A-League thread

[Diocletian]

That would appease/please the AFC, dwaino.

As far as expansion, I'll believe it when I see it with how dysfunctional the FFA is now.

They've got to go, as simple as that. They served their purpose which was to fill out another franchise in a small market when the comp was finding its feet. Including the Knights, NZ has not grown one iota and contribute nothing to the league. Instead they suck out of it with continually poor performances, poor crowds and just not being marketable at all. They aren't even in the same federation as us anymore so it just makes no sense and from the outside looking in, their inclusion just looks cheap. If the current A League club bosses are serious about a separate competition from the FFA to build on the current competition by expansion and another tier as they are saying then NZ just has to go. The only purpose the Nix currently serve is developing young Aus players. That can be done at home with an expanded competition. The FFA can keep the Socceroos and leave the A League to someone else because clearly beyond the Sydney market they don't give a toss about developing the domestic league.

Looks like you're about to get your wish....

[dwaino]

And good riddance. They can make a comp in their own confederation. Apparently there is talks of a merger with an existing state league club for the 19/20 season when the league expands but they still need a 10th team for next season.

[dwaino]

What a game!!! Suck on that Arnie.

[mightytiges]

So sweet to not only make the Grand Final but waste Sydney's year . That was the best we've played since our last premiership. Controlled the midfield and denied Sydney the chance to turn the game into their usual grinding style. We shouldn't have got ourselves in a position to concede that second own goal with seconds to play (needed to maintain possession and get it down the other end by the corner) but Antonis made up for it with his brilliant 50m run and goal in extra-time  .

ps. How Wiltshire didn't get a red card let alone a yellow for hacking Theo down from behind and injurying him is astonishing  .

[dwaino]

How it took until the second half of ET for them to get any card had me stuffed. That graph about their fouls to yellow cards is spot on. They got so many cheap fouls while we missed out on plenty. You know it’s bad when even Robbie Slater is saying there are missed fouls.

Would love to know what caused JP to run up to Carney like he did. He knows he isn’t allowed to so something must have haven’t for the bench to fire up like that. I read that apparently Carney threw something at the bench when Antonis scored the winner?

[mightytiges]

No card either for the Sydney player that cynically brought down Broxham after he worked his way to the top of the box and was about to shoot. Was that Carney? I can't remember. If it was, I wonder if that had something to with the melee later on. As you say, dwaino, something like that doesn't start over nothing. It's usually retaliatory. The Sydney media no surprise are blaming Victory for starting it.

[dwaino]

Warland smashing Thomas in the ribs after he caught the ball was a clear cut yellow that was missed. Any other player that racked up as many fouls as Zullo would have been carded before he got a token one right at the end. Simon was carrying on like a pork chop and we’ve been carded for less. First thing Carney did after coming on was literally pulling Sanchez’s pants down and not even a warning. He’s obviously done something pretty crook to our bench. Not condoning JP at all, he’s a hot head and it’s not the first time he has crossed the line but something else must have happened for JP to run on and strangle Carney like that.

So arrogant all week and the karma bus has run them over. Sucked in.

[mightytiges]

That Warland one was deliberate and a dirty act.

Yes, Karma!  .

[Diocletian]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/expansion-hopeful-team-11-unveil-a-league-stadium-plan-for-dandenong-20180430-p4zcgy.html

[mightytiges]

About time we got a generous on-side call. NSW-biased Hill & Slater can sook all they like but it doesn't change the 1-0 lead boys  .

Phew! Great save Thomas  .

[dwaino]

They only showed the goal once. Agree it looked dodgy but there was quite a bit of shuffling of players, don’t think the VAR would have let it slide if it wasn’t OK considering  what they’ve over turned before.

We need some possession. Getting smashed and we won’t keep them goalless if it keeps up.

[mightytiges]

They only showed the goal once. Agree it looked dodgy but there was quite a bit of shuffling of players, don’t think the VAR would have let it slide if it wasn’t OK considering  what they’ve over turned before.

We need some possession. Getting smashed and we won’t keep them goalless if it keeps up.

Yep. Thomas has saved our backside about 4 times that half with brilliant saves. 

[mightytiges]

You dirty mongrel . Foot & Studs raised high to the face is a disgrace .

[mightytiges]

Classy Newcastle fans now throwing bottles at Victory players  .

[mightytiges]