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)

Well done Wellington, put a smile on everyone’s face!

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United, Saturday, 6.30pm
The Grand Final rematch! and a game that could be a decisive one for both teams. Melbourne are in 3rd and pushing for top spot, while Adelaide are sitting in 6th, looking to push upwards for the top four. A loss for either team will set them back, and a win would be most welcomed by either. And therefore, it’s clearly going to be a bore draw. So fearless forecast for the week, 0-0 Draw.

North Queensland Fury v Perth Glory, Saturday, 8.30pm
Ohh, now this is a game I’ll be watching. Glory were going well, but will their campaign be derailed after a loss to Gold Coast? Fury have looked ok, but really need to start picking up three points rather than just the one. But I really think the Glory will bounce back from their lost to Gold Coast, and take this game. 2-1 Perth.

Wellington Phoenix v Gold Coast United, Sunday, 3.00pm
Gold Coast managed to pick up all three points against Perth on the weekend, but away to Wellington will still pose them problems. Wellington kept the Fury to a one all draw in Townsville and I can see them holding Gold Coast as well, so for my bold prediction for the week I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar, Sunday, 5.00pm
Now this is a big game. Both teams lost last weekend, and will both be looking to bounce back. Sydney will be looking to prove the loss to Adelaide was just a blip, while the Roar will be looking to regroup and get their season back on track. However, I can’t see the Roar getting past a strong Sydney time, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Sydney put two or three past Brisbane (especially if Kofi is playing). So with that said, I’m tipping a 2-0 victory for Sydney.

Galekovic held the ball, waited til the players in the box cleared out (or so he thought) and proceeded to kick the ball out of danger. But before he released the ball to his boot Alex Brosque headed the ball out of the keepers hand and kicked it into the goal to the shock of everyone in the stadium and viewers. Referee Strebre Delovski called the ball back and awarded a free kick and gave Brosque a yellow.

When I saw this live I was a bit stunned as I had never seen it before. I was happy that Strebre called the ball back but i started thinking, was that only worthy of yellow? I personally thought Brosque should have received his marching orders as he committed several bookable offenses, as well of dispossessing the keeper while he had full control of the ball. Don’t get me wrong if the keeper was juggling it or didn’t have control of the ball fair game, but he was doing his routine clearance and he hadn’t gone over the 5-6 second period that keepers are allowed to hold onto the ball.

The offenses that Brosque commented are:
1. Heading the ball out of the keepers hands.
2. Kicking the ball into the net when the whistle went.
3. Back chatting the Ref after his card.
4. If Adelaide had of done it, it could have been construed as time wasting.
5. Its Alex Brosque that is enough said, he deserves a straight red

I wanted to get a poll going to get everyone else’s thoughts on this incident as I have spoken to a few people who have all had different thoughts on the issue.

Please vote and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion!

North Queensland Fury Vs. Wellington
The Fury were aiming to get there second win of the season and Wellington were aiming to break there streak of draws in the battle of the cellar dwellers. Wellington looked as though they were a shoe in to win when Iffil’s cross found Tim Brown to give them the lead. However some poor defensive work from the Phoenix saw Robbie Fowler alone in the box, he took his chance and it was 1-1. 6 consecutive draws for Wellington, a new record.


Newcastle Jets Vs. Melbourne Victory
Melbourne were hoping to make amends for the shocking display against Sydney last week. Early on Haliti scored his second goal against Melbourne this season to give the home side the lead. Somehow Newcastle squandered numerous chances that they should have taken and Melbourne made them pay. Archie chipped Kennedy, then Hernandez’ sublime effort hit the post and fell to Pondeljak who made no mistake. Hernandez then managed to slide the ball under Kennedy to hand Melbourne a plucky 3-1 win. (TWG highlights here, shortest video I could find.)


Gold Coast United Vs. Perth Glory
United went back on top following there 2-1 win over Perth. Howarth’s goal for Perth canceled out Neville’s own goal, but it only took United 1 minute to reclam the lead as Shane Smeltz scored his 10th goal of the season.