SATURDAY MARCH 31 2018 SPORT 75 Victory awaits Arnold beaming as Sydney FC secures premiership desperate WSW SYDNEY FC coach Graham stoked his fire. That makes it ship with two games remain- out fighting,” Arnold said. esty and trust. That’s our 52nd Victory are Arnold was beaming with extra special that the Sky Blues ing. They are within sight too “That’s in my DNA. I’ll be hon- game and we’ve lost four the expecting a desperate Western pride having secured a second have made history as the first of the most goals in a season est, I have not worked harder last two years. We’ve racked up Sydney Wanderers to front for straight A-League premiership A-League team to secure suc- now having scored 60 to be than I have ever since that an- 124 points. Our goal difference their A-League clash tonight, but he wants to keep setting cessive Premiers’ Plates fol- just three behind Melbourne nouncement. People will say it is 81 over two years. People with their spot in the top six on records especially after being lowing Thursday night’s 3-2 City’s record 63 in 2015-16. was a distraction, it wasn’t a want to say we’re struggling, shaky ground. doubted over his Socceroos ap- win over Glory at nib Arnold is content particu- distraction. I’ll leave that to them.” Currently holding down pointment. Stadium. larly to have his team respond “I was honest all along with Sydney will now play that last spot with three rounds With some doubting Along the way, Bobo scored to any critics there were of him the players and at the end of Suwon Samsung Bluewings in to play, Wanderers are in dan- whether Arnold could still get two goals to go to 24 on the when he was appointed the the day, people can say what the Asian Champions League ger of missing the play-offs, the best out of Sydney FC de- season to set another A- next national boss. they want. It’s more about on Tuesday before finishing with Victory coach Kevin spite knowing he will take over League record while Sydney “I love a challenge and what people believe and my the A-League season against Muscat more than happy to as Socceroos coach following moved 11 points clear on top to when the doubters doubt, or boys believe in what I told United and Mel- help send them packing from the World Cup, that only be guaranteed of the premier- the knockers knock, I come them and we are group of hon- bourne Victory. AAMI Park. They boast a formidable re- cord against Western Sydney, unbeaten in their past seven meetings dating back to early 2016, and have conceded just two goals in that time. “They are a desperate team, Adelaide wanting to get a result,” Muscat said. “They were here in Mel- bourne last week and didn’t get a result and we’re looking to apply as much pressure as march on possible for our own reasons and understanding their situ- ation. “It will be a difficult game for a number of reasons – it’s almost a must-win for them so we’ll prepare for that and get against on the front foot early and add to their woes by putting them under pressure.” Foord’s faith Phoenix in the Matildas LEE GAGLIARDI which took deflection in the INJURY has shattered her busy penalty area before Sail Asian Cup dream, but Matildas ADELAIDE United have con- saved again. Burns and Andrija striker insists tinued their march towards fi- Kaluderovic combined on the there’s no deviating from her nals football with a half-hour but Izzo thwarted team’s bid to be Asia’s best. comprehensive 3-1 win over the attack before Ryan Kitto As ’s women’s the Wellington Phoenix at called Sail into action again team makes its final prepara- Coopers Stadium. after a quick counter. tions for the Asian Cup in Jor- Some 11,730 fans turned out United finally found a way dan starting next week, Foord on Good Friday for the Reds’ past Sail on 42 minutes when declared that anything less final home match of the season skipper Isaias slipped through than coming first would be in which they dominated for Michael Marrone, who sup- viewed as a disappointment. large parts of the 90 minutes. plied an inch-perfect cross for The Sydney FC star’s foot Despite United’s domi- Johan Absalonsen, who drifted injury, sustained in the semi- nance, the Phoenix fired an in unmarked at the near post final of the W-League, will early warning shot after just and headed home. keep her out until August, but three minutes. United controlled much of Foord will be watching the Nathan Burns wove his way the play in the second half and Matildas take on Japan, South through some heavy traffic on were eventually rewarded with Korea and Vietnam. the edge of the Reds penalty their second on 61 minutes Alen Stajcic’s side travels area before tumbling amid courtesy of an impressive ef- with the knowledge that after a claims for a penalty. fort from Ben Garuccio. year of incredible performan- The loose ball rolled to Roy The left full-back skipped ces, including winning the Krishna, whose shot beat Paul past Scott Galloway before fir- Tournament of Nations in Izzo but hit Daniel Adlung and ing with the outside of his left America, they are among the bounced back out off the post. boot into the roof of the net. favourites – and Foord said the Adlung was busy early on Two minutes later, Garuc- label was well merited. and tested Phoenix keeper Oli- cio turned provider for Adel- “I think we can win it, that’s ver Sail twice in five minutes. aide’s third, whipping in a low the goal,” she said. “It’s been The first was a thunderous cross that Sail managed to the goal since the last Asian 20m drive that swerved late push away. Cup. Anything less than that before it was tipped over the But the Wellington keeper will be disappointing. Coming bar. On the quarter-hour, the could only palm into the path off the year we’ve just had, German forced another great of George Blackwood, whose there is expectation. Going save. blocked shot fell to Nathan into the tournament we know Wellington failed to clear a Konstandopoulos, who danced how hard it is coming up Adelaide United’s Ryan Kitto (left) tackles Wellington Phoenix opponent Logan Rogerson during last corner and Adlung attempted around two defenders before against the best of Asia.” night’s Good Friday A-League clash at Coopers Stadium Picture: JAMES ELSBY an audacious first-time volley, bundling the ball over the line. FFA confirms it will name two new A-League clubs in October

VINCE RUGARI asked to provide information ney, Melbourne or Brisbane – tions and the players’ union said. “But it’s important to re- mation required from prospec- about their strategy for a new will begin play in the 2019-20 will all be given the chance to member that this is an interac- tive bidders and criteria by THE A-League’s two in- club and to prove their finan- season. It’s anticipated they submit their views on expan- tion with the market and the which they will be initially coming clubs will be an- cial bona fides. Once received, will be asked to pay a multi- sion and how any new teams market will have its own views. judged. It also asks for appli- nounced in October after the FFA will select a shortlist of million dollar fee to join. would affect their operations. We must do all we can to en- cants to demonstrate an long-awaited start of the for- bidders and request from them However, the A-League will “We have done a lot of work sure that sound business prin- “understanding and appreci- mal expansion process by a fully-fledged proposal by the not necessarily expand in tan- on the fundamentals behind ciples and more generally the ation” of the history and cul- Football Federation Australia. end of August. dem with the W-League, with successful expansion of the A- best interests of football are ture of football in Australia, as The governing body called A decision will be made by FFA saying it has a “separate League and we are confident considered and applied.” well as to outline the pro- on Wednesday for expressions the FFA’s board by October 31. and dedicated focus” for the that we will receive some high FFA’s ‘Invitation for EOI’ fessional, financial and legal of interest (EOI) from poten- The two new clubs – which women’s competition. quality bids as part of this pro- document is available online histories of those involved with tial bidders, who have been it’s expected will be from Syd- Existing clubs, state federa- cess,” FFA CEO David Gallop and lists in detail the infor- their bids.

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