Wellington Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata speaking from the Windy City today said, "We're working to get our proposal into the FFA by Friday."
You can hear the full interview on Nearpost radio Tuesday 6:30-7:30pm or catch it here on the podcast on Wednesday.
"We've spoken to Capital Football who are supporting us,.....
FourFourTwo have a story on Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley.
FFA say,
Home-grown coaches are key to the development of young players according to Football Federation Australia (FFA).
Scholarships will be for a period of up to three years and coaches that may be considered for the program include those from Club, Institute, School, Youth and Private Academies.
Ethnic clubs pushed aside...again? Is this the future for State Leagues football? NSW are you next?
FFV CEO Mark Rendell said,
The greatest change is the implementation of a new professional summer league taking in all 12 zones scattered across our state.That's 2008!
The league will be launched later this year.
Belconnen United lose, Canberra FC progress, Tuggers win on penalties,ACTAS run ends in a weekend of Fed Cup men's drama.
Celtic lost 1-0 to Rangers. Okay it hurt, but all is not yet lost, believe me.
Where's there's Celtic there's hope!
But Scott McDonald, the so-called injured Socceroo, came off the bench to play for Celtic on Saturday.
Two points:
1. Australia had two chances inside the six yard box against China. Marco Bresciano and David Carney missed. McDonald would have scored. If Australia miss out by a point or two, we should never allow Celtic manager Gordon Strachan into the country.
2. Scott McDonald scores many goals for Celtic. Not unlike Henrik Larsson and Mark Viduka when they played for Celtic. But McDonald, unlike Larsson and Viduka, seems to be on the bench for the big games, particularly the away games. Rangers away, Barca away.
Andrew Young in the Fulham FC gym with Diomansy Kamara the Senegalese International
Fulham FC's Fitness and Conditioning Coach Andrew Young writes THE WEEKENDER this week.
Please note The Weekender is a 450-700 word article written by Canberrans or others with a particular focus on Australian/Canberra football. Where else can you get football in Canberra on a Saturday? Feel free to suggest an article and let the increasing number of blog readers hear your thoughts.
This week former Canberran Andrew Young gives us an update on life in the English Premier League.
More Beckham, Lucas Neill, Inter Milan, and Old Trafford than you could want in one post.
It's a great read.
Andy Paschalidis targets BorneoSaturdays "THE WEEKENDER" is a great read from Andrew Young Fulham FC's Fitness and Conditioning Coach.
Andrew talks about meeting David Beckham, gets advice from Socceroo Lucas Neill on Fulham's relegation fight and gives a fantastic insight to life inside an English Premier Club. THE WEEKENDER is an article 450-700 words published here every Saturday.
Anyone can write. Usually about Australian or Canberra football. It guarantees Canberrans can wake up to some football coverage on the weekend. Don't wait to be invited drop me an email and suggest an article you'd like to write.
John Kosmina always speaks his mind.
Except maybe when it comes to Mark Milligan. See earlier post today.
On Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
Has Harry Kewell got three more years football in him.
Kozzie says, "No, I think not."
Socceroos Coach Pim Verbeek was criticised by a few sensitive Aussie A-League fans recently when he said, "training in Germany is better than playing in the A-League."
Well he didn't say it, because no-one asked him, but training in Germany is clearly also better than playing in the English Championship.
Patrick Kisnorbo plays every week for Leicester City. Michael Beauchamp isn't getting many, if any, minutes for Nurnburg but he still got to play for the Socceroos.
Must be some great training sessions in Germany, hey Pim:)
Speaking on Total Football tonight Sydney FC Coach John Kosmina was asked, "where is Mark Milligan?"
"I don't know," said Kossie.
Well Kossie he's been in Canberra, with your new Sydney FC Coach Steve O'Connor, at the AIS for the last few days, doing some rehab training with the Under 20's.
Does Kossie really not know?.....hmmmmn....me thinks not.
I know, I know things take time, particularly new ventures like the Phoenix Youth side to play in Canberra but I stumbled across this today:
Aussie players:Sign your interest for Central Coast Mariners Youth here!
If we qualify to play Japan, Iran or Uzbekistan in the next stage, we must play all WCQ on FIFA dates.
No debate.
2. If a game is to be played during the Northern football seasons, why not play one home World Cup Qualifier in London. Just one? It could make all the difference as the travel is increased and the intensity of games is increased.
Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura didn't play in Japan's 1-0 loss to Bahrain. Rangers on Saturday for Scott McDonald, I mean Naka. Bet they both play.
Interesting results across Asia. And of course should Australia qualify for the next stage, and it is looking good, who will we play next? My predictions below.
If Australia and everyone else win their home games the WCQ group will finish thus:
pts
Australia 10
Qatar 9
China 8
Iraq 7
Looking good Australia:)
And saved cautious Pim from defeat.
Australia drew 0-0 in Kunming against a woefully intimidated Chinese side. And this after a tedious 0-0 friendly against Singapore. A pattern, surely not.
Read my report...
"Hand of God," I'll take that in Kunming, how about you?
Now I don't want to worry you but have you seen our goalscoring stats. Goals for Socceroos in brackets.
Now Harry Kewell (9 goals) is out, we have Archie Thompson (21 at least 13 against the Solomon Islands), Marco Bresciano (10 goals) Brett Holman (1)
Michael Beauchamp(1) Jason Culina (1) The other fifteen players No, Zilch, not one!
No wonder we are thinking, maybe a draw is a good result!
Cetlic need to beat Rangers at Ibrox to close the gap in the fight for the Scottish Premier League. A loss and the best team in the world will be six points adrift of the Gers.
Now did you see the footage of Scott McDonald getting called off on Sunday for Celtic after 63 mins? He looked, shall we say surprised, nay shocked.
And Manager Gordon Strachan quickly announces wee Scott has a calf strain.
A million dollars says he plays at Ibrox on Saturday!
Canberran and former ANU Coach, long-time football fan, football tragic and Socceroos diehard Rod Lynes is.....
yes you've guessed it, he's in Kunming, China for the World Cup Qualifier kick-off 5pm AEST, live on Fox Sports.
Rod sent this travel log through to the Nearpost.
Rod writes
Well, here I am in beautiful downtown Kunming prior to Australia v China World Cup qualifier.
FFA have sent a list of questions to Wellington Phoenix and Capital Football before the final go ahead is given before the Canberra based 8th Youth side is given the go ahead.
Costs, Player rosters, overcoming the difficulties of having two teams playing in two locations, two countries are just a few concerns.
Capital Football CEO Heather Reid said, "I'll work through these concerns with Tony (Pignata, CEO Wellingon Phoenix) next (this) week, but there doesn't seem to be anything we can't sort out. It's all pretty positive.
"As regards staff appointments Wellington Phoenix will have the final say, but there will be some input from ourselves. Again I don't forsee any problems."
Coach of the Phoenix Youth? Milan Milanovanovic, Ron Smith, Chris Tanzey are a few likely contenders at this early stage.
"I have made it clear referees should be a no-go area," said English players' union (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor.
Liverpool's Javier Mascherano, Central Coast Mariners Danny Vukovic have both grabbed headlines for their recent send-offs from the pitch.
Why doesn't FIFA enforce two simple rules.
1. Only the Captain can question a decision.(Sounds like Rugby.)
2.Only a Captain can protest a decision. Protesting and/or swearing at an official and you move the free-kick ten metres forward.
Sounds like Rugby but Union guys tend to be a lot less abusive to referees in televised games and let's face it their rules leave an amazing amount to interpretation never mind understanding!
So simple, but when the Nearpost forms Government watch the football culture change across the World.
Why wouldn't we do it? Can't think of any reason why we wouldn't do it, can you?
English players' union (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor has called for the introduction of an exclusion zone around referees following recent incidents of player dissent.
"I have made it clear referees should be a no-go area," Taylor told BBC radio after Liverpool's Javier Mascherano was sent off on Sunday for harrowing referee Steve Bennett over his decisions.
"It is time managers and players did accept a responsibility ...It is the bad points that get highlighted and the game has to be very much aware and do all it can to eradicate it."
Congratulations to Jade North who took the armband once Harry Kewell went off last night against Singapore. Our first Indigenous Captain.
Can't imagine any other media outlet in Canberra discussing it so here's my thoughts for the record.
Despite a shockingly poor pitch, drenched, and unworthy of International Football, Nikolai Topor-Stanley can be reasonably pleased with his debut in the 0-0 draw for the Socceroos against Singapore.
Well done to Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Carl Valeri. Both are heading to China for Wednesday's game.
And well done to Tuggeranong United!
Both played for Tuggeranong United Under 11 side coached by Canberra football legend Walter Valeri.
When was the last time two Canberrans were in the Socceroos squad? Has it ever happened?
When was the last time two boys from an Under 11 side anywhere in Australia made it to the Socceroos?
If you know the answer, please educate me:)
Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Carl Valeri are in the Socceroos squad for the crucial World Cup Qualifier in China on Wednesday.
Full squad below; When was the last time Canberra had two Socceroos in a squad or a World Cup Qualifier?
The Weekender: A Champion of Football - Charlie Perkins
By Steve Doszpot
* Steve Doszpot was President of Soccer Canberra (1995 – 2002)
Please note The Weekender is a 450-700 word article written by Canberrans or others with a particular focus on Australian/Canberra football. Feel free to suggest an article and let the increasing number of blog readers hear your thoughts.
In 1996 when we opened our new headquarters in Deakin, I convinced our Board that the building should be called “Football House”.
So the Board of Soccer Canberra operated out of Football House and Charlie Perkins was cheering us on from Sydney.
I hereby nominate Canberra football legend Walter Valeri!
As an Under 11 Coach Walter had his son Carl Valeri and today's Socceroo debutant Nikolai Topor-Stanley in the same Tuggeranong United junior side.
Would there be an Under 11 Coach from anywhere in Australia who could claim such a prize at such a young age? Obviously as players get older, they are drawn or recruited to the "best" team.
And if you are Coaching Under 11's this year...you just never know do you?
Pim Verbeek and Harry Kewell at the Press Conference in Singapore today. (Thanks to Paul Goodwin for the photo.)
Nikolai Topor-Stanley is set to make his debut for the Socceroos against Singapore on Saturday. (Game is live on Fox kickoff 10pm AEST)
Catch the full interview with Nikolai Topor-Stanley in Tuesday's Nearpost radio show or find the podcast here on the blog on Wednesday.
Speaking from his hotel, Nikolai said,
AFC U-19 Championship draw on April 6. Aussies have to come in the top four to qualify for the World Cup.
With Steve O'Connor off to Sydney FC there is no word on who is to Coach this team yet. O'Connor has offered to Coach the side, most of whom are under his charge at the AIS.
Details of the seedings below.
Heather Garriock to earn her 100th cap...and she's only 25!
Slowly but surely.
FFA CEO Ben Buckley is quoted in the Daily Telegraph today discussing future A-League teams. Now in all the time I've been following football, A-League developments, never have I heard the word Canberra mentioned as a possible next team.
So slowly but surely we enter the thinking the race. And with developments this week it is now time for the various parties around Canberra to get working, hastily, on their bids. And may the best bid win:)
Ben Buckley said,
"We've identified a number of areas - Gold Coast, Townsville, west Sydney, Melbourne, Wollongong and Canberra. But I don't see it as a race with the other codes, we've got our own timetable and it's about what's right for football.''
"Smile Steve, you're off to Sydney FC," said the photographer and at that point Rocky as he's known in football circles, lifted his head and gave the biggest smile ever!
Steve was a great guest, wit, football stories and insight, a radio hosts dream. Pity we only had an hour.
He told us how Mark Viduka drove everyone mad in the Residences at the AIS bouncing the ball against his dorm wall with his head.
How Vinnie Grella demanded to be taught how to hit long balls into space, how to control the ball in tight situations, how Lucas Neill, Mark Viduka, Josip Skoko, Joe Simunic, and Craig Moore all played in the same AIS team at one point.
Has there ever been such an intake?
And he told us how he's off to Sydney FC. A challenge, a big challenge with lots of uncertainty but one that needs to be done and done well.
Capital Football website is reporting that today could be the decision day for Canberra/Wellington Phoenix based Youth team.
See Release below for details. And I'll have details later in the day of any decision.
A year to remember a press release from my new best Kiwi friends the Wellington Phoenix.
Canberrans used to be a little suspect about our football prospects. The tide is turning. Step by step. But read the release from our new friends.
Look what they achieved in one year.
What can Canberra achieve in the future?
“The people of Wellington need to be congratulated for their support. Yellow Fever has been superb in creating an incredible atmosphere at games – crowds of 14,000 sing and chant and sound more like 30,000.
On the membership front we had more than 2500, which was far more than anyone was expecting us to get. Hopefully we can double that figure in season two because more members mean a more viable and stable club.”
Full squad from the FFA below for the Singapore game on Saturday night is below. Watch Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley make his debut.
Is Sydney FC's John Aloisi finished with the Socceroos?
If so $1.4 mill is a massive amount of dosh for an Australian non-Socceroo!
A former Canberra player Michael Katz gets a write up in this weeks NSWPremier League Newsletter.
Here's the word on Michael Katz:
Michael Katz may not be a household name but don’t let that name fool you into thinking he is a shrinking violet, as the header above suggests.
Capital Football Board met last night to discuss the Wellington Phoenix proposal.
Capital Football CEO Heather Reid said, "..very positive response from the Board, we've agreed to enter into formal negotiations with the Wellington Phoenix and the FFA (Football Federation Australia.)"
"It's a very positive response from us, an important opportunity to address the gap between the Premier League and the A-League."
And you can hear the complete interview with Heather Reid on Nearpost radio tonight or on the podcast tomorrow available on this blog.
FourFourTwo is reporting that
SYDNEY FC have turned their youth league recruitment into a TV show with the A-League club teaming with Foxtel to find the next football superstar.
Canberrans may not know yet but we are joining, or hope to be, with Wellington Phoenix,to create an A-League Youth team in Canberra.
AFC Futsal Championship 2008 draw on April 11
KUALA LUMPUR 17.03.2008: The draw for the AFC Futsal Championship 2008 Finals will be held at 1400 hrs (local time) at the Radisson Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, on April 11, 2008.
No it's not wishful thinking on my part. Media reports in Britain are suggesting it's on in the summer. Personally I'd be surprised.
The Board of Capital Football meet on tonight to discuss the Wellington Phoenix/Canberra A-League Youth team proposal. Here's the story if you missed it
Let's hope they do the right thing. There is only option for this fan.
Speaking to many people around Canberra and the only response from football people has been outstandingly positive. Amazingly I have not heard a word of doubt or disinterest from a wide range of followers of football.
Canberra MUST have an A-League Youth team. And tonight is our chance to grow the game in Canberra like never before.
I'm nervous. Should I be?
We'll have the full Capital Football response on the Nearpost radio on Tuesday. You can also hear Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata as well....and you can catch the podcast on here on Wednesday.
When Nikolai Topor-Stanley makes his expected Socceroo debut at left back against Singapore next weekend he'll be knocking the ball down the line to Aussie superstar Harry Kewell.
The boy from Tuggeranong United and Telopea Park School has done well.
Perth Glory's Player of the Year, off to the Beijing Olympics and now ready to team up with Harry Kewell in the Socceroos. Well done Nikolai.
Canberra's Kaz Patafta is starting to make an impression in Melbourne where it matters; on the park.
But his loan deal from Benfica ends with the Victory in June.
Should he stay or should he go?
The Weekender:
"We’d like to set up an A-League Youth team in Canberra, as soon as possible,” said Wellington Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata speaking from Melbourne today (Friday).
The seven team A-League Youth League is set to start in August 2008, and Canberra it seems was set to miss out. But fancy footwork from Capital Football CEO Heather Reid and Wellington Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata may have changed the future.
Kaz Patafta, Shaun Ontong, Ben Williams, Steve O'Connor, AIS, Youth League lots of Canberra football news here.
Canberra and Melbourne Victory's Kaz Patafta will be on SBS The World Game on Sunday around 5pm. Sir Les will interview Kaz.
Plate Final (Jalan Besar Stadium)
Australia vs Uzbekistan or Vietnam (5.00pm)
