Canberra A-League on SBS TV.
Canberra A-League bid on SBS yesterday.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Canberra Times on Canberra A-League
Business Editor John Thistleton wrote this article on the Canberra A-League. It appeared in Saturday's Forum pages. Reprinted here in case you missed it:)
A positive yet realistic piece I thought. What say you?
And The stakes are high and potential ad-viewing audiences huge – for businesses backing Canberra's entry into Australia's A-League soccer competition. Armed with market research predicting home crowds of more than 15,000 fans – many more than the well-established Brumbies and Raiders – Canberra's bid team is also confident soccer's ascendancy will give the ACT a higher profile in South East Asia and Europe.
Their challenge is tailor-made for the national capital, which has world-class facilities at the Canberra Stadium – an in-principle agreement to use the venue was signed yesterday – and Australian Institute of Sport. For once the lack of a coastline
and having a town full of politicians – often hurdles when it comes to marketing Canberra – do not count against the city. And while Western Sydney and the South Coast are the favourites to fill the 12th spot in the fast-growing competition – Canberra and Tasmania are rated outsiders – NSW's ailing economy could harm the front-runners' claims.
In the so-called world game, having a national capital without a team in the top domestic competition is not a good look. Britain's
Guardian newspaper, noting which cities hosting a national government had no top-flight team, lumped Canberra with Abuja (Nigeria),
Ottowa and New Dehli. A-League bid team media liaison officer Eamonn Flanagan says the lack of a team could hinder Australia's
bid for the 2018 World Cup.
''Can they afford to put a bid in without the capital of Australia in there? You know, it's just politic. It looks better to have a team playing here, it helps their cause.''
Canberra's A-League bid leader Ivan Slavich says a five-year business case by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows annual operating costs to field a team and cover marketing, administration and travel would be about $6-$9 million.
''We have estimated there's a shortfall in the first three to four years, which will be funded by a $6 million sinking fund. We expect the club to be profitable in year five and there's certain aspects to cover. . . the provisions for a marquee player.''
Flanagan says player payments could amount to $2.5 million a year depending on the salary cap. The A-League's highest-paid marquee
player, Sydney FC's John Aloisi, earns $1.2 million a year. Each club is allowed one such player, whose wages are not counted within the salary cap, for pulling crowds and keeping sponsors happy.
The ACT Government has chipped in $2.5 million, sponsorship totals $2.5 million and, according to Flanagan, 1000 foundation members have contributed $200 each, an astonishing response considering there is no team as yet.
Slavich says five investors have each contributed $500,000, and backers are among the most prominent business people inCanberra who don't want their names splashed across newspapers just yet.
Owning a national sporting team sounds glamorous, but don't do it for the money warns developer Col Alexander, who tried for 25 years to establish the Canberra Cannons in the National Basketball League.
The managing director of Canberra Investment Corporation and onetime NSW basketballer says the Cannons took the league by surprise, winning three of the five grand finals they contested, only to be trounced off the court by a lack of money.
''To be brutally frank, the problem with the NBL was they did not have a strong hold over the players andsalary caps, and really, the players and salaries drove the owners to such an extent, the cost to make both ends meet was just not achievable.
''The Cannons could raise $1.5 million each year, but it cost $1.8 million to run it. All the big boys around the country thought they
would raise basketball to a level that was going to compete with football. It was just never going to be the case.
To be blunt, they believed their own bullshit.''
The Cannons paid through the nose to use AIS facilities and could not accommodate more than 5000 fans at home. Alexander says that
Canberra Stadium's 20,000-plus capacity will help soccer's cause.
At their peak, the Cannons gave all of their rivals a touch-up – and Alexander as well, financially, physically and mentally.
''When the Cannons were finally buried, people came up to me six months, nine months later, saying, gee you look well'. I didn't realize what it was sucking out of me.''
His best wishes for the soccer bid are tempered by this observation:
''Canberra likes winners. The moment you start to lose, they desert you in droves. The loyalty in this city doesn't exist. You can see that in the Brumbies and Raiders over the
years.''
Raiders chief executive Don Furner says it is hard to get people to games in snow and driving rain, and even harder since the introduction of pay television, which ended the Green Machine's golden era of the 1980s, when crowds averaged between
15,000 to 22,000.
In the 2008 season, the Raiders'biggest home game – against the eventual grand finalist, Melbourne Storm – drew 15,550 fans. Canberra
Stadium group general manager Neale Guthrie says the A-League's summer season will appeal to people, and in revenue terms, having
a Canberra team would be like having another Raiders club using the stadium.
Furner has no doubt an A-League club would compete in a limited pool for business sponsors.
Canberra Business Council and ACT Tourism Advisory Council spokesman David Marshall says when they are on a roll, the Brumbies
and Raiders generate excellent publicity for the national capital. He says the ACT Government has cleverly marketed its Live In Canberra campaign on the back of the Brumbies playing in South Africa and New Zealand.
He says Slavich has done a fantastic job generating community support, which is essential. ''Now if we could secure some national sponsors, not necessarily locally based, who could see potential, that would be something organizers are looking at. There are companies
around who are very keen to infiltrate this market because they deal with the Commonwealth Government and so there is a certain attraction in sponsoring something on a national basis, but Canberra-focussed.''
On the question of consistently drawing 15,000 crowds in the quietest summer months of the year,
Marshall says many Canberrans are still around over December and January. ''There used to be an exodus [but] if you go to Boxing Day sales, the place is packed, so that doesn't necessarily need to be an issue. If you've got the product people will come.''
Slavich says Canberra has 18,000 active junior players and with their parents, add up to 50,000 people with a direct interest in soccer.
''It's the world game. Football is going to get bigger and bigger in this country. Have a look at Adelaide (United, beaten finalist in this season
Asian Champions League). They have this Asian exposure, and if we get this for Canberra, there are many Canberra-based companies looking to go into Asia. If we have an A-League team, as an icebreaker, they will have a corporate box for clients from Asia. There's also the opportunity for demonstration matches.''
The Canberra bid team will meet Football Federation Australia on Tuesday to press its case and expects a decision early next year. Flanagan says it is a mistake to compare any future A-League side with the Canberra Cosmos national league venture,which ended after the 2000-01 season, because of soccer's revolution in Australia since then. ''A 20-year-old today doesn't know what you're talking about when you talk about the Cosmos. ''We now qualify (for the World Cup) through Asia, which is one of the reasons, even if you are not a soccer fan, that you've heard more about the
Socceroos in the last few years than you did in the previous 30 years.''
Joining the Asia Football Confederation gave the Socceroos and the women's national team, the Matildas, a higher profile in a fiercely
contested competition.
''Next week we're playing Bahrain, we're playing Japan in February in Tokyo – it is a completely different time for football.''
■ John Thistleton is
Business Editor.
My God! Wellington to be dumped!!!
AFC President Bin Hamman said on SBS today that the AFC wish to see Wellington Phoenix dumped from the Australian A-League in 2011, when their FIFA agreement ends.
Now whilst I do not support this idea, the implications for the Canberra A-League bid are very exciting.
Amy Chapman happy with the win in Melbourne
Canerra United star Amy Chapman was delighted with the win in Melbourne yesterday and praised the United defence for their resolute second half display.
"We played a good attacking first half, perhaps unfortunate not to capitalise on our chances, but the strong headwind in the second half made it very difficult for us to get into their half," said Chapman.
"We were definitely pleased to get the three points and we are concentrating on getting results at this stage.
"Melbourne had some girls over 6 foot so we were a bit outdone physically, but our backline did really well. I thought Ellie Brush and Thea (Slatyer) and Bec (Kiting) when she came on did really well.
"Young Ashleigh Sykes had a really good game upfront. She caused havoc with her speed.
"We need to capitalise on our chances, but it was hard to get forward with the wind in the second half and ultimately we're happy with the win.
Canberra United sit third in the table after 4 games. Having defeated Queensland 1-0 then losing to the Mariners 2-1 last week at home Chapman was surprised to hear Queensland had thumped the Mariners 5-0 and bottom side Perth had defeated next weeks opponents Adelaide 3-2.
"Adelaide are definitely beatable, we want to get another record crowd. Last home game the crowd was fantastic, we were disappointed we didn't get the result.
"The big crowd does put a bit of pressure on the team but it puts a bit of excitement around the team and we really want to get a record number of spectators at any non-double header game because we had a massive crowd last time, and although there are the critics out there, we really enjoy supporters being there for us as we know how well we can play...to get the points this weekend is really important for us.
"The main thing is it's entertaining and young people aspire to where we are at and we can come away with a good performance in front of a massive home crowd," added Chapman.
You can hear the full interview with Amy Chapman on Tuesday on the Nearpost 6-30 to 7-30pm and of course we are now streaming go to www.2xxfm.org.au and listen from anywhere in the world, or catch it on the poddie on hear on Wednesday.
Canberra United media release:
Canberra United Victorious in Melbourne
Canberra United moved into the top four for the first time in Westfield W-League history after securing their second win of the season with a 1-0 win over the Melbourne Victory at Bob Jane Stadium last night.
Sasha McDonnell’s second goal of the season in the 24th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides as Canberra United continue their impressive form away from home which also recorded an upset victory over Queensland Roar a fortnight ago.
The Canberra side outplayed their opposition in a physical contest which saw Canberra’s Cian Maciejewski collect her second yellow card of the season mid way through the second stanza.
Both sides has opportunities in the first half but stellar goalkeeper from both Matildas goalkeepers Lydia Williams of Canberra and Melissa Barbieri of Melbourne, denying the opposition on several occasions.
Canberra nearly took an early lead when Maciejewski’s connected with a great header off an Amy Chapman corner kick, it was stopped by Barbieri initially and then spilled, but no one besides the Victory backline was there to clean up.
Minutes later, the Victory nearly punished Canberra United for their missed opportunity when Louisa Bisby shot left Williams wrong footed after the ball took a deflection on the way to goal but struck the upright and away to safety.
In the 24th minutes, Canberra’s Ashleigh Sykes made a blistering trademark run down the left wing before cutting in towards goal along the baseline which drew Victory custodian Melissa Barbieri off her line to create the only goal of the game.
After dragging Barbieri from her line, Sykes found McDonnell at the top of the penalty box who calmly slotted what eventually became the winning goal mid way through the first half.
Coming out from the break with a 1-0 lead, Canberra had the opportunity to extend their lead when McDonnell was brought down on the edge of the 18-year box but Grace Gill missed the target from the free kick.
Ten minutes later, Canberra United’s Kara Mowbray thought she had doubled the visitors lead after Maciejewski’s flick on header left Mowbray all alone with Barbieri but was ruled to be offside in the 60th minute.
Melbourne started applying pressure in search for an equaliser which left the Canberra’s backline on their heels as the defence were put under more and more pressure as the clock wound down.
The result was nearly put in jeopardy ten minutes from time when Melbourne’s Rebecca Tegg was awarded a penalty after going to ground inside the 18-yard box but after match official Casey Reibelt consulted her linesman, the decision was reverse as Tegg was determined to be offside.
The pressure continued into injury time as the Victory continued to push for a late goal but a shot from Sophie Hogben narrowly missed the target as Canberra United hung on to record a vital three points away from home."
Canberra United head coach Robbie Hooker, praised his side after the tough 1-0 victory for sticking with the game plan.
“We played pretty much to the way that we said we were going to play before the game,” Hooker said.
“We waned a little in the second half, but certainly in the first half, we did what we set out to do in terms of how we were going to play against their defence, where we were going to defend from and where we were going to press from, and how we were going to attack and we did that well.
“With a little bit more composure in the final third and better decision making, we probably could have had a few more.
Despite the three points and a spot in the top four, Hooker still believes there’s room for improving as the competition nears the halfway stage.
“Having said that, the second half was a battle, and obviously Melbourne were pushing to get something out and I think we also lacked a lot of composure at the back at crucial times, we just didn’t get rid of the ball first time and kicked wildly at things when we just needed to get it down and play it and that’s what happens some times”
“I would like it to continue with a few more goals, one probably isn’t going to be enough in future games, but it’s good to get some points away from home considering that last week at home we probably threw away a few points it’s a good turn around for us.”
GAME DETAILS
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 3.Marlies OOSTDAM, 4.Tal KARP (c), 5.Laura ALLEWAY, 6.Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 7.Sarah GROENEWALD (13.Deanna NICESKI 84) , 8.Louisa BISBY, 9.Rebecca TEGG, 11.Brittany TIMKO, 15.Daniela DIGIAMMARCO (18.Ursula HUGHSON 56) 19.Enza BARILLA (12.Sophie HOGBEN 56)
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED, 20.Nicole PAUL (gk),
YELLOW CARDS, Maika Rutyer-Hooley, 49.
RED CARDS: Nil
GOALS: Nil
Canberra United squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 3.Amy CHAPMAN, 4.Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5.Sasha MCDONNELL (15.Nicole SYKES 92)., 7.Ellie BRUSH, 9.Grace GILL, 11.Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12.Kara MOWBRAY, 13.Thea SLATYER, 14.Ashleigh SYKES (19.Jennifer BISSET 88), 17.Christine WALTERS (8.Rebecca KITING 57).
SUBSTITUTES NOT USED, 20.Maja BLASCH (gk),
YELLOW CARDS, Cian Maciejewski, 74.
RED CARDS: Nil
GOALS: McDonnell 24’
Crowd: 700 (approx)
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Canberra United win away: United 1 Victory 0
Canberra United recorded their second win, and second away win of their campaign to move into the top four of the W-League after 4 games.
A goal from Sasha McDonnell sealed the win. But Melbourne Victory had a penalty claim turned down, Robbie Hooker said we should have scored more, (heard that before) and Grace Gill had a goal chalked off for offside.
I wasn't there, but a report is here http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=wleague_newsdisplay&id=24875
And this week we're home to Adelaide United. 4pm Saturday.
It's on the telly, so wear your green, get to Fortress McKellar early, it's going to be a bigger crowd than the first game.
Canberran Steph Tokich is back for Adelaide United.
But the Canberra team will be desperate for a win and we're going to cheer them home in front of a National TV Audience.
And some guys are working on setting up a football forum for Canberra football, to garner W-Leage and A-League support.
And given the number of responses to W-League games on this blog, we need a forum where football fans can discuss the game at all levels in Canberra.
I'll keep you posted as soon as it's organised.
For now you'll have to do with me....Go United....
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Rebecca Wilson: Football in Crises:)
Rebecca Wilson thinks football in Australia is in crises.
Rebecca Wilson says,
"Either the game does surgery on itself here or soccer faces a future that is very bleak indeed.
Soccer is in crisis and Adelaide United's horrendous two losses proved once and for all that something has to be done to fix it.
See her full article, and yes she got paid to write it!!! Has she followed the game in the last 15 years? Anyway here's my two cents.
Dear Rebecca,
If Adelaide hadn't got to the ACL final by beating Chinese, Japanese and Koreans sides
If we had no juniors playing the game
If we weren't heading to South Africa
If our first real TV deal wasn't expected to grow
If more clubs weren't dying to get into the league
If the FFA weren't making a profit
If the Wilson's of this world weren't writing this crap
If Club Sponsors and Memberships weren't continuing to increase
If we weren't in Asia
If the A-League wasn't 5 times faster than the old NSL
If we didn't have a Women's League..on National TV
If Adelaide had beaten Gamba Osaka
We might be in crises..as it is we have a standard to aspire to, and a whole heap of reasons to be positive
Indeed Rebecca, if this is a crises, then bring it on baby:)
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Charity football in Tuggeranong.
Dawn to Dusk Charity Football Match
The annual 12 hour non-stop marathon charity football match will take place on
Sunday 30th November 2008 in conjunction with the Tuggeranong Community Festival.
Teams and individuals of all ages and abilities are welcome to register.
Player and team registrations are due by Friday 21st November 2008. www.tufc.com.au to download Registrations forms
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Canberra A-League bid...been busy
Organising stuff for the Canberra A-League bid.
Phones running hot, there's talking and smoozing going on. It's feeling good.
Came out of the A-League Committee meeting last night, a lot of purpose, a lot of focus starting to happen.
Money, real money changes many things and it seems the Canberra bid is going ahead at real pace.
Next Tuesday 2pm FFA Headquarters Sydney. Ivan Slavich will present the Canberra case.
The easy bit the start-up $6 million reckon we're all over that one.
The next bit: Infrastructure, we have some of the best in Australia.
The community: We need to connect, and start to connect in a real way over the coming months. We can once we are at this stage.
And the hard bit; getting the annual $6 million plus budget to build a really strong club. Bit by bit we're starting to tick the boxes.
Can you assist to open doors, can you assist to volunteer to take the message to the community. Contact me if you can, or watch the official website details to go up soon. A smalll amount of time, be a part of the bid, hand out leaflets, stand at shopping centres in the coming weeks, W-League games, at the Clubs, meet the children talk the message, can you do that? One hour a month, one hour a week?
And Saturday's Canberra Times, expect to see a big article in The Forum section of the paper and SBS World Game will run the story on Sunday...miss it and catch it on the Web.
We'll never get as close as this, so let's get it over the line.
Nearpost Tuesday
Friday, 7 November 2008
Canberra A-League bid: AAP update
A night at the A-League.
Neal Guthrie (Canberra Stadium) Heather Reid (CEO Capital Football) and Franz Weimper (Millissa Fischer's advisor and Assistant Head Coach Altona Magic.)
An inspiring group of Canberrans
Former Socceroo Danny Moulis, Matildas and Canberra United star Caitlin Munoz (Get to the game Sunday 5pm at Fortress McKellar), Ned Zelic, and Canberra A-League Bid Leader Ivan Slavich.
Here's just one story from last night's Canberra A-League Function from AAP News Service
FOXSPORTSCanberra close to launching A-League bid
By Peter Veness
CANBERRA, Nov 6 AAP - Canberra appears close to launching a fully-funded bid for an A-League licence after winning backing from Victorian businesswoman Millissa (Millissa) Fischer.
Fischer already owns the Victorian Premier League side Altona Magic and will financially back the Canberra bid.
"We can work together and I look forward to seeing a winning team in Canberra. It's very exciting," Fischer said.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) requires a $6 million base before considering the bid and tonight a crowd of about 100 people heard $5 million had been raised.
The ACT government has committed $2.5 million and a further $2.5 million had been promised by unnamed investors.
It is understood Ms Fischer's support will bring Canberra to the $6 million required but the bid committee would not confirm this.
Former Socceroo great Ned Zelic is also involved in the bid and has not ruled out returning to his home town full-time as coach.
"I've always been one in the past to pretty much only do things that I believe in and this is something that I really do believe in," Zelic said.
"I'm convinced that Canberra deserves a team in the A-League."
Bid leader and local business leader Ivan Slavich told tonight's crowd market research had indicated a Canberra A-League outfit would attract an average crowd of 15,000 people - another of the federation's prerequisites.
"It's for the whole community," Slavich said.
The bid committee will meet with FFA on November 18.
"I can see no reason why we would not be accepted into the league for season 2010/11.
AAP 06-11-08 2009
Foundation Members wil get an update in the coming days..re:last night and FFA meeting coming up.
And www.a-league4canberra.com.au will have updates from early next week.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
It's the vibe....it's our city our team...come and join us.
Win Canberra United Season Passes and a Socceroos Shirt.
Socceroos Ned Zelic, Danny Moulis, Steve Hogg, Matildas and Canberra United's Caitlin Munoz, Futsalroo Jason Lancsar are just some of our National Team representatives confirmed for Thursday's event.
Millissa Fischer's advisor, Franz Weimper will be in attendance.
And Football Analyst Scott McIntyre from SBS, AAP, Win TV, Football writer Merryn Sherwood Canberra Times, Tim Gavel ABC Canberra, Paul Newman, Sports Editor Canberra Times, Jorian Gardner City News, Erin Nolan, Win are all joining us...and a few more expected to confirm tomorrow.
Be sure to make them all welcome and let them know what an A-League team for Canberra would mean to you. They want to hear from you, so tell them!
Come along 5:30 - 7:30 Deakin Club, Grose Street Deakin, meet the stars of past and present from the Indoor and Outdoor game. RSVP links@links.com.au
Find about the bid, it's our city our region our team. Find out what an A-League team might do for you, your children, your business and the region.
And check out the new website www.a-league4canberra.com.au
And it's free. Free food, free tickets to win Canberra W-League Season Passes and a Socceroos shirt which I'll get Ned Zelic to sign..should you win!
Canberra Football: What a week ahead
A night at the A-League tomorrow. Thursday 6th Nov. Ned Zelic (fmr Socceroo and Canberran), Danny Moulis (fmr Socceroo and Moulis Legal) and Ivan Slavich (Bid Leader) will be our speakers. Mark Parton the MC. Canberra Deakin Club, Grose Street, Deakin.
And find out about the Canberra A-League bid. DO NOT MISS OUT THIS WILL BE HISTORIC. RSVP: links@links.com.au some places still available and it's free!
And Canberra United's first home game on Sunday and get a taste for the action right here:)
Download
Adelaide United: Tonight it's historic
When Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup in 1967 with all 11 players born within 30 miles of the Stadium, we beat Inter Milan 2-1 btw after being a goal down, it marked history. I still mention it today to all my EPL fans:)
Man United, Liverpool or even Notts Forest have never been able to take that title the away from us.
Tonight Adelaide United have the opportunity to be the first Aussie club ever. It'll be remembered 50 years from now if they can achieve it.
And Aurelio said this is as important as the Socceroos Uruguay game. I believe him even if the rest of Australia don't...yet.
In our fourth year of competition, our second year of the Asian Champions League an Aussie club is in the final.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and FIFA President Sepp Blatter will fly to Adeldaide for the second game.
The significance of the occasion has not been lost on those at the highest level, with the broadest view. Only many Aussie media outlets still struggle to deal with the code, and the "uninteresting" opposition.
Tonight will be United's hardest game. Just ask Melbourne who demolished home and way by Gamba earlier in the season.
But for Australia it will be our biggest club game ever.
How many people have ever watch an AFL Grand Final. 4 million?
In Japan alone the game will surely top 10 million and then there's Brazil, Europe and Asia all with an interest...and don't forget the 100,000 pat tv viewers in Oz.
Football's journey continues, and the United journey has been extraordinary.
It will be a great occasion, don't miss this one. Fox circa 8pm.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Nearpost: Tune in Sunday!!!
Tonight. we crossed live to MacKellar Stadium where Russ Gibbs set the scene for the weekend. In the studio we talked to Caitlin Munoz.
The first half hour we talked Asian Champions League, Finals, and A-League.
And we hope to have talkback phone-in after the game as you leave MacKellar in coming weeks, so you can listen in your motor car!
This week we'll have thirty minutes before and after the game a preview on radio with match callers Russ Gibbs, Heather Reid, Christine Ng, Merryn Sherwood and after the game we'll hear from the United players if we are lucky!
Catch the stream if you can't get to the game, Here's the link
Download National show
Download Local Show
Football in Iran!
Young Matildas v Iran coming up. A player from Iran is in the photo above taken from the FIFA site in a recent match
Has there ever been any other football team compete in anything like it. Iran won't qualify this time apparently but they are not too bad. Go Iran!
Hats off to them:)
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Spirit of Canberra shines - United gain first win
Canberra United beat Queensland Roar 1-0 in Brisbane today to gain their opening win of the W-League season so I thought I'd better write something, because we all love a winner:)
A hard fought win, United were focused for the full ninety with so many heroes all over the park.
The game was televised on ABC, and it was great to see the local team on the box.
And for the listeners Coach Robbie Hooker's comments entertained as much as his side.
United lost their opener last week and away to one of the favourites for the competition this week only diehards thought they'd get the win.
Lauren Colthorpe, Claire Polkinthorne, Kate McShea, Alicia Ferguson all represented Australia at last years World Cup and formed a formidable defensive Roar unit.
But Hooker showed why he is called, "the Poacher," he's moulded a pacy outfit with a determined team spirit showing through even at this early stage.
Kara Mowbray and this weeks Nearpost guest Sasha McDonnell despite carrying injuries were a pain in the Roar defence all game. Their pace and work rate caused many problems. Isn't it great to see hard-working fast forwards.
Mowbray scored the only goal and was outstanding all game, indeed the ABC gave her the player of the match award.
Canberra opened well, controlling the tempo and were quick to the ball. A bouncing ball on a hard surface made it hard to play quality football, but there was plenty on show, particularly from Canberra.
And it was great to see young players playing their part. Nicola Sykes, from Dubbo, Rebecca Kiting played well on debut. Kiting alongside Thea Slatyer kept the Roar strikers quiet for most the game.
The drive of Weston Creek's Cian Maciejewski and the guile of Grace Gill were important in the midfield. And their efforts in the second half were vital to this result.
And of course the effervescent Amy Chapman was never far from the action. And nearly snatched a second late on with a typical inventive shot.
Leading 1-0 at half-time United came under severe pressure in the second half.
Players were dropping with the heat and intensity of the game. But United stood firm.
And they had to. But in truth the Roar huffed and puffed but lacked any real inventiveness or any ability to change their tactics during the second half
Thea Slatyer was all class, Lydia Williams showed why she is the Matildas keeper. She dealt with everything that got past the United defence. And even had to take some Roar Bore fans chanting against her everytime she kicked the ball.
All class in Brisbane!
But with Captain Ellie Brush and Thea Slatyer leading the defence, in truth the Roar didn't really penetrate.
And once the storm was weathered United started to play some good football late on. And with a little luck could have grabbed a second.
Next week United are at home for the first time and if they can grab a win they'll be well placed to give this competition a shake.
At the moment it would seem only injuries can halt this side.
Pace all over the park, neat quick interpassing and a robust and gutsy team effort were all evident.
This United team is on a roll and could be the surprise packet of the tournament.
Nice one United!
My player of the match: Cian Maciejewski.
You can hear the Nearpost team gloat over the United win on Tuesday from 7pm on the 98.3fm 2XX.
Canberra A-League: New website update
Check out the new updated Canberra website: www.a-league4canberra.com.au
Friday, 31 October 2008
Fischer-Massa supports Canberra A-League bid
Canberra A-League Bid on the front foot!
MEDIA RELEASE
31st October 2008
Fischer-Massa supports Canberra A-League bid
Successful businesswoman and football fan Mrs Millissa Fischer-Massa has thrown her support behind the Canberra A-League bid.
“We can work together and I look forward to seeing a winning team in Canberra. It’s very exciting.” said Fischer-Massa.
Fischer-Massa brings her wealth of football experience and business expertise to the bid. She currently owns the Victorian Premier League Champion side Altona Magic who won the Victoria Premier League in 2008.
Bid Leader Ivan Slavich said, “It’s great to have Millissa on board. She’s passionate about a Canberra team, passionate about seeing the team succeed in the A-League and beyond.
“Millissa’s involvement with Altona Magic will be of great benefit to the Canberra club. It will provide an extra pathway for our A-league team and our current young players who are still developing. We see it as a wonderful advantage for our team.”
“We will meet Football Federation Australia on November 18th and present our case. I can see no reason why we would not be accepted into the League for season 2010/11.
“It’s been a fantastic week for Canberra football. Ned Zelic has joined as our Number One Ambassador and now Mrs Fischer-Massa has joined the Bid. It’s full steam ahead.
“Foundation Members still have chance to sign up; more members will only increase our strength.
“On Thursday we have “Our night at the A-League,” our special guest will be Ned Zelic, I think it’s fair to say we’ll be pretty upbeat,” said Slavich.
Sign up for Foundation Memberships at www.a-league4canberra.com
Canberra United: Where to watch the game on TV
Warning: DO NOT WATCH THIS GAME ALONE.
To be seen in GREEN, there is a gathering to watch the Canberra United historic live game against Queensland Roar in Brisbane on ABC 4pm LIVE this Saturday.
Event Info Host: Dickson Tradies
Time and Place Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Dickson Tradies
Description:
Canberra United are playing Qld Roar live on ABC at 4pm, come support the team at the Dickson Tradies on Sat 1st Nov....and wear the green.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Ned Zelic our Number One Ambassador.
Ivan Slavich, ABC's Tim Gavel and Ned Zelic talk the talk.
Former Socceroo Ned Zelic will be on ABC 666AM Canberra at 10.30am on Thursday..yes they changed it,talking Canberra A-League and his whole football journey from Canberra to Germany, Japan Georgia and the rest!
Quite a journey Ned!
And Ivan Slavich met Ned today and announced Ned is to become the Number One Ambassador for the Canberra A-League bid.
Nearpost podcasts: Sasha McDonnell
Monday, 27 October 2008
Nearpost has termites!
Well not exactly but as you may or not know I've been retired from work some years ago and turned my time to blogging to fill the endless void.
But my health is (still) not so good, hence the reduction in posts. And I'm expecting to reduce blog postings significantly in coming days/weeks, I have already as you may have noticed.
Thanks for all the posts, emails, from near and far....until I (may) return!
But FourFourTwo have started A-League and W-League blogs and a Canberra United fan should offer their services...at least for the weeks after the TV and home games.
But in better news:
A new fooball radio show 3-5pm every Sunday on 2XX 98.3fm will start this week. With SEVEN local hosts, male and female...and you can listen from anywhere in the world as it will be streamed...I'm not involved.
And all Canberra United W-League home games will be called live, catch the stream on this blog....I'm not involved in that either:)
And come along to the Canberra A-League evening, "Night with Ned Zelic, Danny Moulis and Ivan Slavich." Nov 6th Deakin Club, 5.30pm.
And there could be some MASSIVE news on the night.
And on the Nearpost radio tomorrow: ACL, A-League and W-League, interview with Queensland Roar Captain Kate McShea, and we'll focus on Canberra United in the local half of the show and hope to have a guest in the studio.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
Ned Zelic: Canberra should have an A-League team
Ned Zelic: Canberra needs an A-League team,
I would love to have stayed and played in Canberra.
Ned joined us on the Nearpost last night. We had a ball talking football with one of Canberra's finest footballer. And a great listen for any football fan.
National Show: DownloadNed Zelic talks Current Socceroos, Asia 4th Visa Rule and impact on Aussies, Adelaide United, Coach Vidmar, Best A-League ground and more.
Locally: DownloadWhy Ned thinks Canberra needs an A-League
Why there should be even more quality players from Canberra.
Yes we asked Ned if he meant that goal, sorry but we did, of course he meant it
The day he nearly signed for Man Utd
How he went overseas at 21.
What he's doing next.
Who the best players he played with.
The best Socceroos he played with
What he would do to Mark Viduka the day Viduka got sent-off against Brazil.
How he loved playing in Georgia, Germany but not England
How he paid his signing on fee back to QPR, his choice.
And did he regret quitting the Socceroos so early?
We also feature interviews with Canberra United Coach Robbie Hooker and in the local half hour we catch up with the only player from the ACT Women's Premier League who made it to the W-League. Cian Maciejewski.
Matildas win..just
And now everyone flies back and gets ready to travel to their various W-League openers and then many will head for the Under 20 World Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia in a couple of weeks...never stops does it!
FFA Release below
The Westfield Matildas have triumphed in a tense Final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships held in Ho Chi Minh City, with a 0-1 defeat over host nation, Vietnam.
The Westfield Matildas are the second Australian team to win an ASEAN Championship in ten days, with the Qantas Young Socceros defeating Korea in the men's U19 Championship earlier in the month.
"I thought we were well in control for most of the game," said Westfield Matildas coach, Tom Sermanni.
"But all credit to the Vietnam team. They had numbers behind the ball, defended well and were lively on the counter attack.
"They certainly kept Lydia (Williams - the goalkeeper) busy."
The only goal of the game came in the 80th minute with an own goal scored off a corner.
"Despite the tactics of the opposition, I was pleased with the way we kept our shape and our cool," Sermanni said.
"We're delighted to have the win in what is an important regional tournament!"
The Westfield Matildas return to Australia tomorrow and will go straight into preparation for the kick-off this weekend of the Westfield W-League, the new national league for women.
The Westfield W-League was launched earlier this evening in Sydney and described by Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, as an "exciting new era" for women's sport and women's football.
The next international outing for many of the squad in tonight's game will be with the Westfield Young Matildas (U20) who travel to Kuala Lumpur to participate in Asian Football Confederation qualifiers for the FIFA Women's U20 World Cup.
.
ENDS
Match Details
AFF Women's Championship 2008 - FINAL
20 October
Vietnam v Australia
Thanh Long Sports Complex, Vietnam
6.00pm local, 10.00pm AEDT
(Please note that not all details are available at the time of distribution)
VIETNAM, 0 - AUSTRALIA, 1 og (80')
STARTING LINE-UP: Lydia Williams (gk), Kim Carroll (c), Brooke Spence, Lyndsay Glohe, Ashleigh Sykes, Christine Walters (Victoria Balomenos 46'), Ella Mastrantonio, Yesim Servet Uzunlar (Renee Rollason 80' approx), Lauren Colthorpe, Tameka Butt, Jenna Tristram (Leena Khamis 56')
SUBS NOT USED: Renee Rollason, Melissa Barbieri (gk)
UNAVAILABLE: Elise Kellond-Knight (injured), Clare Polkinghorne (suspended), Amy Chapman (suspended)
Monday, 20 October 2008
Enjoy the 2010 World Cup..it could be our last
I spent years telling everyone I knew that Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell were good enough to get this country to a World Cup.
With other players in Serie A, EPL, SPL and Eredivision it wasn't hard to see the potential.
After all even good old Ireland had made it with many lesser known stars and no-one with the individual talent of Kewell or Viduka.
Most non-football Aussies smiled and just shook their head.
Okay I was right, but what about after the 2010 World Cup.....we ain't going anywhere are we......
Our Under 17's aren't going to any World Cup after last weeks performance,
Under 20's well they might but do we have another Kewell, I'm not hearing it if we do are you, and the Olyroos were rubbish with only Matthew Spiranovic among the outfield players worth truly considering for future stardom.
So enjoy South Africa 2010 because there is no way we are going in 2014 and we may well need to host the thing to get there again.
Don't believe me?
Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Vinny Grella, Scott Chipperfield, Marco Bresciano, Archie Thompson, Craig Moore, Mark Scharwer, Brett Emerton, Jason Culina will all retire after South Africa. Age and travel will weary them. And if it doesn't they won't have much left in the tank for another four years, not all of them.
If Cahill was bursting through last World Cup, Scott Chipperfield and Lucas Neill were adding to Kewell and Viduka's depth but where are our next generation of top line players coming from
They all need to be playing Champions League, EPL or some other such fine divisions if we are to push on after South Africa.
Bruce Djite may come good and push into a higher league. Nathan Burns has yet to play. Carl Valeri and Brett Holman both need to take another step or two.
Matthew Spiranovic we need him to keep growing, but will he be on his own?
Who else will crack the EPL?
Adrian Leijer? James Holland not sure, Mark Milligan, I doubt it.
Adam Federici is a hope.
So here's my team for post-2010.
Federici,
Carney, yes we'll still need him, Spiranovic, Milligan/North, Wilkshire, yes we'll need to keep him as well!
In midfield James Holland, I'm not sure yet, Carl Valeri, Jason Culina still going?, Neil Kilkenny you are joking, Stuart Musialik..forget it, Ben Kantarovski only 16 so who knows.
Upfront Bruce Djite..will he really come back to play with this lot, James Troisi, Matt Simon, at top level I doubt it. Will Josh Kennedy's frail body really hold up?
How many of them will crack the top leagues by then? Few if any. Certainly none to compare to the current list in my view.
How many other potential stars have I missed? Nikita Rukavystya, Nicky Ward, Mile Jedinak, Shannon Cole, Michael Zullo..not at the level we are talking about are they?
That's my worry...I might have missed some but they are hardly stars are they?
Enjoy South Africa I will, because there is no way we are going again for a long time unless you know something I don't.
And the growth of the game will slow post-South Africa, no wonder we need to bid for the 2018 World Cup..at least that way we'll only miss one!
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
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Coaches improve the A-League...well some!
Wellington and Perth, I've bagged them both here, particularly Ricky Herbert's men.
They both won, but I notice Wellington did it by removing Karl Dodd and Richard Johnson from the midfield and played Lei Lei Gao from the start.
Not hard is it Ricky, i mean to read the blog and get free advice, and suddenly you look like a football team at least. Kossie and Farina should do the same:)
Perth beat Sydney in an entertaining game. 2-1
Just waiting for John Kosmina to follow the Nearpost Coaching manual.
Drop John Aloisi. How much longer are you going to try an play a format that includes Aloisi. It's clearly not working; how many games does he need?
Perth entertained.
Perth entertained.
I know I repeated myself but it kinda felt strange writing those two words together.
Jamie Harnwell was outstanding, I'm not quite sure why but he's clearly a better forward than a defender. He attacks the ball and he scored twice!
John Aloisi didn't score...this season or in this game. $1 million! Why oh why oh why do people with such resources waste it?
Amaral for Perth is beautiful to watch he's so much better than James Robinson in Perth's midfield, and Nikolai Topor-Stanley is a centre-defender. And Perth just look better, a football team with passion, enough pace and flair around the park to lift their crowds at any rate.
Nikita Rukavystya had a storming game. I just lurved how he outpaced...what Tony Popovic. Was Poppa even moving?
Sydney..well just need to do what Dave Mitchell, Ricky Herbert and Gary Van Egmond have done. Sort the system to suit the best talents available.
Kossie like Farina up North is playing favourites, not coaching in my view.
Still plenty of time to sort things.
But the old masters, or so-called, Farina and Kossie are being out coached by Aurelio Vidmar and Gary Van Egmond and it's fun to watch.
Van Egmond again produced a team without Joel Griffith but a team good enough to play entertaining football and beat the league leaders Melbourne Victory 1-0. Marko Resic the youngster got a gorgeous goal for a striker.
Van Egmond with limited resources has improved his side already. Great to watch, and so many young talents in the team as well.
Must be half the price of Sydney's team, and still easier on the eye.
Clearly the Coach in Newcastle knows a thing or two the guy down in Sydney could learn, not to mention the fella up in Brisbane.
Hats off to Wellington...they are playing like a team, finally.
Lydia Williams to start in ASEAN final
Lydia Williams will start in goals against Vietnam tomorrow in the ASEAN final.
Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni said, "We decided before we even left for the tournament the goal-keeping roster and if they made the final, then Lydia would start."
The Matildas probably only have 12 field players available with Amy Chapman and Clare Polkinghorne suspended, Renee Rollason also in doubt and Elise Kellond-Knight probably won't play.
The Matildas received two red cards agains Myanmar, nothing untoward apparently.
But with most of the Myanmar team being physically pretty small, "the Matildas barrelled in like usual and knocked them over," added Sermanni.
"It's a bit like David and Goliath some times in some of the contests with the different size and just the effect of the collison is that it looks worse than it is because the the girls were smaller and it was that kind of case for the two red cards against Myanmar."
Sermanni also mentioned the two new Canberra United players; Christine Walters and Ashleigh Sykes, both on their first international tours, both have been 'fantastic'.
On Chrissy:
"Chrissy really has made a jump forward in the last three months and we always thought she had potential but she was very quiet and well she's still quiet, but she is definitely at that international level now, and maybe she thought she wasn't quite ready yet but she is,"
On Ashleigh:
"I think she'll be a great asset, 18 months ago she wasn't even in the NSW country team and now she had made her international debut, she has really come from now-where and I think she'll be great for Canberra United, I think she'll be very hard to handle for other W-League teams."
ACT Football: 8 seats wins the election.
A-League Foundation Members won 8 seats in yesterday's local election.
With Labor getting 7 seats, Liberals 7 and Greens 3, I declare Football the winner.
Jon Stanhope (Foundation Member) Zed Seselja (FM) Shane Rattenbury (FM) Alistair Coe (FM) Steve Doszpot (FM and former President of Soccer Canberra) Brendan Smyth (FM) Andrew Barr (FM) Meredith (Tony) Hunter (FM) all got elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Football now has eight A-League Foundation Members in Canberra and a few more over the border in Queanbeyan.
The message is clear from this election...if you weren't supporting football you got the flick:)...out went Steve Pratt, Mick Gentleman, Richard Mulcahey, Jacqui Burke and guess what..not an A-League for Canberra Foundation Member between them!
With Mark Parton our emcee for "The night with Ned," polling well and Tim Overall, John Barilaro and Velice Tranjanoski elected in the recent Queanbeyan elections....
Kate Lundy (FM) Gary Humprhries (FM) and Bob McMullan (Hon. President, Majura SC)
has football ever had such influence in this city/region?
Let's hope to see more gains for football and our juniors in coming years as we continue to build a football infrastructure our huge junior playing base deserves and needs.
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