Dilevski joins Victory

Updated June 14, 2012 17:21:14

Melbourne Victory have signed former Young Socceroo Spase Dilevski on a one-year deal.

Dilevski, who can play full-back or in the midfield, played with Adelaide United last season and has also spent time at Brisbane Roar.

He also had several seasons in Europe with England's Tottenham Hotspur, Germany's Rot-Weiss Essen and Dutch club PSV Eindhoven without cracking regular first-team football.

In between stints at the Roar and Adelaide, he played 80 matches in Romania with Universitatea Craiova.

The 27-year-old will reunite with his former Young Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou at the Victory.

Postecoglou says Dilevski's signing will provide greater versatility to the squad.

"Spase is experienced beyond his years and can do a variety of different jobs in both midfield and defence," he said.

He is the Victory's third new signing ahead of the 2012/13 season, joining Adama Traore and Sam Gallagher.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, melbourne-3000, adelaide-5000

First posted June 14, 2012 17:21:14

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Fabio joins Sky Blues

Updated May 24, 2012 11:40:47

Sydney FC has signed former Melbourne Victory full-back Fabio on a two-year deal.

The Brazilian - whose full name is Fabio Alves Macedo - is new coach Ian Crook's second signing after former Iraqi international Ali Abbas joined at the start of the week.

The pacy left-sided defender made 23 appearances for the Victory and joins Sydney FC after a successful four-day trial.

"I am very happy to be signing for Sydney FC," Fabio said.

"It's a great opportunity for me and I'm going to repay the belief the coach Ian Crook has shown in me."

The much-travelled defender said he was looking forward to playing in front of Sydney's passionate supporters.

"I know that Sydney FC have a great fan base, especially the Cove, and I want to show them I am 110 per cent committed to the club," Fabio said.

"I hope to help Sydney FC win the A-League championship and I can see we are building a squad capable of doing that."

Crook has made no secret of his desire to sign technically proficient players and said the addition of Fabio would strengthen the Sky Blues' defence.

"I think he will improve the team and the squad and that's all that matters right now," Crook said.

"He's technically very good and good on the ball which fits into our possession based game remit.

Crook also touched on the Victory's decision to cut the Brazilian defender loose.

"He feels as though he has a point to prove, so he has a lot of hunger as well," Crook said.

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

First posted May 24, 2012 11:40:47

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Milicic joins close mate Popovic at Western Sydney

Updated May 22, 2012 13:22:53

Former Melbourne Heart assistant coach Ante Milicic has left the club to link up with close friend Tony Popovic in western Sydney.

Milicic was widely expected to take over as head coach at the Heart following the departure of Dutchman John van' t Schip.

But with youth team coach John Aloisi promoted to the job instead, Milicic has returned to his home town to work alongside Popovic at the A-League's newest franchise.

Heart chief executive Scott Munn paid tribute to Milicic - who was one of the founding members of the club's coaching staff.

"Ante had a substantial role in the establishment of our playing roster and implementation of the playing style and philosophy which is now our trademark," Munn said.

"While obviously disappointed to see Ante leave, we understand the significance of the opportunity which presented itself in helping establish a team in his home town."

Popovic was named coach of the new western Sydney club last week after quitting his job as assistant coach at English Championship side Crystal Palace.

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, sydney-2000, blacktown-2148

First posted May 22, 2012 13:22:53

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Abbas joins Sky Blues on two-year deal

Updated May 21, 2012 18:05:22

Ian Crook has made his first signing as Sydney FC boss, bringing former Newcastle midfielder Ali Abbas to the club on a two-year contract.

The left-sided winger promises to give balance to the Blues who lacked natural width this season.

Abbas had been a regular with United for the past three seasons but was released at the end of the 2012 campaign.

"I believe Ali is a fantastic addition to the squad and will have a big impact on the team," Crook said in a statement.

"He has great endurance and is very quick. He is also naturally left-footed which is something we've been missing on the left wing recently.

"I think we have done well to have beaten off competition from other clubs for his signature and he will prove to be a very exciting signing for the Sydney FC fans."

Abbas is hopeful the new era under the former Norwich midfielder will see Sydney challenge for the A-League in 2012/13.

"It is exciting for me to be moving to one of the biggest clubs in Australia, which already has a history of success in the A-League," Abbas said.

"Now I'm ready to focus on training for next season, and help the team challenge for another title."

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

First posted May 21, 2012 17:39:15

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Aussie teenager Williams joins Fulham

Updated February 01, 2012 11:26:36

Australian teenager Ryan Williams has joined English Premier League club Fulham on the final day of the transfer window, as Middlesbrough rejected a $8.96 million offer from Bolton for his older brother Rhys.

The younger Williams will link up with Socceroos star Mark Schwarzer at the London club after completing his move from Portsmouth on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 18-year-old winger has made six appearances off the bench for the cash-strapped club this season and was transferred for an undisclosed fee, although reports earlier put it at around the $74,700 mark.

Meanwhile EPL battlers Bolton made another bid for the services of Socceroos defender Rhys Williams, who is currently playing a key role in Championship side Middlesbrough's push for promotion.

Bolton is in serious danger of being relegated and the elder Williams is expected to push for a transfer during the northern summer if Middlesbrough fail to make the EPL next season.

Meanwhile Ryan Williams said joining Fulham was a "big step forward".

"It's been a long few days actually, finding out whether or not I was going to be signing," he said.

"But I've signed a two-and-a-half-year deal here so I'm really happy to be part of the club, it's a good club.

"It's such a big move coming to a Premiership club.

"It's just really for my footballing education and playing more games, playing for the reserves and stuff like that."

AAP

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

First posted February 01, 2012 10:54:12

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John Rooney joins Orlando City

Updated January 27, 2012 11:56:50

John Rooney, the 21-year-old midfielder and younger brother of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, has signed a contract with Orlando City in the lowest level of US professional soccer.

The deal, pending US Soccer Federation approval, would put Rooney in the third-division of the United Soccer League, two steps below Major League Soccer.

Orlando City won the US Pro title last year, going 15-3 with six drawn.

"I've known John for a long time, from the early days in England," Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said.

"We're delighted to have him. He will be a really good piece for us."

After opening in the Everton youth system in England, Rooney made his pro debut with English League Two side Macclesfield Town at age 17, spending three seasons with the Silkmen and scoring three goals in 45 matches.

The Liverpool native joined the New York Red Bulls of MLS in 2011 and played in five MLS and two US Open Cup matches, netting his lone goal in a Cup match.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, united-states

First posted January 27, 2012 11:40:53

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Paul Reid joins Heart on short-term deal

Updated January 19, 2012 17:23:33

Ex-Adelaide United midfielder Paul Reid has joined the Melbourne Heart, with a short-term deal signed off on Thursday.

Reid, 32, was an A-League star with the Reds before a messy departure from the club when he fell out with previous coach Rini Coolen.

The creative and combative midfielder is set to add much-needed steel to Heart's midfield as they aim to arrest a run of four matches without a win and seek to cover star playmaker Fred, who will be missing for the next six weeks.

Reid has signed as an injury replacement player after training with the club this week.

He has not played in the A-League since the end of last season, when he was eventually released by the Reds but could not gain clearance in time to join Sydney FC for their Asian Champions League campaign.

Reid sat in the stands to watch the Heart lose unluckily to Central Coast Mariners 1-0 on Wednesday night.

But Reid's registration will not be cleared in time for him to play in the third-placed Heart's crucial match against second-placed Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

However the Heart are set to regain defender Simon Colosimo from injury as well as rested duo Mate Dugandzic and Eli Babalj for the Roar clash.

The match has ramped up in intensity for both sides after the Heart's loss to Central Coast.

The Mariners are now nine points clear of the Roar, while Brisbane are just a win clear of the Heart.

Despite dominating against the Mariners, the Heart could not find a way past teenage goalkeeper Mat Ryan and fell to an 89th minute sucker punch from substitute Adam Kwasnik.

But Heart coach John van' t Schip is urging his players to take one big positive out of the defeat - the fact they bossed the competition leaders for 85 minutes in all aspects.

For van 't Schip, the contrast between the Mariners' and Roar's styles is intriguing.

"The Mariners play a different kind of game to Brisbane. Brisbane want to dominate, they want to have ball possession, they want to play in the half of the opponent.

"Central Coast, they leave the ball to the opponent. When they have the ball, they can play, of course - they're more effective than Brisbane until now (this season).

"They're two kinds of systems and they're both very effective. It's interesting to see at the end of the season who can go as far as possible."

AAP

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

First posted January 19, 2012 15:40:04

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Japan stuns Germany, joins France in semis

Updated July 10, 2011 11:51:00

Japan knocked defending champion Germany out of the women's World Cup beating the hosts 1-0 after extra-time to advance to its first semi-final with France, which needed a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out to get past England.

Japan's winning goal in Wolfsburg came in the 108th minute when captain Homare Sawa put in a superb long-range pass and substitute Karina Maruyama drilled past Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.

Despite France dominating for most of its quarter-final game in Leverkusen, Jill Scott put England ahead after 59 minutes before Elise Bussaglia equalised with two minutes to go for a 1-1 score which carried through extra time.

Camille Abily missed France's first penalty but Claire Rafferty and Faye White then failed to net England's last two to send Les Bleus through to a final four showdown with either Brazil or the United States.

Australia takes on Sweden on Sunday evening, with the winner to take on Japan in the semis.

The loss was a double blow for Germany with the Japanese victory ensuring that France will go to next year's Olympics.

"This is what I feared would happen," Germany coach Silvia Neid said.

"We were off colour against the side ranked fourth in the world.

"We weren't able to score goals and we weren't precise enough in our execution.

"You always have to worry about a good counter-attack against the Japanese.

"It is of course very unfortunate and very sad."

Japan coach Norio Sasaki said: "To win against Germany is something really motivates us to give our best for the next match.

"I am very, very proud of my team."

Having won both the 2003 and 2007 editions, this is the first time Germany has lost at a women's World Cup since it was beaten 3-2 by host the USA in the quarter-finals of the 1999 tournament.

-AFP

Tags: sport, football, world-cup, france, germany, japan, united-kingdom, england

First posted July 10, 2011 11:31:00

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Irish midfielder Miller joins Glory

Updated June 3, 2011 16:30:00

Perth Glory's heartbreak at losing Robbie Fowler has been offset to some degree by the acquisition of former Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller for the next two A-League seasons.

Miller notched 21 games for Ireland and, along with his limited time at Manchester United, also had stints at Celtic, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United and Sunderland.

The 30-year-old, who has spent the past two seasons in the Scottish Premier League with Hibernian, is expected to arrive in Perth in time for the Glory's July 9 friendly against Celtic.

"I'm thrilled to be heading to Perth," Miller said from Scotland.

"I have heard a lot of wonderful things about the city of Perth but football is the most important thing.

"Perth Glory is a proud club with a great history and I'm looking forward to the new challenge when I join (Glory coach) Ian Ferguson and my new team-mates."

Miller's signing came just two days after Fowler reneged on a handshake agreement to stay at the Glory.

Fowler will instead remain in England to complete his coaching badges.

"Liam brings a lot of experience to the club and he's played at a number of top clubs," Ferguson said.

"It's great to have a player of Liam's calibre at Perth Glory.

"Liam is a midfielder who gets forward and he'll help us become a more attacking team than last season."

The Glory finished a woeful 10th last season, but have assembled a squad capable of pushing for the title next campaign.

Miller joins New Zealand international Shane Smeltz, former Adelaide skipper Travis Dodd, goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and Dean Heffernan as the Glory's major off-season acquisitions.

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, aleague, wa, perth-6000

First posted June 3, 2011 15:30:00

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MP joins Twitter chorus in exposing Giggs

Posted May 24, 2011 14:40:00

A British MP has defied a court ruling by naming Ryan Giggs as the footballer who used an injunction to keep details of an alleged affair secret, escalating a row over privacy laws and the internet.

Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming named the Manchester United player using his centuries-old right to freedom of speech in the House of Commons, despite an injunction which gave the married sportsman anonymity in the British media.

Hemming acted after a Scottish newspaper published Giggs's photograph, arguing that it could no longer support a gagging order while the footballer had been named by thousands of people on Twitter.

"With about 75,000 people having named Ryan Giggs on Twitter it's obviously impractical to imprison them all," Hemming told MPs.

Prime Minister David Cameron had also admitted that the situation is "unsustainable" and vowed to look into it.

Hemming was rebuked by the Speaker, but not before journalists had taken note - the media are entitled to report parliamentary proceedings without fear of being sued, and Hemming's words were swiftly used nationwide to name Giggs.

Earlier Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers, which owns The Sun and The Times, had made a fresh attempt to get the gag order lifted at the High Court, arguing that with all the debate on Twitter it was "futile" to maintain the anonymity order.

But judge David Eady rejected their attempt, saying: "The court's duty remains to try and protect the claimant, and particularly his family, from intrusion and harassment so long as it can."

News Group had used as part of their argument the indication by Cameron that he knew the identity of the footballer.

Giggs is expected to be in Manchester United's squad for the Champions League final against Barcelona this weekend, where he could add to his record as the most decorated player in the history of the English game.

The prime minister had also admitted that something had to be done to address this "rather unsustainable" situation.

"It's not fair on the newspapers if all the social media can report this and the newspapers can't, so the law and the practice has got to catch up with how people consume media today," Cameron said in an interview with ITV.

"But there's a difficulty here because the law is the law and the judges must interpret what the law is."

In a bid to stem the online debate, Giggs' lawyers announced Friday they were taking legal action to force Twitter to reveal the identity of users who broke the gagging order.

But it only provoked more indignant tweets.

Then, Scotland's Sunday Herald became the first British newspaper or broadcaster to name the player who allegedly had an affair with reality television star Imogen Thomas.

The newspaper argued that it was not bound by the High Court, whose jurisdiction only extends to England and Wales.

-AFP

Tags: sport, football, english-premier-league, united-kingdom, england, scotland, wales

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