Nearpost Football

Sunday, 15 July 2007

Canberra Football fans in Bangkok

Spot the Koala

From the left:
Walnuts, Macca, Jozo, (All Tuggeranong United boys) Rod Lynes, Ian Price, Chris Conti, Kate Parker, Sean Blunt, Stephen Blunt, and Gordo with Koala.

This story first appeared in the Canberra Times. Thanks to all the Canberrans for turning up.

When Socceroo and Canberran Carl Valeri looked up into the stands at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok on Sunday night he saw the symbol of the Canberra junior club he once played for amongst the Green and Gold Army.

“I was on the bench during the Oman game and I thought I recognised the symbol. Then I read Tuggeranong United. It was awesome, really inspiring.”

Walnut, Macca, Jozo and Gordo, as the lads are known are all Tuggeranong United players following the Socceroos Asian Cup adventure in Bangkok. Gordo carries his cuddly good luck charm, Koala, with him to games.

“Koala was at the World Cup in Germany so I thought he should come here as well.”

Rod Lynes, ANU Technical Director wanted to see the Socceoos first venture into the Asia Cup. “I’ve been to four World Cup’s including Germany. Playing in Asia allows us to engage with Asian countries on a number of levels. The other day we were playing football on the beach with a group of Omani’s. Which other sports code enables that.”

Kate Parker had seen her parents go to Germany last year.

“They love the Socceroos and when they asked me if I like to come this time, I jumped at the chance.”

The group were in good spirits before the Iraq game. All were confident of victory.

Sean Blunt had been watching the Oman game which ended in a 1-1 draw with a late equalizer from Tim Cahill.

Sitting at home in Belconnen he thought, “These guys need all the support they can get. Wouldn’t it be great if I could get over? I got the last seat on the plane, and here I am.”

Australia plays Thailand in their last group game on Monday night 10:30AEST. If Australia win and Iraq draw or beat Oman, Australia and Thailand will both have four points. The team who won the game (in this scenario Australia) between these two sides will go through.

Kate Parker said “I’m booked through to the final. So I hope the Aussies make it.”

Friday, 13 July 2007

Arnie: Do you need my help?

Three and a half hours to go, I'm in the hot seat.

Full scale security for the Australian game but with small frame I nipped in unnoticed.

And there was Arnie's seat. And it is hot.

Reckon Arnie could do with my help, so if you're reading this Arnie just three hours before the game it's not too late to ask.

My advice:

Play Mark Milligan at right back..and push Brett Emerton forward. Left back...maybe play Mark Milligan there as well. I know he's a right back, but Luke Wilkshire isn't a full back on anyside.

Failing that just do it, for Australia, for yourself.

It's all a bit tense but don't lose Australia not tonight.

It's a bit cooler today at the moment but it could change. Bangkok is that sort of place.

I can't bare it....but we're going to win.

We are, aren't we?

Tuggeranong United banner inspires Socceroo Carl Valeri

"I looked up and saw the banner. It was awesome."

Canberra's Carl Valeri at the Socceroos Hotel in Bangkok.

I caught up with Carl after the Oman game.

"It was a tough game, but I'm absolutely convinced we'll get better."

We discussed the game and during the discussion, Carl sparked.

"Did you see the banner, the Tuggeranong United banner."

"Where, in the Stadium?"

"Yes, in the middle of the Aussie fans. I looked across to the fans during the game, and saw a sign on a banner. I thought I recognise that sign. And then I read the banner Tuggeranong United. It was awesome, so inspirational. Do you know who they are?"

"No, I actually didn't see it."

"Well tell them thanks from me if you find out."

So well done the boys from Tuggeranong. Great to see the local support for the Australian team and hope you are having a ball.

And of course Carl played for Tuggeranong United as a junior.

ED; I'm planning to meet Canberrans in Bangkok at 4pm at the media gate at the stadium w1. Hoping to organise a photo and story for the Canberra Times.

If you know anyone in Bangkok, let them know. The more the merrier.

Thursday, 12 July 2007

Under 15 Girls and Under Girls Play off schedule.

Friday 13th July – Match Schedule

Under 15 – Girls Play-offs

10.30am Northern Territory v Tasmania 9th/10th Place
12.15pm Capital Football v NSW Country 7th/8th Place
2.00pm Northern NSW v Victoria 5th/6th Place
3.45pm Queensland v South Australia 3rd/4th Place

Under 17 – Girls Play-offs

10.30am Tasmania v NSW Country 9th/10th Place
12.15pm Capital Football v Northern NSW 7th/8th Place
2.00pm South Australia v Western Australia 5th/6th Place
3.45pm Victoria v New Zealand 3rd/4th Place

Saturday 14th July – Match Schedule
Under 15 Girls Final
9.00am – Western Australia v NSW

Under 17 Girls Final
11.00am – NSW v Queensland

Tuesday, 10 July 2007

Watch out for these Canberrans.

Andrew Young former coach of the ACT Under 14 side tells with pride of an historic day for Canberra football.

"Four of that side have made the progession to the Joey's. (The Australian Under 17 side.)

"We've never had four in the team before."

The Under 17 Australian side has been Captained by the likes of current Socceroo Canberran Carl Valeri.

In fact Carl Valeri was spotted by Inter Milan when he was playing for the Under 17 side.

The four ACT boys selected are:

Chris Bush.Woden Valley
Alex Meibush Woden Valley
Danai GaparieWoden Valley
Steven Domenici Belconnen (if anyone knows Steven's club could you please post it thanks.)

What does Canberran Andrew Young do when he's not with the Socceroos?

Socceroos Conditioning Coach and Canberran Andrew Young

Watch for a full interview with Socceroos Coach Andrew Young in the Canberra Times tomorrow.

There will be a copy on this website after it has been published in the paper.

Here's a question that I suspect many football fans don't know the answer to.

When he isn't working with the Socceroos what does Andrew Young's do?

Scroll down for the answer...but only after you've had three guesses.

Works as part of the Management team at Fulham FC in the English Premier League.

Socceroos viewing figures a huge PayTV event.

July 9, 2007

FOX SPORTS KICKS A GOAL WITH SOCCEROOS

The Australia v Oman AFC Asian Cup match gave FOX SPORTS a significant win on Sunday night with the game attracting an average audience of 345,000 – one of the highest audiences to watch a sporting event in Subscription TV history.

The Australia v Oman game also attracted a reach (total viewers) of 707,000 according to ratings recorded by OzTAM Data.

These figures do not include people who watched the match at one of 2,200 registered FOX SPORTS venues around Australia.

Harry Kewell takes time for a photo.

Harry Kewell is about to step out for some r & r in the Bangkok heat. Before he does he takes time out for a photo with yer man from Capital Football.

In case you are wondering, http://www.asiancup.blogspot.com/ is my Asia blog live from Bangkok

Check out the photo's over the last few days with more to come tomorrow.

My Kanga Cup favourites lost!

Panthers Bel of the ball

The Belsouth Panthers have defeated the Belnorth Little Devils in their opening match of the 2007 Kanga Cup.

The Under 12 girls teams played out an exciting game showing off some great skills in the freezing conditions.

Belsouth ran into a howling wind in the first half but managed to grab the lead thanks to a good finish from Jamie Thompson.

Thompson’s first shot forced a good save, but she calmly slotted the rebound home to give the Panthers a well deserved half time lead.

Belsouth dominated field position in the second half as Belnorth struggled against the strong wind, and a second half goal from Belsouth’s Georgia Sheldrick wrapped it up for the Panthers.

Belsouth coach Peter Fogarty was really pleased with the performance of his girls but though playing on the full field tired his team out towards the end of the game.

“We were great, really good,” Fogarty said after the game. “The legs got a bit tired towards the end there, but the girls really enjoyed playing on a full field, because we normally play on a smaller field with just nine players, so they’re relishing the chance to play on a full field. They really lifted and played good football.”

Belnorth coach Jeff Smith was also proud of the way his team performed despite the score line.
“They had their chances, although they’re only 11 year old girls playing against 12 year olds, so that was a bit of a challenge,” Smith said. “They tried hard and actually did some good work running the ball forward and passing it around.”

One of those players who didn’t stop running and made some excellent charges through midfield was Belnorth’s Nicky Jelocha.

Jelocha looks like she may be one to watch in the future and Smith agrees. “Yeah Nicky is a pretty talented girl.”

Monday, 9 July 2007

Kanga Cup: Indians make a big impact.

Kick off arrives for Indians

It was finally time for the inaugural Asian Fellowship recipients to kick off their McDonald’s Kanga Cup campaign, our boys from India taking on Canberra’s Woden Valley Redbacks.

A guard of honor was formed by Terrigal United for Gujarat as they ran out onto the pitch for the first time before receiving gifts from their opponents prior to kick off.

Providence Gujarat didn’t get their Kanga Cup campaign off to the dream start they were hoping for when they conceded a free kick just outside the box which led to the first goal within minutes of the match beginning.

Woden Valley founded the net for the second time against the flow of play but after a number of attempts from Gujarat, they finally had reason to celebrate and they did exactly that.

The chilly conditions obviously not suiting the visitors as a number of the Indian team members required their ski gloves and beanies for the duration of the match to keep warm.

Only minutes into the second half Providence Gujarat leveled the scores at 3-all, only to again fall behind 4-3 after an indirect free kick from only six meters from the goal line.

The fight and determination from the Indians had brought them back into the game on two occasions but couldn’t manage to level the scores again despite a number of opportunities before the final whistle.

Sunday, 8 July 2007

Kanga Cup in Thailand!

Bumped into long-time Canberra football Referee and Administrator Chris Conti outside Rajamangala Stadium last night.

With thousands pouring into the night in the crazy Bangkok traffic, we started talking about the Thailand Iraqi match we'd just seen.

Well, you always bump into people from your home town in a crowded flooded Bangkok street!

"The noise inside the stadium was unbelievable," I said.

"Yeah, we were sitting next to a small group of Iraqi's." Chris replied. "I had my Kanga Cup t-shirt on."

"Anyway an Iraqi turns to me, hey I played in the Kanga cup in Canberra."

"I don't remember any Iraqi side playing. What year was it, " no tricking former Teacher Chris.

Quick as a flash the Iraqi says, "2000, we played for Blacktown, we're from Sydney!"

Nice one Chris, and The Kanga Cup is on all this week in Canberra.

Where to watch the Socceroos in Canberra, or anywhere for that matter.

FOX SPORTS has been inundated with interest from venues across the country, including 400 that have been classified as “family friendly”, all of whom will be showing the 32 AFC Asian Cup matches.

To help Qantas Socceroo fans locate their nearest “live site”, FOX SPORTS has set up a venue finder at http://www.foxsports.com.au/.

Simply log onto http://www.foxsports.com.au/, click through the following links: football/Asian Cup/venue finder, insert your postcode and a map will outline the nearest options.

Venues that have been declared “family friendly” will be marked to allow families to watch the Asia Cup during prime time.

To be classified as “family friendly”, venues meet criteria that includes having screens in areas where children under the age of 18 can watch the matches, having children’s facilities and food available.

Note:

I would like to see the list of unfamily friendly places....just appealed to my sense of humour:)

Saturday, 7 July 2007

Girls Under 15 National titles start today.

Girls Under 15 national titles start today.

Get all the scores from www.footballfederationaustralia.com

“The National Youth Championship has long been an integral part of the development pathway and most of the current senior Matildas and Socceroos played in the tournament during their teenage years.”

“The growth in Women’s football is largely a worldwide trend as evidenced by the introduction of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be held next year.”

Players will all be out to impress the FFA technical study group including Sermanni and newly appointed Young Matilda’s coach Alen Stajcic along with several other coaches attending the tournament.

2007 FFA NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFICIAL FIXTURES DRAW – GIRLS 15YRS

GROUP A: Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Capital Football & Northern NSW
GROUP B: Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, NSW Country & Queensland

Day One Saturday 7th July
0830(time) Opening Ceremony
0945 NSW Country v Queensland
1130 Capital Football v Northern NSW
1315 South Australia v Northern Territory
1500 Tasmania v Victoria
Bye Western Australia / NSW

Day Two Sunday 8th July
0930 Queensland v Victoria
1115 NSW v Tasmania
1300 Northern NSW v South Australia
1445 Western Australia v Capital football
Bye Northern Territory / NSW Country

Day Three Monday 9th July
0930 South Australia v Capital Football
1115 Northern Territory v Western Australia
1300 Queensland v NSW
1445 Victoria v NSW Country
Bye Northern NSW / Tasmania

Day Four Tuesday 10th July
0930 Western Australia v South Australia
1115 Northern Territory v Northern NSW
1300 NSW v NSW Country
1445 Tasmania v Queensland
Bye Capital Football / Victoria

Day Five Wednesday 11th July
0930 Victoria v NSW
1115 NSW Country v Tasmania
1300 Northern NSW v Western Australia
1445 Capital Football v Northern Territory
Bye South Australia / Queensland

Day Six Thursday 12th July
1600 Group A 1 v Group B 2 1st Semi Final
1800 Group B 1 v Group A 2 2nd Semi Final

Day Seven Friday 13th July
1030 Group A 5 v Group B 5 9th/10th place
1215 Group A 4 v Group B 4 7th /8th place
1400 Group A 3 v Group B 3 5th / 6th place
1545 Loser 1st Semi Final v Loser 2nd Semi Final 3rd / 4th place

Day Eight Saturday 14th July
0900 Winner 1st Semi Final v Winner 2nd Semi final 1st / 2nd place

Girls Under 17 Nationals start today.

Girls under 17 Champs start today.

Get all the scores from www.footballfederationaustralia.com.au
“Playing representative football in this environment both against, and with some of the best young players in the country is an exciting and very special experience,” said Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.2007 FFA NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS OFFICIAL FIXTURES DRAW – GIRLS 17YRS

GROUP A: Tasmania, Capital Football, South Australia, Queensland & NSW
GROUP B: Victoria, NSW Country, New Zealand, Western Australia & Northern NSW

Day One Saturday 7th July
0830(time) Opening Ceremony
0945 Tasmania v South Australia
1145 Northern NSW v NSW Country
1345 NSW v Capital Football
1545 Victoria v Western Australia
Bye Queensland / New Zealand

Day Two Sunday 8th July
0900 NSW v South Australia
1100 Capital Football v Queensland
1300 NSW Country v New Zealand
1500 Northern NSW v Western Australia
Bye Victoria / Tasmania

Day Three Monday 9th July
0900 Capital Football v Tasmania
1100 Queensland v NSW
1300 NSW Country v Victoria
1500 New Zealand v Northern NSW
Bye South Australia / Western Australia

Day Four Tuesday 10th July
0900 New Zealand v Victoria
1100 Western Australia v NSW Country
1300 South Australia v Capital Football
1500 Queensland v Tasmania
Bye Northern NSW / NSW

Day Five Wednesday 11th July
0900 Western Australia v New Zealand
1100 Victoria v Northern NSW
1300 Tasmania v NSW
1500 South Australia v Queensland
Bye Capital Football / NSW Country

Day Six Thursday 12th July
1600 Group A 1 v Group B 2 1st Semi Final
1800 Group B 1 v Group A 2 2nd Semi Final

Day Seven Friday 13th July
1030 Group A 5 v Group B 5 9th/10th place
1215 Group A 4 v Group B 4 7th /8th place
1400 Group A 3 v Group B 3 5th / 6th place
1545 Loser 1st Semi Final v Loser 2nd Semi Final 3rd / 4th place

Day Eight Saturday 14th July
1030 Winner 1st Semi Final v Winner 2nd Semi final 1st / 2nd place

Friday, 6 July 2007

Football Fever hits Canberra

Football Fever in the city that never sleeps.

A severe case of football fever is set to grip Canberra again when the 17th McDonald’s Kanga Cup will coincide with the Socceroos first appearance in the Asian Cup. Similar to last year’s Kanga and FIFA World Cups, this year around 3000 junior footballers from around Australia and Oceania will again be celebrating the green and gold from no better place than Australia’s capital.

Two of the three Socceroos games will take place during the week long tournament with Australia’s first match against Oman to kick off only hours after the KC Opening Ceremony, this year’s participants will surely feel inspired as the their own first round of matches are to take place the following morning at various venues around Canberra.

This year the Green and Gold Army will be setting up shop at the City Labor Club to cheer on our boys as we contest our first Asian Cup.

The football action doesn’t stop there with Canberra to host another Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup match a fortnight after the Kanga Cup concludes between Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners.

McDonald’s Kanga Cup organiser Steven McIntyre is looking forward to the occasion.
“What a place for a football fan, from Belsouth to Bentleigh Greens, from Queanbeyan to Queensland, all these kids will be competing against each other during the day, but come night fall we will all be celebrating as one for the Socceroos.”

I'm off to follow the Socceroos: See my Asia Cup blog

www.asiancup.blogspot.com

Here's the little boy off to follow his football team! 44, dead excited. Big kid grow up!

On the other hand, this was me leaving Canberra Airport after six years of ill health, and retired from work (see earlier posts..from sicko to Asia Cup.)

See that smile, it goes right down to my little toe:) ...especially as my mates, Richard, Jason andArif won't be here. They are at work. Lads I had to.

Anyway here's the craic.

Get to Bangkok, you know long flight, tired, every one's tired and hot, and then the 50o people standing waiting in line to get through immigration.

Not me.

I'm last off the plane, the very last, then wheel chaired through the airport. It's a long airport.

"I can walk a bit," I said to the Qantas steward. Always trying to be helpful.

"Mate, this new airport is so big, we land in Vietnam and walk to Bangkok!" Love the Aussie humour.

So we wing past everyone in my wheelchair. It's not my wheelchair, I don't use one, but that's another story

Anyway straight through a side door at immigration, past 500 hundred very healthy people, grab my bag, into a taxi and I'm in bed before half the plane collected their bags.

Wow! Now that was amazing, and it felt good. Not to beat everyone, just to be pushed.

So that's that now it's football talk from here on in.

Got to get down town today to pick up my media accreditation and go and listen to Mohammed Bin Hamman head of the AFC do an official press conference.

Bit of a giggle to see if I get in and who is there.

Can't go yet, got in at 1am, it's now 5am and I slept for thirty minutes!

Told you I was a big kid:)

Thursday, 5 July 2007

Sally Shipard writes: 45 days until World Cup squad announced

World Cup places up for grabs.

"It's time to focus on the World Cup."

Matilda's star Sally Shipard writes every Thursday for Football in the Capital. This week Sally gives an update on the Matilda's and their World Cup (in Beijing, China in September) preparations.

Hi guys

The weekend just gone was the first time we had gotten together since our Olympic qualifying games against North Korea.

Over the past 3 weeks we have had time to recharge and really think about how much we want to perform well at this World Cup. Our failure to qualify for the Olympics next year is very much in the back of our minds. We have all re-focused.

We all proved this with solid performances during the camp held in Coffs Harbour over the weekend. Tommy (Sermanni) called in a large squad to remind everyone that positions for the World Cup squad are not cemented.

Two younger girls from the Youth team Elise Kellar-Knight and Kyah Simon were called in and performed very well. The squad will be announced in 40 days time and the official countdown till our first game is 70 days.

We are now at our home institutes, completing the individual programs provided by our AIS Strength and Conditioning coach, Tim Rogers.

Our next camp is scheduled for the 17th of July till the 23rd. The international games that we are playing for our World Cup preparation have not been confirmed as of yet...
will keep u informed:-)

bye Sal.

ps Eamonn asked me about Sasha McDonnell. She is currently taking a break from football.

My top five games..as I head to Bangkok:)

My top five games..as I head to Bangkok:)

I head to Bangkok today to cover the Asian Cup for the Canberra Times.

As a mad football fan, my mind drifted to other games I'd been to of significance.

I grew up in the UK and am a mad Celtic fan.

My top five games I've attended are:

1. Australia v Uruguay Nov 16,2005

2. UEFA Cup final. Celtic 2 Porto 3...Seville, Spain. Yep, flew from Australia for that one. Well it was our first european final in 33 years.

3. Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners. The very first Sydney A-League game. I was there, in the stadium, two hours before kick-off. I was keen!

4. Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United. 6-0 Grand Final. Archie scores 5 and the Dome rocks for Australian football

5. Ajax v Celtic 2-1 to Celtic in Amsterdam. Charlie Nicholas, George McCluskey ensured the win over Ajax.

and of course Celtic v Real Madrid, Juventus, Rapid Vienna and Notts Forest and every time, I mean every time, we've beaten Rangers when I've been there:)

So here's hoping to add a few more to the list this week.

What are your top five games you've ever attended?

Bill from NETFA where are you?

Urgent message for Bill from NETFA

As I head out to cover my first football tournament. Bill, my mentor, has disappeared!

Bill. I can receive you emails but cannot return messages. your address just bounces back.

Can you inform me of your other email address through your normal email?

Marco Caputo talks Canberra A-League

Will we see an A-League team in Canberra?

Former Wallaby and Brumbies star Marco Caputo would like to see one.

“I’d love to see an A-League team in Canberra. But I don’t want to see it fall over in a few years.

History shows that there is only room for one professional team in Canberra. The Raiders obviously, and the Brumbies are a part-time team.”

“If there was corporate support in town, I’ve no doubt there is the community support, it could work. You’ve only got to come down to Dickson oval on a Saturday to see a thousand kids playing football. This is happening across Canberra. There is certainly the potential here for a side.”

Can Canberra ever support an A-League side?

Is Marco right? Can Canberra only support one full-time playing side?

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Carl Valeri interview: Socceroos embrace Asia

"Who wants to go to the beach, or play golf?"

"I think Bangkok will be hotter than Singapore."

Football in the Capital caught up with Carl Valeri. Carl was recovering from the latest run in the sun.

Graham Arnold want's his players fit, no matter how hot it is, but he did give them a couple of days off.

So Carl what did you do on your day off?

"Some of us went to the beach, It was too hot. We were invited to play golf. It was too hot. So we went shopping."

So that's good, culturally mixing with the locals. After all every Singaporean I know just loves shopping.

In fact my mate who lives in Singapore takes his kids to the airport on a hot day. The air-conditioning is better apparently and his wife likes the shops!

After the shopping Carl?

"It was so hot we ended up by the hotel pool, just chilling."

Glad to hear it. No chilling on Sunday lads.

A nation awaits. Well at least those that have Fox!

Sydney FC and Beckham live on Channel Ten

LA Galaxy to Face Sydney FC at Telstra Stadium

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that the US Major League Soccer (MLS) Team LA Galaxy will play a one-off match against the Hyundai A-League's Sydney FC in Australia later this year.

“It is my pleasure to announce that Football Federation Australia has negotiated for the LA Galaxy, including their new star recruit David Beckham, to play a one-off match against Sydney FC at Telstra Stadium (Sydney) on Tuesday the 27th of November,” said FFA Chief Executive Officer Ben Buckley.

“This historic event will be Beckham’s first appearance outside of North America for LA Galaxy, and his first visit to Australia.

“I am also very pleased to announce that Network Ten will broadcast this major event live nationally in a three hour special presentation.

Comment:
Great to see the game live on Free To Air.

Also interesting the channel which picked it up. The one with the highest profile in the 15-30 age group.

We live in interesting times for football in Australia.

Monday, 2 July 2007

Quick Quiz: Know your football

Quiz Level:Rated Very hard.

See answers and how you rate below

Who did Canberran and Adelaide United's Shaun Ontong travel overseas with for a trial in Germany? (2 points)

Kaz Patafta. Who did he support when he was boy? In Europe? In Australia? (2 points)

Which club did Kaz trial with in Europe when he was 15? (1 point)

Kaz has written a foreword for a book, alongside Mr. Football Les Murray. Name that book. (5 points)

Which Australian sides were Shaun Ontong and Kaz Patafta captain of. (2 points)

Most correct answer gets listed as the first ever Football in the Capital quizmaster.

Answers below:

1. Matthew Spiranovic, FC Nurnberg

2. Man United (Boo) Canberra Cosmos (hooray)

3. Real Madrid

4. http://www.notjustfootyclub.com.au/

5. Under 20'sand Under 17's

Out of 12

If you got 12: You must be Les Murray

more than 9. A real football fan. Well done you're are a champion. Have a great day, you deserve it.

6-9 Don't study enough football on the net when you are at work. Lift your game.

3-6 Really, suppose you still call it soccer

0-2 So you are watching those other codes. Stop it, or you'll never score more than 2!

Kaz Patafta: Why I signed for Melbourne Victory

Football in the Capital caught up with Australian under 17 and under 20 representative Kaz Patafta.

This was his first interview since returning to Australia from Portugese giants Benfica. Thanks for you support Kaz.

Let's clear one thing up: "Jorges Mendes is my manager, not my girlfriend." says Kaz Patafta.

Canberra footballer Kaz Patafta is back in Australia.

Patafta has signed a one-year loan deal with A-League Champions Melbourne Victory as he looks to further his career.

Patafta’s, who moved to Portugese giants Benfica last year straight from Radford College, has a further two years to go on his Benfica contract.

But for now he’s back in Australia and looking forward to joining up with his new team-mates on Monday as Victory fly put to play the Chinese National side in China.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the guys. It’ll be good to play with Leigh Broxham. I’m good mates with Leigh so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Leaving Canberra for European football is many players dream, but it can also have it’s drawbacks.

“I was living the dream really. I’d always wanted to play in Europe, so when I got the chance I jumped at it. I was training every day with guys like Rui Costa (ex-AC Milan) Nuno Gomes. They are amazing players. Watching what they could do with the ball in training was a fantastic learning experience.”

“I played in front of 20,000 in a Youth game between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon at the new Benfica stadium. (Stadium of Light).

“But it’s also hard being so far from home if things are tough. You don’t have your friends and family to talk to. You have the phone and internet but it’s not the same."

“I learnt a lot. Benfica wanted me to go on loan to a Portugese club where thy could keep an eye on me. But once they researched Melbourne and the quality of the A-League they were happy to let me come here. I’ll be able to send video’s so they can see how I’m going.”

Patafta was signed by chance. Victory Coach Ernie Merrick was watching Sydney play in the Asian Champions League. He got talking to a young woman, Patafta’s girlfriend and manager. From this chance meeting Patafta was signed.

Patafta laughs, “Yes it’s true about the chance meeting, but my girlfriend is not my manager. My manager is Jorges Mendes.”

The Canberran is in good company. Mendes is also manager of Portugese and Manchester United superstar Ronaldo.

The A-League has been criticised for not having enough games. In fact A-League player of the year Nicky Carle has just left for Turkish club, Genclerbirligi stating a lack of games as a reason for going.”

Patafta is aware of this but adds, “I want to improve as a player. Benfica wanted me to do pre-season with their first team, but I wanted to get more game time. To develop as a player I need to play in a positive environment. Melbourne has 24 A-League games plus at least 6 Asian Champions League. I also want to play for the Olyroos in their Olympic qualifiers. I was asked to join up for previous games, but Benfica wouldn’t release me. Being in Australia I will have more opportunity to play.”

“Playing for Australia is an amazing thrill. Captaining the Under 17’s at the World Cup in 2005 was the highlight of my career. It’s something I’m passionate about.”

Patafta played junior football for Belnorth.

“I used to play against (former Australian under 20 captain) Shaun Ontong. Belnorth v Belsouth. Shaun has just been signed by Adelaide United and that’s a great move for him.”

Canberran Ontong found it hard to get a club last season, despite being a former captain of the Australian Under 20 side.

“That was hard to take. As my captain at the Under 20’s and a great friend I wanted to see Shaun playing. He got some games with FC Sion in Switzerland but it’s great he’s at Adelaide for next season.

“Shaun is my best friend in football. We alwaystrained to gether at the Australian Institue of Sport. We use to run up Black Mountain together. We were always doing extra training.”

So when you Melbourne run out against Adelaide it will be like Belnorth v Belwest?

Patafta laughs, “Yes I suppose it will.”

Football in the Capital will have more from Victory's Kaz Patafta later in the week, including what he's heard about the Victory fans.

We'll also have updates from Victory's Patafta and Matthew Kemp during the season.

Follow Melbourne Victory, through Canberran eyes here on this blog, as they try to win the A-League back-to-back, and become the first Australian club to progress beyond the group stages of the Asian Champions League.

Ben Wilson: He's officiated at the 2006 World Cup.

Ben Wilson: One of Canberra's top referees

Would you like to represent Australia at a major football tournament?

Can’t shift Mark Viduka from the striker’s position that should rightfully be yours?

There is another way to go to the World Cup.

Ben Wilson is a Canberran referee who loves Australia’s move into Asia.

He represented Australia at the FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany. This year alone he’s officiated at Asian Champions League, Olympic qualifiers and of course the A-League Grand Final.

Wilson is a referee and part of a team on nine Australian referees accredited through the Asian Football Confederation.

Speaking at the launch of the Kang Cup in Canberra recently, Wilson said, “The move to Asia has been great. Instead of maybe one tournament a year in Oceania, I’ve already done Olympic qualifiers and Asian Champions League games in Uzbekistan, Iran, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates to name a few. And I expect more games and travel after this two month break around the Asian Cup.”

“I love refereeing, you make great friends and get to see places I would never go with my family.”

Wilson, like many refs , started life as a player.

“I was playing Division 2 in Canberra, and then took up refereeing at 15. At 18 I got serious and have never looked back.”

“I was part of the Australian four man team at the World Cup.”

“It’s hard work. We train as a group of refs two nights a week. On top of that I do my own personal fitness.”

“In England and Germany refs are professional, but for Australians we have to manage work and refereeing commitments.”

“I have a good relationship with my employer. I’ve travelled for ten weeks this year alone. Refereeing costs don’t really cover my loss of earnings. In fact I sometimes take work with me when I go overseas.”

What frustrates you? Does Ross Aloisi get under your nose, or maybe some other player!

“No,” he laughs, “no one player upsets me. Occasionally I get annoyed when fans or players don’t understand the rules and dispute a decision which you know is correct. You don’t get chance to explain the rules during a game. But mostly it is great.”

I’m having a two month break at the moment so I get to catch up with family.”

Sunday, 1 July 2007

Steve Waugh speaks:

Steve Waugh says Socceroos can be the number one team in Australia

Saw Steve Waugh on the Aussie bench for the recent game against Singapore. Why didn't they bring him on!

Great move by Graham Arnold to get Waugh involved.

No I'm not a big cricket fan but Steve reckons the cricket team is the number one team in Australia in terms of support and affection. But it could soon become the Socceroos, especially if we win in Asia.

Wallabies and Kangaroos and AFL international sides are already way behind the Socceroos according to Steve.

Socceroos and cricket as number one teams, seems a good natural balance to me

Now let's get the footy on FTA and see the sport go through the roof..watch the bidding wars begin.

Viewing figures of Socceroos tournaments would easily out rate League internationals, Wallabies games and even State of Origin across the country.

Our TV deal doesn't currently reflect the interest.

Time to renegotiate.

Take the A-League, Olyroos, Matildas and Asian Chamipions League away from the Socceroos

Two packages are required and Senator Coonan needs to listen to Steve Waugh

The two biggest national teams should be on FTA.

Wake up Australia, or get voted out :)

Saturday, 30 June 2007

Kanga Cup online through 3eep:

Share your Kanga Cup’s football passion exclusively online with 3eep!

Can’t get to see your kids at the Kanga Cup? Want to discuss the Kanga Cup after the game? Want to see all the day’s news, views, photo’s and video’s?

Well now you can.

3eep and Capital Football have teamed up to enable all Kanga Cup participants to share your Kanga Cup’s football passion exclusively online on 3eep!

For the first time, all Kanga Cup participants including football team coaches, players or a passionate ‘football mums and dads’, will have a single online zone to share photos, videos and stories about this year’s tournament.

3eep is an online sports community which enables sports players, fans and administrators to have an ‘online place’ to continue their passionate conversations about the sports they love.

It will be a fantastic way to keep in touch with family, friends and passionate team fans back at home wherever in the world that may be!

Imagine being able to share those special (and not so special) moments and comments on your thoughts, opinions and emotions while you are participating at the tournament.

And to celebrate this exciting development the World first Kanga Cup Competition is being launched next week

As part of this exciting partnership, 3eep will be launching a world first Best Photos and Videos competition for the Cup this year at the following web address on 3eep:

3eep.com/kangacup

There will be prizes for best photographer, and best videos. So take your camera and visit the Kanga Cup Hub during the tournament.

Meet Robbie Martin: Football fan

Why our bandwagon is nearly full

Robbie and I go way back.

I bumped into him at the gym today.

He should have been in Melbourne playing AFL but he came home to Canberra to see his mum.

I used to teach Robbie accounting.

In fact the day Aussie Legend Don Bradman died we were in class together.

Robbie and his mate Joey were disappointed Bradman didn't get to 99 years and 94 days. Sports nuts and number crunchers!

We did talk accounting a bit, but mostly it was sport, League and AFL. Soccer as Robbie called it got a big grin and we quickly got back into the accounting.

In fact Robbie was playing with Tadhg Kennelly in the Sydney Swans Seconds at the time. He was also ACT Junior Development Officer for the AFL.

An AFL man through and through.

So I was a bit taken a back to hear Robbie was rusted on...to football.

"I'm a convert. I went to the Grand Final in Melbourne."

"What!" Could this be the same Robbie?

"And I've been to other games."

"What happened?" I wondered

"I went to watch Victory at Olympic Park. There were 13,000 singing. All sides of the ground were singing. I thought if that was good enough for them, then I'm in. That was it. I'm a convert."

Don't think it's all roses...read about Robbie nearly fell off the bandwagon on my www.asiancup.blogspot.com

Welcome aboard Robbie, there's room for all sports fans in our game.

Girls and Boys: Can they play together?

Story taken from the Sunday Sun Herald: (thanks to Highly Inflammable for pointing it out)

Jessica Warren, 16, has played two seasons with Ballarat Academy of Soccer (sic) under-16 boys' side - but that cuts no ice with the opposition.

Avondale Heights Junior Soccer (sic) Club approached the referee before a game and argued Jessica should be banned because she was a girl. The referee agreed.

After Ballarat complained to Football Federation Victoria, an official apologised to Jessica on behalf of the federation and the referee. But Avondale Heights treasurer John Colangeli said his club had nothing to apologise for.

Ballarat Academy head coach Rick Romein described the ban and subsequent response from Avondale as ignorant.

Jessica, back playing with the Academy boys this weekend, tried out with the state girls' side last year. "The Avondale officials said they were worried if I got injured they would be sued," she said, "I wouldn't be playing against boys if I was scared of being injured." Federation spokesman Mark van Aken said a rule stopping girls under (over?) 14 from playing against boys had long been scrapped. They could play against boys to the age of 21.

Well, it begs the question, to me anyway, why would a group of boys protest about a girl playing?

Any answers?

Friday, 29 June 2007

Another Canberran back in the A-League

Kaz Patafta with his Benfica shirt

Copyright: Kaz Patafta

Kaz Patafta is back in town.

Kaz Patafta joins a growing band of Canberrans now playing in the A-League.

Former Australian Under 17 Captain has joined Melbourne Victory. Former Australian Under 20 Captain Shaun Ontong is with Adelaide United, Olyroo Adam Casey, Sydney FC, Matthew Kemp, Melbourne Victory and Olyroo Nikolai Topor-Stanley, joins Perth Glory.

It's a pretty impressive line-up from our fair city.

Football in the Capital caught up with Kaz before he flies out to China with his new club Melbourne Victory on Monday.

"I'll be great to play with my good mate Leigh Broxham at Victory. I'm looking forward to that."

Kaz had a two week trial at Real Madrid when he was 15. He is the proud owner of a signed David Beckham Real Madrid shirt and a Harry Kewell Liverpool shirt.

Kaz is back and ready to play.

"I can't wait to meet the team on Monday. I'm really looking forward to the game against China. They should be really well prepared as they are just about to go into the Asia Cup."

We'll have a full interview with Kaz over the next couple of days.

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