Unpredictability is good for the A-League (The Roar)

Why Pim changed his tune on the A-League (Fox Sports)

November issue of Half Time Heroes out now! Check out my article on La Liga on page 30-31 (HTH)

The A-League needs a big club (The Roar) and no Marcus, the Victory aren’t a big club, well not big enough

And as always, check out all my stuff at An Aussie’s View

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory, Saturday, 7pm
Probably the hardest game to tip. The Roar are on the up, and picked up a win last week, while Melbourne were looking good before getting tonked by CCM. Strangely, if this was in Melbourne I’d tip a draw, but as the game is in Brisbane, and Melbourne’s away from is very good, I think Melbourne will edge it. 2-1 Melbourne

North Queensland Fury v Central Coast Mariners, Saturday, 9pm
Central Coast are possibly the most random and inconsistent team in the A League, and currently sit on five wins, five draws and four losses. After beating Melbourne, it would be just Central Coast’s luck to lose to North Queensland. The Fury have moved back to the bottom after a loss to the Jets, so I can see the Fury turning it around and getting a win. 1-0 Fury

Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix, Sunday, 5pm
Wellington have looked decent recently, and are sitting on sixth, but after the World Cup qualifier it wouldn’t surprise me if they were a little off the pace. Newcastle played Wellington in a mid week game, and lost 3-0, and I think they’ll look a little better this week, so I’m thinking a draw. 1-1 Draw

Perth Glory v Sydney FC, Sunday, 7pm
Definitely the pick of the weekend action, and I think this one will be a nail biter. Perth have dropped off the pace of late, and Sydney will be looking to bounce back from their loss last round. I may be crazy (quite possible) but I can see Perth getting something here, as their Socceroo stars will be looking to impress, both to get a loan move elsewhere, and to make it up to the fans. 2-1 Perth

Well enjoy your weekend lads!

Newcastle Jets Vs. Central Coast Mariners
Struggling Newcastle were expected to be beaten to a pulp by there fierce rivals Central Coast in the F3 derby, the Mariner’s however went missing. Within 15 minutes the Jets were 2-0 up courtesy of Bridges and Haliti, Kwasnik replied on 19 minutes but the Jets held our for the impressive 2-1 win.

Melbourne Victory Vs. Adelaide United
Melbourne recorded there eighth straight win against United as first time starter Mate Dugandzic scored a brace to set up a 3-1 win. Report here.

North Queensland Fury Vs. Perth Glory
Perth scored early on through Victor Sikora, which made the Fury look down and out. However some quick thinking from a free kick from Fury marquee Robbie Fowler saw his team level, before substitute Dyron Daal scored and absolute screamer to hand the North Queensland boys there first win.

Wellington Phoenix Vs. Gold Coast United
In the match of the round high flying United traveled to New Zealand to tackle the Phoenix, the outcome was unbelievable, it left many people who checked the scores go ‘Bullshit, that must be a typo!’. Wellington lead by Bertos and Daniel smashed 4 goals in a 15 minute period in the second half to get some much needed respect as they made a statement to the rest of the league.

Sydney FC Vs. Brisbane Roar
These teams previously met 4 weeks ago in round 8, with Van Djik’s solitary goal giving the Roar all 3 points. This time around however Sydney turned the tables. They scored twice in the start of the second half and looked in control despite Roar’s fight back. Report here.

I’d firstly like to thank all those who have came before me, and a big thanks to Marcus (from Melbourne Victory Offside) for helping me on here. Thanks to all of you who have read and commented, and remember, keep up the comments. Thanks to all the team bloggers, who do a fine job keeping us updated of the movings and shakings of the A League teams. And finally, a big thanks to the FFA. While I may hate them at times, if it wasn’t for their hard work, and the great work of Frank Lowy, we wouldn’t be talking about the A League now.

So where will the future take us? Hopefully the A League will continue to grow, and the A League Offside will continue to grow. If you want to help us grow, read this and get involved.

But don’t worry, the celebrations won’t last long, and normality will be back soon.

In the first leg at Montevideo Uruguay won 1-0 courtesy of a Dario Rodriguez headed. On the return leg the match ended 1-0 courtesy of Marco Bresciano. Therefore it was 1-1 on aggregate and the match went to extra time. Neither team could brake the deadlock and it went to a penalty shootout.

This moment changed football in Australia forever. Qualifying for the World Cup earned Australia enough respect to be invited to the Asian Football Confederation, as they were now deemed a team good enough to play in Asia and help AFC teams like South Korea and Japan develop.
This historic occasion also laid down the foundations for the A-League as it brought many curious spectators who had never watched a game off real football before through the gates.

Lets hope our boys can go one better next year!

Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar 0-2

Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners, Saturday, 7pm
Melbourne are looking good, and find themselves in second, one point behind Sydney. Central Coast are also going along nicely, and the point last week against Adelaide sees them sitting comfortably in fourth. While on paper Melbourne should take this game, Central Coast have an ability to pick up the surprising wins, and I see this trend continuing. CCM 2-1

Gold Coast United v Sydney FC, Saturday, 9pm
Gold Coast haven’t looked great, whereas Sydney are looking rather good, so I’m expecting Sydney to go out and show us why they deserve to be at the top of the table. Sydney 2-0

Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory, Sunday, 3pm
Wellington have looked good on occasions (ie their wins over Gold Coast and Newcastle) but have also been horribly inconsistent, and find themselves sitting in sixth. Perth are also having trouble finding consistency, and are only one point above the Phoenix, in fifth. I have a feeling Perth will get a smash and grab here, and while the form guide may suggest a Wellington win, I’m predicting something akin to Inter v Dynamo midweek (in the CL). Perth 2-1

Newcastle Jets v North Queensland Fury, Sunday, 5pm
The battle of the cellar dwellers is an important clash for both teams, especially the Fury, as a win could see them move into the top six. North Queensland were impressive against Gold Coast, while the Jets have meandered along with a win against Central Coast, a draw against Brisbane and most recently a loss to Wellington, so on paper it looks like an away win. But while the Fury are looking good, I can’t separate the sides. 1-1 Draw

Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets, 8.30pm, Friday
The Jets will be looking to capitalise on the Roar’s disarray, and after a strong performance in the F3 derby, I fully expect them to take the game. My Tip: 2-0 Jets

Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide, 7pm, Saturday
Central Coast will be looking to bounce back from their derby disappointment, but I think the neutral location will most likely see a draw. My Tip: 1-1 Draw

Gold Coast United v North Queensland Fury, 9pm, Saturday
Gold Coast will be looking to bounce back from their thrashing to Wellington, but I think Fury could have a chance here. My Tip: 1-1 Draw

Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix, 5pm, Sunday
Despite Wellington’s win over the Gold Coast, I would still expect Sydney to take this game. My Tip: 3-1 Sydney

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory, 7pm, Sunday
Will be a tight game, between two good teams, and while Melbourne have had the better form of late, I think Perth will just edge it. My Tip: 2-1 Perth

Well enjoy your weekend of Football folks. I for one will be enjoying the privileges of a press pass down at Canberra Stadium.

And a reminder, you can read all the stuff I write at my new site, An Aussie’s View.

Well isn’t this the clusterfuck!

With crowds of just over 4000 Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer and management have decided to downgrade the stadium to a capacity of 5000. One must ask himself, how does a team with attacking flair and arguably the best player in the league, Jason Culina, not even manage to bring 5000 spectators through the gate? They have been in great form and have been at the top of the table all season, but after last weekends humiliation at the hands of Wellington it seems the club is in meltdown.

The problems are stemming from a lack of support from supporters, which is the boards fault. What have Gold Coast done for there fans I hear you ask, well not much at all. They do minimal community work, which clubs like Melbourne and Newcastle have shown how important that can be, but the biggest problem with the club and the fans relationship is ticket prices. Gold Coast are so Anit-fans they have closed down an entire stand at there stadium, and is it turns out it was were all the cheap tickets were situated. The prices are way to high, $15 for kids and $30 for adults are the cheapest tickets for the first year team, which is ridiculous.

The problem has just reared it head big time and turned itself into an FFA issue. The fans are voicing there displeasure with there treatment, especially at the fact that the seats are going to be restricted starting from next match against there biggest rivals North Queensland. What is the boards reaction to this situation I hear you ask? They are blaming the fans. In an interview with 442, when United CEO Clive Mensink was asked ‘That’s not the fault of the fans surely?’ in relation to the poor crowds, he replied ‘Isn’t it? The team’s on top of the table, you had second versus third with Perth and we only got 4,000. So is that the fault of Clive Palmer? Why didn’t they come? They knew about it. The game’s on.’ I think that is one of the most disrespectful I have heard a club say to there fans, seriously what a joke!

What Clive and Co. fail to realize is that fans are more than just consumers, that’s were this club is failing. In Europe, South America and all other successful footballing continents the fans play an integral part of the club, it has become a big community or in Barcelona for example it is a culture.

With the lowest crowds in the short history of the A-League one has to ask themselves, will Gold Coast United be the next New Zealand Knights? The future is looking very bleak, and given the fact that fans are boycotting the match this weekend they could struggle to get 3000 through the gate. At this point in time with the FFA fuming over the restriction I wouldn’t be surprised if there license was rescinded if its possible and the new West Sydney team brought in for next season to replace the failure that is Gold Coast United.

Gold Coast United CEO Clive Mensink interview here

Fans discussed at broken promises here

Article on lack of culture here

TWG analysis here

The honeymoon is over at Gold Coast United, Clive Mensink talks to 4-4-2 about the clubs crisis. (4-4-2)

Former A-League Star Fred could be on his way back to the A-League, with Wellington going all out to get his signature. (Dompost)

A second tier in the A-League is vital says Frank Lowy. (4-4-2)

Lowy also talks about the next TV deal and that it will be crucial that it goes to Free To Air. (TWG)

Heart after Former Socceroo Josip Skoko. (TWG)

Serbian powerhouses Red Star and Partizan Belgrade are coming to Australia to play against Melbourne and Sydney! (Blic)

Football starts to flex its muscle. (The Roar)

Make sure you stay up to date with all our boys in Europe, the easiest way is through our Perth Offsider Ben on his blog The Euroos. (Euroos)

And stay up to date all things Kieran on his An Aussie View blog, where you can read about his endless rants on the FFA’s failure to put a team in Canberra . (An Aussie View)