The A-League Thread

[Grimmace]

Big names want to clock on for Sydney and work the Dwight shift
David Sygall
September 3, 2006


SYDNEY FC have been flooded with inquiries from players' agents interested in what the club would offer a new marquee signing, as the fallout from the Dwight Yorke transfer turned sour.

Coach Terry Butcher and CEO Tim Parker have been overwhelmed by expressions of interest. Butcher was focusing on the game in Melbourne last night but Parker said "some surprising names had popped up".

"We've already had enough contact to know that this [marquee signing] is not as unlikely as it might seem," he told The Sun-Herald yesterday. "There is a surprisingly large number of people available.

"All I'll say is that we're well on the case and reasonably optimistic we can pull it off. Most of the names you've heard, there's been some contact.

"But it's been one way, from them to us. We've become very popular to players, partly because of what Dwight's done and also because of what we've done for Dwight.

"What happened with him is a standard other players would look at and think, 'I wouldn't mind that' - and it's not just people at the end of their careers. It's a credit to the A-League and the founders of Sydney FC."

One name to emerge is Alan Shearer, who'll be in Australia in a couple of weeks for a coaching clinic.

Parker said the $500,000 negotiated transfer windfall the club receives for Yorke would go towards a "war chest" for club players, facilities and the next marquee signing.

However, he said: "We're disappointed. Forty-eight hours ago he wasn't leaving. Forty-eight hours ago, we were happy to have him for the rest of the season.

"We were confronted with an ultimatum, saying he's agreed to personal terms and it's up to you to agree to terms to let him go. The implicit threat was that, if you don't, you'll have a very disgruntled player on your hands."

Yorke said he wanted to stay and the club could have done more to keep him.

"He would [say that he wanted to stay]," Parker said. "Had we gone back to him and made a counter-offer and extended his contract, we might have had a deal.

"Well, that was never going to happen. We were called late on Wednesday night and told, 'You have to work something out'.

"We had 24 hours to make it happen. We could have put the phone down and said, 'No, get stuffed, we're not paying him more money, we're not giving him another year - why should we, it's not in his contract'.

"But the way we've handled it, given the time we had, has been good. We were told on Wednesday he'd agree to terms. It must have happened pretty quickly because [Roy] Keane only went there on Monday.

"The first I heard about it was [on the net], that he was in conversation with them. We got official confirmation about 6pm that day.

"We're disappointed to see him go. He was a huge part of our first year, but life goes on. It's an international game and player trading is part of it."
Source:smh

[Darren Lockyer]

Alan shearer would be a very good player for them

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Go Roar, looking pretty good so far this season.

[Grimmace]

Scottish import shows class
By Amy Harris
September 08, 2006 SCOTSMAN Simon Lynch was not heralded as Queensland Roar's matchwinner when he signed a two-year deal back in July.

But two matches into the A-League season it is a title now bestowed on the 24-year-old goal poacher from Dundee who laughs at the suggestion that, in hindsight, he should have demanded more money before signing his two-year contract.

It's understood Lynch is on a conservative package and moved to Australia primarily to be closer to family on the Gold Coast.

But his stocks have risen on the back of performances against Perth Glory and Newcastle United Jets last week when he slotted the decider in the dying minutes.

It came at the end of what was otherwise an unspectacular game for Lynch who admits that his tendency to stalk the penalty area can come at the expense of his field coverage.

"I think sometimes I don't get overly involved in the play outside the box because really I want to be inside the box," Lynch said.

"It may appear sometimes that I am having a quiet game but really I'm waiting for an opportunity to come along."

Not that anyone is complaining.

Roar coach Miron Bleiberg has been patting himself on the back over the signing. Lynch, in turn, returned the favour.

"I've had a great relationship with Miron since I got here. He has definitely given me a lot of confidence and he lets me play my game, and that's all you can ask from a coach," he said.

Lynch is likely to again star against a struggling Central Coast Mariners in Gosford tomorrow night when Queensland looks to strengthen its position on top of the ladder.

He will be joined by a similar looking forward line with Bleiberg to leave behind Yuning Zhang for the second week in a row as the Chinese striker continues to work on his fitness.

Defender Stu McLaren will also stay in Brisbane after breaking down in two fitness sessions this week with a hamstring injury, but German midfield player Marcus Wedau will return from a calf niggle.

Up-and-comer Ben Griffin, who played a sprinkling of minutes last season, could make his first appearance in McLaren's place. But a question mark hovers over Chad Gibson.

The Roar skipper has been substituted in both of Queensland's matches and speculation is rampant that he will struggle to retain his starting spot this season.

But McLaren's injury suggests Gibson's place is safe, for one more round at least.

"It's been a bit tough personally," Gibson said yesterday.

"I'm definitely prepared to compete and I want to keep my spot. I was disappointed in coming off and things are made about that.

"But anyone that comes off in the game who is not disappointed shouldn't be playing football."

Gibson also admitted that he could finally see the lighter side of Queensland's own goal against Newcastle which came down to a miscommunication between him and keeper Liam Reddy.

It is believed Gibson took the goal the hardest despite the fact Reddy played his part.

"It's football and these things happen," Gibson said.

"I don't think people realise it's a new team, it's the first two games we have played in this season.

"I prefer that mistake to happen now than in the grand final. It's out of the way and it didn't cost us points, it just cost us a goal but we got the win."

Source: Courier Mail

[Grimmace]

Sydney FC fly in Italian striker Carbone
Aaron Timms
September 8, 2006 - 1:05AM

Sydney FC today announced that Benito Carbone will be brought in to trial as a guest player next week.

The 35-year-old Italian striker will spend the week in Sydney undergoing fitness and form tests before the club makes a decision on whether to offer him a four-week deal as a guest player.

Ever since Dwight Yorke defected to English club Sunderland at the end of last week, Sydney has been on the lookout for a marquee player.

Earlier this week the club's chief executive, Tim Parker, said that the most likely strategy Sydney would follow would be to bring in a guest player in the short term and use that player's month-long stint as a trial to determine whether they would make a suitable marquee signing further down the track.

That strategy now seems to have been confirmed, but questions will remain as to whether the ageing Carbone has the playing ability and pulling power to justify the "marquee" tag.

A long and meandering career has seen Carbone play for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford and Derby County in England, and for Inter Milan, Parma and Napoli in Italy.

His best form came during his time in the England, where he played 187 matches and scored 41 goals.

Last season Carbone played for Vicenza in the Italian Serie B (second tier competition), scoring five goals in 28 games.
Source:smh

[Darren Lockyer]

Go Roar, looking pretty good so far this season.

i have to agree

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Go Queensland, lets make it 3 wins in a row.

[Grimmace]

Victory coast to win over Knights
September 10, 2006 - 2:03PM

KNIGHTS 0 VICTORY 3

Melbourne Victory maintained their perfect start to the A-League soccer season with a 3-0 away victory over New Zealand Knights in Auckland today.

Three first-half goals at a rain-lashed North Harbour Stadium gave the visiting Victory their third win from as many matches.

Striking duo Daniel Allsopp and Archie Thompson each scored a goal and set one up for the other, with captain Kevin Muscat heading home a third goal from a free kick.

The Victory lifted Melbourne back to top spot with a maximum haul of nine points, two clear of Queensland.

Thompson set up Allsopp in the ninth minute with the latter returning the compliment 13 minutes later as Melbourne produced some slick passing in difficult conditions.

Muscat equalled Allsopp's tally of three goals for the season when he headed home a precise free kick from Kristian Sarkies.

Melbourne dominated despite missing two of their Brazilian imports, with Fred suspended and Alessandro injured.

New Zealand suffered a big blow in the 13th minute when midfielder Jonas Salley was stretchered off with an ankle injury.

The Knights looked a little more dangerous in the second half but created few chances.

Melbourne almost increased its lead when Allsopp shot just wide after again being put through by Thompson.

Heavy rain started falling just after the match started and the Knights struggled after keeping a clean sheet in their first two games.

AAP

[novacastrian_panther]

WOAH The Victory are doing great this year!
Where as my Jets are doing crap.

[Darren Lockyer]

Queensland did well to draw in what was apparently a rained out fixture

[novacastrian_panther]

Judgin by results so far this season the top 4 at the end of the season IMO is gonna be:
1. Victory
2. Roar
3. Knights
4. Sydney

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Go Queensland, yet to be defeated, i missed this game so i don't know how good the teams played or how poorly, still Roar are looking good this season and i look forward to watching them live.

[Rayzr]

Go Sydney FC

Sydney FC 1-1 Perth

Perth Glory have come from behind to claim a point against Sydney FC in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Members Equity Stadium on Sunday.

Sasho Petrovski gave the visitors the lead in the 37th minute with a well-taken header before Jamie Coyne equalised with a header of his own in the 70th minute.

Both sides had the chance to snatch all three points late in the match, but neither could capitalise as the match ended in a deserving tie.

It was the fourth league encounter between Sydney and Perth, with the Glory still yet to taste success against the inaugural champion.

Sydney entered the match without several of its stars, including Mark Rudan (suspended), Alex Brosque (ankle), Robbie Middleby (broken collarbone), David Carney (shoulder) and Jacob Timpano (groin), leaving coach Terry Butcher with just 13 senior players to choose from before the club signed Matthew Bingley and Joel Thissen on short-term deals.

On the other hand, Perth's disastrous run with injury and illness during the pre-season has come to an end, with only Bobby Despotovski (back) and Mark Robertson (groin) unavailable.

In a fast-paced start to the match, Perth keeper Aleks Vrteski was forced into action in the 10th minute when Alvin Ceccoli found himself found himself open with a free shot on goal, but the defender's sizzling shot from just inside the box was well-saved by the Young Socceroo.

Two minutes later, it was Perth's turn to attack and a clever flick from veteran striker Stuart Young found the fast-moving Leo Bertos, but his low-drilled shot drifted agonisingly wide of the post.

Stan Lazaridis and Young each tried their luck from long range but to no avail as the tempo of the match hit a lull with neither side able to penetrate the other's defence.

That was until Petrovski almost broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, the striker rising high above Jamie Harnwell to reach U*** Talay's corner only to see his header crash into the crossbar.

But it mattered little as just four minutes later the Sydney striker had his goal. Steve Corica ran hard down the right wing and his precise cross found Petrovski open at the far post, and the former Qantas Socceroo made no mistake with his header this time as he easily beat Vrteski.

The Glory started the second-half full of run as they pushed hard for the equaliser, and it almost came in the 60th minute after a piercing run down the left by Lazaridis.

Coyne met Lazaridis' cross, but under pressure was unable to head it home as the ball drifted safely over the crossbar.

But similar to Petrovski, Coyne was given a second chance shortly after and he made no mistake with it this time.

Bertos fired in the cross but Sydney keeper Clint Bolton slipped after moving off his line to try to meet it, leaving an open goal which Coyne took full advantage of.

The goal lifted the Glory as their home fans roared to life, but Naum Sekulovski wasted a golden chance just a minute later after a steaming run into the box.

With all the momentum, Perth continued to attack, but the match threatened to boil over in the 75th minute when Mark Milligan brought down Bertos. Colosimo remonstrated with the Sydney defender, resulting in a yellow card to both Milligan and Colosimo.

The visitors were soon celebrating in the 77th minute when Corica nudged the ball into the back of the net after Milligan had struck a powerful shot, but their celebrations were cut short with the offside flag raised high in the air.

In a thrilling finish to the match both sides had great chances to snare the win but the best fell to Young, whose powerful left-foot strike crashed into the side netting.

[Rayzr]

Adelaide Smash Jets

Adelaide United has recorded its first win of the season with an emphatic 5-1 victory over the Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.

A heavy downpour of rain swept across the venue only minutes before kick off but the slippery conditions didn't stop United showing the class that saw them claim the pre-season title.

The home side blew the game apart with three goals in 27 minutes and then regrouped and reloaded in the second half to record their first victory of season.

The result was the perfect way to celebrate Ang Costanzo's 250th national league game and the club's first home game of the season.

Costanzo was at his best in defence, especially when the pressure was on in the second half, but his efforts were overshadowed by the flood of attacking highlights.

Fernando Rech and Shengqing Qu showed some of their best form for the season while Bobby Petta's creative second-half cameo gave the crowd of 8785 a taste of what he might produce during the season ahead.

A composed Rech volleyed a Jason Spanuolo free kick from close range to record Adelaide's first goal in the eighth minute.

Just nine minutes later the South Australian side stamped their authority on the contest when Robert Cornthwaite scored goal number two.

A calculated and curling 30-metre free kick from Ross Aloisi cannoned into the cross bar and saw Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy dive and hit the ground.

This allowed Cornthwaite to head a looping ball home from within the penalty box.

The third score - a Qu special - came in the 27th minute. The Chinese striker was deadly accurate with a long-range free kick, avoiding an opposition wall of defenders and the outstretched left hand of Kennedy to register a memorable goal.

The three highlights were a fair reward for a dominant half of football. Rech and Qu embarrassed the opposition's defence on a number of occasions while Spagnuolo also beat the keeper after a deft touch from Qu but was called off-side.

Newcastle had limited opportunities in the half and lacked the polish to worry the home side's defence.

With nothing to lose, the Jets appeared a more relaxed and aggressive outfit early in the second half.

They were rewarded in the 52nd minute with Mark Bridge scoring his side's first goal.

Bridge found space and a well-weighted pass allowed him to lob the ball over United keeper Robert Bajic from close range.

Bajic was put under pressure minutes later with a sloppy defensive pass leaving him one-on-one with a Jets opponent.

It was the first time Adelaide looked under the pump but the pressure valve was released when a shocking defensive error from the visitors put the result beyond doubt.

Qu and Andrew Durante wrestled for position as the ball neared the penalty box. The ball spilled free from the contest and dribbled past Kennedy.

With the game in their keeping, United sealed the victory with Rech's second close-range goal for the contest.

The shot (73rd minute) was set up by recruit Petta who showed great control to move the ball down the left side to find a hungry Rech.

Newcastle had plenty of chances to hit back but lacked the composure and control to hurt its opposition.

[Rayzr]

Victory Crush Knights

Melbourne has continued its fine start to the new Hyundai A-League season with a 3-0 demolition of the New Zealand Knights at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.

Despite the absence of their much-publicised Brazilian stars Fred and Alessandro, the Victory dominated, with all three goals coming in the first 36 minutes and Kristian Sarkies influential upon his return to the starting line-up.

Archie Thompson and Daniel Allsopp were also to prove troublesome up front as the Knights failed to combat their pace and guile.

The Knights had not conceded a goal in their opening two matches of the season, but on Sunday their defence was broken down several times inside the first half.

The impact of the defeat could be much worse than just the result for the Knights, with holding midfielder Jonas Salley carried off the field following a nasty collision in the 13th minute.

The floodlights were turned on early in the match, despite the match kicking off just after midday, as both sides battled the dark and damp conditions, with persistent rain falling for the first half.

The Victory settled the quicker of the two sides, but it was the Knights who threatened to open the scoring in just the sixth minute.

Malik Buari almost created something out of nothing, but an outstretched Sean Devine was unable to get his toe to the cross.

Three minutes later, the Victory opened the scoring when Allsopp got on the end of a Thompson pass and with his left foot knocked it around Danny Milosevic, with a well-taken finish.

The Victory then made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute when Allsopp returned the favour and threaded a pass through for Thompson.

The Socceroo was able to dribble around Milosevic and then find the back of the net from an acute angle.

Melbourne then extended its lead in the 36th minute when Sarkies delivered a free kick that skipper Kevin Muscat nodded in to make it 3-0.

The Knights gave a better account of themselves in an even second half, but failed to create any clear-cut chances to trouble Michael Theoklitos.

The Allsopp and Thompson combination continued where they left off from the first spell when Allsopp was released in the area in the 62nd minute.

Allsopp should have made it four, but his effort curled outside the far post, much to the relief of Milosevic and the Knights.

The Knights had their best chance of the second half in the 67th minute when the ball fell to the feet of Jonti Richter, but the former Roar winger was unable to hit the target, shooting well over the bar.

Richter was again a threat in the 83rd minute as he broke inside the box, but Theoklitos was in command of his area and parried Richter's shot away for a corner.

The sun came out with 20 minutes remaining in the match, but it was not to shine on the Knights who were soundly beaten by the table-topping Victory, who have now recorded three wins from as many matches.