Australia 4-2 Saudi Arabia: Three in three knock Saudis out

Australia celebrate
Photo: Anita Milas of Goal! Weekly

Three goals in three minutes from Australia gave the Socceroos a 4-2 win over Saudi Arabia which eliminates the Green Falcons from the World Cup.

The game was played at a fast pace and the first chance came on three minutes for the Socceroos. James Troisi found Brett Emerton who headed back to Harry Kewell to tap home but the referee ruled it out correctly for offside.

After a couple small chances and a great percent of possession the Saudi’s opened the scoring on 19 minutes thanks to a great strike by Salem Mohammed Aldawsari. The Al Hilal midfielder ran at the Australian defence beating Mark Milligan before finishing brilliantly into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later Australia were looking for an equaliser and after Harry Kewell played in Alex Brosque the Shimizu forward put his effort into the side netting.

Kewell almost scored a great driven free-kick but his effort once again was deflected wide, the Saudi defence was doing quite well.

But two minutes before the break Brosque equalised for the hosts with a good poked finish.

Just when the Socceroos thought they were going into the break level the Saudi’s took the lead in stoppage time. After Milligan failed to track Nassir Ali Alshamrani the 28-year-old finished into the bottom corner from Hassan Muath Fallatah’s low cross.

In the opening minutes of the second-half both sides had chances through Troisi, Kewell for Australia and Mohammed Bandar Alshalhoub for the visitors.

Australia on 60 minutes thought they took the lead when Lucas Neill’s header from Matthew Spiranovic’s cross squeezed through Waleed Abdullah Ali in goals. However the referee incorrectly ruled it out for offside. That would have been the Australian Captain’s first goal for his country in 80 appearances.

The Green Falcons had a huge chance to finish it off with Fallatah continuing to cause damage on the right flank and he laid a ball on the plate for an on rushing Alshamrani but his effort was poked wide.

That miss would haunt the Green Falcons when one minute later Australia equalised. Substitute Archie Thompson found Brosque on the left flank that crossed for an on rushing Kewell to finish in the bottom corner.

Two minutes later Australia remarkably took the lead when Emerton played a great ball right onto the head of an unmarked Brosque who headed home.

Immediately from the kick-off, Australia scored their third goal in three minutes when Bresciano played a lovely ball for Emerton. However Kamil Saddiq Almousa reached the ball first but accidently played the ball off Emerton before the ball flew into the net.

In stoppage time substitute Naid Ahmed Hazazi almost got one back but his effort was well saved by Mark Schwarzer who didn’t have much to do all game.

So Australia finish top of the group on 15 points from a possible 18 and with Oman’s 2-0 defeat of Thailand the Omani’s go through in second with 8 points.

Match Stats:

Australia
1. Mark Schwarzer (GK), 2. Lucas Neill (C), 4. Matthew Spiranovic (3. David Carney 82’), 5. Jade North, 6. Sasa Ognenovski, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Mark Milligan, 10. Harry Kewell, 11. James Troisi (9. Archie Thompson 63’), 20. Alex Brosque (16. Nick Carle 87’), 23. Mark Bresciano
Unused Substitutes:  12. Erik Paartalu, 13. Adam Sarota, 14. Michael Marrone, 15. Michael Thwaite, 18. Mat Ryan (GK)

Coach: Holger Osieck

Goals
Brosque 43’, 75’, Kewell 73’, Emerton 76’

Saudi Arabia
1. Waleed Abdullah Ali (GK), 3. Osama Abdulrzag Hawsawi (C), 4. Abdulla Mohammed Aldossary, 7. Kamil Saddiq Almousa, 10. Mohammed Bandar Alshalhoub (9. Naid Ahmed Hazazi 79’), 11. Nassir Ali Alshamrani (20. Yasser Saeed Al Qahtani 72’), 12. Hassan Muath Fallatah, 14. Saud Ali Khariri, 15. Ahmed Mohamed Alfraidi (6. Ahmed Inrahim Ateef 66’), 17. Taiseer Jabir Aljassam, 19. Salem Mohammed Aldawsari,
Unused Substitutes: 2. Yasir Gharsan Alshahrani, 5. Mohammed Eid Albishi, 8. Yahia Sulaiman Alshehri, 13. Ibrahim, Jahshan, 16. Yousef Mansour Alsalem, 18. Hamad Alhamad, 21. Yasser Adbullah Al Mosailem, 22. Ahmed Ali Alkassar, 23. Kamil Omar Fallata

Coach: Frank Rijkaard

Goals
Aldawsari 19’, Alshamrani 45+2

Yellow Cards
Khariri 62’, Alshamrani 64’

MOTM: Harry Kewell

Crowd: 24, 214@AAMI Park

Piece also here

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck and Captain Lucas Neill declare there is something to play for against Saudi Arabia

Australian Coach Holger Osieck and Captain Lucas Neill
Photo: Getty Images

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck and Captain Lucas Neill has declared that there is something to play for in tomorrow night’s dead-rubber World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia.

Osieck stated there is something for his side to play for and that is for themselves and the fans.

“First and foremost we have to play for ourselves. We are all professionals and every game we go into is a challenge for us, we are on a platform where everybody is watching us and we have an obligation towards the public and there are no games which are meaningless,” the German coach said.”

 The former Blackburn and West Ham captain dismissed that they game will be treated like a practice game.

“No there is no such thing as a practice match. Every time we play we are always playing for our places so this game is no different. Why would we want to come play a game, an international and not win?”

Neill agreed with his coach by saying that his side is already preparing for The 2014 World Cup in Brazil and that the players need to play for themselves to make the squad.

 “We are playing for a bigger prize now which is going to Brazil and we have to prepare now and we have to accept the coach’s tactics and methods and we have to put them in practice so he picks us for the next game and the next one next one which are the important ones as far as us getting to Brazil.”

Osieck also will expect a great performance and will react to complacency if there is any in tomorrow’s clash.

“I expect from my boys a great performance in every game we play and coming to the term qualifying, all the boys have to qualify for the next round to be part of the Socceroos and they have to accept it and if I see any complacency here then there is going to be a reaction.”

Neill and the Socceroos are going out to win the game but they also understand Saudi Arabia have to win Wednesday’s encounter to qualify for the next round.

“This is a game we want to win and we know they have to win, so we find ourselves in a game of putting them under pressure and we know that they will feel that and the country will feel that and we have to take advantage of that,” Neill said about the pressure for Saudi Arabia.

The 33-year-old Australian captain also believes the gap between teams in Asian is smaller than ever before so this qualifying campaign will be Australia’s most satisfying.

“If we are going to get to Brazil this will be the most satisfying qualifying campaign of the seven years thus far because the games are tougher, the teams we are playing against are improving all the time which is why we can’t get complacent and we have to keep improving ourselves and we have to keep the momentum.”

Piece also here

Melbourne Hear 1-0 Central Coast Mariners: Melbourne Heart defeat Mariners in scrappy affair

Melbourne Heart have defeated Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in a scrappy game at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

Melbourne Heart and coach John van ‘t Schip made six changes with Eli Babalj, Matt Thompson, Aziz Behich, Mate Dugandzic, Curtis Good and Paul Reid all coming in for Rutger Worm, Wayne Srhoj, Alex Terra, Jonathan Germano, David Williams and Craig Goodwin.\

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold made two changes from their thrilling 3-3 draw with Gold Coast on Wednesday with Mat Ryan returning from Olyroos duty to replace Justin Pasfield and John Hutchinson also coming in for Adrian Pellegrino.

The game started off slowly but on 11 minutes the game was livened up when Behich left his foot in on Ryan as the Olyroos ‘keeper collected the ball. Both players were subsequently yellow carded.

The first real chance came from Tomas Rogic on 17 minutes but his low effort was comfortably saved by Heart custodian Clint Bolton.

Two minutes later Rogic tested Bolton again with an effort almost identical to the previous effort but Bolton once again saved easily.

On the half-hour mark Pedj Bojic created the best chance of the game when he put in a great ball for Adam Kwasnik but the 28-year-old headed just wide of the upright.

Fred created Heart’s first real chance of the half but curled his effort into the hands of Ryan.

Five minutes into the second-half Melbourne Heart took the lead through Babalj. Dugandzic was found on the right wing and played it to Fred whose initial scuffed effort was tucked home by the 19-year-old.

Soon later the referee Jarred Gillett gave a penalty after Fred fouled Rogic inside the box. Sutton stepped up but the Englishman hit his effort off the post. Patrick Zwaanswijk’s follow-up effort was also weak and easily saved on the goal line by Bolton.

Coach Graham Arnold however wanted Zwaanswijk to take the penalty instead of Sutton who had never seen taken a penalty.

Two minutes after Bernie Ibini came on for Sutton he cut in from the left but Bolton was behind it to make another save.

Heart went right up the other end and Behich drove his effort just wide of the far post however Babalj was unmarked in the centre.

On 75 minutes Kwasnik was looking for an equaliser but curled his effort just wide of the far post.

One minute later Babalj had a huge chance to extend the lead after beating Alex Wilkinson but fired over the bar.

With five minutes to go Michael Marrone, who was selected for the Socceroos squad, fired a long range drive but Ryan comfortably saved.

Heart were able to hold on for the win which means that Melbourne Heart jump Newcastle into fifth place. After Brisbane Roar’s defeat of Perth that means the Mariner’s lead up the top is cut down to three points.

Central Coast Mariner’s boss Graham Arnold thought he side played well despite the loss. “I thought we played well tonight, much better performance than when we were down here last time against Melbourne Heart and I thought we definitely had the opportunities to win the game but in the end of the day it’s football so let’s move on quickly.”

Melbourne Heart coach John van ‘t Schip was delighted to get the three points. “Yeah very important, three points in this last phase after having of course the games of course that we lost and now we have won two in a row.”

Match Stats:

Melbourne Heart

1. Clint Bolton (GK), 2. Michael Marrone, 3. Brendan Hamill (13. Jonathan Germano 72’), 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Fred (C) (11. Alex Terra 79’), 6. Matthew Thompson, 16. Aziz Behich, 18. Curtis Good, 19. Eli Babalj, 23. Mate Dugandzic (7. Rutger Worm 66’), 26. Paul Reid

Unused Substitutes:  30. Sebastian Mattei (GK)

Coach: John van ’t Schip

Goal

Babalj 50’

Yellow Cards

Behich 11’, Reid 15’, Fred 42’, Babalj 65’, Thompson 68’, Alex Terra 90+3’

Central Coast Mariners

1. Matthew Ryan (GK), 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson, 8. Rostyn Griffiths, 14. Michael McGlinchey (12. Troy Hearfield 79’), 17. Tomas Rogic (2. Daniel McBreen 83’), 18. Alex Wilkinson (C), 19. John Sutton (9. Bernie Ibini 58’), 23. Adam Kwasnik

Unused Substitutes: 20. Justin Pasfield (GK)

Coach

Graham Arnold

Yellow Cards

Ryan 12’, Kwasnik 13’, Bojic 65’

Crowd: 5, 034@AAMI Park

Perth Glory 0-3 Brisbane Roar: Roar convincingly beat the Glory

A Thomas Broich-less Brisbane Roar outfit has convincingly defeated Perth Glory 3-0 at nib Stadium on Saturday night with a brace from Besart Berisha.

Both sides had early efforts with Henrique and Bill Mehmet but both efforts were hit wide.

Henrique made up for the miss on 21 minutes by scoring the opener. After Berisha played the Brazilian in, Henrique rounded Danny Vukovic before slotting into an empty net.

In the opening 30 minutes Glory’s best chances came from distance through Adam Hughes, who was in for the injured Liam Miller, and Dean Heffernan but the Brisbane defence did well to block those efforts.

Hughes looked lively for the hosts and went on a mazey run on the right wing before cutting back onto his left foot but skied his effort into the stands.

Besart Berisha with a brace
Photo: Getty Images

Just before the break Mohamed Adnan rose up to a Berisha corner but the former Bahrain International headed well wide.

With the last kick of the first-half Dean Heffernan was found on the left and fired a ball across the face of goal but Michael Theoklitos did well to parry.

Seven minutes into the second-half Mile Sterjovski could have equalised but his effort was saved by Theoklitos.

On the hour mark Berisha doubled the lead by scoring his 16^th goal of the season. Henrique’s low cross to Berisha was touched, turned and finished brilliantly into the net by the Albanian.

Four minutes later Berisha scored his second after a great team move. Mitch Nicholas played through Nick Fitzgerald who passed to an unmarked Berisha to tap home.

But two minutes after the third goal Henrique, the first goal scorer was given a straight red card for an off the ball slap in retaliation on Jacob Burns.

Perth’s defeat and Wellington’s earlier win means Wellington jump Glory into third on the ladder with Brisbane cutting Central Coast Mariners’ lead.

Piece also here

Gold Coast Untied 1-1 Melbourne Victory: Gold Coast hold Victory in torrential conditions

Gold Coast United celebrate Maceo Rigters' opener
Photo: FFA website

Gold Coast United have held Melbourne Victory to a 1-1 draw at Skilled Park on Saturday night in torrential conditions.

In a slow opening 15 minutes Ben Halloran came off injured with a hip complaint after colliding with Mark Milligan.

On 22 minutes Archie Thompson dribbled into the box but was pushed out wide by Kristian Rees and Zac Anderson before the Socceroo’s effort was blocked.

Two minutes later Carlos Hernandez’s shot was driven just wide of the upright.

Gold Coast United went immediately up the other end and Maceo Rigters got on the end of the long ball before chipping with the outside of his foot. But the Dutchman’s effort bounced just wide.

On 32 minutes Harry Kewell tested Jerrad Tyson from distance with a curling effort but the 20-year-old ‘keeper made a great save.

Just before the break Anderson had a great chance to open the scoring but miss-headed his header when free inside the box.

Early into the second-half both sides had chances. First Hernandez played in Thompson but the Socceroo hit straight at Tyson.

Next Jake Barker-Daish tested Ante Covic but the former Socceroo ‘keeper saved low to his right.

Seconds later Gold Coast took the lead. Barker-Daish cut the ball back for Rigters whose low finish come off Covic’s foot before flying into the net.

But only a couple minutes later Hernandez equalised for Victory. Thompson controlled the ball before passing out to Hernandez whose powerful drive nestled into the bottom corner.

Hernandez was looking for a second to give his side the lead but curled his effort over the bar.

Kewell was next to test Tyson twice but the Socceroo’s efforts were hit wide of the upright.

Kewell was causing havoc on the left and cut in next but his effort was hit into and deflected by his own teammate, Thompson.

After Thompson was fouled, Hernandez stepped up for a free-kick but his curling effort had no power behind it which Tyson saved comfortably.

With ten minutes left Hernandez played in Thompson but Thompsons’s effort was fantastically saved by Tyson before Anderson cleared off the line.

With two minutes left Isaka Cernak made a great run into the box but his low cross went agonisingly close to being poked home by follow second-half substitute Jean-Carlos Solorzano.

With only seconds left Hernandez was looking for a winner with the last kick of the ball but Hernandez fired well wide.

Victory’s finals hopes have been dealt a massive blow with this defeat in a must win game.  Gold Coast United showed that their youngsters are good young players and all should have futures somewhere in the A-League.

Piece also here

Sydney FC 0-1 Wellington Phoenix: Phoenix hold on to early lead

Paul Ifill celebrates the only goal of the game
Photo: FFA website

Wellington Phoenix have held onto an early Paul Ifill goal to defeat Sydney FC 1-0 at the SFS on Saturday evening. Sydney however had a host of chances and dominated possession but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.

Sydney had the first chance of the game inside the first three minutes. The ball fell for Joel Chianese who played in Bruno Cazarine but the Brazilian fired over from the edge of the box.

Five minutes later Cazarine made a great run and headed Scott Jamieson’s cross towards goal but Mark Paston made a great save.

On 13 minutes Wellington, with their first chance of the game opened the scoring. Tony Lochhead put in a brilliant ball into the box which Ifill headed home past Ivan Necevski.

Ten minutes later Sydney and Chianese should have had a penalty. Chianese was brought down in the box by Paston but the referee Peter Green gave Chianese a yellow for simulation.

On 34 minutes Nick Carle could have equalised but chose to fire with power at the near post but fired wide.

Just before the break Brett Emerton found Cazarine in the box with a great ball but the Brazilian’s downward header was well saved by Paston. Paston then jumped up to save Cazarine’s follow-up effort to keep Wellington in the lead.

Early into the second-half Ifill from an acute angle poked his effort narrowing wide.

Soon after Sydney were still chasing for an equaliser when Emerton curled a great free-kick just wide of Paston’s upright.

On the hour mark Jamieson got on the end of Pascal Bosschaart’s ball and cut the ball back but the Phoenix defence did well to clear.

Seconds later Sydney had two chances. First with Emerton who shot towards the bottom corner but Paston got down saving well.

From the follow up Emerton corner Paston punched off the line before Chianese’s effort on the half-volley was deflected wide.

On 65 minutes Necevski made a great save to deny Chris Greenacre’s near post flick after Ifill’s low cross.

With ten minutes to go second-half substitute Terry Antonis fired powerfully wide of the post.

In stoppage time Michael Beauchamp could have stolen a point but the former Central Coast Mariners’ header was brilliantly saved by Paston.

Seconds later Beauchamp stayed up front and as the Paston failed to punch the bell fell for Beauchamp but the defender scooped his effort over the bar.

But Wellington were able to hold on for the victory. Wellington jump Perth Glory whereas Sydney stays in seventh on goal difference behind Melbourne Heart. But Heart both have games to play later in the round.

Piece also here 

Newcastle Jets 1-0 Adelaide United: Jets hold on to defeat United

Tarek Elrich, the only goalscorer of the game
Photo: FFA website

Newcastle Jets have held onto a first-half goal to defeat Adelaide United 1-0 to end Adelaide’s hopes of making the finals on Friday night at Hunter Stadium.

The hosts created the first chance when Jeremy Brockie crossed for Ryan Griffiths but the captain shot wide.

On 10 minutes Adelaide had their first chance when Sergio van Dijk touched, turned but put his effort just wide.

Six minutes before half-time Newcastle took the lead. Francis Jeffers found Tarek Elrich inside the box and the 25-year-old touched and turned before finishing first-time.

In a scrappy game Brockie tried the spectacular when he drove with his left foot but the New Zealand International’s effort was thundered wide.

Adelaide’s next chance came from a goalkeeper error when Jets ‘keeper Ben Kennedy spilled a corner but Osama Malik poked his effort wide.

With one minute to go Adelaide could have snatched a late point but van Dijk’s powerful drive was fantastically saved by Kennedy, the ‘keeper making up for his earlier mistake.

With the resulting corner second-half substitute Bruce Djite headed over from so Newcastle held on for the 1-0 victory.

Newcastle jump up to fifth, one point above Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC while Adelaide remain in ninth, seven points behind the sixth place Heart. United’s finals hopes are practically over.

Piece also here

Gold Coast United benefit from young Queensland talent

Mike Mulvey (In blue left) and his NYL winning side in 2010-11

A long list absentees from the senior side has forced Gold Coast United to give their youngsters premature debuts this season.

While this hasn’t helped Gold Coast rise up the ladder, it has reinforced the depth of young talent in Queensland.

In round 20 of the A-league season, 17-year-old Mitch Cooper was given the captaincy in his debut game, while Jake Barker-Daish also lined up for his first senior match.

Due to the youthfulness of the squad, owner Clive Palmer and CEO Clive Mensink gave the captaincy to the Vanuatuan-born youngster.

Cooper played 90 minutes and Barker-Daish 83, but neither had great games. Nevertheless it was good to see the youngsters given a game to show the league and fans what they can do. Maybe it was just too many big steps at once.

My man of the match in the 1-0 loss to Melbourne Heart was Zac Anderson. The tall Central-Defender who was born in Ayr, Queensland (in between Mackay and Townsville) showed immense potential and will be a star of the future. Anderson defended brilliantly, making interceptions, reading the play and performing well in the air. He is certainly a player other clubs should look at more closely in the coming weeks.

Golgol Mebrahtu, the Eritrean born winger, also impressed. The 20-year-old showed his pace and his ability to run at defenders although his touch and finishing let him down. This season Mebrahtu has been in many similar situations to that of last Friday night, where he has fluffed his chances.

To be honest, I think he is cursed. Is it a mere coincidence – or perhaps bitter irony – that he is named Golgol, yet lacks the ability to score?

Like Mebrahtu on the left wing, Ben Halloran on the right too has had a great season and should earn an Olyroos call up soon. The versatile 19-year-old shows pace but unlike Mebrahtu he also has the ability to get the ball into the box and finish.

Halloran is already a key Gold Coast player at just 19.

Without the injuries and other absentees at Gold Coast some of these youngsters would not have been given a game this season. But this is what academy teams and youth teams are for: to give youngsters a game. Ideally, such players can be used sparingly during the early stages of their career to provide backup to more experienced players.

Eventually the A-League will benefit from it.

A number of Gold Coast’s fresh-faced debutants originally joined in 2009, when Gold Coast United and its youth team was established. These players won the National Youth League (NYL) two seasons in a row, the 2009-2010 and the 2010-11 seasons.

That’s right; their youth side won the NYL title in their only two seasons in the competition.

Gold Coast has also brought in youngsters in more recent years from other clubs such as Daniel Bowles from Brisbane Roar, Chris Lucas from Palm Beach, Daniel Bragg from Blacktown City, and Cooper and Barker-Daish from the AIS. This illustrates that they are not only capable of nurturing their own products but can find others and develop them too.

Credit must go to Queensland for being able to produce such young and great talent.

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) should take part of the credit. Gold Coast United and Brisbane Roar players go to the QAS side during the winter, during the off season of the NYL, to help develop these youngsters.

The QAS plays in the Queensland State League (QSL), which means that these youngsters are given close to 12 months a year worth of football.

In the QSL these kids are up against fully grown adults and the experience pays off. They currently play at Meakin Park, Logan and players like Matt McKay, Shane Smeltz, Kasey Wehrman, David Williams and Isaka Cernak are just a few A-League stars to have come through the QAS.

The QAS, however, doesn’t have a current coach. Mike Mulvey, the now caretaker coach of Gold Coast United after Miron Bleiberg’s sacking and Gold Coast’s youth coach, held the position of QAS head coach between 2007-10.

Welshman Darren Davies took over after Mulvey but left after the 2011 season to take up a gig as Melbourne Victory’s youth coach.

With QSL set to start in March, and with technical director Peter De Roo joining the AIS, the QAS are yet to appoint a head coach.

Let’s just hope the QAS continue to produce such talent and that the new head coach can help them develop just like his predecessors. If so, Gold Coast Untied and Brisbane Roar will have a large set of talent to nurture and use at their disposal.

Maybe other A-League clubs may want to keep an eye out on football in Queensland.

Piece also here

Gold Coast United: Full of great talent but also careless Clive Palmer

Captain Michael Thwaite and owner Clive Palmer
Photo: Getty Images

Just what is going on at Gold Coast United in the past week? After appointing a 17-year old captain, Clive Palmer derided football as a “hopeless game” and the A-League as a “joke”.

Here are some ideas for Football Federation Australia (FFA) to assist Gold Coast United.

Queensland’s richest man and Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer has made some very careless decisions and decisions which many owners would not make and FFA needs to do something about it.

The first thing FFA needs to do is decided if Gold Coast United are here to stay. Ben Buckley the FFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) wants the Glitter Strip side to thrive as he personally led the expansion.

So does that mean Gold Coast United are here to stay?

Well I think they need to stay in A-League but as long as new owners come in. FFA has to grab Palmer by the “you know what” and remove his licence. If FFA want Gold Coast United to thrive in the A-League then something needs to be done.

In the next few years to come it has predicted that Queensland will be the second most populous state behind New South Wales so FFA need to have another Queensland side to compete with Brisbane Roar.

Palmer doesn’t even want the license. The mining giant was quoted in The Sunday Mail in Queensland saying he doesn’t even like the A-League or football. So why have an owner who doesn’t like football?

“That’s the reality of it. They can say what they like … the A-League’s a joke,” Palmer said.

“I don’t even like the game.”

“I think it’s a hopeless game. Rugby league’s a much better game.”

Palmer is believed to be interested in moving United to Owen Park instead of their current stadium Skilled Park. Owen Park is based in Southport and home to Southport Tigers Rugby League Club and also the home of United’s National Youth League side.

However Owen Park currently only has one grandstand and floodlights and more seating would be required for Owen Park to be at an A-League standard.

Palmer is prepared to throw in $250,000 into the redevelopment. Palmer is believed to want a capacity of 5,000 and it is a move Gold Coast United fans would welcome.

Fans see Skilled Park in Robina too far to travel and with Southport being closer to Surfer’s Paradise, the business-district of the Gold Coast, Owen Park would be a great option.

But the question remains if FFA were to strip Palmer of the license would a move to Owen Park be still on the agenda? And would FFA be prepared to fork out $250,000? Owen Park also happens to be Gold Coast council-owned but I doubt the Gold Coast council would fork out the cash.

Palmer however has warned the FFA if they are going to strip him of the Gold Coast license that he would take them to court and probably sue for millions. But I think FFA for the sake of the A-League and Gold Coast should go for it and just deal with it.

The other thing that needs to be done is to sign up some of their impressive youngsters and their key senior players.

Players like Zac Anderson, Daniel Bowles, and Golgol Mebrahtu have been outstanding recently in a young side hit by an injury crisis.

Captain Michael Thwaite, New Zealand international goalkeeper Glen Moss and Ivorian Adama Traore needs to be signed up too as they are going to be key figures in a reshaped Gold Coast United side.

Possibly Gold Coast United’s best player this season, Ben Halloran, is contracted for next season but obviously in vootball that means nothing. United need to do everything in their power to keep the 19-year-old winger or else one of Australia’s best talents would find somewhere else.

Palmer apparently is going to start negotiations as soon as possible but until some of the above sign up that means nothing.

So for Australian football, football in Queensland and the future of the A-League let’s hope FFA does something about Palmer and reshape Gold Coast United.

Piece also here

Heart break nine match drought

Eli Babalj celebrates scoring the winner
Picture: George SalpigtidisHerald Sun

Courtesy of Goal! Weekly

Eli Babalj has netted the only goal in Melbourne Heart’s 1-0 defeat over a very young Gold Coast United side.

Babalj who started on the bench tapped home the winner on 79 minutes after Josh Brilliante gave away the ball. This win is Heart’s first in nine games.

After Melbourne Heart’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle Jets coach John van ‘t Schip made three changes. Babalj, Curtis Good and Paul Reid all made way for David Williams, Brendan Hamill and captain Fred.

Chris O’Connor, the suspended Michael Thwaite, Jonas Sally, Daniel Bragg and Maceo Rigters all made way for the Gold Coast. Youngster Mitch Cooper comes in for his A-League debut and will wear the Captain’s Armband. Jake Barker-Daish also comes in for his debut. Brilliante, Chris Harold and Jerrad Tyson also come in for United from the Coast.

The youngsters of Gold Coast looked lively early on with Ben Halloran pushing down the right wing. The 19-year-old crossed for Harold but the forward’s shot was blocked by Jonatan Germano.

Heart held most of the possession in the early parts of the game and Craig Goodwin could have opened the scoring but his deflected effort as comfortably saved by Tyson.

In the space of two minutes Heart had two chances. First with Goodwin’s volley but Zac Anderson unknowingly blocked the young fullback’s effort.

Next Germano rose inside the box but Tyson again saved easily from the Argentine.

Heart’s flurry of chances continued with Golgol Mebrahtu and Kristian Rees both getting confused with a long ball and both missed the header. The ball then fell for Fred whose volley was appalling.

With five minutes before the break Williams went agonisingly close when he cut from the left and shot but his effort was deflected wide.

In the first minutes of the second stanza Harold crossed a great ball which Halloran missed but as the ball fell for Mebrahtu the Eritrean born winger miss-kicked his effort.

Halloran cut in from the right and tested Clint Bolton but the ‘keeper, in his 50th Heart game denied the winger.

On 56 minutes Babalj came on for Alex Terra and only one minute later the Bosnian born forward had a great chance however Babalj’s left foot effort was saved at the ground by Tyson.

Fred almost scored an accidental goal on 64 minutes as his cross-come-shot lobbed Tyson but the young ‘keeper tipped over.

One minute later Adama Traore kept it scoreless with a goal-line clearing header after Simon Colosimo’s header was destined for goal.

Babalj was looking very dangerous and on 77 minutes he touched, turned and shot at Tyson’s goal but the attempt just missed the upright.

Two minutes later Brilliante gave the ball to Williams who passed to Fred. The Brazilian crossed to the back post where Matt Thompson touched for Babalj to tap home and open the scoring.

Heart managed to hold on for the win with Gold Coast really failing to test Bolton during the 90 minutes.

Melbourne Heart coach John van ‘t Schip was delighted to get the three points that was needed. “Well I think the three points of course; everybody knows is the most important in these last few games. It’s about collecting points and coming from that eight games not winning then of course that is the first thing everybody is happy about. The performance I think was not that bad at all seeing the attention that was on this game and that we had to deal with that knowing that everybody expected us to win with Gold Coast having a few younger players in the team. ”

Gold Coast United Assistant Coach Mike Mulvey who was in for the suspended Miron Bleiberg thought his side put in a respectable performance. “It was a respectable performance. We came here with the hope of putting on a good performance and I think we are leaving with a lot. We have got some performances out of players that will have done them some good stead for the future.”

“In the end of the day we lost the game trying to play football the right way.”

“We gave a good account for ourselves and we will take away a lot from this game,” Mulvey told the media.

Match details

Friday, 17 February 2012
Melbourne Heart 1 (Eli Babablj 80’) Gold Coast United 0
Venue: AAMI Park
Local kick-off: 8:00pm
Referee: Alan Milliner
Assistant referees: Shaun Evans & George Lackrindis
Fourth official: Lucian Laverdure
Attendance: 4.972

Melbourne Heart:
1.Clint Bolton, 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 5.Fred, 7.Rutger Worm, 9.Maycon, 10.Wayne Srhoj, (6.Matt Thompson 71’),  11.Alex Terra (19.Eli Babalj 56’), 13.Jonatan Germano (26.Paul Reid 46’), 15.David Williams, 27.Craig Goodwin.

Unused substitutes: 30.Sebastian Mattei

Yellow cards: Brendan Hamill 5’; Michael Marrone 45+1’; Paul Reid 67’
Red cards: Nil

Gold Coast United:
20.Jerrad Tyson, 2.Josh Brillante, 4.Zac Anderson, 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 11.Jake Barker-Daish (21.Daniel Severino 84’), 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 17.Chris Harold, 28.Daniel Bowles, 33.Mitch Cooper

Unused substitutes: 30.Brendan White, 26.Ambes Yosief, 31 Daniel Bragg

Yellow cards: Daniel Bowles 25’; Ben Halloran 75’ Chris Harold 84’
Red cards: Nil

Courtesy of Goal! Weekly

Gold Coast United suspend coach Miron Bleiberg

Miron Bleiberg
Photo: News Limited

Gold Coast United have suspended coach Miron Bleiberg indefinitely after comments he made in the media after 17-year-old Mitch Cooper was appointed Captain for this weekend.

"Reason being is the club does take the matter seriously in appointing Mitch as captain," Gold Coast United CEO Clive Mensink said.

"We believe in Mitch for the future of the club and the game and he's proven himself at international level.

"The club did take the matter very seriously, the decision was not made lightly or jokingly and I think it's being disrespectful, some of the comments towards Mitch and the club in regards to his appointment... that it was ceremonial.

"We haven't made it that way at all. It was a decision made in all seriousness with the future in mind. It was an opportunity to provide more leadership for the future."

Mensink went onto say that due to the injury crisis in which 14 players are unavailable the club thought it would be natural to bring in the youngsters.

"I think we have to put it into perspective, given the injuries and suspensions we have at the moment.

"We feel it was only natural that we bring in one of our younger guys (as captain).

Mike Mulvey, the assistant coach to Bleiberg and National Youth League coach will step in for this weekend at least.

“Mike's been around (Miron) long enough to be able to do the job," Mensink said of Mulvey.

Mensink was asked if Bleiberg could walk out on the club but Mensink wasn’t willing to discuss that in the public.

"That's for Miron and the club to discuss," he said.

Piece also here

Archie Thompson still doubtful while Magilton wants to use the momentum

Archie Thompson with Jim Magilton
Photo: Getty Images

Magilton revealed to the media before training that Archie Thompson is still in doubt and the club is not sure if he will pull up for the crunch clash on Saturday night against Brisbane Roar.

We'll have to see. He'll have a jog and again we'll assess him. There's still 48 hours to go. He's desperate to play but we won't take any chances."

"I don't like dealing with gut feelings, I'd rather hand it over to the experts in the end. If they feel he is ok then, it will be down to me whether he plays or not."

Magilton after his first win with Victory last week would obviously want to use the momentum and go on a run.

"I'd like us to go on a run obviously. We played well last week, we deserved to win the game I feel. We've just got to make sure that we are at the same sort of intensity going into this game, recognising that Brisbane is a tough proposition at home.

"We have to go there and withstand whatever they throw at us and then come out with some of the qualities we showed last week. I'd like to build that momentum.”

The Northern Irishman believes that if his side can beat Central Coast Mariners then his side has a good chance to beat the Roar.

“Well we beat the league leaders so if it was good enough to beat them I’d like to think that we could replicate it then we give us every chance.”

But Magilton recognises Brisbane as a tough team and understands how they play.

"They've got a system of play which suits the players and they've been excellent all year, they have been consistent.

"Their ball retention is very good. They've got good rotation with good players.”

If Melbourne Victory are to beat Roar the manager knows they have to be as good as last week.

"Our performance was good and our ball retention was good (last week) and we are going to have to be that good again. Because if we give the ball away we mightn’t see it for a while."

Piece also here

John van ‘t Schip: We have to look at ourselves

John van 't Schip with Captain Fred
Photo: George Salpigtidis Herald Sun

Ahead of Friday night’s must win game against a young Gold Coast United side Melbourne Heart coach John van ‘t Schip has told the media that his side needs to focus on themselves not the opponent. The head coach also stated that that winning is essential.

 “We have to focus because we know where we want to go to. If it was Gold Coast, Brisbane, Central Coast, whoever the three points are essential for us and not looking at names of the opponent, we have to look at ourselves.”

The Dutchman went onto say that his side needs to be in the form they were in at the end of 2011.

“Any opponent now is not the important thing, the important thing is to pick up where we left just before the New Year started and start collecting points.”

Despite an expected Gold Coast United squad to face van ‘t Schip believes it will be a tough game due to pass meetings.

“We have played then two times now and two times we have had a lot of difficulties so we know that it is a tough opponent.”

The 48-year-old also believes that all of his players need to bring more to the side.

“In general I think we all have to give more. The youngsters have done well but also the youngsters have had their problems for the past few weeks and every player knows if they are looking to themselves that they have to bring more.”

On the injury front van ‘t Schip still hasn’t decided to play Captain Fred who is coming back from a serious Groin injury. The Brazilian played 30 minutes in the NYL last weekend but van ‘t Ship said: “We will see tomorrow if he is going to be a part of the game.”

Matt Thompson however will be part of the squad but it still remains whether or not he will play any part on Friday night.

“We are going to see how he feels tomorrow and then I’ll make a decision,” van ‘t Schip revealed after training.

Piece also here

Michael Marrone extends Melbourne Heart deal

Michael Marrone (Getty Images)

Melbourne Heart’s Michael Marrone has re-signed with Melbourne Heart until the end of the 2013-14 season.

"I am very happy to re-sign as it is a good club to be a part of and I am happy to continue on with them," Marrone said.

Melbourne Heart Head Coach John van ‘t Schip said: “Michael is obviously a player of the highest quality, and clearly one of our strongest performers.”

The Dutchman admitted that Marrone had received some formal offers so had to tie him up.

“He received formal interest from three Hyundai A-League clubs, so the Club is delighted he has elected to extend his stay beyond this season.

John van ‘t Schip who will be leaving at season’s end praised the versatile defender and believes Marrone is crucial to the clubs future.

“Given the Club’s ambitions beyond this season, it is crucial Heart is able to retain the players it consider key cornerstones of future success, and Michael certainly fits that description.

“His strength, pace and technical ability have earmarked him as a competition leader in his position, placing him in contention for international recognition in the years to come.”