ACT Rockets/ACTAS Match reports/Quotes etc

Russ Gibbs reports on ACT Rockets v Mariners and ACTAS v Youth Rockets. (See below)

ACT Rockets v Central Coast Mariners
(Deakin Football Stadium, Deakin)
Friday 27th June 2008, Kick off: 7.00pm


ACT ROCKETS v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS


Match Report
ACT Rockets 0 Central Coast Mariners 4

By Russ Gibbs

A ruthless Central Coast Mariners racked up a convincing four-nil victory over the ACT State Representative team, the Rockets, on a chilly Friday evening at Deakin Oval in Canberra. First half goals from Predrag Bojic, Frank Lagana and Sasho Petrovski were added to by a late strike from substitute Matthew Osman as the Mariners rounded out their pre-season trip to the nation’s Capital in some style.

After a disappointing performance against local ACT Premier League outfit Belconnen United two days previously, a match in which they were rescued from a draw by a ninetieth minute winner from Belconnen’s own Taylor Beaton, the A-League side were given a royal dressing down by coach Lawrie McKinna and it showed in their opening half performance as they relentlessly took advantage of any mistakes made by the home team to roar into an unassailable three goal lead.

Striker Frank Lagana almost gave the Mariners a dream start inside the first minute, pouncing onto a through ball to fire a low drive that Nathan Denham did well to block to his right.

It wasn’t long before the professionals took the lead though as a near-post flick from a corner found Predrag Bogic unmarked on the far post and the triallist was left with the simplest of tasks to poke the ball into the unguarded net.

Whatever McKinna had said to his charges at the Thursday morning training session appeared to be having the desired effective as the visitors doubled their lead seven minutes from the interval.

Frank Lagana collected a superb ball over the top before unleashing a sublime chip over the advancing Denham and into the far corner of the net. By this stage the Rockets, who appeared a little overwhelmed in the opening half an hour, had begun to find their feet a little.

However, the much vaunted strike duo of Goran Veljanovski and Paul Ivanic were left with only scraps to feed off and largely untroubled Andrew Redmayne in the Mariners goal.

The pace of the match was a telling tale for the Rockets who, at times, struggled to come to grips with the slick passing moves and instant control of the Mariners side.

Full-back Justin Selkirk, of the O’Connor Knights, was one who shone for the home team negating the attacking forays of Dean Heffernan and Ahmad Elrich to some effect.

Canberra FC central defender Jon Ison was also in good form but both were powerless to prevent Sasho Petrovski taking the score to 3-0 before half-time. The striker had only been on the pitch for three minutes when he forced a shot through Denham on the near-post to start what was a lively night for the under-pressure forward.

After the interval Dean Ugrinic and Scott Conlon changed tactics slightly and the pace of Oliver Wiederkehr and David Kemp began to cause some headaches for McKinna.

Rockets skipper Paul Ivanic nearly brought the home crowd to its feet with a curling right foot shot from the edge of the penalty area that seemed destined for the net until Redmayne produced a stunning save diving full length to his left to palm the ball away for a corner. A quite exquisite save from a shot that seemed destined for the goal.

Mariners substitute Matthew Osman supplied a well-taken fourth goal of the evening, capping a lively twenty-two minute cameo on his return from injury, which would have pleased the Central Coast coaching staff. Osman slipped his marker and advanced on Rockets substitute ‘keeper Brett Dickens, before slipping a neat shot past the Tuggeranong United stopper’s attempted block to complete the scoring.

In the end the professionals simply had too much in the locker for their amateur counterparts, but it was a good night’s entertainment watched by an appreciative crowd and will prove a valuable learning experience to all the ACT player’s involved.

Match Reaction

Lawrie McKinna (Head Coach, Central Coast Mariners): “This was a good performance compared to Wednesday; we were a totally different side. We played some great football in the first half and their ‘keeper had to make two or three good saves.

I was happy with our movement and the support play was excellent. Full credit to the ACT team they put us under pressure in the second half when they out the fliers on, there is a fair bit of pace in that team and they pinned us back for a while. I wasn’t impressed by the performance on Wednesday. We were not switched on and Belconnen made it very hard for us.

I made it clear to the players that they need to prepare correctly for matches like these and, yes, we had a few words about it. I’ve got six or seven players unavailable through injury or international duty so the pressure is on the guys in this squad, but overall I’m happy.

As for the Youth players we watched (in the Youth Rockets v ACTAS match that preceded the main game) young Luke Pilkington looked promising and caught the eye. We are looking to organise a get together for the young players when we come down again in a few weeks for the Newcastle Jets match so we will take another look at some of them then.”

Dean Ugrinic (Head Coach, ACT Rockets): “I thought we were a little bit panicky in the first half, but in fairness I don’t think the score reflected the performance. We defended well and they scored their goals off our mistakes.

"When we managed to get the ball down we played some good football and we had much better possession in the second half and were able to execute some of the stuff we have been working on in training.

"After the break we started tracking their runners more effectively and for a first run out for this squad it was really, really good. This match just goes to show that Canberra needs a top-level outfit so that we do not fall behind the other regions too far in terms of our development. As for our players, Justin Selkirk was outstanding and both Jon Ison and Adam Spaleta were fantastic.”

Scott Conlon (Assistant Coach, ACT Rockets): “In a short time that we had our squad together we did our best to formulate a game plan and take it out there and to some extents we did that.

"A lot of their training ground set pieces and drills caught us out, but we tightened up in the second half. It was plain the Mariners didn’t want to lose this evening and they needed the result after Wednesday’s performance. They were clinical and when we did make mistakes in the wrong areas of the field they punished us.”

Paul Ivanic (Captain, ACT Rockets): “We played really well in the second half when we pressed on them and it was a great learning experience. Maybe we were a bit overwhelmed in the first half but it was obvious that they could think quicker and were more physically stronger than us. It was definitely a step up in class. I thought I had scored at one stage but the ‘keeper made a good stop.”

Justin Selkirk (Defender, ACT Rockets): “I had an absolute ball and enjoyed every minute of it even though it finished 4-0! I am from the Central Coast and you don’t get the chance to play against teams like this every day of the week. We made some errors, but we played much smarter in the second half on what was a fast and very slippery ground.

"I have loved playing with all these guys for the past month and I believe we have learned a lot from each other, especially our attitude and enthusiasm which was awesome again. Even when we were down everything was so positive.”


GOAL SEQUENCE

Minute Scorer Team Score

14

Predrag BOGIC
Central Coast Mariners
0-1

38

Frank LAGANA
Central Coast Mariners
0-2

45

Sasho PETROVSKI
Central Coast Mariners
0-3

71

Matthew OSMAN
Central Coast Mariners
0-4

• Earlier in the evening in a special trial match organised to showcase the talent in the ACT, the ACT Youth Rockets defeated the ACTAS side 2-1 in a keenly fought encounter.

A fine headed goal from Tim Cole after thirty-four minutes gave the Youth Rockets the lead in the first half before Dean Tomeski side-footed home a neat equaliser for ACTAS with eighteen minutes remaining.

The Youth Rockets grabbed the spoils when substitute Yianni Karabalis netted the match-winning goal in the 82nd minute from close range. It was a useful work out for both sets of boys many of whom impressed the watching Alex Tobin and Lawrie McKinna from the Central Coast Mariners with Woden Valley midfielder Luke Pilkington warranting attention.

ACT Youth Rockets: Codey Larkin, Zak Maybury, Jonathan Reis, Benard Rene (Aaron Cashman), Ryan Jones (Cameron Gordon), Tim Cole (Tal Evans), Josip Jadric (Phillipe Bernarbo), Luke Pilkington, Zak Knight, Kole Aitken, Matt Atkins (Yianni Karabalis)
Goals: Tim Cole (34), Yianni Karabalis (82)

ACTAS: Jack Pettit, Dylan De Montis, Chris Bush, Ben Mitchell, Steven Lustica, Dean Tomeski, Tom Rogic, Alex Meibush, Edgar Daly, Rocco Strika, Tom Davies
ACTAS Substitutes (all used): James Bradbury, Ben Harrington, Andrew Gibson, Declan Poon, Zvonimir Rogic, Stephen Domenici, Danai Gapare, Izach Clemens, Joe Chapman
Goals: Dean Tomeski (72)

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Belconnen Beaton by Taylor!

Match Report By Russ Gibbs
Belconnen United 1 Central Coast Mariners 2
(BU: Dustin Wells 33’) (CCM: Taylor Beaton 63’, 90’)


BELCONNEN UNITED v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Match Report
Belconnen United 1 Central Coast Mariners 2
(BU: Dustin Wells 33’) (CCM: Taylor Beaton 63’, 90’)

By Russ Gibbs




Match Report
Belconnen United 1 Central Coast Mariners 2
(BU: Dustin Wells 33’) (CCM: Taylor Beaton 63’, 90’)

By Russ Gibbs

Belconnen United were undone by one of their own at the Belconnen Soccer Centre on Wednesday evening as the Central Coast Mariners defeated Steve Forshaw’s plucky troops by the odd goal in three thanks to a brace from current Blue Devils youngster Taylor Beaton. The Belconnen midfielder shone in both halves, the first played in the Blue of the home team and the second in the yellow of the visitors as he trialled for the A-League franchise.

But it was for the Central Coast that he stamped his mark on the match with a pair of expertly converted goals, the second coming with literally the last kick of the match, to secure the Booz and Company Cup for Lawrie McKinna’s men. Beaton would have done his chances of securing a contract with the Mariners Youth set-up no harm at all with an all-action display that lifted a lacklustre Mariners outfit to victory.

The first half belonged to the home side, egged on by a lively crowd of over 800. Belconnen’s performance belied their recent form slump in the ACT Premier League, with last Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Queanbeyan City seemingly costing the club any hopes of a minor Premiership as they drifted seven points behind competition front runners Canberra FC.

After a scrappy opening period the Blue Devils stunned their illustrious visitors with a goal after thirty-three minutes that will no doubt have pleased head coach Forshaw. David Kemp stormed through from midfield with a lung-bursting run taking him at the heart of the Mariners defence before slipping a slide rule pass through to the advancing Dustin Wells. The former Wellington Phoenix tyro took one touch before smashing a low drive past the hapless Andrew Redmayne and into the corner of the net.


The response from the visitors was immediate as last season’s A-League Grand Final runner’s-up lifted the ante. A swift break saw Dean Heffernan cut the ball back to ace-predator Sasho Petrovski and the Mariners hit-man looked certain to score only to be denied by a sensational defensive block. Belconnen shot-stopper Alex Connell then made a superb reflex save to deny Dylan MacAllister a sixth pre-season goal, but in truth the Central Coast opportunities were few and far between. At the other end Belconnen probed for a second before the break but to no avail.

The half-time interval saw Taylor Beaton switch sides in order to give Lawrie McKinna the chance to see the youngster in action at close quarters and he certainly impressed. His verve and swagger gave lie to his tender years as with some experienced colleagues surrounding him he took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Freed into the penalty area just after the hour mark Beaton composed himself to coolly slot the ball past the advancing Connell to level the scores prompting much angst amongst the parochial home support who, on the one hand were glad for Beaton, but on the other were hoping he missed!

No such luck for Belconnen on that occasion, but the crowd would have been delighted by the spirit and determination showed by their favourites as they more than matched the professionals. With Socceroo’s Heffernan, Petrovski and Ahmad Elrich in the line-up as well as seasoned pros such as Andrew Clark, Alex Wilkinson and John Hutchinson, this was by no means a second-string Mariners team and yet the Blue Devils were more than their equal for large swathes of the clash. Indeed the match looked to be heading for a draw until the Beaton’s denouement.

There were only seconds remaining on the clock when the Central Coast pressed for a winner down the right flank. A cross field ball fell kindly to Beaton twenty-five yards from goal and the Belconnen boy lashed home a cracking first-time drive low into the bottom corner of the net to seal what was an underserved victory.

It was a harsh conclusion for Belconnen who were worthy of a draw but it was a night to remember for Taylor Beaton who may have taken a major step towards A-League stardom.


Match Details

Central Coast Mariners 30. Andrew Redmayne (gk), 6. David D’Apuzzo (11. Taylor Beaton 57’), 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Dean Heffernan (16. Jamie Lobb 46’), 9. Predrag Bojic, 10. Frank Lagana (17. Matthew Osman 74’), 15. Andrew Clark, 18. Alex Wilkinson, 21. Ahmad Elrich, 22. Sasho Petrovski (12. Nathan Moseley 66’), 27. Dylan Macallister

Yellow Cards Elrich 88’
Red Cards None
Goals Beaton 59’, 90’+3

Belconnen United 20. Alex Connell (gk), 3. Dustin Wells, 4. Lee Pietrukowski, 5. Taylor Beaton, 6. Ian Waldon, 7. Cameron Beaton, 8. Cameron Reinhart, 9. David Leet, 11. David Kemp, 14. Steve O’Callaghan, 15. Nuru Somi

Substitutes 1. Ben Cheyne (gk), 2. Matthew Valeri, 12. Marc O’Neill, 13. Scott Blewitt, 17. Phillip Brugead, 18. Ryan Kyprianou

Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals Wells 34’

Referee Gary Vanderburgt





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Canberrra: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL by Russ Gibbs

There’s something about watching football under floodlights that stirs the soul.


There’s something about watching football under floodlights that stirs the soul. Maybe it’s because most of the iconoclastic matches that sit in the memory were played under lights. Matches such as the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich or the ill-fated 1997 World Cup Qualifier with Iran, or more recently of course the momentous 2005 World Cup Qualifying victory over Uruguay.

Whatever the intangibles may be the sight of twenty-two players going for goal on the green swathe under the glare of the halogen lights brings out the best in almost everyone.

Out of necessity ADFA play many of their scheduled ACT State League fixtures under floodlights. Now this can cause headaches for managers, coaches and players at the lower levels who may find it difficult to get off work in time for 6pm kick offs, of which there are a few.

But when you are greeted by the sight of the RMC pitches at Duntroon bathed in that golden glow the heart is lifted and the imagination soars. So much so that great deeds and great goals become the norm, rather than the exception.

Last night Tuggeranong United State League Five, under the stewardship of the enigmatic Jake Padrotta, had the fortune to play under the lights, kicking off at the more reasonable time of 7pm. Trailing 0-1 at half-time to a well-organised ADFA the Tuggeranong boys, after a spirited pep-talk from the coach at the interval upped the ante.

Steve Diggle slotted home his 8th goal of the season after a goalmouth scramble to level matters before Keon Ansell lashed in a spectacular half-volley to give the visitors the lead. A brace of goals from the livewire Nathan Henry completed a remarkable turn around and keeps the tight-knit Tuggeranong team in the hunt for a finals spot.

The quality of the football was excellent and the poise and panache showed by both teams, in particular Tuggeranong in the second half was a credit to the respective clubs.

So, is there a possibility that in the future we may see more matches played under lights on a Monday? The idea of a big Premier League match may appeal to some and certainly is an idea to be thought of.

There are, or course, disadvantages. Mostly to the largely amateur players who would need to back-up from a hard day at work to play in the evening, but if it is good enough for the lower leagues maybe it could be trialled further up?

Belconnen United have enjoyed mixed success for their early Saturday evening fixtures at McKellar this season, could this be the alternative?

• What are your thoughts? Would Monday Night Football work in the ACT? Which matches played under floodlights stick out in your memory? Let us know.

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ACT Rockets: YANES & DENHAM HOPE TO SHINE WHILE YOUTH GETS ITS CHANCE

Read Nearpost radio host Russ Gibbs update on ACT Rockets preparations for the Mariners.


YANES & DENHAM HOPE TO SHINE WHILE YOUTH GETS ITS CHANCE

by Russ Gibbs.

The ACT Rockets second training session took place at the Australian Institute of Sport Track and Field stadium on Wednesday 11th June in the shadow of Bruce Stadium on a damp, yet mild, evening.

With a fair smattering of rain throughout the previous two days the pitch was dewy and slippy but, as you would expect from a top-class facility, in superb condition.

Again the problems of getting the selected squad together reared its head with Steve Rezzo and Goran Veljanovski of the O’Connor Knights still unable to train due to slight strains picked up in the 0-1 loss to Tuggeranong United in the ACT Premier League on the previous weekend.

With Matt Valeri (Belconnen United), nine-goal striker Paul Ivanic and fellow Canberra FC players Adam Spaleta and John Ison also unavailable coaches Dean Ugrinic and Scott Conlon called on their standby players, striker Goran Josifovski (Queanbeyan City) and defender Lucas Roth (Canberra Olympic), to fill the breach, which they did with aplomb.

After the regular warm-up, needed to stretch away the kinks from a rigorous weekend of Premier League action, the squad, supplemented by Youth Rockets Zak Maybury, Jonathan Reis, Kole Aitken and Andrew Pilkington (a highly rated talent from Woden Valley) split into two groups of seven for a five on two circle designed to promote awareness, speed of thought and adjustment.

The wet conditions underfoot didn’t deter the Rockets lads from pinging passes at pace and changing direction with ease, despite one or two slips!

Following fifteen minutes of this the two groups were split into a defensive and offensive formation with one goal in order to learn how to break down a packed defence using overlapping runners and short, sharp, accurate passing.

Nineteen-year-old midfielder Victor Yanes, now with Canberra Olympic, shone in his central role and is convinced that the Rockets can scare their more illustrious opponents come game time.

“I think we will do well,” he said afterwards. “We have a good squad. The players are all very skilful and work hard for each other both on and off the ball which will count in out favour.”

Yanes, who was joint ACT Player of the Year in 2007 whilst with Woden Valley, moved to Australia from his native Brazil when he was eleven and has since represented Australia at schoolboy level and has ambitions to further his game.

“I hope to play well in the match against the Mariners and hopefully be given the opportunity to sign for their Youth League squad. But I will be taking things one day at a time and striving to improve my game. My strengths lie in my ability to hold the ball and in my distribution but I do need to work on my running!” he joked. When asked about his selection to the Rockets and what it meant to him he replied, “it’s just awesome. It’s a great opportunity to play with top quality players and to be involved in a squad such as this.”

These sentiments were echoed by 23-year-old Canberra FC shot-stopper Nathan Denham.

The former Rockets representative, who has also played State League for ACT and for the Australian futsal squad said, “It’s great to be picked into a squad that is regarded as the best of the best and it’s a big match that puts us all in the spotlight.

Everyone is keen and the young lads want to put themselves in the frame to step up. It’s a wonderful opportunity.” Denham has had previous experience of coach Ugrinic when he had a stint with O’Connor Knights. “He (Ugrinic) is a good coach,” Denham commented.

“He has good ideas and I rate him very highly along with Scott (Conlon) who has done a great job at Tuggeranong.” With Brett Dickens pushing hard for the number one jersey as well, Denham has had to be on the top of his game at training – no easy feat considering the attacking quality in front of him.

“Some of the shooting in training last week was sensational!” he enthused. “Marcin Zygmunt impressed me with the power of his finishing off both feet, and along with Paul (Ivanic), Adam (Spaleta), Travis (Dries) and the rest; it has been daunting at times!”

Denham has had experience of a higher level of football having been drafted in as cover for the Sutherland Sharks in the NSW Premier League this season. “Mike Katz (former ACT representative) put my name forward and I played four games up there,” he continued.

“The set-up was highly professional and the three training sessions a week certainly meant that you improved. It was an interesting experience and one that I definitely hope to repeat.” A good showing against the Mariners may be just the stepping stone he needs.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the field Rockets Youth (under-19) coach Alex Butt was putting his training squad through their paces ahead of the cull that would see the final sixteen man team to face ACTAS, in the curtain raiser to the ACT Rockets versus Central Coast Mariners match, picked.

The former Parramatta Power defender who currently plies his trade at the back for Canberra Olympic has a wealth of quality to select from.

“Most of the guys in the training squad are playing regular first grade football in the ACT Premier League,” he said. “This means that they generally know each other and get on very well. In that respect it has been good so far.” Butt, who has had previous coaching experience with ACTAS as well as assisting Tom Sermani and Robbie Hooker in an unofficial capacity with the Matildas, is impressed with the talent available to him. “They have all stood up, some obviously more than others,” he commented. “Philippe Bernarbo has been a real stand-out, mostly because he is the only one in the squad who is not a Premier League player. He plays the majority of his games at the under-18 level but has looked completely at home and comfortable here.”

The Youth Rockets face a similar dilemma to their senior counterparts with only four training sessions to fine-tune the team that will showcase the talent to Mariners head honchos Lawrie McKinna and Alex Tobin. “We aim to put on a display for the Mariners duo,” Butt continued.

“The ACTAS boys have the best talent in the ACT at under-16 and under-17 level and I have the best talent at under-18 and under-19 level. It promises to be a real contest and should be a superb advertisement for the type of player we breed in the ACT.”

With only a fortnight until kick off time is running out for the trio of Ugrinic, Conlon and Butt to get their teams in shape however the signs are promising.

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ROCKETS TAKE FLIGHT.

ROCKETS TAKE FLIGHT..or should that be The Mariners!

Nearpost Reporter and radio host Russ Gibbs gives us the lowdown on the ACT Rockets preparations for their big game against the Central Coast Mariners in three weeks.

Russ will update us weekly on the Coach, the training, the players and of course how we will flog the Mariners.

Central Coast Mariners beware!

ROCKETS TAKE FLIGHT

By Russ Gibbs

Fox television will shortly begin their search for the next ‘football superstar’ with their new reality TV concept literally kicking off in mid-June as fifteen lucky hopefuls contest for the right to earn an A-League contract with Sydney FC.

Over the space of a few months the youngsters will be tested on their abilities with and without a ball to see whether they are made of the requisite stuff to become a professional.

Not a long time to impress potential suitors at all.

So what if you only had three weeks of preparation to take an essentially amateur group of players to face a match against the hardened professionals of the A-League? Sounds impossible?

Well that’s the task facing ACT Rockets coaches Dean Ugrinic and Scott Conlon over the coming month as they try to mould the ‘best of the best’ into a fluent, cohesive unit in just four training sessions.

“It’s a tough task, no doubt about it,” Ugrinic said as his players warmed down following the first hit-out at the AIS playing fields on a brisk and chilly Wednesday evening. “But we have a great group of players. They are young and enthusiastic and have some superb ability. They have certainly stepped up for this first session.”

The squad definitely looked the part in their opening training session, held on Wednesday 4th June, as they were put through their paces in a variety of drills aimed at forming a close-knit team dynamic within a limited timeframe.

With basic fitness a given at this level, Ugrinic and Conlon were able to focus more on the style of play they hope to impose on the Mariners. “We want to try and play football,” Ugrinic commented.

“That is why we have selected a team of footballers. We could go out and defend for ninety minutes and just smack the ball clear at every given opportunity, but that would not do justice to the group of players we have here. They are a talented group of individuals that we are hopeful of melding into a team to do the ACT proud.”

The session commenced with a vigorous, yet not-over strenuous, warm-up led by Tony Ryan, fitness trainer for O’Connor Knights and the Ainslie AFL teams. The 47-year-old is a touch football representative having twice been part of Australian sides that claimed World Cup glory at the sport.

He has recently been selected for the New South Wales State of Origin touch football team at Masters’ level and is well-versed in the need for a proper warm-up.

“Basically the drills we performed this evening were the same drills I would do for Ainslie or the Knights,” he said. “It’s important that the players loosen up and have their bodies prepared in the right way for physical activity.”

Ryan teamed up with Dean Ugrinic at the Knights five years ago and has since been an integral part of their build-up in training. “It’s hard to make matches, due to my commitments with Ainslie, but I do look out for the results and take a keen interest,” Ryan commented.

With the players sufficiently loosened it was time for the main focus of the evening to begin. Unfortunately, due to injuries or unavailability the O’Connor Knights quartet of Steve Rezzo, Goran Veljanovski, Justin Selkirk and David Brouwer missed the session, as did Trent Flanagan of Canberra Olympic.

To make up the numbers Ugrinic borrowed the talented Canberra City centre-back Zak Maybury, the precocious skills of Woden Valley’s Jono Rees and Knights’ up-and-coming goalkeeper Cody Larkin from the Rockets under-18 squad.

Each showed their mettle by standing tall alongside their more experienced colleagues and impressed the onlooking coaches.

After opening with some keep-ball in a five on two grid, which ensured plenty of fast, accurate and sharp two touch passing, the squad was split into two distinct groups, Ugrinic worked with his back-line focusing on keeping possession and working the ball out from the back, something that will need to be executed to perfection in order to keep the ball away from the sure to be marauding Mariners’ frontline.

“We need to keep the ball for as long as possible,” Ugrinic reiterated, “and then take it quickly in transition from defence to attack whilst not resorting to banging it downfield at the first available opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Conlon was busy creating striking drills for the attacking members of the squad. Working in a variety of complex reverse passes and with overlapping runners taking the ball at pace, crosses and lay-offs were neatly placed into the path of the onrushing attacker who had the shooting opportunity.

One felt for the goalkeeping trio of Nathan Denham (Canberra FC), Brett Dickens (Tuggeranong United) and Cody Larkin as shot after shot of venomous accuracy pierced the net from twenty yards range. Marcin Zygmunt (Woden Valley) in particular stuck some shots that flew like an exocet missile into the top corner of the net, with either foot.

It wasn’t all about goals though as the ‘keepers proved their quality repelling the onslaught with some outstanding blocks.

Having got the cobwebs out of the system the session concluded with a mini-game, played on half a field with the squad split into two teams of seven-a-side.

Incorporating the previous drills into a game scenario made the players think on their feet and added perception to the evening. The visual awareness of where their fellow runners were headed and the swift passing to feed them was phenomenal considering this was the first time this group had ever been assembled.

Ugrinic, who played football locally at premier League level for Belconnen United, Canberra Deakin (now Canberra FC) and the University of Canberra before heading into the world of coaching (it was Ugrinic who steered the O’Connor Knights back into the Premier League from State League Division One in 2001), was pleased with the first run.

“It went very well,” he said afterwards. “The players were receptive to the ideas we have put forward and we can only hope that we can gel in time. Obviously, it would be great to have longer with the players before the match, but we will have to make do.”

Goalkeepers: Brett Dickens (Tuggeranong United), Nathan Denham (Canberra FC)
Defenders: David Brouwer (O’Connor Knights), John Ison (Canberra FC), Matt Valeri (Belconnen United), Steve Rezzo (O’Connor Knights)

Midfielders: Trent Flanigan (Canberra Olympic), Pat Ross-McGee (Canberra City), Justin Selkirk (O’Connor Knights), Adam Spaleta (Canberra FC), Oliver Wiederkehr (Canberra Olympic), Victor Yanes (Canberra Olympic), Marcin Zygmunt (Woden Valley)

Strikers: Travis Dries (Canberra Olympic), Paul Ivanic (Canberra FC), Goran Veljanovski (O’Connor Knights)
Coaches: Dean Ugrinic (O’Connor Knights), Scott Conlon (Tuggeranong United)

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Canberra World Cup bid gathers.

Belconnen beat Tuggeranong United 1-0 in ACT men's Premier League, Canberra City stunned Belconnen 1-0 in the Women's game yesterday, but the big news in town was the plans for World Cup 2018 to be held at TWO venues in Canberra!

Belco defender Lee Petrowkowsi scored the only a goal. But Tuggers keeper Brett Dickens saved the day on many many occasions.

Nearpost Reporter Russ Gibbs was unsighted for most of the first half, along with a hardy group of Tuggers fans who stood at the gate, amazed to see Belconnen charging $5 to watch the lads from Tuggeranong.

Who needs Fuelwatch when you've got Belco watch!

"Why should I pay $5 to watch the Tuggers boys when I can do it for free every other week?" whinged the Englishman.

Unfortunately the Nearpost matchday budget runs to $1 and Russ didn't have his press pass, so his report is seriously impaired. He had lots of talk of hitting posts, players having cross wires and the like as he peered through the gate!

Still like all good grounds around the World the gates open at half-time, to let the patrons out, and Russ was in for FREE!

He asked around why the charge.

A spokesman for Belconnen said, "We want to upgrade the ground for the 2018 World Cup. You know maybe another Stand, an Executive box or two. We think the $5 fee is about right."

Gibbs was stunned. He discussed it with the Tuggers Committee attending the game.

"We've got plans ourselves. We're hoping to get World Cup games at Kambah No. 2 Oval. It's perfectly located, close to the Parkway. You can just nip in your car and be in Sydney in 3 hours.

"Can you imagine Serbia v Ivory Coast at Number Two Oval. The Hyperdome would love it."

Gibbs even more stunned forked out $4 for a kranski, saw only one goal, and went home thoroughly miserable. But he'll bring his press pass next week, won't he!

Don't they know who you are Russ?

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Former Socceroos Captain Paul Okon goes Nearpost

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We chat to former Socceroos and Lazio star Paul Okon,
Matildas star Heather Garriock on her 100th Cap and Womens European football.
Asian Champions League and all the footballl news, dedications, quiz questions and more.

Second half: Canberra Football.
Russ Gibbs reviews the Men's Premier League.
We preview the Women's Premier League with Belwest Captain Vanessa Burdett.
Marty Smith talks Rooball with Tuggeranong United Techincal Director Eugene Lawrenz.
Scores, views and all your local football talk.

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ACT Men's Premier League Scores

Hear local football expert Russ Gibbs on the Nearpost on Tuesday, local football starts 7pm. Men's scores below


O'Connor Knights 5 Queanbeyan City 2
Tuggernong United 0 Canberra FC 1
Belconnen United 2 Canberra Olympic 1
ANU 2 Canberra City 0

Women's League
Belwest suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Woden Valley.

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Featured match: ACT Premier League

Featured Match:
Tuggeranong United v Canberra FC
(Kambah 2-1) kick off 3pm

Catch Russ Gibbs Premier League match report on the Nearpost Tuesday 6.30pm, and here on the podcast on Wednesday. Russ and Chris Gottaas will discuss this weeks games live on air.

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ACT Men's Season Opener

"Canberra Olympics Ruben Ares ran the show, Ben Doyle was best for City," said Nearpost reporter Russ Gibbs.

Catch Russ Gibbs and Jeremy Butlers Premier League preview on Tuesday on the Nearpost Radio show 6.30:7.30pm.

All the scores below:


Canberra Olympic beat Canberra City 2-0 in today's ACT Men's Premier League match.
ANU 3 Woden Valley 1 won the season opener yesterday.
Canberra FC 3 O'Connor Knights 1
Belconnen United 4 Queanbeyan City 0 (Danny Macor 2, Cameron Reinhart, Callum Beaton.)

O'Connor Knights lead 1-0 but Canberra FC marked their new Stadium debut with a win. 2 goals from Paul Ivanic and 1 from Adam Spaleta sealed the win. Revenge for last weeks Federation Cup defeat, no doubt.

Olympic 2 Canberra City 0. That was the score but the main talking point was the numbers sent-off from each side.
Olympic saw Keith Mihailakis and Robert Shroder sent off while Canberra City had Zac Maybury dismissed for dissent.
Ruben Ares won the day with his performamce. The goals were scored by Scott Barsley, a header and Travis Dries.

ANU and Belconnen United both scored impressive wins on the opening day of the season.

Hear Russ Gibbs report on Tuesday. Russ will be out and about next week for more reports.

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The Weekender: Code Wars by Russ Gibbs

The Weekender: This week Russ Gibbs gives his thought on the "Code Wars" in operation in Australia.

Anyone can write The Weekender, we talk football, in its broadest sense. The aim is to provide Canberra readers with guaranteed football coverage on the Weekend.

CODE WARS

By Russ Gibbs

It’s only a personal opinion, but I simply cannot fathom the undisguised ‘hatred’ of the differing forms of football that we see in this country.

CODE WARS

By Russ Gibbs

It’s only a personal opinion, but I simply cannot fathom the undisguised ‘hatred’ of the differing forms of football that we see in this country.

With the emergence of football, and I’m talking the round ball game here of course, we have had hundreds of column inches dedicated to how the other codes are seeking to undermine football and how football can get one up on the other codes.

What’s this all about? Surely there is room in this country for all football codes, be it union, league, football or that other hybrid of all of them, AFL (see got me started on it all now!).

Having been brought up in the UK, only moving here in the last four years or so, I was regularly served a dish of rugby union as well as football. Indeed, five years of my life were spent watching union and commentating on the game. In no way did this deter me from my love of football.

I never really watched league until I came here, but have since come to enjoy the big hits of that version of the game.

Each game has its own unique appeal and is loved by different cross-sections of society. No one game is ‘better’ than the other. Watching top-level performers doing what they do best is a rarefied sight in any sport.

I, and many of my football playing and supporting mates, enjoy watching union and league as much as football. And I am sure there are hundreds, if not thousands, more around Australia who would feel the same way.

So for all of you out there who like to spend hours despoiling the name of one sport in favour of another – suck it in – if you don’t like union, don’t watch it.

If you don’t like league, don’t watch it. If you don’t like AFL, don’t watch it and if you don’t like football, don’t watch it. It’s quite simple. But please don’t try and spend your time justifying your ‘chosen’ sport over mine or anyone else’s. It usually is puerile and pointless and doesn’t help any code in the long run.

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Canberra Premier League Predictions

Nearpost reporter Russ Gibbs will focus on Canberra Olympic v Canberra City for the opening weekend of the men's Premier League.

Russ brings all his experience from calling Bath Rugby for the BBC in England. He's succinct, enthusiastic and speaks the truth!

So lads to let your feet do the talking and Russ will provide the analysis come Tuesday on the Nearpost.

My predictions for the weekend below.

Tuggers a bye!
Canberra Olympic to beat Canberra City
Belconnen United to turnover Queanbeyan City
Canberra FC to lose gain, to O'connor Knights.
And ANU to defeat Woden Valley.

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ACT Premier League: Feature Match.

This weekend Russell Gibbs Featured Match: Canberra Olympic v Canberra City.

So play up lads, eh:)

Local football coverage continues this week when we see the opening of the men's Premier League season. Our featured match is at Woden Park where Canberra Olympic take on Canberra City on Sunday.

You can hear Russ and Jeremy Butler talk us through each teams prospects for the coming season. Who will be top? Who will be bottom? We know it all!

Hear the predictions on Nearpost radio Tuesday, 6:30-7:30pm.



Type rest of the post here

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Radio: Futsalroos, Phoenix No!

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Matildas Star Di Alagich, Futsalroo Coach Scott Gilligan. Olyroos Salary Cap.
Can Adelaide United do it. We talk Asian Champions League.

Second half:

Wellington Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata
Junior Football: Woden Valley's Rad Trpkovski fresh from the Lightning Tournament
Belwest Captain Vanessa Burdett and Belconnen United's Nicole Somi (Former Nearpost Host)
Match Report on Men's final from our man at the game Russ Gibbs.
And all the local news.

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Nearpost Radio this week: Tom Sermanni, Frank Farina and Karen Faichney

Eamonn Flanagan that's me. Quick bit of after show editing means I'm interviewed for the show by Ben Ellis-Butler this week. It's a filler. But you get to hear part of my journey. Half your luck:) Frank Farina, Neil Zimmerman's AIS report, Asian Champions League and in the second half we have Liverpool fan Karen Faichney, All the Fed Cup news with Tuggeranong United's Russ Gibbs report and Woden Valley Kar Chaivannacoopt are among our interviews/guests this week.

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First half: Asian Champions League, Quiz, Tom Sermanni Frank Farina on junior coaching and Fitsums issue of the week.

Second half: All the local news. Match reports: Tuggeranong United's matchday reporter Russell Gibb reviews Men's Fed Cup semi's, Woden Valley Coach Kar Chaivannacoopt gives all the news from Women's Fed Cup semi finals and Neil Zimmerman gives us the run down on the AIS Western Suburbs game.
Special Guest: Karen Faichney talks about her passion for Liverpool FC, masters football, junior football, Woden Valley and more.

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Nearpost Reporters. Welcome aboard

We've already had Rod Lynes from Kunming, Neil Zimmerman from Melbourne. Next week Neil Zimmerman will send through a match report of the AIS v Western Suburbs game. See it here on Monday.

Also Russell Gibbs, former BBC Bath Rugby Correspondent, and Tuggeranong United player, writer, and all round good guy will file a report from the ACT Federation Cup Semi-Finals which can be heard on Nearpost Radio next Tuesday. Thanks Russ and Neil.

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