Weekly Wrap (1/6)

By: Kieran | June 1st, 2009

Hi everyone, well before we get to the last week and a bit in the A League, I firstly like to talk about my amazingly hectic week. So it started last Sunday with Valencia losing to Villareal, meaning they have no chance of Champions League next season. Then on Monday I had to do a History seminar, then on Thursday, Manchester United lost the CL final, I had to do another History seminar and a Maths test. Then on Friday I had a 1500 word essay due, which I started Thursday night. So I’ve been busy, but now moving on to something much more important…

Newcastle Jets 1-0 Ulsan Hyundai

A first half goal to midfielder Jason Hoffman saw the Newcastle Jets, who this year finished at the bottom of the A-League table, into the next round of the Asian Champions League. After the 36th minute goal, an hour of solid defending saw the Jets progress to the next round, where they will once again travel to Korea to face Pohang Steelers in a one-legged tie on June 26th. A solid display in defence by Canberra lad Nikolai Topor-Stanley made sure keeper Ben Kennedy maintained a clean sheet. And Newcastle’s biggest recruit, former Lazio midfielder Fabio Vignaroli, showed why Jets manager Gary van Egmond brought him to the club, with a quality display that saw him create the only goal of the game. However there was disappointing news for the Jets, with defender Ljubo Milicevic forced off in the ninth minute with an injury. After the game, Jets coach Gary van Egmond told the media,

“It was always going to be a difficult game for us away from home… We caught them on the counter attack and we scored a goal, which we felt we could do, and our discipline defensively was very good…It’s not one of our best footballing games but for us defensively I thought it was very good.”

He then went on to add that the Pohang game will “…be a very difficult game.” So you heard it from the man. But hopefully the Jets can do a repeat of Adelaide and make it to the final, although between me and you, I’m not hopeful.

Fury defeated in their debut game..haha
Epic fail much. Ok how do I put this nicely. I know it was there first game ever, but they were playing Singapore side Tampines Rovers, not exactly champions of Asia. Then the Rovers go down to ten men, and the Fury get a penalty…which they miss. And then they let the Rovers score. I know I should be nice, but hahaha at the Fury. Maybe if they’d had god playing instead of sitting in the stand they would have won…

The Brazilians are coming…
The Brazilians have now completed their invasion of the A League, with three more signing for the new “Glamour Club’ Gold Coast United. Striker Milson (aged 31) and defensive midfielder Robson (22), arrived in landed in Queensland yesterday and were joined there this morning this morning midfielder Jefferson (27). This new influx of ’samba stars’ is a result of Miron Bleiberg scouting mission there last year.

Theoklitos leaves Victory
Melbourne keeper Michael Theoklitos is apparently looking overseas after rejecting the A-League club’s offer of a new contract. According to The World Game MVFC have confirmed the 28-year-old will leave the club when his contract expires on June 30th. Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said after the announcement that “Michael was offered a contract, which he rejected. He has ambitions to play overseas and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” However he also added that “While he will be missed, we’re in a fantastic position with Mitchell and Glen, who are both outstanding goalkeepers and prospects for 2009/10 and beyond.”

News in Short

John Hutchinson earns Malta call up

Melbourne want to play some B-Ball

Middleby eyes Fury captaincy

Bozza’s back….at Sydney Olympic

Former Rangers bad boy Bob Malcolm is joining the Roar, apparently…

And finally, just wanted to point out a rather good article by Fox Sports commentator Simon Hill on the pros and cons of having a second division, check it out here

Well thats all folks, only 2 weeks till exams, then holidays.. so expect to see a flood of articles coming round then