Biggest W-League season set for kick-off

Niav Owens

Updated October 16, 2012 18:46:04

The fifth season of the W-League is set to be the biggest yet with the Western Sydney Wanderers joining the competition and two extra rounds being added for the 2012-13 edition.

The action kicks off on Saturday with a grand final rematch between Canberra United and Brisbane Roar, while the Wanderers take on Adelaide United.

Representatives from all sides were on hand for the official season launch in Sydney on Tuesday.

Wanderers star recruit Servet Uzunlar said that the club has taken a very professional approach from the beginning, and she is expecting a competitive showing from her side first up.

"We sat down at the very start of preseason and mapped out what we wanted to achieve come first week of the W-League," Uzunlar said.

"It has just been a process of putting in the hard work week in and week out and training together as a squad."

A number of Australian players will feature for the new club, with Uzunlar joined at the Wanderers by captain and key recruit Sarah Walsh.

"I've played with Walshy playing under Sydney FC, but to move away and start a new club and have a name like Walshy [on the roster] - it's fantastic," Uzunlar said.

ABCTV's 2012-13 W-League program guide

Canberra United went through last season undefeated, and will benefit from having maintained much of that winning line-up this season.

Last year's Golden Boot player of the year Michelle Heyman will again turn out for the defending champs.

She said that the team environment that has been created in the capital has played a big part in their success.

"We played each game as a team and I think that's one thing that Canberra United have done really well, we actually are a family," she said.

When pushed about her personal goals for this season, Heyman admitted that she has her sights firmly set on securing another Golden Boot award.

"Already having won it twice, I think that I've got to try and keep my name up there," Heyman said.

"I think this is my time to shine and I want that award."

Matildas coach Tom Sermanni believes this will be the closest competition in W-League history.

"Teams that were at the bottom last year have recruited well and got themselves better organised," he said.

"And the addition of the eighth team back into the league Western Sydney Wanderers has obviously taken some players away from Sydney FC.

"Brisbane have had some injury problems, Melbourne has a new coach, so when you put all those factors together I think we're going to see a competition that is going to be very close."

ABC TV's weekly coverage of the W-League begins with Canberra taking on Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park on Saturday.

A live stream of all of the action will be available online from 2:00pm (AEDT), with national coverage on ABC1 from 5:00pm.

Tags: soccer, sport, a-league, sydney-2000

First posted October 16, 2012 18:43:07

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Roar not content with record win

Updated October 16, 2012 17:24:31

Still lamenting the fall-out from a record win over ex-coach Ange Postecoglou's Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith says he wishes his former mentor "all the best" as he plots an A-League season turnaround.

But Smith said the Roar would strive to remain at their merciless best against the Phoenix in Wellington on Sunday as they looked to "improve" on their 5-0 shellacking of the Victory.

Smith backed Roar boss Rado Vidosic's claim that the Brisbane players' comments about ex-coach Postecoglou were taken out of context by media ahead of the weekend heavyweight clash.

Postecoglou could not hide his displeasure after Roar players were quoted claiming Vidosic was the "brains" of their back-to-back A-League titles and vowed to send their ex-coach home a loser.

His mood would not have improved after the celebrated coach's Victory slumped to their biggest loss in history at Lang Park last Saturday night, and second straight of the new season.

Smith did his best to offer an olive branch to his former mentor.

"Personally, I think they were blown out of context. Some words in a sentence can be blown out of context to hype up the game," he said.

"Players coached by Ange will always hold him in high regard.

"We respect Ange and are very thankful that he was at our club the last couple of years.

"For some of us, he is the reason why we are at Brisbane and we are very thankful for the opportunity that he gave us.

"But that was last season and we have to move on with Rado.

"We always wish Ange all the best - but obviously not when he plays against us."

Asked if he would contact Postecoglou to further explain, Smith said: "I am not too sure.

"It's probably something that won't be necessary.

"We need to focus on the next game now and put all our energy into that game."

In scary news for the Phoenix, Smith hoped for an improved display this weekend.

"That's the culture of our club - there are always areas where we can improve," he said.

"We had a video session of the game today and Rado has highlighted areas which we still need to work on.

"It is important to take some positives out of last week but there were still some negative aspects as well - if there can be such a thing in a 5-0 win.

"But we aim to get better. We hope to peak when the finals come."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 17:24:31

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Grella signs on with Heart

Updated October 16, 2012 14:29:28

Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella will play club football in Australia for the first time in 14 years after agreeing to join the Melbourne Heart.

Grella, 33, has been dogged by injuries during the past four years at English Premier League club Blackburn.

Prior to that, he spent a decade in Italy playing for Empoli, Torino and Parma.

Grella has earned 46 caps for Australia and was a key member of the national squad at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

His signing is a coup for Heart coach John Aloisi, a former international team-mate of Grella.

The Heart have made a fast start to the 2012-13 A-League campaign, with a win and a draw in their opening two games.

The Melbourne-born Grella will link up with his new club on Monday.

His only previous experience in Australian club soccer involved single-season stints with the Canberra Cosmos and Carlton in the now defunct NSL.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 13:40:07

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Socceroos flirting with 'last chance'

Updated October 16, 2012 12:23:11

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has reminded his squad that defeat in tomorrow morning's crucial qualifier against Iraq could spell the end of their World Cup dream.

Australia goes into the Doha match third in Group B, level with combatants Iraq and two points adrift of Jordan.

If Jordan defeats Oman and the Socceroos fall to Iraq, Osieck's men could find themselves five points adrift of an automatic qualification spot with just four matches remaining.

Osieck said his side should benefit from a solid preparation in Qatar over the last week, but knows other factors could motivate the Socceroos further.

"In football you never know when your last chance has come," he said.

"To play in a World Cup, it happens only every four years and four years is a long period in football life, for everybody.

"Now, we are preparing for Brazil and our target is to go to Brazil and we put all our efforts together to achieve our target."

Skipper Lucas Neill, who has been under the most pressure after a poor display in Australia's 2-1 loss to Jordan, is banking on big-game experience favouring the Socceroos.

"It's a World Cup qualifier, we're not seeing it as any more pressurised than any other game we've played," he said.

"It's no more special because they're all special, but, we've prepared well, we know what we have to do and we're now going to let our football do the rest of the talking."

Iraq lost 6-0 to Brazil in a friendly last week, but Osieck is taking more out of Iraq's brave 1-0 defeat to group favourite Japan in Saitama last month.

But the Socceroos coach was blunt on how recent results impact the match at 1.15am (AEDT) on Wednesday.

"It's not very important what happened last week, it's important what happens tomorrow," he said.

"I think Iraq has a good team. How well they did against other teams I don't care.

"I think we have to look into our performance. That is very important."

While Osieck would not be drawn on who he thought were Iraq's best players, the Socceroos will be aware of the threat posed by the likes of veteran Nashat Akram, striker Younis Mahmoud and promising winger Ahmed Yasin.

"They have a number of good players. They have a lot of players with great experience that have been around for a number of years," Osieck said.

"They were part of the team that won the Asian championship in 2007. These players are still dominant."

Neill said the Socceroos coaching staff has prepared the team as much as possible for the Iraqis.

"We've worked on the balance, because we know that the game can be won and lost at our end of the field or their end, or in set pieces or in general play," he said.

"We've focussed the last few days on some videos of the Iraqis and now we know what we have to do."

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, australia, jordan, iraq

First posted October 16, 2012 10:19:53

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Sky Blues feel pressure ahead of derby

Updated October 15, 2012 17:05:18

Back-to-back losses have Sydney FC feeling the heat as they prepare for this weekend's first A-League Sydney derby.

The Sky Blues lost 3-2 in their blockbuster clash with Newcastle in front of a record regular-season crowd of more than 35,000 at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday after opening with a 2-0 loss to Wellington the week before.

This weekend, they face A-League newcomers Western Sydney and coach Ian Crook says the squad is feeling the pressure.

"You don't want to keep losing games - that's not what we're in it for, so there's pressure every single game," Crook said.

"Just having the name Sydney FC puts pressure on to win so it's something that everyone is really aware of now."

While Saturday's clash was billed as the battle between Alessandro del Piero and former England striker Emile Heskey, this match will also feature a marquee match-up when the Italian legend faces the Wanderers' Japanese star Shinji Ono.

And Crook, who was Sydney's assistant coach in the league's inaugural season in 2005, said he was delighted to be involved in another first for the club.

"You only get one first," he said.

"I was here for Sydney's first ever game in the A-League and now this is the first ever Sydney derby and you won't get that twice. It should be a cracker."

While Brett Emerton and Fabio were notably more prominent in Saturday's match, setting up several sweeping attacks in the second half, Sydney clearly missed injured Dutchman Pascal Bosschaart in the heart of their defence.

Bosschaart, who tore his Achilles tendon in March, is working his way back to fitness having played 30 minutes in Sydney's youth team game, but is still up to two weeks away from being fully fit.

Adding to Crook's headache in defence is Adam Griffith's absence after the centre-back suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday night.

Crook is left with only Trent McClenahan and Sebastian Ryall, who has made just two starts for Sydney in the past 18 months.

"Pascal's not game ready yet so we haven't got a huge amount of options," Crook said.

"I'd like to think he's a week or two away."

Joel Chianese will be sidelined again this week after sustaining a quad strain while fellow youngster Terry Antonis is still in doubt after suffering a concussion in Sydney's opening match against the Phoenix.

Jason Culina, meanwhile, is still a way from making his comeback after more than 18 months out of the game with a knee injury.

"We need to start getting youth team games into him as well before we can have a serious look at him in regards to first grade," Crook said.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted October 15, 2012 17:05:18

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Schwarzer urges Socceroos to 'wake up'

Updated October 16, 2012 06:44:20

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is expecting Australia to lift significantly for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Doha.

Australia must beat Iraq to stay within reach of automatic qualification for the 2014 showpiece in Brazil.

Schwarzer says the Socceroos will rebound from their previous qualifier loss to Jordan.

"A very big reaction [is needed]," he said.

"We talked about it at the beginning of the week and also at various points throughout the week about how important it is, particularly the older players, the more experienced players to step up and not only lift their own performances but also demand it from the other players as well."

Schwarzer has called on his team-mates to 'wake up to themselves' after a disappointing start to the qualifying campaign, saying he was disgusted with the 2-1 loss to Jordan in September.

"Obviously I wasn't happy and I made sure that everyone was aware of that," Schwarzer said.

"They shouldn't be happy with anything that went on in that game and we need to do a lot better.

"We need to take a hard look at ourselves, otherwise we're going to be looking at the exit."

Midfielder Matt McKay says players are feeling the pressure ahead of the Iraq clash and that they recognise the significance of the match.

"Obviously with the opening games that we've had so far in this group, the build up, the pressure on this game - it's a massive fixture for all of us and we all know that," he said.

"We need to get three points out of it really to push our campaign back on track."

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, qatar, iraq, australia

First posted October 15, 2012 11:52:20

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Liverpool to stay at re-developed Anfield

Updated October 16, 2012 06:57:52

Liverpool has announced it is staying at Anfield instead of moving to a new ground, after city authorities announced plans to regenerate the area around its historic home.

The club's managing director Ian Ayre described the move as a "major step forward" for both Liverpool and local residents, after years of wrangling about whether they should move from the stadium that has been their home since 1892.

And he insisted a multi-million redevelopment of Anfield will enhance the club's transfer market spending power and not diminish it.

Redevelopment of the Main Stand and Anfield Road end is likely to cost an estimated 150million pounds and while nothing has been forthcoming as yet on how this money will be procured Ayre said it would not impact on football matters.

"As we've said, the right solution is the right economic solution," Ayre told liverpoolfc.com.

"More so from it detracting from our spending in the transfer market, the whole point of doing this is to actually increase our revenues.

"If we look at our biggest competitors with a bigger capacity, like Manchester United, Arsenal, their matchday revenues are significantly ahead of ours.

"This whole initiative is designed to generate additional revenues so the ultimate solution has to be one that increases the overall output through the process rather than decreasing it.

"We'll find the right financing solution, the right return on investment to deliver the right amount of additional revenue to support the long-term future of the football club."

Match-day revenues will be significantly increased by bigger crowds and the financial reality was that it could be achieved more cheaply on the current site - Liverpool's home since 1892.

Remaining at Anfield and not building a new ground, costing upwards of 300 million ounds, was always the owners preferred option.

Club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has a history of updating historic old stadiums as it did a similar thing at Fenway Park, home to baseball's Boston Red Sox, and will now look to do the same on Merseyside.

Redevelopment, made possible by the regeneration plans to clear some streets close to the ground, is subject to planning permission and the support of homeowners and the community - which means plans for a new-build stadium cannot be conclusively consigned to the wastebin until those have been secured.

But planning applications to raise capacity to 60,000 are likely to be submitted next year with building potentially beginning in 2014.

The club's decision to stay put followed an announcement by Liverpool City Council that they had secured a 25-million-pound grant to transform the Anfield area in the city in northwest England, with further investment likely from a public housing association.

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted October 16, 2012 06:57:52

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McBreen goal downs Glory

Updated October 14, 2012 23:42:56

The Central Coast secured some semblance of revenge for last season's heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Perth by beating the Glory 1-0 in a closely contested match in Gosford on Sunday.

Last season's minor premiers, who opened their season with a 0-0 draw against Western Sydney last week, looked like remaining winless and goalless until Daniel McBreen scored his 70th minute goal to snatch victory for the hosts.

The Mariners lost last season's controversial preliminary final in April after Glory striker Shane Smeltz, who on Sunday was on national duty with New Zealand, scored the equaliser from an offside position before Perth went on to book its grand final berth on penalties.

But it was the Mariners, wearing pink kits in support of the cancer charity event Pink Ribbon Day, who went home victors on Sunday in front of 9,192 cheering faithful.

Two yellow cards were shown in the first 25 minutes of what was a heated encounter.

Perth's Michael Thwaite earning the first for a foul on Mile Sterjovski, while Mariners fans thought their team may be awarded a penalty when Sterjovski was brought down on the edge the box by Jacob Burns.

Burns' foul created the first chance of the match midway through the opening half when Patrick Zwaanswijk stepped up to take the free-kick, forcing a diving save from Glory gloveman Daniel Vukovic.

Zwaanswijk however, earned the ire of the referee minutes later for tripping Travis Dodd getting the third yellow of the match.

The Mariners' Trent Sainsbury had the only other chance of the half with a shot from inside the box but fired his header just over the bar.

Both teams came back from the break looking to get on the scoresheet with Central Coast skipper John Hutchinson attempting to open the Mariners account.

Hutchinson however, made a potential game-changing error in the 69th minute when he gave the ball away to Dodd who was charging toward goal only to be denied by Sainsbury.

Sainsbury turned provider a minute later when he played a beautiful pass to McBreen who showed great skill to control the ball with his left foot before slotting it home with his right to give the hosts the 1-0 win.

Pedj Bojic could have put the game beyond doubt in the 78th minute when he had a clear shot at goal but misfired.

Glory sub Nick Ward almost made the Mariners pay for their profligacy when, after linking well with Billy Mehmet, he fired just wide of the near post.

Central Coast: 1 (McBreen 69')

Perth: 0

AAP/ABC

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, gosford-2250, perth-6000

First posted October 14, 2012 19:07:58

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Phoenix deny 10-man Heart

Updated October 14, 2012 17:36:40

Understrength, but never overwhelmed, Wellington Phoenix churned out a gritty 1-1 draw against 10-man Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Minus seven players and their coach on international duty and with a team sheet stacked with debutants and no-names, the Phoenix confounded predictions they would be hammered by the Heart.

But Wellington's cause was greatly enhanced by the Heart being reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Simon Colosimo was sent off for deliberately handballing a goalbound shot.

Trailing 1-0 at the time after the Heart had the better chances throughout the first half, Paul Ifill banged home the resulting penalty to level the scores.

Then they withstood the Heart, and created several more chances of their own, to ensure a deserved share of the points.

The Heart looked on track to add to their opening week win in the first half, taking a 20th minute lead through a superb Matt Thompson goal.

Full-back Aziz Behich won a ball deep in defence, ran 70 metres and crossed to midfielder Fred, who laid the ball back for Thompson to drive home.

But the Heart were made to pay for squandering several good chances when Colosimo illegally played goalkeeper to push Alex Smith's certain goal over the bar.

Colosimo's sending-off altered the game markedly.

The Phoenix - with Louis Fenton and Ifill prominent - then took command and stretched the Heart.

They came closest to a second when Ifill was put through on goal, but lofted a good chance over.

Then defender Michael Boxall turned Phoenix's hero, clearing a Dylan Macallister chance off the line with 13 minutes left - the Heart's best chance of a winner.

It was yet another addition to the perennial finalists' long history of confounding A-League expectations.

Both the Phoenix and Heart have a win and a draw from their opening two matches of the season.

Heart: 1 (Thompson 19')

Phoenix: 1 (Ifill 47')

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, melbourne-3000, new-zealand

First posted October 14, 2012 17:11:05

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Five-star Roar run rings around Victory

Updated October 13, 2012 23:10:15

A-League champions Brisbane made it a very unhappy return to Lang Park for former coach Ange Postecoglou, dishing out a 5-0 drubbing of the Victory on Saturday night.

In his first match against the team he mentored to two titles, Postecoglou watched on helplessly as the clinical Roar toyed with his under strength outfit.

Striker Besart Berisha scored a double while fellow stars Thomas Broich, Erik Paartalu and Mitch Nichols all found the back of the net, while the hosts wasted a plethora of other chances as they ran rings around a pedestrian Victory defence.

The triumph was Brisbane's first for the season after going down 1-0 to the Glory in the grand final rematch in Perth last week.

The 5-0 loss was the first in Victory's history and added salt to a early-season wound opened by rivals Heart on the opening day of the season.

Roar veteran Shane Steffanuto said the Roar's focus during the week was more internal than worrying about Postecoglou's return.

"We were a bit disappointed with last week against Perth," he told Grandstand.

"It was more about not worrying about other factors, it was about us.

"I think the boys worked really hard tonight and we got paid for it."

Steffanuto said he had some words with the Victory players after the game, after being a student of Postecoglou's.

"I said to their boys, 'you have to keep working at it. It doesn't come overnight'," Steffanuto said.

"We are a working progress and we are two-and-a-half-years in and they are just starting.

"They have to believe in what he is doing and I'm sure they will turn it around."

Brisbane brought the majority of the 17,364 crowd to their feet when it opened the scoring, with German maestro Broich capitalised on a clever Massimo Murdocca throw-in in the 22nd minute to find the back of the net.

And within a minute midfield general Paartalu made it 2-0 when his header met a Broich corner ahead of goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas.

The Victory were on the back foot in the second half when Berisha finished off an end-to-end effort sparked by a clever clearing kick by Roar keeper Michael Theo in the 64th minute.

The goals kept coming in the 82nd minute when more poor work by the Victory defence and Thomas allowed Nichols to knock in a cross.

The Roar sealed the record win over the Victory when Albanian international Berisha found the back of the net in stoppage time with another simple finish.

The Victory were always going to be vulnerable on Saturday without the likes of key players Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan (Socceroos) and Marco Rojas (All Whites) due to international duty.

"We were well aware of that and we wanted to exploit the areas where they were missing those weapons," Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca said.

"We did that fantastically well tonight and the scoreline showed that. We are very pleased with the performance."

Roar: 5 (B Berisha 64', 93', T Broich 22', E Paartalu 23', M Nichols 82')

Victory: 0

ABC/AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted October 13, 2012 21:53:10

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Rooney double helps England down San Marino

Updated October 13, 2012 10:02:12

Wayne Rooney capped a week to remember as the England skipper's double inspired his side to a 5-0 win over San Marino in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

With regular captain Steven Gerrard suspended, Rooney led England in a competitive international for the first time in the same week he learned wife Coleen was pregnant with the couple's second child and the Manchester United forward celebrated in style.

With Roy Hodgson's side labouring to break down one of Europe's weakest teams, Rooney came to the rescue as he lashed in a first-half penalty and then netted the decisive third after Danny Welbeck's strike.

The 26-year-old's 30th and 31st England goals moved him into fifth in his country's all-time scoring charts ahead of Alan Shearer, Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse.

Welbeck also finished with a brace as he added England's fourth before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed the victory with his first international goal.

"It's not a bad result when you remember that it's difficult when they have 10, 11 players behind the ball," Rooney said.

"I'm extremely proud to be in the top five of England's top scorers."

Hodgson added: "I thought we were very patient. We passed the ball well from the first minute to the last and played the way we wanted to.

"It would be churlish if one was to start criticising when we've won 5-0."

This was far from a vintage performance from England, but the size of the win was emphatic enough to keep the critics at bay, although Tuesday's (local time) trip to Poland will be a far sterner test.

San Marino, ranked joint 207th in the world rankings alongside Bhutan and the Turks and Caicos Islands, has only one full-time professional in its side and has won one match in its history.

With that woeful pedigree in mind, it was hardly surprising Hodgson opted to send out an attacking line-up that featured Rooney and Welbeck up front, with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott pushing forward on the flanks.

England had conceded a goal in 8.3 seconds when it last faced San Marino in 1993. There was never any chance of a repeat but the hosts took a while to break down opponents intent only on keeping the score down.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was quick to test Aldo Simoncini with a stinging long-range drive that the San Marino goalkeeper pushed over.

Simoncini was involved again moments later when he raced off his line and clattered into Walcott, leaving the pole-axed Arsenal winger with a chest injury that was serious enough for him to be taken to hospital for tests.

Rooney should have opened the scoring with a diving header from Tom Cleverley's cross but, at that stage, there was a lack of speed and imagination about England's passing.

Its luck was out when Michael Carrick's fierce drive cannoned off the crossbar and Welbeck could only hit a post from the rebound.

But Hodgson's team finally made the breakthrough in the 35th minute when Welbeck was needlessly brought down by Simoncini and Rooney smashed in the penalty to claim his first goal of the season for club or country.

There was slightly more energy about England now and Welbeck notched the second goal three minutes later.

Substitute Aaron Lennon crossed into the six-yard box and Welbeck twisted his body to direct a superb back-flick past Simoncini, reviving memories of his equally inspired strike against Sweden in Euro 2012.

Simoncini kept out Rooney's curling effort just before half-time and denied Carrick early in the second half.

Frustration was beginning to set in among the 84,000 crowd when Gary Cahill miscued a close-range volley.

But Rooney scored his second of the night with a fine curling effort from the edge of the area in the 70th minute and two minutes later Welbeck poked home from Cleverley's low cross.

San Marino were tiring now and Arsenal winger Oxlade-Chamberlain made it five with an impressive finish in the 77th minute.

AFP

Tags: soccer, sport, soccer-world-cup, england, united-kingdom

First posted October 13, 2012 09:33:37

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Heavyweights bare their teeth in Europe

Updated October 13, 2012 10:15:26

Defending titleholders Spain and a cluster of former champions have coasted to comfortable 2014 World Cup qualifying wins across Europe.

Spain overtook France at the top of Group I on goal difference on the back of its 4-0 rout of Belarus in Minsk, while, in Dublin, Germany inflicted a record 6-1 home defeat on an injury-ravaged Ireland.

Italy saw off spirited Armenia and 2018 World Cup hosts Russia added zest to its hopes of making it to Brazil with a 1-0 win over a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal in Moscow.

World and European champions Spain warmed up for its showdown with France on Tuesday (local time) in style, as Pedro Rodriguez fired a hat-trick in the emphatic victory.

"The players were relaxed from the beginning and played well together, with depth and recovered the ball well," Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque said.

The talent of the players did the rest. Amongst them, Pedro stood out."

Ruthless Germany maintained its grip on Group C, giving Ireland a night to forget at Lansdowne Road.

Ireland was playing under the title 'Irish Free State' when Spain won 5-0 in Dublin 71 years ago, but Germany gave Giovanni Trapattoni's men a lesson that will earn its own unfortunate place in the history books.

Despite missing a host of regulars Irish fans will be questioning the continued stewardship of Trapattoni, who insisted he could rebuild his side after the disappointment of their Euro 2012 misadventure where they lost all three matches.

The damage was done in Dublin by doubles from Marco Reus and Toni Kroos, with Mezut Ozil and Miroslav Klose adding to Ireland's misery.

Germany move on to a perfect nine points with Sweden three points back after a nervy 2-1 come-from-behind win in the Faroe Islands.

The Swedes had to dig deep to prevent a major upset in Torshavn against a team ranked a massive 131 rungs below them in FIFA's world rankings.

Rogvi Baldvinsson, who had a fleeting two-week spell with Bristol Rovers this year before cutting short his stay with the English League Two outfit, set Swedish nerves on edge in the 57th minute.

But Fulham winger Alex Kacaniklic levelled eight minutes later and Paris Saint Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic saved their blushes to bag victory with quarter of an hour to go.

Italy took outright possession of Group B after its win in Armenia with Bulgaria held to a 1-1 draw by Denmark.

Fabio Capello's Russia earned its first ever win over Portugal in the post-Soviet era courtesy of Alexander Kerzhakov's first-half goal in Moscow.

Russia, who agonisingly missed out on the 2010 finals on away goals to Slovenia in the play-offs, took sole possession at the top of Group F, with Portugal now placed second, three points behind.

The Netherlands top Group D on goal difference from Romania, 1-0 winners in Turkey, after its 3-0 defeat of Andorra.

Iceland moved to within one point of Group E leaders Switzerland, held 1-1 by Norway, courtesy of a 2-1 win over Albania, while there is a three-way traffic jam at the top of Group G with Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia all on seven points.

Belgium beat Serbia 3-0 to go joint top of Group A.

In the same section, Wales grabbed its first points of the campaign following a late dramatic 2-1 win over Scotland in Cardiff.

Only the nine group winners are assured of places in the finals in Brazil in 2014 with the eight best runners-up going into a play-off.

AFP

Tags: soccer-world-cup, soccer, sport, belarus

First posted October 13, 2012 09:59:59

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Jets grounded at home by Reds

Updated October 07, 2012 17:27:08

Emile Heskey's A-League debut ended in defeat as a travel-weary Adelaide scored an upset 2-0 win over Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.

Goals to Dario Vidosic and Iain Ramsay in either half secured the win in front of 14,868 fans, as the Reds defied a short turnaround from Wednesday night's Asian Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan.

Despite only arriving in Australia 10 days ago, former England international Heskey started the match and played 70 minutes.

And while he showed glimpses of his class, the 34-year-old appeared sluggish and in need of more match fitness as he struggled to make an impact.

The Jets finished with 10 men after goalkeeper Mark Birighitti was shown a red card midway through the second half for using his hands outside the box to deny another Vidosic attempt.

Newcastle had been heavily favoured to get off to a winning start, with the Reds having only four days to recover from a gruelling trip covering more than 11,000km.

But the home side was off to the worst possible start when some sloppy defending allowed Adelaide to take the lead after just 59 seconds.

Following some good lead-up work from Argentine import Jeronimo Nuemann, Vidosic shook off Jets defender Josh Mitchell with alarming ease and finished from close range.

The Jets enjoyed the better of possession and field position for much of the half as they chased an equaliser but lacked cohesion in the final third.

Heskey caused a few headaches for the Reds' defence but he drew his biggest cheer of the half for a late shot on goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic in the 40th minute.

The big striker's best opportunity to score came just after half-time but he produced a lethargic effort to barely get a header on Scott Neville's inviting cross.

The home side went down to 10 men in the 57th minute when referee Shaun Evans sent Birighitti off and Ben Kennedy took his place in between the sticks.

Heskey made way for James Virgili in the 70th minute and the substitute almost had an instant impact as he troubled Galekovic with a curling shot.

A fine Kennedy save kept the Jets' hopes alive but Adelaide secured the three competition points when Vidosic set up Ramsay for a simple tap-in in the 75th minute.

Adelaide United: 2 (D Vidosic 1', I Ramsay 74')

Newcastle: 0

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, newcastle-2300, nsw, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted October 07, 2012 17:07:06

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Mehmet gets Glory past Roar

Updated October 08, 2012 11:36:17

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson insists his team is yet to taste grand final revenge despite recording a 1-0 victory over defending A-League premiers Brisbane Roar at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The Glory were left heartbroken in last season's decider when Roar striker Besart Berisha was awarded a controversial penalty at the death which allowed him to score the winning goal.

Brisbane had 168 days to savour that 2-1 win before fronting up against Perth again.

But it was the Roar who had to endure some late pain this time around, with substitute Glory striker Billy Mehmet heading home in the 88th minute to give Perth the perfect start to the season.

Mehmet, who replaced Shane Smeltz in the 84th minute, described the win as "payback" for the grand final heartbreak, but Ferguson was more measured in his assessment.

"People are going to talk about revenge, but revenge is when you've got the cup in your hand. This was three points today," Ferguson said.

Berisha was enemy number one throughout the match as a heaving pro-Glory crowd of 14,085 gave the 27-year-old the most hostile of receptions.

The Perth fans spared no expense in venting their fury over Berisha's grand final dive, with one support group organising a pre-match fly-over bearing the message: "Diving classes call 1300 Go Roar".

Tempers threatened to boil over in the 34th minute when Liam Miller put his knees into the back of Berisha after the Roar striker fell to the turf in a tackle.

Miller was shown a yellow card for the incident, but Berisha also found himself in the book on the stroke off halftime when he was involved in an altercation with Glory defender Dean Heffernan.

Ferguson was pleased with how his players dealt with the emotion surrounding Berisha.

"I made that clear that we wanted everyone staying on the park and no silly bookings," Ferguson said.

"I was delighted with how they handled that today."

Roar coach Rado Vidosic, who took over the reins of Brisbane for the first time following Ange Postecoglou's defection to Melbourne Victory, felt Berisha handled the extra attention well.

"I think he played very good. Unfortunately he just couldn't get in a better situation to score a goal," Vidosic said.

Brisbane had a chance to equalise in the dying minutes, but Ben Halloran's strike cannoned into the post.

Vidosic remains good friends with Postecoglou, but the pair are likely to keep contact to a minimum ahead of Saturday's clash between the Roar and Victory at Lang Park.

Perth Glory: 1 (B Mehmet 88')

Brisbane Roar: 0

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, perth-6000, wa, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 07, 2012 19:15:52

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Young Socceroos ready to stand up

Updated October 12, 2012 13:48:08

Holger Osieck has asked for more from his seasoned campaigners, but it is the Socceroos' young guns who are ready to step up against Iraq in Wednesday's (AEDT) World Cup qualifier.

When announcing his squad to face Iraq, coach Osieck said he expected his senior players to provide guidance for the group in the lead up to, and throughout, Wednesday's crucial fixture.

However, with a handful of in-form emerging talents joining the likes of Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer in Doha, Osieck could be tempted to turn to Australia's generation next for inspiration.

In the likes of James Holland (23), Ryan McGowan (23), Tommy Oar (20) and Adam Sarota (23), Osieck has four relatively untried talents playing regularly in top European leagues to call upon.

"For us it's just important to show the coach, the boss, that we are here and that we are ready," said Holland, a cornerstone contributor with heavyweight Austrian club Austria Vienna.

"We can only do that by training well and showing him that we're confident enough and I suppose we've got to get the runs on the board.

"It's important for us to show that every day on the training field and whether the boss decides to give us a chance or not, that's just up to him and we just have to be ready."

Refreshingly, Holland is just one of many young Australian talents making a noteworthy impression abroad of late.

Robbie Kruse (24) is a regular in Germany's Bundesliga with Fortuna Dusseldorf, while defender McGowan has not missed a game for Hearts in Scotland's Premier League.

In the Netherlands, former Brisbane Roar attacker Oar has worked his way into the starting side at FC Utrecht, where fellow Queenslander Sarota has been starring since the opening day of the season.

"If that happens (game time against Iraq), it would be fantastic but I guess, I've just got to train well here, like I did in Utrecht and, if I do get a chance, hopefully do well," said Sarota.

"I'm not putting too much pressure on myself to come to the Socceroos camp and all of a sudden start playing and this and that, I'd love to, but at the end of the day it's up to Holger and I've got to respect his decision."

AAP

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, qatar, iraq, australia

First posted October 12, 2012 13:48:08

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Socceroos focussed on tough Iraq clash

Updated October 11, 2012 10:14:09

Recent history with Iraq ensures the Socceroos are on high alert as they look to give their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign a badly-needed boost.

Australia head into Wednesday's (AEDT) qualifier in Doha knowing a loss to the Iraqis could put their quest to reach a third successive World Cup in Brazil in serious jeopardy following last month's shock loss to Jordan.

Coach Holger Osieck's men are favourites to claim three points at the neutral venue in Qatar but they are keenly aware it will not be easy against an Iraq side which has proved stubborn opposition for Australia in recent years.

At senior and restricted age level, Australia are yet to defeat Iraq in regulation time in matches played away from home.

The Socceroos did win their last clash at the 2011 Asian Cup but only after a Harry Kewell goal deep into extra time after the regular period finished scoreless.

The sides split their four clashes prior to that with Iraq prevailing in matches in 2007 and 2008 and Australia winning home games in 2005 and 2008 by a single goal.

"I can't remember an easy game against Iraq," said Socceroos midfielder Carl Valeri, whose first encounter with Iraq with the under-23 Olyroos resulted in a 1-0 loss at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

"I can't remember an easy game in Asia in general but Iraq are definitely one of the toughest opponents we've come across."

While the Socceroos have been in camp in Doha for several days, Iraq will not touch down at the Qatari capital until Friday.

Their 30-man squad is in Sweden preparing with a glamour friendly against 2014 hosts Brazil on Friday morning (AEDT).

Iraq's game against the five-time world champions will boost the match sharpness of an ageing line-up that still boasts some of the country's most celebrated football talents.

Goalkeeper Noor Sabri, defender Bassim Abbas, midfielders Nashat Akram and Qusay Munir and striker Younis Mahmoud - collectively the spine of the Iraqi line-up - can count close to a staggering 500 international caps between them.

"They're a very difficult team and they have a lot of games together as a unit," said midfielder Mile Jedinak, who started in the Asian Cup triumph over Iraq last year.

"They're almost like a club team in a sense because they have so many caps together, the majority of them.

"We know we did it last time, in a tough game in the Asian Cup.

"I think we deservedly won that game and hopefully more of the same will come next Tuesday."

The Socceroos are third in their five-team qualification group with five matches still to play.

The top two qualify directly for the Brazil showpiece event - though Japan already look on track for top spot - with the third-placed team needing to win two sudden-death play-offs.

Valeri said the mood within camp in Doha reflected Australia's situation.

"We're all pretty focused. It's not so much about catching up (with each other) this time," Valeri said.

"We always like to have a laugh but this time it's more serious.

"We know what's at stake here."

AAP

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, qatar, iraq, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 10:14:09

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Culina looks to resurrect career with Sydney FC

Updated October 12, 2012 10:50:41

Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina has signed with A-League side Sydney FC, ending months of speculation about the 32-year-old's future.

The former Gold Coast United and Newcastle Jets midfielder has not played since the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar due to a serious knee injury.

"It's absolutely brilliant to be back," Culina said in a statement.

"It's something that kept me awake at night, thinking about playing again so I'm really happy and grateful to have the opportunity to continue my career so close to home with a club like Sydney FC.

"There were times I thought I wanted to give up but I knew that if I put in the effort and commitment I could get back so I never gave up on the desire to play again.

"I've had to put in a lot of hard work and some days it has been hard but I'd like to sincerely thank [Sydney FC physio] Stan Ivancic and the Sydney FC medical staff for what they did in helping me with my rehab at what was a tough time.

"Without them I wouldn't be where I am at the moment."

Culina, who has featured 58 times for the Socceroos, played for two seasons on the Gold Coast before his move to Newcastle, which was spent largely on the sidelines because of his knee complaint.

He lodged a $1.6 million claim against the FFA after it was revealed he had not been insured.

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted October 12, 2012 10:48:38

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Perry set for two-sport weekends

Updated October 10, 2012 18:08:33

Dual sporting international Ellyse Perry is preparing for a hectic mix-and-match summer which is likely to see her play both football and cricket on the same weekend.

Perry returned from Sri Lanka on Tuesday morning following Australia's four-run win over England in Sunday's World T20 cricket final and was due to resume training with her W-League club Sydney FC on Wednesday afternoon.

Sydney - which on Wednesday announced Matildas star Kyah Simon as its captain - expects to have Perry available for all but two of its 12 W-League regular season games.

The domestic T20 and one-day competitions - like the W-League - are conducted between October and January, inevitably causing fixture clashes with Perry's cricket team, New South Wales Breakers, and her new soccer team.

Asked if Perry could play both sports on the same weekend, Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic said "that's a possibility".

"They (Breakers) tend to have a triple-header, they tend to play Friday, Saturday, Sunday, so it will just depend on which is the bigger game.

"But we've already mapped it out and she will be available for ten out of the 12 games at the moment.

"That's a pretty good scenario, any player can miss one or two games for any reason.

"She's committed to that and if anything else happens, we'll just play it by ear."

Perry had effectively been forced out of her former W-League team Canberra, club officials telling her she had to choose between the two sports because she could not always commit to soccer.

Several months later she came to a deal with Sydney FC, which allowed her to continue to play cricket as well.

Perry - who will play at either right or left back - and skipper Simon will be among eight Matildas in Sydney's W-League squad.

One of Sydney's other major recruits is 19-year-old Matildas forward Sam Kerr.

"I'd been in Perth for a while and I just wanted a new challenge and I thought Sydney was the place to do it," said Kerr, who has recently returned form an ACL injury.

New Zealand internationals Emma Kete, Hannah Bromley and Annalie Longo have been added to the squad, which lost some players to the new Western Sydney Wanderers.

With 12 teenagers in his squad of 20, Stajcic said his emphasis was on performances ahead of results.

He expected 2011-12 grand finalists Brisbane and Canberra would be up there again and said Perth had improved and Western Sydney would be strong.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted October 10, 2012 17:59:34

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Cole admits FA charge over Twitter insult

Updated October 12, 2012 10:23:51

England defender Ashley Cole has admitted a misconduct charge from the English Football Association (FA) for an insulting comment he made on Twitter, the governing body said on Friday morning (AEDT).

"Ashley Cole has admitted an FA charge in relation to a Twitter comment which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute," read a statement on the FA website.

"Cole has requested a non-personal hearing, the date of which has yet to be set."

The Chelsea defender was charged by the FA following his offensive tweet after the governing body's independent commission had queried what they described as his "evolving" evidence in the John Terry racial abuse verdict.

Terry was found guilty of racially insulting Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand and banned for four matches. Cole gave evidence on his Chelsea team mate's behalf.

Cole, who has played 98 times for England, apologised personally to FA chairman David Bernstein for the insult and deleted the tweet a few hours after it was posted last Friday.

Reuters

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted October 12, 2012 08:54:41

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Roar comments were distasteful: Postecoglou

Updated October 12, 2012 08:26:34

Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou has described comments by some of his former Brisbane players before Saturday night's A-League showdown as distasteful and disrespectful.

The day after controversial Roar striker Besart Berisha declared his former coach was in his sights, star team-mate Thomas Broich said the club's new coach Rado Vidosic was the "brain" behind their two A-League titles under Postecoglou and would make Brisbane a "better team".

"I was actually looking forward to the trip (to Brisbane) but to be honest I've found the whole week a little bit distasteful from my point of view," Postecoglou said on Thursday night.

"I think it's been a little bit disrespectful.

"For two-and-a-half years I worked pretty hard up there with the players and the club.

"I never came out and said I was totally responsible for that (two titles).

"But certainly through the tough times, and there were plenty of tough times at the Roar, I was the person front and centre taking responsibility for all that.

"I was a little bit surprised by the comments coming out of the club."

Tactics Room: Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory

Postecoglou arrived at Brisbane in October 2009 when the club was on its knees.

When he left earlier this year they had won back-to-back A-League titles and been hailed one of the great sides in the league's history.

Under Postecoglou they set an amazing unbeaten streak of 36 games and they also went on the club's worst losing streak before recovering to beat Perth 2-1 in the grand final.

"I've got some fantastic memories from my time with the Roar. The supporters were great to me, the whole club was great," Postecoglou said.

"I thought I had great relations with the players but I guess times change, things evolve and people move on and I guess I need to as well."

Postecoglou, who has set about rebuilding the Victory, said his former club remained the benchmark of the A-League.

"We've got some work to do to get up to that level but it will be a good test for us," he said.

"Hopefully they will get a big crowd, which by all reports they will and it will be a cracking game for everyone."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 12, 2012 08:21:20

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Rado 'the brain' behind Roar success

Updated October 11, 2012 10:17:47

German star Thomas Broich has warned former Roar coach Ange Postecoglou to expect a "few surprises" when he returns to Brisbane with his Melbourne Victory team on Saturday night.

And Broich, last season's A-League Johnny Warren Medal winner, backed Postecoglou's Roar replacement, former assistant Rado Vidosic, describing him as "the brains" behind Brisbane's title successes.

"Rado is very analytical," Broich said on Wednesday.

"He's always been ... you could call him the brain behind our success, and now he's in charge and obviously it's different."

Blessed with wonderful footwork and exceptional vision, Broich was a key player in Postecoglou's two A-League titles with Brisbane and he is now ready to prove a thorn in his former mentor's side.

"Ange might know what our strengths are but we're still a pretty decent team and we've got a way to break their defence down," Broich said.

Asked if the Roar may have a few surprises for their old coach, Broich said: "Of course."

"Rado is working on it and we've practiced already and we'll have a game plan, that's for sure."

The 30-year-old midfield architect said Postecoglou's knowledge of the Roar playing group would not rattle him or his team-mates.

"It's got nothing to do with Ange, they (Victory) lost their first game and we lost ours which adds a lot of pressure," Broich added.

"Neither team can change things over night."

The German dismissed last weekend's first-up 1-0 loss to Perth to a late header.

"It's not the end of the world. Our performance was pretty average but it's just round one and the season is a marathon, not a sprint," he said.

"It's round one, let's relax and see what happens."

However he did concede Brisbane was disappointing up front and would need to do a lot better on Saturday night in its first home appearance.

"One of our strengths is our attack and we were lacking creativity in the front third (against Perth) and we really need to be better," he said.

"Defensively we are better than last year.

"We've changed our style slightly (under Rado) and we need a little bit of time to get used to that.

"You could compare it to a golfer or tennis player when they change their technique, it doesn't happen overnight.

"In the end, we'll get there, we'll be a strong team, there's nothing to worry about."

AAP

Tags: a-league, sport, soccer, brisbane-4000, melbourne-3000

First posted October 10, 2012 12:55:40

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Sky Blues told to embrace Del Piero hype

Updated October 12, 2012 14:29:26

Sydney FC are determined to embrace the hype - not buckle under it - when Alessandro Del Piero makes his home debut against Emile Heskey's Newcastle Jets in Saturday's encounter.

Sydney is expecting a record regular season crowd of over 30,000 for the most eagerly-anticipated fixture at Sydney Football Stadium this season.

But with it comes added pressure to produce quality football - and a win - to keep notoriously fickle Sydney spectators coming back, especially after their disappointing season-opening loss in Wellington.

Coach Ian Crook wants his players to relish the opportunity and occasion.

"It will be a great atmosphere here on Saturday with Alessandro's first home game," Crook said.

"There's been a lot of hype around that and I think it's something we should just embrace and enjoy because it's not too often that we've ever been able to get close to a full house.

"There's always pressure to win here (at home).

"There'll be expectation every week, not just this week.

"There will be a big crowd and that's what we're in the game for.

"I'd rather be playing in front of 30,000 with some expectations on us instead of 3,000 with no expectations."

Skipper Terry McFlynn said his team-mates were welcoming the extra attention from the media since Del Piero's arrival.

McFlynn also said the Italian star was not losing his patience after Sydney's poor start to the season.

"He is a fantastic professional. You don't reach the levels that he has if you get angry and sulk," McFlynn said.

"We've all sat down as a group, we've used Alessandro's experience, the wealth of it that it is, and put right some of the wrongdoings from last week."

Del Piero looks set to play the full 90 minutes after going the distance in Wellington and in an Australian football first, his every move will be followed by a special Fox Sports 'hero-cam' which will enable TV viewers to track him for the entire match.

Crook admits he was surprised by the 37-year-old former Juventus and Italy legend's stamina in Wellington with no preseason warm-up clashes under his belt.

"If you would have asked me last week I would have said 'no way would he play 90 minutes'," Crook said.

"So I think we'll just keep watching him and assessing him through the game.

"Last week every five or ten minutes in that second half we called out to him and he said 'no I'm fine' so we'll do the same this week."

Young forward Terry Antonis has been ruled out after suffering a concussion in the 2-0 loss to the Phoenix with fellow young guns Dimitri Petratos or Hagi Gligor likely to take his place.

Sydney will also be missing striker Yairo Yau, who is playing in a World Cup qualifier for Panama.

Crook confirmed he is hoping former Socceroos star Jason Culina will be able to join the Sky Blues.

Culina, who is on the comeback trail from a career-threatening knee injury, has been training with Sydney FC.

"Jason has been training with us since day one, since we spoke about helping him with his rehab," Crook said.

"When Jason feels he is ready, we'll sit down and have a chat and decide which way to go.

"We'd love him to be part of this club if and when he feels he's right."

ABC/AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, australia, nsw, newcastle-2300

First posted October 11, 2012 16:41:56

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Chelsea's Cole charged over Twitter comments

Updated October 09, 2012 09:27:01

Ashley Cole was hit with a Football Association misconduct charge on Monday after the Chelsea star's foul-mouthed Twitter rant at the English game's governing body.

Cole called the FA a "bunch of twats" after having his evidence questioned by the organisation's disciplinary commission conducting an investigation into claims that his Chelsea team-mate John Terry racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

The England left-back later deleted the tweet but only after it was re-tweeted more than 19,000 times, and then made a full apology.

But that did not stop the FA taking action, in addition to disciplinary proceedings already taken by his club.

A statement on the FA's website said: "Chelsea FC's Ashley Cole has been charged by The FA in relation to a Twitter comment which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute."

Cole, who is in England's squad for Friday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino at Wembley, has until 1am on Friday (AEDT) to respond to the charge.

Despite Cole's evidence in support of Terry, the defender was banned for four matches and fined $345,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand.

Cole had said he thought Ferdinand may have used the word 'black' during the verbal exchange with Terry, which supported his team-mate's version of the incident.

But according to the FA commission, Cole did not mention the word 'black' in the initial interview with the FA on October 28 last year and the written summary of the case suggested the left-back's evidence "evolved" over time to suit Terry's defence.

Some pundits, including former England striker Alan Shearer, have called for the 31-year-old to be banned from the San Marino game and next week's trip to Poland as punishment for his tweet.

Shearer told the BBC: "I think the FA can put a big statement out here by not fining him but actually banning him on Friday against San Marino."

However, Cole has spoken to England coach Roy Hodgson, who was reportedly keen to ensure the player didn't retire from international duty in response to the controversy, and met up with the England squad at the FA's new national football centre, St George's Park

It is understood that if he is left out of the San Marino match it will be a case of Hodgson resting players against the Group H minnows rather than any statement relating to the controversy that erupted on Friday.

Cole, who has 98 England caps to his name and could reach the century mark against Poland, will also be part of the England squad that assemble at St George's Park for the official opening on Tuesday by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo had confirmed on Sunday (AEDT) that the former Arsenal star would be punished by his club.

"We've got a social media policy at the club and there's going to be a disciplinary process - action - against the tweet and that's how I'll leave it," Di Matteo said.

"The image of the club is very important to us of course. We have rules, and anybody who breaks the rules faces disciplinary action against them."

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom

First posted October 09, 2012 09:27:01

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Sky Blues intent on supplying Del Piero

Updated October 08, 2012 18:40:39

Sydney FC coach Ian Crook has challenged his players to provide better service to Alessandro Del Piero when the Sky Blues play Newcastle on Saturday.

The Italian striker worked tirelessly attempting to spark a flat Sky Blues outfit in his A-League debut, as Crook's team fell 2-0 to the Phoenix in Wellington last Saturday night.

Del Piero did not train with the squad on Monday, with the 37-year-old spending time on a exercise bike before taking a stroll around Sydney's training complex at Macquarie University and making his way to the dressing rooms.

"He obviously was tight and with the flight and everything so with him and Emmo (Brett Emerton) today we thought the best thing was for them just to do a light recovery," Crook said.

A big crowd is expected at Sydney Football Stadium for the Jets' clash, with Del Piero playing his first home match of the season.

And the fans will want to see goals, especially something from the former Italy international.

But Crook says even players of Del Piero's calibre need some assistance to find the back of the net and he is confident the Sky Blues have the men for the job.

"All good players need good service too. Especially players in the front third," Crook said.

"We've got the players to provide it. Things just didn't work out for us on the weekend."

Crook says it was not all about Del Piero just plonking himself in front of goal and expecting his team-mates to deliver the ball on a platter.

"He's never really played just in the box. We feel that we need to have some rotation in there. If he comes short, somebody else goes long and that type of thing," he said.

Crook has no concerns that Del Piero may burn himself out this year if he continues to back-track and work the way he did against the Phoenix.

"He just felt he needed to drop back on the weekend because we weren't getting enough quality to him," he said.

"He had two opportunities at goal in a poor performance from the team. If he can do that in a poor performance then I think that's a good sign. If we perform well, you'll see more chances from him."

The Sky Blues are expected to be without midfielder Terry Antonis, who suffered concussion against Wellington.

The Jets, who boast former England international striker Emile Heskey, also made an underwhelming start to their season when they fell 2-0 to Adelaide at home on Sunday.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted October 08, 2012 18:40:39

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Del Piero: Best is some way off

Updated October 08, 2012 14:05:36

Alessandro Del Piero has suggested it may take a quarter of the A-League season before he shows his best form for Sydney FC.

The 37-year-old Juventus legend drifted in and out of the Blues' opening weekend 2-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix, though still illustrated the delicate touch and vision which made him a key man for the Bianconeri for nearly two decades.

The 2006 World Cup winner warned he is unlikely to be at his best until some way into the 26-game home-and-away season as his preparation has been far short of what he is used to.

"The last season and the season before (at Juventus), we would do seven or eight training matches before the start of the season and I would play 60 or 70 minutes in those games," Del Piero said.

"I haven't this time, so it's quite different.

"I'll need to play those matches."

Del Piero received little service from his team-mates but said this was more due to unfamiliarity than lacking the quality to get the best out of him.

"I am from somewhere else and we play together for the first time," Del Piero said.

"This is a fact. This is a problem, we have to do more work and we have to improve soon.

"We have to think not for the result but to what we have in mind for the whole year."

ABC/AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, sydney-2000

First posted October 08, 2012 14:00:10

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Reds take points against Wanderers

Updated October 12, 2012 22:19:42

Adelaide United maintained its unbeaten start with a 1-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Reds made it two wins from as many starts with a second-half goal coming the way of Argentine off-season signing Jeronimo Neumann.

Neumann found the back of the net in the 69th minute to deliver the Reds the three competition points and consign the Wanderers to their maiden loss in the A-League.

The Wanderers drew 0-0 with Central Coast Mariners in their debut match last weekend at Parramatta Stadium.

The Reds' Iain Ramsay praised the cohesion of the Wanderers, having been brought together in such a short space of time.

"I think later on in the A-League campaign they will get better and better," he told Grandstand.

"You can see they are a tight-knit unit. Credit to the whole coaching staff of Western Sydney on how they have put together a team in such a short time."

Ramsay also feels the Reds will only improve on their undefeated start to the season.

"There is a lot of depth in our squad now, a lot of quality in our squad," he said.

"Everyone is fighting for their places, week in week out, and it is only going to benefit the squad."

Neumann missed a contentious penalty prior to making amends with deft finish to score the only goal of the match.

He was played into space by a shrewd Iain Ramsay pass and he closed on goal as Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic made a make-or-break dash towards him.

Neumann coolly placed a left-footer past the approaching Covic and it trickled into the net to delight the 8,950 spectators.

A minute earlier, Neumann failed to convert a penalty after Reds winger Fabian Ferreira went to ground, having jostled with Wanderers defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

While the penalty call appeared harsh, Neumann pushed his spot kick too close to Covic, who made a relatively comfortable save diving to his left.

The minute of action came after an opening half punctuated by skill errors and turnovers, with Poljak's near-miss in the 32nd minute a rare highlight.

Poljak launched a speculative 30-metre shot which caught Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic off guard.

The Reds captain parried with one glove and the ball bounced into a side bar.

The Wanderers also had a late chance to equalise when Labinot Haliti found space in the box in the 88th minute, but his well-connected header was cut off by Galekovic.

Adelaide United: 1 (Neumann 69")

Western Sydney Wanderers: 0

AAP/ABC

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, adelaide-5000

First posted October 12, 2012 21:29:50

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Wanderers praise Ono's professionalism

Updated October 11, 2012 09:14:28

Western Sydney's new recruit Shinji Ono has hit the ground running at his new A-League club with his team-mates praising the Japanese star's professionalism.

Ono came on as a 59th-minute substitute for former Newcastle forward Labinot Haliti in the Wanderers' debut match against minor premiers the Central Coast at Parramatta Stadium last Saturday.

He had only been in the country for five days before the match - which ended 0-0 - but displayed flashes of quality and had a visible impact on the game including a shot on goal.

Wanderers striker Mark Bridge, who had chances of his own in the entertaining stalemate, said Ono is only going to get better.

"It was hard for him last week, he only arrived on the Monday," Bridge said on Wednesday.

"I think he looked really good on Saturday night for only having been here a week and not training much.

"But he's a massive player and a massive professional, so I'm sure he'll have a big year."

The Wanderers travel to Adelaide for their first game on the road on Friday and coach Tony Popovic may decide to change his lineup to accommodate Ono.

The former Asian Player of the Year will have the benefit of another full week of training and could play a vital playmaking role.

Local western Sydney product Aaron Mooy, an attacking midfielder who returned from a stint in Scotland to be one of the Wanderers' inaugural signings, says Ono is already fitting in well with his new team-mates.

Mooy said the squad was learning from Ono's routine.

"Just the little things he does for example before training - the way he stretches, everything is professional about him," Mooy said.

"It's good for all the boys to see that and be around someone like that.

"He's looking really good in training. He's a great player.

"He's having a joke around with the boys too now so that's good."

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, parramatta-2150, nsw, australia

First posted October 11, 2012 09:05:44

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Honours even between Messi and Ronaldo

Updated October 08, 2012 13:32:24

Real Madrid came away with a point but failed to secure the victory they needed to trim the gap to leaders Barcelona when the outstanding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo each struck twice in an attritional 2-2 draw in La Liga on Monday (AEDT).

A stuttering start by Jose Mourinho's Real side had left them eight points behind their great rivals after six matches, threatening to derail their title defence before it had even got off the ground.

While they will take comfort from preventing Barca making it seven wins out of seven this term, they may feel they let slip an opportunity in the opening league 'Clasico' of the campaign after Ronaldo gave them a deserved 23rd-minute lead in front of almost 100,000 fans packed into an electric Nou Camp arena.

With millions more around the world watching the heavyweight clash, Messi levelled eight minutes later after a defensive lapse by Pepe and the Argentine World Player of the Year curled in a stunning free kick just after the hour to make it 2-1.

Real were level within five minutes when Mesut Ozil slid the ball through to Ronaldo and the Portuguese forward beat Victor Valdes for a second time with a powerful low strike.

Barca twice came close to a winner in a frenetic finale when substitute Martin Montoya crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar in the 89th minute and Pedro dashed on to an Andres Iniesta pass in stoppage time only to fire wastefully wide.

"We were superior at times but it was a very even game," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets said in an interview with Spanish television.

"Everything is the way it was but with one match less."

Barca have 19 points from seven games, leading la Liga on goal difference from Atletico Madrid, who beat third-placed Malaga thanks to a last-minute own goal.

Real, who have already lost twice, the same number of defeats as they suffered in the whole of last season, are fifth on 11 points.

With the world's two richest teams meeting in probably the biggest fixture in international club soccer, Messi and Ronaldo continued their personal goal-scoring duel on a balmy night in the Catalan capital.

Ronaldo's goals made him the first player to score in six 'Clasicos' in a row, while Messi's 16th and 17th strikes in Real-Barca matches put him one short of the leading marksman in the fixture, Real great Alfredo Di Stefano.

Ronaldo's first of the night came when Karim Benzema played him through on the left of the area and he struck a powerful low shot just inside Valdes's post.

Pepe collapsed in a heap in the area allowing Messi to volley in the equaliser before last year's La Liga top scorer thrilled the home support with a spectacular 30-metre effort that left Spain keeper Casillas flapping at thin air.

Ronaldo then netted his 10th 'Clasico' goal when he raced on to Ozil's fine through ball and scored with another powerfully-struck low shot.

"The result is perfectly suited to the match, which was very good and which the whole world enjoyed, just like myself and the players from both teams," Mourinho told a news conference.

"I prefer to focus on that because it's the true reflection of the game, well contested and without knowing until the last moment who was going to win.

"The league is how it was, my team pleased me a great deal and the world is happy."

Reuters

Tags: sport, soccer, spain, spain

First posted October 08, 2012 08:32:34

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Man United crush Newcastle, Liverpool held

Updated October 08, 2012 13:32:24

Manchester United surged into second place in the Premier League with a 3-0 demolition of Newcastle, while Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers suffered another Anfield nightmare as his struggling side were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke on Monday (AEDT).

Sir Alex Ferguson's team closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to four points thanks to first half goals from Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra before Tom Cleverley struck with a superb strike after the break.

United, who are above third placed Manchester City on goal difference, have lost twice already in the league this season and, with Chelsea winning on Saturday, they could ill-afford another set-back at St James' Park, where they were beaten 3-0 last season.

Newcastle never had a chance of emulating that result as United, playing some of their best football of the season, raced into a two-goal lead within 15 minutes.

Evans struck first with a powerful header from Wayne Rooney's corner in the eighth minute and French left-back Evra nodded home from another Rooney corner seven minutes later.

Newcastle were denied a goal when Demba Ba's effort was kept out by United goalkeeper David de Gea despite claims it crossed the line.

And United midfielder Cleverley ended any hopes of a Newcastle comeback when he curled a brilliant shot into the top corner in the 71st minute.

"They (United's players) were focused today. It's not easy coming to Newcastle - they're a big, aggressive team. I'm pleased with the result and pleased with the performance," Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has yet to oversee a Premier League home win in four attempts since taking charge of Liverpool in the close-season and the Reds' barren run in front of their own supporters has now stretched to six matches in all competitions.

The hosts hit the woodwork three times, but Liverpool were unable to break down Stoke's stubborn defence and Rodgers' side remain in 14th place after just one win in their first seven league matches.

Liverpool, whose only home success under Rodgers came in the Europa League against Gomel of Belarus, are already eight points off the top four and more worryingly for their manager, they lie only three points above the relegation zone.

"I thought the performance was excellent," Rodgers said. "Stoke are a difficult team to play against.

"There were a number of young players in the team and we handled it physically. We just needed the final touch in the box to round up some good play."

At White Hart Lane, Tottenham secured their third successive league win, goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon giving the hosts a 2-0 success against struggling Aston Villa.

After a slow start under new boss Andre Villas-Boas, Spurs have climbed to fifth place and they were always in control against struggling Villa, who slip to 16th position.

Villas-Boas, who ended American goalkeeper Brad Friedel's run of 310 consecutive Premier League starts by selecting recent signing Hugo Lloris instead, saw defender Caulker break the deadlock in the 58th minute when he deflected in Jermain Defoe's shot.

England winger Lennon sealed the points with a surging run and cool finish in the 67th minute.

Southampton defender Jose Fonte headed a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Fulham in a dramatic finish at St Mary's.

Nigel Adkins' side looked set for their sixth defeat in seven league matches this season when Kieran Richardson put Fulham 2-1 ahead with just two minutes to go.

But Portuguese centre-back Fonte, who had earlier given Saints the lead before a Jos Hooiveld own goal drew Fulham level, came to the rescue as he popped up at the far post to nod home a free-kick in stoppage-time.

Fonte's goal lifted Southampton out of the relegation zone at Reading's expense, while Fulham remain in ninth place.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england

First posted October 08, 2012 07:19:18

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Refugee scores top soccer honour

By Loukas Founten

Updated October 09, 2012 08:58:16

Two years after fleeing oppression and poverty in his homeland, an Eritrean refugee has shared the top individual prize in South Australia's premier domestic soccer competition.

Alemayo Kebede was awarded the Sergio Melta Medal for best player in the state's Super League, alongside Raiders midfielder Nicholas Orr at a ceremony at the weekend.

Kebede and Orr each received 20 votes, one clear of Campbelltown City captain Vas Parhas.

It is the second time Orr has won the award in a tie, after claiming the honour in 2007 when he played for Para Hills.

For Eritrean international Kebede, the achievement completes an amazing journey after he and his national squad team-mates vanished from a tournament in Kenya, in December 2009.

The squad sought refuge in a Kenyan refugee camp, then relocated to Australia in late 2010.

After months without kicking a ball, the group arrived in Adelaide and dispersed among the local clubs.

Kebede's Croydon Kings finished top of the table this season, but bowed out in the finals series when it lost to grand finalists Adelaide City and eventual premier MetroStars.

Kebede, 25, said winning the award was a surprise.

"I've been in Australia for two years and for the first time being the best player. It was a good season for me and for my team to be champion and yeah I was really happy, even though I didn't expect it," he said.

"I was nervous, even I couldn't walk straight. It's my life, I love soccer and I played for the Eritrean national team under 17s and senior for many years. Yeah, I don't want to stop soccer, I love soccer and I would like to thank everyone, my team-mates who cared for me and encouraged me. I've been here for two years and everyone's friendly and I really enjoy it, I like this team."

The softly-spoken attacker said he had spoken with his family in Eritrea and they were extremely proud of him.

"I called them last night and they were very happy," he said.

Croydon's Mark Brazzale collected the Martyn Crook award for best coach and said Kebede had repaid the club for the work it had done to help him settle into Australian life.

"We've got him a job and we've helped him out in that way and he feels very much at home here ... and that's what we're trying to do. We're a club that's got a bit of multiculture in our club so we're trying to get everybody and have one happy family," he said.

"He's going to be here again next year so we want to build something here. We've got a lot of young guys coming through so we want to have a good side for the next two or three years and he's definitely part of our plans."

Last season two of Kebede's compatriots scored A-League contracts with the now-defunct Gold Coast United club.

Tags: refugees, human-interest, community-and-society, soccer, sa, adelaide-5000, australia, eritrea

First posted October 09, 2012 08:55:56

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Big audience a boost for A-League TV deal

Updated October 08, 2012 19:01:17

Departing Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive Ben Buckley will be hoping record A-League attendance and broadcast figures translate into big bucks at the television rights negotiation table.

Buckley, who will be replaced by former NRL chief executive David Gallop next month, was beaming on Monday when he announced the domestic television audience for round one - which finished on Sunday - increased by 53 per cent on last season's average of 65,000 viewers per round to over 100,000 viewers.

On top of that, the 93,800 fans at five stadiums during the opening week beat the single-round record of 87,000 achieved in round three last season.

Rival football codes the AFL and NRL have announced record $1 billion-plus media deals over the past six months, and the pressure is on the FFA to boost its TV ratings to add cash to its game.

With one year remaining on the current media deal, Buckley is in the midst of negotiating a new broadcast contract before his departure in November.

The A-League has arguably been hamstrung by a pay-TV rights deal sold relatively cheaply in 2005 for an estimated $125 million over seven years when the competition was born.

It is thought a new five-year deal worth over $40 million per season will leave the game in decent shape and a free-to-air TV deal will be crucial in the new broadcast structure.

The weekend's record crowd and domestic viewing figures doubtless owe much to the high profile recruitments of Italy's Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC), England's Emile Heskey (Newcastle Jets) and Japan's Shinji Ono (Western Sydney Wanderers) who all made their A-League debuts.

However, the crowd figures were also given a huge boost by the 42,032 who passed through the turnstiles at Docklands for the Melbourne derby between the Victory and Heart on Friday night.

Buckley also touched on the importance of television to the commercial success of the league when pointing to new audiences overseas.

"The exciting thing is that the game is now going to more corners of the world than ever before," he said.

"The Sydney FC game (against Wellington Phoenix) being broadcast live into Italy is a wonderful opportunity for us to promote the A-League to players who may want to come here in the future as well as fans.

"So to be broadcast into Japan, into Italy, right throughout Asia, right across the globe is a testament to the credibility the A-League is getting worldwide."

While it is still early days in the season and it remains to be seen if the audience boost is lasting, the figures are a welcome boost for the FFA with the Socceroos, whose success is also crucial to the game's financial health, in a precarious position trying to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Buckley and the FFA are also still trying to rebound after a disastrous 2022 World Cup bid when they only registered one vote and were convincingly beaten by tiny emirate Qatar.

The failure of A-League franchises Gold Coast United last season and Townsville-based Northern Fury FC in March 2011 also cast doubt on the viability of the national competition, forcing the rushed introduction of Western Sydney Wanderers this season.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted October 08, 2012 18:19:29

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Culina working out for Sydney FC

Updated October 09, 2012 16:04:04

Brett Emerton is hopeful Jason Culina will play for Sydney FC this A-League season as the injury-plagued Socceroos midfielder continues to impress in his quest for a contract.

Culina, who is on the comeback trail from a career-threatening knee injury, was put through his paces in a one-on-one session on Tuesday which included ball work and some intense stretching.

The 32-year-old Socceroos veteran has been training with the club for more than four months.

Veteran midfielder Emerton has been impressed with what he has seen on the training paddock from his former Socceroos team-mate Culina, who has not played competitively since breaking down with a knee injury at the Asian Cup in January last year.

He started training again with Newcastle in last year's A-League pre-season before breaking down again and was controversially released by the Jets.

"Jason has made tremendous progress over the last couple of months and he's starting to join in our training sessions," Emerton said on Tuesday.

"He's looking good and we're all hopeful that he gets back fit and can join us at some stage because when he is fully fit he's obviously a fantastic player and will be a great addition to our squad."

Emerton is expecting a physical confrontation against Newcastle when Sydney play the Jets, who boast former England striker Emile Heskey, at the Football Stadium on Saturday.

Both sides are coming off disappointing season-opening matches with Sydney falling 2-0 to Wellington while the Jets were beaten by the same scoreline at home to Adelaide.

"They're going to be desperate to get some points on the board as well," Emerton said.

"There's no bad teams in the A-League this year, everyone's tough and unless you're up to the task 100 per cent you're not going to win football matches."

Emerton admitted Sydney let itself down against Wellington with a poor attacking display and attitude.

"We gave the ball away far too easy and we found ourselves chasing it much too often," he said.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted October 09, 2012 16:04:04

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