Arnold happy with draw for Mariners

Updated November 18, 2012 13:25:33

Central Coast Mariners slipped to second on the A-League table but coach Graham Arnold still left Docklands with a smile on his face following a 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory.

The Mariners' run of three successive wins ended on Saturday night but the draw was a solid result for the visitors after they were reduced to 10 men at the 50-minute mark following a second yellow card for defender Patrick Zwaanswijk, who picked up a first-half yellow for time-wasting.

Daniel McBreen, 35, lifted his tally to seven goals for the season by scoring twice for the Mariners in the first 22 minutes.

The Victory equalised twice in front of a crowd of 19,462 through teenager Andrew Nabbout in the 10th minute and Mark Milligan's header in the 40th minute.

But Arnold's soldiers lined up two walls of four defenders after being reduced to 10 men and they repelled wave after wave of attack through a tense final 40 minutes, with Trent Sainsbury producing a goal-line clearance from a close-range shot by Marco Rojas.

"Very happy. Melbourne Victory is a very good side," Arnold said.

"Ange (Postecoglou) is a fantastic coach and the way he's got them playing is great to see.

"There won't be many teams that come down to Melbourne and take any points, the way that they're going.

"Our boys showed wonderful character, great discipline in defence.

"Away from home it's not our job to entertain the supporters."

Arnold said he had not seen the incident which led to Zwaanswijk's second yellow card for elbowing Marcos Flores.

"All I heard was Mark Rudan and Mark Bosnich saying on TV that it was a joke," Arnold said.

Postecoglou said the 50th-minute send-off had wrecked the rhythm of the game.

"We're probably not at the stage as a team where we can really capitalise on having the extra man," the Victory coach said.

"We had some pretty young boys out there tonight at different stages. We're playing the team everyone pretty much regards as the best in the comp."

Postecoglou said having key attackers Gui Finkler (groin) and Archie Thompson out of the side were huge blows.

Socceroos striker Thompson was a late withdrawal with a gastro complaint after struggling during the warm-up.

Postecoglou praised the non-stop performance of the elusive 21-year-old Rojas, who had played 70 minutes in an international friendly for New Zealand on Wednesday in China.

But Postecoglou said Flores' needless tackle on Sainsbury which led to a second yellow card and a send-off in the 90th minute was a stupid act.

The Victory have three wins and a draw from their past five matches and face Western Sydney at Parramatta Stadium next Saturday night.

"There's still some schoolboy stuff we need to get rid of, particularly defensively," Postecoglou said.

The Mariners host a grudge match against defending champions Brisbane Roar next Sunday.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted November 18, 2012 13:21:11

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Happy 700th for Scholes as United go second

Updated September 16, 2012 14:24:09

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes marked his 700th appearance for the club with a goal in a 4-0 Premier League win over Wigan on Sunday (AEST) as champions Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke.

Elsewhere, Arsenal thrashed bottom-of-the-table Southampton 6-1 to leave the promoted Saints still searching for their first points of the season.

At Old Trafford, Scholes got the ball rolling for United before Javier Hernandez and debutants, Alex Buttner and Nick Powell, completed the scoring as the home side went second on the table.

United are a point behind Chelsea who were held 0-0 by Queen's Park Rangers.

United missed the chance to take an early lead when Wigan's Ali Al Habsi saved Hernandez's weak penalty.

It was a controversial spot-kick, won after Danny Welbeck dived in the box.

But after half-time Al Habsi could only weakly palm away Nani's cross, allowing Scholes to score his 163rd goal for United.

Hernandez then atoned for his spot-kick error by making it 2-0.

Dutch left-back Buttner, a recent signing from Vitesse Arnhem, then scored a superb solo goal, beating three men down the left before a shot from a tight angle went in off Al Habsi.

And eight minutes from time, midfielder Powell made it 4-0.

"We always remember Paul Scholes as someone who arrives late in the box," said United manager Alex Ferguson.

"But his role has changed over the years, playing a holding role.

"Buttner was rash at times but he has great enthusiasm and he is a great finisher."

At the Britannia Stadium, England striker Peter Crouch gave Stoke a 15th minute lead when he bundled the ball in from close range, having appeared to handle in the build-up.

But Manchester City were level 10 minutes before half time when Javi Garcia scored on his debut after heading in Carlos Tevez's free-kick.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross's goal-line clearance late on ensured a point for the Potters.

"It was basketball -- not football," said City manager Roberto Mancini of Crouch's goal.

Arsenal, who are now third in the table, struck in the 11th minute at the Emirates when Kieran Gibbs's cross was turned in to his own net by Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld.

Lukas Podolski's long range free-kick then made it 2-0, Gervinho added Arsenal's third 10 minutes before half-time and another Gibbs-inspired own-goal, this time by Nathaniel Clyne, made it 4-0.

There was still time in the half for Saints to pull one back when Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny dropped a cross and Danny Fox scored.

But Gervinho netted again in the 71st minute when he tapped in from close range after substitute Aaron Ramsey's cross hit the post.

Two minutes from time, Theo Walcott scored against his old club to make it 6-1.

At Loftus Road, there was no pre-match handshake from Anton Ferdinand for Chelsea captain John Terry in what turned out to be a goalless draw.

The match was the first between the clubs since since Chelsea and England defender Terry was found not guilty of using a racial slur against the Hoops' Ferdinand in the corresponding fixture last October.

"Both sets of players played very professionally," said Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo.

"As far as we are concerned, our players offered it (a handshake) and if the other player doesn't want to receive it, then we move on."

Saturday's late game left Liverpool still searching for a first win under manager Brendan Rodgers after a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

Steven Fletcher gave Sunderland a 29th minute before a late equaliser from Luis Suarez rescued a point for the visitors in a match that came at the end of a week where an independent report exonerated Liverpool fans of any involvement in the death of 96 supporters during the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Aston Villa won its first league match under new manager Paul Lambert as it ended Swansea's unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 home win thanks to a goal from Matthew Lowton and a late own-goal by Christian Benteke.

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov scored twice as Fulham beat West Brom 3-0.

Either side of Berbatov's first-half goals, the Baggies were reduced to 10 men when Peter Odemwingie was shown a red card for lashing out at Fulham defender Sascha Riether.

Steve Sidwell completed the scoring a minute from time.

Norwich and West Ham shared the points in a goalless draw.

AFP

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

First posted September 16, 2012 06:37:38

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Kewell happy to wait for right move

Updated July 20, 2012 22:57:56

Socceroos star Harry Kewell says he needs to be patient in his search for a new club after quitting Melbourne Victory to return to England.

Kewell, 33, has been on the hunt for a new club since moving back to the UK last month with his wife Sheree Murphy, whose mother is ill.

Despite some "positive feedback" and talks, Kewell says he is still looking and is open to suggestions for the next phase of his playing career.

Kewell has been linked with clubs including Blackburn, Middlesbrough and, more recently, third-tier Swindon Town.

"I've got some positive feedback but, the way it stands, I've got to be patient," Kewell said after dropping in to visit the Australian Olympic swimming team's training session in Manchester on Friday.

"At the moment, things are - we are talking. And we just have to sort out a few things but I'm open to a lot of suggestions at the moment."

The former Liverpool and Leeds winger said he was confident he still had plenty to offer a top-level club.

"Everyone is in preseason now and you do want to be part of that," Kewell said.

"My fitness is fine. I think I proved that last time I was with the Australian team and Holger (Osieck) actually turned around and said he was impressed with it."

Kewell clearly is not considering retirement.

"Everyone has asked me, 'what are you doing' and all this and that and the thing is, when does an athlete ever realise it's time to pack it in?" he said.

"If they truly love a sport, they will keep going until, I don't know, they are 50 I suppose.

"I still feel confident. I still feel I've got another two or three years at a very high level and we just have to wait and see."

Kewell said he was missing Melbourne and he looked back fondly at his one-year stint with the Victory.

"Everywhere I have gone and played, I have had fans that have appreciated me and I really appreciate that, and they (Victory fans) made me feel really at home," said Kewell, who is being driven by a desire to feature at a third World Cup for the Socceroos.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england

First posted July 20, 2012 22:57:56

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Hodgson happy with Rooney return

Updated June 21, 2012 15:17:44

England manager Roy Hodgson has brushed off concerns over the form and fitness of Wayne Rooney after the striker's rusty comeback in the victory over Ukraine.

England returned to their Krakow training camp in buoyant mood after Rooney's goal in his first match back since suspension steered Hodgson's side into a Euro 2012 quarter-final meeting with Italy.

Although Rooney's 29th goal for England proved the difference between the two teams, it was a far from vintage display by the Manchester United striker, who had not played a competitive match since May 13.

The 26-year-old squandered a straightforward chance to head England into the lead in the first half and struggled to locate the sureness of touch he can usually take for granted when on form.

Hodgson acknowledges Rooney is some way off his best but believes the England striker will be better after ending his enforced exile.

"In training he looks terrific but there's always that little difference between training performances and then having to go out in an important match where there's big pressure from everybody," Hodgson said.

"The important thing he did was perform really well for the team, the goal is fine and, to be fair, you don't need to be Wayne Rooney to score that goal.

"But you do need to be Wayne Rooney to give the type of performance he gave throughout where he and Danny Welbeck both worked so hard to make sure we got the defensive organisation that we wanted."

Hodgson was also unconcerned by an incident in the second half on Wednesday morning (AEST) when Rooney surged clear of the Ukrainian defence only to be forced to check back as the cover caught up with him.

Rooney's failure to elude the Ukraine defence was attributed to a miscommunication with Welbeck rather than any problem with the player's fitness.

"He was trying to play Danny Welbeck in and unfortunately Danny didn't make the right run in that situation, he cut across him rather than pulling away," Hodgson said.

"I think Wayne was actually waiting for him to pull away so he could slip him in, but he decided to make a run across and take the take the defender in the same area.

"But I don't have any doubts about his physical fitness. I don't have any doubts about his mental fitness."

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, poland

First posted June 21, 2012 15:17:44

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Roar happy with being second-best

Updated December 21, 2011 20:16:16

The team that redefined perfection - the Brisbane Roar - reckon they have no complaints about suddenly being second best.

Roar veteran Massimo Murdocca has claimed second spot on the A-League ladder was the ideal launching pad for his misfiring side to rediscover their mojo.

Murdocca admitted his side was uncomfortable as the A-League's poster boys during a stellar run that included a 36-game unbeaten streak - the longest in the history Australian professional sport.

The Roar remain under the spotlight - for all the wrong reasons.

However, four straight losses have not only let Central Coast leapfrog them for top spot but also raised questions about coach Ange Postecoglou's tactics.

But Murdocca was confident their new ladder position would lead to a new mindset as they tried to turn around their season, starting with Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Boxing Day.

"Last season we were playing very well and we were second to Adelaide for most of the year - that's probably the position we would like to be in," he said on Wednesday.

"We probably didn't really like the focus this year - that probably affected us a little bit to be honest.

"Now that all the focus has shifted to the Central Coast that might help us in a way."

But Murdocca admitted he felt for Postecoglou, who has come under criticism for not adapting following a club record-equalling losing streak just weeks after being the toast of Australian sport.

"It hurts us because we respect him," he said.

"The best thing we can do is stick up for him with our performances.

"We are totally behind him - we will never jump ship.

"We stick together and stick by our philosophy.

"I don't want to be that team that just knocks it into the box looking for results.

"And to be honest we were surprised we didn't lose last year.

"We had to lose at some stage. I don't think these losses should be a surprise."

Murdocca was confident just one win could set the Roar juggernaut off again - but did not dismiss a United side that thrashed Adelaide 3-0 last round, sealing coach Rini Coolen's demise.

"We are wary that they have had a good result...but that is the type of game that we are waiting for as well - we are waiting for that win," he said.

"Once we get that we will be back to our winning ways for sure."

AAP

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

First posted December 21, 2011 20:16:16

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