A-League thread

[one-eyed]

Here you go Ramps

Talks over second A-League team for Melbourne
23 Mar 09 by Paddy Higgs

MELBOURNE’S second A-League side could become a reality in the next 24 hours with Football Federation Australia chiefs meeting with bid organisers today.

Led by Victorian businessman Peter Sidwell and operating under the working title Melbourne Heart, the bid received exclusive negotiating rights for A-League’s 11th licence in September last year.

Mr Sidwell confirmed this morning that he was meeting with the FFA today, sparking hopes that Melbourne’s second club could be announced within hours.

The new franchise is yet to announce a playing name, but began interviewing for administrative roles in January.

The side would join the A-League in time for the 2010/11 season and share the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (to open early next year) with the Melbourne Victory.

But Sidwell has also stated that the club would have a presence in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs in a bid to create its own supporter base and identity.

http://mornington-peninsula-leader.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/melbourne-soccer-gets-a-heart/

[one-eyed]

Fulham to play Melbourne Victory
Herald-Sun | May 04, 2009 12:55pm

MELBOURNE Victory will face English Premier League club Fulham in a friendly match at Etihad Stadium in July

Fulham, who are currently ninth in the Premier League, have Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer and former Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer on their books.

Both are expected to be selected for the July 11 game, as Fulham are bringing a full squad to Australia for a three-match pre-season tour.

The Brisbane Lions take on Geelong at the Gabba that night while Adelaide take on Fremantle at AAMI Stadium, meaning the Victory have the sporting spotlight all to themselves in Melbourne that night.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25424987-11088,00.html

[mightytiges]

Looks like the Victory have a premiership hangover although this time they came back from 2 goals down tonight to draw 3-3 with Queensland.

ps. shut up Ramps 

[one-eyed]

First win for the new season.

Victory  1  ......... Archie '45
Nth Qld  0

[mightytiges]

Just saw a replay of Billy Celeski's injury last night in the Victory's draw with Newcastle. Knees aren't meant to bow outwards like that  . Poor guy has done his ACL plus more damage  .

[one-eyed]

Another home draw

Victory       1 ..... Hernandez '4
Wellington 1

[one-eyed]

Victory continues to own Adelaide - 2:0 last night away

[Ramps]

Didnt notice that the season had started. So whats happening? How are the crowds? Heard some vicious rumours that the crowd averages are down again this season. Some clubs recording big declines. On the other hand some clubs, great clubs, who have been shafted by racist authorities go about there business, building on decades of history and successes. And whilst there opponents hope they die, they go from strength to strength doing big deals that most A League clubs could only dream about.

http://www.smfc.com.au/news/791/smfc-signs-mou-with-government/

[Fishfinger]

On the other hand some clubs, great clubs, who have been shafted by racist authorities......

I would have thought the authorities who shafted some great clubs are exactly the opposite.

The old NSL clubs were based on races and the whole rivalry was as much racially motivated as anything else.
At least with the A-League it's about club and state rivalry instead of racial rivalry and racist crap.

[mightytiges]

The old NSL and SA were bankrupt by the end. Hardly shafted when the competiton you're in and the whole old soccer structure in Australia dies a slow death.

As for A League crowds yep some are down (Victory is one them) but some are up (Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Wellington). The season started earlier this year in the beginning of August given the expansion to a 10 club comp. Also Victory played a home game midweek rather than the usual weekend fixture and has yet to play the bigger clubs in Adelaide or Sydney at home. Too early to tell at this stage and Victory's form has been off before Friday night's win away over the croweaters.

Btw Ramps you can thank Eddie for the redevelopment of Albert Park. He got the Athletics moved away from Olympic Park for Collingwood's benefit. An expansion of the Lexus centre coming up next  .

[one-eyed]

2 wins in a row since Muscat has come back into the side.

Gold Coast   2
Melbourne    3 .... Hernandez, Thompson, Muscat (pen)

[the_boy_jake]

This years comp is hard to tip. With Brisbane beating Sydney it means the top 5 teams are separated by a point. If Adelaide beat NQ then the top 7 teams will be separated by just two points.

Having seen a few games I think this is due to a lack in gamebreakers in the league. Not enough skillful attacking players who can do something out of nothing. Over the first 4 rounds or so the rate of games ending in draws was double that of the premier league. Honestly don't know what the FFA can do about it. I quite enjoy the game the game when it is played well but there is no way I can justify the $30 tickets at Suncorp to watch what will more often than not be a poor game. I do think it is an improvment on the NSL, but in the grand scheme of things it is so far off being a good product, and the $$$ required to bring better players in so out of reach that I struggle to see why the corporate backing should and will continue.

[mightytiges]

The other teams drawing has helped the Victory claw back ground after a poor start to the season with Muscat out. Hernandez is the type of attacking midfielder you are talking about jake. His goal last night from long range into the top corner was top class. The last two rounds has had only 2 draws out of the 10 games played and 25 goals scored so sides may be finally settling into the new season and attacking more.

[one-eyed]

Victory win and go to the top of the ladder tonight

Melbourne     2 ...... Fabiano '4, Leijer '73
Brisbane       1 ...... Reinaldo '11

[mightytiges]

I chose a good night to go to the soccer at the Dome last night  . Sheesh 3 goals in 4 minutes to Sydney  .

Oh well us Vics can't be greedy and win everything  .

ps. they had some pre-game tribute to Melbourne's multiculturalism with some awesome freaky dancers from all continents of the world   . I wonder if Fox news in the US will report it while they call us a racist country  .