Jardel. He's got the whole belly thing off pat.

Even wears the shirt the same.

He looks like he's come from a Scottish pub just before the game, but he did play in the 3 degree Summer A-League kick-off game for the Roar in Wellington.

At one point he motioned to the bench about being too cold, or maybe thirsty or maybe too hot. After all he'd done 30 minutes or so by then.

He strolled nicely into forward areas, but unlike Jardel he scored. Admittedly it was just after half time when he'd had a long long rest.

Nice touches undoubtedly but will he last the distance. 30 degrees in Brisbane, I'm not sure he liked 3 degrees in Wellington.

He's got M and M's for pitch comfort. Massimo Murdocha and Matty McKay are going to just love running all day for Charlie.

Dwight Yorke never played a pre-season game, Juninho took ages to get fit, Jardel remained fat, Romario never moved, even Stan Lazaridis, Ljubo Milicevic, Carlos Hernandez all took a while to get going. John Aloisi injured, Paul Agostino has hardly played.

Anyone ever get the impression we're been taking for a ride.

Charlie Miller? He's got to be a huge gamble at best. And of course he's a mate of Craig Moore's. Good luck Charlie you've proved me wrong so far but if you wobble off injured, can't sustain the pace, or just fall in a heap expect no sympathy from me.

It's a professional game and it's about time players coming here arrived in shape.

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Jets fly to Asia and the Grand Final

Newcastle 3 Queensland Roar 2 (AET)

"Hello to everyone in Queensland," says Newcastle Jets winning striker Joel Griffith on Fox Sports after the game.

Quote of the year? Or has he family up there, but seemed a great wind-up at the time.


Bruise Brothers Sach Ognenovski and Craig Moore, so the banner said, and weren't they. Clearly out to intimidate. Joel Griffith got it, Adam Griffith got it, Moore gave it brutally to Song Jin Hyung and Mark Bridge was one too many. Crude and rude stuff. Moore sent-of in extra-time.

PenaltiesThe game had three with the Jets to make it 2-1 a real dodgy call. No penalty when the Korean Song went to ground.

Crowd 17,000 pre-sold tickets, major semi and only 16,000 turned up. They sang and went wild...but maybe football has a way to go just yet, either that or a late kick-off on a Sunday is a bad time, or there was cloud in the distance, or Novacastrians aren't quite so mad on football. We'll see next week.

Coach Celebration Frank Farina really gave it some hand shaking arm extension tension after Reinaldo equalised from the spot in the LAST minute of normal time.

Best Brazilian Miss Denni tried hard late on, but no-one and I mean no-one can beat Marcinho, the man with the most shots and least goals in the league. He missed from two yards. Terrific Brazilian touch.

Commentator Classics Mike and Andy niggle away at each other, contradicting each other as they go. Seems tense, seems like there is an edge, a couple of big ego's in the very small commentary box?

Players The big duffers up the back for the Roar, Michael Zullo, James Holland Mark Bridge all played important parts. Tarik Elrich was better tonight and scored a cracker to win the game. Ante Covic, Socceroo keeper give me a break.

Substitution Troy Hearfield on and then off. On entering the field big Ogmonster gave him a Brisbane hello with his elbow....I kid you not!

Best Ref on the nightPeter Green, the only one we've got, but some strange calls and can we just book the guy that kicks from behind, tackles from behind and thumps in the face, and do it early.

Thoughts Not much between these two sides, the Roar started well, very well but missed a number of chances and it came home to hurt them.

The Jets worked hard played some great passing at times and deserved to win...who knows but with a dubious, very dubious second penalty in their favour in extra-time that really was the difference.

Diasppointing that this passionate affair was ruined by the Ref and the Big two at the back for the Roar. Craig Moore let himself and his reputation down again tonight, as he did in his first game for the Roar.

For the neutral it leaves a taste.

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Why I want Newcastle Jets to win..

bandwagon

Because I have a ticket for the Grand Final. Can't wait..even before the Semi.
And I reckon the atmosphere will be that bit more special for a Jets/Mariners final.

It will be close but my head says the Roar by one but my heart wants the Jets!

Don't miss it today, this will be the most passionate emotional semi-final we've had.

Adelaide/Mariners didn't fill the stadium on Season 1, last year Kossie set the place alive after penalties Adelaide/Newcastle, but again there were big gaps on the terraces.

Novacastrians are a passionate lot, and they love their football, their town. Either way it will be an emotional roller coaster.

Full house, Asia and a Grand Final on the line. Joel Griffiths, Mark Bridge and James Holland, Robbie Kruse, Reinaldo and Craig Moore. And don't forget Danny Tiatto:)

SBS can whinge about the quality, me I'm in football heaven.

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Roar Shielded through to Semi.

Queensland Roar defeated Sydney FC 2-0 in front of a record A-League crowd of 36,000 at Suncorp.

This game had everything. Goals, tension, dodgy decisions, delayed kick-off and a win for a home crowd, a huge home crowd.

Most influential on the pitch. Mark Shields. Missed a probable Sydney penalty, missed a clear push on Steve Corica and seconds later Robbie Middleby was sent-off for a last-man tackle, gave Taj Minniecon the easiest penalty of the season, and generally Shields left a feeling that he got the big decisions wrong.

The moment Reinaldo, skipped away from Ufuk Talay, roared towards the Sydney goal, walked past the former Socceroo Mark Milligan who gets worse every week, and tucked in a beauty from an acute angle. Cue Orange fever in the stands.


Big question. What is wrong with Mark Milligan? Since Billy Celeski waltzed past him in Sydney a few weeks ago Milligan has become an ordinary, very ordinary defender. Let's hope his loss of form is temporary.

The crowd 50,000 on Wednesday in Melbourne to watch the Socceroos and then over 36,000 at Suncorp for a domestic game. Goose pimples for football in Australia. Something really strange is happening, continuing to happen here. The young faces in the crowd encourages me, and the number of Orange shirts show, no matter how fickle, a core of support, even bandwagon support is building in Queensland, and it's big and growing. Great stuff.

Sydney FC Paid the price for signing David Zdrillic on a three year contract. One of their major signings hasn't been seen for weeks and has meant Alex Brosque has to pretend to be a forward, a leader. He's not. Steve Corica was outstanding but with ten men it was always going to be tough.

Ruben Zadkovich, so much energy, and didn't Sydney need that, but time and time again he wasted his opportunities, carrying the ball too far, failing to find a team-mate, still at least he stayed on the pitch. But Ruben hasn't really improved this season, more's the pity.

John Kosmina had limited resources and Sydney played well with the ten. A spat between Kossie and Mark Milligan, Clint Bolton and Adam Biddle showed the tension.

Tony Popovic. Guess who let Sydney down. As he has done so many times this season, particularly early on. Was Mark Rudan worse than an ageing Poppa? Loyalty in football is long gone, and so is Sydney FC's big blue man. Poppa gave a penalty away last night, harsh maybe, but what has Poppa given to this team that Rudan didn't?

Sydney are off to Hawaii on Wednesday, but have a serious rebuilding programme. Get a forward line for starters.

The Roar They won in front of 36,000. And they were good value for the win. Reinaldo's goal was a match winner. No Sydney player could do that..ever.

Robbie Kruse Played well enough, but for me lacked energy late on. A young driving winger failed to run at Sydney in the biggest game of the season with a huge crowd and space galore in front of him. Not happy Robbie.

The Roar got lucky, the rain eventually drained off the pitch, Mark Shield gave them more than they deserved, but they chased all over the park and once again their mobility caused Sydney massive problems.

Taj Minniecon Came on. The most influential substitute. Made his penalty with skill and aggressive running.

Free-kicks Marcinho, give them up mate. Never hits the target in any game I watch. Ufuk Talay much the same. Give em up lads.

Great game overall.

Final Point. The send-off of Robbie Middleby was fair enough. But I couldn't help feeling that once again my football match, my big match and anticipation was ruined. Sure I'm all for booking and even sending off any player who blocks and holds back skilful play, but disappointing unless you're from Queenland.

I wanted to see these two go head for head for the ninety with the full quota, and see how the tactical geniuses on the bench handled it.

Still a great night for football.

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Roar and Newcastle to win?

Can the Roar win a big game at home. Apart from the opening day of Season 1, I can't think of a game when the Roar have won in front of a big expectant crowd.

And the Jets, surely they are home, surely. But if the Mariners score first, won't it be fun for the neutrals?

Previews

Queensland Roar v Sydney FC

The Roar need to score, probably twice with away goals counting double. Expect Sydney to defend, and suck the Roar in.

Sydney will miss Juninho and so will Alex Brosque. And the tie now is a tacticians dream. Balanced.

Ruben Zadkovich will come in, and his mobility will help negate the Roar's main weapon. Pace and youth in the front six.

How will Craig Moore back up from Socceroos duty? Brosque should test him often. Can Sydney FC hold out? Will the ref give early cards to anyone? Any Sydney player chopping the like of Robbie Kruse and Michael Zullo early, This should be crucial.

An early card could assist the Roar in their quest to go forward. Watch out Iain Fyfe, Brendan Renaud and Ruben Zadkovich, not to mention Steve Corica and Alex Brosque. Remember Brosques in last years Semi-Final. Sent-off!

I bet Terry Butcher remembers it.

The big crowd will expect the Roar to attack and Sydney's experienced players will use this to their advantage.

Last year Sydney held on in similar circumstances. If the Roar can break through early I expect the Roar to win. But the longer the game goes without the Roar scoring the more likely Sydney will march on to next week.

Prediction: Sydney to go through....but expect fireworks, the team that loses is gone and neither side, or Coach, will take this very well. Can't wait.

Key players:
Reinaldo and Alex Brosque

But for me the key to a Roar win in Robbie Kruse. He's been quiet over the last seven weeks or so, if he can find his form then the Roar will win.

Mariners v The Newcastle United Jets.

Did you know the Jets snuck the United name onto their badge? Rebels!

Anyway the first goal is crucial. Of course with Joel Griffiths playing the Jets would surely one at some point, meaning the Mariners would have to score four.

That can't happen.

But Griffiths is expected to be out. Injured from his Socceroos experience.

So it's nicely poised.

Mariners will attack, they have to.

But can they score. What a time for Matt Simon to get his first goal?

So this will be tense, exciting with only an early Jets goal destroying the occasion.

Key Players

For the Mariners. John Aloisi needs to score, he's sure to get the chance(s)

John Hutchison and Tom Pondlejak need to perform to their best to create opportunities for the Mariners.

The Jets need to remain tight, keep the ball, survive the first twenty minutes and they should be okay.

Can they score without Joel Griffiths, possibly not. But they may not need to if their defence holds firm.

Very nicely poised. Enjoy the drama

Predictions: Jets to got through

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All behind the Roar for the Semi's

Juninho's out, a huge crowd expected at Suncorp stadium for the Roar v Sydney FC in the first semi.

Everyone is supporting The Roar, the Swimmers, the Rugby League, The Union boys, the whole community, just as it should be.

I look forward to the day when the Canberra community are united behind a Canberra finals appearance. See more photo's below.

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Finals start with a tactical draw

Sydney blew a chance to take a lead to Brisbane next week. 0-0. No surprises there.

But Juninho created some wonderful wonderful chances for Alex Brosque and he missed the lot.

He was subbed!


The game was fast and furious.

The Roar flew around the park, and Sydney were cautious playing very deep with only half a forward line.

For a team playing at home it was disappointing but given the teams ageing legs, and away record, a 0-0 draw is not bad for Sydney.

And of course Queensland Roar rarely win a pressure filled game at home do they.

Funny moment

The Cove went ballistic for Patrick to come on. He got a standing ovation before he came on. He was crap. Often has been. Why he got a massive cheer I'll never know.

What has he shown for Sydney FC. Not much.

Best on park

Roar keeper Griffin McMaster had some scary moments but he saved the Roar defence time and time again. He's a keeper and he's crazy.

Juninho: Gave us all some real moments of class even when playing like everyone else at headless chuck speed.

Coaches award

Think Frank Farina edged it in the beginning but in fairness Kossie did a good job with limited resources. He has so little forward firepower.

Farina had his troops well marshaled, they are super fit and chased the old men of Sydney all over the park.

Kossie made more changes, tried to tweak things here and there, and probably saw his team improve, as a result, as the game went on.

Kossie will hope to win 1-0 away. Can Farina bring a Roar side home with all the pressure of the home crowd on them?

Well it will be a cracker. Don't be surprised to see one or even two sent from the field.

The Young Roar

Well Robbie Kruse has looked tired for weeks and as a result the Roar lack a spark. One point from nine, no wins in four, despite what the commentators say, this Roar team is no sure thing.

Did they create a real chance? Marcinho's shot's into the crowd are not chances. Has any professional footballer ever produced such poor shots.

Oh I forgot Rainaldo.

So next week, Sydney will attempt to hold the Roar out and hit them on the break. An early Sydney goal could kill the game.

But this time, I think with a huge home crowd, and youthful legs the Roar may just do it.

I'm sure they will....but you never know do you.

They'll have to lift to a higher level than tonight and surely Alex Brosque won't miss so many Juninho fed passes again.

Should give us another night of exciting, if mistake ridden football like tonight's game.

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Roar silenced...at home.

Another big game in the A-League, a big home crowd 21,475 and the home team lose.

That's the story of the A-League this year. And that's the story of Queensland Roar v Melbourne Victory.


The Roar were missing key personnel in Craig Moore, Danny Tiatto and Liam Reddy and were not tight enough to keep out an increasingly confident Victory.

No surprise that Victory are looking more mobile more effective without the ageing Kevin Muscat and Grant Brebner in the midfield.

Everyone knew that bar yer man Ernie Merrick, but he does now. But it's too late for them you would think, but with Central Coast playing Newcastle next week and the Victory at home to Wellington it could yet go to the last day of the season.

The Roar blew it, although Frank Farina must have known what was coming with three key men out.

Carlos Hernandex created two wonderful goals for Archie Thompson and Danny Allsop. Marcinho scored a cracker for the Roar but the result was never really in doubt once the Victory scored.

Hernandez, the worst free-kick taker in the league, bar Cassio, blasted three wild and high, then lower, then almost. But his free-kicks are marginally better than his shooting. And he came with a reputation for free-kicks and shooting. He's crap at shooting. You know it, we all know it.

Spare a thought for Griffin McMaster the Roar keeper. He was composed, eloquent and used words not often heard from many footballers. All that in the interview after the game.

During it he looked nervous, conceded two good goals, ran into a post, but then made two absolutely sensational saves. Great to see another young Aussie making an impression in the A-League.

The Roar take on Sydney next week in a fight for a top two spot. Should be a cracker with another bumper crowd expected.

Away team to win? Maybe not. Maybe, just maybe Sydney's luck has run out! Although you wouldn't put it past the lads Tiatto and Moore to get sent-off on that night would you:)

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Robbie Kruse works his magic again.

Queensland Roar 2. Central Coast Mariners 1



The Roar are coming, in fact so are everyone else!

The Mariners were desperate for a win against their nearest challengers and took the lead through a John Aloisi tap in.

The Fox Sports commentators claimed Matt Simon passed it across goal, but we all knew it was a dreadful dreadful shot which Aloisi tucked home.

1-0 to the Mariners and one foot in Asia.

But then it all went wrong.




Robbie Kruse attacked Dean Heffernan who is being caught out defensively time and time again this season. Kruse fired the ball in and ageing Tony Vidmar lifted a tired leg and steered it home for an own goal.

Then Kruse played the ball of the match to set Matt McKay free he and Danny Tiatto exchanged passes and Mackay scored with a deflected shot off Tony Vidmar.

Craig Moore and John Aloisi had a great battle, and great games. Matt Simon worked his socks off and caused the Roar's defence a host of problems.

Greg Owens hit the post, and had chance to level it at the death, but the Roar should have been out of sight.

Massimo Murdocha and Matt Mackay are small in height but motor all over the park and set the Roar's tempo. Even on this humid night they never stopped.

The Mariners couldn't match them and were lucky to take the lead and luckier still to remain within a goal of the Roar all night.

Thanks to Danny Vukovic. He was outstanding saving time and time again from anyone who tried to hit the ball as hard and as straight as possible for the Roar.

Robbie Kruse, for me, was the man of the match. A sheer joy to watch. Danny Tiatto played his role well.

The Mariners missed the creativity of John Hutchison or Tom Pondeljak but tried hard to earn a point.

Justice prevailed. The better team won.

A fiercely competitive game, a great crowd of 16,442, and the league minor premiership and that guaranteed place in Asia is wide open.

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A-League: All eyes on Melbourne Victory?

The Victory desperately need a win and a lift, The Phoenix to face the latest Aussie upstart, Sydney without Juninho but Joel's in town so the entertainment factor is guaranteed, and can the Roar sink the Mariners?

See the predictions below.

Tonight the games start with The Phoenix at home to a renewed Perth Glory.

Nikita Rukavtsya. All eyes will be on him. He is starting to set the league on fire.

Australian Institute of Sport Coach Steve O'Connor told me this week, "it will be interesting to see how he goes when he fills out, he has a big frame."

And goals, four now, a more central role under Dave Mitchell be afraid Wellington very afraid.

Phoenix at home are always entertaining. Perth are missing key influence Simon Colisimo.

1-1 this one.

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets

1-1.

Sydney still don't score. Steve Corica is older and hasn't produced much this year, and Juninho is injured. So where will the goals come from, the creativity for Alex Brosque?

It's all on the ageing Corica, so one maybe all Sydney can produce. The Jets are no MLS team. Cheaper no doubt but better.

Hope Steve Bigbutt is playing, and how come Super Mario gets criticised for his weight but no-one dares mention Mr Laybutt? How does a player who is playing football get so overweight?

You tell me?

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United.

Oh my god!Bruce Djite is back, just what Ernie Merrick didn't need. And Victory saviour Nicky Ward isn't available.

The guy can motor and this may be just what Victory need. But tonight it may all end in tears.

Adelaide have sneaky Nathan Burns coming back into form. An away win with ten.

Victory 0-2 Adelaide.

Queensland Roar v The Central Coast Mariners

Mariners don't play well away from home. Have you noticed that?

The Roar are getting harder to beat at home, although the Jets sorted that last week. The Roar have lost Michael Zullo, Robbie Kruse looks tired and the busy busy Roar could be in trouble again tonight.

Who will convert for the Roar?

We know who will for the Mariners. And that could be the difference.

Roar 1 Mariners 2.

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The Roar win again!

Central Coast Mariners 0 Queensland Roar 1

Young guns combine again, Referee O'Leary has a shocker, and the Roar win again.


Queensland Roar Coach Frank Farina is getting a bit of luck. He kept his young guns upfront and after a few minutes a deft back heel from Reinaldo set Robbie Kruse free, he played in Michael Zullo who danced in front of a Mariners defender to produce a great save from Mariners Reserve keeper Matthew Trott.

The corner produced the goal. Trott made a hash and the ball bounced to Josh McCloughan. 1-0 The Roar.

And that was the end of the goals.

The Mariners are a physical side and have risen quickly to the top of the league.

Coach Lawrie McKinna has recruited cleverly from within Australia and added to his goalscoring ranks.

The Mariners saw new signings Sasho Petrovski and Nik Mrdja push them to the top of the league, but things are getting tough now.

Two losses and a draw. Mrdja out for the season, possibly. Damien Mori on holiday in America! Replacement Damien Brown pulled a hamstring after six minutes and Adam Kwasnik also off injured after 20.

A physical team, suddenly reorganised.

And then Bradley Porter slides in gently on Matt Mackay and he's off as well. Sent off by an angry looking Peter O'Leary. A Kiwi perhaps upset about his country's Rugby loss. What else could explain his decision?

Unlike Sydney with ten men against Melbourne last week, the Mariners had the energy, and tactical nous to make a game of this. They drove forward, particularly in the second half, and if it wasn't for the Roar's keeper Liam Reddy, Matt Simon would have scored in the last few minutes.

But the Roar didn't concede nor did they go forward. And when they did players were on their own.

Farina must have planned this. It wasn't pretty but they gained a vital win. Another one!

Confidence is on the rise up North and with Simon Lynch coming on this is a team that could cause a few problems as the season goes on.

It may even be the first Roar side to make the four. Well why not. Craig Moore and Danny Tiatio are impressing. Matt Mackay is himself, and if Robbie Kruse and Michael Zullo can keep performing, Reinaldo is strong enough, even without goals, to assist the whole side. Simon Lynch adds depth from the bench. The Roar are on the up.

The Mariners may struggle. Particularly away from home.

Dean Heffernan isn't really threatening yet, unless he's playing a NZ team on the travel.

Sasho Petrovski can't really threaten on his own up front. He doesn't have the pace, and struggles in the midfield.

The Mariners need some goals, but where will they come from?

Not Damien Brown(hamstring) not Mori (USA beach) not Mrdja (Out for the season?) nor Adam Kwasnik (injured) Matt Simon (yet to score consistently).

They have goals from midfield in Tom Pondlejak, Greg Owens and John Hutchison, but not enough.

McKinna is looking abroad. But who?

Only non-playing Aussie John Aloisi would do, but he will take weeks to get fit. And his price?

Maybe a loan deal from the highlands of Scotland.

With McKinna's canny bench do not be surprised.

McKinna's men need to dig deep over the next few weeks. At least they have room to breathe after a flying start.

For the Roar. A team from Queensland that can win at home and away.

Now there's a thought!

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The Roar 0 Sydney FC 1

Sydney FC win!

Another pulsating game. The physical approach of the Roar was matched by Sydney FC.

The Roar despite playing some good football struggled, I'll know you'll find this hard to believe, to score.

They had chances and keeper Clint Bolton made some superb saves, it must be said, but once again Simon Lynch, Reinaldo and the non-scoring Ante Milicic failed to do what needs to be done. Score.

Milicic has looked well past his best in all three seasons of the A-League. It is sad to see. The pace has gone. His goal threat is now timid.

Can he reinvent himself for the good of the team, or will he play out the season as a shadow of the dynamic player he once was. It's not pretty, and not pretty for the fans.

Maybe he just needs a goal, but I think it is more than that. I think it's age.

Branko Culina got lucky. Bolton and others saved him and his goal threat continues to be his biggest problem.

Last weeks scorer Adam Casey became this weeks full back. I suppose anyone but Ruben Zadkovich at full back after he continues to give away crucial goals from that spot. But your goalscorer. Interesting.

Brosque, pretty but light. Patrick scored. Maybe he can and maybe he will. But the rest of his play leaves a lot to be desired. He can only get better surely.

And Adam Biddle into the centre of midfield. Strange decision but it paid off in terms of results, but surely it is asking a lot of a young man in his second game to come into such a vital position and control Danny Tiatto in fact the whole game.

And of course Culina got lucky because Tony Popovic was injured. Mark Milligan and Mark Rudan have proved to be a strong defensive pairing.

Why change them? In fact why buy Popovic but that's another story.

Didn't Sydney look better defensively without Popovic or was it just because the Roar don't score. A bit of both maybe.

The Roar change the manager but it doesn't change the home performance. Farina is stuck with the Miron Bleiberg's forwards and the best coach in the world can't do much if your forwards can't put the ball in the net occasionally.

Michael Zullo excites everytime he's on the pitch. Sasho Ogenovski on upfront. Says a lot of about the Roar, the League's strikers and has shades of the Jamies Harnwell's.

And the sad thing for me was it nearly worked, so expect more of the same from Farina.

Craig Moore and Danny Tiatto are settled in, but the Roar's defending for the Sydney goal was inexplicable. Not one but two Sydney players unmarked close to goal.

And credit to Zadkovich for his pass to Stevie Corica, and Corica for making the run. No Roar player went with him. Well I was amazed.

Phycial, full of the Matt Mackay's and Danny Tiatto's. A liitle bit of the Terry McFlynns.

Plenty to keep you involved and a win for Sydney. Who would have thought?

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Preview Number Six: The Queensland Roar

Can The Roar make the four? I say yes!

Three more previews to go. One each day this week. Let us know you're predictions for the season, final four and grand final winners.

Today it's I'm looking at The Roar....and they just might for the first time if former Socceroos Coach Frank Farina gets his forwards scoring goals.

Queensland Roar Preview:

Well this season is going to be the best yet for Roar fans

A side and club with such potential have added Danny Tiatto and Craig Moore into the mix.

Experience is no longer a problem. And maybe it could fire the likes of Simon Lynch and Reinaldo.

The Roar lacked confidence across the park in their first two years, but the older guys should now give them that.

If they can last the pace!

The new A-League is fast. And Moore, Tiatto, and Milicivic are not.

How long will Tiatto last when the going gets tough, as it will? His temperament has always been suspect. Has he matured with age? We're about to find out.

Goals may still be a problem, unless John Aloisi makes a late late arrival. Preferring The Roar to playing in Scandinavia or where ever.

They've lost a bit of youth and pace in Spase Dilevski and Dario Vidosic. And while they have replaced them with the returning Robbie Kruse and other local players, I'm not sure they've improved that much.

But they only missed out by a whisker last time. And crowds have been excellent given the poor home form over the last two years.

Is the Brazilian Marcinho any good? Will Simon Lynch last a season?

I expect Matt Mackay to have a great season alongside Tiatto. Hopefully Massimo Murdocca can keep improving. If Hyuk-Su Seo can regain his best form?

A lot of ifs but at this point the manager comes into the equation.

Frank Farina has his chance to stamp his style on the team. Previous Coach Miron Bleiberg entertained on and off the field but he clearly lack consistent structures when results started to go wrong and players quickly lost confidence.

The Roar will make the four if they can stick a few goals away, and that's a big if.

If the Roar has a good season don't be surprised to see attendances of 25,000 regularly reached.

Player to enjoy: Craig Moore, Danny Tiatto, Matt McKay, Massimo Murdocha, Marcinho, Tahj Minniecon and Reinaldo

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A-League Pre-Season competition goes Regional again

The 2007 Pre-Season Cup competition starts on the weekend of July 14-15.

Games have already been confirmed for regional areas Maroochydore, Port Macquarie and Orange, as well as the major cities of Darwin, Geelong, Launceston and Canberra.

Last season matches were well supported and the clubs are keen to show the game to regional fans once more.

Perth Glory will play Melbourne Victory in the Northern Territory.This game will open the new Darwin football Stadium.

Group A: Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory, Perth Glory & Newcastle Jets

Group B: Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix, Queensland Roar & Sydney FC

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