January transfer window round up #3

As always with my sports articles this was written for and can also be found at www.sportsfanAttic.co.nz but you get to see it here first

Well its been another busy week in the wonderful world of January transfers, especially here in Brisbane.

The Roar have bid farewell to midfielder Erik Paartalu who has been transferred to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda.  Last week’s young signings Corey Brown and Julius Davis both made their A-League debut’s on Sunday from the bench. Brown had previous made his 1^st team debut in the Asian Champions league.  The Roar’s other signing Jade North was unavailable for selection due to match fitness.  Meanwhile it has been reported that Mike Mulvey has had a falling out with Nick Fitzgerald and has demoted him to play out his contract in the youth league.  The Mariners have asked for him early but this request has been denied.

Adelaide United have released journeyman Sergio van Dijk, and he is believed to be in Indonesia where he is coming to terms with an Indonesian squad.

For the Mariners golden boy Tom Rojic will not return this season having signed with Celtic, rejecting the offer from QPR.  Bernie Ibini is expected return from Belgium for Friday’s match against Adelaide, I have not heard anything on the grapevine about him landing a contract with Club Brugge.

The Victory are bringing home local product Francesco Stella signing him from Rangers.

The Jets have signed Andrew Hoole from their youth league squad, and have let Tiago Calvano head down the highway to Sydney FC.

Sydney FC had a cracking weekend with signing Joel Griffith scoring on debut, and as mentioned about Calvano also played an important role in the 7-1 thrashing of the Nix.

The Nix did not play new signing Hogg, neither did the Wanderers with Visconte.

There are several overseas based Aussie and Kiwis looking out on the market with Tommy Oar being courted by several clubs, while rumours abound today that former Roar skipper Matt McKay is being transferred to an unnamed Chinese team by his Korean side.

Time will tell if these rumours come to a head or if any other players transfer in the European or American markets, and who else will be signed to the A-League with a few clubs still looking out for players to fill holes in their rosters, with the Roar still looking for a striker to compliment Berisha and with a visa spot up for grabs.

Hyundai A-League round 17 preview

As always with my sports articles this was written for and can also be found at www.sportsfanAttic.co.nz but you get to see it here first

The round kicks off in Melbourne on Friday night as the Heart host Adelaide.  The hosts sit just outside the top 6 while the visitors are in second place and will be looking for the three points to try and claw their way back into top spot.  I don’t expect any fireworks in this match which should go the way of the visitors.

The first game of the Saturday triple header sees Sydney hosting the Phoenix in a bottom of the table clash.  The Phoenix will look to recover from their lapses of concentration this season as 3 points in this match will see them off the bottom of the table, while Sydney are looking for some form.  Both sides have the squads to perform better than they have this season but neither side has been able to click.  For Sydney, Del Piero (when he has been fit) just hasn’t had the impact they would’ve liked, although this may be because he hasn’t had the ball supplied to him often enough.  Although in the last few weeks their other big name player Brett Emerton has started to show promising signs having scored a couple of good goals.  I’m tipping this one to end in a boring draw.

Saturday’s middle game see’s the table topping Mariners hosting the Newcastle Jets In the F3 derby.  Newcastle are mid table but have faulted a little lately and will be looking for a win to maintain their place in the top 6.  The Mariners are happily sitting top of the table and will look to grow their advantage over second placed Adelaide.  However the Mariners are now without Tom Rojic who is remaining in Scotland to agree personal terms for his transfer, and I believe Bernie Ibini is still on his 10 day trial in Belgium, however Graham Arnold will look to his experienced players to bring this one home.  The Jets come into this one on the back of a 1-0 win over the struggling Roar and will look to build momentum as they seek out a guaranteed top 6 spot.  I’m tipping a comfortable Mariner’s win.

The final game of Saturday sees the Glory hosting the Victory at NiB stadium.  The Glory will look to the continued resurgence of Shane Smeltz to help them win this one, with the Kiwi striker coming off the back of a drought breaking brace a fortnight ago and a penalty last week.  The Victory will travel to the west full of confidence as they sit in third place and look strong under the tutelage of Postecoglou.  I’m tipping this one to be tight with a draw a likely outcome

The final game of the round and Sunday’s only game, sees the struggling Brisbane Roar hosting the Western Sydney Wanderers.  The Wanderers will come into this one full of confidence as they have already tasted victory over the Roar this season, and their continued consistent performance has firmly cemented them as the best ever expansion club.  The Roar are wounded and some of the changes in players may make an impact on them in this game.  They will be boosted by the inclusion of new signing Jade North, but will be without the services of Erik Paartalu who is off to China.  One thing to watch out for, is if the Wanderers play Rocky Visconte who transferred from the Roar in the last two weeks.  This game shapes as a tight match with the Wanderers flying high and the Roar desperate for a win.  If the Roar can show some dominance inside the area and actually learn how to shoot, then I can see them winning this.

A look at the Westfield W-League

As always with my sports articles this was written for and can also be found at www.sportsfanAttic.co.nz

Often the W-League is forgotten by of football followers, even unheard of for some, but it is a competition that deserves its place in the sun, next to the Hyundai A-League.

The Westfield W-League is currently contested by 8 squads, Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Canberra United, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Sydney FC & Western Sydney Wanderers.  Central Coast, Melbourne Heart & Wellington Phoenix do not have sides in this competition, while Canberra United play in the W-League but not in the A-League.

The W-League began back in season 2008-09 with 8 squads, however it was Central Coast who fielded the 8th side, with WSW not yet in existence.  The 2^nd season was only 10 rounds long and was played entirely within the last 3 months of 2009. Season 2010-2011 saw the competition drop to just 7 squad’s with Central Coast’s withdrawal, with Season 2011-12 following suit. With WSW joining the football Australia family for the 2012-13 season we have seen the W-League return to 8 teams.

This Saturday see’s Brisbane Roar’s W-League team, play in their 5^th straight finals campaign, as they host Sydney FC in the first semi-final.  Both sides have a deep history in comp having met in all four finals series, twice in the grand final match.  In fact only 3 teams have played in all 4 grand finals to date with Canberra United having played Brisbane Roar in the other two finals.  These 3 sides are also the only 3 to hold the premiers trophy, with Brisbane & Sydney holding it twice & Canberra once.

This year will finally see a fourth side make it into the grand final with Brisbane playing Sydney in the first semi and Canberra having not made it into the finals series.  The 2^nd finalist will either be Melbourne Victory (in their 3^rd finals appearance) or Perth Glory (making their 1^st finals appearance).  Which ever of these sides makes the grand final they will face strong competition from the vastly more experienced Brisbane or Sydney sides.

As a Roar fan I am proud of our W-League history having been crowned Premiers in the inaugural 2008-09 season and again this season, while having finished 2^nd in 2010-11 & 2011-12.  We have made all four Championship matches winning in 2008-09 & 2010-11 and losing the other two.

As a football fan I have enjoyed getting out to support the girls on the occasions that other obligations have permitted, and find the laid back relaxed atmosphere at these games far nicer than the authoritative heavy security presence at A-League matches.  I also like the fact that W-League matches, like youth league matches, are free entry for season members upon presentation of the membership card.

I would encourage all fans of football and members of A-League clubs to get out and support their W-League sides if and when you get the chance.

The finals history of the W-League is as follows (winners in bold)

2008/09

Premiers: Brisbane Roar
Semis: Newcastle Jets v Canberra United & Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Grand Final: Brisbane Roar v Canberra United

2009
Premiers: Sydney FC
Semis: Sydney FC v Canberra United & Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Grand Final: Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC

2010/11
Premiers: Sydney FC
Semis: Brisbane Roar v Canberra United & Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Grand Final: Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC

2011/12

Premiers: Canberra United
Semis: Canberra United v Melbourne Victory & Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Grand Final: Canberra United v Brisbane Roar

January transfer window round up #2

Here is my look at the second week of the 2013 January Transfer window as it affects Australian & New Zealand players and A-League squads, as always this is article was written for and can be found over at sportsfanAttic.co.nz

While the January transfer window is in full flight around the globe it has only fully begun today here in the Hyundai A-League.  So we can expect a flurry of activity over the next couple of weeks, but even so, there has been some movement on the transfer front for A-League Clubs.  I have included a list of transfers as I’m aware to time of writing below for reference. 

Probably one of the biggest names so far in the transfer window is Socceroos defender and new Roar defender Jade North who has signed with the Roar after a stint in Japan.  North brings with him experience but his signing has created some huge ripple throughout the fan groups with some welcoming him but a lot questioning his signing calling him washed up.  The Roar have also signed up their youth league captain Corey Brown to a two year deal in the first team, and picked up youngster Julius Davies from the Victory.

The Mariners “nursery” continues to churn out talent with Tom Rojic heading to Spain for 10 days to link with Scottish side Celtic for their midseason training camp, while Bernie Ibini has headed to Belgium for a 10 day training stint with Club Brugge.  Both players will return to the A-League but for how long is the question, with English Premier League side QPR having already tabled a firm offer for Rojic believed to be £700,000.  The Mariners other up and coming youngster Matt Ryan cancelled his training stint with Rangers due to the unknown nature of their position in the Scottish leagues next season.

The other big news for Kiwi football fans which was mentioned last week, has now been confirmed, All Whites defender and captain Ryan Nelsen has been signed as Manager (Coach) of MLS squad Toronto FC.  This has caused widespread concern from MLS commentators and Toronto fans as the side that has been struggling have not only signed a rookie manager with no managerial experience, they’ve signed one who is contracted as a player with QPR until 3 months into the upcoming MLS season.  Last I had heard Nelsen had yet to get in contact with Ricki Herbert about his future with the All Whites, but I suspect his time in the National squad is over.

A-League transfers announced so far:

Brisbane Roar In: North (Consadole Sapporo), Davies (Victory), Brown (youth squad)
Out: Visconte (WSW), Fitzerald (Mariners at end of season)

Central Coast Mariners In: Fitzgerald (at end of season)
Out:
Training: Rojic (Celtic) – QPR have also put a firm £700K offer on the table, Ibini (Club Brugge)

Melbourne Heart In:
Out: Marrone (Shanghai)

Melbourne Victory In:
Out: Franjic (Released), Davies (Roar)

Perth Glory In:
Out: Memhet (Bangkok Glass)

Sydney FC In: Griffith (Shanghai Shenhua)
Out:

Wellington Phoenix In: Hogg (Portland Timbers)
Out:

Western Sydney Wanderers In: Visconte (Roar)
Out:

Hyundai A-League R12 preview

This is my preview of round 12 action int he Hyundai A-League which can also be seen on sportsfanAttic.co.nz

The Hyundai A-League nears the halfway point and heads into Christmas with a short sharp round, all five round 12 games will happen over 2 nights, Friday and Saturday.

Friday night kicks off in Sydney as the Wanderers host Adelaide United.  The locals are jubilant after their win last weekend in the local derby, while the visitors travel up to Sydney on the back of the 3-1 win over the Nix.  The Wanderers have to be satisfied with their current 4^th position on the table, which from memory is one of the best 1^st season efforts of all expansion clubs, but they will be looking for another 3 points to take them outright third behind Adelaide.  The visitors will also be looking to take the 3 points which would give them top place on the ladder.  I’m looking for this to be a draw.

Friday nights second game sees the introduction of the Mulvey era to Suncorp Stadium, with the Roar hosting arch nemesis Perth Glory for the first time since the grand final.  Look for fireworks in this one, and expect near riots if Berisha gets fouled anywhere near the area.  This is of course all subject to proving his fitness after a shoulder injury sustained last week in Melbourne.  If he does play it will be a great night, but even if he doesn’t there are still a lot of tensions between the two teams, so I’m expecting it to be a feisty affair.  Of course Brisbane’s fortunes this season have been well documented and with new head coach Mike Mulvey only having been in the job three days it will be interesting to see how the players react to the changes.  I would like to think that against the arch whingers at home on the ‘eve’ of Christmas the Roar will  be able to score a decisive victory and deliver the home fans some much needed Christmas cheer.

There are three games on Saturday, but there is no point previewing them here as the Mayans have already informed us there wont be a Saturday.  

Which is interestingly enough how the Roar have been marketing their Friday match against Perth

Brisbane Roar FC advertising for the BRFC v PGFC R12 Hyundai A-League match

But on the off chance that the Mayan’s were actually wrong or the more likely scenario that modern idiots have misinterpreted the meaning of the end of the Mayan calendar, here is a look at those three games.

Saturday kicks off in Wellington with the Phoenix hosting table topping Central Coast Mariners.  The Phoenix have been having a few dramas of their own in recent weeks with big talent on the field and talking the talk, but failing to walk the walk and to actually get results and points.  The Phoenix currently sit in seventh but could find themselves stone cold motherless last if they loose and other results go the way of the teams below them.  Ricki Herbert will be looking to his side to put their talents into action and has already put the team on notice that failure could result in the loss of positions for underperforming players.  The Mariners travel over the ditch looking to cement their spot at the top of the table and will be a strong challenge for the locals with several players looking dangerous at the moment.  I suspect this match will end in a draw as the locals just don’t have that killer punch at the moment, and the Ring of Fire will level out the Mariners.

The second game of the day sees us heading to Newcastle as the Jets host Sydney FC.  The locals are coming out of a period of turmoil where the ATO have applied to the courts to have owners Hunter Sports Group wound up over unpaid taxes, which also stems from the financial trouble Nathan Tinkler who owns the Hunter groups is experiencing.  Sydney FC are still rooted to the bottom of the table but new coach Frank Farina has stated that he wants results fast, so I am in no doubt that this will be a match he is targeting for a large Sydney win.  The jets have failed to capitalise on their depth and marquee man, and are stagnating in mid table.  I’m looking for the Farina factor to give the visitors the edge in this one.

The final game of the round and Saturday, is the second instalment of the Melbourne Derby.  A lot has changed since the first instalment in round one when the Heart took a decisive win casting a shadow over the new Postecoglou era at the Victory.  Since that night the Heart have fallen off the pace while the Postecoglou factor has started to take effect at the Victory, with the Heart now sitting third from last while the Victory are sitting third.  The result on Saturday should be more reflective of how the two sides are performing this season.  Im looking for the Victory to share in the Christmas spoils as Santa Postecoglou gives the Victory fans the gifts.

A-League Round 10

As always my latest SportsfanAttic Hyundai A-League article is out today

Another round of the Hyundai A-League dawns as the first third of the completion is over; we’re ten rounds into the 27 round regular season.As with other recent rounds there has been a lot of off-field drama in the past two weeks as well as some big on-field drama.  Sydney FC have a new coach with former Brisbane Roar mentor Frank Farina landing the key role. Frank is infamous for a little ‘glug glug vroom vroom’ indiscretion that ended his time with the Roar. 

Meanwhile Socceroo’s manager Holger Osieck named a largely A-League based squad for the East Asian Cup qualifier tournament.  These players are currently away at the tournament and missing 3 rounds for their clubs.

The A-League was rocked by the news that in a unified front the ACL governing body had met and made changes to the ACL tournament stripping Australia’s entry rights from 2.5 to just 1.5 positions, thus meaning Perth Glory misses out completely while Champions Brisbane will need to qualify against a Thai side if they want to join Premiers Central Coast in the competition.

Head on over to sportsfanAttic to read the rest of it

My HAL round 8 preview

Another big news week for the Hyundai A-League and football in Australia, in what is shaping up to be the “coming of age” season for the competition.  This week we saw the announcement of the new broadcast deal for football, and the possibility of one of world football’s biggest names calling Australia home.
The FFA has announced its new broadcast deal with Fox Sports & SBS for the Hyundai A-League and Qantas Socceroo’s.  Fox Sports will continue as the primary broadcaster with full live coverage of every A-League & Socceroo’s match until 2017, as well as the Australian rights holder for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.  SBS will have free-to-air coverage of all Socceroo’s matches and Hyundai A-League finals matches on a 1 hour delay, while they will also show live Friday night A-League matches.

Read the rest of it over at sportsfanAttic HERE

Check out my sports thoughts

My thoughts are not just confined to my two blogs I also dabble in a little sports writing for a NZ based fan sports website Sports fanAttic

I tend to write mostly about Football, but do also write about cricket and occasionally a few other sports.

Check out my two most recent articles one looking at this weeks round of the Hyundai A-League

Turning now to the on-field stuff as Round 7 kicks off here in wonderful Brisbane, with the Roar hosting Sydney FC.  The Roar are currently sitting in their worst ever position having never previously occupied bottom place on the ladder, on the back of just the 1 win and 1 draw in the first 6 rounds.  

HERE

While the other reflects on the recent international friendlies

In Shanghai Ricki Herbert experimented with a new 4-1-4-1 formation which worked seemingly well for the All Whites, who despite going 1-0 down in the 32nd minute,  came back to equalise through Chris Wood in the 44th minute. 

HERE