Juninho's out, a huge crowd expected at Suncorp stadium for the Roar v Sydney FC in the first semi.
Everyone is supporting The Roar, the Swimmers, the Rugby League, The Union boys, the whole community, just as it should be.
I look forward to the day when the Canberra community are united behind a Canberra finals appearance. See more photo's below.
Aussie Pim confirmed to Simon Hill on Fox Sports tonight that he would sing the Australia National Anthem live on Fox Sports if we qualify for the World Cup.
Bring it on baby!
More importantly...the next game against China is not a FIFA date, and we all know what that means.
Australia's only team to make a World Cup Final was the Under 17 side who lost to Brazil on penalties.
You don't get to a World Cup Final in football unless you have something very special.
Two of the strikers in that tournament? Scott McDonald and Josh Kennedy are now coming of age.
Team to play Brazil in 1997 lost 9-8 on penalties.
Jess Kedwell-van Stratten, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (Iain Fyfe 93), Aaron Goulding, Adrian Madaschi, Mark Byrnes, Jade North, Louis Brain, Lucas Pantelis (Joe Di Iorio 55), Scott McDonald (Joshua Kennedy 99), Wayne Srhoj, Dylan Macallister
Australia 3 Qatar 0
It was tense for about a minute of so and then Australia won. You can read match reports, tactical analysis etc in all the papers and webs...so here's mine.
Aussie fans You see they turned out in huge numbers, sang their hearts out, and didn't boo the anthem of Qatar. Criticised for booing the Uruguay anthem that great night, Uruguay deserved it and the fans socked it to them. Fair play Australia.
Qatari fansMore Qatari fans in the stadium than people in Qatar. It's a small country right!
Worst ad/sponsorNike ran an ad, "It's war out there"..."Weapons of match destruction" Funny, intelligent? In a world full of war, I don't need it not at my sporting events.
Best goal Josh Kennedy, great header from distance. Worryingly the big fellow got injured...again?
Best celebration Marco Bresciano, can't wait to see the little kids down the oval doing the Spartacus celebration.
Best Coach Celebration Henk Duut being very un-Dutch. Nearly knocked Graham Arnold as he leapt to cheer a goal, an Aussie goal. Welcome aboard Aussie Duut.
Best Canberra moment Carl Valeri taking to the pitch...and playing a couple of wonderful passes in forward positions.
Worst A-League moment John Aloisi missing a sitter, or Craig Moore throttling an opposing player.
Hope for the future The new strike force, McDonald and Kennedy. We need this to get us to the World Cup after Mark Viduka has shown signs of quitting/age.
This week:
Part one:
Arif talks Socceroos, we have an interview with former Socceroo Mehmet Durakovic, Matildas star Heather Garriock talks business, and the A-League Semi finals.
Part Two.
Manly United Coach and Olyroo Asst Coach Phil Moss talks Canberra players, Olyrooss and NSW Premier League, local Gungahlin FC Masters player and Nearpost host Michella Bertrand talks about her football family. And all the Capital football news
download here:
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So the morning news goes:
1. Rugby League> Wayne Bennett leaving Canberra Raiders Coach is NOT taking over the Broncos. Big story that one.
2. Rugby Union: Brumbies Coach Laurie Fisher will meet New Wallabies Coach Robbie Deans...massive story.
3. The score from the cricket game between India and Sri Lanka, not an Aussie in sight oh and throw in the England score as the whole town is just waiting for that one.....
4. Socceroos. Finally some comment from Pim Verbeek, Talk up the game? You're joking. No mention of the sold-out crowd, no mention of Nikolai, the Canberran to make his first squad.
But then again, Nikolai doesn't play Union or League, and clearly doesn't deserved to be mentioned or even head the bulletin.
And no-one plays football in Canberra so why mention the Socceroos first on a day like today. Only 16,000 registrations, more than the other three codes COMBINED, not to mention the interest of the Socceroos on the streets of Canberra v the Wallabies at the last World Cups.
Unfair? Feel free to come in to the Nearpost radio show and discuss it anytime:)
Type rest of the post here
Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Carl Valeri, two Tuggeranong United juniors who played in the same Under 11 side, have been named in the final 21 Socceroos for tomorrow's game against Qatar.
Given the amount who went through the AIS, sure the whole squad is Canberran..or almost:)
Well done Nikolai.
Pim Verbeek said,
"I now have a squad of 21 players which will be reduced to 18 for the match tomorrow."
"I want to thank the players who have departed for attending the camp for their participation and contribution.
"The 2010 World Cup campaign is a long and challenging journey and everyone will play their part to help us qualify for the World Cup."
Remaining players in contention for the final squad are:
John Aloisi, Mark Bresciano, Jacob Burns, Tim Cahill, David Carney, Ante Covic, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Brett Holman, Josh Kennedy, Scott McDonald, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Mark Schwarzer, Archie Thompson, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Troisi, Carl Valeri, Danny Vukovic, Luke Wilkshire.
David Moyes manages Everton FC, Tim Cahill's club. Scottish, that's important, he really didn't want Tim to come to Australia for the World Cup Qualifier against Qatar.
The hamstring, the distance, and every other reason known to Moyes tried to stop Tim Cahill.
Tim Cahill came. He along with many others should take a bow. Any Aussie who has done that trip, first class or not, with the prospects of being back on the field in England on Saturday wil know it isn't easy.
This time Australia is taking their World Cup Qualifiers seriously, and it's good to see.
Looking forward to a great nerve racking performance, 1-0 with a blooper in the last minute will do. The crowd could be the key to this one.
The Socceroos Qatar game is SOLD OUT. Union, League even AFL would love to get such a crowd to an International game against a team ranked 100!
But in Melbourne TREVOR GRANT can't resist writing a rather tame,
lame piece about the state of the local game.
Hey Trevor, record crowds mate, great young players, and a World Game that ensures players can head off to Europe or wherever to improve themselves.
Does any Australian believe the $1.8mill salary capped A-League is better than the money crazed EPL or European leagues....no, maybe just people like Trevor who don't seem to have been in touch with the sport for 32 years as he says.
You don't just produce a World Cup qualifing side after 32 years, it takes time to produce players, a National Soccer League and commitment from players, officials and fans.
Australia has a long history of football, football knowledge. Just people like TREVOR hasn't realised it.
And yes Trevor is from Melbourne, here's his really positive piece on the eve of the Socceroos game.
Well done Trevor how do you spell fear!
or should that be smell:)
Mehmet Durakovic scored a wonderful goal against Canada in a World Cup Qualifier in Sydney 1993. The Aussies won on penalties and went on to play Argentina in the final qualifier.
Speaking from the Australian Institute of Sport, where Durakovic is currently
Speaking from the Australian Institute of Sport, where Durakovic is currently completing his Coaching Licence course along with the likes of Phil Moss (Manly United NSWPL) and Gareth Naven (Former Perth Glory stalwart, Durakovic knows the game against Qatar won't be easy.
The former Socceroo says, "It won't be easy, new coach, new players, it will take time to gel. We need a win.
"We used to have an average crowd of 12, or 15,000 now they pack them in. Hopefully the big Melbourne crowd will get behind the team."
The Socceroos of 1993 lost 1-0 to Argentina in Buenos Aires after gaining a 1-1 draw in Sydney.
"They had Batistuta, Balboa, Redondo, Maradona these guys were great players. Most of the players we had were part-time, and we lost 1-0 away and drew 1-1 at home," said Durakovic.
"It was a great achievement. I know we failed but the two goals they scored showed God is an Argentinian. You wouldn't expect to concede them in training never mind in a World Cup Qualifier.
Mehmet predicts: Australia 2 Qatar 0
Tuesday 6:30pm 98.3FM and on your local community radio station across Australia check the details with your station.
Part One: Goes National
Socceroos: Arif and his plastic kangaroo talk Socceroos
Futsalroos Danny Macor fresh from the KL World 5's
Matildas Heather Garriock talks business
A-League Semi-Final previews. Why Sydney will win in Queensland!
Part Two: Canberra Football
Extended Interview with Danny Macor, Futsalroo, ACT Cobras, and Belconnen United striker.
Manly United Coach and Olyroos Assistant Coach Phil Moss talks Blue Devils.
Michelle Bertrand describes her Canberra football family
All the Capital and local football news...that we know:)
The whole show will be poscast here available Wednesday morning.
Where were you when JFK was shot, when Elvis and Lady Di died, or Nelson Mandela came out of jail? Aussie sports fans remember Cathy Freeman’s Gold Medal run. Some even a Sydney AFL Grand Final win.
John Aloisi’s penalty awoke most Australians to football. But for the real fan, the game that bonded the fans was the Iran World Cup Qualifier 1997 in front of 95,000 at the MCG.
Leading 2-0, playing gorgeous attacking football, it all went wrong for Australia and we ended up losing 2-2!
Speak to any fan about that night and the body language, the facial expression, still changes. It’s not pretty, even ten years on.
For many, missing out on the World Cup was the thing. For me, it was the fact that there were no competitive games for four years. Fours years without football. Even the old National Soccer League couldn’t lift my spirits.
But now we have the A-League, the Asian Champions League, and the Asian Cup. Not to mention the Matildas, Olyroos and Futsalroos.
So on Wednesday, when the Socceroos run out in front of a packed house in Melbourne to take on Qatar, most will be desperate for a win. Any win.
So will I, but I’ll also be sitting back relieved that the game has finally arrived.
Football’s main course in Australia starts on Wednesday. So far we’ve had the entrees.
Qualifier after qualifier, year after year.
And don’t imagine for a moment that Australia will walk the group. We won’t. Australia’s golden generation has come and gone. A team built around Craig Moore, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell achieved wonderfully, overachieved possibly.
Now it will get harder. But who cares.
When the ref blows his whistle on Wednesday, that defeat against Iran, and it was a defeat, may just have been the making of Australian football.
Prediction: Australia 1 Qatar 0
Futsal's record transfer, the $3 million Brazilian Falcao, ensured the end of the road for the amateur Futsalroo stars from Australia in Malaysia last night.
Aussie boys went down 7-0 no disgrace there, and so ended their wonderful KL World 5 tournament.
Report
Tim Cahill played a full game last night for Blackburn. So much for David Moyes hamstring fears.
Harry Kewell wasn't even on the bench for Liverpool. Good news?
My money: Tim Cahill will be here, he's just that sort of guy. Harry...I reckon he'll be here to.
And let's face it we need them. Our current squad minus Cahill, Kewell, Viduka and Grella is hardly a team of Champions. Even with them it's going to be a long and tortuous journey I feel.
I'd never heard of the great Aussie saying of "5 sleeps..." when I grew up in England, but when it comes to football I've certainly adopted it.
Remember Iran,
the 2-2 game. It felt like a loss. It was the most disappointed I've been over any game loss, and that includes either playing as a kid, or adult, or watching my team Celtic lose in Cup Finals and many other important games.
I think it wasn't the fact that we didn't get to the World Cup, for me it was more the fact that the papers would be devoid of football news for another four years, and of course there would be no meaningful games in Australia for four years.
I know we had the National Soccer League, but you had to be dedicated, and I was, and you felt a bit like a criminal, no-one wanted to talk about your activities in fact most looked at you with some disdain.
So you can imagine that when the Socceroos start the World Cup campaign on Wednesday, quickly followed by a crucial away game in China next month, I'm satisfied.
Satisfied that football has arrived. We now have a great local league. Watching a game in prime time with big crowds, well that's all any football fan could want. And a National team playing meaningful games again and again.
And it all starts on Wednesday.
And the debate about the 39 players, Euro's v local, will Harry come? How good is Verbeek etc etc, well it's all good, and we've waited years to be able to pick up a paper in this country and read the discussion, no matter how trivial, about football and the Socceroos.
When the team comes out on Wednesday, I'll be a little bit happier, older, maybe wiser and will have one thought for the boys who lost the night we drew 2-2 with Iran.
So you thought football in Belconnen was unimportant! Training out on the ovals under Steve Forshaw on a Tuesday in July with the sleet coming down. Not worth it?
Or maybe hitting the net in the local Futsal comp in Tuggers or the Netball Centre doesn't grab you.
Well local lads Danny Macor and fellow Canberran Trent Flanigan are playing for the Futsalroos in the KL World 5's in Malaysia....in front of an expected TV audience of 320 million..yeah Australia multiplied by 16.
It's big. It's live on STAR sports read the blurb from the KL website below.
The KL World 5's takes place between 29th January and 3rd February 2008 at Stadium Negara, Malaysia's first indoor stadium and a national heritage building. The event will be telecasted to over 310 million viewers across Asia on STAR Sports with over 100 hours of coverage, comprising 30 telecast hours, including 20 hours of live programming - translating into extensive media exposure for Malaysia.
The KL World 5's will have a total purse of US$150,000, and feature 10 teams in this prestigious tournament. The event is expected to draw futsal fans from Malaysia and the region with the pedigree of the international teams such as Brazil, Argentina, Holland and England will join the likes of Asian champion Iran, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and hosts Malaysia in action.
ESPN STAR Sports and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have a rich tradition of partnerships stemming from a multi-year strategic alliance signed in October 2005 to raise participation and interest in sport in Malaysia.
Our TV ratings are falling, while broadcasting revenue has declined substantially.
When the fans start booing at half-time in a Test match it is worrying. And it was certainly happening during Super 14 games as well.
it was hard to find any of the ARU's key performance indicators over the last four years that was heading in the right direction.
"Participation.... went down by 1.8 per cent...it is declining."
The ARU chief suggested the Super competition could be expanded to one and a
half or even two full rounds.
Belconnen United goalscorer extraordinaire Danny Macor and ACT Cobras star Trent Flannigan have made significant contributions to the Futsalroos 5-1 win over Indonesia in the KL World 5's.
In other results Argentina beat England 12-1!
Full report from FFA below.
The Qantas Futsalroos kicked off their inaugural KL World 5’s Futsal tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a resounding 5-1 over Indonesia.
After a slow start, which saw them go a goal down after 18 minutes, Australia recovered to lead 2-1 at half time, before adding a further three goals in a dominate second half display.
Italian-based Greg Gionvalli, making his debut for the team, scored a double, with Danny Ngaluafe, Fernando de Moraes and Trent Flanigan each getting a single goal.
Australia had the better of the early exchanges, but struggled in the final third to put and scoreboard pressure on the Indonesians and were made to pay.
Two minutes before half time, Indonesia grabbed the opening goal of the tournament, but this only exploded Australia into action, as the Indonesians relaxed.
Less than a minute later, Australia was on level terms when Daniel Macor’s shot was spilled by the Indonesia keeper and Ngaluafe was on the spot to tuck home. Almost immediately, Australia scored again, with Macor again the provider, setting up Flanigan for an excellent finish.
With momentum on their side, Australia continued their assault and Gionvalli scored his first a minute after the re-start, pouncing on an Indonesian error after excellent pressing on their defence.
Midway through the half, Fernando made it 4-1, breaking through the centre and hitting a rasping shot that was too good for the Indonesia keeper. Gionvalli rounded off the scoring in the final minute, when he easily placed home a cross from Ngaluafe.
After the match, Australian coach Scott Gilligan said, “I was a little concerned after the first 15 minutes when it was scoreless but Indonesia dropped their guard after taking the lead and it was a good thing that we could score twice before half time.”
Australia now has a day’s break, before playing twice on Thursday, firstly against host nation Malaysia and then the final game of the day against England. The final match is against group favourite Argentina on Friday.
Other results in Australia’s group, saw Argentina, the last winner of the KL World 5’s in 2003, smash England 12-1, while Indonesia was again beaten later in the night, by host nation Malaysia 3-2.
The KL World 5’s is the richest Futsal tournament in the world, with the winner to earn USD$50,000.
The tournament is vital preparation for the ASEAN Futsal Championships that will be held in Bangkok in early March.
Match Details
Australia 5 (Danny Ngaluafe 19’, Trent Flanigan 20’, Greg Gionvalli 21’/39’, Fernando de Moraes 29’)
Indonesia 1 (18’)
Once upon a time in Australia it was hard to talk football at work, it was hard to watch a game on TV, read about it in the newspapers or even find a blogsite about Australian football.
How times have changed.
And in Newcastle, how many times have my friends turned their eyes skyward over the years when I said I think the game could take off.
"Not in Melbourne it's so AFL, not in Newcastle it's so Rugby League," came the various, repeated responses time and time again. (We're talking a twenty year debate here:)
Well the Rugby League Knights only pulled one bigger crowd than the Jets sunday crowd of 23,000 last season. And that was the farewell to Andrew Johns, the biggest player in Rugby League for years.
And in the local stores Jets gear is outselling Knights gear.
No surprises maybe. A sign of the times and a sign that football is here to stay, just in case you weren't sure!
Full article is here at FoxSports, here's a bit of itNEWCASTLE Knights will kick off a major advertising campaign on Sunday to attract season ticket sales as the city's love affair with football code rivals Newcastle Jets continues to soar.
Only seven weeks out from the start of the NRL season, the Knights' pre-season build-up has been shunted into the background for most fans by the Jets' surge towards their first A-League grand final appearance.
As unthinkable as it may once have been, the Knights now have a legitimate rival for the hearts and minds of the Newcastle sporting public.
A crowd of almost 23,000 witnessed the Jets' pulsating 2-0 semi-final first-leg win over Central Coast on Sunday, bettered only once last season by the Knights when the club farewelled champion halfback Andrew Johns.
Sales of Jets merchandise is at an all-time high with major retail outlet Rebel, the official suppliers for the A-League, claiming Jets gear easily out-sold Knights merchandise in its Charlestown store.
"It is not easy to break it down but we would probably sell between 30 and 40 per cent more Jets gear than Knights gear," Rebel assistant manager Matt Dunn said.
"But you have to remember the Knights have their own merchandise store at the stadium and it is also available at other outlets so it is hard to make a comparison."
But far from viewing the Jets as a rival, Knights boss Steve Burraston insists their success is a positive for the town and his club.
Burraston claimed fans will never be forced to choose between the two because their seasons don't overlap.
Another small but growing sign that Japanese and Asian football is on the rise.
And will make Australia's World Cup qualification that little bit harder in years to come.
Celtic have completed the signing of highly-rated Japanese midfielder Koki Mizuno on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
With the number of Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and other Asian players playing in Europe on the increase, Australia can expect to meet increasingly difficult opponents across Asia in years to come. As if it wasn't hard enough already, Asia Cup 2007:)
Nearpost Part One goes across Australia on the Australia Community Radio Network.
Arif says Pim Verbeek is doing okay! Take that Robbie Slater!
Interview with Pim Verbeek
Sarah Walsh Matildas star
And all the Newcastle Jets talk and A-League chat.
Part Two: Goes across Canberra
We chat Katrina Neuss ACT Under 15 Coach
An interview with former England Captain David Buckham.(joke or supposed to be)
All the Capital Football news.
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Courier Mail's Mike Coleman: Talks rubbish!
Poor Mike Coleman. A journalist, a sports journalist with the Courier Mail.
Guess with all the footall stories from the Socceroos, to the A-League, and the Roar in the finals, he's been told to write something about football.
And it's crass it really is.
So Mike you are another entry in the 2008 Anti-football media awards.
You can read his full post below and my ten cents worth. Will have to put you on the radio show in January's entries. Sorry mate you give me no choice.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23112566-10389,00.htmlI RECEIVED some news this week that I must admit was a little worrying.
Not content with a good showing at the last World Cup, 30,000-plus crowds at A-League matches and blanket media coverage, the geniuses who run soccer in this country have had to reinvent the wheel.
I am reliably informed that from next season junior matches will no longer be played on a cut-down version of full-length fields so that kids can emulate their heroes.
Starting with matches up to under-8s and then extending to under-12s in coming seasons, they will be played five-a-side on tiny grounds with portable pop-up goals. And no goalies.
Now apart from the fact that youngsters like to feel they are playing the same game they see on TV, I believe the "no goalie" edict could lead to huge problems later in life when the kids leave the junior ranks and even make it to the A-League.
They will think they can score goals.
Anyone who watched Friday night's semi-final between the Queensland Roar and Sydney FC will know that simply isn't the case.
Seems to me anyone who went through the A-League this season betting solely on 0-0 draws could retire to the Bahamas.
Not that this means the games were dull, sleep-inducing bores – well not all of them anyway. Friday night's game was very entertaining, if for no other reason than to see if Reinaldo could finally put a sitter into the back of the net.
Now I don't want to pick on the guy because he obviously has completion problems, but if I read one more time how he's going to play for the Socceroos or how clubs from Botswana to Brazil are lining up for his signature, I'll take up the game myself. It's obviously an easy way to make a buck.
Still, for once, the Brazilian Bomber wasn't the worst offender. How about Alex Brosque? Three times the goal yawned at him like the gate at Luna Park and three times he came up short.
That's not to downplay the effort of young Queensland keeper Griffin McMaster, who had a blinder, but if Brosque is the best finisher in the A-League, no wonder Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek is looking offshore for talent.
I couldn't believe the outcry when Verbeek said a training run in Europe was worth more than a game in the A-League. Anyone who was insulted should invest in Fox Sports and open their eyes.
For what it is, in its third year of existence, the A-League is sensational. It provides fans with local teams to follow and gives up-and- comers like Michael Zullo, Robbie Kruse and Tahj Minniecon the chance to showcase their skills and hopefully earn a ticket to Europe.
But as a direct route to the World Cup, forget it.
Verbeek was spot-on with what he said, and it didn't come lightly. He has spent weeks looking at A-League matches through the eyes of experience, leaving the rose-coloured glasses to the fans.
He is certainly not going to gamble Australia's World Cup chances – and his job and reputation – on the boot of a Brosque or Reinaldo. Or at least a Brosque or Reinaldo who hasn't been hardened by top-level football.
Imagine what the score would have been on Friday night if Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka had been playing for either side. Imagine how many of those chances John Aloisi would have put in the net.
Even closer to home, imagine where the Roar would have finished if Craig Moore hadn't brought his talent and experience back home to Queensland.
Hard as it is for some to admit, some of our most over-hyped A-League players still have a lot of work to do. Either that or they should find a five-a-side league with pop-up goals. And no goalies.
What a load of dross Mike. No-one expects Alex Brosque to be the same as Viduka or Kewell.
Money talks in all sport, and for a salary cap of $1.8 mill could you afford one Viduka never mind a whole team.
As for kids playing with no goalies, and small sided games. You're article is an embarrassment to parents, kids and football players everywhere. Do you have any idea what you are talking about.
And sure Alex Brosque may not be the next Kewell or Viduka, but what price a Bruce Djite, or James Holland.
Methinks you have spoken too soon, and besides that stick to what you do know. It's clearly not football.
Gary Van Egmond's daughter Emily is in the under 17 women's side currently in New Zealand.
And good to se Cheryl Salisbury as Assistant Coach on the tour.
Apart from Ruth Wallace from Adelaide, Ella Mastrantonio and Marianna Tabain (Perth) all the rest of the players are from NSw's and Queensland.
Where are the Victorians?
Full press release below
Australian Under 17 Women's national team to compete at 'Future Stars' tournament in Auckland
Former Australian championship winning coach Gary Phillips and current Australian captain Cheryl Salisbury will lead the next generation of Matildas when the Australian Under 17 Women's national team compete over the coming week at the 'Future Stars' tournament in Auckland.
It is the first Australian national team appointment for both, with head coach Phillips, who won National League titles with Sydney Olympic in 2002 and Brisbane Strikers in 1997 currently in charge of the women's program at the New South Wales Institute based in Newcastle. Australia's most capped player (male or female), Salisbury, will be the team's assistant coach.
The Australian team will face the top two ranked nations in the women's game, Germany and the USA, plus host nation New Zealand in the four-nation tournament, to be held from 29 January to 2 February.
Australia will meet the USA on Tuesday, world champions Germany on Thursday with the final match against New Zealand on Saturday.
Australia's 18-strong squad features three players who have already played for the Matildas, with midfielder Tameka Butt and attacking duo, Jenna Kingsley and Kyah Simon.
Australian Under 17 Women's National team squad:
Goalkeepers – Casey Dumont (Gold Coast), Rachel Cooper (Sydney)
Defenders – Vedrana Popovic (Brisbane), Nicola Bolger (Sydney), Ruth Wallace (Adelaide)
Midfielders – Sophie Hogben (Brisbane), Linda O'Neill (Sydney), Samantha Kerr (Perth), Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Ella Mastrantonio (Perth), Marianna Tabain (Perth), Rachel Wynne (Newcastle), Emily van Egmond (Newcastle), Teigan Allen (Sydney), Alesha Clifford (Sydney)
Forwards – Tara Andrews (Sydney), Jenna Kingsley (Sydney), Kyah Simon (Sydney)
(current home city)
The Australian Under 17 Women's national team will commence their 2010 World Cup campaigns next year.
This weeks show on Canberra 2XX 98.3fm Tuesday 6:30pm and across Australia on the Australia Community Radio Network on your local station:
First half: Interview with Socceroos Coach Pim Verbeek.
Sarah Walsh talks Matildas.
Arif with the Big Issue and all the A-League finals news and tips.
In the second half (Canberra listeners only), Katrina Neuss Canberra's Under 15 Girls coach talks about her football journey.
Around the local clubs we have all the news.
Whole show is available on podcast tomorrow on this blog.
James Holland created two goals tonight in the major semi-final between Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners. A 2-0 home win for the Jets should be enough to take the first spot in the Grand Final.
John Aloisi missed a penalty, yes John Aloisi, he hit the post with a screamer from a free kick and scored a wonderful poachers goal only to see it ruled offside.
TV showed the decision by Matthew Breeze, or at least his assistant, was wrong and it could prove the worst and most crucial decision of the whole season.
Good game, particularly the first half. Passionate crowd.
Three years ago a finals game between these two sides in Newcastle pulled 10,000. Today sold out at 23,000.
A good day for football and a home team won in front of a big crowd. Ain't that a first this season:)
Funny moment
Weren't many. Game was passionately contested, a little too passionate at times. Every time a Mariners player went in front of the Squadron a smile was raised in response to the taunts.
Crucial moments
Dodgy penalty for the Central Coast. Aloisi missing that penalty.
The two goals created by James Holland. In the Jets first real attack after wave upon wave of Mariners attacks Adam Griffiths heads one home.
When every player and I mean every player was shattered only 60 minutes into the game, (no wonder Pim has gone for the overseas boys) James Holland exchanged passes to create enough space for Andre Gumprecht to pull him down. Joel Griffiths slotted the penalty.
Best Coach.
Well tonight it was Gary Van Egmond. He won. He played it strong defensively when the Mariners threatened. And he kept James Holland on when he was clearly tired midway through the second half. It paid off.
Lawrie McKinna left Matt Simon off when the Mariners needed a little more pace than a slowing Sasho Petrovski could offer.
Key player
James Holland, just 18. His eigth game. He creates two goal in front of 23,000 in a frenetic semi final.
We are watching a new Australian football star rise. It's great.
The future
2-0 should be enough for the Jets, but of course an early Mariners goal could change everything. And they are capable of that.
Overall an exciting game, one that petered out due to the frenetic pace and heat in the first half.
Are the Jets in the Grand Final? I think so.
The smallest football club in Australia are off to Asia and Australian football fans from all clubs will support them.
The Central Coast Mariners won the first spot in Asia, also the Minor Premiership last weekend.
Despite limping over the line, from behind, after leading the competition for most of the season by miles, don't be fooled, this win was hard-earned, deserved and planned for...three years ago.
When The Mariners went to Adelaide in the semi-final in the first A-League season few expected them to win. They did. 1-0. And marched into Sydney for the final with the support of over 8,000 fans dressed in yellow.
It was a marvellous sight for football in Australia. A true final played before two sets of opposing fans.
And Steve Corica scored the goal, but few neutrals could understand how the Mariners weren't four or five up by half-time. It really was one way traffic.
The Mariners have built a supporter base in an area that many Australians hadn't even heard of. Central Coast, NSW's.
And this season 19,0000 turned up to watch football in Gosford.
How did this happen?
Well Lawrie McKinna walks his dog along the local beach, he invites fans for bar-be-cues at his house, the players are expected to do the community development stuff, the schools, the local teams etc. They are spreading their wings into North Sydney and even Canberra. Truth or legend it matters not.
The Central Coast are now known as the club who has done the most and best work to link with their community.
Planning has been done to raise the supporter base from zero three years ago to it's current level with average crowds over 13,000.
But planning has also taken part with the team.
The Mariners never spent their salary cap in the first year or even the second year. They've kept many, many of the players from season 1. They've built slowly and wisely.
Compared to Sydney FC who have had to rebuild since beating the Mariners in that historic Grand Final win in season 1 Why? Because they overspent to gain success in season 1, massively. And Sydney started top down with expensive signings(Dwight Yorke) when the Mariners went from the grassroots up and have grown each season.
The Mariners management is restrained, realistic and flexible.
They proved that you don't have to buy a big star to get to a final (season 1) but maybe now the squads are bigger (23) and the standard higher you do. Enter John Aloisi half-way through season 3. And his goals have pushed them over the line. No doubt.
Season 2 the Coast struggled as injuries decimated them. Goalscorers in Dean Heffernan and Nik Mrdja had left or were injured. Damien Mori came and went. And a finals berth was missed. Mckinna knew the problem. And he fixed it for season three.
Enter fit again Mrdja, goalscorers Dean Heffernan returned, Sasho Petrovski, Greg Owen, John Alosi. In season three goals would not be the problem.
And so it proved.
This season the Central Coast thrashed Sydney FC 3-0 in Canberra in a pre-season game. While Sydney FC Coach Branko Culina complained of too many games The Mariners were fit and destroyed Sydney physically across the park. Canberran neutrals were stunned in the difference between the two sides.
It looked like men against boys.
And they came out of the blocks, winning game after game.
When Mrdja got injured, financial backer John Singleton, a Rugby League man who owns a stadium without a Rugby League team, enabled John Aloisi to sign. More goals flowed.
The table topping Mariners eventually got thrashed a few times at home in front of record crowds. As players had tired, got injured, maybe even the ealy fitness program was hurting them now.
They went into the final round in third place. Their lowest spot in the season. It was hard to see. A team with record crowds, a huge lead early, now stuggling to get a place in the top two.
Against Wellington injured Aloisi struggled on for sixty minutes, and he got his goal.
And Adam Kwasnik the guy who has missed more chances than any other forward in the A-League scored a beauty in the last, very last minute.
This was important as Sydney FC leading 2-1 against Melbourne now needed a third goal to top the Mariners. Tony Popovic charged upfield. Alex Brosque failed to find him. And Archie Thompson and co played the ball into Poppa's space. Melbourne scored.
Adelaide beat Queensland and off the title went to the Mariners.
Key Lessons
Player recruitment was well targeted. Player loyalty and club loyalty have been rewarded. A fitness regime second to none under player physio Andrew Clark ensured a title building lead was gained early. In a short season you must start fast, just look at Melbourne for proof.
And connection with the community and fans is important. Not just in non-traditional football areas but to all clubs in a fledgling league.
They are helped by a lack of competition from other codes, and local tv and newspapers desperate for local sport at a national level to cover.
Where can the Mariners go?
Well Singleton may have to add another stand in years to come. I'm joking? Only half.
In a growing area, if this team continues to punch above it's weight in five years or so who knows how many people will be watching?
A true team. On and off the field. A model club raised from nothing.
They can pull 19,000 plus on a good day. They've already been to Asia to play the likes of Aston Villa and Celtic in the Hong Kong Five's. Next time they are off for real in the Asian Champions League.
Can they win the Grand Final?
I think they have their prize. And it maybe a relief to the whole club to get that prize. Tired and injured they were struggling to get over the line, but they did it...just.
Danny Vukovic hasn't he grown in three seasons. Nigel Boogard the find of the season? Matthew Simon a hassle for any defender, Mile Jedinak, the guy no other club wanted, added to Aloisi, Tony Vidmar, Tom Podeljak, Andre Gumprecht, Dean Heffernan, Alvin Ceccoli, Sasho Petrovski, Greg Owens and John Hutchison. No shortage of quality and experience there.
Mckinna has done a fantastic job. Mariners fans and all football fans can be proud of the club from the Coast.
Sydney blew a chance to take a lead to Brisbane next week. 0-0. No surprises there.
But Juninho created some wonderful wonderful chances for Alex Brosque and he missed the lot.
He was subbed!
The game was fast and furious.
The Roar flew around the park, and Sydney were cautious playing very deep with only half a forward line.
For a team playing at home it was disappointing but given the teams ageing legs, and away record, a 0-0 draw is not bad for Sydney.
And of course Queensland Roar rarely win a pressure filled game at home do they.
Funny moment
The Cove went ballistic for Patrick to come on. He got a standing ovation before he came on. He was crap. Often has been. Why he got a massive cheer I'll never know.
What has he shown for Sydney FC. Not much.
Best on park
Roar keeper Griffin McMaster had some scary moments but he saved the Roar defence time and time again. He's a keeper and he's crazy.
Juninho: Gave us all some real moments of class even when playing like everyone else at headless chuck speed.
Coaches award
Think Frank Farina edged it in the beginning but in fairness Kossie did a good job with limited resources. He has so little forward firepower.
Farina had his troops well marshaled, they are super fit and chased the old men of Sydney all over the park.
Kossie made more changes, tried to tweak things here and there, and probably saw his team improve, as a result, as the game went on.
Kossie will hope to win 1-0 away. Can Farina bring a Roar side home with all the pressure of the home crowd on them?
Well it will be a cracker. Don't be surprised to see one or even two sent from the field.
The Young Roar
Well Robbie Kruse has looked tired for weeks and as a result the Roar lack a spark. One point from nine, no wins in four, despite what the commentators say, this Roar team is no sure thing.
Did they create a real chance? Marcinho's shot's into the crowd are not chances. Has any professional footballer ever produced such poor shots.
Oh I forgot Rainaldo.
So next week, Sydney will attempt to hold the Roar out and hit them on the break. An early Sydney goal could kill the game.
But this time, I think with a huge home crowd, and youthful legs the Roar may just do it.
I'm sure they will....but you never know do you.
They'll have to lift to a higher level than tonight and surely Alex Brosque won't miss so many Juninho fed passes again.
Should give us another night of exciting, if mistake ridden football like tonight's game.
Collingwood AFL had a 54,000 crowd average. AFL held 16 of the top 20 crowd averages.
Only the Brisbane Broncos from Rugby League came in the top ten, number ten to be exact.
Western Force topped the Union entry with 27,000 and Melbourne Victory was best for the A-League in 19th place with over 26,000 turning out each week.
THREE A-League sides beat Twelve of the NRL crowd averages, this after just three years.
In Canberra the Brumbies walloped the Raiders. And surely a football team could average more than the Raiders 11,000 after a few years. Surely!
Interesting to compare the Rugby APC tournament to the A-League averages. Further proof that football is way ahead of Union in terms of supporter base across the country. The Super 14 is most similar to the Asian Champions League, an international competition.
And in New Zealand the World's top Rugby club side, well in the Southern Hemisphere brings in 16,000 each home game. Food for thought. They'd be kicked out of the AFL I guess.
Stats below.
Team Code Games Crowd Average
1. Collingwood Magpies AFL 11 603,881 Average 54,898
2. Essendon Bombers AFL 11 575,232 Average 52,294
3. Adelaide Crows AFL 11 461,910 Average 41,992
4. Carlton Blues AFL 11 457,418 Average 41,583
5. West Coast Eagles AFL 11 448,703 Average 40,791
6. Richmond Tigers AFL 11 421,207 Average 38,292
7. St Kilda Saints AFL 11 417,135 Average 37,921
8. Fremantle Dockers AFL 11 412,213 Average 37,474
9. Sydney Swans AFL 11 391,953 Average 35,632
10.Brisbane Broncos NRL 13 442,101 Average 34,008
11.Hawthorn Hawks AFL 11 369,052 Average 33,550
12.Geelong Cats AFL 11 347,016 Average 31,547
13. Melbourne Demons AFL 11 324,903 Average 29,537
14. Brisbane Lions AFL 11 317,325 Average 28,848
15. Western Bulldogs AFL 11 316,551 Average 28,777
16. Kangaroos AFL 11 311,210 Average 28,292
17. Port Adelaide Power AFL 11 306,572 Average 27,870
18. Western Force S14 5 137,775 Average 27,555
19. Melbourne Victory A-L 10 260,682 Average 26,068
20. Gold Coast Titans NRL 9 204,971 Average 22,775
21. NSW Waratahs S14 6 136,450 Average22,742
22. North Qld Cowboys NRL 11 217,212 Average19,747
23. Queensland Reds S14 6 108,608 Average18,101
24. Brumbies S14 6 106,883 Average17,814
25. Wests Tigers NRL 10 170,978 Average17,098
26. Queensland Roar A-L 11 186,622 Average16,966
27. Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 12 197,852 Average16,488
28. Sydney FC A-L 11 180,127 Average16,375
29. Newcastle Knights NRL 12 190,563 Average15,880
30.South Syd Rabbitohs NRL 12 188,448 Average15,704
31. Sydney FC Asia A-L 3 45,871 Average15,290
32. Manly Sea Eagles NRL 10 145,265 Average14,527
33. Parramatta Eels NRL 11 152,594 Average13,872
34. Newcastle Jets A-L 11 145,298 Average13,209
35. CC Mariners A-L 10 127,383 Average12,738
36. Adelaide United A-L 10 126,966 Average12,697
37. N Z Warriors NRL 12 149,314 Average12,443
38. St George Dragons NRL 12 145,908 Average12,159
39. Sydney Roosters NRL 11 132,157 Average12,014
40. Penrith Panthers NRL 11 129,946 Average11,813
41. Melbourne Storm NRL 11 128,757 Average11,705
42. Wellington nix A-L 10 116,831 Average11,683
43. Canberra Raiders NRL 11 126,704 Average11,519
44. Cronulla Sharks NRL 12 137,657 Average11,471
45. Perth Glory A-L 11 83,577 Average7,598
46. Perth Spirit ARC 4 15,583 Average3,896
47. Canberra Vikings ARC 4 14,768 Average3,692
48. Melbourne Rebels ARC 3 9,914 Average3,305
49. Sydney Fleet ARC 4 10,630 Average2,658
Ballymore Tornadoes ARC 2 4,867 Average2,434
Central Coast Rays ARC 4 9,293 Average2,323
Western Syd Rams ARC 4 7,368 Average1,842
East Coast Aces ARC 3 4,284 Average1,428
Summary Games Total Average
AFL 176 6,482,281 36,831 Awesome, totally
S14 23 489,716 21,292 Interesting, but very wealthy patrons!
NRL 170 2,689,449 15,820 Worryingly miles away from AFL
A-L 84 1,227,486 14,613 Amazing. Expect to top League after the Finals in the Third year.
ARC 28 76,707 2,740 Shows the depth of support for Rugby in Australia. A boutique sport.
