Nearpost Football: October 2008

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

Local Football podcast featuring Canberra United star Sasha McDonnell
Download

National Show including interview with Queensland Roar Captain Kate McShea.
Download

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.

Matildas into Final

Canberra United Amy Chapman opened the scoring for the Matildas as they romped into the ASEAN final yesterday.

The Westfield Matildas advanced to the final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships tonight with a thrilling 5-1 win over Myanmar (Burma) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - although it is a victory that comes at a cost with two players suspended for the Final against Vietnam on Monday.

The Westfield Matildas will be the second team to play in the final of an ASEAN Championship in under a week, after the Young Socceroos won the U19 ASEAN Championship in Bangkok last week.

Although coach Tom Sermanni opted for a young squad for this championship, the Westfield Matildas made a strong start when Amy Chapman opened the scoring in the 3rd minute after a fumbling error from the Myanmar goalkeeper, who was under pressure from the lively play of Chapman, Uzunlar and Tristram. Australia's second goal came in the19th minute when Mastrantonio placed the ball well behind the defence to Uzunlar who finished it off with precision from 10 metres out.

The first of three penalties awarded in the match came when Colthorpe converted low to the right post after Tristram was brought down in the box in the 27th minute. A dominant display by Australia in the first half was capped off by a fourth goal from Tristram in the 42nd minute when the 'keeper was left stranded after some clever lead-up play from Carroll and Colthorpe.

The second half started where the first left off, with Australia again playing convincingly. Kellond-Knight won a second penalty for Australia in the 65th minute which was converted by Carroll, but resulted in an ankle injury for Kellond-Knight.

Seven minutes later, Australia was down to 10 women when Polkinghorne was shown her second yellow card - this time in the penalty box - which Myanmar converted.

Myanmar stepped up a gear with the numerical advantage and soon had Australia under more pressure with Chapman sent off for a second yellow in the 77th minute but, despite being down to 9 players, the Westfield Matildas held on for the win.

Sermanni said he was very happy with the result, but disappointed to be without Polkinghorne and Chapman for the Final on Monday.

"Myanmar can be a very difficult side. They have a very dogged and determined defence so our plan was to try to score early to relieve the pressure, and that's exactly what we did.

"The loss of two players through suspension will have an impact on us. It just shows how quickly a squad of 18 can be whittled down."

Sermanni said that Elise Kellond-Knight is also doubtful for Monday due to the ankle injury she sustained in the match, potentially leaving 13 outfield players to choose from.

"The Final will be a good test, as the local supporters are very patriotic, and will be out in force to support their home team.

"I'm comfortable with where we are going into the Final. We've improved every match of the tournament so far and we should continue to do so for the Final also."

The Westfield Matildas meet Vietnam in the Final of the ASEAN Football Federation Women's Championships at 6.00pm local (10.00pm AEDT) on Monday 20 October, with Thailand v Myanmar in the 3rd/4th place play-off at 3.00pm local (7.00pm AEDT).

The Westfield Matildas will return to Australia on Tuesday and head straight into preparation for the kick-off of the new national league for women, the Westfield W-League, which starts next Saturday.

ENDS

Match Details

AFF Women's Championship 2008
18 October
Australia v Myanmar (Burma)
Thanh Long Sports Complex, Vietnam
6.00pm local, 10.00pm AEDT
(Please note that not all details are available at the time of distribution)

AUSTRALIA, 5 (Chapman 3', Uzunlar 19', Colthorpe 27' (pen), Tristram 42', Carroll 65' (pen)) - MYANMAR, 1 (72' (pen))

STARTING LINE-UP: Melissa Barbieri (gk), Clare Polkinghorne, Kim Carroll (c), Brooke Spence (Christine Walters 60'), Elise Kellond-Knight (Victoria Ballomenos 65'), Ella Mastrantonio, Yesim Servet Uzunlar, Lauren Colthorpe, Amy Chapman, Tameka Butt (Lyndsay Glohe 55'), Jenna Tristram

SUBS NOT USED: Leena Khamis, Ashleigh Sykes, Lydia Williams (gk)
UNAVAILABLE: Renee Rollason (injured)
YELLOW CARDS: Clare Polkinghorne, ? and 72' (red); Chapman ? and 77' (red)

Saturday, 18 October 2008

FFA 0 Canberra Times 2

National team the Matildas, in a final you know. Today. Not a dicky bird on the "We love the women as well honest FFA site," but the Canberra Times is on the money, although no article on line.

Frank Farina: You owe me $25,000.

Queensland Roar keep losing at home. And Frank Farina can't solve the problem. Not last year, not this year.

A team that can cruise past league leaders Melbourne Victory 2-0 at the Dome a few weeks ago lost to Adelaide United 1-0 last night.....and what is Frankie ever going to do?

Time to tinker Frank....

You've got the tools Frank, you just need to use them....effectively.

My Invoice to Queensland Roar: $25,000

Increase gate revenue as a result of my changes: $1 million..read on.

You'd think by now Frank, remember he was a great player, and a former Socceroo Coach, would be able to come up with a win.

Never mind a formula to entertain the home crowd.

He has neither.

And it's criminal. Well in football terms.

The team is sent out every home game to huff and puff and score a goal or two. But how long do we have to suffer a Queensland side with a strong squad but no ability to entertain the home side never mind the TV lard arses like me self.

Michael Zullo, Reinaldo, Charlie Miller, Taj Minniecon, Robbie Kruse, and Sergio Van Djik provide enough variety.

But Farina can't seem to provide a style that works at home.

So Frankie how about a bit of radical therapy.

Matt MacKay and Massimo Murdocho the engine of the team so we hear, but can they score at home, MacKay occasionally, and can they create....I'd argue never.

And there in lies the problem.

You always play them Frank because they work so hard, but they both lack that little extra that your team needs. And at home that extra is a goal or five. There is only place for one of them in midfield...or dare I suggest it none of them!!

Huyk Sun Seo at right-back is 35. And it shows. He never attacks. And on the other side Andrew Packer is well Andrew Packer. You get little in an attacking sense from your full-backs.

Which makes it very very easy to defend against a team who rely on a midfield trio of Danny Tiatto never mind no goals, no shots, Mackay may as well be no goals and Murdocha, well he should sold to the Miron Bleiberg at the Gold Coast.

He played the M and M's in midfield a lot as well.

Get Murdocha into right back and watch the attacking energy of the team change overnight particularly at home where teams come and defend. Think Brett Emerton Socceroos.

How much more would Murdocha give to the team in attack. An extra man, coming from deeper with pace would cause havoc and assist the attacking movement of the team.

And from full-back he doesn't need to score does he?

Play Miller in a Dwight Yorke role. Much deeper. His football quality could provide Mackay, or even the pacy Michael Zullo or Taj Minniecon to benefit particularly if they start from deeper a little bit tucked in. So they get the chance to use their pace with maximum effect for the team, more often.

Reinaldo, Sergio Van Djik and Robbie Kruse are more than good enough when on form to create and score in the A-League.

And Zullo and Minniecon will get more goals than the M and M show. I guarantee it or you cna have your money back.

So you want to be really radical.

Chuck Mackay to the other full-back then you'd have some attacking verve like few sides and energy to recover.

Then you really would be using your assets to hurt other teams.

Zullo/Kruse, Tiatto, Miller and Minniecon across the park.

You've got the tools Frank, you just need to use them....effectively.

Bill to Queensland Roar: $25,000

Increase gate revenue as a result of my changes: $1 million

Fozzie not happy with Joeys Coach

Jan Versliejan the Young Socceroos Coach will move to Coach the Australian Under 17 side after the completes his duties with the Under 19's in Saudi Arabia this year.....and the current Under 17 Coach South Australian Martyn Crook will presumabl get the flick.

Makes sense as the intake for the AIS is falling this year and most of the Young Socceroos are off to A-League clubs. Will they get as good a development opportunity as if they had two years at the AIS like Viduka and co, definitely not.

That said the AIS has now recognised the need to change their focus, produce better players at a younger age and this is a good thing...and much needed.

At 17 a player is not ready for the A-League and will need to feel the Youth League set up they enter is valuable. I doubt there is the infrastructure in A-League Club structures yet to be confident that the players development will continue.

Australia has a long history of developing players late. Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi may jump on to the scene as 17 or 18 year olds. But Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill are just two Aussies who has to wait a long time to get to Premier League football.

Fozzie slates the Under 17 Coach Martyn Crook saying he clearly isn't the best we have. His side didn't qualify for the Under 17 World Cup.

They lost in injury time, but if the benchmark is qualification, and it is, then Crook's position should be at least reviewed or ended.

That said Versleijen's appointment to the AIS and Under 17 Coach would appear to solve that problem in the immediate future.

But who coaches the Under 20's from here on in?

And this is the last Under 20 team that will have real time together, and this squad has already been eroded as Club v Country/AIS battle takes place.

James Holland, Jason Hoffman and Seb Ryall are just two who have long left the Under 20 nursery at the AIS as Clubs recognised their qualities. They were ready for top-grade football. So moulding the Under 20 sqiad will be much harder from here on in.

For any Coach.

So what next?

Fozzie wants "political appointments" of NTC's wiped clean and our technical director to control and influence these appointments.

Well we don't have a Technical Director, Rob Baan is off, and changing NTC appointments or at least reviewing them to ensure we have the best Coaches of our young kids.......

Well good luck with that one:)

But time for a review is well due.

Many have held positions from the days of old soccer. Not necessarily a bad thing, but clearly with the changes in the game, the new focus, a ruthless reappraisal should be undertaken by the new Technical Director.

Friday, 17 October 2008

Football and ACT Politics

I received this email this morning, thought I'd reprint it in full:) As a football fan, blogger, and Canberran I couldn't agree with it more.

Lets get political

For far too long Football (soccer) has been the poor cousin in Canberra. Football is the biggest code in the ACT yet governments of all creeds have ignored us.

It’s time to be more political about our code. Put people into the Legislative Assembly who will give Football a fare go.

We recently did this in Queanbeyan. For years the Mayor and Council neglected football. It’s the biggest sport in Queanbeyan yet the local clubs received little support. Now it has a pro-Football Mayor (Tim Overall) and two pro-Football Councillors – John Barilaro and Velice Tranjanoski. Barlilaro, who received the third biggest vote, ran a pro-Football campaign.

Tomorrow, please give consideration to those candidates who support the world game.

Molonglo

Gary Kent
Andrew Barr
Zed Seselja
Shane Rattenbury

Brindabella

Steve Doszpot

Ginninderra

Alistair Coe
Jon Stanhope

A-League is back: Top 4 v Bottom 4

Can the FFA do no wrong?

Adelaide United fly off to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after tonights game against the Roar in Brisbane and where better to fly out from.

A home game in Adelaide or away in NZ would have added further hours to the trek.

And tonight's game will be one of the rounds best although I'm expecting The Roar to walk it. One suspects the United players may have other things on their minds, and given what is up for grabs even their most ardent fan might forgive them this once.

It's a crucial round for the bottom 4 clubs. All get to play teams in the finals position, and all need to take points or the gap will grow.

But who will?

Perth at home to Sydney. No-one in their right mind would predict they would. Sydney should be way too strong for Perth particularly if Kossie follows his "mentor" Aurelio Vidmar and leaves his ex-European striker John Aloisi out of the side.

Wellington, their revival must be due to come to an end. The Mariners will give no sympathy and I'm expecting a good 3-0 walloping with Danny Vukovic back in at the expense of Mark Bosnich.

Newcastle need a win or at least a point against league leaders Melbourne Victory. This will be an entertaining game with the Victory playing some flowing football once more. Archie is on fire but Ney Fabiano is, of course, still out. Hopefully Carlos Hernandez is right to play.

The Jets are struggling, mainly in the centre midfield and striker positions. Adam Griffiths is back but Joel is a doubt. Where will their goals come from?

Scored two against Wellington with a depleted side, but Melbourne are a different matter. I'm expecting a Jets defeat. 0-5 last time, maybe by two this time given they are at home.

Robbie Kruse out again for The Roar? What is going on there. The Roars best forward last year, forget Zullo, it was Kruse who consistently created goals and chances for his team mates. He needs to play, to develop, to build on what he achieved.

The most exciting young forward in the country after Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite but with 8 games of the season gone he's yet to start.

Has he got a touch of the Broncos?

Thursday, 16 October 2008

CANBERRA FC MEDIA RELEASE

Canberra FC have applied for the NSWPL 12th and remaining spot. Let's hope it's lucky 12th for them in NSW and for the Canberra A-League side in the A-League.

Then we'd have a marvellous pathway for our juniors. Full release below.

CANBERRA FC MEDIA RELEASE
>
>
>
> > 16 October 2008
> >
> >
> >
> > for immediate release
> >
> >
> >
> > HUGE WAVE OF SUPPORT FOR CANBERRA'S INCLUSION IN NSW PREMIER LEAGUE
> >
> >
> >
> > An army of supporters ranging from Socceroos past and present, politicians,
> > football officials and media personalities have gotten behind a push, to
> > encourage Football NSW to include Canberra FC as the 12th team in the 2009
> > NSW Premier League.
> >
> >
> >
> > Ned Zelic, Ivan Slavic, and Walter Valeri, father of Carl and former
> > Capital Football president, were quick to stand up and applaud the club's
> > initiative in applying for inclusion in Australia's number two competition.
> >
> >
> >
> > Ivan Slavic, head of the Canberra's A-League bid said "A team from our
> > region in the New South Wales Premier League would, I believe, provide a
> > crucial and exciting link in our region's developmental pathway and provide
> > further opportunities for our players. It would also add increased quality
> > to the NSWPL both on and off the field."
> >
> > "Canberra FC has a proud 50 year history in our city. They have set
> > professional standards, producing many outstanding players including Joe
> > Simunic and Ned Zelic. They continue to be the benchmark in Canberra. The
> > Deakin Stadium has been completely rebuilt this year and provides an
> > excellent venue for Premier League football. Canberra's A-League bid is
> > fully behind Canberra FC's New South Wales Premier League bid. They
> > complement each other" added Slavic.
> >
> >
> >
> > Zelic and Walter Valeri, both proud Canberrans who have played for their
> > country, were positive of any initiative by Football NSW and the Canberra
> > football community to provide enhanced talent identification.
> >
> >
> >
> > As a former player and coach of the Club, I think that in its 50th
> > anniversary it would be a fitting celebration for Canberra FC to be
> > accepted into the NSW competition. My son Carl, who spent some of his
> > junior days at Canberra FC was also excited by the possibility of Canberra
> > participating in the NSW Premier League. It will again become a pathway
> > for many players and keep them at home instead of heading interstate and
> > overseas searching for a career in football." said Valeri
> >
> >
> >
> > Ned Zelic will be at the Canberra FC function on the 6th November 2008
> > promoting Canberra's A league bid, and this week was sounded out about
> > coaching Canberra FC in the NSW Premier League by club director Bernie
> > Lustica.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Ned knows how hard it is for young Canberra players to travel the same
> > pathways as their Sydney and Melbourne counterparts and is right behind our
> > push for a NSWPL spot. While he wouldn't commit to the coaching role, yet,
> > I am sure he is available to assist us in any way he can." said Lustica.
> >
> >
> >
> > Capital Football CEO Heather Reid weighed in with her support.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Canberra FC have previously participated in the NSW Youth League with much
> > success and with the possibility of an A-League club in Canberra in the
> > near future, we are keen to support appropriate opportunities that will
> > assist the pathway of male players from local to national leagues." said
> > Reid.
> >
> >
> >
> > "In the absence of a Canberra A-League club, one way to do this would be
> > through other levels of competition such as the NSW Premier League." she
> > added.
> >
> >
> >
> > Canberra FC president Marko Vrkic, was overwhelmed by the support of his
> > club in the lead up to its 50th year celebrations in December.
> >
> >
> >
> > "I am so proud of our club at this time" said Vrkic. "We have competed
> > locally, nationally, and internationally for a long time now, and have
> > produced a number of Socceroos and overseas based stars. We want to
> > continue to lead the way in fostering the game in our city, and we are also
> > now focussing on the entire southern NSW region, with a new emphasis on
> > women's football. Our future is bright thanks to the strong backing of our
> > licensed club, our sponsors and our large membership and supporter base.
> > Our stadium is being continually upgraded. We want to be a strong
> > component of the NSW Premier League, and the football communities that we
> > represent" he added
> >
> >
> >
> > "You look at the two clubs in this year's NSW Premier League Grand Final.
> > Canberra's Steve Hayes was man of the match, and both clubs boast
> > Canberrans such as Shane Lyons, Michael Katz and Ilija Prenzoski. Ilija
> > and Michael are both former Canberra FC players. Canberra needs our own
> > team playing at this level, as well as the A-League. Football needs us
> > too." said the dynamic club boss.
> >
> >
> >
> > Vrkic emphasised that this bid was for all of southern NSW, and that the
> > club plans to take games and coaching structures to the Riverina, South
> > Coast, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands football communities.
> >
> >
> >
> > "The more professional Sydney clubs also want us in the league, because
> > they know it is good for all football across the state." said Vrkic.
> >
> >
> >
> > ENDS

NSW Premier League

One place up for grabs, five applications, and a decision to be made on Wednesday next week.

One application from Canberra I'm informed, so here's hoping we have another pathway to the A-League, and beyond, for our Canberra footballers.

Aussie media: oh no we're going again!

Now football doesn't always get the coverage it deserves, certainly on FTA national channels it hardly gets the coverage crowds and the national team of the World Game deserves.

Even with so many people interested in the last World Cup campaign and numbers involved in the game.

So I guess there must be a number of media, a few at the elite of the AFL, Rugby League and Rugby Union who woke up this morning and said,

"Oh no they're off to the World Cup again."

And this time it won't be at the death, we'll be having the longest build up in history.......watch the media come on board for football once more...this time they might stay if the FFA plan the strategy right...and I expect they will.

Socceroos 4 Qatar 0

It was easy.

The rains poured down, the game was delayed and Australia continued the torrent.

Aussie superstar Tim Cahill was the hero. Finishing superbly in typical fashion in the ninth minute and Qatar knew it was game over.

Remember Qatar were top of the group going into this one, but the psychological hold Australia has over many teams in Asia was apparent, will be strengthened after this effort.

It felt like Oceania all over, but we conned 40,000 to come and watch this Asian qualifier.

How Qatar are top of the group, how they beat Uzbekistan is hard to see. But against Australia they are intimidated and Bruno Metzsu's defensive line-up played straight into Aussie hands

Not that it was any good.

David Carney and Tim Cahill were both unmarked after just nine minutes, what had Qatar been practising, and the game was gone.

We've never heard Pim Verbeek so confident, now we know why and I'd expect to win away in Doha next year as well.

The Aussie squad is looking strong, flexible with an increasing confidence to beat all sides, maybe bar Japan, in our group.

Brett Emerton scored two, one from a Tim Cahill earned penalty. And Josh Kennedy headed home. What was the Qatari keeper doing?

Australia weren't great, they didn't have to be. They weren't tested in truth.

But they did what they had to do, got easy breaks and finished the game.

That said Craig Moore clearly intimidated Quintana out of the game. The passing around midfield was pleasing on the eye, particularly for the fourth goal.

Best for me were Jason Culina, Tim Cahill and Craig Moore.

Scott MacDonald played well enough Josh Kennedy did well.

This Aussie squad is battled hardened now and with Qatar cheating Iraq out of a place there is not much threat it seems in this group.

Indeed a penalty save in China in the last minutes plus the fortunate win in Brisbane against Iraq in the last group made that group seem much more difficult...or maybe the Aussie's are improving as the games flow.

Pim Verbeek is the star of the show. He's delivered when it mattered.

Perhaps our best coach alongside Rale Rasic and Gus Hiddink.

Early days but Australia can ride the crest all the wave to South Africa.

How about that Australia off to another World Cup. It feels good.

Oh yes Australia

Book your flights Australia are off to the 2010 World Cup.

A thumping 4-0 win over group leaders Qatar and with Uzbekistan drawing with Japan in Saitama the Socceroos move into pole position.

With Marco Bresciano, Harry Kewell and Nicky Carle :) out Pim's men have sent a huge message to the rest of the group with a 4-0 flogging of an insipid Qatari side.

Great news for Australian football, the fans and of course the bean-counters.

Who can stop us now?

Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Look who's in Brisbane

I met them in Bangkok for the Asia Cup now they are in Brisbane for tonights game. Tuggeranong United's Jeremy Butler, Gordo and co are up for the game

Great to see Canberrans making the trip. Great to see the passion for our National team. And no I'm not in Brisbane I knicked the photo from the FourFourTwo website which has great coverage of pre-match with the fans...and then the Tuggies boys turned up:)

And notice the Koala..he goes everywhere. He was in Bangkok we even got him in the Canberra Times photo last year....and he's here again. Good work lads.

Socceroos: I'm confident

Crucial game, every World Cup game is, and more midweek crucial footy on TV. Love it!

And Pim is sounding unusually upbeat. Which must be good. ...

We've beaten Qatar twice and psychologically we'll have an edge, even without "our Harry, our Marco, our Carl and our mini-Carl...Vince Grella."

Scott Chipperfield's return fills me with confidence. It really lifts the team.

Craig Moore, too old too slow and too quick to revert to thuggish ways. There is no place for it in football, Quintana will test Moore. It could be embarassing.

But in Brett Emerton, Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Josh Kennedy, Brett Holman, Bruce Djite, and Scott MacDonald we should have too much firepower.

With Kewell and co out we are looking a stronger and stronger squad as Pim progresses.

Good enough to get to the World Cup and tonight is crucial.

With the Uzbeks in Japan surely they'll lose that would be three defeats for them.

Qatar to drop more points tonight and we could be sitting on a two-horse race for two places with Japan.

That would be nice.

Enjoy the game, and the Socceroos Australia's best and most important football team...unless you count the AFL boyo's:)

Canberra signs for Adelaide United

ACTAS player Steph Tokich has signe for Adelaide United, presumably Steph is guaranteed a start. Interesting none the less and good to see another Canberran in the league.

Canberra A-League: Is this it?

Yesterday I was at a meeting at the Hermitage in Canberra. Nice restaurant, nice meeting.

And I believe it was the day when the Canberra A-League bid was sealed. I think we are now unstoppable.

Of course I can't reveal more at this stage but within two weeks, maybe less, I expect to hear the news spread widely.

For me, yesterday, in terms of the history of and the development of Canberra football it could rank as our greatest ever day. A big call. Time will tell.

And to guarantee you can join the fun, Nov 6th with Ned Zelic and more, invites first to all foundation members, so join up now.

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Nearpost Radio Tuesday: Test our stream!

Nationally:
We're bagged Football-hater Peter FitzSimons SMH journo (it felt great) for his latest Saturday sports page.
Canberra United Coach Robbie Hooker talks player signings. apologies re sound quality
We talk Adelaide United and Socceroos. Yeah Pete you see there is some football going on.

Download

Locally:
Download

Russ Gibbs and Pete Papathanasiou talk Capital Football awards night.
All the local news.
Canberra United's Ellie Brush talks about her joy of the coming W-League season....now she's a defender.
And Russ and Pete chinwag the big issues.

To hear the stream, 6.30pm Tuesday AEST paste the following URL into your media client,
for example Windows Media Player, iTunes or VLC:

http://2xxfm-ice.stream.integritynet.com.au:8000/2xxfm

As a second option for PCs only, there is a Windows Media stream at:

mms://2xxfm.stream.integritynet.com.au/2xxfm

Monday, 13 October 2008

Canberra United Website

The new Canberra United website was launched today.

A night for Foundation Members.

in case you missed the SBS piece on Canberra A-League last week.

And coming soon "A night with Ned Zelic" November 6th. This is a gala event for Foundation Members and Corporate supporters.

Invitations will go out this week to all Foundation Members. Numbers are restricted so get in early and, of course, if you'd like to come but haven't signed up as a Foundation Member, sign-up today at www.a-league4canberra.com.au and you'll get an invite as well!

With all Canberra former Socceroos/Matildas/Futsalroos/Australian Deaf National team in attendance should be a great night for football.

Joeys disaster in Tashkent

Ok so it's no big deal Australia lost to the UAE in the Quarter Final of the Under 16Asian Cup in Tashkent. Everythings in Tashkent these days!

But what is a big deal is it means the Joeys won't go to the World Cup Under 17 next year. The FFA don't say so in their release but I'm pretty sure that's the deal.

Don't think we missed a World Cup in Oceania...but then we never had to play in Tashkent.

Feel for the lads, a goal in injury time knocked them out, plus some AFC dealings ensured their opponents were changed at the last minute.

The Qantas Joeys have been knocked out of the AFC U16 Championships after falling to the United Arab Emirates 3-2 in the quarter finals of the tournament in Tashkent overnight.

Only hours before kick-off, Yemen, who had topped group D, were disqualified from the tournament for fielding an overage player. The decision meant that instead of facing Japan the Qantas Joeys had to face the United Arab Emirates, in their quarter final match.

With the scores locked at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, and the match looking destined to go to extra time, Abdulla Mohammad’s scored for the UAE in the first minute of injury time to give his team the victory.

The UAE took the lead after 7 minutes into the match when a cross found Fahad Salam unmarked who made no mistake from close range to beat Qantas Joeys goalkeeper Robert Kolac.

The Qantas Joeys had a number of opportunities to equalise in the first half, but were denied by saves from the UAE goalkeeper Eesa Abbas and the cross-bar on one occasion.

Ben Kantarovski equalised for Qantas Joeys early in the second half finishing off a cross from Marc Warren.

Trent Sainsbury gave the Qantas Joeys the lead in the 57th minute when he capitalised on a Brendan Hamill flick on from a Jared Lum free kick.

Fahad Salem notched his second goal of the game in the 64th minute to level the scores when the Qantas Joeys failed to clear the ball from inside the box.

Then in the first minute of injury time, UAE striker Abdulla Mohammad headed home the winner after Ahmed Al Balooshi hit the bar following a Fahed Salem free-kick.

After the match, Qantas Joeys Martyn Crook was obviously disappointed with the result.

"We had plenty of opportunities in the first-half and we should have scored them so we got punished for that.

"After we took a 2-1 lead we had a chance to score a third goal from a one-on-one situation but we didn't. We were punished quickly for that as UAE leveled the scores.

"UAE played well although the last two days were hard for them," he added.

"Their players showed a great fighting spirit and they were really good on the break with quick counter-attacks.

"We were really vulnerable from crosses. The crosses have cost us the match and UAE players took full advantage from these mistakes,” concluded Crook.

-ends

Match Details:
Qantas Joeys 2 (Ben Kantarovski 48’, Trent Sainsbury 57’)
United Arab Emirates 3 (Fahad Salim 7’/64’, Abdulla Muhammad 90+1’)
Sunday 12 October 2008
MHSK Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Referee: Minoru Tojo (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Yosef Mirza Rustom (Saudi Arabia) & Manh Long Pham (Vietnam)
Fourth Official: Mukthar Al Yarimi (Yemen)
Crowd: 500

Qantas Joeys line-up: Robert Kolac (gk), Chahine Noujaim, Marc Warren, Brendan Hamill (C), Jared Lum, Ben Kantarovski, Nikola Stanojevic, Kamal Ibrahim, Chris Bush, Trent Sainsbury, Stephen Domenici (Danai Gapare 83’).

Substitutes Not Used: Zac Tubbs (gk), Nathan Farrell, Teddy Yabio, Colin Wright, Cameron Edwards, Aaron Lennox (gk), Mark Perrone, Dimitrios Petratos.

Yellows Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

QANTAS JOEYS SQUAD
AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
4-18 October 2008

Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACTAS), Julius Davies (WA), Stephen Domenici (ACTAS), Cameron Edwards (WA), Petar Franjic (VIS), Nathan Farrell (SASI), Danai Gapare (ACTAS), Brendan Hamill (NSWIS), Kamal Ibrahim (VIS), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Robert Kolac (NSWIS), Aaron Lennox (NSWIS), Jared Lum (NSWIS), Chahine Noujaim (SASI), Mark Perrone (SASI), Dimitrios Petratos (NSWIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSWIS), Nicholas Tubbs (QAS), Marc Warren (NSWIS), Bailey Wright (VIS) and Teddy Yabio (VIS).

AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
OFFCIAL MATCH SCHEDULE - FINALS

Quarter Finals

#DateMatchVenue
QF112 Oct 2008 IR Iran2:0 SyriaPakhtakor Stadium16:00
QF212 Oct 2008 Korea Republic 3:0 UzbekistanPakhtakor Stadium20:00
QF312 Oct 2008 Australia 2:3 United Arab EmiratesMHSK Stadium14:00
QF412 Oct 2008 Japan 2:0 Saudi ArabiaMHSK Stadium18:00

Semi Finals

#DateMatchVenue
SF115 Oct 2008 Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF3Pakhtakor Stadium15:00
SF215 Oct 2008 Winner QF2 vs. Winner QF4Pakhtakor Stadium19:00

Final

#DateMatchVenue
F18 Oct 2008 Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2Pakhtakor Stadium16:00

Sunday, 12 October 2008

World Cup this Wednesday

The Socceroos take on Qatar in Brisbane on Wednesday. The game is live on FOX.

A win is crucial and would slot the Aussies into second spot after just two games. Most teams will have played three.

And with the Aussies in second place and two to qualify I'm predicting with this group of players and an increasingly confident Pim Verbeek we will NEVER be out of the top two again. We will qualify for South Africa.

A win against Qatar would ensure 6 from 6 but more importantly Bahrain, Qatar and Uzbekistan would all have dropped at least 4 points already. Could we really be caught?

Money for Game Development

Buckley said that, as part of the agreement, Optus will provide football equipment for thousands of young football players in regional and urban areas around Australia.

Football has had the highest participation rates of any sport for boys aged 5-14 years for more than a decade and is also the fastest growing team sport for girls with an average annual growth rate of more than 6% over the past five years.

“Almost 1 million Australians enjoy playing football – whether it be formally through registered competition, or informally.

Get you r bids in now:)

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Optus today announced an exciting new agreement in support of football from grassroots to the Qantas Socceroos.

The three year multi-million dollar agreement sees Optus become official partner of the Game Development Program, a key component of FFA’s national strategic framework to improve football at all levels of the game. Optus will also be the Official Telecommunications Partner of FFA, all national teams including the Qantas Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas, as well as the Hyundai A-League.

“This is another very good day for FFA and the entire football family,” said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

“We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Optus and we appreciate their support for our ambitious plans to be the sport of first choice for players and fans.

“The Game Development Program is critical to building for the future.

“It is part of a long term plan to help make Australia a world leader in the game and to achieve sustained success at international level.”

Buckley said that, as part of the agreement, Optus will provide football equipment for thousands of young football players in regional and urban areas around Australia.

Football has had the highest participation rates of any sport for boys aged 5-14 years for more than a decade and is also the fastest growing team sport for girls with an average annual growth rate of more than 6% over the past five years.

“Almost 1 million Australians enjoy playing football – whether it be formally through registered competition, or informally.

“Optus’ support will help children around the country play the game,” Buckley said.

“The larger our participation base, the more likely our international success as we draw on a bigger pool of participants to be future Westfield Matildas or Qantas Socceroos.

“In addition, more children playing the game will result in healthier lifestyles and a healthier population.”

Optus Chief Executive, Paul O’Sullivan, said that Optus was proud to be involved with football.

“This is a strategic partnership for Optus. Both Optus and FFA are challenger brands committed to taking on the local incumbents and winning in our respective markets,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Football is the biggest sport in the world with one of the highest youth participation sport rates in Australia, so our backing in this area will help secure the game’s future success on both domestic and international levels.

“Optus is keen to support this important program and encourage even greater participation, especially in regional Australia where Optus is investing significantly to expand its 3G Mobile Network,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Optus is also proud to support the Qantas Socceroos in their quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.”

The Qantas Socceroos will play Qatar in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian group qualifier in Brisbane next Wednesday.

ENDS

Young Socceroos win ASEAN tournament

The team will now head to Saudi Arabia in November for the Asian Cup which acts as qualifiers for the Under 20 World Cup.

James Holland sealed the win in a penalty shoot-out. Take a look at the list of names and see who is already making an impact in the A-League..or not yet.

FFA report below.

Bangkok
Sunday 12 October 2008

The Qantas Young Socceroos have defeated the Korea Republic in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to win the ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championships in Thailand overnight.

Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was the hero for the Qantas Young Socceroos after making a number of fantastic saves during regulation time and three important saves during the penalty shoot-out.

The first half was an even affair with both teams creating chances but the goalkeepers at either end made a number of great saves. The Qantas Young Socceroos best chance came shortly after the half-hour mark when Mitch Nichols had his shot from inside the box well saved by the Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.

Torrential rain started after half time and continued for the remainder of the match which severely restricted the number of scoring opportunities for either side.

With the score-line locked at 0-0 and due to the extreme weather, both teams and the tournament organisers agreed to determine the result by a penalty shoot-out without going to extra-time.

Nathan Elasi took the Qantas Young Socceroos first penalty, which was saved by Kim Seung-gyu. Andrew Redmayne then saved the Koreans first penalty from Lee Chang-ho. Sebastian Ryall netted the Qantas Young Socceroos second penalty and Redmayne backed up with another fine save from Park Jong-woo’s attempt. Jason Naidovski extended the lead when he netted and Redmayne again produced another fine save to deny Yang Jun-a 's shot. Tahj Minniecon had the opportunity to seal the result but missed his attempt and Kim Jae-min converted for Korea. Qantas Young Socceroos captain James Holland sealed the result when he converted his penalty to give his team a morale boosting victory in the lead-up to the AFC U19 Championships later this month.

Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen was very happy with his team’s overall performance as he looks towards the next important tournament.

“Every game we improved, the players had a better understanding of the combinations creating chances. It was pleasing to win the tournament.

“Now we have to prepare for the qualifiers and I can see improvement that will give us confidence leading into the qualifiers,” concluded Versleijen.

Earlier in the evening, China defeated Thailand 3-0, In the play-off for third place.

The Qantas Young Socceroos will focus their attention to the AFC U19 Youth Championships which will be held in Saudi Arabia from the 31 October – 14 November 2008. The top four nations from the AFC U19 Youth Championships will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup which will be held in Egypt from 10-31 July 2009.

-ends

Match Details:
ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championships - Final
Qantas Young Socceroos 0
Korea Republic 0
(Qantas Young Socceroos win 3-1 on penalties)
Saturday 11 October 2008
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand

Qantas Young Socceroos line up: Andrew Redmayne (gk), Sebastian Ryall, Sam Munro (Nathan Elasi 68’), Matthew Jurman, Tahj Minniecon, James Holland (C), Milos Lujic (Jason Naidovski 75’), Mitch Nichols (James Brown 35’), Nikolas Tsattalios, Tom Oar, Ryan McGowan

Substitutes Not Used: Alex Cisak, Peter Cvetanovski, Milos Lujic, Andreas Govas, Luke De Vere, Andreas Govas, Dane Milovanovic, Scott Balderson.

Yellow Cards: Sam Munro 37’, Matthew Jurman 74’.

Red Cards: Nil

ENDS

Qantas Young Socceroos Squad List
ASEAN Football Federation U-19 Championships
5 – 11 October 2008

Scott Balderson (Stevenage Borough, UK), James Brown (AIS), Alex Cisak (gk) (Leicester City, UK), Peter Cvetanovski (Borussia Monchenlabach, Germany), Luke De Vere (Queensland Roar), Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory), Andreas Govas (Apollon Kalamarias, Greece), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Milos Lujic (Melbourne Victory), Ryan McGowan (Hearts FC, Scotland), Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar), Dane Milovanovic (AIS), Sam Munro (Sydney FC), Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets), Mitchell Nichols (Queensland Roar), Thomas Oar (Queensland Roar), Andrew Redmayne (gk) (Central Coast Mariners), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory) and Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC).

ASEAN Football Federation U-19 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Official Match Schedule

MatchDateFixtureVenue
1Sun 5 Oct 08Korea Republic 1:0 ThailandSupachalasai Stadium
2Sun 5 Oct 08Australia 3:1 China PRSupachalasai Stadium
3Tues 7 Oct 08Korea Republic 0:0 Australia Royal Thai Army Stadium
4Tues 7 Oct 08China PR 0:3 Thailand Royal Thai Army Stadium
5 Thurs 9 Oct 08China PR 0:1 Korea RepublicSupachalasai Stadium
6Thurs 9 Oct 08Thailand 1:2 Australia Supachalasai Stadium
7Sat 11 Oct 08Thailand 0:3 ChinaSupachalasai Stadium
8 (final)Sat 11 Oct 08Australia 0:0 Korea Republic
(Australia win 3-1 on penalties)Supachalasai Stadium

Friday, 10 October 2008

Canberra United further signings

ActewAGL have signed up as front of shirt Canberra United sponsor. Good news.

And United Coach Robbie Hooker announced further signings this morning.

Local players Rebecca Kiting, Ellie Brush, Bronwyn Studman, Chrissy Walters, and Dubbo Matilda Ashleigh Sykes have all joined the club.

There are now 13 players on the books. ........

Four Queensland players will fly to Canberra to trial this weekend, and Robbie is still hoping to sign a player from the USA to play that centre midfield position.

Two weeks until the first game, still at least five further players to be signed. Clubs can have 18 or 20 at most and of course you can expect additional replacements to be drafted as players get injured as the season progresses.

"Having the first two games away is probably a good thing as it allows us to work on our performance and you want to win all games, but particularly the homes games and it will give us a little more time," said former Socceroo Robbie Hooker

"We've made a number of further signings today including Ashleigh Sykes who is currently away with the Promising Matildas. She's a bit raw, from the wild west of Dubbo, but has plenty of pace and she should improve," said Robbie.

Joeys and Young Socceroos reports

The Joeys are on track for a World Cup berth. They beat China 2-1 a couple of days ago, see reports below, and beat Turkmenistan 6-0 overnight.

One game to go. The Joeys must beat, Japan to book their place at the World Cup.

Also Young Socceroos beat Thailand 2-1. Notice the improving Thai football sides.

And Dane Milovanovic, Canberra's Young Socceroo without an A-League Youth Club. Why?
Rumour is he's off overseas...Denmark possibly.

THREE reports are below.

The Qantas Joeys have defeated Turkmenistan 6-0 in their final group match of AFC U16 Championships in Uzbekistan overnight.

Having already qualified for the quarter finals following their 2-1 victory over China PR on Tuesday night, Qantas Joeys Head Coach Martyn Crook used the match against Turkmenistan as an opportunity to rest a number of players in preparation for the knock-out stage.

The Qantas Joeys opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Ben Kantarovski finished from close range after a Trent Sainsbury flick on at the the near post from a corner.

Teddy Yabio doubled the lead just after the half hour mark with a diving header and Danai Gapre netted the Qantas Joeys third goal just before half time.

Five minutes after the break, Gapare scored his second goal of the evening with a well taken shot from inside the area. Dimitrios Petratos added to the total in the 63rd minute with a low finish and stand-in captain Marc Warren completed the scoring two minutes later with a long range shot which hit the underside of the cross bar and went into the net.

After the match, Martyn Crook was pleased with the overall performance of his team.

"It was a good game for us as the new players produced a good performance and we are definitely happy with the result at the end of the day," said Crook.

"We wanted to give some rest to the key players after securing our place at the top of the group. The new boys did well although they were playing for the first time together.

"We have a few injuries in the squad at the moment and while we used players in different positions, we also solved some problems.

"The performance in general was good although it is the first time that these players have played together. They are talented boys and we wanted to give them a chance to play international football,” concluded Crook.

In group D, Yemen defeated Japan 2-1 with a goal in the last seconds of the match. The result means that Japan will finish second in the group and will face Australia in the quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon at the MHSK Stadium (Kick-off 4pm UZT).

Match Details:
Qantas Joeys 6 (Ben Kantarovski 7', Teddy Yabio 32', Danai Gapare 43'/48', Dimitrios Petratos 63', Marc Warren 65')
Turkmenistan 0
Thursday 9 October 2008
MHSK Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Referee: Salem Mujghef (Jordan)
Assistant Referees: Awni Hassouneh (Jordan) & Fares Alshammari (Kuwait)
Fourth Official: Mukthar Al Yarimi (Yemen)
Crowd: 3,000

Qantas Joeys line-up: Aaron Lennox (gk), Ben Kantarovski, Marc Warren (C) (Petar Franjic 74'), Nathan Farrell, Trent Sainsbury, Teddy Yabio, Colin Wright, Cameron Edwards (Chahine Noujaim 57'), Mark Perrone (Chris Bush 61'), Dimitrios Petratos, Danai Gapare.

Substitutes Not Used: Zac Tubbs (gk), Robert Kolac (gk), Nikola Stanojevic, Jared Lum, Kamal Ibrahim.

Yellows Cards: Marc Warren 72'.

Red Cards: Nil

QANTAS JOEYS SQUAD
AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
4-18 October 2008

Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACTAS), Julius Davies (WA), Stephen Domenici (ACTAS), Cameron Edwards (WA), Petar Franjic (VIS), Nathan Farrell (SASI), Danai Gapare (ACTAS), Brendan Hamill (NSWIS), Kamal Ibrahim (VIS), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Robert Kolac (NSWIS), Aaron Lennox (NSWIS), Jared Lum (NSWIS), Chahine Noujaim (SASI), Mark Perrone (SASI), Dimitrios Petratos (NSWIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSWIS), Nicholas Tubbs (QAS), Marc Warren (NSWIS), Bailey Wright (VIS) and Teddy Yabio (VIS).

AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
OFFCIAL MATCH SCHEDULE

Group A: BAHRAIN, I.R. IRAN, SINGAPORE, UZBEKISTAN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
14 Oct 2008 I.R. IRAN 2:0 BAHRAINPakhtakor Stadium20:00
24 Oct 2008 SINGAPORE 0:7 UZBEKISTANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
96 Oct 2008 BAHRAIN 3:0 SINGAPOREPakhtakor Stadium20:00
106 Oct 2008 UZBEKISTAN 1:2 I.R. IRANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
178 Oct 2008 I.R. IRAN 4:1 SINGAPOREMHSK Stadium15:00
198 Oct 2008 UZBEKISTAN 2:0 BAHRAINPakhtakor Stadium15:00

Group B: INDIA, INDONESIA, KOREA REPUBLIC, SYRIA

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
34 Oct 2008 SYRIA 2:1 INDONESIAMHSK Stadium18:00
44 Oct 2008 KOREA REPUBLIC 5:2 INDIAMHSK Stadium14:00
116 Oct 2008 INDONESIA 0:9 KOREA REPUBLICMHSK Stadium14:00
126 Oct 2008 INDIA 0:3 SYRIAMHSK Stadium18:00
188 Oct 2008 SYRIA 1:1 KOREA REPUBLICPakhtakor Stadium19:00
208 Oct 2008 INDIA 1:0 INDONESIAMHSK Stadium19:00

Group C: AUSTRALIA, CHINA P.R., SAUDI ARABIA, TURKMENISTAN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
55 Oct 2008 CHINA P.R. 2:1 TURKMENISTANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
65 Oct 2008 SAUDI ARABIA 1:3 AUSTRALIAPakhtakor Stadium20:00
137 Oct 2008 TURKMENISTAN 0:4 SAUDI ARABIAPakhtakor Stadium20:00
147 Oct 2008 AUSTRALIA 2:1 CHINA P.R.Pakhtakor Stadium16:00
219 Oct 2008 CHINA P.R. 1:1 SAUDI ARABIAPakhtakor Stadium15:00
239 Oct 2008 AUSTRALIA 6:0 TURKMENISTANMHSK Stadium15:00

Group D: JAPAN, MALAYSIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
75 Oct 2008 JAPAN 4:0 MALAYSIAMHSK Stadium14:00
85 Oct 2008 YEMEN 1:1 UNITED ARAB EMIRATESMHSK Stadium18:00
157 Oct 2008 MALAYSIA 1:1 YEMENMHSK Stadium14:00
167 Oct 2008 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1:6 JAPANMHSK Stadium18:00
229 Oct 2008 JAPAN 1:2 YEMENPakhtakor Stadium19:00
24
The Qantas Joeys have booked a place in the quarter finals of the AFC U16 Championships campaign following their 2-1 victory over China PR in Uzbekistan overnight.

Jared Lum opened the scoring for the Qantas Joeys in the 15th minute when he converted a penalty after Nikola Stanojevic was brought down in the box from a challenge by two Chinese defenders.

Jin Jingdao equalised for China PR, also from the penalty spot, during injury time of the first half. The foul was conceded by Qantas Joeys goalkeeper Robert Kolac who tripped Jingdao in an attempt at a one-one save.

Kamal Ibrahim scored the match winner for the Qantas Joeys five minutes into the second half after he received the ball 30 metres from goal on the left side of the field, cut inside his defender, beat a second Chinese defender and then struck a bullet shot, from just outside the box, into top right hand corner of the goal.

The Qantas Joeys could have extended their lead five minutes later when Ben Kantarovski headed a Marc Warren free kick into the crossbar, but could not find the net.

The Chinese continued to push for another equaliser, but Robert Kolac was up for the challenge and made a great save to keep his teams lead.

A major concern for the Qantas Joeys occurred midway through the second half, when the Captain Brendan Hamill picked up an ankle injury and had to be substituted which involved a reorganisation in defence. The revamped formation held firm and a vital three points were collected by the Qantas Joeys to secure a place in the next round of the tournament

On the injured list, Jared Lum, who left the match early due to illness, looks to be able to participate in the quarter final along with Hamill who will miss the next group match to give himself the best opportunity to lead the Qantas Joeys in the knock-out stage. The prognosis is less encouraging for Eli Babalj who looks to be out of the tournament with a serious ankle injury.

Speaking after the match, Martyn Crook was extremely happy with the result and performance of his team.

"This win has secured us top spot in clearly the toughest group of the competition and the final round will determine our opposition in the quarter finals. We have the opportunity to rest some players and give a chance to other squad members to push for selection in the next round,” said Crook.

"The loss of Jared Lum, Eli Babalj and captain Brendan Hamill during the game tested our resources but there were many outstanding performances, particularly from Chris Bush and Ben Kantarovski. We now await medical advice on the condition of these 3 players and their roles for the rest of the tournament,” concluded Crook.

In the other group C match, Saudi Arabia defeated Turkmenistan 4-0. The Qantas Joeys will meet Turkmenistan in the their final group match at the MHSK Stadium on Thursday 9 October (Kick-off 3pm UZT).

Match Details:
Qantas Joeys 2 (Jared Lum 16’(pen), Kamal Ibrahim 50’)
China PR 1 (Jin Jingdao 46+’(pen))
Tuesday 7 October 2008
Pakhtakor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Referee: Mohsen Torky
Assistant Referees: Joonmo Jang & Awni Hassouneh
Fourth Official: Mohamad Mansour
Crowd: 4,000

Qantas Joeys line-up: Robert Kolac, Chahine Noujaim, Petar Franjic, Brendan Hamill (C) (Trent Sainsbury 73’), Marc Warren, Nikola Stanojevic, Chris Bush, Jared Lum (Ben Kantarovski 28’), Kamal Ibrahim, Stephen Domenici, Eli Babalj (Teddy Yabio 46’).

Substitutes Not Used: Colin Wright, Aaron Lennox, Mark Perrone, Dimitrios Petratos, Nathan Farrell, Cameron Edwards, Danai Gapare, Zac Tubbs (gk).

Yellows Cards: Kamal Ibrahim 67’, Brendan Hamill 70’, Nikola Stanojevic 85’.

Red Cards: Nil

AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
OFFICIAL MATCH SCHEDULE

Group A: BAHRAIN, I.R. IRAN, SINGAPORE, UZBEKISTAN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
14 Oct 2008 I.R. IRAN 2:0 BAHRAINPakhtakor Stadium20:00
24 Oct 2008 SINGAPORE 0:7 UZBEKISTANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
96 Oct 2008 BAHRAIN 3:0 SINGAPOREPakhtakor Stadium20:00
106 Oct 2008 UZBEKISTAN 1:2 I.R. IRANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
178 Oct 2008 I.R. IRAN vs. SINGAPOREMHSK Stadium15:00
198 Oct 2008 UZBEKISTAN vs. BAHRAINPakhtakor Stadium15:00

Group B: INDIA, INDONESIA, KOREA REPUBLIC, SYRIA

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
34 Oct 2008 SYRIA 2:1 INDONESIAMHSK Stadium18:00
44 Oct 2008 KOREA REPUBLIC 5:2 INDIAMHSK Stadium14:00
116 Oct 2008 INDONESIA 0:9 KOREA REPUBLICMHSK Stadium14:00
126 Oct 2008 INDIA 0:3 SYRIAMHSK Stadium18:00
188 Oct 2008 SYRIA vs. KOREA REPUBLICPakhtakor Stadium19:00
208 Oct 2008 INDIA vs. INDONESIAMHSK Stadium19:00

Group C: AUSTRALIA, CHINA P.R., SAUDI ARABIA, TURKMENISTAN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
55 Oct 2008 CHINA P.R. 2:1 TURKMENISTANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
65 Oct 2008 SAUDI ARABIA 1:3 AUSTRALIAPakhtakor Stadium20:00
137 Oct 2008 TURKMENISTAN 0:4 SAUDI ARABIAPakhtakor Stadium20:00
147 Oct 2008 AUSTRALIA 2:1 CHINA P.R.Pakhtakor Stadium16:00
219 Oct 2008 CHINA P.R. vs. SAUDI ARABIAPakhtakor Stadium15:00
239 Oct 2008 AUSTRALIA vs. TURKMENISTANMHSK Stadium15:00

Group D: JAPAN, MALAYSIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
75 Oct 2008 JAPAN 4:0 MALAYSIAMHSK Stadium14:00
85 Oct 2008 YEMEN 1:1 UNITED ARAB EMIRATESMHSK Stadium18:00
157 Oct 2008 MALAYSIA 1:1 YEMENMHSK Stadium14:00
167 Oct 2008 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1:6 JAPANMHSK Stadium18:00
229 Oct 2008 JAPAN vs. YEMENPakhtakor Stadium19:00
249 Oct 2008 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. MALAYSIAMHSK Stadium19:00

Quarter Finals

#DateMatchVenue
QF112 Oct 2008 Winner Group A vs. Runner Up Group BPakhtakor Stadium16:00
QF212 Oct 2008 Winner Group B vs. Runner Up Group APakhtakor Stadium20:00
QF312 Oct 2008 Winner Group C vs. Runner Up Group DMHSK Stadium14:00
QF412 Oct 2008 Winner Group D vs. Runner Up Group CMHSK Stadium18:00

Semi Finals

#DateMatchVenue
SF115 Oct 2008 Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF3Pakhtakor Stadium15:00
SF215 Oct 2008 Winner QF2 vs. Winner QF4Pakhtakor Stadium19:00

Final

#DateMatchVenue
F18 Oct 2008 Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2Pakhtakor Stadium16:00

The Qantas Young Socceroos had a 2-1 win over Thailand in Bangkok last night in the ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championships.

The first half was fairly evenly contested with both teams having good chances which were unrewarded.

At half time, coach Jan Versleijen made only one change bringing on Nikolas Tsattalios for James Brown. The Qantas Young Socceroos scored in the 53rd minute when Mitch Nicholls gathered the ball in the front half, ran to the top of the box and swept one neatly past the goalkeeper.

The pace stepped up when Tahj Minniecon was brought on for Andreas Govas in the 54th minute, with Minniecon making an impact six minutes later with a trademark run down the right, to sidestep the defence from just inside the box with a pinpoint cross to Nathan Elasi who made no mistake in giving Australia its second goal.

Thailand then stepped up a gear and tested the Australian defence with two impressive saves by Alex Cisak within one minute of each other. Thailand kept up the pressure and rewarded 11 minutes later when a well-worked move to the Thai striker at the top edge of the box went past Cisak.

Versleijen was pleased with another win.

"We have finished the group stage of the tournament in top position and that was our aim.

"In these first three games I have used as many players as possible, but now that we're moving into the knockout stage, I will be using the strongest possible team especially as we're also preparing for the Asian Championships later in the month."

Versleijen said that the second half was an improved performance on the first, and he was particularly pleased with the way the midfield worked hard to create chances.

ENDS

Match Details
Australia, 2 (Nicholls 53', Elasi 60') - Thailand, 1
Thursday 9 October 2008
Royal Thai Army Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand

Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets), Thomas Oar (Queensland Roar), Andrew Redmayne (gk) (Central Coast Mariners),

Qantas Young Socceroos line up: Alex Cisack (gk), Sebastian Ryall, Sam Munro, Matthew Jurman, James Holland (Dane Milovanovic 71'), Mitch Nicholls, Milos Lujic, Ryan McGowna, Nathan Elasi, James Brown (Nikolas Tsattalios 46'), Andreas Govas (Tahj Minniecon 54')

Substitutes Not Used: Scott Balderson, Peter Cvetanovski, Luke De Vere, Jason Naidovski, Thomas Oar, Andrew Redmayne (gk)

Yellow Cards: Holland 67', Milovanovic 71'

Red Cards: Nil

Qantas Young Socceroos Squad List
ASEAN Football Federation U-19 Championships
5 – 11 October 2008

Scott Balderson (Stevenage Borough, UK), James Brown (AIS), Alex Cisak (gk) (Leicester City, UK), Peter Cvetanovski (Borussia Monchenlabach, Germany), Luke De Vere (Queensland Roar), Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory), Andreas Govas (Apollon Kalamarias, Greece), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Milos Lujic (Melbourne Victory), Ryan McGowan (Hearts FC, Scotland), Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar), Dane Milovanovic (AIS), Sam Munro (Sydney FC), Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets), Mitchell Nichols (Queensland Roar), Thomas Oar (Queensland Roar), Andrew Redmayne (gk) (Central Coast Mariners), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory) and Nikolas Tsattalios (Sydney FC).

ASEAN Football Federation U19 Championships
Match Schedule

MatchDateFixtureKick-Off TimeVenue
1Sun 5 Oct 08Korea Republic 1:0 Thailand5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
2Sun 5 Oct 08Australia 3:1 China PR7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
3Tues 7 Oct 08Korea Republic 0:0 Australia 5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Royal Thai Army Stadium
4Tues 7 Oct 08China PR 0:3 Thailand 7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Royal Thai Army Stadium
5 Thurs 9 Oct 08China PR vs. Korea Republic5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
6Thurs 9 Oct 08Thailand vs. Australia 7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
7Sat 11 Oct 083rd Position vs. 4th Position5:00pm TST (9:00pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium
8 (final)Sat 11 Oct 08Group Champion vs. Group R-up7:30pm TST (11:30pm AEDT)Supachalasai Stadium

Warwick Hadfield: You've caved in

Warwick Hadfield on Nearpost Radio on Tuesday.

Despite what you read here, I'm very highbrow and enjoy listening every morning to Radio National's Breakfast programme with Fran Kelly. Love ya Fran, you are the best.

And at 7.35am every morning Australia's best all-round sports journo Warwick Hadfield fills us in, as only he can, on the days news in sport.

He's highly intelligent and unlike almost all other Australia journo's he's rarely pro or anti any particular code despite being a passionate lover of Geelong, AFL club.

Anyways up, Warwick has being calling football, well football, for some time out of respect for the organisation, the game and Warwick is just a smart observer of the times.

He does slip occasionally into the round-ball game or WorldGamearoos to seemingly avoid saying the dreaded word...football.

Well now after trying so hard, and here's me thinking it came naturally to Wazza, he's caved in.

He's now calling it soccer again. With confidence! And he seems to feel it fits right.

What you call the game doesn't concern me: What concerns me is why Warwick, our finest, has changed.

Canberra United Squad named today!

Adelaide beware

I remember watching Celtic defeat Real Madrid 2-0 in the home leg in 1984 in the old European Cup. Despite Laurie Cunningham's dazzling bending corners and a Scottish team nearly all home grown Celtic not only managed to beat the Mighty Madrid but beat them by 2-0.

There was bedlam in Glasgow that night!

Surely it would be enough in the Second Leg....It wasn't Celtic lost 3-0, how neat and the Hoops barely had a shot all night.

Adelaide's away form gives me hope they will score, but no football fan thinks this tie is over yet..even at 3-0.

It was just something about the whole game that leaves me worried. But 3-0 surely no team can lose from there.

Two-nil is the most dangerous lead in football, unless you are fans of Perth Glory or AC Milan I guess:)

NSW Premier spot open

NSW Premier League has a spot for another team!

Remember Belconnen Blue Devils or Canberra Deakin taking the league by storm only to be given the boot.

Well on the NSW website they are calling for another team to replace the Penrith and Macarthur Rams sides.

So would Belconnen United or Canberra FC be ready to go round again? Would NSW support such a club from outside NSW:)....make that Sydney.

Dubbo girl on debut for Matildas

Matildas beat Thailand 2-0 with two goals from Victoria Balomenos. And that caps a great week for Balomenos who is good friends I'm told with Fabian Barbiero the goal-scoring Asian Champions League semi-finalist with Adelaide United.

And Ashleigh Sykes the fastest player in the Matildas, it's official now as she made her debut yesterday. Good stuff.

Release below.

HO CHI MINH CITY
9 October 2008

The Westfield Matildas have had a first up win against Thailand in the ASEAN Football Federation Championships being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Played in warm and humid conditions, Australia started off brightly with good possession with the first real chance coming in the 10th minute when a Lauren Colthorpe header, off a Ella Mastrantonio free kick, just went wide. Another attempt from Leena Khamis just a minute later also went wide.

With Tameka Butt (ankle injury) replaced by Ashleigh Sykes in only the 12th minute, the Westfield Matildas continued to pressure, and were disappointed when Khamis' shot found the back of the net in the 24th minute, ontly to be judged offside. While the pressure continued throughout the half, Thailand showed an improved defence and also moved the ball quickly for some counter attacking moves of their own.

Thailand came out the more lively in the second half with Williams tested in the 54th minute by a shot from just inside the box from Thailand.

Substitute Jenna Tristram replaced Colthorpe in the 61st minute and immediately made an impact with an angled attempt from the right collected by the Thai goalkeeper. Another substitution by Westfield Matildas coach, Tom Sermanni, saw Victoria Balomenos brought on for Khamis, with Amy Chapman and Balomenos combining well in moving forward.

The Westfield Matildas' first goal came in the 71st minute after Colthorpe and Tristram traded passes, crossed to Chapman whose attempt on goal was fumbled by the Thai goalkeeper with Balomenos on had to tap it in at close range. Australia was in control of the game when, in the 86th minute, Tristram won the ball, passed it to Ashleigh Sykes on the right who split the Thai defence wit a precision pass to Balomenos in the box who finished with a low angled shot from 15 metres out.

Assistant Coach, Alistair Edwards, said a first-up win in a tournament is always good.

"We can build on that performance and learn from it," he said.

"We secured the result against a very well organised opponent, but there's room for improvement."

Edwards said he and Sermanni were particularly pleased with the performance given that the Westfield Matildas comprises many up-and-coming younger players.

"Ashleigh Sykes made her debut today, and was terrific. She set up the second goal and was a constant danger.

"Ella Mastrantonio also did very well for her first start in the senior team."

Australia's next match will be against the Philippines on Saturday at 5.45pm local time (9.45pm AEDT).

ENDS

Match Details

AFF Women's Championship 2008
9 October
Thailand v Australia
Thanh Long Sports Complex, Vietnam
3.30pm local

THAILAND 0 - AUSTRALIA 2 (Balomenos 71', 86')

STARTING LINE-UP: 18. Williams (GK), 2. Spence, 4. Polkinghorne, 7. Kellond-Knight, 10. Khamis (15. Balomenos, 67'), 11. Butt (22. Sykes, 12'), 13. Chapman, 14. Uzunlar, 16. Colthorpe (9. Tristram, 61'), 19. Carroll (C), 20. Mastrantonio
SUBS NOT USED: Barbieri (GK), Rollason, Glohe, Walters

YELLOW CARDS: Khamis (42')

RED CARDS: Nil

ASEAN Women’s Football Championships 2008
Remainder of Tournament

11 October
Philippines v Westfield Matildas
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 5.45pm (9.45pm AEDT)

13 October
Singapore v Westfield Matildas
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 5.45pm (9.45pm AEDT)

18 October
Semi finals
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 3.30pm and 5.45pm (7.30pm and 9.45pm AEDT)

20 October
3/4 playoff
Than Long Sports Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local kick off time 3.30pm (7.30pm AEDT)

Thursday, 9 October 2008

Another Canberran to represent Australia?

Many Canberrans will know Steve Hogg and the wonderful player he was...well this isn't about him!

Rather Kahlia Hogg, Steve's daughter, has made the Australian Under 17 Squad. Well done Kahlia.

Like famous Canberran footballing names, Milovanovic, Giampaolo, Valeri, Lustica and others it has to be in the genes......Release below.

ACTAS footballer’s named in Junior and Senior National Squads Football Federation Australia (FAA) has announced their U/17 national squad for a camp to be held in Brisbane from 13 -17 October, with ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) trialling scholarship holder Kahlia Hogg being named in the squad.

Kahlia has been training with the ACTAS National Training Centre Program for the last 5 months and
was more recently offered a trial scholarship after discussions with the U/17 National Coach Gary
Phillips who wanted Kahlia to have the ‘opportunity to train in the best possible environment,
accelerating her education and enhancing her selection chances.’
The ACTAS and Canberra United W-League Head Coach Robbie Hooker says of her selection –

“Kahlia has benefited greatly from training with the ACTAS program. She was given an opportunity to
display her football skills and game awareness in the ACTAS team in a game against the U/17 National
squad a few weeks ago where Gary Phillips obviously liked what he saw.”

“Kahlia’s selection in the U/17 National squad continues the outstanding contribution of the ACTAS

Women’s Football Program at all national levels. “ Hooker also said.
In other news - National Head Coach Tom Sermanni has named his Westfield Matilda’s squad for the
ASEAN Women’s Football Championships to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 9 - 21
October. The squad includes three ACTAS and ACTAS/AIS Scholarship Holders.

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