Newcastle in Asia?

Newcastle Jets 2 Perth Glory 1

Who scored, the turning point(s), why Simon Hill and Robbie Slater got it wrong last night, what the Glory need now and so much more:)

Goals:

Joel Griffiths now has 12 and is the top scorer in an A-League season ever!
Jamie Harnwell..has more goals than Socceroo Alex Brosque!
Mark Bridge, tucked a lovely winner away past a quickly ageing Michael Petkovic.



Turning point
Possibly two. Was Joel Griffiths goal off-side? Could well have been. Seen worse linesman decisions in crucial positions this year. Oh and great marking Perth:)

Nicky Rizzo

Got the red mist for some innocuous decision going against him. Flew into Tarek Elrich. Later than a Sydney train, chopped him to boot, handbags flew and Rizzo was sent.

Simon Hill and Robbie Slater reckoned no need to send him. Rizzo made the ref make a decision. In fairness he was so late it was almost like he just tackled Elrich in open play with no ball in sight.

What was Nicky Rizzo doing? And hasn't he been a massive disappointment since returning to Australia from the hallowed leagues of England.

Of interest

Nikita Rukavystya. Had some wonderful chances. Took up great positions. Could be the top scorer next year. Let's hope he stays injury free and David Mitchell knows how to harness the young flyer. What a prospect. With increasing confidence and pace to burn watch him go.

James Holland

Called up for the Socceroos training squad. Like his touches, has ability to get into the box a la dare I say it Tim Cahill. Struggled at times last night. Will be great to see him developing next season.

Newcastle's chances of winning the minor premiership

Well got stronger once Mark Bridge finished a wonderful move. Reduced when they were unable to find another goal, even create a chance.

Can't seeing them benefiting from the three teams above drawing or losing....but you just never know do you:)

Perth Glory

Would like to see Jamie Harnwell move on. Attract a better more skillful striker. This could change the pointy end of the team. Easier said than done.

You just always feel with Jamie upfront this team is in hold mode, despite his goals and work-rate.

James Downey, Nikita, are ones for next season and beyond. But defensive errors persist. Two shocking goals conceded last night.

At times this Glory side are sound. Looked good again with ten men last night. Need to replace Simon Colosimo. Get rid of Stan Lazaridis (sorry Stan) Jamie Harnwell (at least replace him up front).

So basically they need a centre mid, a striker and maybe even a centre back, and a goalkeeper. Young Tando Velaphi hasn't convinced me yet.

Mitchell needs to recruit a spine, so that tells you the real strength of the existing team.

Getting such players to Perth on the salary cap is not an easy job. So don't be surprised to see Jamie, Stan and even Hayden Foxe back in the starting line-up next year.

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Four key players this week:

Many, many players are crucial to their teams success this week. Here are just four.

John Hutchison (Mariners) Steve Corica (Sydney FC) Robbie Kruse (Queensland Roar) and Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets)

Here's why.

John Hutchison (Mariners)

I've been watching the Mariners and Hutchison in recent weeks and it's clear Hutch is struggling.

He scores goals, see season one, and a couple of note this season against Sydney. He links well and keeps the ball short. He can dig in, and provide a creative outlet to his forwards. Matt Simon would benefit more from Hutch than Sasho Petrovski. At this stage of the season Simon's energy may just be what the Mariners forward line needs.

Petrovski is slow, and so is Hutchison. Last week he looked off the pace when he was caught in wide positions.

He's not the quickest, but he needs to fire through the midfield linking with John Aloisi and Tom Pondeljak.

An under achiever, to slow to be a Socceroo. International football is a fast man's game. But Hutchison is crucial to the Mariners success this weekend.

Play up John.

Steve Corica

Sydney FC's star man. An ageing creator. A goal scorer who may be able to lift for a few more games.

He keeps Juninho out. A World Cup winner who can still run. That is no mean feat.

Sydney FC are in the finals. They dug out results, particularly away from home, but they haven't really impressed. Coach John Kosmina, unlike the hero worshipping Branko Culina, won't play Juninho and Steve Corica together.

He knows his team is weak in midfield and in the forward line. But he can still get results and has.

A lack of firepower, and creativity and that's why Steve Corica is crucial to this weekend's chances.

Melbourne haven't been the quickest team this year, but with Kevin Muscat and Grant Brebner out of the midfield, the team has picked up pace and results.

Can Sydney win? If they do, surely Steve Corica will be involved in scoring or creating. If he's not how many can Sydney score. One at best? Enough to win?

Stevie, now is the time.

Mark Bridge.

Bridge is an Olyroo. A strong performer with a unique style. He slows the play, brings in the others, particularly Joel Griffiths and James Holland.

But he's struggled to score this season. He's struggled to influence games like his potential demands.

But he did last week. Against the Mariners, Bridge had perhaps his best game of the season. And with Griffiths always firing, an extra bit of help will be needed to get the Jets over the line.

Bridge needs to perform. He probably needs to score, as goals will be vital. But he could make a name for himself over the coming weeks.

It's the chance of a lifetime for Mark Bridge.

A Bridge too far? I think not. He's strong on the ball, great control and great vision.

Mark Bridge could sneak the title the Jets way if other results go their way.

Robbie Kruse

Can The Roar win the title? If they win the game, Asia is theirs.

Robbie Kruse, has created and scored numerous goals this season. And missing the Sydney game last week, the Roar lacked threat.

Kruse is injured, he may be back.

Kruse has looked tired in recent weeks, very tired. Maybe like many Aussie players one key difference is their ability to keep going, every game, every year.

When players play 60 plus games overseas, seeing A-League players getting tired in a 21 game season. Makes you think doesn't it.

Kruse could win the game, any game for the Roar. His skill, imagination, is a rare gift in this league.

Can he make a big impact in the finals. If fit, he can win the Minor Premiership for the Roar.

Without Kruse, Queensland may well miss out.

Robbie show us your stuff.

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Jets 1 Roar 1 Full-Time

Energy Stadium is a great place to play football.

Tonight was no exception.

Craig Moore missed a penalty, Joel Griffiths cancelled out The Roar's early goal but a draw was probably a fair result. A game either side could have won.

And Steve Laybutt is hacking anything that moves, and it hurst to see.

He gave away a penalty, kicked at anything that moved and generally is the worst type of player we could have return home. Overweight as well.

Still at least I'm getting fun seeing Robbie Kruse and his mates speed past him. Give me more!



The Roar scored early through the work of the new Batman and Robin combination of Michael Zullo and Robbie Kruse.


The Jets were stunned inside a minute. Zullo drove hard and at pace and then the ball ran to Kruse who slammed it home.

Adam D'Apuzzo was still in Beirut, but Kruse took his chance. 1-0 to the Jets and the crowd went quiet.

Zullo was electric, he should have been given a penalty, broke at pace, amazing pace on many occasions, skinned Jade North...Michael Zullo is one to watch.

But The Roar aren't just Zullo, his mate on the other flank Robbie Kruse was equally delightful. Great touches and great runs.

Reinaldo was strong. The Roar have an attack for the first time in three years that can shake the league.

At the back Craig Moore had a great first half. Compare him to Sydney's Tony Popovic. And Liam Reddy saved well on a number of occasions.

And it wasn't just the Roar. The Jets were full of running and would have broke weaker teams.

Mark Bridge played some stunning football. Matty Thompson and Joel Griffiths are always great value. Tory Hearfield should have scored but Liam Reddy kept him out much as he kept Mariners Matt Simon out in last weeks game.

Great first half. An early goals always helps but the Roar didn't go into their shell this weak.

Surely more goals to come, but who could pick the winner at half-time.

And the next goal came early. And it was the Jets that scored.

Troy Hearfield drove between two defenders, but one was an attacker, starman Zullo pulled him down.

Joel Griffiths scored from the spot.

Robbie Kruse kept pressing, Reinaldo missed a couple, but the Roar did get a penalty.

Robbie Kruse was too good all night for Stave Laybutt and his quick thinking drew a foul and a penalty resulted.

Craig Moore missed.

And the Jets came home strongest with a passionate crowd behind them.

But they are playing too narrow. Particularly when you bring on Mario Jardel.

Why bother, the ball never gets put into his so-called aeriel strength?

Great game, Zullo, Kruse, James Holland, Mark Bridge, Reinaldo and Troy Hearfield caught my eye.

But the star for me was Craig Moore.

And Steve Laybutt entertained. As a player you love to hate. But he's character full of pride, but I want to see the Ref's put a stop to it, early. Continual persistent blatent fouling. There should be a law against it.

Watch him next week. Count how long before he fouls, and how long before he's booked.

It's not right!

Two teams look settled now. Plenty of options on the bench for both sides. The extra three players in the squads are starting to show their value.

Good decision FFA.

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Rob Baan happy with Olyroos win.

Coach Rob Baan had a tactical plan for the recent Olyroos game against Iran.

"We knew they wanted a draw, and they would sit and hit us on the break. So we practiced sending the ball wide, quick passes, quick switches and keeping the ball. The Iranian coach made a change early in the game because we were playing so well."

The Olyroos who had the exciting Mark Bridge sent off in the second half held on for a 3-1 win.

The Olyroos have one game left away to Jordan and providing they draw, which I reckon they will win, they then have more Olympic qualifiers to come later in the year.

Coach Baan steps down after the Olympic qualifiers with Baan hoping Graham Arnold will take over. John Kosmina, Lawrie McKinna and David Mitchell are all speculated to be in line for the Olyroos job.

Baan prefers a coach from Australia, "but if we have to go overseas we will, but I'd prefer a local coach.

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Interview: Newcastle Jets Mark Bridge

Mark Bridge is a man who loves his football. I caught up with Mark Bridge at this week's Olyroos camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

It’s always great to see someone enjoying their job. In the highly competitive world of football it’s rare to see a player smiling in the middle of a game. Olyroos and Newcastle Jets forward Mark Bridge is a man who plays with a smile on his face.

Bridge was a vital player for Newcastle Jets in their push for a Grand Final place last season. He has pace, and energy and scores vital goals.

He represented Australia at Under 20 level and now plays in the Olyroos under Coach Rob Baan

“Its always different with a new coach. Every coach has their own style and philosophy. Rob Baan makes us press at particular times in games. He makes us pass the ball much quicker. Its good, I’m enjoying it, he brings a different style, it’s a good style.”

Recent trips to play in Iran and Saudi Arabia are taking their toll.

“The travel is hard, it’s taken me ten days to recover from our last trip to Saudi Arabia. My body still hasn't come back to Australian time yet. But once you cross the white line it’s okay. It’s even harder for the guys from Sydney FC and Adelaide United playing in the Asian Champions League”

Saudi Arabia, Iran and Jordan are all in the middle of their season. The Australian A-League players are trying to keep as fit as possible between qualifiers.

“The Saudi’s were a little sharper in the last game, but the lads have to keep their training up. It’s down to the individuals professionalism to keep fit on their own.”

When the qualifiers end Newcastle will be back for pre-season.

“I don’t think I’ll get much of a break. My team, Newcastle, go on break for four weeks tomorrow. Maybe Duchy (Coach Gary Van Egmond) will give us a couple of weeks off when the Olyroos’ games finish.”

“I’ve got another season at Newcastle. Hopefully we can get another forward or two. We lost Milton Rodriguez and Vaughan Coveny, but the Coach is over in Brazil looking at players, so hopefully we’ll get some quality in.”

“I love playing in the A-League. I miss the week in week out build up to the games. The crowds were brilliant in Newcastle especially towards the end of the season. Newcastle is the perfect place to play football. I’m loving it”

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