Hey man we have a striker.

Canberra United turned in one of their best performances of the season yesterday as they downed Canberra United reserves, otherwise known as Newcastle Jets, 1-0.

Great to see such loyalty in the women's game with players changing clubs every season in some cases. Talk about fan loyalty! Kara Mowbray, Sasha McDonnell and Thea Slatyer were just three Canberra turned Jets who I used to swear undying loyalty towards. Now the green-eyed monster is at best....confused.

Michelle Heyman proved her worth yet again as she snaffled the only goal. A cool finish to add to her season tally. With 6 goals already she just can't stop scoring, But will she get a Matildas spot? Still the jury is out on that one.

Emily Van Egmond had her best game of the season in a more forward role, maybe this is her best spot. And Caitlin Munoz was outstanding as she played more minutes.

Newcastle huffed and puffed but Canberra were strong all over the park, and produced many flowing passing movements, and good to see Jenny Bisset making her passing mark late in the game. Canberra should have won by more. Type rest of the post here

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Canberra United: Back on track?

Canberra United thumped lowly Adelaide United 4-0 on the weekend, no surprise there, but maybe Coach Ray Junna has found a solution to the teams surprisingly low-key performances this season.

Under Coach Robbie Hooker and last season under Junna United performed well. Reaching the final four each time, playing some entertaining football in both seasons, while missing it seemed just a ruthless finisher to go one step forward.

This year United has signed last years top scorer in the league, Michelle Heymann, Matildas stars Caitlin Munoz and Sally Shipard returned and the best of the rest were one year older and wiser.

It could only get better, or so we thought.

It hasn't not yet. Or is that just me. We've not lost, thumped two poor teams and drew with Brisbane, never a mean feat.

Emily Van Egmond was pushed further forward at the top of a midfield diamond it seemed to me, and with touch players Grace Gill and Kahlia Hogg in the starting line-up there could be hope for improved football performances as the season goes on.

Better results? I'd rather more football, more entertainment - but that's just me!

But is there enough time for a new pattern? The season is so short.

Adelaide were brushed aside, due in part to their woeful defensive opening rather than any great United skill. That said United punished them quickly and ended the scoring after 23 minutes or so.

I'd predicted 6-0 and rain before the first goal went in. I got the rain right at least.

From the 23rd minute until the match was abandoned due to rain early in the second half United surprisingly failed to dominate Adelaide a team lower in the table, playing away from home, and already 4-0 down, and not a Matilda in their line-up.

I was puzzled.

Adelaide had chances, too many, to score.

Canberra won. Delighted I was. Injuries may have forced the team change in formation. But with a heavy pitch and interrupted game it's hard to know yet if United have an attacking potency, and shape, to take on the best.

Three road trips will test them.

For me we're a long way off last seasons best. The two new defenders are yet to settle into a sweet passing distribution game; hence the ball from the back is often sent long and then lost.

But Emily Van Egmond pushed forward could be our wild card. Strong, fast and a shot to die for - when released from her midfield responsibilities she may yet turn into a powerful asset for the team.

Captain Brush and co have high expectations on them after their first two seasons, if not in results, certainly in attacking football.

In truth only the performance against Melbourne Victory left me completely surprised, and last weeks early attacking display against Adelaide may set the tone for the rest of the season.

Next up it's the Jets - away. Having recently dumped Sydney FC, Canberra will need to be at their best.

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Nearpost Podcast: Socceroos bumbling along

Paddy Bordier, Aaron Walker and Lucy Zelic talk and spin all things Aussie football.

How many football poddies only cover Aussie football?

We are clearly Australia's number one football poddie, apart from all the others, We discuss all the news from Australian football. What more could you wish for from the Australian media?

Download.
or play right from your computer....

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New PFC Award to Women

Hope it doesnt go to Michelle Weyman, her team the Mariners has folded!

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Nearpost podcast..a-league finals talk.

Is Matthew Leckie a World Cup bolter, can the Phoenix stop the Gold Coast, Is Kevin Mucast the dirtiest player in the A-League, should Arnie Coach in the A-League and all the news you'd ever wish to hear...and who will win the Premiership?


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Nearpost radio rocks...SSG's abolished?

Nationally we predict Melbourne Sydney blockbuster, look at the Jets revival and why the Fury will finish ahead of Gold Coast...says Paddy!

Eilis Fitt and Eamonn discuss and predict the W-League Grand Final and we have all the news views and opinions.

And all your World Cup tittle tattle.

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Locally Peter Funnell has it all covered. The best local football coverage in the region.

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This week we speak again to Eddie Senatore, co-founder of the Boomerangs and ACT Futsal Coach about preparations fro the Nationals, the usefulness of joining of HP Football and HP Futsal over the last eight weeks for futsal training, prior to the naming of the ACT teams and what might be important in preparing an ACT team for the Nationals.

Then we speak to Pat McCann about the recent FFA Senior Licence course run in the ACT and those two new mantras for coaches – “Run it or Play it” and “Play what you see”.

Capital Football has advised all clubs that the playing rules for Under 12s will change from 9 v 9 and a reduced size field, to 11 v 11 and a full size field.

The change was foreshadowed by Han Berger when he briefed us on the new National Curriculum – he gave no good reason to change, but the change was coming whether we liked it or not.

Small sided games underpin technical development, particularly in the junior ages groups and the ACT championed the introduction of small sided games. So it’s a very strange decision in this new football world of technical development across the early years.

The football “flat- earth” aficionados have the day it seems – well for now anyway. They just don’t get it! Just listen to the Georgia Soccer Association (USA) analysis of the matter. They know more about junior football development than Han Berger!

And of course the Under 10's are going BACK to 9 v 9. And interesting that "the experts" consider girls to be about two or three years behind boys in terms of football development....SO WHY ONE SIZE FITS ALL for boys and girls at all ages!

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W-League to extend?

Looks like the W-League will be extending.

Last year we had 8 teams playing 10 games. This year it seems we'll have 8 teams playing 14 games.

so every team will play each team home and away and this time the final will be finished before Christmas.

Looking like a September start?

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Queensland Roar early in first final.

Queenland powered to a 2-0 and wrapped up the inaugural Grand Final early.

Goals from Lana Harch and Tameka Butt gave the classy Roar the edge and there was no way back for Canberra.

Alicia Ferguson was injured for the Roar and this allowed the pacy Ellen Beaumont a start and she sped past Rhian Davies in the sixth minute. Her cross bounced back off the bar and in the confusion Harch slotted it home.

Thea Slatyer was clearly fouled but sometimes you just have the luck. And today proved to be just that sort of day for Canberra.

If that goal was perhaps questionable the second from Tameka Butt was pure class. A delicious strike from the edge of the box and 2-0.

Canberra were stunned.

Amy Chapman was not at her best, an injury taking it's toll? Caitlin Munoz a little out of touch. But Queensland didn't care. They hassled and chased and when they got the ball they worked it well, releasing their pacy forwards at every opportunity.

United were penned back and the midfield was too far away from the forwards to make an impact. Similar to last week only this time United were behind.

Should Ashleigh Sykes have started? Did they need Grace Gill in centre-midfield? Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Queensland passed the ball better, Lauren Colthorpe, Ellen Kellond-Knight and Tameka Butt controlled the midfield and upfront the Canberra defence was continually tested.

How many of them will be in the Matildas squad?

Sasha McDonnell worked hard but was isolated too often to make any real impact.

Coach Robbie Hooker changed things at half-time and he had to. It was a Grand Final after all.

And if 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football you always thought if Canberra got one then maybe just maybe. Remember Iran!

But the Roar stood firm. Canberra lifted the intensity, pushed more and more players forward. Kate McShea and Claire Polkingthorne were invincible...all game, maybe all season.

Courtney Beutal would have impressed Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni. Casey Dumont also.

Finals can pass you by quickly and this seemed to pass United. A half chance here, an Ashleigh Sykes goal ruled offside, a Munoz shot blasted wide but only the green-eyed could see a goal coming. I could but It didn't:)

Over 5,000 fans. Chanting and colour from the crowd. A large away support. And sponsors thanked after the game. The new football.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley presented Lana Harch the player of the match award in full suit but no tie!

Football in on Australia on the rise again, today it was the Women's turn and Canberra played on the National stage in a National final.

A great season, a great journey and we'll all be back for more next year.

Well done to Queensland; and Canberra of course.

United fans watch out for Russ Gibbs Canberra United yearbook out soon. Interviews, quotes, stats and more.

And vote for your Nearpost/Farpost fan Canberra United player of the year. Email flanagan.eamonn@gmail.com and I'll forward the results to Russ. Russ will announce the winner at the Canberra United Presentation night Feb 14th..check with Capital Football.

1. Best
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The Chief has spoken: What do you think?

Canberra United Coach has handed in his report card after five rounds of the W-League season.

He's given the team an overall B, with the forwards falling below the mark. Lydia Williams brings the average up with an A.

Read Robbie's report card and feel free to write what you think....I know you will:)

Enjoy..andit's taken from www.canberraunited.com.au website.....read on.


Canberra United's 1st Semester Report CardWednesday, 26 November 2008 After five rounds of the Westfield W-League, head coach, Robbie Hooker put his Canberra United side under the microscope to analyse the first half of the season. While scoring has been difficult to come by with only four goal, there's been little difficulty in keeping the ball out of the back of our own net with three clean sheets.

Goalkeeper
Comments: We’ve only had to use the one so far. Lydia’s saved us on a few occasions however that’s what she’s there for, that’s what she trains for, so at this stage she’s done her job how we expect her to.

Grade: A

Defense
Comments: Being the backbone of the team, we’ve only conceded four goals in the first five games which is good and two of those goals came from rare mistakes which you won’t see again this year. Three clean sheets says good things about the defensive structure however we’ve probably lacked a little bit of composure at times so there’s certainly some room for improvement.

Grade: B+

Midfield
Comments: Midfield is a strange one because defensively they’ve been the key to a lot of our defensive structure along with the back four, however, when we’re in transition after having won the ball we tend to turn the ball over to quickly rather than try to keep possession. A little bit more composure when we get the ball would be good and a little bit more structured play would be a little bit better as well.

Grade: B

Forwards
Comments: This one’s a double edged sword , because in terms of chance we’ve had by our forward players have been numerous and a lot of those chances have been created individually or with one other player. To do that requires a lot of hard work and skill however on the other side the number of chances we have created but haven’t scored from is a concern.

Grade: C+

Overall
Comments: We’ve still got a lot of room for improvement but I don’t think we’ve been outplayed by any team this year which is a really positive sign. We just need to make sure we get our selves into the finals and from there I think we’ve got the players and the game to maybe even go on and make the final

Grade: B

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Sykes lights up the Canberra gloom.

Canberra United drew 0-0 with Adelaide United in a game shown live on ABC TV ,and called live on 2XX 98.3FM.

A miserable "summers" day kept the crowd down but still over 800 people braved the elements to watch a game, ruined by the referee....

and signs of Capital Punishment, Canberra United, and Brush em off were spread around the ground.

Thea Slatyer was sent-off in the eigth minute for supposedly having studs up. A disappointing decision but there was plenty more inadequate refereeing to come.

Missed fouls, dodgy bookings, an inability to keep the game flowing destroyed the entertainment value.

Having said that the Canberra side worked impressively throughout the game, and still managed to create the most chances, with Ashleigh Sykes turning in a stunning performance in the second half.

Sykes played the lone striker role against a backline that included Matildas Star Di Alagich.

The Dubbo Dasher worked the spaces, held the ball, laid if off well, and took the game to United. She hit the post, set up her team-mates, she was exciting.

Unlucky not to score it's exciting to think Sykes can only get better.

Steph Tokich the Canberra student playing for Adelaide also had a strong game, particularly in the first half.

In fact Coach Robbie Hooker must have been wondering if he'd missed a local player. Her ball control and ability to bring in other players was causing Canberra a number of problems.

Canberra were criticised by some for playing a long ball game against the Mariners, and had to revert to a similar pattern today once Slatyer went off. Grace Gill moved back to defence and adapted superbly but her ball composure were missed in the forward movements, and Sykes was the lone outlet upfront.

And with the amazing work-rate and spirit of this Canberra side the plan nearly worked.

Adelaide had their chances; the main one a long chip from 25 metres in the second half from Sharon Black saw an amazing finger tip save from Matilda keeper Lydia Williams.

But in truth the Canberra defence were strong throughout.

Amy Chapman was buzzing down the right. Cian Maciejewski was powerful again in midfield. Sasha McDonnell played her heart out. Bronwyn Studman was aggressive from full-back.

But you couldn't help thinking the control and skill of Caitlin Munoz is still being missed. Her ability to link with team-mates in the forward third, play with her back to goal and bring in and release others is badly missed.

Adelaide were missing their main strikers and as a result their goal threat was limited.

Canberra will be disappointed to get a draw, even with ten players.

Most teams would be delighted to get a point having to play the game for 82 minutes with 10 players but United played so well and created enough chances to win, I reckon they'll be disappointed.

With a few tough games to come this could be a case of a missed opportunity despite the refereeing decisions.

Player of the match: Ashleigh Sykes.

Pain in the arse...the ref.

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W-League is launched

100,000 plus women and girls play football, now we have the W-League...hooray.

Canberra United to win the league, Melbourne to play at the Dome before Sydney Melbourne game this week, W-League on the telly every week it's all too much and Russ Gibbs and 2XX to call all United home games....

and check out www.canberraunited.com for news, bus trips, membership, etc
FFA Release below:

Australia’s brand new national league competition – the Westfield W-League – kicks off this weekend with eight teams from around the country participating.

“This is not only an exciting new era in women’s football, but it’s also another landmark for women’s sport,” said Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley.

One match each week from the Westfield W-League will be broadcast live and exclusive on ABC1 each Saturday at 4.00pm.

“The Westfield W-League will help improve the skills and match preparedness of talented women athletes, and give them greater opportunity to play high quality competitive sport to their potential.

“A league for women has been overdue but the time is now right thanks to the support of Westfield, the ABC and the Australian Government.

The Westfield Group's support involves women’s football ranging from the Westfield Championship for Girls, the national women’s teams and the Westfield W-League. The Federal Government also contributed funds towards the cost of establishing a women’s league as part of its 2007 election promises. The ABC is host broadcaster.

“The women’s game globally is growing in popularity and stature and is one of the few sports available for talented women athletes to represent their country from an early age,” said Buckley.

“From a football perspective, the Westfield W-League will help in eliminating a competition gap for our top women players and better prepare them for participation in international competition through the Asian Football Confederation.”

In addition to the Westfield Matildas, FFA also has national women’s teams at Under 20 and Under 17 levels and is set to introduce an Under 13 national team next year.

Many of Australia’s top women players also play in overseas domestic leagues, such as the USA and Norway, and the timing of the Westfield W-League season will enable this to continue.

Buckley said that the Westfield W-League has another dimension, and that is the significant number of women who enjoy watching and playing the sport for fun and to have a healthy lifestyle.

“Almost 100,000 women and girls play football in formal competition and even more than that play informally.”

Buckley said that women’s football is an important priority for FFA, having enjoyed an average annual growth rate of 6.3% over the past five years.

The teams comprising the Westfield W-League are the same as the seven Australian Hyundai A-League teams, as well as a team from Canberra.

“We are developing the concept of the ‘super club’ structure in Australia along the lines of football clubs elsewhere in the world with men’s teams, women’s teams and youth teams,” Buckley said.

The Westfield W-League kicks-off this Saturday with three matches:

§ Perth Glory v Sydney FC, Members Equity Stadium, Perth, 1.00pm local (4.00pm AEDT), also live and exclusive on ABC1
§ Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners, Telstra Dome, 4.00pm local/AEDT, as a curtain-raiser to the Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC Hyundai A-League match
§ Queensland Roar v Adelaide United, Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, 5.00pm local (6.00pm AEDT).

The final match of the round will be played on Sunday when Newcastle Jets host Canberra United at Wanderers Oval, Broadmeadow, at 1.00pm local/AEDT.

The Westfield W-League season continues until the end of the year with a Finals Series to be played in January.

For further information, visit www.w-league.com.au

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Young Matildas to miss W-League kick-off

The Young Matildas will be playing in the ASEAN CUP in Thailand so they'll miss the big W-League kick-off.

Sydney FC Coach Alen Stajic will also miss the Sydney opening couple of games. He's the YM Coach. Apparently the AFC changed the dates. Great work AFC. One of the few National Women Leagues in Asia and ......you stuff it!

You can hear Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni on the Nearpost radio this week.

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Matildas, W-League and more.

Matildas are in Camp from Thursday this week at the AIS. Training sessions are open for anyone to observe.

And expect the W-League fixtures to be announced this week, on Friday. Canberra United will be away first game if my tea leaves are correct...and probably even if they aren't. With their first home game pencilled in for the first weekend in November.

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Podcast. Dylan Macallister Alen Stajic Robbie Hooker and more

National Show:
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Dylan Macallister talks about his debut and the standard of the A-League.
Lawrie McKinna discusses Mark Bosnich's debut and Ahmed Elrich's season ending injury.
We talk A-League and Socceroos
Alen Stajic talks Young Matildas and W-League

Local show including Robbie Hooker interview Download

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Radio:Mariners all over it!

Nationally:
Dylan Macallister, Lawrie McKinna talk us through the Magnificent Mariners.
Young Matildas Coach Alen Stajic reviews the recent camp and looks ahead.
We review the A-League Round 3, talks Socceroos v Holland and have dedication and quiz questions and all the news.

Locally:
Extended interview with Canberra United W-League Coach Robbie Hooker talks about his new role.
And Chris and Russ review the Men and Women's Premier League Final series.
Chris goes Magic 8 Ball crazy!

Tonight from 6:30pm or on the podcast here tomorrow.

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W-League:Recruitment drive on.

With a number of Coaches announced or about to be announced the race is on to sign the players.

It's a national league and with TV exposure Sydney FC or Queensland Roar romping home with huge win margins would help no-one. So a cunning plan has been devised to spread the player quality across the League and the Country.

Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni has produced a list of 60 of the best female players in the country. Included on the list I would expect Matildas, former Matildas and current Young and former Young Matildas to make the bulk of it.

Clubs, there are 8, can choose as many players as they want from that list in Draft 1.

But it is my understanding that Sydney FC, who could have up to 25 NSW players on the list, maybe more, are restricted to just 10 players from the list. The rest of the teams can pick as many as they wish.

In Adelaide or Perth Glory there might be just three or four players on the list, or even less.

Perth could pick any number of other players on the list, almost guaranteeing them a start should they wish to cross the Country every other week to play!

Where if a player on the list is from Sydney given the huge number of Sydney/NSW talented players not all will get a game.

Like the men's league the talent spreads across the country depending on pay. Unlike the men's league the W-League in Season 1 has no pay.

The FFA have agreed to pay airfares for three players to fly from, for example Sydney to play for Perth Glory each week. Thus potentially strengthening all teams.

Of course training/coaching is restricted if key players come in for just the games.

But the idea is to ensure the best players in the country are playing each week.

Which after all is what we want and need for player development. And indeed to make the televised game as entertaining as possible.

The first window allows for 18 players to be signed, with a further signing window before the Season starts.

Will players sign and travel to play for Perth or Adelaide if not selected for Sydney FC? They would in the A-League but the circumstances are slightly different.

If you want to play in the W-League and you can't get a start in Queensland or Sydney maybe they will travel.

More details to come on team selection and how the process works.

An interesting strategy. Will it work? I guess it could.

What say you?

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Podcast: Gary Phillips, Paul Hansford and all the A-League wrap

Nationally we have W-League Jets Coach and Under 17 Australian Women's Coach Gary Phillips, 442Editor Paul Hansford on why they want to talk to Graham Arnold.


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Locally we go in-depth with Woden Valley and ACT Rockets star Marcin Zygmunt.
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Radio: W-League Coaches, Under 17's lose

Gary Phillips Coach of the Newcastle Jets W-League side will be on the Nearpost show tonight along with 442 Editor Paul Hansford.

Gary Phillips is also Coach of the Under 17 National Women's team which lost to an older Japan side 4-3 in Canberra yesterday.

Phillips was delighted with the result particularly pleased with stand-out performances from Nicola Bolger and Emily Van Egmond.

Although he was pleased with the whole squad he felt it unfair to pick any individual out. "This result against an older Japanese side will give us great confidence for the pre-Asia Cup qualifiers coming up later in the year."

The Japanese side were two years older than our the Aussie under 17's who are all currently 15 as the team build for the next Under 17 World Cup.

The Japanese side will play Australia Under 20's on Wednesday and Friday this week.

Phillips is excited by his dual role and looking forward to the commencement of the W-League.

"Cheryl Salisbury will lead the team and we've got five Matildas from the area. We're looking to bring in players from elsewhere including overseas. We want this league to be as entertaining as possible if it's going to be on TV."

With Nicola Williams the first female announced, she'll take care of Western Australia and the Canberra Coach expected (according to me) to be Robbie Hooker, announced in the next few days. Teams and squads will be put together in a rush in the next fortnight.

All speculation but Alen Stajic is expected to take charge of Sydney FC. Robbie Hooker expected to get the nod in Canberra.

*There are no Canberra players currently in the Under 17 side.

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W-League: It is coming...honest!

W-League is coming even if things have gone a tad quiet. I'm expecting the TV Deal with the ABC to be announced next Thursday...and..

in Canberra I'm expecting the Coach to be announced next week.

There have been a number of applicants, interviews were held last week, so an announcement any day soon.

Sydney FC are starting their trials the first week of September so Canberra is hardly behind, and I've only heard of one Coach, Adelaide United's Mike Barnett been appointed so far.

Wonder if we'll see any women in the roles. I doubt if given the criteria required to be able to coach.

Interestingly the difference in Selection Criteria between Canberra United and Sydney FC was astonishing. The level of detail in the Canberra application perhaps reflecting the bureaucratic town we live in:)

And I would expect Canberra United to need to attract a few out of town players to make us competitive with Sydney and Queensland Roar FC.

That said if the local players are good enough, and many will be, it would be great to have a complete team from the Capital and the Region.

But this team is not a Federation team so positions are open to all, from anywhere.

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FFA: What Salary Cap?

The FFA are saying there is a salary cap of $150,000 for the W-League, but the teams are saying they won't be paying anyone!!!

Sure you can have a Salary Cap but if no-one has the money to spend then it's a tad meaningless. This one needs to be investigated for clarification. I'll make a phone call or three.

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