SPORT Hellenic boss hands Get physical McBreen over reins By JUSTIN CHADWICK ‘‘He’s (McBreen) a physi- in Perth cal player and he’ll be physi- By ANDREW ALOIA Finals doubt for Gold Coast’s problem child cal at the weekend again and I think that’s the only CENTRAL Coast coach GOLD COAST: Gold Coast problem half of a match United won 1-0. way he knows how to play OUTGOING Hellenic coach Lawrie McKinna wants anyway,’’ McKinna said. child Steve Pantelidis (pictured) is in United’s most-suspended player in Pedro Stefanidakis has Perth Glory striker ‘‘He’ll probably be giving anointed his replacement as danger of missing the club’s first their maiden season, Pantelidis faces Daniel McBreen to be at 110 per cent because he’ll be a perfect fit for the job. A-League finals foray after being investigation by the league’s match his physical best today, involved in two incidents during wanting to show the band of He hands the baton over review panel after TV cameras caught fans watching on TV and to his assistant Peter Politis even if it means a painful Friday night’s spiteful match against Melbourne at Skilled Park. him seeming to strike Kruse in the the ones that come over after they teamed up to haul time for his Mariners. back of the head during a scuffle. But McKinna’s wish may Even coach Miron Bleiberg con- what we can expect from the blues from Northern Pantelidis was later shown a yellow- Zone Soccer Premier not eventuate with ceded defender Pantelidis could ‘‘pay him next year. If he didn’t League obscurity to grand McBreen struggling to over- the price’’ after he was involved in an card for a tackle on Marvin Angulo. play his normal game I’d be finalists inside a season. come a calf complaint. off-the-ball incident with Victory for- ‘‘If he (Pantelidis) pays the price, he disappointed, I’ll be expect- While Stefanidakis He will link up with the ward Robbie Kruse during the first pays the price,’’ Bleiberg said. ing him to give it his all.’’ proved he had the Midas Mariners next season but MEANWHILE, last night’s A-League clash between touch — guiding Hellenic to for now is firmly entrenched at ME Bank Stadium today McBreen has scored two Last week, his swinging its last title in 2003 before in Perth’s finals charge North Queensland and the to keep their finals hopes goals in three games for the elbow while competing for a leading it back to the decider after switching to the Glory Newcastle Jets at Dairy for the first time since that from North Queensland alive while the Glory hunts Glory and his physicality header left Wellington de- Farmers Stadium was post- win last year — Politis was earlier this month. The for a top-four spot after two has added another dimen- fender Manny Muscat nurs- poned due to heavy rain recognised as a major influ- Mariners need to beat Perth wins on the trot. sion to the Perth line-up. ing a bloodied head. from tropical cyclone Olga. ence in the club’s rebirth. Both shared a vision for fast-tracking youth. ‘‘Having Peter step up will be good,’’ Stefanidakis said. Playoff hopes ‘‘He can build on what we achieved last year when we showed that putting faith in back on track young players can really work.’’ Hellenic president Michael for Phoenix Melas said Politis’ appoint- ment was a popular choice. WELLINGTON: The Welling- ‘‘He already knows the ton Phoenix beat Adelaide K players,’’ Melas said. United 1-0 at Christchurch to get ‘‘As our trainer he did a their A-League playoffs cam- great job and has what it paign back on track. takes to move up.’’ A first-half strike by defender Stefanidakis’ resignation Jon McKain was enough to en- as coach may turn out to be a playing coup for the club sure the Phoenix gained a com- with the prowling fortable gap of seven points COLOR: midfielder flagging a return inside the top six over seventh- to the pitch. placed Central Coast Mariners. ‘‘I’ll step back from the The win also broke a two- 23 coaching side but I’ll be at match losing streak for the the club somewhere,’’ he Phoenix while marking their said. first win in three seasons over Hellenic is among the first last year’s runners-up who are to kick off the preparation now bottom of the table. PAGE: for the 2010 season, entering its fourth week of training. Tony Lochhead’s return at left back from a groin injury which caused him to be spelled for their last two matches, saw Phoenix’s defence back at full strength. News all The Phoenix was pinned in defence for about 20 minutes from kickoff but an good for understrength Adelaide attack was tentative. 31-JAN-2010 Kewell Wellington turned the tide through Adrian Caceres who SYDNEY: The Socceroos’ was lively on the left flank and World Cup aspirations have rightback Troy Hearfield who received a boost with Harry produced some adventurous DATE: Kewell’s management say- runs on the right. ing the Australian winger McKain scored his second goal should only miss a month of the season in the 21st minute with his latest injury. when he rifled home a drive Kewell has been in Sydney OUR HERO: Brisbane goalscorer Sergio van Dijk celebrates with fans. Picture: NATHAN RICHTER during a melee off a corner the past week seeking medi- which gave goalkeeper Eugene cal advice on a groin problem Galekovic no chance. which has prevented him Adelaide then closed the half NT NEWS from playing with Turkish Roar calls on Dutch courage by forcing Phoenix goalkeeper club side Galatasaray since Liam Reddy into twice tipping December. away dangerous headers by There had been fears the By DAMIEN STANNARD either by poor finishing or scram- ney who is now two points adrift of bling Roar defence. leaders Gold Coast and Melbourne. Mathew Lecki and Travis Dodd. injury was a recurrence of in Brisbane PUB: an adductor problem that Midfielder Steve Corica was often While attention centred on for- Coach Ricki Herbert had cruelled Kewell’s stint with the common denominator, doing mer Dutch international Kluivert opted to use Paul Greenacre and Liverpool and that he could A DUTCHMAN was always go- everything but score a goal before who has joined the Roar for a two- Eugene Dadi up front, flanked be out for up to five months, ing to command centre stage for being replaced late in the match. week coaching stint, his presence by Paul Ifill and Caceres. throwing his World Cup the Brisbane Roar in last night’s Brisbane was rusty in defence but signalled an opportunity for at least But the quartet was unable to campaign into jeopardy. do-or-die A-League clash at kept launching counter-attacking one young star. Roar winger break down a resolute Adelaide raids at the Sky Blues, finally being But after visiting several Sunsorp Stadium. Tommy Oar is believed to be headed defence although Dadi, Ifill and specialists in Sydney, rewarded when van Dijk turned the to Eredivisie giant Feyenoord for a But it was striker Sergio van Dijk, winner in off his hip. The enter- Caceres managed to make a Kewell has learned he does trial at the end of the season and not guest coach Patrick Kluivert, tainers were arguably the glovemen, number of dangerous crosses not need surgery with agent who made the difference, shooting Kluivert’s opinion could help seal into the box. Sydney’s Clint Bolton and Bris- his future. Bernie Mandic saying the from the hip to hand the home side bane’s Matt Ham who kept their 31-year-old star should be an upset 1-0 win against Sydney FC. teams alive with desperate saves. WELLINGTON PHOENIX 1 (Jon McKain 22m) d back on the pitch within BRISBANE ROAR 1 (Serginho van Dijk 88m) d SYDNEY FC Finals-bound FC was scuppered It was a missed chanced for Syd- 0 at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 8613. Referee: Michael Hester. ADELAIDE UNITED 0 at AMI Stadium. Crowd: four weeks. 19,279. Referee: Peter O’Leary. Other reports yesterday suggested Kewell could be back training within two weeks. The news will also come as a relief to Next ‘historic’ chapter in United, Arsenal’s rivalry Galatasaray, who were re- portedly considering releas- LONDON: Manchester hand on both teams, could in an FA Cup tie in 1988, there before(Arsenal manager) ing Kewell due to fears over United manager Sir Alex have opened up a four-point has been an extra edge to George Graham won his first the extent of his injury. Ferguson (pictured) be- lead at the top with a win over clashes between the sides. title, it was Arsenal and Any concerns Kewell lieves tomorrow’s (NT time) Burnley this morning. The list of grudge matches United who were mostly com- could be punted by the club Premier League showdown For much of Ferguson’s include: Roy Keane’s tunnel peting for the trophies. were allayed on Friday against Arsenal will provide 24-year reign at Old Trafford row with Patrick Vieira; Mar- ‘‘Without doubt Chelsea when they released another historic chapter in it has been Arsenal who has tin Keown’s frenzied celebrat- have become a prominent Congolese striker Shabani his club’s ferocious feud with provided the main resistance ion of a Ruud van Nistelrooy team in that respect too ... but Nonda to take them back the Gunners.