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Teh nu *fishal* Hooooon-day A-League Mark Free point Oh Fred. Sponsored by Bling FC, now with Juninho goodness.
Quote:
A-League's third time lucky
Fourteen months ago, Craig Moore and Tony Popovic pitted wits with Brazil's Ronaldo and Ronaldinho at Munich's Allianz Arena in what was the biggest game in Australia's footballing history. Now, with their overseas careers apparently behind them, the World Cup defenders are playing on different teams and facing up to a new group of brilliant Brazilians - back home in Australia's A-League.
The return of seasoned Socceroos - and the further influx of talented Samba imports - marks the third season of Australia's professional competition. Moore and Popovic have been joined by the likes of fellow ex-internationals Danny Tiatto, Hayden Foxe and Paul Agostino. Barely into their 30s, the returning brigade have effectively chosen the A-League above the second tier of English football or one of Europe's lesser championships.
Last season, former Socceroo skipper Moore was a central defender at Newcastle United - and a regular starter before another leg injury sidelined him, casting doubts about his long-term Premier League future. At international level, he helped marshal the defence through the nail-biting 2006 World Cup play-offs against Uruguay and scored a penalty in the final group match against Croatia that helped Australia advance to the second round. He remains one of the country's highest profile players. Moore's ageing body might not stand up to another long, club campaign in England. But he'll provide excellent service in the A-League's relatively short season as the marquee player for the Queensland Roar. 'It's a good time to be coming back to Australia,' Moore told The Courier Mail newspaper. 'It's important the league moves forward and qualifying for the World Cup last year was a real turning point for the game here.'
Popovic scored one of the goals that famously helped Australia beat England in an international friendly in London in 2003. At the time, he was a defender for Crystal Palace in the Premier League but his career has also taken him to Japan and the Middle East. A new recruit for Sydney FC, Poppa can't believe how the Australian game has advanced since entering the professional era, especially compared to the National Soccer League (NSL) where he made a name for himself as a youngster for Sydney United. In those days, training was two or three nights a week, compared to six days in the A-League. 'Had we not had the A-League, I'm sure I'd be overseas now,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'I think the club can build something special here and I'm proud to be part of it.'
Another ex-national player Danny Tiatto played 112 games for Manchester City in the Premier League and has now linked up with the Queensland Roar. Striker Paul Agostino scored 46 goals in 187 games for 1860 Munich in the Bundesliga and has now returned home to wear the colours of Adelaide United. Central defender Ljubo Milicevic who marked Thierry Henry while playing for Swiss club FC Thun in the UEFA Champions League has been recruited by champions, Melbourne Victory - at the age of just 26.
More than a decade ago, B-grade British players may have taken those premium spots at the top clubs. But Australian football's raised profile - and increased self-confidence - makes these home-grown professionals a much more attractive option for fans and administrators alike. The sport in Australia is moving further away from its British roots as it embraces Brazilian and Dutch influences while, at the same time, recognising emerging, local talent and homecoming heroes.
In the first A-League season, there were just two Brazilians - Fernando and Reinaldo. Season three will boast no fewer than 12 - with Sydney FC's Juninho and Newcastle Jets' Mario Jardel leading the way. Rob Baan has served as Australia's technical director. Fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat is likely to take over as national coach in November, hoping to replicate the Socceroo success of former PSV manager Guus Hiddink.
Despite being ex-England stars, Terry Butcher (Sydney FC) and Steve McMahon (Perth Glory) didn't last long as A-League coaches, criticised both for the style of football their teams played and their off-pitch demeanour. Butcher, in particular, was lambasted - sometimes unfairly - by players, journalists and fans for his apparently flippant attitude and uninspired tactics. Clearly, the transition from unfashionable Motherwell in Scotland to Australia's glamour club was more difficult than he'd expected.
Another positive that should stimulate interest and raise standards is the A-League's growing connection to the beloved, national team. With Australia facing a busy schedule of Asian World Cup qualifying games next year - and the limited availability of Europe-based stars - the Socceroos head coach will increasingly need to select squads from the A-League. One of the few bright points to come out of the ill-fated Asian Cup campaign was the successful introduction of home-based players Mark Milligan, David Carney and Nicky Carle into the full-strength Socceroo side.
Although most pundits are upbeat about the new season, the A-League isn't without its problems. A compact, eight-club competition may ensure a decent standard but can be repetitive with teams playing each other so many times in the course of a season, including play-offs. Having to pay for team travel to games in a vast region between the west coast of Australia and New Zealand's north island means that expenses are high and budgets are tight, with a strict salary cap and just one marquee player per club.
An agent friend recently telephoned one of the A-League's leading managers, offering the services of a little-known, south-east Asian striker. The coach was interested enough, but would have only been able to offer a very moderate salary. Even in Singapore's modest S-League, the player's wages were higher than what he might have earned in Australia. That means that the A-League has a long way to go before the likes of Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill could ever forgo the riches - literal and otherwise - that European football so clearly provides.
But for 30-somethings like Craig Moore, Tony Popovic and Danny Tiatto - who've made their money and sowed their footballing oats - playing in the spring and summer sunshine back home sure beats a soggy Sunday night in Stoke.
when did jardel sign for newcastle?
season kicks off friday with sydney against the central coast. should be the best season so far given the strength of each o fthe eight sides.
thankfully the league are trying to convince the clubs to relax the expansion moratorium so we can have ten teams in next years comp with the possibility of twelve in season five...
08-23-2007, 09:09 PM
Teh nu *fishal* Hooooon-day A-League Mark Free point Oh Fred. Sponsored by Bling FC, now with Juninho goodness. Post #2
Teh nu *fishal* Hooooon-day A-League Mark Free point Oh Fred. Sponsored by Bling FC, now with Juninho goodness. 
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