By Paul Frederickson The last few weeks have been wonderful for English teams. Manchester City won this season's English Premier League and in the past weekend Chelsea won the coveted UEFA Champion's League. Both are remarkable achievements but in the midst of their celebrations some people are stating that the teams only won their titles due to previously unheard of sums of money. Is there a chance that small teams can still make an impact in the world of football? A team in Israel's Premier League is proving that there is still romance and hope for smaller teams.
On the 2 April 2012, IIroni Kiryat Shmona secured their maiden title win with a 0–0 draw against league giants Hapoel Tel Aviv. Remarkably, IIroni Kiryat Shmona, won the title with five games to go. It is an even bigger achievement when you consider the history of the club.
The club has been in existence for 12 years, been promoted, relegated and promoted again through the ranks of Israel's football ranks to ultimately win the country's highest football honor. They are not a small club who has wealthy benefactors, nor are they are hugely followed team whose supporters drive large income streams through the club. They come from a town of 21,000 people and play in a stadium with a maximum capacity of 5,500 fans. A bare minimum squad of 26 has reached the pinnacle of domestic football and will now play in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League. In a city more accustomed to missile attacks as one of the most northern of Israel's cities, Ironi Kiryat Shmona are now making fireworks of their own. Now those fireworks will have the chance to enter Europe's biggest football scene.
The biggest of Israel's clubs, Maccabi Haifa FC, Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem FC have been confounded by IIroni Kiryat Shmona's success. With a dramatically smaller budget, playing group and staff IIroni Kiryat Shmona have become the little club who could. In the club's early days, and perhaps with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, Hapoel Kiryat Shmona FC owner Izzy Sheratzky suggested, "When I founded the club I said that one day we would reach the Champions League," His light-hearted suggestion is now a dawning reality.
Their fans put their success down to one thing, a lack of ego in the squad. A simple but effective ethos that many small clubs would, it could be suggested, be looking to emulate.
One of the the most captivating and endearing traditions of the English Premier League is the final day. The one day of the season where dreams of winning the title or perhaps qualifying for European competitions is mixed with the dread of relegation for some supporters. Hearts beat faster, nails are chewed to the quick and the drama is enhanced with all teams kicking off at the same time meaning that radios are listened to and whispers of other scorelines become a roar.
The final day of the 2011/12 season was one for the ages, teams changed positions, titles were won and lost and fans from all over the world were glued to the on field action from their stadium seats, television and computer screens as well as radio broadcasts. Let's look back at four team's fortunes on of the most dramatic final days for many years. At the top of the league it was the battle of Manchester with both teams on the same amount of points but Manchester City holding a decisive +8 goal difference over their rivals. _____________________________________________________________________________
Manchester City 86 points (+63 goal difference) vs Queens Park Rangers at home.
Manchester United 86 points (+55 goal difference) vs Sunderland away. _____________________________________________________________________________
At the bottom of the league there was one more relegation spot to avoid and two candidates desperate to avoid the drop. _____________________________________________________________________________
Bolton Wanderers 35 points (-31 goal difference) vs Stoke City away.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) vs Manchester City away. _____________________________________________________________________________
Final day timeline
12' Jonathon Walters scores for Stoke against Bolton.
Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 0
Manchester City 0 v Queens Park Rangers 0
Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 0
Bolton Wanderers 35 points (-32 goal difference) 18th in the relegation spot.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) 17th and safe.
Manchester City 86 points (+63 goal difference) Nervously atop the league.
Manchester United 86 points (+55 goal difference) Pushing for the first goal.
20' Wayne Rooney scores for Manchester United.
Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 0
Manchester City 0 v Queens Park Rangers 0
Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1
Bolton Wanderers 35 points (-32 goal difference) 18th in the relegation spot.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) 17th and safe.
Manchester City 86 points (+63 goal difference) Their crowds bays for a goal as word gets around that United are leading Sunderland.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) The hope of a 20th title is 70m minutes away.
39' Mark Davies scores for Bolton and Pablo Zabaleta scores for Manchester City.
Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 1
Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 0
Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1
Bolton Wanderers 36 points (-31 goal difference) 18th in the relegation spot but a chance to win and climb to safety.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-23 goal difference) 17th and still safe at this stage. Hoping for a Stoke win and/or equaliser against Manchester City.
Manchester City 89 points (+64 goal difference) City regains the league lead.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United concentrate on their own slim lead knowing that they must at least win their own game first.
45' Kevin Davies fires Bolton into the lead against Stoke.
Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 2
Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 0
Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1
Bolton Wanderers 38 points (-30 goal difference) 17th and the great escape music and chants resonate at half-time.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-23 goal difference) Half-time is a time of despair, away to Manchester City and still hoping for their own team or Stoke to revive their hopes.
Manchester City 89 points (+64 goal difference) City maintains the league lead.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United hold a slender half-time lead.
51' Cisse scores for Queens Park Rangers.
Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 2
Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 1
Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1
Bolton Wanderers 38 points (-30 goal difference) 17th with a point lead over QPR.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-22 goal difference) 18th and a chance to keep their fate in their own hands.
Manchester City 87 points (+63 goal difference) City have a fight on their hands as the 44 year drought hangs over the heads of the City faithful.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United cannot believe they can still win the league.
55' Joey Barton's brain fade and straight red leaves QPR down to 10 men.
66' Jamie Mackie's header puts QPR into the lead against Manchester City!
Stoke City 1 v Bolton Wanderers 2 Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 2 Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1
Bolton Wanderers 38 points (-30 goal difference) 17th with a point lead over QPR.
Queens Park Rangers 40 points (-21 goal difference) 17th and not needing to keep an eye or ear on the Bolton match.
Manchester City 86 points (+62 goal difference) City fans memories of past failures are now prominent.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United now have one hand on the trophy.
77' Jonathon Walters converts a penalty to equalise for Stoke.
Stoke City 2 v Bolton Wanderers 2 Manchester City 1 v Queens Park Rangers 2 Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1
Bolton Wanderers 36 points (-31 goal difference) 18th and back where they started at the beginning of play.
Queens Park Rangers 40 points (-21 goal difference) 17th and not needing to keep an eye or ear on the Bolton match.
Manchester City 86 points (+62 goal difference) City fans memories of past failures are still prominent.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United now have one hand on the trophy and are listening to the result at the Etihad stadium.
91' FT at two of the games: Stoke City 2 v Bolton Wanderers 2 Bolton are relegated, Queens Park Rangers are safe. Sunderland 0 v Manchester United 1 United are champions unless City can conjure two late miracle goals deep into extra time.
92' Dzeko scores from a point blank header to give desperate City fans the cruelest slivers of hope.
Manchester City 87 points (+63 goal difference) City fans can barely watch, urging their team for one last effort as the title slips away with every second.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United fans world-wide are praying for a final whistle to blow at the Etihad stadium.
94' The son-in-law of one of the world's greatest ever players drifts into the right side of the penalty box and rifles a shot across Kenny's outstretched right hand and with less than a minute to go Manchester City are the Champions of the English Premier League!
Bolton Wanderers 36 points (-31 goal difference) 18th and relegated. They were safe and then relegated in a roller coaster and ultimately disappointing afternoon.
Queens Park Rangers 37 points (-23 goal difference) Relegated, and then beating the Champions in waiting, ending in a defeat but more importantly Stoke's equaliser kept them in the premiership.
Manchester City 89 points (+64 goal difference) City fans will celebrate for years to come in an afternoon that would have damaged many of their hearts, nails and bleeding lips.
Manchester United 89 points (+56 goal difference) United and Ferguson fought to the end but now have to wait at least one more season for the historic 20th title.
What a day! A day that could not have been scripted with much more drama in mind! The kind of day that sums up every feeling that the wonderful game of football evokes.
Congratulations to the new English Premiership League winners, Manchester City!
By Paul Frederickson Aston Villa look likely to stay in the EPL for next season after a barely deserved draw against a ten man Tottenham team with other results also going their way. Unless the unlikely happens, Aston Villa losing and Bolton winning next weekend's game whilst making up a 17 goal differential the Birmingham based club will retain their premiership status. What has gone wrong for one of England's bigger teams? Could financial security could be one of the major factors in the fall of Aston Villa?
McLeish looking up the ladder.
Aston Villa have not won a title since the dawn of the Premier League but they have come close on one occasion and flirted with the top five for more years than they have flirted with relegation. Their support is solid and they have seen a plethora of talented players, Gareth Barry and Ashley Young to name two, progress to bigger and more successful organisations. In therein lies the true standing of Aston Villa, this generations feeder club to the likes of the Manchester giants.
In early June 2011, Aston Villa appointed manager Alex McLeish from newly relegated and bitter rivals Birmingham City after unsuccessfully seeking the services of Wigan Athletic's Roberto Martinez. It would be easy to easy to lay the blame of Aston Villa's horror season solely on the manager instead of the owners, after all Martinez's Wigan are only two points above the struggling Villa team. Martinez's decision may have had a two fold benefit; he is seen as loyal for staying at Wigan whilst appearing to be pre-cognitive in his decision not to take the helm at Villa. The rationale of signing McLeish has not been espoused but would appear to be based on monetary factors; firstly that the club could afford him, secondly that he could afford to accept the restrictions that have been placed upon him by the owners of the club. Aston Villa is a selling club, its flirtation with the higher echelons of the Premiership have become jealous mutterings.
Yes, injuries have played a significant part in the demise of Villa's season but they paint over the significant cracks of a lack of funds, a squad that is far too short to survive the rigors of a torrid and physical English Premiership League season. This has been evident for several seasons with Aston Villa falling away significantly after the Christmas periods. This will not likely change as Aston Villa's American owner, Randy Lerner, owns clubs that lose a minimum of money whilst making little impact on the competitions that they inhabit. In his ten year ownership of the Cleveland Browns, since inheriting the team from his father, they have barely reached a 40% win rate in a competition that has both a salary cap and draft concessions for badly performing teams.
Perhaps it is the expectations of Aston Villa supporters that need to be lowered, survival in the English Premier League with it's multi-national and diverse owners is becoming harder every year. The disparity between the league's haves and have-nots is already creating a three tier competition. A competition composed of those seeking the title and at least European qualification, the middle tier satisfied with the benefits of playing in the Premier League and the third tier whose yo-yo'ing between competitions is a scary and more likely reality.
Perhaps mediocrity in the premiership is looking more acceptable every day as opposed to falling down the English leagues and the monetary issues that ensue. A good run in the FA Cup against the big boys of the premiership may one day appease a supporter group that has got use to being one of the bigger English clubs. The last few seasons have given even the most optimistic supporters to the way ahead for Aston Villa, and it is more than likely not to be found at the moment by looking up.
He has had a season of footballing hell, and I am sure that no one expected him to have the week that he has but dare we say it, Fernando Torres appears back on track. The former darling of Liverpool must surely be starting to win the hearts of Chelsea fans after scoring the sealing goal in the Champions League Semi-final against Barcelona mid-week. He maintained the fury over the weekend with a superb hatrick in the local derby versus strugglers Queens Park Rangers in Chelsea's 6-1 win. Worth every cent I hear some Chelsea fans say!
Honorable mention: Barcelona's resounding response to their Champion's League elimination, thrashing Rayo Vallecano 7-0 away at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.
THE BAD
Tottenham Hotspurs were 11 points clear of fourth position, comfortably ensconced in the automatic Champion's League spot and then Harrygate took place. The manager of Tottenham, Harry Redknapp, faced court on charges of taxation fraud in which he was found innocent. If this was not enough of a distraction he was then linked, and continues to be, with the vacant England Manager role. Evidence of the distraction was Tottenham's one win out of their last nine since the speculation. Now Mr Redknapp has received bad news with rising speculation that Roy Hodsgon may be edging him for the coveted England role. Luckily for Tottenham, even with the bad run, they won against Blackburn two nil over the weekend keeping their diminishing Champion's League hopes alive. Bad news: Aston Villa are now well and truly in the relegation mud heap, casting doubts on Brett Holman's scheduled summer transfer.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
They have been the perennial pin up boys of Asian football, but like every team at one point Japan's Gamba Osaka are rebuilding and the act of rebuilding has seen the team fall to unprecedented lows this season. The latest round of the J-League highlighted Gamba Osaka's plight as they were crushed five nil away to Kashima Antlers. One of the conceded goals is as funny as any of the zany Japanese game shows that are favored in Japan! Gamba Osaka are currently sitting in the relegation zone after eight matches, even this early in the season the alarm bells must be ringing.
What are your thoughts? What were your weekend's Good, the Bad and the Downright ugly?
It has been a tumultuous season off the field for the A-League but a brilliant season on the field, capped off by a dramatic grand final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. Trailing the Perth Glory in the final ten minutes of the game, due to a solitary own-goal by Ivan Francic, Brisbane's Besart Berisha scored a late brace to secure the historic back-to back Championship for the Brisbane Roar. This special edition of the Good, the Bad and the Downright ugly is dedicated to the finale of the A-League season.
THE GOOD
A sea of orange with an island of purple converged on Suncorp Stadium meaning for the second year in a row the A-League Grand Final saw the 'sold-out' signs above the box-offices. The crowd of 50,334 was treated to everything that a grand final should contain; skills, goals and a grandstand and somewhat controversial end as Besart Berisha was awarded a penalty that won Brisbane the game.
The atmosphere in Caxton Street was outstanding as Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory fans sang at each other for the hours leading up to the Grand Final. The atmosphere was replicated once the throngs of supporters entered the stadium.
Besart Berisha celebrates with Roar fans after the game.
Brisbane have won back-to-back Championships, and in turn created history as they became the first team in A-League history to do so.
THE BAD
To win or lose a game in controversial circumstances is never an easy circumstance, add a Grand Final to the mix and it makes for a volcanic situation. Personally, I have no issues with the awarding of the game-winning penalty but I do have issues with the reactions that it has evoked in some sections of the media.Firstly it is incorrect to state that the Brisbane Roar were handed the win. Perth were down to 10 men, had not had a shot on target and would have struggled through an added 30 minutes of extra time. Secondly, the reporting of the referee, Jarred Gillett dating someone who works for the Brisbane Roar reeks of conspiracy. This would not effect the actions of a professional. In awarding the penalty Gillett made an assessment on the play that was in front of him, not who his partner works for. Referees have a split second to make decisions and even after viewing multiple angles I can find arguments for and against the awarding of the penalty, and the referee does not have the benefit of replays with numerous angles.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
The FFA had a chance to put a horror off-field season behind them with the potential for a thoroughly professional and polished managerial performance, alas, it was not to eventuate.
In fact, the FFA did everything it could to demonstrate its need to pick up their game.
There was little if any pre and half-time entertainment and as people pay a premium to watch Grand Finals as an event as well as the game. Entertainment should have been a part of the spectacle.
The Joe Marston medal, for best on ground in the A-League Grand Final, was incorrectly awarded to Thomas Broich as part of the post-game presentations. The correct winner Jacob Burns, as voted by a match day panel, was given the medal in the Suncorp change rooms well after the event.
In another embarrassing mistake Brisbane Roar player Nick Fitzgerald was initially not presented with his Championship medal.
We all make mistakes, the FFA need to ensure that theirs are reduced are on far smaller scales.
What do you think? What was you A-League Grand Final, Good, Bad and the Downright ugly?
Is there such a thing is football fatigue? If there is I think I may have it! The emotions of each football season can catch up with the staunchest of football supporters. There is only one way to get over the insidious and debilitating affects of football fatigue, and that is to read, watch and play more football and what better way to start than with this week's good, bad and the downright ugly.
THE GOOD
Peter Crouch has played for Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Southampton, Liverpool, Tottenham and now Stoke and once famously said, "Had I not become a footballer, I think I would have been a virgin" but I doubt he would have scored any better goals than he did against Manchester City on the weekend. The beautifully taken goal must be a contender for goal of the season already, outshining a thunderbolt from Yaya Toure from the same game. Honourable mentions: The Central Coast Mariner's clinched their second Premier's Plate on the final day of the season, Borussia Dortmund put six past FC Koln after trailing one nil.
THE BAD Liverpool recently won the League Cup and has a chance to win the FA Cup but many people will still consider this season to be another wasted one for the historic Merseyside club. Recent league form points towards many issues within Liverpool. A week after giving up a two goal lead to Queen's Park Rangers Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to another relegation threatened club in Wigan. King Kenny's crown hasn't fallen but it is most definitely askew. THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY Derby games are always fiercely contested and there is no more fiercely contested match than when the Glasgow teams face each other. The passion on the field and in the terraces can turn nasty at times and this weekend's game saw three red cards issued which somewhat sullied the embattled Rangers 3-2 victory over league leaders Celtic. As an added measure, Celtic's manager Neil Lennon was sent to the stands.
What do you think? What were your weekend's, good, bad and the downright ugly?
With the Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix losing and the Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar winning on the weekend the race for the Premier's Plate is now down to two contenders, Brisbane and the Central Coast. These two teams have defied the A-League's trend of teams faltering in the season after finding success. Either the Brisbane Roar or Central Coast Mariners will join Melbourne Victory with two Premier's Plates, with Brisbane having the chance to be the first A-League club to win back-to-back premierships.
The A-League salary cap restricts team's ability to buy success and attempts to make the playing field equitable for all clubs in the competition. The concept also restricts team's ability to hold onto all the members of successful teams as other A-League teams attempt to poach players and the player's success also attracts attention of overseas clubs with much more money to spend. This makes the success of the squads mentored by Graham Arnold and Ange Postecoglou even more meritorious.
Now these two clubs will seek to win the 2011/12 Premier's Plate on the very last day of the regular season. The teams will then face each other, as they did in the 2010/11 finals series, for the chance to host this year's Grand Final. With the final round culminating this Sunday here are the permutations for the top two teams;
Central Coast Mariners: Played 26 games, 48 points (+15 GD) Final game v Wellington Phoenix (A)
The equation for the Central Coast Mariners is simple; a win against the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday and the Premier's Plate will be heading to Gosford. Due to their inferior goal difference compared to Brisbane's, a draw or a loss by the Central Coast will mean that the Premier's Plate will head north to Brisbane can if they beat Gold Coast United later that afternoon. Make no mistake; this will not be an easy task. The Wellington Phoenix are vying with the Perth Glory for the coveted third spot on the ladder and the chance for finals at home. A midweek ACL match, albeit at home, will make the task of winning that much harder.
Brisbane Roar: Played 26 Games, 46 points (+21 GD) Final game v Gold Coast United (A)
By the time Brisbane Roar start their match against the Gold Coast United on Sunday they will know if they have any chance of capturing back-to-back Premier's Plates. A win by the Central Coast Mariners will render the Brisbane Roar's match as a dead-rubber as Brisbane will not be able to win the Premier's Plate and it would also be extremely unlikely that they can lose second spot on the ladder. If the Central Coast lose or draw their game then the equation for the Brisbane Roar becomes simple, beat the Gold Coast and they capture the Premier's Plate. Like the task facing the Mariner's outfit this will not be an easy task for Brisbane. The Roar face a gruelling trip to Beijing to play their ACL match on Tuesday night before facing a desperate Gold Coast team on Sunday afternoon, a team they have yet to beat at Skilled Park. It is a real shame that both games are not being played at the same time as this would be a thrilling culmination to what has been a magnificent season.
What are your thoughts? Who do you think will win the Premier's Plate?
Football is a game defined by memorable moments, be they brilliant goals, controversial red cards, missed penalties, stunning comebacks and more. It has been quite rightly dubbed the soap opera of the masses, among other metaphors. As many competitions around the world get closer to their conclusions the memorable moments will be heightened.
THE GOOD
The very nature of the manufactured equality, by imposing a mandatory salary cap among the teams in the A-League, makes it harder for teams to have multiple years of success in the competition. Players are poached by opposition teams and offered higher amounts from overseas competitions, which restricts the necessary continuity that is highly visible among successful teams around the world. This makes the success over the past two seasons of the Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners, teams that are now guaranteed to finish the regular season in first and second spot, an even more remarkable story. This Sunday Central Coast, currently with a two point lead, will travel to Wellington where a win will guarantee them the Premier's Plate. A loss or draw will open up the chance for Brisbane Roar to be the first team to win back-to-back Premier's Plates. Brisbane play the Gold Coast United at Skilled Stadium after the Central Coast game in Wellington has concluded and will know their fate, or at least know if they have a chance, at kick-off. The final day of the regular season will be a dramatic affair.
THE BAD When I get really upset about a football result I find it galling to hear someone say that it 'is just a game'. As former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once famously said, “Football's not a matter of life and death... it's more important than that”. Sometimes other events put that into clear and sometimes abrupt perspective. Such was the case when Bolton Wanderers midfielder, Fabrice Muamba, suffered a cardiac arrest in the weekend's FA Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur, which was abandoned after the event. The support around the world for Muamba, who is in critical condition in hospital, has shown that people should always come before the game.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY Sacking your manager can provide a short-term bounce for a club where the team is galvanized into a unified force. This often translates into positive results. Unfortunately for Wolverhampton Wanderers their trampoline's mattress must have had a hole in it, as they are now anchored to the bottom of the English Premier League, after a 5-nil thrashing at the hands of title leaders Manchester United. Will Uncle Mick make a surprise return to Molineux and patch up the trampoline's mattress? This happens quite often in Italy!
What do you think? What were your weekend's, good, bad and the downright ugly?
The Premier's Plate was Central Coast Mariner's to lose and with two rounds to go in the regular season and leading by two points, it still is. Now though, there are three other teams with a mathematical and realistic chance of capturing what many people believe is the A-League's biggest prize. Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory and the Wellington Phoenix are in great positions to put pressure on the team that has led the competition for most of the season. What are the permutations, who plays who and what are the top four team's chances in the final two rounds of the 2011/12 A-League season?
1. CENTRAL COAST 45 POINTS +14 GD Play: Adelaide United (H), Wellington Phoenix (A)
The Central Coast Mariners have, for a large part of the season, dominated the competition. They have continued last year's strong development to promote youth who are ready to mix it up with players who are vastly more experienced. For example of this progress, look no further than Tom Rogic and the Central Coast Mariner's Championship winning, National Youth League team. They should account for Adelaide at Bluetongue Stadium, have a mid-week ACL game before travelling across the ditch to face the best home team of the competition and fellow contender, Wellington Phoenix. I expect that the travel will take its toll on the Central Coast team and for Wellington to upset them in the final round.
Projected final points tally: 48 Projected ladder position: 1st
The defending A-League Premiers and Champions have had a roller coaster of a season setting an Australian professional sporting record of 36 games before falling hard, losing an A-League record 5 games in a row. The Brisbane Roar was trailing the Central Coast Mariners by 11 points just over 5 weeks ago and has had the chance to take the lead in their last two games. The Roar play their last two games of the regular season away. They face a vastly improved but still inconsistent Newcastle Jets at Ausgrid Stadium, a game that I think will be a hard-fought draw. Like the Mariners, the Roar will then play an ACL game but as the away team before facing Gold Coast United in what could be United's last ever A-League game. As desperate as the young Gold Coast team will be I feel that the Roar will have too much class and with too much to play for will gain the vital 3 points.
Projected final points tally: 47 Predicted ladder position: 2nd
Perth Glory have had one of the better looking squads, on paper, for the past few seasons but after positive starts have flattered to deliver results to their faithful fans. This season after another bright start it looked like being business as usual as Perth faltered in the middle part of the season. Coach Ferguson was reportedly under tremendous pressure to keep his job, but he is more seasoned, tougher, and like his team has a will to win. With Smeltz and Mehmet they have match-winners and should account for two of the bottom three teams in their run home to the finals. They may come up just short in the race for the Premier's Plate but they will host a home final and be well placed to try and win a maiden A-League title.
Predicted final points tally: 46 Predicted ladder position 3rd.
4. WELLINGTON PHOENIX 40 POINTS, +6 GD
Play: Melbourne Victory (A), Central Coast Mariners (H)
Not many people would have given the Wellington outfit a chance of a top four spot at the start of the season, and with mounting injuries in the first few weeks of the season the thoughts seemed well founded. This Wellington team developed as the season progressed and added something extra to their already impressive home form, the ability to get results away from home.
With a full squad to choose from, an in-form Ifill and a chance to host a home final the Phoenix will finish the season strongly. They face a hard game away to the disappointing Melbourne Victory, which I believe they will gain a point before beating this season's potential Premier's the Central Coast Mariners in the final game. This would be a remarkable achievement for the Wellington based team.
Projected final points tally: 44 Predicted ladder position 4th.
This has been a remarkable season for the A-League and I expect that the final two weeks of the season will be no different, we are in for a suspenseful and dramatic finale.
America's Major League Soccer kicked off over the weekend, the top of the English Premier League turned red and Messi and Ronaldo continued to break all La Liga records, and that is just the tip of the weekend's footballing iceberg. Now to the weekend's good, the bad and the downright ugly.
THE GOOD Bayern Munich fans expect the best and the past two seasons has seen the Munich giants fall below many people's lofty expectations. The past weekend may have put a smile on even the most jaded fan's face as they put seven goals past a shell-shocked Hoffenheim outfit. Honorable mentions: Messi's scoring spree, Perth Glory's charge for a top two spot in the A-league, Manchester United's ascension to the top of the EPL.
THE BAD Harry Redknapp has been exonerated from recent taxation allegations, has been touted as the next manager of the English national squad and has reached great heights with Tottenham in recent years, but has all these pressures taken their toll on the manager in recent weeks? Everton inflicted Tottenham's third EPL loss in a row over the weekend with a 1 nil victory at Goodison Park. Dishonorable mentions: The reliable Matt Ryan's dropped howler versus Perth Glory, Manchester City's defeat to Swansea.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY The MLS kicked off over the weekend and, arguably, the league's two biggest teams started off with losses. The New York Red Bulls lost 2-1 away to a very good Dallas team whilst LA Galaxy were thrashed 3-1 at the Home Depot Stadium by Real Salt Lake. Is it any coincidence that both teams allowed some of their star players, aged over 30, to play in the EPL on loan in the long off-season? It is too early to tell but the next few weeks will be very interesting for the giants of the American game! Dastardly mentions: Clive Palmer is at it again, flying his 'Freedom of Speech' banners via helicopters over Newcastle's Ausgrid stadium, Melbourne Victory's season of woe continues against Sydney FC.
So what are your thoughts? What were your weekend's good, bad and the downright ugly?
Three weeks to go in the regular season of the A-League and it is shaping up to be the best finale in the competition's history. Both ends of the top 6 may not be decided until the final game is played on the afternoon of March 25. I hope your team has given you plenty of on-field value this season.
THE GOOD
The 2012 version of the AFC Champion's League begins tomorrow night and for the first time Australia has three competitors in the competition. This is a time for A-League fans to unify, forget their rivalry and hope that the A-League contenders do Australian football proud. Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners will be competing with the best in Asia, with Brisbane and Central Coast in good shape to do well in the group stages, whilst Adelaide have the chance to resurrect a miserable domestic season.
THE BAD When you are owned by one of the richest men in the world you are never going to be far from the spotlight. Chelsea, relatively, have struggled in the past two seasons and the one nil loss to West Bromwich Albion was the catalyst for Roman Abramovich to sack the one-time wunderkind, Andre Villas-Boas. Don't feel too bad for the Portuguese manager though, the rest of his contract is set to be paid up in full and he has the talent to take-over another big team in years to come.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
The FFA and A-League have been through a tumultuous time in recent weeks and with the Gold Coast United licence being withdrawn it would be hard to believe that there could be a story that could match recent fiasco's. Then a new contender enters the arena with Sydney FC announcing the sacking of their CEO, Dirk Melton, for as yet mentioned unacceptable behaviour. The behaviour has yet to be disclosed other than to be referenced to staff complaints. Did anyone within the A-League team management structures pass a 'fitness of character' test when they applied for their roles? Maybe the FFA could implement these changes for the 2012/13 season!
What are your thoughts? What were your weekend's good, bad and the downright ugly?
The nail is not yet in the Gold Coast United coffin but the casket has been ordered by the FFA. Whilst the past few months have seen the tensions between Clive Palmer and the FFA simmer the last week has seen them explode. This has culminated in the FFA revoking Mr Palmer's Gold Coast United's football licence. This does not bode well for the future of a national football team on the Gold Coast but this is not the death knell of the A-League.
There is a minority of people on social network forums stating that the latest debacle is the beginning of the end for the A-League. Below is a sample of this line of thought, "Unfortunately this is the start of the end for Football in Australia. And its clear that this was Palmers intentions all along."
Both the AFL and NRL have lost teams in the history of their competition, teams have merged and more teams will meet a similar fate in years to come. The nature of a ultra-competitive sporting market means that the survival of the fittest must be adhered to. If teams cannot garner support and are losing money it cannot always be the fault of the game's administrators, the franchise themselves must take most of the blame for the way they have run their club.
It is not the end of the A-League, but this is another major warning for the FFA as it is very unlikely that Mr Palmer will work away from this mess quietly, court cases must surely await. This could be a costly and negative lesson for the FFA to use both corporate governance and having the right people at the helm of our clubs. Money, and the ability to pay for a licence, should not be the only determining factor in the granting of an A-League licence.
Mr Palmer has stated that he has put $18 million dollars into the Gold Coast club. That is a significant figure regardless of his wealth reserves but he should have completed his research and found that it is very rare that football clubs anywhere in the world are profitable. Investing money does not guarantee success, but investing time in the local community is the most solid foundation that any club can make for a long-term future. Both the Gold Coast Titans and Suns made this a priority in the years preceding their first competitive games. Gold Coast United on the other hand invested in cliched rhetoric and bravado culminating in numerous first year declarations of unfettered success.
The FFA cannot afford to support teams financially but more importantly it cannot afford to be undermined by a key stakeholder, in particular a disgruntled and disrupted owner. Clive Palmer and Ben Buckley may have traded blows but it took the true football lover and veteran of boardroom tussles, Frank Lowy to land the knockout blow, he took back the Gold Coast's A-League licence.
The FFA are far from blameless in this fiasco, they have shown a distinct lack of corporate governance in the awarding of licences and maintenance of licensee obligations. Some of the comments that Clive Palmer made on SBS television's World Game program are extremely valid, no more valid point than owners should have more say about the way their businesses are run.
What may have been forgotten in this tangled mess is that many people will be hurting tonight. Fans face the real fear that their club is forever lost, players will scramble for contracts and dedicated staff may no longer have employment. No one wins from this mess, but the A-League will move on. Australian football cannot afford for it not to.
Aston Villa drew but Bayern Munich and my beloved Brisbane Roar both had resounding victories over the weekend. Victories that keep both teams in contention for their respective titles, so overall a fairly happy footballing weekend for yours truly! I hope your weekend brought you some football joy.
THE GOOD
Kenny Dalglish has had a difficult time in his return to his beloved Liverpool. That return has got a whole lot better after Liverpool's thrilling penalty shoot-out win over a terrific Cardiff team earlier this morning. King Kenny is now one of only 7 managers in the top flight of English football to win the domestic treble of League title, FA Cup and League Cup. They may have spent too much on Mr Carroll, and had racism issues this season but now they have one more trophy for their impressive collection. Can it spur Liverpool onto a late run for the coveted UEFA Champion's League qualifying spot?
Honorable Mentions: Arsenal's amazing 5-2 win over Tottenham. Ryan Giggs' goal in his 900th Manchester United appearance. Ronaldo's wonder goal for Real Madrid. THE BAD
No matter how much you may feel that you have been wronged on a football pitch you cannot touch an opponent's head. With his team 3-nil up, Brisbane Roar's Henrique took umbrage to an elbow from Perth Glory's Jacob Burns. A slap to Jacob's face by Henrique had Burns sprawled on the turf. A two match ban has ensued, maybe Henrique should have just pointed to the scoreboard, and Mr Burns it was too late to get a nomination for the Oscars!
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY
The disunity between clubs, owners, the PFA, FFA, fans and the community was summed up by the ironic use of 'Freedom of speech' on the Gold Coast United shirts in their game versus Melbourne Victory over the weekend. Wasn't Miron sacked for using the very concept? Fans were allegedly banned from bringing in protest banners to last Wednesday's game against the Central Coast Mariners as a further blow to freedom of speech and expression. The FFA had banned the use of the non-sanctioned sponsor for the Gold Coast before the game. It appears that everyone is brewing for a fight that can only damage our wonderful game. Once again, won't someone think of the children!
What are your thoughts? What were your weekend's the good, the bad and the downright ugly?
Many football clubs around the world have a unique identity through their history, culture or results. Some, such as Barcelona have a combination of all three. The A-League clubs are in their infancy but since Ange Postecoglou took over the reins at the Brisbane Roar that has been his mandate, create a 'Brisbane way'. Last night's second goal against Perth Glory encapsulated all things that have captured Australian football fan's imaginations.
For ten minutes after half-time, and leading one-nil away from home, the Brisbane Roar defense were under tremendous pressure from a desperate Perth Glory team. Even under pressure, and with a few close calls, the Roar continued to pass the ball across the back-line, trying to probe the pressing attack and find a safe passage out of their half. This is Ange's way and he has repeatedly stated that he places performances above results.
Goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos received a dangerous back-pass and under Postecoglou's training could not just kick the ball long up field. Under pressure he played a nice ball up the wing to Shane Stefanutto. The full-back, come winger transferred the ball across the goal to Mohamed Adnan. Adnan then quickly transferred the ball to the opposite wing. All the while Perth's players could just watch the ball movement like they were watch a tennis match.
Henrique sprinted down the right wing and provided a beautiful cross that was well controlled by Besart Berisha who quickly turned Bas Van den Brink and put the ball into the back of the Perth net. Not one Perth player touched the ball for the entire passage of play.
These are not just goals, these are moments that develop the identity of a club, its philosophy and why people will watch them even if they follow another team.
Following football is one of the greatest gifts that I have ever received. Sometimes that gift is like opening up a packet of socks on Christmas morning, the present promised so much but delivered little. On other times the gift brings you those games that have everything you could hope for. My heart is still recovering from the tension of a great A-League game between my team, the Brisbane Roar and the competition's most followed team, Melbourne Victory on Saturday night. When the final whistle blew I had a strange mix of elation and relief as we held on for a vital three points, winning 3-2. I hope that your team did not cause you too many heart issues this weekend! Now to this weekend's good, the bad and the downright ugly. THE GOOD Trailling by 10 points in La Liga to bitter rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona are by their lofty standards having a terrible season. Not so their talisman number 10, Lionel Messi. Twenty-seven goals in all competition games, forty-two thus far, is a tremendous effort and is only one dynamic in his incredible contribution to his football team. This has been no better illustrated than in Barcelona's 5-1 win over third placed Valencia earlier this morning. Four goals and an assist is an incredible return for the world player of the year. If you do not like the sublime fourth goal then you are a very hard task master indeed!
THE BAD You dream of playing in an epic FA Cup match and you are given the chance playing against the historically mighty Liverpool FC. Your team scores 4 goals and somehow the dream is a nightmare as three of those goals are own goals. Even worse, you are credited with two of the own goals. Brighton's Liam Birdcutt will definitely not nominate red as his favorite color in my opinion after Brighton's 6-1 loss to Liverpool in the 5th round tie against Liverpool.
THE DOWNRIGHT UGLY Owning a football club is often more a labour of love than a profitable venture. Many football clubs around the world have encountered financial and competitive problems throughout their history, so it would be vital that the owner loves the game. There is a whole plethora of dilemmas that this article could write about Gold Coast United but I will leave them up to their owner, Clive Palmer to best sum up his alleged feelings about his own club, the competition and the people who run the game (1).
I don't even like the game," he told The Sunday Mail. "I think it's a hopeless game. Rugby league's a much better game."
"That's the reality of it. They can say what they like ... the A-League's a joke. I don't think I'll ever talk to Ben again in my life, to be honest."
What do you think? What were your weekend's the good, the bad, and the downright ugly?
(1) Monteverde, Marco, "Clive Palmer slams football, refuses to guarantee future of Gold Coast United", Brisbane Courier Mail, February 19, 2012.
