’s Favourite Football Fanzine www.goalweekly.com $4 FOOTBALL FEATURE ON FOOTBALL FOCUS ON BENDING OVER FOR BECKHAM Season 5: Issue 3 Monday 9th March 2009 Photo: Daniel Flis Photo: Peter Kakalias

THUNDER STRIKES AGAIN! ALL FINE AT DANDY AS ANOTHER SCALP NABBED

SL NW2 FIXTURES / JIMMY MACKAY / VPL ROUND 2 FOOTBALL FEATURE Langwarrin’s Bailey Wright WRIGHT HEADS TO UK Bailey Signs Two-Year Deal With Preston LANGWARRIN teenager Bailey Wright play against the youth sides from some of the has signed a two-year scholarship with biggest clubs in the game.” English Championship outfi t Preston Bigger still was his inclusion in the Joeys North End, currently in the hunt for squad that made it to the fi nals of the Asian promotion to the Premiership. Football Confederation Under-16 champion- The former Victorian Institute of Sport star ships held in Uzbekistan last October. Wright and Joeys defender fl ies to England in late played in a 6–0 rout of Turkmenistan but the June and while that’s a blow for the club he young Aussies went down 3–2 to United Arab joined as a junior it’s an enormous opportunity Emirates in the quarter-fi nals, the UAE winner for this confi dent 16-year-old to kick-start coming in injury time. what could be a successful career as a profes- “There’s nothing like it. Nothing comes close. sional footballer. It’s awesome playing for your country.” And the ironic twist to his tale is that he only Wanting to play senior football before fl ying to trained with Preston for a day late last year the UK, Wright trained during the pre-season before spending a week on trial with Black- with Dandenong Thunder, newly promoted to burn Rovers. but when senior coach Stuart “I think Preston liked the physical aspects of Munro indicated to Wright that the youngster my game. The players were really welcoming might not get a regular game in stepped Lang- which made it a lot easier and after the session warrin supremo Gus Macleod. the club told me that they were interested and “You hear some people say bad things about they knew that I was going to Blackburn,” said Thunder but they really treated me well. The Wright. people there were really nice to me and helped Wright was injured during his Blackburn trial me a lot. and the Ewood Park outfi t could not properly “As soon as I started training with Langwarrin assess him but Preston had seen enough and Gus put me into the fi rst team and played me offered him a scholarship which he accepted. every week in the practice games, which was He’ll play in Preston’s youth team from the great. outset under coach Jamie Hoyland and no “It’s only a fi ve-minute walk to training which doubt director of youth Dean Ramsdale and beats an hour and a half and sometimes two assistant Nick Harrison will be keeping a close hours to get to training with the VIS.” watch on Wright’s progress. While Wright is enjoying himself at Langy the The teenager will arrive at the thought of joining a professional club with a stadium already aware that he’s joining a club chance of playing in the English Premiership steeped in history. It tells you something about is never far away. Likewise the thought of one how keen he is to forge a professional career day becoming a full-time pro. that he’s even bothered to learn some impor- “How good would it be to make a living out of tant aspects of the club’s background. something that you love doing?” “It’s one of the longest serving clubs in the Wright will join a Lancashire club whose league and you soon learn about all those Sixteen-year-old Bailey Wright heads to Preston North End at the end of June to promotion push is matched by its off-fi eld famous names like Finney. I’ve been to the take up a two-year deal. Photo: SUE MACKIE. impetus. A major redevelopment of Deepdale (National Football) museum and they’ve even began in 1995 when the old West Stand was got the old Wembley goals there. It’s awe- father’s infl uence. me I was a good player but that I had to work demolished to make way for the new £4.4m some.” “Dad always was honest with me. Honesty on my fi tness.” Sir Stand which has a capacity And “awesome” is a word you’ll hear often gets you a long way. He always told me when Wright captained the Victorian Under-14 and of around 8000 and includes press areas and from Wright who still is over-the-moon at the I played well and when I had a bad game. Under-15 Metro sides at national champion- restaurants. opportunity that’s been offered to him. You’re not going to get anywhere if you get ships and accepted a scholarship to the VIS in The next stand to be developed was the Bill Preston is a founder member of the Football told you’ve done well when you’ve had a bad 2006. Shankley Kop in 1998. The National Football League and became the champion of the game,” said Wright. “The VIS was brilliant, a really professional museum runs underneath these stands with the world’s fi rst professional league in 1889 when Next port of call was Mornington’s Under-13 environment and (head coach) Ian Greener entrance at the corner of the two. it went through the season unbeaten. Super League side coached by Nick Townsend taught me a lot as a player and gave me confi - The Alan Kelly Town End was next to be built Current boss Alan Irvine is in illustrious but at the ripe old age of 13 he joined Division dence. I wasn’t good at keeping possession but replacing the popular Town End terrace and company. Some of the game’s greatest names One outfi t Dandenong Thunder in 2005 and they worked hard on that and I’m a lot better in 2008 the Invincibles Pavilion opened to have managed the famous club among them played regularly in the club’s reserves under in that area now. complete the regeneration. Alan Ball, , and Toby Paterson. “Mehmet Durakovic was the assistant coach Just as well because they’ll need the extra . “I’d never really got close to playing for and he helped out with defensive aspects of seating to house the Wright clan that consists Yep, that’s awesome alright. But it won’t Victoria before but I’m sure lots of kids got my game so I’ve got a lot to thank the VIS of his dad, mum Jeanette, older sisters Nicole overawe a youngster who’ll soon be fl ying overlooked a few years back. I made the Vic for.” and Amanda, older brother Craig and twin halfway around the world to live in digs with Under-14 Metro side and that’s really when I The introduction of the Australian Institute sister Maddison. other hopefuls. got involved in the system.” of Sport team into Victoria’s Premier League Rest assured though that Preston will accom- That’s because of the many people who have Paterson had recognised the teenager’s talents in 2007 also heralded the entry of Wright and modate the Wrights, especially if the youngest played a part in nurturing Wright’s talents, not and arranged trials with Scottish giant Celtic his VIS teammates into that league’s reserves family member follows in the footsteps of a just on the fi eld, but off. He’s level-headed, and English outfi t Crewe Alexandra. competition and it was also in 2007 that couple of Aussies called Neil and Cahill. ambitious and talented, a potent mix indeed. “We went to the UK in September (2005) and Wright had another “awesome” experience. Wright started playing with Langwarrin as a mum and dad and my twin sister came as well. “Yeah, touring the UK with the VIS that year fi ve-year-old. He was coached by his father I was at Celtic for a week but didn’t get much was awesome. We had some good results and By Craig MacKenzie Andy back then and has great respect for his feedback and I had a week at Crewe. They told some not so good but it was just amazing to Finger On The Pulse Dept.

p2 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 REWIND DEPT. ASIA CUP

THIS WEEK’S LINE UP

Aus v Kuwait Rewind 3 ‘ROOS STUMBLE! Errea Scoreboard Page 4 Kuwaitis Infl ict Capital Punishment Georgies v Hume 5 Australia sit rooted to the bottom of Group B in qualifying for the South v Bergers 6 2011 AFC Asian Cup after defeat Magic v Lions 7 at the hands of a spirited Kuwait in Canberra on Thursday evening. Monday Night Football 8 A record local crowd for an in- ternational football match of 20,032 fi lled Blast From The Past 11 Canberra Stadium, and were lamenting a lacklustre display from Australia as they Eagles v Knights 14 fell 1-0 to the visitors. The loss added fur- Cannons v Thunder 15 ther weight to the anti-A-League band- wagon, with the part-timers from Kuwait MacKenzie At Large 16 illustrating a more cohesive style of foot- ball in comparison to the more fancied Football Focus 27 yet vastly underdone hosts. An impeccable playing surface allowed Front Cover for an intricate passing game, yet it was Thunder’s Joey Di Iorio celebrates with Kuwait that adjusted to the conditions fans after scoring a 87th minute win- with indelible ease. The early passages ning goal against the Cannons. were dominated by midfi elder Talal Photo: Peter Kakalias. Alamer, who had as many as four clear chances on goal in the opening ten min- utes. The good folk of Canberra got to see fi rst hand how wanting our boys can be at times. Iranian referee Masoud Moradi was called into action in the 10th minute, the fi eld, clearly illustrated when Kuwait pointed about the result and also about the issuing a yellow card to Michael Zullo for opened the scoring in the 37th minute. A performance. I think Kuwait was the better a raised foot challenge on midfi elder Jarah superb delivery from Bader Al Motawaa team, but I have seen my players playing Goal! Weekly is available every Monday from all Alateeqi. Victory’s A-League found a poorly marked Mesaed Alenzi who better.” Verbeek was mindful of the coun- good newsagents. Grand Final hero Tomi Pondeljak emerged headed the ball neatly passed a stranded ter-attacking style of play which Kuwait Galekovic. brought to the equation, and summed up his Publisher with his fi rst sight on goal in the 12th min- Alimental Enterprises Pty Ltd ute, his miscued shot from twenty yards Australia’s best chance of an equaliser ar- charges display with a frank honesty, “You PO Box 142 barely testing the Kuwaiti custodian Nawaf rived a couple of minutes later, Pondel- have to play faster... that’s exactly what we Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Alkhaldi. Five minutes later, a defensive jak again failing to trouble the resolute didn’t do, we played too slow, there was Tel 9645 1440 Alkhaldi, who was marshalling his defence not enough movement in the team, the fi nal lapse from Craig Moore gifted Hamad Al- Printer anezi with a golden chance, but Eugene admirably in the face of a parochial home pass was not good... overall, very disap- Streamline Press Galekovic was on hand to make a smart crowd. pointing.” 155 Johstone St save. The second half was more illustra- The Socceroos’ focus returns to Fitzroy VIC 3065 tive of Kuwait’s danger on the counter at- the World Cup Qualifi ers on April 1, with Tel 9417 2766 Australia’s best chance of the half came in the 23rd minute, with some fi ne in- tack rather than Australia’s ability to mount the return fi xture against Uzbekistan at Distributer terplay from Archie Thompson, Pondeljak any meaningful charge towards goal. Al ANZ Stadium in Sydney. No doubt, the in- All Day Distribution Pty Ltd and Zullo drawing Alkhaldi out of his goal Motawaa had multiple chances to fi nish off clusion of Australia’s overseas starlets will PO Box 42 the Socceroos, and the absence of a quality be welcomed with open arms, but the lin- North Carlton VIC 3054 and leaving Thompson clear to score. His Tel 9482 1145 scuffed left-foot attempt was cleared off fi nish was the key factor in maintaining the gering question mark over the standard of the line by Fahed Shaheen directly into the intensity in the contest. Despite the addi- the A-League will continue to be a point of News Room 03 9645 1440 tion of Mitch Nicholls and Robert Cornth- concern for Verbeek when the competition Advertising 03 9645 1440 path of Pondeljak, who drilled the ball into the post from point-blank range. waite in a surprise role as striker, Kuwait resumes in November. Email [email protected] Despite enjoying almost two- held on for a deserved away win. Letters [email protected] thirds of the possession, the Socceroos Pim Verbeek paid credit to the op- By Tony Persoglia Web www.goalweekly.com lacked cohesion and spark, a result of the position, but could not hide his frustration at the fi nal outcome, “We are very disap- Photo: Geoff Jones Editor Costa Koutropoulos largely inexperienced line-up that took Art Director Carlos Ibarra Design/Creative Ivan Andreevski THE ROAD TO QATAR Production MJ Ali. Group B P W D L F A +/- Pts 19 Jan 2009 OMAN - INDONESIA 0:0 18 Nov 2009 OMAN - AUSTRALIA Regular Contributors Nat Adamopoulos, Mark Boric, Bruce Darnell, OMAN 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4 28 Jan 2009 INDONESIA - AUST 0:0 18 Nov 2009 INDONESIA - KUWAIT Andrew Fisher, Roy Hay, Markian Jaworsky, 28 Jan 2009 KUWAIT - OMAN 0:1 6 Jan 2010 INDONESIA - OMAN George Katsamboukas, Eddie Krncevic, KUWAIT 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3 Bart Hulley, John Kyrou, Sebastian Kipman, 5 Mar 2009 AUST - KUWAIT 0-1 6 Jan 2010 KUWAIT - AUSTRALIA George Kouroumalis, Michael Lilikakis, INDONESIA 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 14 Nov 2009 AUSTRALIA - OMAN 3 Mar 2010 OMAN - KUWAIT Josip Loncaric, Craig MacKenzie, Jeremy O’Neil, Teo Pellizzeri, Walter Pless, Tony Persoglia, AUSTRALIA 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1 14 Nov 2009 KUWAIT - INDONESIA 3 Mar 2010 AUST - INDONESIA Julius Ross, Roger Sleeman, Mike Salter, George Stogiannou, Reuben Schembri, Lachlan Taylor, Elias Simopoulos, Michal Skrodsky, Addy Wetzler, Bruno Zovko.

Photographers Adam Butler, Therese Duffy, Daniel Flis, Dean Grant, Geoff Jones, Peter Kakalias, Darryl Ken- nedy, Lee McCormick, Mark McGeady, John Punshon, Brett Robson, Steve Starek, George Stogiannou.

Goal! Weekly endeavours to be as accurate as possible with everything it publishes. The Fair Trading Act 1999 requires Goal! Weekly to disclaim any belief in the truth or falsity of information which is supplied to it and which is published in other than editorial content.

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p3 ERREA SCOREBOARD Round 2

Oakleigh Cannons P W D L F A PT v 1. Richmond 2 2 0 0 4 0 6 Melbourne Knights Jack Edwards Res 2. Dandenong Thunder 2 2 0 0 2 0 6 Fri 13 Mar KO 8:30PM 3. Green Gully Cavaliers 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 4. Oakleigh Cannons 2 1 0 1 4 2 3 Green Gully 5. Altona Magic 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 v Dandenong Thunder 6. Melbourne Knights 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Green Gully Reserve 7. Sunshine Georgies 2 1 0 1 1 3 3 Sat 14 Mar KO 5PM 8. Heidelberg Utd 2 1 0 1 2 4 3 9. Preston Lions 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 Altona Magic v 10. South Melbourne 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Richmond Eagles 11. Hume City 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Paisley Park 12. Whittlesea Zebras 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 Sat 14 Mar KO 7:30PM

Richmond 1 Melbourne Knights 2, Altona Magic 1 Preston Hume City Lions 0, Sunshine Georgies 1 Hume City 2, Oakleigh Cannons 0 Dandenong Thunder 1 P W D L F A PT v Altona Magic 2 2 0 0 3 0 6 Melbourne Knights 3 2 0 1 3 3 6 Richmond 1 Melbourne Knights 0 South Melbourne 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 Whittlesea Zebras V.I.S 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 Altona Magic A Preston Lions A* (Match abandoned)* Richmond 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 Hume City 2 1 0 1 2 3 3 Broadmeadows Valley Park Sunshine Georgies 1 Hume City 0 Oakleigh Cannons 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Heidelberg Utd 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 Sun 15 Mar KO 4:00PM Green Gully Cavaliers 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 South Melbourne 0 Heidelberg United 1 Sunshine Georgies 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 Whittlesea Zebras 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 Whittlesea Zebras v Green Gully* (Playing tonight)* Preston Lions 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 Dandenong Thunder 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 Preston Lions v South Melbourne OAKLEIGH V MELBOURNE KNIGHTS: the season, however come against their always a touch match. SCORE DRAW Fri 13th Mar, 8:30pm Jack Edwards Re- toughest opponents in reigning champions BT Connor Reserve serve Altona Magic. Altona will be hoping to halt Last 5 Meetings: South 1-2 Preston (2008), Both sides suffered their fi rst loss last the Eagles charge, and the groundsmen will Preston 1-2 South (2008), South 3-3 Sun 15 Mar KO 5PM week, and will be out to make amends. The be hoping the lighting stays on for this one. Preston (2007), Preston 2-2 South (2007), Cannons and the Knights have played out SCORE DRAW South 2-1 Preston (2006) some very tight contested football that is Heidelberg Utd usually decided by the odd goal. Last 5 Meetings: Altona 2-1 Rich (2008), HEIDELBERG V SUNSHINE: SCORE DRAW Rich 1-1 Altona (2008), Rich 1-0 Altona Mon 16th Mar, 8.30pm Olympic Village v (2007), Altona 2-1 Rich (2007), Altona 0-1 Heidelberg and Sunshine picked up their Last 5 Meetings: Knights 1-0 Oak (2008), Rich (2006) fi rst wins on the weekend, and will head Sunshine Georgies Oak 1-1 Knights (2008), Knights 1-0 Oak into this Monday nights blockbuster with Olympic Village (2007 Finals), Knights 1-0 Oak (2007), HUME CITY V WHITTLESEA: full of confi dence. A healthy crowd is ex- Oak 2-1 Knights (2006) Sun 15th Mar, 4:00pm Broadmeadows Val- pected and a quality games is on the cards. Mon 16 Mar KO8:30PM ley Park HOME WIN GREEN GULLY V DANDENONG: Hume City coach Goran Lozanovski will TOP Sat 14th Mar, 5:00pm Green Gully Reserve be under immense pressure for his side to Last 5 Meetings: Sun 0-1 Heid (2007), SHOTS! Dandenong have sent a clear message to pick up maximum points after faltering in Heid 2-1 Sun (2007), Sun 1-0 Heid (2006), Calling all sharp-shooters! Get your the rest of the competition. Having picked the opening two fi xtures. A win against the Heid 1-4 Sun (2006), Heid 3-1 Sun (2005) best shooting boots on because thanks up the prized scalps of South Melbourne Zebra’s will be the fi rst step to turn things to our friends at Erreà, the Top Scorer and Oakleigh they now target the ‘Green around. HOME WIN For those who like a fl utter on the of this season’s VPL will receive a $500 Machine’ on their own turf. Green Gully English betting sites, my outside bet would gift voucher. will not roll out the red carpet for the Thun- Last 5 Meetings: Whitt 0-0 Hume (2008), be Richmond upsetting Altona Magic at Since 1988 Erreà have strived to lead der, expect goals in this match. Hume 1-0 Whitt (2008), DNP home. This week’s safe bet: Hume City to in the creation, development and man- HOME WIN beat Whittlesea. Remember bet responsi- ufacture of the most advanced techni- PRESTON V SOUTH MELBOURNE: bly. cal sportswear and accessories for Last 5 Meetings: Gully 1-2 Dand (2001), Sun 15th Mar, 5:00pm BT Connor Reserve specialising in football. Dand 2-2 Gully (2001), Gully 1-1 Dand With both Preston and South Melbourne The company offers quality products (1999), Dand 2-3 Gully (1999), Gully 4-0 yet to get points on the board, makes this such as Italian Made football uniforms Dand (1998) fi xture between bitter rivals that extra spe- and accessories, and sponsors clubs cial. South Melbourne have yet to register a of the calibre of Genoa, Middlesbrough, Parma and many clubs in Australia. ALTONA MAGIC V RICHMOND: goal in this season’s competition, and a loss By Andrew Fisher Good luck to all the punters, and re- Sat 14th Mar, 7:30pm Paisley Park. here will have the supporters question the Kiss of Death member ‘keepers, you have been Richmond have had the perfect start to club’s title ambitions. Preston at home is warned!

p4 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Round 2 VPL

SUNSHINE GEORGIES GEORGIES OPEN 1 - 0 SEASON ACOUNT HUME CITY Hume Frustrated For A Second Week

Sunshine Georgies recorded its ball beyond Acevski to send the Sun- with Brendan Beni prominent as was fi rst win of the season since its shine faithful on the terraces absolute- George Papadopoulos for The Cross. return to the Victorian Premier ly nuts. For the remainder of the half The Sunshine defence was tested with League with a gutsy one goal to Hume City worked hard to try and get a number of dangerous crosses and nil victory over a very combative themselves back into the game without free kicks but managed to survive and and competitive Hume City outfi t really carving out a clear chance on Sunshine were actually unlucky not on Sunday. goal. Sunshine captain Wayne Wal- to add a second when Kotsupias beat Both Sunshine and Hume lace was having a commanding game an onrushing Acevski and lobbed him City had started the game eager to marshalling the defence. Half-time and only to see the lob cleared by a sprawl- make amends for their opening round Sunshine had the upper hand by the ing Hume City defender. Sunshine defeats and both teams started with a single goal. held on and there we joyous scenes in purpose - trying to wrestle control of The second half was a cagier the Georgie’s dressing room and the the midfi eld right from kick-off. It was affair with Hume City going all out stands - the home side got its season evident early on that this game would for the goal that would edge them well and truly up and running. be an open one, with both teams intent back into the game and Sunshine do- Next week, for Sunshine it’s on playing a good passing game and ing their best to absorb the pressure a trip to the Olympic village to lock both sets of midfi elders and forwards and counter attack which at times horns with Heidelberg United whilst from both sides doing a mountain of created some hairy moments for Lou Hume City return to their new home at work off the ball to fashion opportu- Acevski and the defenders in front of Broadmeadows Valley Park for what nities. In a fi rst-half which saw half him. Sunshine at one stage had the will be a vital game for them against chances fall to both teams within the ball in the back of the net and as the near town rivals Whittlesea. A fi xture fi rst ten minutes, it was Sunshine who Sunshine attacked slid the ball beyond that both teams realise will warrant a found the decisive and ultimately win- Acevski and was wheeling away to win in order to keep up with the other ning strike of the game when a slick celebrate it was soured by the sight teaams. attacking move down the far side of of the linesman’s fl ag. Hard tackles Chaplin reserve saw a ball angled into by both sides saw a few yellow cards By Rueben Schembri Lou Acevski’s penalty box which was dished out in the second stanza and Photos by Daniel Flis Hume’s Tansel Baser wins the met by Kris Konstas who tucked the Hume City probably shaded the play aerial duel against two Georgies players.

The Georgies are off the mark in 2009 after snatching a 1-0 win against Hume City at Chaplin Reserve yesterday.

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p5 VPL Round 2

SOUTH MELBOURNE BERGERS 0 - 1 BOUNCE BACK! HEIDELBERG UNITED Deep Derby Day Pain For South Heidelberg have bounced back after upright before it was cleared by the South With South on the backfoot, - SMFC 0 their fi rst round defeat to Oakleigh to defence. tain and hard working defender Rama Tav- Heidelberg 1 (Osagie Ederaro) claim an important derby win against The away side continued to press forward sancioglu was booked for a robust chal- their old foe South Melbourne at Bob after this and had half chances from Tony lenge. This was to be his 2nd yellow of the Man of the Match – Osagie Ederaro Jane Stadium on Sunday. Ouliaris and Graham Hockless fl y wide of evening, meaning that South would play the With both teams coming into the the target without testing Tomich at all. remaining 20 minutes of the game with 10 SMFC Line-up contest on the back of uninspiring perfor- South replied late in the half men. Tommi Tomich, Shane Nunes, Rhodri mances in Round 1, they were intent on get- through veteran , who For this time, Heidelberg domi- Payne, Steven O’Dor, Vaughan Coveny, ting their season back on track in front of a skimmed past the stagnant Heidelberg de- nated possession and squandered numerous Gianni De Nittis, Joseph Youssef, Rama healthy derby day crowd. fence, before hitting a low and hard shot half chances through veterans Eric Vassili- Tavsancioglu, Stiven Mrkela, Goran Zor- The game started in typical derby on his left foot towards the target. The ball adis and substitute Bobby Petta. ic fashion, with hard tackles fl ying in from all which was destined for the bottom corner However it was the Bergers who angles and some scrappy foootball being was somehow defl ected into the upright by would get the only goal of the tight contest Heidelberg played, with no real team gaining any as- goalkeeper Peter Gavalas before going out in the 84th minute, when the South defence Peter Gavalas, Peter Robers, Tony Ouliar- cendency whatsoever. for a corner. did not close the oncoming Ederaro before is, Daniel Jones, Eric Vassiliadis, Anthony Once the game settled, Heidelberg Heidelberg started the 2nd half he managed to sensationally lob Tomich Magnacca, Graham Hockless, Osagie Ed- had the fi rst opportunity on goal with Denis strongly and more determined in the early from just outside the area to send the small eraro, Marinos Gasparis, Denis Alinovic, Alinovic connecting with an innocuous stages to score a goal. contingent of travelling fans into raptures. James Stefanou ball forward to loop a header on target. In On the right hand side, new sign- South will need to regroup before what would have been a regulation catch ing Osagie Ederaro was causing the South its tough away trip to Preston next Sunday, for goalkeeper Tommi Tomich, it appeared defence havoc at every opportunity, by con- whilst Heidelberg host Sunshine on Mon- that the sun glare caught the custodian off tinually running at the defenders at speed day night at the Olympic Village. By George Kouroumalis guard, with the ball somehow striking the and also having the confi dence to shoot Photos by Peter Kakalias from any angle and distance.

Heidelberg keeper Peter Gavalas comes out to spoil a South Melbourne attack in the derby clash at Bob Jane. p6 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Round 2 VPL

ALTONA LIGHT FAILURE MAGIC STOPS PLAY A - A* PRESTON Darkness Drama Descends On Derby LIONS

Just as the Lions were in the ascen- early on and Cergovski should have also Line Ups. dancy the lights went out at Paisley scored when he was put through by Kalmar Park yet again. The frequency that but his effort was easily saved by Salcin in Altona Magic: this is happening at VPL venues the Preston goal. N.Roganovic, P.Riccobene, over the last few seasons is becom- Altona had some half chances C.Anthopolous, S.Laurie, S.Bozinovski, ing very tiresome for the paying but Preston’s defence stood up well to the K.Tasevski, P.Siveski, N.Kalmar, public. onslaught and when Altona lost the ball in C.Recchia, P.Cergovski, M.Curcija Preston came into this fi xture with Preston’s half Filipovic played Arsovski on some confi dence having just been beaten the right fl ank, Arsovski then put Geor- Preston Lions: by the Knights the week before, they knew gievski through on goal but his weak effort D. Salcin, M. Ladnjak, M. Miskas, Z. that they should have taken something was easily saved by the Magic keeper. Popovic, C. Toleski, I. Arsovski, I. Filipov- from that game having had pushed the With 2 minutes to go in the fi rst ic, R. Najdovski, R. Dolevski, B. Micovski, Knights for much of the match, but Altona half Salcin incredibly saved an acrobat B. Georgievski was a different proposition and the Lions shot from Kalmar from 6 metres out, and a new that they would have to work to keep minute later pulled of the save of the game them at bay. from Tasevski from Magic to keep Preston Crowd: 1200 Unoffi cial Altona showed why it will be a in the game. *Match abandoned due to fl oodlight force this season with some confi dent play, The second half barely got started failure. but Preston should have taken the lead on when 10 minutes in the lights went out. 2 occasions but Georgievski shot weakly 15 minutes later an announcement advised By Nome Risteski allowing the Magic to stay in the game. that the game was over and alternative date Photos by Nome Risteski Altona also had some chances would be set for the reply. Action from Magic v Lions

A big crowd was on hand to watch the action between the 2008 and 2007 VPL champions, unfortunately the fl oodlights failed and the contest didn’t quite make it to the full ninety minutes. Bale Micovski of Preston gives chase on a Phillip Ricobene (Magic) pass before the lights blew.

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p7 p8 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Round 2 VPL

WHITTLESEA ZEBRAS GREEN MACHINE V VISITS ZEBRAS GREEN GULLY Tonight at Epping Stadium, KO 8.30pm

In the fi nal game of round two of the 2009 Victorian Premier League, Green Gully will travel to Epping Stadium for the clash against the Whittlsea Zebras. It wasn’t until mid week that confi rmation of the venue from Football Federation Victoria came through to the clubs participating in this fi xture. During the off-season, the Zebras have been hit hard by off-fi eld politics. Gone is former president and power-broker Sam Couteri, a business owner of the successful La Ionica Chickens company in Victoria. Along with Sam too, is gone a strong relationship with the FFV and the Whittlesea council, and of course a considerable amount of club fi nances, now diverted to another venture. The Whittlesea Zebras are working hard behind the scenes to consolidate its VPL status, and only a last minute deal involving the FFV has seen Whittlesea avoiding forfet in this round two fi xture, on the back of a three-nil loss at Richmond last weekend. As Green Gully sit comfortably near top of the table, it is with some irony the Cavaliers will go head to head this Monday night with their former striker Brandon Vassallo. Last weekend the Cava- liers hosted the Georgies with former Gully striker Campbell Banks in their line-up, but were able to walk away with a three nil win and importantly three points to open the new season. Another week, and an another ex-striker to look out for. Brandon Vassallo left Gully at the end of the 2007 season, due to commitments with his thriving electrics business and long distance travelling time to Gully from his part of Melbourne. The former Gully Junior (from Under 8’s) had a stint with the Oakleigh Cannons before ending up at Whittlesea. The Cavaliers played the Whittle- sea Stallions in a pre-season friendly, a week after the Black Saturday bushfi res. Green Gully donated $500 to the Red Cross Last season’s VPL Golden Boot winner Pablo Cardozo (left) will be in action against the Zebras tonight. Ross before the kick-off. In that game the Cava- Antoniadis (Inset) will be hoping his defence can contain him and make the most of home ground advantage. liers were 3-0 winners, the Zebras were completely outplayed and are up against the David Winton’s selection headache. options in Ryan Ollerton, Kole Delev an By Markian Jaworsky odds on Monday night. For the Cavaliers, As the Gully held a clean sheet against former Melbourne Victory Youth player the only problems revolve around the Coach the Georgies, Winton had three defensive Cameron Drake out of the starting eleven. Photos by Daniel Flis

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p9 FOOTBALL CLASSIFIEDS Getting The Right Results Dept.

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Orders not available from Nike Australia direct to public and must go through a registered Nike Stockist. p10 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Jimmy Mackay: Socceroo Legend BLAST FROM THE PAST HISTORY MAKER! The Man Who Shot Aussie Soccer To Greatness Jimmy Mackay will always be associated from the State League after crowd trouble in a with the classic goal he scored against match against Hakoah at Olympic Park in 1972. South Korea in 1973 which took the Soc- In an indication of the respect in which he was ceroos to the World Cup in Germany for held, he was offered a contract by Frank Lowy’s the fi rst time the following year. But his Hakoah in Sydney. So he played in the midfi eld contribution to football in this country for Hakoah, helping it to top the State League went well beyond that iconic strike. ladder in both 1973 and 1974. He was born in Scotland in 1943 and played The World Cup qualifi cation began with a with Bonnyrigg Rose as a junior and then with four-team tournament in Australia, involving the old Airdrieonians team in Coatbridge, east the Socceroos, New Zealand, Iraq and Indone- of in 1964–65. In 1965, Frank Burin sia. Two draws against New Zealand and one went on a recruitment trip to Europe for Croatia with Irak, were complemented by two wins Melbourne which had been yo-yoing between over Indonesia and one against Iraq. Mackay the State League and the Division One of the scored two goals in the six-nil rout of Indone- Metropolitan League. Arriving in Scotland he sia which completed the series. In August the got a list of players whose contracts had expired zone fi nal was between Australia and Iran and and promptly signed Duncan MacKay, formerly three-nil home win seemed to have ensured of Celtic, who had been playing with Third La- the Socceroos’s passage, but the away leg was nark which was in its terminal decline. Then in a nail-biter after two early goals to Iran and it Edinburgh Burin met and signed Hugh Gunn was a backs-to-wall defensive effort thereafter and Jimmy Mackay. All three were to play a in which Mackay’s control and reading of the huge part in Croatia’s success in the next few game was vital. years. Jimmy Mackay was a skilled midfi elder That set up the fi nal qualifi cation matches with a brilliant tactical brain who could control against South Korea. Two draws meant a third a match. He made an immediate impact at Croa- match in Hong Kong on 13 November. Seventy tia which became the glamour team of 1965 ac- minutes had gone when Australia got a free kick cording to the Victorian Soccer Federation Year- outside the penalty area which his midfi eld part- book. By the end of the season it was a team of ner, Jimmy Rooney, played back to the advanc- mixed nationalities, with Scots in the majority. ing Mackay. From about 30 metres he hit an un- Hammy McMeechan from Slavia was signed stoppable shot past the Korean keeper and wrote for a Victorian record fee of £1,200. Other new- his name into history. Team-mates Doug Utjese- comers were Joe Keenan, Ian Currie, Bobby novic and Atti Abonyi claim that Mackay had McLachlan, Billy McIntyre and Brian Adlam. never done anything like that before in training In 1968 Croatia won the State League for the or in matches. But when it mattered, he did. fi rst time, plus the and the Ampol Mackay played in all three games in Ger- Cup in an extraordinary season. Jimmy Mackay many, in a career which included 52 games for was the fulcrum of the team which included the Australia and 25 for Victoria. He scored 5 inter- young Billy Vojtek, Horst Rau, Frank Bot, Peter national goals. After the World Cup he returned Davies, Billy McIntyre, and Bill McArthur. In to Victoria and South Melbourne Hellas, where 1970, selected Jimmy Mackay for he helped the Blues to runner-up in 1975 and to the world tour which formed the basis of the become State League champion in 1976. He re- squad which was to prepare for the 1974 World tired in 1977 just before the start of the National Cup in Germany. Rasic commented, ‘I’ll never Soccer League. He was recognised in the Roll of forget Australia’s 3–1 win over Greece in Athens Honour in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. in 1970. Not only did Mackay mark Mimis Do- His passing in 1998 saddened the whole football mazos out of the game he also scored our second community, but his memory lives on. goal. … Mackay was certainly one of the most I would like to acknowledge the assistance imaginative midfi elders ever to have played in of Frank Burin, Greg Stock, Tony Brown, Ted Australia … He was a football freak.’ Smith and the late Laurie Schwab in preparing Mackay met and married his wife Marilyn in this article. Melbourne but his career was threatened with major disruption when Croatia was expelled Words by Roy Hay Jimmy Mackay. Photo: Les Shorrock collection, Deakin University Library. Photos sourced by Roy Hay

Jimmy Mackay on the treatment table. Love that wallpaper. Jimmy Mackay in action for South Melbourne Hellas. Photo: Les Shorrock collection, Deakin University Library. ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p11 THE THIRD EYE Let’s Go To The Video Tape Dept. FUNNY GOINGS ON AT THE FOOTBALL Big Brother Zooms In On Offi cial’s Decisions The Football Federation of Australia has outcome. be at stake. But that is not what is occurring in You might as well have a straw poll of viewers set up an independent match review Later, at 65 minutes, Breeze sent off Victory’s many cases. All that we are doing is shifting to decide outcomes. panel (MRP) to consider incidents which Socceroo striker Danny Allsopp for allegedly the locus of decision-making from the person occur in matches under its jurisdiction, head-butting Robert Cornthwaite. charged with controlling the game in real time in part to exercise its duty of care to its The two players challenged the red cards and on the spot to another group outside the players by examining matters which handed out to them and the MRP upheld both game who may have access to other, not neces- have not been picked up by the match protests. The red cards are expunged from the sarily better, evidence after the event. offi cials. players’ records and neither has to face a sanc- In the case of football matches it is well known The FFA is concerned that a player could suf- tion. that the same incident can be shown in video fer a serious injury as a result of a challenge Matthew Breeze, the grand fi nal referee and replays from a number of different angles, one not spotted and sanctioned at the time by the one of Australia’s FIFA representatives, must be of which might show a clear foul, another might referee. thoroughly disappointed by the outcome. Both indicate that contact occurred after one of the But the tribunal also reviews the consequences of his major decisions in the match have been participants had played the ball, and yet another of decisions by referees by determining the pen- overturned on video evidence and the state- would suggest that no contact at all had taken alty which should apply to incidents which have ments of the players and their representatives. In place. been sanctioned by a red card which results in the eyes of the panel, which includes a former Until we have instant video/technical capture the expulsion of a player from a game. referee, he got both decisions wrong. available to the decision-maker on the spot, Normally, if there are no aggravating circum- It now appears that football is going down the so that he or she can review an episode to see stances the penalty will be one game’s suspen- same misleading track as the Australian Football whether a mistake has been possible, the current sion, but the tribunal can increase this, as it League, the cricket authorities, the NRL, Tennis procedures now adopted by a range of sports did when it banned Ney Fabiano, Melbourne Australia and the National Football League in seem seriously fl awed. They combine the worst Victory’s Brazilian striker, for nine matches. His the United States. The decisions of the referees of being wise after the event with the undermin- offence was that he was alleged to have spat on or umpires on the fi eld can now be overturned ing of the referees/umpires. As a famous English an opponent. on the basis of what can be gleaned from video referee, Pat Partridge once said, ‘A referee’s two In the recent Grand Final of the A-League, or data-capture technology. greatest assets are his eyesight and his courage’. Quick! Quick! With only a split second to referee Matthew Breeze sent off Adelaide People can argue that correcting manifestly We are in the process of undermining that criti- decide and 100,000 eyes watching, was United striker Christiano for illegal use of his unjust decisions made in the heat of the mo- cal element in sport in order to pander to a false this challenge a foul with malice intent? elbow in a challenge on Melbourne Victory’s ment by the naked eye of fallible human beings belief that what we see on television—directly Rodrigo Vargas. This episode in the 10th minute is only fair to the participants in high-level from a replay or through an artefact like Hawk- of the match, changed the complexion of the professional sport in which vast sums of money, eye or Snicko—is somehow better and fairer, By Roy Hay game completely and had a large bearing on the national pride and the livelihood of players may when it is only shifting the control to outsiders. Photos by Big Brother FROM MORRIS MINOR TO MAJOR GISS Academies Go From Strength To Strength Genova International School of Soc- youth and senior clubs. The annual tours oc- cer (GISS) an Italian based company cur during the 2nd half of the year starting founded in Italy in by Italo/Australian with the 18yrs+ players entering a pre-sea- Morris Pagniello in 2005, has seen son Serie A competition. These are offi cial many players through the profession- trial games and some players are asked to al football system, including some of stay back for further trials (see tours section Italy’s Serie A stars. www.issgenova.com). In July 2006 the company established a Morris Pagniello 32yrs is an Ex partnership with AS Roma and established Professional Footballer who played for over its sister company in Melbourne which fi lled 10yrs in Italy, Holland, Hungary and USA, the gap in Junior development. comments ‘’ I believe that football is life for 2008 saw GISS seeds expand into many European countries and if we are go- Holland, Brazil and Asia. In October 2008, ing to be able to compete against these coun- GISS continued its partnership with AS tries or try and break into their leagues we Roma establishing a strong base in Toron- have be prepared...and what better way to do to, Canada. The 3 offi cial bases and seeds this from home. With the right instructors, Italian stallions: Francesco Totti, Ramon Turone, Bruno Conti, around the globe, have placed 42 players in our junior development program and our ca- Morris Pagniello, and Daniele De Rossi. the highest and lower leagues over Europe reer pathways project, I believe any player through a proven system of player develop- with a little bit of talent can go a long way. way for two years before I was offered a pro- up in Valencia, Spain”. Theo has signed a ment and placement in the “GISS pathway”. I always tell our players that if you want to fessional contract. Its been very tough, but six year deal, and manager Morris Pagniello Over 15 Australian players are currently in live from football, you must live for football its paid off in my career and now this project has been approached by the Greek Under 18 Europe living their dreams and earning their and that doesn’t mean just training every- is creating a market for more and more Aus- national team and several other clubs with living from football. 2009 will see another day, it means training the right way every- tralian players to be recognized in the world ludicrous offers. GISS is now looking at 8 GISS players who travelled to Europe day to be able to compete against the worlds game. GISS star Theo Markelis commented expanding career opportunities for female last year for Italian playing tours and trial best. Growing up I never had anything this “me and my family owe everything to GISS players and are in discussions with potential sign with professional clubs. GISS organ- professional or any kind of pathway. I had to and Morris for training us and giving us an clubs in Europe, Canada and the USA. ises groups of selected U14, U16, U18 and struggle my way through, beginning in the opportunity. My brother has signed 2nd di- For more info go to www.issgenova.com 18+ players to play against the worlds top Torino Football Academy, paying my own vision in Hungary and Morris has me signed BAYSWATER INDOOR SOCCER CENTRE AUSTRALIA’S 5-A-SIDE SATURDAY MORNING COURTS AVAILABLE No 1 INDOOR SOCCER SOCCER CLINICS SCHOOL : YOUTH : CENTRE JUNIORS, MIXED & MEN’S SKILLZ (6-12) CORPORATE GROUPS TINY TOTS (3-5) IDEAL FOR END OF 13 BURTON COURT, BAYSWATER PHONE 9729 1999 Email: [email protected] SEASON BREAK-UPS

p12 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 ISSUE #3 STATE LEAGUE NW2 - SEASON 2009 Round 1 Round 9 Round 17 Fri 27 Mar KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Westgate To Be Confi rmed Sat 30 May KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Altona East Phoenix Galvin Park Res Sat 1 Aug KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Keilor Park Trekardo Park Sat 28 Mar KO 3:00PM Altona City v Geelong Rangers HC Kim Res Sat 30 May KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Brunswick City JT Gray Res Sat 1 Aug KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Westgate Elcho Park Sat 28 Mar KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Keilor Park Dunstan Res Sat 30 May KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Thomastown Devils Elcho Park Sat 1 Aug KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Sydenham Park Dunstan Res Sat 28 Mar KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Ballarat Red Devils Paisley Park Sat 30 May KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Altona City Trekardo Park Sat 1 Aug KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Geelong Rangers JT Gray Res Sat 28 Mar KO 3:00PM Werribee City v North Geelong Warriors Galvin Park Res Sat 30 May KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Geelong Rangers Keilor Park Res Sat 1 Aug KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Altona City Galvin Park Res Sat 28 Mar KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Sydenham Park JT Gray Res Sat 30 May KO 7:00PM Westgate v Sydenham Park Ardeer Res Sat 1 Aug KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Thomastown Devils Paisley Park

Round 2 Round 10 Round 18 Sat 4 Apr KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Williamstown Elcho Park 12 Jun KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Ballarat Red Devils To Be Confi rmed Fri 7 Aug KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Werribee City To Be Confi rmed Sat 4 Apr KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Werribee City Trekardo Park 13 Jun KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Sydenham Park Galvin Park Res Sat 8 Aug KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Altona East Phoenix Dunstan Res Sat 4 Apr KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Keilor Park Paisley Park 13 Jun KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Westgate Myers Res Sat 8 Aug KO 3:00PM Altona City v Williamstown HC Kim Res Sat 4 Apr KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Westgate Dunstan Res 13 Jun KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v North Geelong Warriors Dunstan Res Sat 8 Aug KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v North Geelong Warriors Myers Res Sat 4 Apr KO 3:00PM Altona City v Sydenham Park HC Kim Res 13 Jun KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Williamstown Paisley Park Sat 8 Aug KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Keilor Park Keilor Lodge Res Sat 4 Apr KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Thomastown Devils Myers Res 13 Jun KO 3:00PM Altona City v Keilor Park HC Kim Res Sat 8 Aug KO 7:00PM Westgate v Ballarat Red Devils Ardeer Res

Round 3 Round 11 Round 19 Fri 17 Apr KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Altona City To Be Confi rmed Sat 20 Jun KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Werribee City JT Gray Res Sat 15 Aug KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Westgate Keilor Park Res Sat 18 Apr KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Geelong Rangers Dunstan Res Sat 20 Jun KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Altona East Phoenix Elcho Park Sat 15 Aug KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Sydenham Park Paisley Park Sat 18 Apr KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Westgate Paisley Park Sat 20 Jun KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Ballarat Red Devils Dunstan Res Sat 15 Aug KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Geelong Rangers Trekardo Park Sat 18 Apr KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Keilor Park Galvin Park Res Sat 20 Jun KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Thomastown Devils Keilor Park Res Sat 15 Aug KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Altona City Elcho Park Sat 18 Apr KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Ballarat Red Devils JT Gray Res Sat 20 Jun KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Geelong Rangers Keilor Lodge Res Sat 15 Aug KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Thomastown Devils JT Gray Res Sat 18 Apr KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Sydenham Park Elcho Park Sat 20 Jun KO 7:00PM Westgate v Altona City Ardeer Res Sat 15 Aug KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Brunswick City Galvin Park Res

Round 4 Round 12 Round 20 Sat 25 Apr KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v North Geelong Warriors Trekardo Sat 27 Jun KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Altona City Myers Res Fri 21 Aug KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v North Geelong Warriors To Be Con- Park Sat 27 Jun KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Brunswick City Keilor Park Res fi rmed Sat 25 Apr KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Williamstown Keilor Park Res Sat 27 Jun KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Altona East Phoenix Trekardo Park Sat 22 Aug KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Werribee City Paisley Park Sat 25 Apr KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Thomastown Devils Keilor Lodge Res Sat 27 Jun KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Werribee City Elcho Park Sat 22 Aug KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Williamstown Dunstan Res Sat 25 Apr KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Altona East Phoenix Myers Res Sat 27 Jun KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Williamstown Keilor Lodge Res Sat 22 Aug KO 3:00PM Altona City v Ballarat Red Devils HC Kim Res Sat 25 Apr KO 3:00PM Altona City v Brunswick City HC Kim Res Sat 27 Jun KO 7:00PM Westgate v Thomastown Devils Ardeer Res Sat 22 Aug KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Keilor Park Myers Res Sat 25 Apr KO 7:00PM Westgate v Werribee City Ardeer Res Sat 22 Aug KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Westgate Keilor Lodge Res Round 13 Round 5 Fri 3 Jul KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Geelong Rangers To Be Confi rmed Round 21 Sat 2 May KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Thomastown Devils Dunstan Res Sat 4 Jul KO 3:00PM Williamstown v North Geelong Warriors JT Gray Res Sat 29 Aug KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Werribee City Keilor Lodge Res Sat 2 May KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Altona City Paisley Park Sat 4 Jul KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Ballarat Red Devils Galvin Park Res Sat 29 Aug KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Thomastown Devils Trekardo Park Sat 2 May KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Geelong Rangers Galvin Park Res Sat 4 Jul KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Altona East Phoenix Keilor Park Res Sat 29 Aug KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Brunswick City Elcho Park Sat 2 May KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Westgate JT Gray Res Sat 4 Jul KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Altona City Keilor Lodge Res Sat 29 Aug KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Altona East Phoenix JT Gray Res Sat 2 May KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Keilor Park Elcho Park Sat 4 Jul KO 5:00PM Westgate v Brunswick City Ardeer Res Sat 29 Aug KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Altona City Keilor Park Res Sat 2 May KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Sydenham Park Trekardo Park Sat 29 Aug KO 7:00PM Westgate v Geelong Rangers Ardeer Res Round 14 Round 6 Sat 11 Jul KO 3:00PM Altona City v Thomastown Devils HC Kim Res Round 22 Fri 8 May KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Altona East Phoenix To Be Confi rmed Sat 11 Jul KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Brunswick City Myers Res Sat 5 Sep KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Williamstown Galvin Park Res Sat 9 May KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Ballarat Red Devils Keilor Park Res Sat 11 Jul KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Werribee City Keilor Park Res Sat 5 Sep KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v North Geelong Warriors Paisley Park Sat 9 May KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Brunswick City Keilor Lodge Res Sat 11 Jul KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Williamstown Trekardo Park Sat 5 Sep KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Brunswick City Trekardo Park Sat 9 May KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Williamstown Myers Res Sat 11 Jul KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v North Geelong Warriors Keilor Lodge Sat 5 Sep KO 3:00PM Altona City v Westgate HC Kim Res Sat 9 May KO 3:00PM Altona City v Werribee City HC Kim Res Res Sat 5 Sep KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Sydenham Park Myers Res Sat 9 May KO 7:00PM Westgate v North Geelong Warriors Ardeer Res Sat 11 Jul KO 7:00PM Westgate v Altona East Phoenix Ardeer Res Sat 5 Sep KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Keilor Park To Be Confi rmed

Round 7 Round 15 Draw Notes: Sat 16 May KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Brunswick City Paisley Park Fri 17 Jul KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Sydenham Park To Be Confi rmed CATCH-UP ROUNDS - 6th June 20KO & 12 September 20KO - Clubs will be noti- Sat 16 May KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Thomastown Devils Galvin Park Res Sat 18 Jul KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Ballarat Red Devils Elcho Park fi ed by FFV of matches to be played on this weekend during the course of the ody9Mrh20 p13 Monday 9 March 2009 Sat 16 May KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Altona City JT Gray Res Sat 18 Jul KO 3:00PM Williamstown v Keilor Park JT Gray Res season. Sat 16 May KO 3:00PM North Geelong Warriors v Geelong Rangers Elcho Park Sat 18 Jul KO 3:00PM Werribee City v Westgate Galvin Park Res Sat 16 May KO 3:00PM Ballarat Red Devils v Westgate Trekardo Park Sat 18 Jul KO 3:00PM Altona East Phoenix v Geelong Rangers Paisley Park CLUBS ARE ADVISED TO VERIFY THEIR FIXTURES REGULARLY VIA RESULTS Sat 16 May KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v Sydenham Park Keilor Park Res Sat 18 Jul KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Altona City Dunstan Res VAULT AND THE FFV WEBSITE FOR ANY CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE SEASON. Round 8 Round 16 Fri 22 May KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Williamstown To Be Confi rmed Fri 24 Jul KO 8:30PM Thomastown Devils v Brunswick City To Be Confi rmed Sat 23 May KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Altona East Phoenix Keilor Lodge Res Sat 25 Jul KO 3:00PM Altona City v Altona East Phoenix HC Kim Res Sat 23 May KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Ballarat Red Devils Myers Res Sat 25 Jul KO 3:00PM Geelong Rangers v Werribee City Myers Res Sat 23 May KO 3:00PM Altona City v North Geelong Warriors HC Kim Res Sat 25 Jul KO 3:00PM Keilor Park v North Geelong Warriors Keilor Park Res Sat 23 May KO 3:00PM Brunswick City v Werribee City Dunstan Res Sat 25 Jul KO 3:00PM Sydenham Park v Ballarat Red Devils Keilor Lodge Res Sat 23 May KO 7:00PM Westgate v Keilor Park Ardeer Res Sat 25 Jul KO 7:00PM Westgate v Williamstown Ardeer Res VPL Round 2

RICHMOND EAGLES EAGLES DARE 1 - 0 TO SOAR MELBOURNE KNIGHTS Cardozo Curler Kills Knights

Opening round victors Richmond and incident and not issuing a caution, with tensions clearance stuck him and fl ashed just wide of han 51’ Melbourne Knights met in a keenly an- between both teams rapidly escalating. the goal. Mate Dugandzic then threatened for Red Cards: None ticipated game at Kevin Bartlett Reserve A poorly taken quick free-kick by John the Knights, his shot on the run from twenty- on Friday. Fitzgerald saw Catalano receive the ball in six yards saved by Zois. A shot by Groenewald Melbourne Knights: S.Ozdemir, J.Cumming, Both fi nalists in 2008, the same fi xture had space in the middle of the pitch, and he soon from a similar range in the seventieth minute C.Elvin, J.Fitzgerald, M.Grbesa, C.Watson, produced a 1-1 draw last year, with the game found Goutzioulis on the left side of the penalty went well wide across the face of goal. J.Groenewald (M.Becket 80’), 10G.Draper, at Knights Stadium taken 3-2 by the home side area. Goutzioulis beat a man and got to the line It was a minute later that Richmond won D.Hatzimouratis (M.Dugandzic 71’), in a thrilling contest. Another tight battle was before appealing for a penalty as he went down a free-kick just outside the penalty area when F.Lagana, A.Kiratzoglu. expected. Welcome rain had cleared, with the under a tackle when trying to cut the ball back, Antoniadis was fouled. Richie Cardozo stepped match kicking off on a pitch in fi ne condition. referee Mur confi dently dismissing his shout. A up to the dead ball, his shot striking a body on Yellow Cards: Cumming 46’ Groenewald 56’ There was a three minute delay only three good cross from Jamie Cumming saw Draper the end of the defensive wall and looping into Red Cards: None minutes into the game whilst the South Eastern have a header well saved by Zois. Danny Black the net near the post with a despairing Ozdemir corner of the ground was cleared of red stream- headed well over the bar at a corner kick as the wrong-footed. Man of the Match: Peter Zois (Richmond) ers strewn across the pitch in a display of game remained scoreless after half an hour of Kalambokis forced Ozdemir into a save with Venue: Kevin Bartlett Reserve support by the Melbourne Croatia Fans group. play. ten minutes remaining, before Zois again came Crowd: 1200 A speculative shot by Frank Lagana from thirty- A free kick conceded by Terry Antoniadis for to Richmond’s rescue with a save from Dug- fi ve yards fl ew wide of the goal fi ve mintues a foul on Matthew Grbesa allowed Watson to andzic as he shot from the left. Melvin Becket after play resumed, the game getting off to a take aim from thirty yards, Zois diving to save chipped over the bar from the left after Fitzger- fl at start. George Goutzioulis went down under and hold the ball from the threat of the on-rush- ald had fed the ball to him following a strong a challenge in the box trying to get to a cross ing Knights attackers. Goutzioulis again posed run forward. The Eagles grittily hung on to their from Michael Catalano, with referee Perry Mur a threat chasing onto a ball from Catalano, lead to the fi nal whistle, to maintain a 100% dismissing his claim for a penalty. Savas Ozdemir colliding with a team-mate as winning start to the season. Their great start to Josh Groenewald forced a save from Peter they tried to stop him, but the ball failed to fall the campaign will face another diffi cult hurdle Zois in the tenth minute, latching onto a ball kindly for a shot to be taken. The change of ends next week when they face reigning champions centred by Greg Draper after he beat Andrew would come with the game still deadlocked. Altona Magic away at Paisley Park. Viola in the corner. Two minutes later the action Shortly after the restart a Erhan Karahan The Knights would feel unfortunate not have was at the other end of the park, when a long cross saw Catalano centre the ball from the by- taken something from the game, and will hope ball through the middle from Daniel Visevic saw line, forcing Grbesa to head the ball off his line to bounce back against Oakleigh Cannons on Goutzioulis and Cameron Watson challenge for to safety. Antoniadis headed a free-kick over the Friday night. With their pitch still recovering the ball in the air at the top of the penalty area. bar, before Karahan was booked for a tackle on from repairs, it will be the third of fi ve consecu- The ball spilled loose, but Goutzioulis stopped Groenewald near the half-way line. Groenwald tive away games for them at the start of the play as Watson injured a knee on landing. After soon went into the book himself, after a foul on 2009 season. several minutes of treatment the Knights mid- Dimitri Tsiaras. In the fi fty-ninth minute Draper fi elder was able to return to the fray. latched onto a long clearance from Ozdemir, Richmond: P.Zois, D.Black, E.Karahan, Twenty minutes into the game a clearance by fl icking it on beyond a defender and then cutting S.McCluskey (T.Antoniadis 22’), D.Tsiaras, Stuart McCluskey was followed by a late tackle inside to shoot but being foiled by another great D.Visevic (N.Kalambokis 54’), G.Goutzioulis save from Zois. (N.Govedarica 69’), R.Cardozo, M.Catalano, by Groenewald which felled the Eagles skipper The Eagles celebrate and brought about an early end to his night. The A shot from Groenewald was blocked and L.Kindtner, A.Viola. incident took place less than thirty metres from defl ected across goal, Karahan eventually clear- where Groenewald broke the leg of Semir Sivic ing the danger. Substitute Nick Kalambokis Goal: Cardozo 74’ By Mark Boric in July last year. The ire of the Richmond play- found space on the right of goal for Richmond, ers was further raised by the referee missing the his shot blocked but then almost scoring as the Yellow Cards: Cardozo 16’ Tsiaras 24’ Kara- Photos by Steve Starek

Knights keeper Savvas Ozdemir is left stranded after Richie Cardozo’s looping free-kick fi nds its way into the back of the net. Inset: Getting ready for take off.

p14 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Round 2 VPL

OAKLEIGH CANNONS THUNDER 0 - 1 STRIKES AGAIN! DANDENONG THUNDER Smokin’ Joe Muffl es Cannons Newly promoted Premier League Young Oakleigh winger Kristopher Kious- freekick, fl ew into the net past a helpless Wilford, A., Ibraimi, F., Thomas, J. ( Club Dandenong Thunder continued sis who was waging a battle of the teenagers Cagalj sending the mass of Thunder fans Alkasaran, M. 81’), Armenian, H., Quirk, its auspicious start to the season with with Thunder’s right back Jack Hingert, then behind the goal into raptures. C. ( DiIorio, J. 66’), Stergiopoulos, M., Ko- a hard fought 1-0 victory against the produced a shot on the turn which found the After the match, Thunder coach rcari, V., Davidson, R. Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards side netting in the 39th minute. Munro praised the players’ effort. “ We put Reserve on Friday night. Dandenong’s best chances of the fi rst half a lot of effort into the game. And Oakleigh Scorer: DiIorio 89’ Backing up just fi ve days after the previ- fell to midfi elder Colin Quirk whose 7th players put a lot into the game, so there was Best on Ground: Davidson R. ous Sunday’s 1-0 away win against South minute effort fl ashed across the face of goal, never going to be much in it. It’s a great time Melbourne, the Thunder gave coach Stuart whilst another effort on the stroke of half to score right at the death. It’s very diffi cult By George Stogiannou Webster a satisfying return to his old stomp- time fl ew into the side netting. even though the ref played a lot of extra ing ground. Thunder raised the tempo of their time, we were still strong.” Photos by Peter Kakalias Joe DiIorio became the toast of South Dan- game in the second half, threatening to fi nd Munro told his players after the match, “ denong when his 88th minute goal sent the a way through the Cannon’s defence down you’ve set a precedent, a standard now over visiting fans home celebrating another tri- the right fl ank, where the pace and mobil- the last two weeks, now I don’t expect you umphant outing in the Premier league. ity of Hamlet Armenian, Jack Hingert and to drop on that standard.” The game opened at a lively tempo the tireless Ryan Davidson were having an Cannons coach from both sides. impact. At the other end, Webster produced said afterwards, “ Look, it was a tough bat- Thunder, playing with skipper Veton Korcari a good diving save to deny Cannon striker tle, for them too it was a tough game with in the lone striker’s role, worked hard defen- Jerry Karpeh. many individual battles. Unfortunately the sively all over the park. Although Oakleigh Thunder went even closer in the 61st minute goal didn’t come from one of those battles. had a few more options going forward, they when a Stergiopoulos shot from a Hingert It came from a free kick. Unfortunately we had to wait till the 37 th minute to produce cutback produced a fi nger tip save from conceded at the wrong time, at the 88th min- their fi rst real attempt on goal, a half chance Cannons’ keeper Adrian Cagalj. ute so I was a bit disappointed. I can’t take to striker Ricky Diaco which fl ew well over As the second half progressed, Thunder was anything away from our team’s effort. The the bar. fi nishing the stronger of the two sides and boys put in as much effort as possible. It’s a Former teammates Bill Damianos Munro increased his attacking options by little dent in our aspirations but there’s an- and Thunder’s ex-Cannon, Marcus Stergio- introducing DiIorio and left attacking mid- other 20 games to go.” poulos were locked in a determined midfi eld fi elder Mohammad Alkasaran. Lineups: battle. A Damianos free kick produced a div- When a powerful Korcari header fl ew ing save from another ex- Cannon teamate, straight into the safe arms of Cagalj in the Oakleigh Cannons: Stuart Webster in the Thunder goal. 88th minute, the game seemed destined to Cagalj, A., Drakos, A, Rosman, F., Mat- fi nish in a score- kovic, D.( Rojas, A.74’), Hatzikostas, S., less draw. How- Damianos, B, Kioussis, K ( Obradovic, B. ever, in the next 82’), Waterson T., Diaco, R., Karpeh, J. Veton Korcari and Felix Rosman minute, a DiIo- come to ground on Friday night. rio header from Dandenong Thunder: a Stergiopoulos Webster, Stuart. Hingert, J. Osman, L.,

Last minute match winner Joey Di Iorio is swallowed up in a sea of red and black as the Thunder fans are delirious with delight.

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p15 THE BIG MAC THE REGULARS MacKenzie At Large An Occasional Offering from Craig MacKenzie Great Scot, it’s another Mac of the reserves. SCOTTISH defender Stuart MacDon- Gardiner concentrated on his role as club ald fl ies into Melbourne today to take president last year but has wasted little up a contract with Division One outfi t time getting back into the coaching mould Springvale White Eagles. and will rely upon the bulk of last year’s The 27-year-old featured in the same Mor- senior squad this time round. ton outfi t some seasons back that boasted Most of these players have been team- goalkeeper Stuart Webster, son of White mates for years, among them prolifi c Eagles coach Stan Webster. scorer Mauro Cordoma, goalkeeper Micky Contact with MacDonald was made Speranza and sweeper or midfi elder Alan through the brother of White Eagles Bussutil. defender and assistant coach Billy Armour David Corri also can play as sweeper or in and MacDonald is highly credentialled. midfi eld and his return last year from State He made his name at Erskine Boys Club Three South-East outfi t Southern Suburbs before joining Greenock Morton in 1998 has added quality to the side. and making 34 senior appearances. He Two juniors who have impressed during then switched to Airdrie but rejoined pre-season are 16-year-old defender/mid- Morton for the 2002–03 season making 24 fi elder Nathan Deguina and 15-year-old appearances. midfi elder Michael Giarratana who has MacDonald then joined Cumnock Juniors looked the goods in the reserves. and was a regular in the Junior Scotland Off the fi eld things are also looking up. Squad selected from non-league players, The club has around 200 juniors and last playing for his country on 15 Novem- fi elded six all-girls sides last season while ber in the Stuart McIntosh Testimonial this week it hopes to get positive news match. He also featured for Junior Scot- about a facilities upgrade grant believed to land in last year’s Isle of Man Tournament be in the region of $40,000. and at club level was in the Cumnock side that was beaten 2–1 by Bathgate Thistle in Deutschland uber alles the 2008 Scottish Junior Cup fi nal. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has just an- He arrives matchfi t as his last game for nounced an agreement whereby English Cumnock was on Saturday 28 February will be the offi cial language of the world where he captained the side that overcame game rather than German, which was Maybole Juniors 5–3 on penalties in a the other possibility. West of Scotland Cup clash. As part of the deal, the Football Associa- MacDonald is one of many new faces at tion has conceded that English spelling had White Eagles among them former Frank- some room for improvement and has ac- ston Pines midfi elder Domenic D’Angelo cepted a fi ve-year phase-in plan that would who has spent the past two seasons playing become known as ‘Euro-English’. in the lower leagues in Italy. In the fi rst year, ‘s’ will replace the soft Former White Eagles captain Tome Racu- ‘c’. Sertainly, this will make barely literate nica, a right-sided wingback, has returned referees jump with joy. The hard ‘c’ will be to the club from Noble Park United as dropped in favour of ‘k’. This should klear has left-footed midfi elder Gordan Mrdic. up konfusion, and komputer keyboards kan Another midfi elder, Zoran Vukas, also has have one less letter. There will be growing made the switch from Noble Park United. publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when There’s been an infl ux of Irish play- the troublesome ‘ph’ will be replaced with ers from Fiztroy City, however central ‘f’. This will make words like fotograf 20 defender Jason Colbert suffered a cruciate per sent shorter. ligament injury in a recent hit-out against Stuart MacDonald gets the better of two Pollok opponents during this 2007 In the third year, publik akseptanse of the Langwarrin and may be sidelined for some Stagecoach Super Premier League clash. new spelling kan be expekted to reach the time. stage where more komplikated changes are But White Eagles may have struck paydirt Former Chelsea Hajduk player Adam Jelic possible. with the signing of former Ballymena Carroll snares top Cannon has overcome a bad injury and Carroll is All klub offi sials will enkourage the re- striker Darren Meade who was in the BERWICK City boss Joe Carroll is hopeful of keeping the classy left footer fi t moval of double letters which have always 2000–01 Milwall squad alongside Soc- chuffed with the recent signing of cen- and injury-free. ben a deterent to akurate speling. ceroo stars Lucas Neil and . tral defender Adam Ewin, who made Experienced striker Nick Papadopoulos Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the The other Irish signings are defensive many senior appearances for Premier joined Berwick for the second half of the silent ‘e’ in the languag is disgrasful and it midfi elder Declan Mahone and former League powerhouse Oakleigh Cannons 2008 State Three South-East season and should go away. Shelbourne and Waterford central mid- in the past couple of seasons. made an impact and he’s another that Car- By the fourth yer fans wil be reseptiv to fi elder Alan Mullaly. “He’s a great signing for us and he’s only roll hopes can stay injury-free this season. steps such as replasing ‘th’ with ‘z’ and ‘w’ On the goalkeeping front, Webster has in his early 20s,” said Carroll, who remains “We only just missed out on promotion last with ‘v’. signed ex-South Melbourne custodian Mla- in the hunt for a striker but is keeping his year and I’m hoping that we can give it a During ze fi fz yer, ze unesesary ‘o’ kan be din Tosic from Kingston City and Christian cards close to his chest. shake this time,” Carroll added. dropd from vords kontaining ‘ou’ and after Morales from Bentleigh Greens. “I’m not going to tell you who we’re after ziz fi fz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten Midfi elder James Karanicolas has followed because there are guys out there doing the Multicultural mix at Carrum styl. Morales from the Greens and the good rounds and I don’t want to add our club to CARRUM United is hoping it’s not a Zer vil be no mor trubl or difi kultis und news on the injury front is that Simon the list. case of deja vu this season after narrow- evrivun vil fi nd it ezi tu understand ech Webster, who last year broke the same “Look, if worst comes to worst I’ll import ly avoiding relegation from Provisional oza. Ze drem of a united FIFA vil fi nali leg twice, played 45 minutes in a practice a striker – even if it’s from Tasmania!” Two South-East in 2008. kum tru. match against South Springvale last week Carroll’s senior squad has been further And the club hopes that its Scottish and El Und efter ze fi fz yer, ve vil al be speking and came through the game unscathed. bolstered by the capture of midfi elder and Salvadorian coaching mix will be the key German lik zey vunted in ze forst plas. Webster is expected to stay with White ex-Victorian junior representative Stefan to success with Bruce Gardiner returning Eagles despite interest from other clubs. Rudski and defender or midfi elder James to the senior coaching helm with former Ashby from Kingston City. long-serving player Jose Ramos in charge p16 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Gas Bagging Dept. THE REGULARS

Watching A-League based Soc- The lights at Altona went out during ceroos under Pim Verbeek is giving a game again. It was prior to the seven- the stupid reality/dating shows on tieth minute mark, so it will probably be MTV and VH1 a challenge for the title replayed in full. At least that is the general of worst things on televison. interpretation of the rule, but that has var- It is truly horrible, and as long as he re- ied in the past when Tony Pignata wielded mains in charge the Government will have his discretionary powers to full effect. a reason to keep the Socceroos off the anti- Anyone have a Melway reference for siphoning list and prevent the torture being To Be Confi rmed Stadium? Stupid modern infl icted on the Foxtel-less masses. sponsored ground name for sure, but where Looks like Adelaide United are for sale. is it? Whittlesea Zebras will be playing You wouldn’t think a pissant club like that there after Round Four. The address and would be too expensive, so buyer interest map reference are listed as TBC which I’m should be high. guessing is To Be Continued as the Italian Australian cricket has been searching Mergers Saga drags on. for a quality spinner since the retirement The FFA took no further action over of Shane Warne. Perhaps they could take both Grand Final red cards during the IN NAME AND NATURE: Thunder fans are making their mark in the VPL. a look at Melbourne Knights’ Josh Groe- week. Does this mean the end for Matthew Photo: George Stogiannou newald, an up and coming exponent of the Breeze as a top level referee? Probably not. leg break delivery. His assistants (the referee ones, not Kevin sexual assault. I know the AFL fi lmed their line. The full gallery of nut vendors. Perry The water restrictions currently in place Muscat and ) will prob- ad at Bob Jane Stadium, which has also Mur waving play on. Dandenong Thunder could be eased if we were somehow able ably shoulder the blame for the errors. been used for an A-League ad in the past. fans kicking advertising signs inside out. to harness the water in the river cried by Breaking news has the NRL having to When will the Victorian Premier League The more people that can be exposed to the rival fans over Christiano’s send-off and change their 2009 advertising campaign af- get its own promotional ad? An Andy colour and passion of our local game, the Melbourne Victory’s subsequent win in the ter Brett Stewart, who features prominently, Vargas free-kick curling into the top corner. better! A-League Grand Final. was investigated by police over an alleged Kosta Avramovski keeping rowdy fans in

With George Katsamboukas

The A-League continues to take out unrepentant though and its business as According to a police report, 27-year-old this weeks headlines where.. usual for them after their questionable Fort Pierce resident Latreasa L. Goodman The Powerbrokers of the FFA, dressed to performance. told authorities she paid for a 10-piece last the max in their pin stripe suits, decided Punters read and weep at Mathew week but was later informed the restaurant to review the A-League Grand Final, with Breeze’s comments about the Grand Final: had run out. Latte’s and Canapes and mutli remote “I have no regrets about what She said employees refused to give her controls, with these powerbrokers being a happened because on Monday I go to a refund, saying all sales were fi nal. A touch concerned with what they described Shanghai (along with fellow Australian cashier told police she offered Goodman as “Melees and Brawls” during the big match offi cials Cream and Jason Power) to a larger portion of different food for the match. referee the Asian Champions League game same price, but Goodman became irate. I was wondering if they watched (between Shanghai Shenhua and Singa- Police say Goodman was cited on a misuse the same game as me, as my roving eye pore Armed Forces) and then the week of 911 charge. hardly spotted anything that resembled a after that it’s North Korea for a World Cup “This is an emergency. If I would have brawl. qualifi er against the UAE. I have goals in known they didn’t have McNuggets, I Perhaps it’s my upbringing in the next 19 months and it would be detri- wouldn’t have given my money, and now Oakleigh compared to theirs at Australia’s mental to achieving those goals if I were to she wants to give me a McDouble, but I fi nest Private Schools, where a “brawl” dwell on that. Would you like fries with that? don’t want one,” Goodman told police. On wards and forward he will march, “This is an emergency.” involved fi sts kicks, and on a bad night, go, where Murphy’s Law came into effect where his sub standard efforts at the local Only in America! knives. once again, with a Foxtel Cup Game being level will now be rewarded with overseas Tell me you guys are joking disrupted due to power failure. At the 60th gigs! That’s why Australia is called the Till next week….. because if you are not, this great game minute of the Altona Magic Vs Preston Lucky Country. of ours will soon be played out of Ladies Match, with the score locked at 0-0, lights Back to the local scene where This is Katsa – 700 Games – Hard Games! Hairdressing Salons. out and nobody was home. The House of Jacks place on Friday night was buzzing. Not that I have anything against Darebin will now decide the outcome. Ladies Hair Dressing Salons, as what Great crowd, great atmosphere And remember, there is no such thing as a and one would have thought that it was a Bad Dim Sim! walks in there walks out considerably bet- Welcome aboard to Craig McKenzie’s new Thunder Home Match with the large num- ter looking afterward! Column in Goal Weekly, he provides some bers of Thunder supporters on hand. Still on the A-League Grand Fi- great insight into South East Clubs. Great start to the season from nal, common sense prevailed when another Over to The USA we go where Thunder, winning two from two. Coach Toll group of A-League Powerbrokers, who are one punter took Emergency 911 calls to Over to Richmond, who enter- more in touch with the Game, cancelled another level. tained the Melbourne Knights.From what out the Yellow Tickets handed out to US authorities say a Florida woman Last Year This Year I am told there were a few willing chal- Christiano and Alsopp. phoned 911 three times after McDon- lenges and three players stretchered off. Mathew Breeze and his Sidekick, ald’s employees told her they were out of Richmond is also two from two. 0 - 2 0 - 2 Mathew Cream who acted as assistant Chicken McNuggets. Man In Yellow for the Grand Final remain Over the West Gate Bridge we Outs Weeks Outs Weeks

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p17 SOCCER SIDESHOW A Little Bit Of This That and The Other Dept. Futsal: The Great Skill Developer Futsal (the International 5-a-side Indoor line all around the court, further encourages COUCH Game) is the only version of indoor soccer players to keep the ball in play instead of re- sanctioned by the games world governing lying on walls or nets, as often used in other body FIFA, (Federation Internationale de versions of indoor soccer. POTATO Football Association). FIFA are responsible The basic principles like passing, shooting, This week’s football for organising the Futsal World Champion- and running into space are essential to mas- television & radio listings. ship™, for which National teams from all ter the game and should be emphasised early around the world compete in. In fact, it is the in a player’s development. Due to the fact futsal equivalent of its more illustrious out- that fewer players take part in each game, door tournament, the FIFA World Cup™. each player gets more opportunities to be FOXTEL CUP In Australia futsal is governed by the FFA involved, thereby lessening any chance of The Victorian Football Show (Football Federation of Australia) and is them getting disinterested in contrast to out- Every Wednesday C31 8pm Australia’s fastest growing sport. door 11 a side soccer. The Green Gully Football Show The game is a great skill developer for peo- The benefi ts of playing futsal as mentioned Every Saturday C31 10.30am ple of all ages, especially youngsters, as fut- above together with the fact that the ages of sal is played using a special low bounce ball, 8 - 14 years is a crucial phase of a child’s which, encourages players to develop skills life, further validates the widespread belief instead of using the bounce of the ball to ma- that futsal is very effective in developing nipulate it. Those who play futsal improve correct soccer techniques in children espe- their coordination, sharpen their refl exes and cially at a young age. EPL improve their decision making under pres- Great soccer players including Pele, Ronald- Sat Mar 14 Manchester United v Liverpool sure. inho, Robinho, Ronaldo among many other 11.40 pm Fox Sports 2 With a 4 second restart rule, small playing international football superstars all grew Sun Mar 15 Arsenal v Blackburn 1.55 am Fox Sports 2 area and unlimited substitutions the game up playing futsal on the many futsal courts Sun Mar 15 Bolton v Fulham is designed as an excitingly fast game with foundthroughout Brazil and credit futsal for 1.55 am Viewers Choice non-stop action, as such the game signifi - many of the skills they have perfected. Sun Mar 15 Hull v Newcastle cantly increases a players speed of play. Also So why not contact ‘Futsal Super5s’ today By Marko Barisic 1.55 am Viewers Choice playing within an area bounded by a touch and give futsal a go? Sun Mar 15 Middlesbrough v Portsmouth Futsal 1.55 am Viewers Choice Sun Mar 15 Everton v Stoke 1.55 am Viewers Choice Mon Mar 16 Chelsea v Manchester City FOOTBALL 12.25 am Fox Sports 1 WAG OF THE WEEK Mon Mar 16 Aston Villa v Tottenham 2.55 am Fox Sports 1 QUOTES MOn Mar 17 West Ham v West Brom ‘You can only do as well as what you 6.55 am Fox Sports 3 have done’ - BRYAN ROBSON

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ‘Football’s all about 90 minutes’ - Wednesday 11 March Liverpool v Real Madrid 6.45 am LIVE ESPN/SBS Juventus v Chelsea 8.00 pm DELAY ESPN ‘It feels like winning the cup fi nal, if Thursday 12 March that’s what it feels like.’ - GRAHAM Man Utd v Inter Milan 6.45 am LIVE ESPN/SBS HAWKINS Roma v Arsenal 10.00 pm DELAY ESPN ‘If you stand still there is only one way to go, and that’s backwards.’ - PETER SHILTON

‘You only get one opportunity of an Eng- land debut’ - ALAN SHEARER

‘Both sets of defenders are doing well Tuesday 10th March for Deportivo’ - MICK MARTIN 1:00am Den Haag vs Ajax 4:15am Ligue 1 Lille vs Lyon 6:30am Serie A Napoli vs Lazio ‘The championship is the carrot at the 11:00am Bundesliga 1899 Hoffenheim vs Werder end of the championship’ - TONY COT- Bremen TEE 4:15pm Serie A Chievo vs Cagliari ‘That was in the past - we’re in the Wednesday 11th March future now’ - DAVID BECKHAM 8:30pm Barca TV: La Liga Barcelona vs Atletico Bilbao ‘It was a game of two halves, literally.’ - Thursday 12th March CHRIS POWELL 12:00pm Copa Libertadores Boyaca Chico vs Gremio LIVE ‘It’s a no-win game for us. Although Friday 13th March I suppose we can win by winning.’ - 3:45am UEFA Cup Hamburg vs Galatasaray LIVE GARY DOHERTY 6:30am UEFA Cup Udinese vs Zenit St Petersberg LIVE ‘I was both surprised and delighted to 4:45pm MUTV: UCL Man Utd vs Inter Milan Melanie Slade Age: 21 Insignificant other: Arsenal Winger, Theo Walcott take the armband for both legs.’ - GARY Saturday 14th March O’NEIL 0:15am CHTV: UCL Juventus vs Chelsea 6:30am Bundesliga Frankfurt vs 1899 Hoffenheim LIVE 10:30pm SPL Hibernian vs Hearts LIVE

Sunday 15th March 5:15pm Bundesliga Bochum vs Bayern Munich 7:00pm Ligue 1 Bordeaux vs Nice 10:30pm Eredivisie Feyenord vs PSV LIVE PEDRO’SAuthentic Italian PizzaPIT Monday 16th March 4:00am Final Rangers vs Celtic 327 Bay Street, Port Melbourne Tel: 9646 4110 7:00am Ligue 1 PSG vs Marseille LIVE 2 LARGE TRADITIONAL SUPER TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS PIZZAS DELIVERED $24 LARGE TRADITIONAL PICK UP $10 p18 Monday 2 March 2009 ISSUE #2 South Australia INTERSTATE CAMPBELLTOWN WINS FAIRMONT HOMES CUP On Friday 20th February Campbell- mele (ex-Adelaide United). town City Red Devils played out of But Campbelltown City made their skins in their 3-0 victory to beat their intent known from the front-runners MetroStars in the Grand start of the fi nal, a tad lucky Final of the 2009 Fairmont Homes they were not two or three Summer Night Series at the Marden goals down within the fi rst Sports Complex. 10 minutes as MetroStars Spectators were witness to a display squandered numerous scor- of face-paced, top quality football from both ing opportunities in a fl urry of the eastern suburbs neighbours, the Red of missed chances by their Devils capitalising on their opportunities forwards in front of goal. with three great goals coming from Stanko Rocky Aloisi’s Red Devils Zilic, new signing Michael Paleka and classy then settled down to produce midfi elder Dominic Signoriello. some great football, their The annual competition is held in one-twos and passages of the month of February where 8 invitational play forward fi nding their teams compete in two groups with 2 games men and at times, dazing the being played every Wednesday and Fri- normally rock-solid back day evenings. This years competitors were line of MetroStars. The fi rst utes, Campbelltown were more effective with hosts Adelaide Blue Eagles, Campbelltown goal came early in the game Zilic scoring the ball and their passing. MetroStars did get 2009 Red Devils Captain Simon Catanzaro City, newly promoted Super League team with a 25m shot that was hit low and hard themselves back into the game at one stage, was delighted with the title win, “I was proud Western Strikers and State League Top Five leaving Stars keeper Godley with no chance. luck not being on the side of strikers Michael to lead the club to its fi rst trophy up for grabs trophy winners West Adelaide in Group A; At the 20th minute mark, a freekick taken Mattriciani and Scott Tunbridge as they were in 2009 against South Australia’s strongest and MetroStars, Para Hills Knights, Premier by the Devils captain Simon Catanzaro - a unable to convert chances that were present- team. We rode our luck in the fi rst 5 minutes League competitors Cumberland United and deadball specialist found the head of Paleka, ed, fi nding the post and Devils keeper Scalzi then took our chances the rest of the game. State League Club NAB in Group B. The the newcomer making no mistake pounding hard to beat. In the second half MetroStars This will be a stepping stone for the club semi fi nals saw Campbelltown taking out the the back of the net for the Devils second. again tried to peg back the 2 goal defi cit, to have its most successful season in recent Group A title over Para Hills Knights with a Campbelltown’s new signing Vas Parhas but missed opportunities were again their time. Personally I have had some very good strong 2-0 win and MetroStars coming away (Cumberland United) and promoted young downfall, with sSome wayward passing and a results over the past few seasons, picking up with a 3-0 win over Blue Eagles In the Group Devil Peter Sapa looked exciting prospects steadfast Devil’s backline led by staunch de- the Sergio Melta Medal for Super League’s A competition in a scoreless game that went for the club this season, their strength in the fender Michael D’Alosio all standing in their Player of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008 to penalties, with Stars keeper Daniel Godley back making a big impact on the game. Triple way. Campbelltown then put the nail in the and am very grateful. But what I really want making 3 Schwarzer-like saves to give his Sergio Melta Medal winner Simon Catanzaro coffi n late in the second half with their third is some silverware to put into the trophy cabi- side the outright victory. led by example with a brilliant display of his goal coming from dynamic wingman Domi- net of one of South Australia’s biggest clubs Throughout the competition Met- expertise in the midfi eld, instigating many nic Signoriello taking a solo run down the left Campbelltown City. roStars coached by Michael Barnett looked runs forward and executing pin point passes side past three MetroStars players fi nishing the team to beat, the nucleus of the 2008 to his men up front; Trimboli and Paleka. with a left footed shot that drilled past Godley By Nat Adamopoulos squad being retained and their defence being Although the match was quite an even affair, in the 81st minute, much to the delight of the In Adelaide bolstered by new signing Adam Van Dom- ebbing and fl owing throughout the 90 min- Campbelltown City faithful.

South Australia INTERSTATE GALEKOVIC VOTED REDS’ TOP PLAYER Lavish Awards Ceremony Concludes Adelaide’s Season Adelaide United FC goalkeeper Eugene on the bench as the second keeper. To come to fi es, on and off the park, the culture, values and Galekovic has capped off an exceptional Adelaide and get a new lease of life, I love it morals that all members of the squad can aspire 12 months by taking home the presti- here and hopefully I will be here for a long time to, has shown themselves to consistently put gious Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion to come because I love the club and the players their needs second to that of the team and has Award at The Reds’ end of season Pre- are fantastic,” Galekovic said. never complained about making a sacrifi ce) sentation Night. Other award winners on the night included hard Galekovic taking out the night’s big award was working midfi elder Fabian Barbiero, who was Rising Star a popular choice among the crowd at the club’s named Best Team Man, while Scott Jamieson Scott Jamieson night of glitz and glamour, the keeper having a added to his Hyundai A-League Rising Star (A young player voted by the coaches to have standout year which included 10 clean sheets Award with the club’s Rising Star accolade. made a signifi cant impact over the season, and 82 saves in the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Michael Marrone, who was recently signed to demonstrated the greatest growth in their devel- Season, plus six clean sheets in United’s historic The Reds’ Hyundai A-League squad, and Di opment as a professional player and promises 2008 AFC Champions League campaign. Alagich, took out the Most Valuable Player for the greatest potential growth as a professional The 27 year old also captured the Player’s United’s National Youth League and Westfi eld player) Player Award, which is an award voted on by W-League teams respectively. the players to the player who has consistently The night celebrated and concluded what has Most Valuable Player – National Youth been the most valuable on the fi eld and has con- been a momentous year for Adelaide United League tinually set high standards for his team mates, after their conquests in the Hyundai A-League, Michael Marrone capping off a big night for the keeper. AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World (The player who consistently made a signifi cant “It’s great to be honoured by the players and to Cup, The Reds’ senior squad now taking leave and positive difference to the team’s perfor- be the club champion but in the end you want to before resuming pre season training in mid mance during the games played and portrayed a win team trophies and hopefully next year we April. totally professional attitude) can win the championship,” Galekovic said. “It was defi nitely a surprise. You just come here Most Valuable Player – Westfi eld Women’s for a good night and if you win an award it’s a Player’s Player League bonus. To win two awards is something special Eugene Galekovic Di Alagich and I’m really honoured to be a part of it.” (Voted by his team mates to be consistently the (The player who consistently made a signifi cant Galekovic, who was Melbourne Victory’s most valuable player on the park, set standards and positive difference to the team’s perfor- second choice keeper before joining Adelaide on and off the park that all players in the team mance during the games played and portrayed a United midway through the 2007/08 season, aspire to and best exemplify their ideal type of totally professional attitude) made numerous world class saves throughout player) the season, playing a major part in the Reds’ By Nat Adamopoulos success, his performances earning him a Qantas Best Team Man Eugene Galekovic in action for the Socceroos call up. Fabian Barbiero Photos by Adam Butler Reds “18 months ago I was in Melbourne and sitting (Voted by the coaches as a player who exempli-

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p19 INTERSTATE New South Wales SYDNEY UNITED TAKES EARLY COMMAND Tigers Fall Back To Earth After Olympic Defeat Ante Milicic’s Sydney United are ing diffi cult for a young Marconi de- Luke Reading. A penalty was given, and the only team on six points after fence to master. But the wind was taken Reading was rather harshly dismissed. FNSW RD 2 RESULTS two rounds of the NSW Premier out of Manly’s sails somewhat when Nahuel Arrarte confi dently G W D L F A GD P League, following up last week’s infl uential English midfi elder Craig tucked away the spot-kick, and Marconi 1 Sydney United 2 2 0 0 4 0 4 6 Midgley pulled up with a hamstring were now odds-on to post their second 2 West Sydney Berries 2 1 1 0 5 3 2 4 win at Blacktown with a victory 3 Marconi Stallions 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 4 over Bankstown City by a single injury after only a few minutes, to be successive win. 4 Sydney Tigers 2 1 0 1 6 3 3 3 goal. replaced by Michael Lloyd-Green. Nevertheless, although they had the 5 Wollongong FC 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3 6 Bankstown City 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3 The Sydney Tigers came back Marconi’s Ben Vidaic had the fi rst real better of play, the home side failed to 7 Sydney Olympic 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 3 down to earth after their 5-1 win last chance on 11 minutes, outpacing the create many clear chances before the 8 Manly United FC 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2 week with a 2-1 loss to Sydney Olym- 37-year-old but having break, and indeed James Chronopoulos 9 Sutherland Sharks 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 10 Penrith Nep Utd 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1 pic, while the West Sydney Berries his eventual shot smothered by Manly had to dive smartly to his left on 35 11 Blacktown City 2 0 1 1 0 3 -3 1 could only manage a 2-2 draw with keeper Brad Swancott, who was to have minutes to prevent Sama from restoring TELECHOICE PREMIER LEAGUE: Penrith-Nepean United. a superb evening. Four minutes later, Manly’s lead with a header from Joey ROUND 2: FIRST GRADE: Sydney Sutherland and Blacktown Cattanach was released on the left by Schirripa’s free kick. United 1 (Luka Glavas 65m) Bankstown played out a scoreless draw at Seymour Scott Thomas, but could not fi nd the net The second period produced a fresh City 0, Wollongong FC 3 (Ilija Prenzoski Shaw, while defending champions from a tight angle. Marconi onslaught, with Arrarte and 51/68m pen Samet Kaynak 72m) Bon- Wollongong FC pulled off a sensational Cattanach did indeed fi nd his mark two Ivorian teenager Kader Toure combin- nyrigg White Eagles 2 (Eric Nyamekye x 1 Almir Dizdaric x 1), Sydney Olympic 2 comeback against competition newcom- minutes later, however. After a defen- ing nicely on the right to produce a (Xavier Forsberg 16m Matthew Mayora ers Bonnyrigg, coming back from 2-0 sive error in the Marconi area, the Man- chance for Erick Anabalon, which was 35m) Sydney Tigers 1 (Own goal 3m). and a man down to win 3-2. ly frontman displayed fi ne close control spurned. Soon afterwards, Vidaic was GRADE 20: Sydney United 2 Bank- to swivel past two Marconi players and clean through on goal, but his outside- stown City 2, Wollongong FC 0 Bon- Marconi 1-1 Manly United fi re a left-footed shot in off the post. of-the-foot shot was saved splendidly nyrigg White Eagles 0, Sydney Olympic 0 Sydney Tigers 4. GRADE 18: Sydney Despite playing against ten men for Marconi slowly made their way into the by Swancott. United 1 Bankstown City 2, Wollongong more than half the game, hosts Marconi game, with Vidaic’s pace troubling the After a half-chance for Schirripa at the FC 1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0, Sydney were unable to overcome a stubborn visitors’ defence. On 28 minutes, the other end, the Marconi assault contin- Olympic 3 Sydney Tigers 2. Manly United side at Bossley Park on former Sydney FC striker turned Joel ued. Toure and Canak both went close Saturday evening. Grenell in the area but volleyed wide; just before the hour, and Vidaic squan- The visitors had the better of the early a minute later, he was released cleverly dered two excellent chances just after it. By Mike Salter exchanges, with the strike pairing of by Alex Canak and bundled over in the It was one-way traffi c. Robbie Cattanach and Josh Sama prov- area by the “last man”, Manly fullback In Sydney

PREVIEW New South Wales CHANGES APLENTY AS NSWPL KICKS OFF Okon To Coach Tigers, Wollongong Saved At The Death The TeleChoice NSW Premier League is surely Sydney Olympic. Under NSWPL leg- the second division (the Winter Super League) kicks off for 2009 on March 1, with sev- end Aytek Genc, who enjoyed huge success with for the last two seasons, and with several stars eral clubs under new coaches, and a cou- Blacktown City, Olympic have held on to many retained, and experienced midfi elders Tayfun ple sporting new names as well. of their prized assets from last season, and have Devrimol and Milorad Simonovic added to the Last year’s champions Wollongong added a formidable new weapon in lightning- ranks, they will provide a stiff challenge to the FC have endured a turbulent off-season, dur- quick striker Tolgay Ozbey, who will be keen top teams in 2009. ing which the club endured a fi nancial collapse to put the disappointment of last season’s lean The consistent Manly United side will which threatened its continued participation in spell with Marconi behind him. Ozbey has been be respected once again, and young striker Josh the competition. The Illawarra community ral- scoring for fun in pre-season, and Olympic have Sama will provide a useful new option up front, lied around the club, however, and a new entity, looked an imposing prospect overall. On the but several of the more consistent performers of the Wollongong Community Football Club, will minus side, they will be without Shannon Cole, last season have been released, and Phil Moss’s be taking part in the 2009 NSW Premier League. whose free kicks and scything left-wing runs men could struggle to reproduce their form of Last year’s assistant coach Tony Pace will be were such a feature of the side last season. 2008. The competition’s other two teams, Pen- in charge, and although the men from the south The Sydney Tigers – formerly APIA- rith-Nepean United and the West Sydney Berries, have lost talismanic striker Osagie Ederaro and Leichhardt – will be at a new ground this season, look unlikely to challenge for honours in 2009. key midfi elder Michael Hawrysiuk, they have under a distinguished new coach. Muddy Lam- enough experience and talent in their ranks to bert Park has been abandoned in favour of the FNSW RD 1 RESULTS mount a decent challenge. Nevertheless, the mo- grandeur of Leichhardt Oval, and former Soc- tivational gifts of long-time coach John Turner ceroo captain Paul Okon will make his manageri- The skippers from Sydney Olympic will be missed. al bow in the NSW Premier League. The squad at (Peter Zorbas) and Bankstown City TELECHOICE PREMIER LEAGUE: Round Wollongong’s opponents in last year’s his disposal is not short of talent, although Rob- Lions (Zlatko Joseski) as they prepared 1: FIRST GRADE: Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 grand fi nal, the Sutherland Sharks, look a di- ert Younis, APIA’s star of last season, is a serious for battle for last season’s NSW Grand (Almir Dizdaric 1m) Sydney Tigers 5 (Stefan minished unit. With Pedj Bojic and Brendan Gan loss. The arrival of Shane Lyons from Sutherland Final. Donevski 45m Marino Musumeci 59m Jamie making the move to the A-League successfully, and the Musumeci brothers from Olympic should Fallen giants Marconi and Blacktown McMaster 65/67/81m), Manly United FC 0 they have been deprived of their two brightest ensure plenty of penetration out wide, however. look unlikely to resurrect their fortunes in 2009. Sutherland Sharks 0, Bankstown City FC 1 (Ibra- stars of last season, although prolifi c striker Brad Sydney United have another former Marconi have made one or two interesting sign- him Haydar 62m) Wollongong FC 0, Marconi Boardman is still wearing the sky blue of the Socceroo taking over the coaching reins in Ante ings, including Iraqi international Ali Abbas and Stallions 2 (Ali Al-Hilfi 26m Alexander Canak Sharks. Infl uential winger Shane Lyons has also Milicic, and the former NSL stalwart will be ap- ex-Sydney FC striker Ben Vidaic, but their other 74m) Penrith Nepean United 0, Blacktown departed, as has goalkeeper Phil Zabaks, a rev- pearing at the point of the attack as well. With acquisitions, mainly from the NSW second tier, City Demons 0 Sydney United 3 (Luka Gla- elation last season, and coach Brian Brown, who talents such as Petar Markovic and Glen Trifi ro do not inspire great confi dence. As for Black- vas 13/72m Mitchell Thompson 45m), Sydney deserved such credit for developing the Sharks also in the mix, the Croatian club will be a dif- town, they have recalled some aging former he- Olympic 1 (Tolgay Ozbey 60m) West Sydney into such an effective team last term. The news is fi cult opponent for anyone. As will Bankstown roes from Marconi, but the loss of such talents as Berries 3 (Aheleas Kotsopoulos 7m Liam Austin not all bad, however; many of last year’s impres- City, who welcome back Robbie Mileski and Brian Vanega and Ken Chun does not augur well 44m Dimitri Zakilas 61m). sive performers have been retained, including Ibrahim Haydar after their exploits with the Syd- for the season ahead. Scottish midfi elder Neil Jablonski, speedy right- ney FC youth team, and Tallan Martin after his Bonnyrigg White Eagles will provide By Mike Salter back Mike Katz, and promising young striker unhappy season with Marconi. The Macedonian an intriguing addition to the league. The Serbi- Matthew Hall. club will be expecting to fi nish in the top fi ve this an-backed club have been utterly dominant in Photos by FNSW If there is a team to beat this season, it time around. p20 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 Queensland INTERSTATE SEASON OPENS IN QUEENSLAND Bundaberg Spirit 0 - Sunshine Coast FC possible start putting his side ahead with a 21s competition, all sides will have more 4 (Tyson Holmes 18’, Shaun Blackman good effort only four minutes in. The Ra- FNQ Bulls 1 (Steven Cater) - Capricorn depth. It will defi nitely be a much stronger 39’, Scott Rocker 42’, Jai Cross 45’) zorbacks were spurred into action putting Cougars 2 (Tristan Fraser, Michael Cay) competition than last year”. Bundaberg is hoping to record a vast Logan’s defence under sustained pressure Mareeba was the venue as FNQ Bulls Olympic FC Coach Bobby Hamilton said improvement this season after fi nishing in before defender Lee Mayberry equalised played their inaugural QSL match against his team was in a similar situation. last place in 2008 and were given a hard in the 16th minute. The remainder of the Capricorn Cougars. The Bulls put in a task fi rst up, facing the reigning Premiers. match saw a scrappy battle develop before spirited display displaying impressive team “I think our squad this year is that little bit Bundaberg were without a host of key Jake Navarro capitalised on some good wide commitment that bodes well for their stronger, and with a lot more depth. Lack players with inspirational captain Brett work by his teammates to take all the chances this season. Capricorn made their of depth was our problem last year” Kitching injured and star Solomon Islands points in the 75th minute. quality tell in the end, taking the three recruits James Naka and Joe Luwi. The points thanks to a goal from star player BYE - Whitsunday Miners Spirit looked to play on the counter and Brisbane Strikers 5 (Luke Morley 12’, Michael Cay. were faring well against Sunshine Coast Adam Webber 28’, 48’ 55’, Gareth Mus- QSL STANDINGS before Tyson Holmes broke through the son 75’) - Queensland Academy of Sport Sunday 8th March 6pm - Olympic FC vs defence to give the reigning Premiers the 1 (Josh McVey 62’) Redlands City Devils G W D L F A GD P 1 Brisbane Strikers 1 1 0 0 5 1 4 3 lead. Goal machine Shaun Blackman con- The Strikers began the season strongly, The local derby between Brisbane rivals 2 Sunshine Coast FC 1 1 0 0 4 0 4 3 tinued his fearsome form into this season making their vast experience count against Olympic FC and Redlands City Devils 3 Capricorn Cougars 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3 by taking the second before Scott Rocker the young QAS side at Perry Park. Fielding is looking to be the most exciting of the 4 NQ Razorbacks 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3 5 Queensland AIS 1 0 0 1 1 5 -4 0 and Jai Cross put the result beyond doubt a side where over half the players pos- round. The two sides fi nished fourth and 6 Bundaberg Spirit 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4 0 just before half time. sessed NSL experience the Strikers quickly fi fth respectively in 2008, with each team 7 FNQ Bulls 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 established their superiority dominating recording an impressive home win against 8 Logan United FC 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 9 Olympic FC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NQ Razorbacks 2 (Lee Mayberry 16’, play during the opening period. Luke Mor- the other. This season the encounters are 10 Redlands C Devils0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jake Navarro 75’) - Logan United 1 ley struck fi rst for Brisbane before Adam expected to be much closer, and Redlands 11 Whitsunday Miners0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Reggie Davani 4’) Webber put the youngsters to the sword City Devils Coach Peter Bannon believes NQ Razorbacks took on the new look bagging a hat-trick in a half-hour sequence. this is because of the stronger nature of the Logan United with both sides looking to QAS continued to fi ght throughout the 2009 competition. get off to a winning start in their quest to match and their efforts were rewarded “For us this year, the advantage we have By Jarrod Ellis make the fi nals. Logan’s star signing, PNG when striker Josh McVey pulled one back is that we have a much larger squad, but International Reggie Davani, made the best at 62 minutes. overall, with the inclusion of the Under In Bundaberg

Tasmania INTERSTATE SUMMER CUP HEATS UP! Clarence United and Tilford Zebras in Cup Final Clarence United are in the south- gles found the time and space to launch ern Tasmanian Summer Cup Final dangerous counter-attacks and should on 9 March for the fi rst time in the have scored twice from these. club’s history. But, it was Zebras who got off the mark They will meet the holders, Tilford Ze- in the 10th minute when youngster Bray- bras, who reached the fi nal by virtue of don Pace headed in Andrew Telega’s having scored one goal more than South cross from the right. Hobart. In the 17th minute, Pace’s fi ne pass Zebras and South Hobart both had a found Ben Crosswell, who beat Andrew goal-difference of plus 6, but the Zebras’ Savage to make it 2-0 at the break. 6-0 win over New Town Eagles meant It was not until midway through the they had scored one goal more than South second half that Josh Thorpe added the Hobart. third with a long-range shot. Savage got South Hobart threw away the chance of a hand to the ball but could not keep it out playing in the fi nal when they were held of the top corner. to a goalless draw by Hobart Olympic, With two minutes remaining, Crosswell who then earned the bonus point by win- made it 4-0 with a penalty, awarded when ning the resulting penalty shoot-out 4-2. he was brought down by Barry Pope. Clarence dominated their game against It was still 4-0 going into stoppage time University and ran out 3-0 winners, but and Zebras appeared to have blown their only after a scoreless opening half. chance, but two goals in four minutes In the second period, atrocious defend- produced the miracle. Summer Cup fi nalists Clarence United...the starting XI for the game ing by University gifted the match to First, Crosswell completed his hat-trick against University. Clarence, two of the goals coming from with a superb low drive to make it 5-0, set-pieces. touched the ball only fi ve times during Only Bart Beecroft and Jonathon Ladic and in the 4th minute of stoppage time, Luke Cripps netted the fi rst following a the course of the game and two of those scored for South, while Olympic’s Mi- Pace headed home Aaron Brazendale’s corner, but he knew little about it, the ball touches were from goal-kicks. chael Bulis, Chris Tsakiris, Nester, and cross from the right to send the Zebras defl ecting off him and into the net. South Hobart and Hobart Olympic drew Danijel Djekanovic were successful. supporters into raptures. 0-0, although South’s Shae Hickey and Zebras went into their match with New In the other game of the weekend, a Julian McMahon headed the second from Hugh Ludford both hit the woodwork. Town Eagles needing to win by six clear 21st-minute lob by captain Josh Fielding a high, looping cross from the left by Olympic’s goalkeeper, Dmitri Nester, goals to pip South for a berth in the fi nal. gave Glenorchy Knights a 1-0 win over Ben Hamlett, while Ben Parker forced was the hero of the penalty shoot-out, They started like wildfi re, but squan- Kingborough Lions United. Ben Phillips’s corner into the net for the scoring from a spot-kick himself and sav- dered four chances in the opening few third. ing penalties from South’s Ludford and minutes. By Walter Pless Clarence keeper Michael Moschogianis Greg Downes. With Zebras going full speed ahead, Ea- Photos by Walter Pless

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p21 WOMEN’S PAGE SUMMER LEAGUE SUMMER SOCCER SWITCH Women’s League Makes The Seasonal Change The Summer League, the latest the Summer League, with no State team to involved in pre-season training for their sense on a geographical basis, or might be brainchild of the FFV to assist with represent, and uncertainty and suspicion respective winter clubs, creating diffi cul- better suited to the male competitions, the State team selection, is rapidly over the veracity of it leading to W-league ties in scheduling training sessions that zones have not presented real equity in the heading towards the conclusion of selection. are worthwhile and viable for everyone. female leagues. Those clubs that are strong its fi rst season. Speaking as a player, the Sum- Intensity and commitment has noticeably in the male form of the game, are not nec- The female leagues have pro- mer League has been both an enjoyable dropped off, as players suffer the physi- essarily those with strong female teams, duced some interesting results, with dif- and, at times, frustrating experience. The cal and mental fatigue that comes with and hence there is an uneven distribution ferent zones proving strong in each of the opportunity to play with a different cohort the rigours of trying to combine an often of players within the girls’ and women’s age groups, suggesting a spread of talent of players, be exposed to new coaches and gruelling pre-season schedule with the competitions. It would also seem logical across the whole of Victoria. With this new alternative methods, to have the ability to in-season training of Summer League. This to reduce the length of the competition, by venture now in its fi nal stages, it’s time to maintain fi tness through the off-season and has resulted in some casualties, with play- instead focusing on a short, intense season, review the positives and negatives of the to have an avenue to keep playing during ers dropping out of the Summer League, with all teams playing each other once. inaugural season, from the point of view of the summer months has been fantastic. or in the case of South-East Open Women, The season could then be wrapped up by the female competition. That said, frustrations have arisen with the the whole team folding. Ground avail- Christmas, allowing players to concentrate The female leagues have been inconsistent and frankly bizarre scheduling ability has also become an issue for much on their winter club pre-seasons after New played with mixed success, with greater of the competition. While not helped by the same reason, as clubs that had granted Year, and avoiding the scheduling diffi cul- strength evident in the underage com- the number of participating teams, there access to their pitches for Summer League ties presented by the often extreme heat of petitions. With clear pathways to State seems to have been little consideration training now require them for their own the summer months. squads established for those players, the given to fair scheduling, and so we will winter teams. The true test of the Summer girls have proved more supportive of the end this inaugural season with some teams So, where to from here? Assum- League is still to come, whatever the new venture and this has resulted in an having played each other three times, ing that the FFV will continue to promote results, positives and negatives taken from almost full complement of teams in each while having faced others only once. the Summer League as the pathway to this season. It will not be until the begin- of the leagues. The same cannot be said At the time of writing, there is also still State selection, what lessons need to be ning of the 2009/10 season, when players’ of the Open Women’s competition. It has uncertainty over whether the competitions learned for the 2009/10 season? Reducing bodies are bearing the effects of eighteen received little support from the WPL clubs, will culminate in fi nals, as was the original the number of zones is one option that may months of solid football, and it is again with club coaches reluctant to encourage intention, or be decided on a fi rst past the serve to increase the quality of players, time to decide whether to try out, that the their key players to participate. As a result, post basis. avoid some of the one-sided matches that success or failure of the competition can the bulk of the Summer League squads Confl ict has also arisen since the have eventuated and reduce the number of begin to be judged. consist of WPL reserves players, and play- resumption of the competition after the ‘byes’ across the leagues. Also, avoiding ers from State League clubs. The question Christmas and New Year break. The ma- a ‘one size fi ts all’ policy when it comes By Niki Cook among the players has been what is the jority of players and many of the coaches to the zones would be of great benefi t. incentive for an open age player to play in involved in the Summer League are now While the division of zones may make Photos by John Punshon

EASTERN LIONS PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT Rangers wins Goforyourlife Cup Geelong Rangers won the Go- young keeper had no chance with that SATURDAY 7th MARCH foryourlife Cup by a single goal one. Ian Crane, Rorie Flanagan and 11.00 AMPITCH 1 EASTERN LIONS (RES) v SANDRINGHAM (RES) against Surfcoast on Sunday James Brooks worked their socks off 1.00 PM PITCH 2 BERWICK (RES) v night. It was the fi rst time that Rangers for Surfcoast, but Rangers had most of SOUTHERN STARS (RES) had triumphed in a Geelong pre-season the possession and its game only broke 1.00 PM PITCH 1 EASTERN LIONS v cup since 1987 and James Blackburn’s down in front of goal. SANDRINGHAM superb strike in the 57th minute conjured In the third place match, Geelong over- 3.00 PM PITCH 1 BERWICK v SOUTHERN came Corio by a goal to nil. Zoran Rste- STARS up memories of Willy Muir’s equally spectacular winner all those years ago. vski was brought in the last minute of the SATURDAY 14th MARCH Rangers hit the woodwork in the fi rst fi rst half and Nick Bosevski scored from 11.00 AM PITCH 1 SANDRINGHAM (RES) minute and twice more in the second the penalty spot. Bosevski had played v SOUTHERN STARS (RES) half through Jonathan Ryan and Troy as sweeper all through the tournament, 1.00 PM PITCH 2 EASTERN LIONS (RES) Hardy and it looked as if the Provisional but for this game he was moved into v BERWICK (RES) Womens Coach Wanted 1.00 PM PITCH 1 SANDRINGHAM v League team would manage to deny its attack and he came closest to adding to SOUTHERN STARS State League Division Two opponent. Geelong’s lead with a header which just 3.00 PM PITCH 1 EASTERN LIONS v BER- Then deep in defence Steven Tillinger skimmed the bar from a corner by Chris South Yarra SC are WICK launched a long ball forward. Black- Balaburova. seeking an enthusiastic burn held it up, beat his man and found coach for SATURDAY 21st MARCH By Roy Hay enough space to fi re a shot into the top 11.00 AMPITCH 1 BERWICK (RES) v its senior womens re- SANDRINGHAM (RES) corner of Barry Schroeter’s goal. The Photos by Roy Hay serves team. 1.00 PM PITCH 2 EASTERN LIONS (RES) v SOUTHERN STARS (RES) 1.00 PM PITCH 1 BERWICK v SAN- - Great opportunity to DRINGHAM coach a senior team 3.00 PM PITCH 1 EASTERN LIONS v - Excellent club culture SOUTHERN STARS and support This is a Fair Play tournament. All players - Will work closely with and spectators are expected to enter into senior coaches the spirit of the event. There is no entry fee for this tournament. - Costs only provided

Eastern Lions SC will have food and Contact drink available at reasonable prices dur- ing the day. The bar will also be open. efi eld@southyar- rasc.com.au or call Eastern Lions S.C., Gardiners Reserve, 0439974490 Sixth Avenue, Burwood 3125 Melway REF 60 J8

James Blackburn (centre) of Geelong Rangers in action in the Goforyourlife Cup.

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p23 Digging Deep Dept. FOOTBALL FAMILY IT’S OSSIE! OSSIE! OSSIE! Ardiles Tops Coaching Bill At Sydney Conference ARGENTINA and Tottenham Hotspur Tom Sermanni, another conference speaker. de Futbol, member of the Coach Education midfi eld legend Ossie Ardiles head- Darren Burgess, head of sports science for Department of Brazilian Football and Clube lined an all-star cast at Football Fed- FFA and Socceroos fi tness coach, also was Atlético Mineiro; Erich Rutemoller, chief eration Australia’s three-day coach- a keynote speaker as was former Socceroo instructor of the German Soccer Associa- ing conference in Sydney a fortnight Alistair Edwards, who took part in Austra- tion; FFA consultant Ron Smith; Socceroos ago. lia’s 1994 and 1998 World Cup qualifying head coach Pim Verbeek; and Jan Verslei- The diminutive 1978 World Cup winner was campaigns. Edwards currently serves as jen, head coach of the Young Socceroos and joined on the conference agenda by Han FFA’s development and high performance the Australian Institute of Sport’s football Berger, FFA’s National Technical Director, consultant. program. whose brief is to bring world’s best practice Tony Franken, former Australian Olympic Verbeek was blunt about his role and how to the technical development of talented and youth team keeper, is head goalkeeper he will be judged. He said that his brief was Australian players. coach for all Australian national teams. to get Australia to the next World Cup Fi- Berger joined FFA from Dutch premier Franken worked with the legendary Guus nals and intimated that people who wanted league club De Graafschap where he was Hiddink at the 2006 World Cup fi nals in entertainment should look elsewhere as re- director of football for four years. He has a Germany and was another keynote speak- sults were all that mattered with the national long and distinguished coaching career in- er along with Dr Istvan Gorgenyi, famous team. cluding a stint as head coach of FC Utrecht, Hungarian water polo player. It was the second such annual conference FC Groningen, Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Dr Gorgenyi is a world-renowned expert under the auspices of FFA and was attended Rotterdam. on group dynamics and performance and by around 350 coaches from all over Aus- Berger will oversee, but not coach, all na- has successfully implemented the coaching tralia. tional youth teams and work closely with and management applications of his theory It cost $500 for coaches to attend and among national youth team coaches as well as de- across cultural, language, professional and the attendees were Langwarrin head coach Argentina and Spurs legend Ossie veloping emerging elite level coaches. He sporting environments for three decades. Guus Macleod (formerly Gus but now ful- Ardiles was the star speaker at also will collaborate with the national wom- Also on the speaking agenda were Mauricio ly assimilated into all things Dutch) and FFA’s second national coaching en’s coach and women’s technical director Marques, consultant for Escola Brasiliera Doveton mentor Jim Van Morrison. conference in Sydney. STARS ROLL OUT TO SUPPORT HAITI US Unites for Inaugural “Setanta Cup” Setanta Sports, the leading broad- caster of Barclays Premier League soccer in the US and Offi cial Sports Channel of the Field House at Chel- sea Piers, announced that it will be hosting the fi rst annual “Setanta Cup” to celebrate its roll-out into the New York area. This all-day soccer festival will feature tournaments for youth (U-10 to U14) and adult teams, with proceeds from team registration fees, merchandise sales and raffl es going to the nonprofi t organization, Hollywood Unites for Haiti and the Chel- sea Piers Scholarship Fund. The tourna- ment coincides with the recent launch of Setanta on WorldDirect, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-verse and RCN in the tri-state area, complementing the availability of the channel via DIRECTV and DISH. On April 11th, this inaugural indoor soc- cer tournament is open to all spectators and will bring together some of the region’s top clubs at the Field House at Chelsea Piers in NYC. Games will run 15 minutes and the “Setanta Cup” and individual prizes will be awarded to the winning team in each division. In addition, there will be com- plimentary youth soccer clinics throughout Former Green Gully player, Costas Mandylor, with Vinnie Jones (ex-Wimbledon FC) and Jason Statham (Lock, Stock the day, and JetBlue Airways will sponsor and Two Smoking Barrels), will be pulling on the boots for a worthy cause in New York. special exhibition matches in the afternoon featuring the Hollywood United Football Africa” Winner), Costas Mandylor (“Saw”), HUFH founder Jimmy Jean-Louis re- committed to providing New York City chil- Club, a star-studded, world famous soccer Donal Logue (“Life”), marked, “Haiti has suffered many setbacks dren in need with the opportunity to experi- club. (Glasgow Rangers, Scottish International), in its rich history and yet the Haitian people ence the enormous benefi ts and enjoyment Hollywood United’s lineup* as of today and Marc Consuelos (World Renown Ac- have never lost the character to face adver- of participation in athletics. Monies raised includes Anthony LaPaglia (“Without a tor), plus many more yet to be announced. sity with creativity, resilience, and com- through CPSF are used to provide partial Trace”), Brandon Routh (“Superman”), During the day, prizes will be raffl ed and munity. Events like the Setanta Cup raise and full scholarships to sports activities at Jimmy Jean-Louis (“Heroes”), Steve Jones commemorative merchandise will be for money that will help brighten the hearts and Chelsea Piers and throughout NYC. Since (“Sex Pistols”), Youri Djorkaeff and Frank sale, with proceeds going to Hollywood minds of kids and encourage them to build 1996, CPSF has provided sports opportuni- LeBoeuf (Former French Players and 1998 Unites For Haiti (HUFH). HUFH, is a confi dence, competence, and community.” ties for over 1,000 children and has given FIFA World Cup Winners), Gilles Marini nonprofi t organization whose mission is to Additionally, a portion of team entrance fees out close to $1million in athletic grants. (“Sex and the City”), Ethan Zohn (Co- promote sports and cultural activities for the will be donated to the Chelsea Piers Schol- For more information and how to founder Grassroot Soccer and “Survivor underprivileged youth of Haiti. arship Fund (CPSF). CPSF is a charity donate to help the people of Haiti please check www.hufh.org. ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p23 Creme De La Creme Dept. UNITED KEEPS EYE ON FIVE St Mirren Shocks Celtic, Inter In Command England’s most prestigious cup Voronin to thank for its EPL STANDINGS competition took centre stage this lofty position, with the weekend, as Manchester United on-loan Liverpool forward P GD PTS honed in on a domestic treble. hitting a hat-tick to hand 1 Manchester United 27 +36 65 Elsewhere, St. Mirren gained a his side a 3-1 win against 2 Chelsea 28 +32 58 quick revenge against Celtic in the Energie Cottbus, taking 3 Liverpool 28 +25 58 4 Aston Villa 28 +13 52 his tally to six goals in four , Bayern and Paris St 5 Arsenal 28 +15 49 Germain closed the gap at the top matches. 6 Everton 28 +8 45 of their respective leagues, while 7 West Ham United 28 +0 39 Barcelona and Inter strengthened PSG WITHIN ONE 8 Manchester City 28 +9 35 their grip on the Primera Liga and POINT OF LYON 9 Wigan Athletic 28 +0 35 Serie A titles. Paris St Germain are 10 Fulham 27 +1 34 Goal! Weekly reporter Julius Ross within one point of 11 Bolton Wanderers 28 -10 33 spoiling French Ligue 1 12 Tottenham Hotspur 28 +0 32 has all the action from Europe. 13 Sunderland 28 -8 32 leader Olympique Lyon’s 14 Hull City 28 -16 32 UNITED QUINTET FIRMLY ON chances of an eighth suc- 15 Stoke City 28 -17 29 CARDS cessive title, thanks to 16 Newcastle United 28 -11 28 Can they be stopped? You wouldn’t bet a stunning volley from 17 Portsmouth 27 -15 28 against them. Manchester United is on Ludovic Giuly. 18 Blackburn Rovers 27 -13 27 track to bag fi ve trophies this season, The French title race has 19 Middlesbrough 28 -20 26 after Sir ’s men brushed become somewhat of a for- 20 West Bromwich Albion 28 -29 22 aside Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-fi nal mality over the past seven challenge at on Saturday. seasons, with Lyon rarely BUNDESLIGA Unable to contain United’s relentless challenged at the top of the P GD PTS attacking forays, Fulham succumbed to table. 1 Hertha BSC 23 +11 46 a Carlos Tevez fi rst-half brace at the Cot- Manchester United´s player Carlos Tevez (L) clashes However, PSG are hoping 2 Bayern München 23 +18 42 tage, before and Park Ji- with Fulham´s Aaron Hughes (R) during their FA cup to change this reoccurring 3 Hoffenheim 23 +18 42 Sung doubled the score line in the second match at home to Fulham at Craven Cottage football phenomenon in France, 4 VfL Wolfsburg 23 +18 42 half against the hapless Londoners. stadium. Tevez scored twice as Manchester United kept with Giuly’s superb strike 5 Hamburger SV 23 +0 42 their bid to win fi ve trophies this season on track with a 6 VfB Stuttgart 23 +10 39 The 4-0 rout sends United into the last heaping pressure on Lyon, crushing 4-0 win away to Fulham in the FA Cup quarter- 7 Schalke 04 23 +9 37 and handing his side a 1-0 four of the FA Cup for a record 26th time, fi nals on Saturday. 8 Bayer Leverkusen 22 +14 36 and having already won two trophies win at Lorient on Satur- 9 Borussia Dortmund 23 +5 33 this season – the World Club Cup, and Mirren recorded a remarkable 1-0 win day. 10 Werder Bremen 23 +8 29 the Carling Cup last weekend – the Red over the Scottish heavyweights. 11 1. FC Köln 23 -6 29 12 Hannover 96 23 -17 24 Devils are on target to add the Barclays St. Mirren looked a changed side, with the MADRID DERBY NO GOOD FOR Premier League, the European Champions REAL 13 Eintracht Frankfurt 22 -9 23 Buddies’ defensive structure much more 14 VfL Bochum 22 -9 21 League and now the FA Cup to their haul. solid and their goalkeeper, Chris Smith, Real Madrid’s title hopes were dealt a signifi cant blow as they dropped a vital 15 Arminia Bielefeld 22 -13 20 ’s in-form Chelsea may who had conceded seven in the side’s last 16 Energie Cottbus 23 -19 20 prove to be the fi nal opponent to United’s clash with Celtic, pulling off some mar- two points against their archrivals Atleti- 17 Borussia M’gladbach 23 -16 19 clean sweep, with the Blues reaching their vellous saves. co in the Madrid derby. 18 Karlsruher SC 23 -22 17 third FA Cup semi-fi nal in four seasons, Billy Mehmet was the hero for St. Mirren, Now trailing Barcelona by six points and the Londoners currently sitting sec- with 12 games left, the reigning Spanish the Englishman dispatching a 55th minute SPL STANDINGS ond, seven points behind United, in the penalty after Celtic captain Stephen Mc- champions’ 10-match winning streak was P GD PTS search for the Premier League title. Manus fouled Craig Dargo inside the box. brought to an abrupt end at the Bernabeu, Chelsea dispatched of Coca-Cola Champi- with a determined Atletico grabbing a 1 Celtic FC 28 +35 63 point from the hosts in a pulsating 1-1 2 Rangers FC 28 +37 60 onship side Coventry City, through goals MUNICH TO RETURN TO TOP? draw. 3 Hearts 28 +2 48 from Didier Dorgba and Brazilian Alex German champions Bayern Munich have 4 Dundee United 28 +3 43 to maintain the side’s 100% record under gone a step closer in a bid to retain their Meanwhile, Primera Liga leaders Bar- 5 Aberdeen FC 28 +3 40 new coach Hiddink. Bundesliga crown, after they thrashed celona took full advantage of Real’s The Blues had failed at the same hurdle slip, recording a comfortable 2-0 victory Hannover 5-1 on Saturday to move to SERIE A STANDINGS last season to Championship side Barn- second spot on the ladder. over Athletic Bilbao through goals from sley, but there was no repeat as Chelsea Bayern’s victory was even more impres- Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi pen- P GD PTS registered a determined display. sive, considering captain Mark van Bom- alty, and registering their fi rst win in six 1 Inter Milan 27 +28 63 2 Juventus 27 +22 56 While the FA Cup fi xtures took centre- mel, Luca Toni and Franck Ribery were matches in all competitions. stage in England, Premier League strug- 3 AC Milan 26 +16 48 all missing from the starting line-up. 4 Fiorentina 26 +13 46 glers Tottenham and Sunderland fought After a slow start to the season, Bayern INTER 10 CLEAR IN SERIE A Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan have length- 5 Genoa 27 +9 45 out a controversial 1-1 draw, with Rob- are hitting form at exactly the right time, 6 AS Roma 27 +6 45 bie Keane rescuing a point for Spurs in as Juergen Klinsmann’s side jumped from ened the gap between themselves and their 7 Cagliari 26 +5 38 contentious circumstances, in the 89th fourth place to second, trailing leader closest title rivals, Juventus, by seven 8 Lazio Roma 26 +0 38 minute. Hertha Berlin by four points. points after becoming the fi rst Serie A side 9 Atalanta 26 +3 36 The Bundesliga title race is wide open to beat Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris 10 Palermo 26 -3 36 11 Napoli 26 +2 35 CELTIC FALL VICTIM OF THEIR with Hertha (46) being chased by Munich, all season. OWN COMPLACENCY The blue half of Milan have the title 12 Udinese 27 -1 35 Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg and Hamburg – 13 Catania 26 -2 33 Having handed St. Mirren a footballing fi rmly in their sights, with this latest 2-0 all on 42 points. 14 Sampdoria 26 -4 32 victory – courtesy of Zlatan Ibrahimovic lesson last week in the Scottish Premier Wolfsburg is a strong contender at this 15 Siena 26 -7 28 League, Celtic could be forgiven for stage of the competition, having won and Mario Balotelli – giving Mourinho’s 16 Torino 27 -15 24 thinking their Scottish Cup clash against fi ve matches in a row, while Hamburg’s side a healthy lead at the top. 17 Bologna 26 -15 23 the same opposition would produce a chances were dealt a severe blow; suf- Until Saturday’s defeat, Genoa had turned 18 Verona 26 -15 23 19 Lecce 26 -19 22 similar result to their 7-0 thrashing the fering a 4-1 loss at the hands of struggler the Luigi Ferraris into a fortress, going 20 Reggina 26 -23 18 previous week. Borussia Moenchengladbach who lifted the whole season unbeaten at their home But complacency has cost Celtic a berth themselves from the bottom of the table ground; however visitors Inter punished in the semi-fi nals of the Cup – and the for the fi rst time since last November. Genoa’s wasteful fi nishing on this occa- By Julius Ross sion to end an impressive home record. chance of a domestic treble – after St. Hertha has Ukrainian striker Andriy Photos by Soccer Way p24 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 State Of The Local Economy Dept. OPINION BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES A-League Battles For Asian Supremacy In the wake of the Socceroos’ disap- league to the level of its main rivals, but it will pointing loss to Kuwait, Tony Persoglia challenge A-League clubs to assemble squads examines the state of the A-League and that are capable of handling the rigours of truly the hurdles it must overcome to take competitive club football. its place among Asia’s elite domestic FFA will do well to abandon its desire football competitions. to have its fi nals series clash with the beginning The fallout from Australia’s loss of the ACL preliminary phase. Australian clubs to Kuwait in Canberra raises a number of have largely been unsuccessful in advancing questions about the A-League and its status from this stage of the tournament, largely due as a domestic league competition in Asia. In to a lack of match fi tness normally attained isolation, the result refl ects the inexperience from playing in regular league competition. All of the players that took the pitch on Thursday of the top Asian clubs are in the heart of their evening. However, not a long time ago in domestic campaigns during the March-May 2006, an Australian A-League squad coached period, where as Australia’s A-League aspirants by the much maligned Graham Arnold posted are enjoying a break in their extended off-sea- a comfortable victory over a strikingly similar son. A move to a domestic season commencing Kuwaiti outfi t in Sydney. in August and concluding in May will go a long That squad included a number of way to addressing this issue. seasoned internationals (Clint Bolton, Kevin The introduction of an FA cup style Muscat, Archie Thompson, Jade North and competition has also been touted by FFA, a Steve Corica), a signifi cant level of club experi- concept which has been explored to ensure that ence (Joel Griffi ths, Sash Petrovski, Alvin Cec- additional places are offered to Australian clubs coli and Michael Valkanis) and a smattering of in the ACL. As well as providing established up-and-comers who had impressed in the fi rst A-League clubs with another opportunity to season of the A-League (Alex Brosque, Matt qualify for this tournament, it will no doubt McKay, , Travis Dodd and David open the intercontinental door to state league Carney). Only Archie Thompson and Matt clubs, ultimately raising the bar at the next McKay reprised their roles on Thursday night, tier of domestic football – which has sadly with as many as four players making their full remained unaddressed since the overhaul of top international debuts. level club football in 2004. Of the group assembled in 2006, One only has to look at the evolu- North, Griffi ths and Milligan have moved tion of the J-League to know that the road may to Asian clubs – and by that very defi nition, indeed be rocky before that fi nal destination is should have been available for any Asian reached. The J-League took several steps back Cup qualifi ers (all three would have had valid The Melbourne Victory swept all before them in a eight team na- after its initial success in the mid 1990’s, before claims for selection) - providing the much tional competition. But is that enough to rate against Asia’s best? fi nally developing a level of stability at the needed experience to deliver the desired result. turn of the century. It has established long term Despite their availability, Pim Verbeek perse- Canberra. fi rst appearance in the 2008 Asian Champions goals through the development of its ‘Hundred vered with an A-League selection he is often An increase in the base salary cap is League and the 2008/09 A-League Grand Final Year Vision’ (100 professional football clubs by quick to criticise, believing that their quality a step in the right direction to addressing the - Adelaide United competed in 40 offi cial club the year 2092) and expanded to two divisions was suffi cient to topple the best that part-timers problem, but the player marquee system must fi xtures – often commenting on the physical in 1999, developing a promotion-relegation Kuwait had to offer. He was either sadly mis- be reviewed and structured to achieve its full demands represented by such a ‘torturous’ cam- system for clubs aspiring to reach the top fl ight. taken, or his young charges failed to perform potential. The inclusion of an Australian mar- paign. As a comparison, the J-League’s Gamba These strategies are simplifi ed solu- when it counted. quee (coupled with the already existing Youth Osaka, the 2008 ACL Champions, played 58 tions to problems which have more depth and Does this indicate that an A-League Version 1.0 marquee) to compliment a clearly defi ned Inter- competitive club fi xtures in fi ve separate com- complexity than any confronted by football’s squad is signifi cantly better than what we can national marquee is necessary to ensure that the petitions in less than ten months. In terms of past administrations. The inclusion of Aus- produce in Version 4.0? Is enough talent devel- very best Australian talent can be lured back competitive club football – the gap is alarming. tralia into the AFC has brought with it many oping at the required rate to take part in the two home. Having three players outside the salary In overcoming this chasm of genuine challenges, and the governing body has only or three Asian Cup qualifi ers every four years, cap allows clubs with enough fl exibility to competition, the FFA must abandon its reluc- scratched the surface at the potential on offer. A where the inclusion of Australia’s thoroughbred encourage quality recruitment (and retention), tance to assume head-on engagement with the healthy domestic competition will not only pro- internationals is logistically impossible? without providing a signifi cant advantage to the AFL and NRL, particularly as the A-League vide extensive commercial opportunities, but The exodus of Australia’s talent to cash rich clubs. initially expands to ten teams next season, and ultimately improve the depth of talent available Europe and now Asia raises a key concern Balancing the commercial needs of again to twelve for the following campaign. to the national team, avoiding scenarios like which FFA must address quickly – the com- the A-League with the development of Aus- The key question should not be if the season is that which played out on Thursday evening position and structure of the A-League salary tralia’s burgeoning talent pool is a signifi cant extended, but how? against Kuwait. FFA’s ability to elevate the cap. The $1.9 million wage restriction coupled factor that FFA is confronted with in the short- Talk of the introduction of a six-team A-League to a competitive platform will rely with a marquee system that heavily lends term. A twenty-one match home-and-away fi nals series is completely off the mark, and heavily on investment, expertise and the estab- itself to the procurement of overseas stars, is league season can hardly compete with the will do little to reward aspiring clubs who work lishment of solid foundations, and is without barely enough to secure the handful of regular rigorous schedules prevalent in Japan, Korea diligently to build a competitive and robust question the most critical item on its crowded Socceroos who have elected to return home and China – where seasons often tick over 50+ squad. The focus must shift towards a football agenda. before their international careers have drawn to games when coupled with regular domestic and calendar with a minimum of thirty league By Tony Persoglia a close. Of the clubs who have Australians as intercontinental cup competitions. matches played on a home-and-away basis. their designated marquee player, only Archie In the twelve months between their Not only will this help to elevate the domestic Photo by Daniel Flis Thompson could make the starting line-up in

ISSUE #3 Monday 9 March 2009 p25 LONDON CALLING Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now Dept. BENDING OVER BECKHAM The Goldenballs Saga Approaches Climax When the Ancient Greeks invaded and forfeit all that money, so come March a foreign land they would offl oad 22nd we could have the interesting sight of their warriors from the boats onto Beckham trotting out at the Home Depot the enemy’s shore. Then their com- centre to face a hostile LA crowd, oh and manders would make the order to D.C. United. burn the boats, removing any idea The saga was orchestrated by of retreat. Milan publicly declaring they wanted to Though not as dramatic, David extend his loan agreement. However, they Beckham’s public desire to join AC Milan wouldn’t have done this without taking has made the idea of him returning to Los Beckham’s wishes into account. You do Angeles hard to imagine, especially if the have to wonder if his intention all along messages of anger from LA Galaxy fans on when he signed the loan contract was to forums and chatrooms are a barometer. fi nd a way to make the stay permanent. He is expected back in LA on Perhaps that is too cynical of me. Bear in March 9th and as that deadline approaches mind though that Adriano Galliani, the Beckham is said to be increasingly frustrat- Milan vice president, was making noises ed at the failure of the two clubs to agree a about Beckham staying long before the fee. Considering he is as welcome in LA as player was more-or-less forced into “com- a rainstorm his angst is understandable. ing out” and confi rming it. There is no doubt Beckham’s days It is understandable why Beckham with the Galaxy are numbered. He can wishes to stay at Milan. In one interview terminate his MLS contract in November he explained the training was “intense” and has stated that despite Milan’s em- and the players “world class”. Meaning LA barrassing exit from the UEFA Cup and isn’t up to the same standard. their ineptitude in Serie A that nothing has But why does Milan want him changed his mind about staying in Italy. and what will be his role over the long- That said, at the time of writing he is still term? contracted to the LA Galaxy. My question He is still an excellent free-kick is what does the future hold for Beckham? taker, crosser and passer of the ball. How- It may seem an odd question ever this isn’t the long-term acquisition a given my assertion he’ll be a Milan player team like Milan needs. Given the average come what may. age of their fi rst xi is 31 it could be argued The question is when will that happen? they are not only getting older, even with Stories out of Italy report the Beckham in the team, they aren’t getting Rossoneri want to keep Beckham on loan markedly better. There are other areas of until the end of the season, a stunt they their team needing improvement, such as tried – and failed with - in January. In their their defence and midfi eld, areas with a proposal he would stay in Milan until June total lack of speed. 30th and rejoin the Galaxy until Novem- Yet in many respects, just like ber. Then kick his heels before joining the signing of Ronaldinho, a player with Milan in January 2010 on a free transfer. much to offer but clearly way past his Mama Mia! Milano or Los Angeles? It is a compromise that offers best, any deal for Beckham makes sense Poor David is torn between two lovers again. scant upside for the Galaxy – Beckham for commercial reasons. For those who would miss three months of the MLS argue otherwise answer this: if Becks is be fi tter than his marginally younger col- club but Beckham doesn’t strike me as season. The Galaxy, in true Hollywood that good why aren’t other major European leagues. one of those footballers who will prolong style, has played the role of scorned lover clubs interested in him? Overall a permanent move will be his career with a stint at clubs such as perfectly, requesting a costly divorce For Beckham, 34 in May, the se- of great benefi t to Beckham and England. Blackburn or Middlesbrough. Also I can’t settlement of $10million USD from Milan. date speed of Milan’s play suits him down He will be in the world spotlight once really see Victoria Beckham swapping the Yet for all their public willingness to to the ground. To accommodate his ageing again, playing in a major European league fashion capital of Europe for a stroll down hang onto Beckham, LA don’t have much legs he has a central midfi eld role with the (as well as the UCL) with a big club. the rain swept high streets of northern wiggle room. Why keep a player who is only requirement he run up and down the One thing to look out for will be England. hell bent on leaving and can go in just over pitch in straight lines and sprint to take free the length of his contract with the Rosson- Then again you can never say 8 months anyway? Why not accept a fee? kicks before Andrea Pirlo gets there fi rst. eri. My gut suspects he’ll sign one taking never, especially if he does go back to LA That’s because money isn’t the Also central midfi eld is his best him up to his 36th birthday and the 2012 on March 9th. Beckham may have burned issue for the club with the mega-rich position. He can play long through balls or European championships in Poland & his boat but unfortunately for him he has a owner. I am certain the Galaxy will fl ex cross fi eld balls and occasionally pull wide Ukraine before he calls time on his great plane to take him back to LA. career. their muscles and insist Beckham rejoins to deliver crosses. Plus in a Milan midfi eld By Leroy Jerome Robinson them simply because they can. One thing that has as much energy as a retirement Yes he could go back to England Beckham won’t do is break his contract, home, he has played well and appears to and serve a few more years at a small EPL Photos by Paparazzi

p26 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3 JASON DAVIDSON HUME CITY FC FOOTBALL FOCUS FULL NAME: Jason Alan Davidson BIRTHPLACE: Melbourne BIRTH DATE: 29th June 1991 HEIGHT: 180cm WEIGHT: 75kg MARRIED: No CAR: No OCCUPATION OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL: Student NICKNAME: Davo PREVIOUS CLUBS: Seiritsu FC. Tokyo, Japan. REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS: Called up for Australian U’20 National Training CHILDHOOD FOOTBALL HERO: Diego Maradona FAVOURITE O/S PLAYER: Kaka FAVOURITE VPL PLAYER: Hume City Teammates FAVOURITE FORMER SOCCEROO: My dad FAVOURITE CURRENT SOCCEROO: Harry Kewell MOST MEMORABLE MATCH AS A PLAY- ER: Tokyo Championship Final against Kashiwa Reysol MOST MEMORABLE MATCH AS A FAN: Australia Vs Uruguay (World Cup Qualifi er in Sydney) MOST MEMORABLE GOAL YOU’VE SCORED: Winner against Kashima Antlers Semi Final EARLIEST FOOTBALL MEMORY: Mascot for Pahang FC in Malaysia FUNNIEST MOMENT IN FOOTBALL: Teammate forgot shorts, made to trained in his undies BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Missed a Tokyo Cup Final due to injury WORST INJURY: Minor-Torn Meniscus MOST DIFFICULT OPPONENT: Urawa Reds/Japan U18 National Captain FAVOURITE AWAY GROUND: FC Tokyo SUPERSTITIONS: None TYPICAL MATCH DAY MEAL: Plate of Fruit & Plate of Pasta. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS: Football, determination/intelligence WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES: At the moment my age FAVOURITE TEAM WHEN GROWING UP: Manchester United FAVOURITE OTHER SPORTS: AFL, Boxing and Swimming FAVOURITE OTHER SPORTS PERSON: Mohammed Ali FAVOURITE FOODS: Greek Food FAVOURITE ACTOR/ACTRESS: Morgan Freedmen / Angelina Jolie HOBBIES: Movies, Biographies, Social- izing, Distance Running

Photo by John Punshon FAVOURITE HOLIDAY RESORT: Kuantan, Malaysia FAVOURITE NIGHTSPOT: I am underage IDEAL DATE: Romantic Dinner FAVOURITE TV SHOWS: Entourage FAVOURITE MUSIC: House FAVOURITE FILM: Rocky LAST SOCCER SHIRT YOU BOUGHT: None FUNNIEST RUMOUR YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT YOURSELF: None BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON CAREER: Dad BIGGEST DRAG IN SOCCER: Injuries FOOTBALL AMBITION: To play at the highest level I can WHICH PERSON IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MEET? : Diego Maradona YOUR TIP FOR THIS YEAR’S VPL: Hume City FC

p27 Monday 9 March 2009 ISSUE #3