Nearpost poddie covers Olyroos and Young Socceroos

Lucy Zelic, Paddy Bordier and Eamonn Flanagan discuss all the news from Australian football. 30 minutes of news views opinions and more. Quiz, dedications and we make the hard calls.

Who are the Olyroos who will play for the Socceroos and who are the Olyroos who'll never make it?

We call the Young Socceroos who will make it; and those who'll never play for the Big Boys. But are we right.

Don't miss it. 6.30pm Tuesday streamed on www.2xxfm.org.au and available on the poddie here or on itunes later tonight

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The Olyroos: Where was the Magic?

Nearpost Host Russ Gibbs asks the question.....

The Olyroos: Where was the Magic?

By Russ Gibbs

So, that’s that then. After building it up for several months in advance the Australian Olympic team have bowed out of the Beijing Games with barely a whimper having picked up a solitary point from their three group matches.

In an admittedly testing group a 1-1 draw with Serbia, and back-to-back 0-1 defeats to both Argentina and the Ivory Coast was scant reward from a campaign that supposedly promised much. But, in reality, did it?

The selection of the squad was the bane of contention for many with the omission of Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns remarkable, even more so considering the abject display put in by the forwards actually sent to China. It reached ludicrous proportions when Archie Thompson was ruled out of the final group game through injury and an SOS had to be sent to Central Coast Lightening target man Matt Simon.

Okay, you can’t legislate for injuries, but surely selecting more than two recognised out-and-out forwards in the squad would have been a good start. However, the stark truth is that this Australian squad simply did not have the talent in the final third to worry most teams.

The Olyroos showed ample grit and determination and flooded the defence whenever the opposition had possession, harrying and closing down and generally making a nuisance of themselves in the fine Australian tradition. The Socceroos showed similar qualities in the World Cup and the Asian Championships with moderate success. The question is though what did they do when they had the ball? Not a lot is the answer.

Too often hopeful long balls from the back were comfortably dealt with and returned with a vengeance. Indeed, if it hadn’t been for the heroics of goalkeeper Adam Federici all three matches could have ended in heavy defeats.

Where was the spark of creativity in midfield? Where was the moment of magic in the attacking third? Sadly absent and with no clue as to when and how it can be found. Thinking back on the three matches you can barely remember Australia having a shot on goal, let alone testing the opposition goalkeeper.

In the first game Serbia dominated and the Olyroos got lucky through a scrappy Ruben Zadkovich strike. Against Argentina the South Americans shot-stopper was a mere spectator and, in the crunch tie with the Ivory Coast, there was hardly a meaningful effort on goal.

How can this be rectified? There appears to be a real lack of natural finishers throughout the A-League with teams happy for their main strikers to drop deep and help create rather than ply their trade around the penalty box, as Damien Mori did to deadly effect for many years. And further back the midfield maestro we all crave to carve open locked defences is also a rare breed.

The onus thus is on the coaches to create two-footed players who are comfortable in possession and composed when presented with a chance in front of goal. A player of the calibre of Nick Carle would have been a massive boost to Australian chances of medalling at the Games. As it is we are left with few positive memories of a tournament that could have provided a rare glimpse of international success.

One final note: it was refreshing to sit through ninety minutes of Olympic football with no breaks as SBS showed LIVE the Australia v Ivory Coast clash. David Basheer did a good job with the commentary and the coverage was a credit to the station. Compare that to the hodge-podge job that Prime (Channel Seven) are dishing up.

For everyone’s sake Channel Seven here’s some tips:
1. Pick a Sport (anyone will do for starter).
2. Show it to its conclusion (not half an event here and we’ll come back to that later after more swimming).
3. Employ commentators who know the sport and can talk meaningfully about it.
4. Don’t go for an advert when an event is running – try natural breaks they do exist!
5. Remember that you are not covering rugby union.
Hopefully, that will help……..

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Aussies out of Under 23 World Cup

Australia went out of the Olympics tonight. They lost 1-0 in Tianjin to the Ivory Coast.

And whilst they gave perhaps their best performance of the tournament they never really looked convincing in the the final third, not tonight, or indeed in the whole tournament.

They told us they were a great group of players, battle hardened having qualified through Asia.

And qualifying through Asia was indeed a great achievement it was how they qualified that lead many of us to believe they would struggle to get out of the group, the group of death. Funny how we're always in the group of death!

Free-kicks and headed or even handled goals got the team over the line in the qualifiers. No-one was complaining but when the source of headed goals from free-kicks and corners dried up we had little else.

We lost our three warm-up games, scored only one goal in this tournament and in the end the results don't lie.

Ned Zelic, Mark Viduka, their clones weren't present in Chinaor were they?

But Adam Federici and Matthew Spiranovic were superb. Of Zelic, Viduka standard? Albeit in different positions. Jade North showed his quality again

But Coach Graham Arnold playing two central defenders in front of the back four was never convinced this team could play. Not in a forward sense.

The team created enough chances in all games but couldn't convert.

Defensively we did okay but ultimately that feeling that our forward play and movement, our next attacking generation of players are just not there.

In truth it was depressing. Watching teams without a cutting thrust is hard work. When it's your national team it verges on despairing.

Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns would add something but they are hardly Lionel Messi just yet.

Billy Celeski showed promise, but again lacked real confidence in the final third.

Stuart Musialik took a step forward. But it's in the final third, the Nicky Carle position, and the striker role, where all Australian teams are limited at present.

I enjoyed the first sixty minutes then we seemed to run out of steam and you realised we would never score no matter how many chances we had.

Arnie will be lynched. He doesn't need to be. He got this group of players to the Olympics. Maybe they and he overachieved.

But we're left with a neat footballing defensive unit but with hardly a player able to take anyone one in the final third. No pace, Nikita apart, and not a goalscorer at this level in the squad.

It's not all grim...at least we don't have to watch the lads anymore.

And it could have been worse, it could have been on Channel 7.

Australian football has a long way to go. To produce exciting players. We need to find another way.

Great defensive midfielders. Pah, I want a winger, a striker who can score, a Number 10 who gets me out of my seat with a simple but delightful through or linking ball.

How long will I have to wait?

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Oh Nikita you could have been a hero

Argentina defeated Australia 1-0 in Shanghai but Perth Glory's Nikita Rukavystya could have stole the show....if he'd have finished one of his three chances.

Argentina ran the show, but Aussie Coach Graham Arnold had his defence working overtime to halt the threat of the Olympic Champions.

And we did mostly. Argentina weren't a huge threat, given their reputation and quality across the park.

Indeed most of the threat came from simple Aussie errors. Adam Federici holding the ball too long, or when good work was done in the second half the tiring Neil Kilkenny and Billy Celseki gave away easy possession.

Ruben Zadkovich always does great work and he always undoes it. A frustrating player.

Archie Thompson battled well, and blew his one chance. Rukavystya could have scored three.

But mostly we were defending, in numbers. And we did it well enough.

David Carney, is he the new Brett Emerton? Matthew Spiranovic looked class. Federici did the hard things well and the easy things he didn't bother about so much.

Trent MCclenahan coming on late to save the game. Nice one Arnie.

The Aussies were tired and couldn't chase the game and Arnie unlike Gus Hiddink had no plan B, or C. If Trent was his plan, that's a shame isn't it.

So we lost, it was engrossing, and I thought Nikita would get a chance not three.

The defensive pairing of Jade North and Matthew Spiranovic looked good for the future.

The game was won or lost for me, in front of the central pairing, Mark Milligan and Stuey Musialik couldn't control the space outside the box. Despite our numbers the Argentineans threatened this area again and again.

Not bad lads, not bad.

Channel 7. Hopeless first half, way off the pace. Took drinks breaks time and time again and I was cursing every sponsor.

Mike McCann could do with learning a bit about the game. James Troisi doesn't have a club apparently, well neither does the Captain Mark Milligan, Mike:)

But they lessened the Ads and the second half seemed to be allowed to run once the lads were in with a shout.

Hats off to the Green and Gold Army and FourFourTwo, but it still would have been better on SBS.

Bring on the Ivory Coast.

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Australia Argentina: This one could hurt.

Big game tonight. Can Arnie's defence hold out? and perhaps more importantly can we create....anything!

Australia earned a point, outplayed generally by Serbia in the opening game, but yet if the fastly improving Billy Celeski had scored rather than unluckily hit the post we would surely have won. That goal would have made it 2-0.

That said if Serbia took their chances and had a little more luck we'd have been 3 down before we scored!

Arnie's men, the much-maligned Graham Arnold may well be in the fray for the first Coach of the Canberra A-League team, but he needs the result of his life tonight.

It's not inspiring stuff is it?

The still moody Mark Milligan, Stuart Musialik, Trent McClenahan, Ruben Zadkovich and David Carney strung across the midfield supplying the ammo for the willing Archie Thompson and Nikita Rukavystya.

Not many creative players in the midfield is there. Carney produced something against Serbia but compared to the Serbia midfield Tokic or Argentinean Riguelme, Messi and the rest we don't have the capacity.

We can criticise. We needed Nicky Carle, or maybe Brett Holman or even Nathan Burns. Certainly something more creative than we have in that line-up.

It not's going to be pretty tonight. For us it can't be.

But Arnie has a reasonably strong defence, a reasonably sound defensive midfield who will be severely tested tonight.

We really need to remember where our players play, Hereford, Derby reserves or in Millsy's case he doesn't etc before we completely get disillusioned about the style.

We want the style but as yet we don't have the level of player required in the final third and that includes Burns, Carle and co.

Funny but we sort of mirror the National team, and that's the worry come World Cup Qualifier time.

Hold on to your hats this one could hurt!

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Olympics start tonight for Olyroos

9pm on delay on Prime. What can you expect from such a station?

Still, Australia will open the Under 23 World Cup still known by some as the Olympics against Serbia in the Men's football tonight. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, the former Tuggeranong Junior is a certain starter. With Argentina the next opposition we need at least a point or a win to have a hope of going through th group of death..

Ever wondered why we are always in the Group of Death:)

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Gordon Bray to call the Olympic...

Football. Gordon Bray is a Rugby Union game caller. And a good one at that. But could you imagine anything more unprofessional than getting Les Murray, Craig Foster or Simon Hill to call the Wallabies/All Blacks game.

Channel 7, it's a farce. You know it, we all know it.

Still I remember listening.....


Still I remember listening to Wallabies calls from years ago as Bray continually announced which school (private of course) Michael Burke or Nick Farr-Jones went to.

So can't wait to hear a plug for Telopea Park High School or Tuggeranong United juniors as Canberra born Nikolai Topor-Stanley steps up to take a throw.

Channel Seven destroyed the Sydney Olympics for football fans. The Socceroos Nigeria game went for about 2 1/2 half hours while on ABC radio the game lasted just the full, live commentated 90.

I remember turning the radio commentary off at the end of the game as the score was continually drip feeded over the next 90 minutes on TV.

Leaders in Sport's Coverage? I don't think so.
Professional Sports coverage? Not from Channel 7, not then and it appears not now.

I mean Gordon Bray calling the football. Haven't they got any professionalism, any money during the Olympics to hire a football commentator? Hasn't Bray got any self-awareness.

I'd settle for an Argentinean call of the game!

Still it could be worse, we could have David Basheer:)

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Nikolai off to Beijing

Bruce Djite out, Nathan Burns out, bu Canberran Nikolai Topor-Stanley is in. The Olyroo squad has been named, and eleven A-League players are in the 18.

Australian Football's Big Chance

The announcement today of the men’s football section of the Australian Olympic team was a long-awaited reward for eighteen promising athletes.

In Beijing, the Under 23 team plans to continue Australia’s rise in international football after the strong performance of the senior team at the 2006 World Cup.

After a grueling Asia-group qualification campaign in 2007, picking 18 players was never going to be easy for head coach Graham Arnold.

“It was a difficult job selecting the team,” Arnold said.

“I had a look not only at current form of the players but their form right through the qualification campaign.”

Nineteen-year-old midfielder James Troisi is the youngest member of the team heading to Beijing.

“I’m excited and really looking forward to being an Olympian,” Troisi said.

“We’ve got a good squad and it’s going to be a great experience.”

Fifteen under 23 players were selected to compete in Beijing along with three overage players according to the rules set out by the IOC.

Striker Archie Thompson, midfielder David Carney and defender Jade North were selected to fill the overage roles.

“It is a real honour to be picked to go to Beijing,” Athens Olympian Jade North said.

“I can’t wait to start training with them and get over there. I really hope to go in and lead by example for the younger players.”

After finishing seventh in Athens, North wants to see the team move up the ranks this time round.

“I feel like I have been given another chance and I want to go all the way this time,” North said.

The Olympic and international experience that the three overage players bring to the team will be a vital addition to the team’s campaign in Beijing.

“The three overage players will bring both attacking and strong defence to the team,” Arnold said.

“At the end of the day though it is up to the whole team to play to the maximum of their ability.
“We have a lot of work to do over the next month to build up our fitness even more and make the best of it in Beijing.”

The full squad is:

Mark Bridge – striker (Sydney FC)
Billy Celeski – midfielder (Melbourne Victory)
Adam Federici – goalkeeper (Reading, England)
Neil Kilkenny – midfielder (Leeds United, England)
Adrian Leijer – defender (Fulham Athletic, England)
Trent McClenahan – defender (Hereford United, England)
Mark Milligan – defender (uncontracted)
Stuart Musialik – midfielder (Sydney FC)
Nikita Rukavytsya – striker (Perth Glory)
Kristian Sarkies – midfielder (Adelaide United)
Matthew Spiranovic – defender (FC Nurnberg, Germany)
Nikolai Topor-Stanley – defender (Perth Glory)
James Troisi – midfielder (uncontracted)
Tando Velaphi – goalkeeper (Perth Glory)
Ruben Zadkovich – defender (Derby County, England)
David Carney – midfielder (Sheffield United, England) – overage player
Jade North – defender (Newcastle Jets) – overage player
Archie Thompson – striker (Melbourne Victory) – overage player

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Asian Cup draw, and will Nikolai make the Olyroos

Oman, Kuwait and our near neighbours Indonesia, that's are group for the 2011 Asian Cup.

With the games to start in January on top of the World Cup Qualifiers we're going to need as many professional footballers are we've got. Keep the games and the players coming.

And with left-back David Carney expected to be named in the Olyroo's Beijing squad today as an overage player along with Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson, Canberra born Nikolai Topor-Stanley will face an anxious wait. I think he'll be right, but you never know.

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Olyroos selections getting closer

Qantas Under 23s Go Down in Seven-Goal Thriller: With the Beijing Olympic squad set to be announced on Friday interesting to see who Coach Graham Arnold is starting out of his 33 man squad in Darwin. With three overage players expected to get the call pressure is on for the eighteem places. FFA release below.

Qantas Under 23s Go Down in Seven-Goal Thriller

The Qantas Under 23s have been defeated 3-4 by Chile Under 23s in an enthralling match at Darwin Football Stadium tonight.

A crowd of 1,404 was on hand to see the first international football match in the Northern Territory and neither teams disappointed scoring seven goals in ninety minutes.

The Qantas Under 23s opened the scoring in the 20th minute when a Dario Vidosic corner found Aaron Downes unmarked at the far post for a corner who was able to slot home with trouble. Chile equalised five minutes later when Chilean captain Esteban Paredes curled his left-footed free-kick over the Australian defensive wall leaving goalkeeper Justin Pasfield little chance of saving.

The Qantas Under 23s had an opportunity to take the lead shortly before the half-time break when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the edge of the box, but Dario Vidosic's shot went over the cross-bar and the score remained the same going into the break.

The Chileans took the lead two minutes into the second half when Boris Sagredo and was able to drive a half-volley into the net following a well taken free-kick.

Aaron Downes bagged his second and equalised for his team in the 68th minute following another corner and Troy Hearfield grabbed the lead back for the Qantas Under 23s in the 76th minute following a good piece of individual strength that resulted in his left footed strike finding the bottom corner of the goal.

But the Chileans fought back and equalised again in the 82nd minute when Eduardo Vargas was on hand to capitalise on a wayward backpass from Aaron Downes. Vargas making not mistake with his one-on-one opportunity with Pasfield.

Esteban Paredes scored the winner for Chile in the 85th minute when he flicked on a corner inside the near-post to end a high scoring affair.

After the match, the Qantas Under 23s coach Graham Arnold was disappointed with the result but happy with the performance.

"You never like to lose a match, but I was happy with the overall performance of the players," said Arnold

"We became a little disjointed towards the end with six substitutions but this match was more about testing ourselves against quality opposition.

"Three of the goals we conceded were from set pieces, but those sort of errors can be fixed.

"We will now use Sunday's match to give some other players a chance to impress ahead of the final team selection", concluded Arnold

The Qantas Under 23s will meet the Chile Under 23s again on Sunday 29 June 2008 (kick-off 5:00pm ACST) at Darwin Football Stadium. Tickets for the match are still available from Darwin Entertainment Centre
(www.darwinentertainment.com.au).

-ends-



Match Details:
Qantas Under 23s 3 (Aaron Downes 20'/68', Troy Hearfield 76')
Chile Under 23s 4 (Esteban Paredes 26'/85', Boris Sagredo 47', Eduardo Vargas 82')
Friday 27 June 2008
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin Australia
Referee: Ben Williams (Canberra)
Assistant Referees: Mark Finestone (Darwin) & Ned Sparkes (Darwin)
Fourth Official: Rohan Kelly (Darwin)
Crowd:1,404

Qantas Under 23s: 18.Justin Pasfield (gk), 5.Mark Milligan, 6.Bruce Djite (10.Nikita Rukavysta 68'), 9.Tarek Elrich, 14.Billy Celeski, 15.Leigh Broxham (23.Nick Ward 79'), 17.Aaron Downes (16.Robert Cornthwaite 86'), 19.Mark Bridge (captain) (4.Michael Zullo 83'), 21.Dario Vidosic (7.Neil Kilkenny 67'), 22.Troy Hearfield, 24.Adam D'Apuzzo.

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Chris O'Connor (gk), 11.Jason Hoffman, 12.Nigel Boogaard, 28.Trent McClenahan.

Yellow Cards: Leigh Broxham 47', Adam D'Apuzzo 50', Aaron Downes 82'.

Red Cards: Nil

Chile Under 23s: 12.Fabian Cerda, 2.Marcelo Diaz, 3.Bruno Romo, 4.Eugenio Mena, 5.Bastian Arce, 6.Sebastian Mendez, 7.Felipe Seymour, 8.Angel Rojas, 9.Eduardo Vargas, 10.Esteban Paredes, 11.Boris Sa gredo

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Gregory Saavedra (gk), 13.Esteban Saez, 14.Sebastian Diaz, 15.Fabian Torres, 16.Sebastian Barrientos, 17.Lucas Dominguez, 18.Matias Campos,

Yellow Cards: Bruno Romo 60', Sebastian Barrientos 63', Eduardo Vargas 85', Esetban Paredes 89'.

Red Cards: Nil




Upcoming Match:

Qantas Under 23's v Chile Under 23's
Sunday 29 June 2008
Kick-Off 5:00pm ACST (5:30pm AEST, 3:30pm AWST)
Gates Open 3:30pm
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin, Northern Territory

Ticket prices
Adult $15
Concession $8 (Pension Card Holders, Senior Card Holders, Full Time Students)
Child $8 from 4 years to 16 years
Children 3 years and under free on the knee
Family Tickets - $30 - 2 Adults and 2 Children
Transaction fees may apply

On Sale Date
Friday 20 June 2008 - 10am

Sales outlets
Darwin Entertainment Centre Box Office – 93 Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800

Counter sales:
Darwin Entertainment Centre Box Office
Oasis News and Lotto, Palmerston
Customer Service Desk, Casuarina Shopping Square
Tourism Top End Mall Information Booth, Smith Street Mall

Telephone sales:
Dial ‘n’ charge – 08) 8980 3333 (Darwin Entertainment Centre Box Office)

Internet sales:
www.darwinentertainment.com.au

At Darwin Football Stadium on Match Day:
- Please note that this is subject to ticket availability

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Olyroos and Matildas to play NZ in Sydney.

The Qantas Under 23s and the Matildas will face New Zealand's Men's and Women's Olympic Football teams at North Sydney Oval on Saturday 12 July. FFA Release below.

Qantas Under 23s and Matildas Play Neighbours from Across the Ditch

The Qantas Under 23s and the Matildas will face New Zealand's Men's and Women's Olympic Football teams at North Sydney Oval on Saturday 12 July.

This will be the first opportunity for football fans to see the Qantas Under 23 team that will head to China for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games after the final squad is announced in Sydney earlier in July, They will meet the New Zealand Under 23 Men's team which is also Beijing-bound, having come through Oceania qualification undefeated.

The Matildas will provide essential match practice for the New Zealand Women's team, the Football Ferns, as they also head off to Beijing. While the Matildas fell narrowly to North Korea in the final qualifying stage, the Football Ferns, qualified for the Olympic Games after defeating Papua New Guinea 2-0 in a play-off in March.

The double header kick's off at 12 noon when the Matildas meet the New Zealand Women's Football team, with the Qantas Under 23s going head to head with the New Zealand Under 23 Men's Football team at 2.00pm.

Ticket's for both matches are on sale from today from Ticketek, via the internet, over the phone, at outlets or at the ground on match day.

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Olyroos Matildas to take on Japan and Argentina

http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_167182878.html

TOKYO: Japan’s men’s and women’s Olympic teams will play two friendlies against Australia and Argentina to prepare for the August Beijing Olympics.

The Japanese men’s team will face Asian rivals Australia in Hyogo on July 24, preceded by the clash between the women’s teams of both the countries.

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Nikolai Topor-Stanley in Olyroos squad

21 players have been named by Graham Arnold for the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia commencing May 15th.

Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley is in, as expected. But the fight is well and truly on for Olympic game places, with three overseas players expected to be used and only 18 players taken to the Olympics, there will be a few disaappointed young men.

No Danny Vukovic yet, Dean Bouzanis is in, also Mark Milligan. FFA Release below.

Qantas Under 23s Squad Named for Intercontinental Cup 2008

Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold has named a 21 man squad for this month’s Intercontinental Cup – Malaysia 2008 which will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

Arnold will use the tournament as an important part of his team’s preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

“After training in Townsville for the past week, it is now important for the players to prove themselves in competitive match situations and the Intercontinental Cup is the ideal event for that purpose,” said Arnold.

“This tournament will provide us with between three to five matches under the similar conditions that we will face in China.

“At the moment, no player is guaranteed a place at the Olympics, so this tournament is also a great opportunity for these players to make their case for inclusion in the final squad,” concluded Arnold.

Included in the squad, subject to a fitness test on Monday, is Mark Milligan whose suspension for non-attendance at the Townsville training camp was reduced to two matches yesterday following frank and open discussions between Milligan, Qantas Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek and Qantas Under 23s coach Graham Arnold. It is anticipated that Milligan will play in the match against Ghana on 20 May.

The 8 team tournament, which also includes representatives from Ghana, Croatia, Chile, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland, Iraq and Malaysia, kicks off on Thursday 15 May 2008.

The Qantas Under 23s are placed in Group B and play their first match against Croatia on Friday 16 May (kick-off 11.00pm AEST), and then play Chile on Sunday 18 May (kick-ff 11:00pm AEST) before their final group match against Ghana on Tuesday 20 May (kick-off 10.45pm AEST). The top two teams from each group then advance to the semi-finals on Friday 23 May, with the final to be played on Sunday 25 May (kick-off 10.45pm AEST)

The Intercontinental Cup – Malaysia 2008 matches will be played at the KLFA Stadium and the MBPJ Stadium.

QANTAS UNDER 23s SQUAD - INTERCONTINENTAL CUP – MALAYSIA 2008
15- 25 May 2008

Nigel Boogaard (Central Coast Mariners), Dean Bouzanis (Liverpool FC, England), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Adam D’Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Spase Dilevski (Universitatae Craiova, Romania), Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England), Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), Mark Milligan (Uncontracted), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Nikita Rukavysta (Perth Glory), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Uncontracted), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County- England) and Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar).

For more information about the Intercontinental Cup – Malaysia 2008, please visit www.fam.org.my


Intercontinental Cup – Malaysia 2008
Official match Schedule

GROUP AGROUP B
1. Malaysia1. Australia
2. Nigeria2. Ghana
3. Republic of Ireland3. Croatia
4. Iraq4. Chile


Match Day 1 – 15th May 2008
Match 1: Nigeria v Iraq (Kick-Off 6:30pm MST, 8:30pm AEST) - MBPJ Stadium
Match 2: Malaysia v Ireland (Kick-Off 9:00pm MST, 11:00pm AEST) - MBPJ Stadium

Match Day 2 – 16th May 2008
Match 3: Ghana v Chile (Kick-Off 6:30pm MST, 8:30pm AEST)- KLFA Stadium
Match 4: Australia v Croatia (Kick-Off 9:00pm MST, 11:00pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium

Match Day 3 – 17th May 2008
Match 5: Nigeria v Ireland (Kick-Off 6:30pm MST, 8:30pm AEST) - MBPJ Stadium
Match 6: Malaysia v Iraq (Kick-Off 9:00pm MST, 11:00pm AEST) - MBPJ Stadium

Match Day 4 – 18th May 2008
Match 7: Ghana v Croatia (Kick-Off 6:30pm MST, 8:30pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium
Match 8: Australia v Chile (Kick-Off 9:00pm MST, 11:00pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium

Match Day 5 – 19th May 2008
Match 9: Malaysia v Nigeria (Kick-Off 8:45pm MST, 10:45pm AEST) - MBPJ Stadium
Match 10: Ireland v Iraq (Kick-Off 8:45pm MST, 10:45pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium

Match Day 6 – 20th May 2008
Match 11: Australia v Ghana (Kick-Off 8:45pm MST, 10:45pm AEST) - MBPJ Stadium
Match 12: Croatia v Chile (Kick-Off 8:45pm MST, 10:45pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium

Rest Days – 21 May 2008 & 22nd May 2008

Match Day 7 – 23rd May 2008
Match 13: Champion Group A v Runner-up Group B (Kick-Off 6:30pm MST, 8:30pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium
Match 14: Champion Group B v Runner-up Group A (Kick-Off 9:00pm MST, 11:00pm AEST) - KLFA Stadium

Rest Day – 24th May 2008

Match Day 8 – 25th May 2008
Match 15: Winner Match 13 vs Winner Match 14 (Kick-Off 8:45pm, 10:45pm AEST) KLFA Stadium

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See Mark it's not so bad.

The Olyroos will take on Croatia, Chile and Adelaide United in coming weeks. On top of the International tournament in Malaysia later in the month the schedule is starting to look healthy.

Hey Mark Milligan might even fit a few games in before the Olympics at this rate....that's right for the Olyroos not Arsenal:)

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Who is advising Mark Milligan?

Club v Country?

Mark Milligan. A Socceroo, a star on the rise in the Asia Cup. Leader of the Olyroos. It's all going horribly wrong for Millsy Milligan. And his Agent must surely take some responsibility.

Mark Milligan may have reached the giddy heights of Asian Cup experience last July alongside his then Sydney FC mate David Carney and of course, with youth on his side he would surely leave for richer pastures.

He went to France, left Sydney FC in the dark, and then returned. Didn't make many friends with that one but it seemed people were understanding of his desires.

This time he's been injured for sometime. Recuperated at the AIS in Canberra. Only to shoot off to Arsenal for a trial, supposedly, thus missing the Olyroos camp in Townsvile.

The FFA have dumped him from the upcoming tournament in Malaysia.

So what is it Millsy?

Did Socceroos stardom come to soon?

Seeing Olyroo colleagues Adrian Leijer and Ruben Zadkovich head to the English Premier League leave your eyes green with envy?

Or is your Agent a deadset goose? Or have you gone against his wishes?

Captain of the Olyroos, and the potential to be a Aussie icon and maybe a future Socceroos Captain.

And despite your desire, seemingly to make the dosh and get as far away from Sydney as quickly as possible, you moves are all wrong.

Rebuilding your confidence after an up and down season. Then Captaining the Olyroos at a tournament you have worked so hard to get to. A strong performance there and your wouldn't have to trial.

Brett Emerton had the patience and the nous. Possibly went against local advice at the time. But look at him now.

And despite getting stupidly sent-off against Croatia, thus costing us a chance to defend Grosso's attack, we still love Emerton. His reputation in Australia is outstanding.

Millsy is in danger of completely blowing his fanbase.

With Stuart Musialik having his own difficulties recently, and now Mark Milligan, one wonders how good their agents and own counsel is.

Mark, what have you been thinking?

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Olyroos head north.

Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley looks a certainty for the Under 23 World Cup being held in Beijing this year.

Interestingly the suspended Danny Vukovic is in the squad.

Qantas Under 23s head to Townsville for Olympic Games Preparation Camp

Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold has selected a 17-man squad which will head to Townsville from the 1-8 May for a Pre-Olympic Games Training camp.

Shortly after the 8 day camp in North Queensland, the Qantas Under 23s will fly out to Malaysia to compete at the Intercontinental U-23 Football Championship against fellow 2008 Beijing Olympic Games participants Argentina and Nigeria, along with Croatia, Ghana, Iraq, Republic of Ireland and Malaysia.

The North Queensland training venue was selected by Arnold due to the similarity in climate to Malaysia and also to simulate the conditions that the team will experience at the Olympic Games in August.

“We are expecting the conditions in Malaysia and China to be around 30 degrees with 80% humidity,” said Arnold.

“Currently, the Townsville climate is very similar to those conditions and it will give the players an opportunity to acclimatise and prepare themselves for the next 3months leading into the Olympic Games.”

“With the exception of the Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United players, most of the players are just returning from their post Hyundai A-League season break and a camp like this is important for them to re-establish match fitness and focus.”

“For some players, it will be the last opportunity to make a claim for a place in the final squad that will be selected to compete at the Olympics,” concluded Arnold.

The Qantas Under 23s will be training at the Townsville Sports Reserve and will also be conducting a number of community activities throughout the week.


QANTAS UNDER 23s SQUAD LIST – TOWNSVILLE CAMP
1 – 8 MAY 2008

Nigel Boogaard (Central Coast Mariners), Mark Bridge (Sydney FC), Adam D’Apuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (Wellington Phoenix), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Mark Milligan (Uncontracted), Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar), Stuart Musialik (Sydney FC), Nikita Rukavysta (Perth Glory), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Ruben Zadkovich (Derby - England), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar)

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Olyroos: Can they get a medal?

Coach Graham Arnold hopes they can. I doubt it. But this side must be the best prepared side ever having qualified through Asia.

FFA Release below

GRAHAM ARNOLD HOPING HISTORY WILL GO ONE FURTHER AT OLYMPIC GAMES

Qantas Under 23s coach Graham Arnold believes that similarities between last night's draw for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Football tournament and the 2004 version will work to his side's advantage.

Just like in 2004, Australia drew Argentina, Serbia and an African nation (Ivory Coast in 2008 compared with Tunisia in 2004) and Arnold is hopeful of emulating the performance of four years ago when the team made it out of the group stage.

"Last time we had a similar group and we did very well to make the quarter finals," said Arnold who was an Assistant Coach in Athens in 2004.

"We know we can get through this group, we have history and also we have had such a tough schedule just to make it this far which will hold us in good stead."

"Playing in Asia has taught us a lot about the conditions we will face in China and that could give us an advantage also."

Arnold said he expects the team to play at least 12-13 games between now and the opening match.

"We have a tournament in Malaysia coming up and also it's been a bonus to have so many of the players involved with the Qantas Socceroos," added Arnold.

"The preparations will be better than I had hoped for and we will go there to be successful."

Australia's opponents have been impressive in their qualifiers with defending champions Argentina who qualified after finishing runners-up to Brazil in the 2007 South American Youth Championships, Serbia who made the final of the 2007 UEFA European under 21 Championships and Ivory Coast who topped their final qualifying group in Africa with a comprehensive five wins from six matches.

Australia is yet to win a medal at the Olympic Games having had their best finish of fourth in Barcelona in 1992.

AUSTRALIA'S DRAW FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Australia v. Serbia
7 August 2008
Shanghai

Australia v. Argentina
10 August 2008
Shanghai

Australia v. Ivory Coast
13 August 2008
Tianjin

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The Monday wrap.

Matildas, Carl Valeri, Boca Juniors to tour Australia, Olyroos World Cup draw for Beijing, Channel 9 want football, ACT Government spending.

It's all here...

Six Matildas are playing or will shortly head overseas to play for foreign clubs as women's football continues to evolve.

Trouble getting Socceroos back for internationals, now it's the Matildas. Lisa De Vanna, Kate Gill (Sweden) Heather Garriock (Denmark) Collette McCallum, Sarah Walsh and Caitlin Munoz ( USA) will all have to readjust their club schedule if they are to play for Australia in coming weeks.

Olyroos Beijing Under 23 World Cup draw. Olyroos draw Serbia, Argentina and Ivory Coast.

Boca Juniors, The South American and Argentinean giants are to tour Australia. The game will be televised on SBS, and yes they still cover football. They will play an unnamed A-League side at Canberra Stadium. Okay I made up the venue bit. But could you imagine the future possibilities.

Canberra's Carl Valeri looks safe from relegation in Serie B. A 5-3 away win for Grosseto saw Captain Valeri's team secure a place in next year's Serie B I reckon, but will Valeri still be at the club?

Channel 9 want to show one live A-League next season. Fox won't let them. With Channel 10 showing the Beckham festical, Channel 9 after an A-League game who will show the Juventus game?
Also makes reports that football will match or beat Rugby Leagues TV Revenue in the next TV deal, admittedly many year off, not so surprising. And wouldn't 500 mill dollars change football forever in Australia.

Locally, ACT Government announce $400,000 for improved lights for Hawker Oval, and preparation for Synthetic surface and Andrew Barr expects more funds in the budget. Watch this space!

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47,000 watch Olyroos draw with Mexico

Apparently we defended for ninety minutes and snuck a goal according to some who watched the game.

Olyroos 1 Mexico 1, 47,000 watched......in San Francisco! Go figure!

Here's the FFA report.

Newcastle Jets midfielder Troy Hearfield grabbed a dramatic late equaliser two minutes from full time as the Qantas Under 23s drew 1-1 against Mexico in their international match played this morning (Aust time) in San Francisco, USA.

Playing in front of a partisan sell-out crowd of 47,440 spectators at the McAfee Coliseum, Mexico opened the scoring courtesy of an 18th minute own goal from Australian defender Adam D'Apuzzo who deflected in a cross.

The result also extended the Qantas Under 23s unbeaten streak to nine matches since defeat away to Saudi Arabia last April.

It was an impressive result for Graham Arnold's team against a Mexican side coached by the legendary Hugo Sanchez who are poised to commence their Olympic qualifying next week after lengthy preparations.

Arnold was also without numerous regulars that featured in the qualifying campaign and today's match saw seven players debuting for the Qantas Under 23s. Newcastle Jets trio James Holland, Tarek Elrich, and Jason Hoffman, Central Coast Mariners pair Nigel Boogaard and Matt Simon, plus Perth Glory's Nikita Rukavytsya and Tando Velaphi all making their first appearance in an international for the team.

Mexico created the better opportunities in the match however the Australians defended well under pressure lead by acting captain Adrian Leijer, while goalkeeper Velaphi was also in outstanding form making several spectacular saves.

In a match played in blustery conditions striker David Williams had Australia's best opportunity to score mid-way through the second half after latching onto a Billy Celeski pass, however the ball failed to run for the Danish-based striker as he attempted to go around the goalkeeper.

The equaliser eventually came with Leijer's glancing header from a long throw-in rammed in from close range at the far post by Hearfield.

"Today was our first step towards Beijing since we qualified, and while it was a good result, the main thing was the match gave me an opportunity to look at some different players and to see what they can do at this level," said Arnold.

"We had a lot of young and inexperienced players on the field and I am very pleased with what we showed today especially given the respective preparations of the two teams and also the context of the game. Mexico have been in camp for five or six weeks playing several matches preparing for their own qualifiers next week.

"Today was a great experience for our players to play in front of a large and noisy crowd and against a highly skilled and well-drilled team."

The match was the first for Australia since the team qualified for the Beijing Olympics last November following an arduous 14-match Asian qualifying campaign.


Match Details:
Australia 1 (Troy Hearfield 88')
Mexico 1 (Adam D'Apuzzo own goal 18')

Australia line-up: Tando Velaphi; Ruben Zadkovich, Adrian Leijer, Leigh Broxham (Robert Cornthwaite ’85), Adam D'Apuzzo (Nigel Boogaard 53'), Nikolai Topor-Stanley, David Williams (Jason Hoffman 75'), Billy Celeski (Troy Hearfield 75'), Bruce Djite (Matt Simon ‘72), Nathan Burns (Nikita Rukavytsya ’72), James Holland (Tarek Elrich 60').

Mexico line-up: Guillermo OCha; Julio César Domínguez, Hugo Ayala, Francisco Gamboa (Luis Omar Hernández 46'), Patricio Araujo, Edgar Castillo, César Villaluz, Sergio Ávila (Edgar Andrade 46'), Pablo Barrera (Omar Arellano 78'), Enrique Esqueda (Alan Zamora 78'), Santiago Fernández (Luis Ángel Landín 46').

Venue: McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, San Francisco
Attendance: 47,440

The draw for the Beijing Olympics football tournaments will be held on April 20.

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Danny Vukovic: Banned until Nov 24th

And wait there's more. He could miss National team duty.

Well what sort of a ban allows him to miss A-League games but not representative games. Someone is having a larf.

More tosh from me and FFA statement below.


I've no time for violence. Not in the game not anywhere. I've no time for hitting referees even touching them. And that is all Vukovic did. It was almost a high five.

But at the game, I had a good view, it could have sparked a riot. It was that tense. One bottle came on. In Scotland I've seen fans pour over the barricades for less.

You can't do it Danny. Not now not ever. But I feel for the young man. He should miss the Olympics the ban should cover all football across the World.

But it seems so harsh, for a glorified high five. Maybe in the heat of battle Mark Shields could have booked him and be done with it. But it was so tense in the stadium at the point, he had to go.

But a ban is a ban is a ban.

And sport in Australia needs a bit of discipline in all codes, at all levels of the game.

So despite my compassion towards the young excellent keeper. If given a ban, as he has, he should miss all football in that period including the Olympic games.

OUTCOME OF INDEPENDENT MATCH REVIEW PANEL

Football Federation Australia (FFA) tonight announced the decision of the independent Match Review Panel arising from the red card (send off) offence of Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners) at the Hyundai A-League 2008 Grand Final on Sunday.

The Match Review Panel for the Hyundai A-League has suspended Vukovic for 15 months, of which nine months will be served with the remaining six months suspended on a probationary basis for 12 months.

In effect, this means that Vukovic will not be eligible to play in the Hyundai A-League competition again until 24 November 2008. If Vukovic re-offends in the 12 month period after 24 November 2008, he will be required to serve the remaining six months of his 15 month suspension (in addition to any new sanction).

If he chooses to appeal the decision, Vukovic has up to two avenues of appeal under FFA procedures.

Vukovic has seven days in which to lodge an appeal.

FFA is considering the extension of the sanction beyond the Hyundai A-League, including to national team duty.

FFA has also cited Sasho Petrovski (Central Coast Mariners) for an alleged infringement of the laws of the game concerning the use of an abusive gesture against a match official.

The matter is automatically referred to the Disciplinary Committee for hearing.

In addition, FFA is writing to the Central Coast Mariners asking them to show cause why the Club should not also be sanctioned under the FFA National Disciplinary Regulations for team misconduct.

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