Suncorp Stadium was packed with orange-clad Roar fans, prompting the television commentator to describe the scene as a “giant jar of marmalade.”  Yet, despite the overwhelming support, Brisbane almost lost their unbeaten streak at the worst time. The raging hot favourites seemed to struggle under the pressure that the streak, the fans and the media had placed upon them.

The Central Coast Mariners, rank outsiders, had the better of the play in the early stages, placing the home side under the pump. The first 45 minutes were owned by the Mariners, however they couldn’t convert that pressure into a much needed opening goal and allowed Brisbane to begin working their way back into the contest.

Torrential rain greeted the players as the whistle sounded to begin the second half. The rain also brought a change in the Mariners fortunes. Brisbane soon found some momentum and began testing the stout Central Coast defence. Goalkeeper, Matt Ryan, fresh from winning the Young Player of the Year award was up to the task, though. The youngster pulled off some remarkable saves in the final 45 minutes to ensure the contest didn’t end in normal time.

The Roar's Kostas Barbarouses and CC Mariner Oliver Bozanic battle for the ball.

Even without a deciding goal, football fans in the stadium and those watching the game from home were treated to some of the best action Australian football has to offer. The end to end style of the game, combined with the numerous chances and impressive saves, thrilled viewers who could hardly find time to take their eyes off the contest. Both sides had been on top at various stages of the match and, while each deserved a share of the trophy, only one side could be crowned the champions and the contest raged on.

As extra time began, the atmosphere inside Suncorp became electric. Dressed in their team’s colours and in full voice, 50,000 Roar fans created an image and sound that wouldn’t be out-of-place in Europe. As the first goal became even more critical, Brisbane fans willed their side on in the battle to score. Yet, it was the Mariners who broke the deadlock, sending a small but loud following from Gosford into raptures.

A 95th minute corner was whipped into the box by Michael McGlinchey, the ball pinballing from head to head before falling to Adam Kwasnik, the hero from the Preliminary Final against Gold Coast,. He forced the ball over the line, handing the Mariners a surprise lead.

Worse for the Roar, eight minutes later Central Coast put themselves up 2-0. Kwasnik broke through the Roar defence and tried to knock the ball past advancing Brisbane ‘keeper Michael Theoklitos. Theoklitos blocked the shot but Kwasnik regained possession, maintaining his composure as he passed the ball to Oliver Bozanic for a simple tap-in, despite the best efforts of Matt McKay.

Brisbane were shell-shocked and now faced the very real possibility that their stellar season was to end in a Grand Final defeat. The second half of extra time began and with every minute that ticked by, the Mariners moved closer to sealing their first title.

Just when the result looked to be a foregone conclusion, Brisbane’s Brazilian striker, Henrique popped up to give the Roar the smallest chance of staging a remarkable comeback. On 117 minutes, his well-placed shot beat Matt Ryan and offered the Brisbane supporters hope that they might still have a shot at forcing penalties.

Still, with just one minute to go, the score still read 2-1 and the Mariners could almost fell the trophy in their hands. Only 60 seconds away from one of the biggest upsets in Australian sport, up stepped Erik Paartalu. The Brisbane midfielder managed to get his head to a corner to break Mariners hearts. The stadium was shaking with noise as Roar fans greeted Paartalu’s last gasp equaliser. Penalties would now decide the champion of Australian football for the second year in a row.

Erik Paartalu wears the fruits of victory, the A-League Trophy.

Roar goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos was the hero of the shoot-out, saving Daniel McBreen and Pedj Bojic’s efforts to complete Brisbane’s unlikely comeback. Brisbane players celebrated and Central Coast players collapsed under the weight of sheer disappointment.

Brisbane will now look to consolidate their victory and continue to dominate Australian football next season while the Central Coast will hope they can bounce back from the devastating result and challenge once again. It must be noted that this was the third Grand Final the Mariners have made in just six A-League seasons. Despite this, they are yet to be crowned football kings of the country.

The finale was a fitting way to end the 2010/11 A-League season. The game will be forever remembered as one of the greatest this country has ever seen.  It certainly showed why the A-League and Australian football in general are on the rise.

The Gosford club had the better of Gold Coast for the majority of their Preliminary Final but as the final whistle crept closer, extra time and penalties looked to be on the cards. The Mariners missed some golden opportunities, most notably in the 69th minute when Patrick  Zwaanswijk’s header failed to hit the back of the net. Central Coast fans didn’t have to wait much longer for another great chance. In the 75th minute, Michael McGlinchey’s blocked shot fell to Adam Kwasnik who kept his cool and finished, sending the Central Coast faithful into raptures.

Australian football fans now turn their attention towards this weekend’s decider on Saturday, 4 pm local and 6 am GMT, at Suncorp Stadium, the Brisbane Roar’s fortress. The Roar haven’t lost at home all season, so the Mariners will need to produce a stellar performance if they are to break their championship duck and deny the Roar their first A-League title. Central Coast produced such a performance last week in the second leg of the top two play-off between the two clubs. After going down 2-0 at home, many expected the Mariners to travel to Suncorp and get blown away by the rampant Brisbane team. However, the opposite occurred. Two goals in a minute saw the visitors take a surprise lead and at half time, it looked like the Roar’s unbeaten streak was approaching its end. Yet, Brisbane fought back furiously and won the right to host the Grand Final, levelling the game.

If Central Coast fail to tie up Thomas Broich, their trip to Brisbane will have been in vain.

The key to victory in the Grand Final for the Mariners lies in shutting down Brisbane’s strike force. Thomas Broich, Kosta Barbarouses and Jean Carlos Solorzano are all in hot form, helping their side hit 58 league goals in the home and away season, a new A-League record. The Brisbane club was the only side to have two players inside the top five strikers with Barbarouses and Solorzano scoring 11 for the season. If the Central Coast defence doesn’t nullify the threat, then expect to see Broich working his magic in the attacking third of the pitch to assist the Roar’s two strike men.

It is difficult to bet against the Roar as they have been the standouts all year and, of the two finalists, seem more deserving for the fluid style of play they have brought to the competition. The 2-2 draw with the Mariners served as a wake up call for Ange Postecoglou’s men.  They now know they have to play well if they are to secure the title. On the other hand, Central Coast appear the most likely side to upset Brisbane, setting up a thrilling final.

My money is on the Roar. Postecoglou has created the new force of Australian football and thoroughly deserves the title as a reward for all his hard work.

Prediction: Brisbane 3 – 1 Central Coast

Player Awards

The past week has also seen the FFA Player Awards night. Adelaide United’s Marcos Flores was awarded the Johnny Warren Medal as player of the year. Flores has shown incredible form for Adelaide and provided the creative spark in midfield, setting up numerous goals with his amazing vision and passing skills.

Another Adelaide player, Sergio van Dijk, won the Reebok Golden Boot as top scorer.  Van Dijk’s 16 goals during the regular season helped the South Australian club finish third on the ladder. It was van Dijk’s first season with United after moving from the Brisbane Roar at the start of the year.  It has to be cold comfort for van Dijk to take the award while watching his former mates in the Grand Final.  Conversely, the Roar’s achievements this year seem all the more impressive, given that they let the league’s top scorer get away.

Of the next five awards, four went to Brisbane. Michael Theoklitos was voted goalkeeper of the year after an impressive season. Postecoglou won coach of the year while Erik Paartalu was awarded goal of the year, robbing Alex Terra who was widely expected to win the award for his stunning Wayne Rooney-esque bicycle kick. The Roar also pulled in the fair play award.

Finally, Central Coast’s goalkeeper Matt Ryan was named as the NAB Young Player of the Year.

Enjoy the Grand Final!

A-League Playoffs

There were just two games in the A-League this weekend but both were of the highest order. Fans of Aussie football were treated to nine goals across the two matches. On Saturday, the second leg of the top-two playoff between Brisbane and Central Coast almost resulted in the Roar’s unbeaten streak coming to an end. However, they fought back from 0-2 down to level the second leg at 2 and win on aggregate 4-2. On Sunday, the elimination final between Adelaide and Gold Coast ended in a surprising 3-2 victory to the Queenslanders. We are now left with just three teams and two games to decide the 2011 A-League champion.

The Brisbane Roar secured their spot as hosts of the Grand Final final through their 2-2 draw with the Mariners. After winning the first leg away from home 2-0, many expected the Queensland outfit to waltz into the season decider with ease. The Mariners had other ideas, though, and almost spoiled the party for their hosts. A large, pro-Brisbane crowd of over 25,000 was silenced just five minutes from half-time when the Mariners registered two goals within sixty seconds.

First, Daniel McBreen’s shot from an extremely tight angle was parried by Roar goalie Michael Theoklitos but remarkably bounced into the goal after deflecting off Matt Smith. Then, some great passing between Patricio Perez and Oliver Bozanic enabled Perez to curl a shot past a helpless Theoklitos. In just one half, the Mariners had levelled a tie from which they had been counted out and suddenly looked the more likely side to win the hosting duties in the final.

After the restart, Brisbane regrouped but it wasn’t until the 63rd minute that they struck back through Thomas Broich. The German star kept his composure and coolly slipped the ball into the net with the outside of his foot. The goal restored the Roar’s aggregate lead, 3-2, although it still looked as though the Mariners might become the first side to defeat the Roar since Melbourne Victory took all three points from them in September. While that would have been a Pyrrhic victory for the Mariners, with just minutes remaining, the score still read 2-1. Finally, Henrique combined well with Massimo Murdocca to register the equaliser.

While the defeat over 180 minutes sent Central Coast down an alternate path to the Grand Final, Pedj Bojic foolishly reacted to the frustration of seeing Coast’s near victory snatched away.  His red card will rule him out of next week’s Preliminary Final against Gold Coast.

The Robina club kept their season alive with a stunning 3-2 win over Adelaide United. Gold Coast showed a lot of fighting spirit and will need even more in their do-or-die clash with the mariners on Saturday.   Shane Smeltz gave the Queenslanders the lead in the 38th minute with a majestic strike. Adelaide fought back in the second half and took a 2-1 lead thanks to goals from striker Sergio van Dijk and rising star Matthew Leckie. However, just minutes later, the score was level at 2, when Bruce Djite found the back of the net. With less than a quarter-hour remaining and a penalty shootout looming, Smeltz stepped up to break Adelaide hearts. Joel Porter was felled in the box by Nigel Boogaard and the resultant penalty was coolly dispatched by the Kiwi, who would have to be considered one of the players of the match.

News

Rojas kisses off the generous Phoenix fans.

It appears that New Zealand starlet Marco Rojas has quit the Wellington Phoenix to join Melbourne Victory. The 19-year-old has apparently signed a two-year deal with the Victory, infuriating the Phoenix supporters who literally launched Rojas’career. Rojas signed his first professional contract with the Kiwi club after being awarded a scholarship funded mostly by the Nix’s fan club, Yellow Fever.

The FFA have decided to turn of the North Queensland Fury‘s life support, forcing the club to close its doors for good. The game’s governing body, who had to assume ownership of the Fury, felt the financial risk outweighed the potential benefits and have decided it is in their best interests to dissolve the foundering club after just two seasons in the A-League. A heartbroken Fury squad must now find new clubs to play for as their contracts will expire at the month’s end. The general feeling in Australia following the announcement is one of disappointment, with many believing the FFA could have done more to help the club, now the second team in the A-League’s short history to fail, following the demise of the New Zealand Knights.

On the Weekend

Central Coast Mariners host Gold Coast United at Gosford in the Preliminary Final. The winner earns one final crack at upsetting the seemingly Invincible Roar, a week later at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. If the rest of the playoff action has been any indication, both teams will go all out for their chance to topple the league leaders.

Adelaide United triumphed 1-0 over the Wellington Phoenix, sending the Kiwis back across the Tasman empty-handed . Adelaide can consider themselves a little lucky to be progressing to the next stage, considering the visitors had the better of the play for most of the game. However, Wellington’s failure to convert their dominance into goals proved to be a telling factor as Travis Dodd’s 70th minute brace was enough to send the perennial underachiever through. The win came as a huge relief to Adelaide, who came into the game with less than ideal preparation after hearing  that Paul Reid was ready to quit the club because his request to join Sydney on loan for the Sky Blue’s Asian Cup campaign was rejected. Reid has since met with manager Rini Coolen and club officials and is set to rejoin his team mates as they prepare for this weekend’s game.

Up north, Gold Coast United dealt Melbourne Victory their first finals defeat in normal time, thanks to Dino Djulbic’s stoppage time winner. The 1-0 win ensured United avoided a repeat of last season, where they earned a home final in the first week of matches but were eliminated by the Newcastle Jets on penalties in front of their own fans. The scoreline was a true reflection of the game as both sides struggled to get on top of each other. The Victory might feel they deserved more after creating numerous scoring opportunities.  However, wayward shooting ensured their finals run ended at the first hurdle. Melbourne can now turn their attention to the upcoming Asian Champions League campaign, which they kick off in a week and a half against Jeju United of South Korea.

The two United’s, Adelaide and Gold Coast, now face each other in a play-off with the winner keeping their A-League title dreams alive for at least another week. Adelaide hold the home advantage, although the Gold Coast are a strong side and will be just as hungry for the chance to face the loser of the Brisbane Roar/ Central Coast tie.

The first leg of that match up was contested on Saturday night, with the Roar, expectedly, getting the result. Kosta Barbarouses and Matt McKay found the net for Brisbane and ensured the Queenslanders impressive unbeaten streak was extended to 26 games. Their 2-0 victory away from home means it is almost a certainty that they will progress straight to the Grand Final as hosts. The Mariners remain hopeful of overturning the result in the return leg but Brisbane’s stellar record at home doesn’t hold much promise for the visitors.

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News

Sydney FC have been busy in the past week, taking full advantage of the lax rules in the AFC by recruiting two players on loan from rival A-League clubs for their upcoming Asian Champions League foray. The Sky Blues have added North Queensland Fury striker David Williams and Wellington Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante to their roster. The Durnate deal was sealed in just a matter of hours and won’t be the last if Sydney have their way. Perth Glory veteran Jamie Coyne is expected to join the club, as are Melbourne Heart defender Dean Heffernan and the Newcastle Jets’Adam d’Apuzzo . The players will return to their clubs for the start of the next A-League season.

Wellington Phoenix attacking midfielder Diego Walsh has decided to return to Miami in America following an unsuccessful stint with the New Zealand club. Walsh originally signed with Adelaide United back in 2006, from Miami FC, and quickly built a reputation as one of the top players in the A-League. He then moved on to the Phoenix in 2009 but failed to fit in and became unhappy.  Following the ‘Nix’s loss to his former club  last weekend, Diego decided enough was enough and quit the club to reunite with his family, which remained in the US.

Next Week
The Roar host the Mariners is the second leg of their top two play off on Saturday night. On Sunday, the Battle of the United’s will take place with the winner to take on the loser of the Roar/ Mariners, which, as stated, is looking very much like being Central Coast.

Chelsea v Everton (Saturday) — It has just occurred to me that Chelsea is a lot like Toy Story.  Seriously.  Roman Abramovich is Andy, although he doesn’t have to wait for Christmas or his birthday for his parents to buy him new playthings.  He has his own money and his favourite holidays are the summer and winter transfer windows.  This year, he was his own secret Santa, splurging £50 million on his version of Buzz Lightyear, Fernando Torres.  It follows, then, that Didier Drogba must be Woody, as he suddenly knows what it’s like not to be Roman’s favourite toy anymore.  Although, Woody is expected to start this weekend, at least according to Mr. Potato Head –  and who else would Carlo Ancelotti be with that eyebrow?   With Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell both unavailable, expect Zurg – aka David Moyes – and his minions to be vanquished.  John Terry, who is morphing into a hapless T-Rex, badly wants in on the fun but he may find himself left on the shelf, in favour of David Luiz when playtime rolls around. – Martin Palazzotto

Manchester United v Crawley Town (Saturday) – This is what it’s all about, right? The magic of the Cup – David versus Goliath. Well, yes, but let’s face it, the likelihood of Crawley Town winning at Old Trafford is slim to non-existent, although, interestingly, the last three non-League teams to play at Old Trafford have all earned replays. If the Red Devils (that’s Crawley by the way) were to progress to the last eight, they’d be the first non-League side to do so since before World War II so you can see the size of the task at hand for Steve Evans’ team even if, as seems likely, United are not at full strength. – Roger Domeneghetti

Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday) – Decisions, decisions; Alex McLeish has got a lot to make before his side hosts Sheffield Wednesday. On one hand, he’ll want to rest players ahead of next weekend’s Carling Cup final, where his side have the chance to win their first silverware since 1963. On the other, he’ll want to get through this tie with the minimum of effort so he can focus on the Blues’relegation battle – one thing he won’t want is a replay clogging up the fixture list in future.  Sheffield Wednesday will be something of an unknown quantity – their only two wins this year have come in the FA Cup, whereas they’ve lost three of four League games. The Blues should be favourites, but fielding a weakened side could be their undoing. – R.D.

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Leeds United v Norwich City (Saturday) – The promotion battle in the npower Championship heats up when sixth-placed Leeds United welcome third-placed Norwich to Elland Road. Norwich comfortably beat Leeds United to the League One crown last season but the Canaries haven’t won at Elland Road for almost two decades. Whites manager Simon Grayson has almost a full squad to choose from with only fullback Paul Connolly unavailable through injury. Loanee Eric Lichaj will cover. Norwich, meanwhile, lost Leon Barnett for the rest of the season with Zak Whitbread stepping into central defence. Both teams are in impressive form but United’s free scoring attacking line backed by a fired-up 30,000+ crowd should hand the tie to Leeds. – Kristian Anker-Møller

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Celtic v Rangers (Sunday) –While these two teams seem to be playing one another every two weeks, there is no hiding the fact that the Old Firm remains one of the most important derbies on the planet. As the home team, Celtic will fancy their chances, especially since their form has been so good since the turn of the year. Yet, as with all derbies, match form counts for little and  Rangers will want to prove themselves ready for the title challenge. It is also a game that can provide more red cards than goals, watch for the Scott Brown/El Hadji Diouf feud to continue. I predict a draw for what will be Walter Smith’s last SPL match at Parkhead as Rangers boss. – Scott Johnston

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Mainz v Bayern Munich (Saturday) — Ouch. A game against Bayern rarely comes at a good time, and, for Mainz, certainly not now. Last weekend, Mainz delivered their poorest performance of the season in the 4-2 loss to Cologne and Thomas Tuchel’s charges have recorded only two wins in the last eight league games. Bayern, on the other hand, were firing on all cylinders against Hoffenheim, with Robben back in form and Gomez finding the goal: Tuchel jokingly proposed playing an unorthodox 4-1-4-2 system to counter the Bavaria threat. The only factor that might play to Mainz’ advantage is if the Bavarians are already focusing on next week’s Champions League clash with Inter. That’s unlikely, though, so expect Bayern to come out on top. — Kristian Anker-Moeller

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FC Groningen v Roda JC (Saturday) — Say it quietly, but FC Groningen have an outside chance of winning the league.  In what has been a consistent season for Pieter Huistra’s side, they are only 6 points behind the league leaders, a much better standing than last season. Last week’s 1-1 draw at De Graafschap halted any momentum and cost them a chance to close the gap to 4 points. This weekend, they entertain a Roda side who are winless in their last 3 games but still managed a good comeback at home to Ajax last week. Roda might find turning the trick twice difficult, as Groningen have picked up more home wins than any other side in the league. – Mohamed Moallim

ADO Den Haag v Feyenoord (Sunday) — Nothing beats a good derby. After their much needed return to winning ways, Feyenoord face a difficult trip to high-flying Den Haag. With new Japanese sensation Ryo Miyaichi the talk of the town, after his impressive debut, he might again be needed to make the difference and with a possible loan extension to 2012 being talked about, Feyenoord fans could expect more excitement. What a season it has been for John van den Brom’s men, after finishing 15th last season ADO lie in 5th place,  not far from a Champions League spot.   His side will be looking to avenge the 2-1 defeat at De Kuip earlier in the league campaign. It what should be a close game, the numbers point to a home victory; Feyenoord have only won twice on the road whilst Den Haag have lost twice at home all season. – M.M.

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Lens v Sochaux (Saturday) — There is nothing worse than hyping a game up beyond all proportion but this is a huge game down at the bottom of Ligue 1.  Lens has improved under new boss Laszlo Boloni.   After a tough defeat against Lille, they have had an encouraging draw with Valenciennes and a superb 0-0 away at the Parc de Princes, so spirits will be high at the Stade Felix Bollaert this week.  Coming to town are Ligue 1’s second top scorers, Sochaux.  Unfortunately, les Lionceaux do not defend nearly as well as they attack and find themselves close to the relegation zone.  Francis Gillot’s men will hope to pick up at least a point to maintain their four point gap on the bottom three. — Andrew Gibney

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Villarreal v Malaga (Sunday) — It’s the battle of the Yellow Submarines and the Qatari-funded Andalusians. And what an interesting battle it will be. Villarreal, less than fresh from a hard-fought goalless draw in the Europa League clash at Napoli, struggled without their influential striker Giuseppe Rossi. In this instance, the mercurial Brazilian Nilmar was unable to fill the void and find himself a goal. Key for Juan Carlos Garrido’s men will be defensive solidity and the creativity in midfield that former West Brom flop Borja Valero is no doubt able to produce. The Yellow Submarines have been noted this season as the best of the rest, behind Madrid and Barcelona, that is, but to keep up with the two giants, Garrido’s men will have to come up with the goods against the free spending south coasters Malaga. Under the new ownership of rich Qataris and the leadership of Chilean boss Manuel Pellegrini, the club have been making strides forward, no better illustrated than with the impressive double acquisition of Julio Baptista, a man once known as “the beast” and the highly tipped Spanish under-21 goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. The beast and the backstopper will have to be on top form, however, to overcome the impressive flurry of attacking football from the men in yellow. — Eliot Rothwell

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Bologna v Palermo (Saturday) – Had a bad day at the office? Try walking a mile in Abel Hernandez’s shoes. The 20-year-old Uruguayan was robbed at gunpoint on Wednesday after a Rosaneri training session. After having said gun placed in his mouth, the Palermo frontman was forced to hand over his wallet and jewellery. Having just battled back from injury, his family and the local community have rallied around him in support and the youngster has replied by pledging his future to the club. On the pitch, the lunchtime curse struck Palermo for the fourth time, last week, in a 4-2 reversal to Fiorentina. Bologna fared no better as they went down 3-1 at Sampdoria, conceding all three within the opening 15 minutes. The Rossoblu are currently seven points clear of the drop zone, while Palermo coincidentally find themselves occupying the seventh position in the table. In the weekly Maurizio Zamparini watch, the eccentric president has blamed all the failings on coach Delio Rossi, and jokingly offered Javier Pastore to Juventus in exchange for Claudio Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini. That actually works out to a 15% mark-down from the chairman’s original 100 million valuation. Time for a piggy bank pool! – Shaun Best

Genoa vs Roma (Sunday) – It’s been a tale of two contrasting weeks. Coming off the Inter thrashing, the last thing Roma and under-fire Claudio Ranieri needed was two crushing home defeats – but that’s exactly what they got. While Shakhtar Donetsk were running riot in Rome, in the second of the Giallorossi’s setbacks, Genoa were putting city rivals Sampdoria to the sword in a re-arranged midweek derby. It was only the Grifone’s second win in 2011. Roma have recently lost at the Marassi, to Sampdoria, and another defeat could see former player Vincenzo Montella take over the reigns on a caretaker basis. Slovakian midfielder Juraj Kucka will look to pull the strings for the home side and dictate the play. Jeremy Menez and/or Francesco Totti will be the obvious threats for the visitors. – S.B.

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Olympiakos v Panathinaikos (Saturday) — A derby clash between first and second in Greece’s top division. A seven point gap separates the two fierce rivals. Olympiakos have won ten league games in a row, Ernesto Valverde’s men are on a tear so far this season. Panathinaikos will be pinning their hopes on the goals of Djibril Cisse and why not? Eighteen tallies in twenty games is a superb record in any league. The Tryfilli are not on too bad a run themselves unbeaten in seven. This one is building up to be a classic. — Andrew Gibney

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Central Coast vs Brisbane Roar (Saturday) – The first leg of the playoff tie between the A-League’s top two sides is the highlight of the first week of finals action. First placed Brisbane Roar travel to Gosford to take on the Central Coast Mariners. The overall winner gains the right to host the Grand Final so this clash is critical for both sides. The Roar who are on the longest winning streak ever seen in Australian football will be keen to consolidate their regular season form with a good result. The Mariners will be looking to spring one of the biggest upsets in A-League history. However, Matt Simon, the Mariners’star striker, is under an injury cloud and is likely to miss the clash while Brisbane can name a largely unchanged side from the one that demolished Gold Coast 4-0 in the final week of league action. It’s difficult to imagine the Roar’s impressive unbeaten streak ending here and I expect they’ll hold a narrow advantage when the two sides face up for the return leg. – Tom Pollock

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Flamengo v Botafogo, Carioca Taça Guarabana Semi-Final 1st Leg (Sunday) — After a handful of games, Ronaldinho has yet to show his best moves in Brazil.  Maybe its time in a derby match that gives a place in the final of the Rio State First Round (of two) Championship for the winner. Flamengo has other good players, with Thiago Neves in the middle and the young forward Negueba, eager to help their new pal.  Botafogo is flying under the radar, with a remarkably good goalie in Jeferson and some key goals by Loco Abreu, the team is not the favourite but will be difficult to beat. – Fab Presilli

Corinthians v Santos, São Paulo State Championship (Sunday) — It’s Corinthians first big game without power duo Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo. The former has moved to Anzhi, in Russia and the latter retired after being especially targeted for abuse and vandalism from fans in the wake of the club’s early ouster from the Copa Libertadores, a match for which Roberto Carlos was not even available due to injury.  Liedson is the key player for them now and began on a high, with two goals in the first match. Santos have Neymar back from the U20 National Squad, although Paulo Henrique Ganso is still sidelined. Elano is their maestro and has to be watched as he is creating plays from all over the pitch. – F.P.

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River Plate v Huracan (Sunday) — A head-to-head to relegation clash right at the start of the tournament. River is a little above Huracan in the average points table but too many defeats would put them in a dangerous spot at the end of the season. The main player for River is Mariano Pavone, on loan from Real Betis but watch for U20 forward Funes Mori, as well. – Fab  Presilli

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Once Caldas v Libertad (Wednesday) — A very difficult game for the Paraguayans as Manizales is at the top of an unreachable mountain in Colombia, guarded by a passionate crowd, which can cause some problems for the players on the pitch. However Libertad has already won their first game away, at San Luis Potosí in Mexico, and is favoured to earn at least a draw and keep the group lead. – Fab Presilli

Argentinos Juniors v Club América (Thursday) — A decisive game in a close group that also features Fluminense of Brazil and Nacional from Uruguay. América won their first game and another win would put them in the driver seat the rest all the way. Argentinos impressed with a draw in Brazil and hope to milk the home field advantage in Buenos Aires. – F.P.

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Monterrey v UANL Tigres (Saturday) — The Nueva León Derby is a huge match in Group 1 of the Mexican Clausura.  Tigres have opened a surprise lead, being the only team, after six rounds, to have won four matches.  Monterrey are the Apertura champions and had their way in this group in the autumn.  Trailing their local rivals doesn’t sit well with el Rayados and their shiny pated striker, Humberto Suarez, will be looking to further mine his rich vein of form and close the gap on Tigres. — Martin Palazzotto

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Enjoy the matches!

The two-legged tie between the Roar and second placed Central Coast Mariners will decide who gains the right to host a home Grand Final. While the winner will await an opponent to decide the A-League champion, the loser will face the ultimate victor of a series of one-offs between the other four play-off contenders. The first game between the Mariners and the Roar takes place this Saturday night at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.

Third placed Adelaide United will host the Wellington Phoenix on Friday night in the first elimination final. The Phoenix secured their place thanks to a 3-1 win over cellar-dweller North Queensland Fury, while rival contender Newcastle Jets crashed to a 0-1 loss against Central Coast. Wellington will be definite underdogs, having to travel to Adelaide from New Zealand and play in the rather hostile conditions of Hindmarsh Stadium. However, the Phoenix will be buoyed by the result of the last meeting between these sides. The Kiwis managed to snatch a 1-0 win at the Hindmarsh. Chris Greenachre’s brace was enough for the ‘Nix to upset the Reds.

Make believe became reality for the Phoenix when they claimed the final playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.

The winner of the Adelaide/Wellington final will play the winner of the weekend’s other elimination final between Gold Coast United and Melbourne Victory. The past week has been filled with uncertainty as to where this game will be played after question marks were raised about the safety of United’s Skilled Park surface. It does appear as though the game will be held at United’s home ground, as originally planned, much to the relief  of the Gold Coast faithful. Victory triumphed when last these two outfits faced up at AAMI Park in late January. A Danny Allsopp double secured Melbourne a valuable three points.

Roar Secure W-League Title

The Brisbane Roar’s mens side has taken the league by storm and is widely tipped to win the Grand Final in March this year, should they make it. A favourable result in that game will mean Brisbaneites can celebrate not just one but two domestic titles thanks to the Roar’s win in last weekend’s W-League grand final. Travelling to New South Wales to take on the highly favoured and defending champion Sydney FC seemed a huge task but the Roar were gallant and managed a 2-1 upset. Goals to Tameka Butt and Lisa De Vanna handed the Roar their second title in three years.  Now, if the guys can only follow the girls’example…

Individual Honours

Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns has won the club’s Best and Fairest by eight votes. Burns managed to record the maximum three votes from seven games and finished with a total of 28. Melbourne Victory bound goalkeeper Tando Velaphi finished second. Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler won the Bobby Despotovski award as the leading scorer with nine strikes.

The PFA Awards Night was held last Monday with the team, coach and referee of the season announced. Just three clubs had players in the team of the season with the Brisbane Roar unsurprisingly leading the way with seven.  Adelaide contributed three and Melbourne Victory’s Robbie Kruse also made it. Matt McKay was voted captain of the side. Roar manager Ange Postecoglou was voted Coach of the Year while Matthew Breeze was voted Referee of the Year. Also recognised was Mark Viduka who was awarded the Alex Tobin medal, the most prestigious award the PFA has to offer. Only Viduka, Johnny Warren, Joe Marston and Craig Johnston have received the honour, which recognises significant contribution to Australian football.

Next Week

Be sure not to miss the first leg of the top two play off between the Mariners and the Roar. Brisbane may have dominated the 30-match regular season but a two-legged tie is a kangaroo of a different colour.  The opening away leg will go a long way to establishing whether the Roar really are the team to beat.

The Roar’s turn around under Ange Postecoglou has been quite remarkable. By the end of the 2009/10 season, the Roar languished in 9th spot, one from the bottom. This triggered a massive overhaul of the club, with Postecoglou being brought in to replace former Socceroo boss Frank Farina. Postecoglou immediately got to work, releasing many of Brisbane’stars, including Craig Moore who was in contention for a spot in the national side at the time. He also recruited well and the end result was a new look Brisbane side ready to line up for the 2010/11 season. Many sceptics were unsure of the Roar’s ability to challenge for the title considering many of the players were new and had very little time to gel. Some unimpressive 0-0 draws and a 0-3 loss to  Melbourne Victory meant it looked like it was going to be a long season ahead, however, following the loss to the Victory, the Roar struck a vein of incredibly good form.

That game in Melbourne was the last time Brisbane dropped all three points to an opponent. In the games since, they have taken at least one point from every game to announce themselves as the best side in the country. With the finals series due to start in a week and a half, the Roar look likely to enter the play-off as the most feared and dangerous team, a side everyone will want to avoid.

Sydney FC’s season from hell ends

Reigning champion, Sydney FC have failed to make the finals series this season. After defeating the Victory in last season’s Grand Final, in Melbourne, the Sky Blues have had a dismal season that now sees them out of contention for a final spot. A number of star players from last seasons campaign have left the club in the interim, including John Aloisi, Karol Kisel, Craig Bolton and captain Steve Corica.

Coach Viteslav Lavicka worked hard to fill the gaping holes in the squad but it was to no avail. The signings of Nick Carle, Scott Jameison and Liam Reddy were expected to keep Sydney at the top of Australian Football but that hasn’t been the case and, following their 1 goal draw with Newcastle, it is now impossible for the Sky Blues to climb from 9th to 6th.

On the bright side, they’ll be able to direct all their attention to the upcoming Asian Champions League campaign.

Melbourne Victory secure Finals spot

Last years runners-up Melbourne Victory, almost suffered the same fate as the no longer defending champions. yet, with just one game remaining, the Victory are now guaranteed Finals football, following their 2-0 wins over Gold Coast last Sunday and Newcastle mid-week. Danny Allsopp saw that his club lived up to their name against the Gold Coast, while Tom Pondeljiak and Robbie Kruse, in his first game back after the Asian Cup, found the net against Newcastle Jets. The Victory will journey to either Adelaide or the Gold Coast for their elimination final depending on which way results fall in the final week of play. As a lower seed, they’re faced with a four match route to the title but they’ve traveled down that path already and will be prepared.  It bears remembering that the Victory are the only side to defeat the Roar this season, making theirs an interesting Grand Final pairing, should it come to pass.

The sixth spot is still not set but Wellington need only a draw in one of their two remaining matches to dispatch Newcastle Jets, who are clinging to hope by their fingernails.

News

News has come out that Pierre Littbarski will replace Steve McLaren at the helm of Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. Littbarski guided Sydney FC to the inaugural A-League title in the 2005/06 season, when Dwight Yorke took the league by storm. His appointment is perhaps a sign that the A-League is starting to have a bigger influence on world football.

Karol Kisel was in hot form for Sydney FC last season as they claimed both the minor and major premierships. His stellar season attracted Sparta Prague, who snapped up his services. Rumours have started to emerge that following Sydney’s disappointing season, Kisel is on the verge of returning to the club and helping them back up the table in the 2011/12 season.

Reto Vanni, currently with FC Basel in Switzerland, has announced he is interested in a move to Australia. It is said four A-League clubs are interested in gaining Vanni’s signature, with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Heart believed to be leading the race for the former Swiss U/21′s services.

Next Week

In the final week of matches, Central Coast have the opportunity to cement second spot on the ladder and end Newcastle’s Finals aspirations should they win their clash with the Jets on the 13th of February.

Asian Cup

Final: Australia 0-1 Japan

The Socceroos’Asian Cup campaign has ended in heartbreak thanks to a fine strike in the 109th minute by Tadanari Lee. The momentary lapse in concentration by the Aussie defence gifted the trophy to Japan who secured their fourth title. It could be argued that Australia had the better of the Blue Samurai for the majority of the match. Had we been able to capitalise on some good chances, the Australian players would have been welcomed home as continental champions.

Harry Kewell had the best chance to seal the title, when, in the 70th minute he found himself one-on-one with Japanese ‘keeper Eiji Kawashima. Kewell controlled the ball, shifted it onto his favoured side as football fans in Australia held their collective breath. Who would bet against Kewell’s magical left boot burying the ball in the back of the net? Kawashima though, was ready and pulled off a fine save with his legs, denying Kewell the chance to be Australia’s hero.

With no goals registered in the 90 minutes, extra time was required to separate the sides. Melbourne Victory youngster, Robbie Kruse, had the best chance to finish the game after coming on as a substitute. His header would have found the net but for another fine save by Kawashima. The keeper was Japan’s stand out player, keeping his side in the game on a number of occasions.

Lee’s impressive winner sealed the victory for Japan. Unmarked in the box due to some poor defending by Dave Carney, Lee volleyed Yuto Nagamoto’s cross with venom and precision, giving Mark Schwarzer no chance of saving the shot. The strike sent Japanese fans into raptures and with just 10 minutes remaining, gave the Socceroos very little chance of forcing a penalty shoot-out.

The referee’s final whistle was greeted by joyous celebrations by Japan and devastation by Australia. The Socceroos must now turn their attentions to the Brazil 2014 qualification campaign and the 2015 Asian Cup which Australia is to host. They will no doubt be hungry to avenge this loss in front of stadiums filled with Aussie supporters.

A-League:

North Queensland Fury 0-3 Melbourne Victory

With the Fury on life-support, a win was expected of the Victory and they delivered in fine style. Danny Allsopp found the net for the away side to continue his fine run of form since returning to the club. Mate Dugandzic also found his name on the score sheet with two goals in quick succession mid way through the second half.

Brisbane Roar 2-0 Wellington Phoenix

A James Meyer double in the final 10 minutes enabled the Roar to see off finals contender Wellington in the Roar’s first outing since the Queensland flood disaster. The Roar equalled the record of the longest undefeated streak in Australian football thanks to this result, their 22nd game without a loss.

Brisbane Roar 2-1 Melbourne Heart

Brisbane are simply unbeatable. having now taken points in 23 consecutive matches, they have taken the record for Australia’s longest undefeated steak, an honour previously held by NSL club APIA Leichhardt, who set the mark in 1986-87.   James Meyer again found the net, enjoying an impressive run of form since debuting two weeks ago. His strike, plus a fine goal by Jean Carlos Solorzano, enabled the hosts to see off Melbourne Heart, who, like the Phoenix are vying for a play-off spot. The win secures the Roar the Minor Premiership (best record in the regular season).

Perth Glory 0-2 Sydney FC

Sydney supporters were able to cling to hopes of a title defence, thanks to an early goal by marquee man Nicky Carle and a second half match killer from Bruno Carazine. The defending champions haven’t produced the same form they exhibited last season and, as a result, their finals chances hang by a thread.  They must take at least 7 points from their last 3 contests but, even so, should any one of the three clubs immediately above them reach 39 points, the champions will be eliminated from contention.  The rosary beads are becoming well-worn in Sydney.

Adelaide United 1-2 Central Coast Mariners

The Mariners triumphed in the A-League’s match of the round. The 2-1 victory wasn’t a true reflection of the Mariners dominance as Adelaide’s consolation goal came late, through captain Travis Dodd. Central Coast were the best side on the day, taking a deserved lead thanks to goals by Patricio Perez and Josh Rose. The victory cements the Mariners in second place with just three games to play.

Wellington Phoenix 1-0 Newcastle Jets

The Phoenix recorded a much needed win as they fight for a place in the finals.  Victory was secured by Dylan McAllister and enabled the New Zealanders to move into sixth place on the ladder.  The Jets must now prepare for a crucial game against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday that could make or break their season.  Their four games remaining is the most of any A-League club but they must take points.

Melbourne Victory 2-0 Gold Coast United

Two spectacular goals by Danny Allsopp handed Melbourne the three points at a critical stage of the season. The win gives the Victory a firm grip on fifth spot but they still need a win and a draw in their final two contests to assure themselves of a play-off position. Gold Coast must now regroup for their next match against third-placed Adelaide.

News
A rather embarrassing blunder by the Perth Glory has tarnished the departure of club legend Jamie Harnwell. An advertisement for their game against the Gold Coast on Sunday read, “Join Us As We Farewell A Legend” and was displayed on the club’s website an hour before Harnwell was to discuss his future with the club. Embarrassed, the Glory veteran has insisted the decision to retire was entirely his and that he wasn’t pushed out the door.

Ljubo Milicevic has turned down a contract offer from Swiss side FC Basel which currently has the services of former Socceroo Scott Chipperfield. Milicevic, a former Newcastle player, quit the Jets in order to pursue a career overseas. It is believed he is considering a more lucrative offer from an Asian club.

In more bad news for the North Queensland Fury, striker Chris Payne has been ruled out for the remainder of the season thanks to a lateral meniscus injury. Payne has already signed to play for Newcastle next season so this injury means he has surely played his last game for the struggling Fury who are in a battle to stay alive due to financial troubles.

Next Week

Essential viewing: Melbourne Heart vs Central Coast Mariners

The Mariners are coming into this clash on the back of their impressive win over Adelaide United and will seek to build on their fine form as the play-offs approach. The clash is more important for the home side, Melbourne Heart, as a loss would put a serious dent in their own bid for a post-season berth, in their inaugural season. Kick-off is at 8pm on Friday the 4th February.

A-League

Match of the Round: Central Coast 3-3 Brisbane Roar

The Brisbane Roar came into this game riding the back of a 20 game unbeaten streak and were determined to make it 21. However, they would have been forgiven had they not salvaged a draw in this contest considering many of the traveling squad had friends, family and even team mates who were affected by Queensland’s floods.

The Roar struck first, taking the lead in under 25 minutes, thanks to a brace by Erik Paartalu. The Mariners responded well and equalised, through Adam Kwasnik in the 37th minute. The 1-1 scoreline at halftime set up what was to be a thrilling second half.

Coast's Joshua Rose is brought down in the box by Milan Susak.

The Mariners had a dream start to the second period, when Matt Simon did well to get on the end of a Patricio Perez free kick, handing his side the lead. The Roar, not to be outdone, were persistent and drew even for the second time in the match, this time through Thomas Broich. Jean Carlos Solorzano’s inch perfect pass through the Mariners defence enabled Broich to open his body and blast it into the back of the net.

Central Coast looked to have been handed the game, however, when Milan Susak brought down Joshua Rose in the penalty box and, in the process, picked up his second yellow card. Perez who set up the second goal stepped up and put away the penalty to give the Mariners the lead with only 15 minutes to play.

The Roar’s fighting spirit shone through though and a brilliant strike by debutant James Meyer game saw the scores even once more. Meyer, who came on for Erik Paartalu, took three touches, one to control the ball, one to set up the shot and the third a brilliant right footed drive that sailed into the back of the net.

The final stages of the game were tense as the result could still have gone either way. The 3-3 result was a fitting one and enabled the Mariners to climb above Adelaide into second place.

Other Matches

Gold Coast United 4-0 North Queensland Fury
North Queensland Fury appears to be staggering on its last legs and results like this won’t help at all. The embattled club had no chance against a strong Gold Coast side that welcomed striker Shane Smeltz back into the line up for his first appearance for the club since re-signing last week. Smeltz didn’t let United fans down, scoring two goals and setting up another. Bruce Djite and Chris Harold also found the net in a dominant display.

Perth Glory 1-1 Melbourne Heart

Both these clubs will be happy they didn’t lose, although Perth will be particularly disappointed they couldn’t hold on and win this one. The Glory took the lead in the 34th minute thanks to stand-in captain Todd Howarth. Perth were then denied what they believed was a goal after Scott Neville’s flick on from a Jamie Harnwell header appeared to have crossed the goal line. The match referee Gerard Parsons and his sideline assistant disagreed and play went on. It proved to be a crucial moment in the game as less than 10 minutes later Heart’s Brazilian striker Alex Terra connected with a wonderful bicycle kick to even up the scores.

Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory

A rematch of last seasons Grand Final promised to be a good game, as any match between these two sides is hotly contested. Sydney had the better of Victory in the early stages but could not convert their dominance into a goal. After numerous chances for both sides in the first half went wanting, it remained scoreless at the main break. It wasn’t until the 52nd minute that Danny Allsopp scored the first goal of the match and his second stint at the club. Victory’s inexperienced defence, missing regulars Kevin Muscat and Adrian Leijer, appeared to be holding together well until Juho Makela arrived in the box unmarked and finished easily in injury time to salvage a point for the home side.

Newcastle Jets 0-2 Central Coast

The Central Coast’s win here cemented their spot just behind the Roar in second place. Matt Simon’s 14th minute strike and John Hutchinson’s coup de grâce, three minutes from time, was enough for the Mariners to see off the Jets who were desperate to get at least a point from this contest. The Jets are fighting it out with both Melbourne sides and the Wellington Phoenix for a spot in the finals.

Brisbane Roar – Wellington Phoenix: Postponed due to flooding

Asian Cup

Tim Cahill continues heading both the Socceroos and the Quuensland aid effort in the right direction.

Game 2: Australia 1-1 South Korea

This was the big one for Australia, a match against South Korea in the group stages was always going to be tough. The Koreans came into the game fresh from a 2-1 win over Bahrain and had a good start to this match. They were the most impressive team in the first half and deservedly took the lead on 24 minutes through Koo Ja-Cheol, after some poor defending by the Aussies. Australia regrouped and swung the momentum in their favour in the second half. Harry Kewell’s shot was deflected out for a corner. The resulting cross found Tim Cahill, whose header floated towards the back post, landing on the chest of Lucas Neill who found himself facing away from goal.  He intelligently lobbed the ball back towards the 6 yard box, enabling Mile Jedinak to climb and head home.The result means Australia needs just a draw with Bahrain to progress to the knockout stage.

News

The highest bid for “The Tim Cahill” experience in aid of Queensland’s flood victims stands at $600,200. Bids of $999,999 and $980,100 were withdrawn during the week. The winning bidder will receive two business class tickets to England to watch Cahill play, from his private box at Goodison Park, as well as an invitation to a training session, an Everton shirt signed by the entire side and a pair of Cahill’s boots. All of the money will go to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Appeal.

Sad news came out this week that the Queensland floods may end up claiming the North Queensland Fury as a victim. The Queensland government was pumping money into the embattled club hoping to keep it alive for at least one more season, while investors are located. However, with a substantial clean up bill expected in the wake of the floods, the money may be withdrawn and put towards the recovery effort, meaning the Fury’s future looks very grim.

Reading’s Aussie goalkeeper Adam Federici has penned a new two-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2013. Up and coming defender Shane Lowry, who was signed by Aston Villa, was sent out on loan to Sheffield United until the end of the season, where he made his debut for the Blades just a day later.

Finally, Gold Coast United has again bolstered their squad ahead of the A-League finals, signing German Peter Perchtold and Korean Sung-kil Kim. Perchtold has made senior appearances for German clubs FC Nuremberg and Stuttgart, while the 27-year-old Kim is a midfielder who previously played for Busan Kyotong.

Next Week

Essential viewing: The Melbourne derby between the Victory and the Heart should be a cracking match. Both sides have recorded a win over each other so far this season so this one is considered to be the decider, giving one set of fans the bragging rights until next season. Kick off is at 7pm local time on Saturday, the 22nd.

See you next week!

Still, first things first.  Here’s the gang with their picks for the best matches over the extended New Year’s Weekend…

Tapesh Patel

Tapesh Patel

West Ham v Wolverhampton Wanderers, English Premier League>>>Saturday

The Premiership’s bottom two sides meet in a vital relegation match at Upton Park. Both sides will have been buoyed by positive results last weekend (against Everton and Liverpool respectively), but neither will be under any doubt as to the task that lies ahead.

Avram Grant desperately needs the transfer window, so that he can bring in some reinforcements to a side lacking midfielders. It’s a problem the Hammers have had for much of the season, with Scott Parker only able to do so much in a side sorely lacking in creativity. To that end, there are also reports of a desire to sign Robbie Keane on loan, although he presumably wouldn’t arrive in time for this match.

That means, then, that they must find a goal against a Wolves side for whom Keane once starred, before going on to Tottenham, Inter Milan, Leeds, Celtic and Liverpool. Mick McCarthy has also expressed a desire to bring Keane in, and given the Irishman’s ties with the club, this would seem an attractive proposition.

Could this match decide where Keane moves in just a few short days? Moreover, would either manager be safe if they lost this match? We will have answers (and probably more questions) on Saturday afternoon.

Burnley v Sheffield United, The Championship>>>Saturday

At Christmas, most leagues around Europe have shut up shop, but English football seems to turn into a fairground of festive fixtures. We all love the rollercoaster that the run of 4 games in 9 days gives.  It can turn bad seasons good and vice versa.  It’s truly a carnival atmosphere, as the managerial merry-go-round is also at full swing this time of year.

This encounter sees two clubs meet who are in the midst of the coaching carousel.  Neither side has a permanent manager and both have underachieved to date.  Burnley was still hoping for promotion back to the Premier League, but have finally lost patience with manager Brian Laws, while former Blades manager Gary Speed left for the bright lights of international management with Wales.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of this game – neither squad comes in with much form, so it’s a game that may be headlined by the manager who wins. Looking at both dugouts, one would think the managerial credentials of the just hired – we’re talking less than 24 hours –  Blades manager Micky Adams would trump the experience of Burnley caretaker manager Stuart Gray, but neither will want to lose.

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Andrew Gibney

Andrew Gibney @ The Gib Football Show

Hearts v Hibs, The Edinburgh Derby>>>New Year’s Day

What a bad end to the year for Hibs, beaten by Aberdeen on Boxing Day, the Don’s first away win since August. Scott Vernon set up Yoann Folly for the first and then scored the winner; Derek Riordan’s goal in the middle was not enough to save Colin Calderwood’s men.

Hibs finally showed some spirit after going 2-0 down to Dundee United at home, Wednesday, when a goal from Sol Bamba and an 89th minute equaliser from Paul Hanlon spared their blushes.  Still, ahead of 11th placed Aberdeen only on goal difference.

That’s not exactly the sort of form you want going into the Edinburgh Derby, against Hearts, especially as Hearts are the form team in the SPL. Not since the 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in October has Jim Jeffries’side failed to get a result. That run includes six clean sheets and 18 goals.

Only six points keeps them off the top of the table.  It’s refreshing to see a team putting some pressure on the Old Firm and victory against Hibs on Saturday could see the gap reduced with the Glasgow giants going head to head on Sunday.

The players for Hibs to watch for on Saturday are David Templeton, Kevin Kyle and Rudi Skacel. Twenty goals between the trio, only one less than the whole Hibs team have managed. Hearts are clear favourites, although it’s just as well form goes out the window in derby games.

Rangers v Celtic, The Old Firm>>>Sunday

Celtic needed a win at home to St Johnstone on Boxing Day and while they triumphed, it was far from convincing. Two goals from Cha Du-Ri and Ki Sung-Yong, in added time, resulted in a flattering 2-0 score line that didn’t do St Johnstone’s performance justice.

The pair of goalscoring Koreans have now departed for the Asian Cup, in Qatar.   Celtic will miss them both but Neil Lennon has opened a last minute Christmas cracker and ex-Arsenal, West Ham and MLS midfielder Freddy Ljungberg has popped out. Signed until the end of the season, The Swede could make himself a hero if he steps right in and helps Celtic to a famous win on Sunday.

Rangers find themselves in a strange situation, looking up at their rivals but with two games in hand.  Defeat on Sunday would put the pressure on them to win both their extra matches in order to retake the top spot.  It won’t be easy, as their Europa League commitments means the games will come thick and fast .

There is little doubt that top scorer and striking sensation, Kenny Miller, will spur them on.  In 2010 he tallied 33 goals in all competitions and will be looking to start 2011 with a bang. Vladimir Weiss will also be looking to carry over some momentum; a fantastic performance against Motherwell has shown what he can do when in the mood.

Old Firm games are always either fantastic spectacles or a bare fist punch up in a park, we always say we enjoy the punch-ups but secretly hope for the 4-4 spectaculars.   So, let the ruckus begin!

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Martin Palazzotto

Martin Palazzotto

For Boxing Day, I highlighted the Glentoran/Linfield tilt at the Oval and pointed to six talking points for the upcoming Premier League fixtures.  Unfortunately, the Belfast Derby was snowed out but most of the Prem games kicked off as scheduled.

On Tyneside, Alan Pardew was shown just how difficult a job Chris Hughton was doing as he fell to Man City and then to Tottenham at White Hart Lane, midweek.  There was no revenge for Hatem Ben Arfa, although his loan deal has been made permanent, to the tune of £5 million.  Word is he may be back much earlier than the originally predicted April return.  Pardew needs all the help he can get, with the level of enthusiasm attained under his predecessor well and truly gone.

Nor can Pardew point to the Liverpool victory as a positive, after Roy Hodgson’s side fell at Anfield to Wolves.  Having not played in a fortnight the endlessly polite Hodgson sent out a squad totally devoid of any competitive fire.  Wolves’victory lifted them from the bottom of the table and dimmed the performance of Avram Grant, at West Ham, who took 4 of a possible 6 points from the Boxing Day fixtures.  Ironically, thanks to the Reds’ennui, they find themselves back to the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, Arsenal finally shook the 300 lb gorilla in a blue kit off their backs, with a decisive win over Chelsea on Monday, at the Emirates.  They followed that up with their typical inconsistency, permitting ten-man Wigan to equalise in the final ten minutes.  The two points dropped were precious, as Man City now sit second, level on points with United.  That was after United also dropped 2 more points, late against Birmingham.  With all the money City have, it’s amazing how charitable their rivals are with them.

Here are the matches I’m looking forward to in the coming week:

Liverpool v Bolton, English Premier League>>>New Year’s Day

Bolton will have had every right, other than having a match the next day, to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.  Their 2010 was certainly brightened by the sacking of the morose Gary Megson and the arrival of his replacement, the endlessy cheerful Owen Coyle.  Coyle has refashioned the Wanderers into a focused, attacking squad with creative ideas.  Perhaps the biggest miracle the Scot has worked has been to turn Johan Elmander into a prolific striker.  Liverpool’s inconsistent back line will regret it immediately if they lose track of the Swede, even for a moment.

The Reds, rather than celebrating 2010, should be holding a wake.  The club which slumped to seventh in Rafa Benitez’final conflict ridden season, hasn’t been able to recover under Roy Hodgson.  There was a short upward surge, shortly after the new owners took over but a fortnight away from the pitch, due to weather, bookended by league losses to Newcastle and Wolves have made that seem an illusion.  The Kop is so desperate for change, at this point, that they are crying for the return of Benitez, despite the evidence of his current instability given during his short tenure at Inter.

This is a match Liverpool truly need to win but their own form and Bolton’s no-fluke 6th place standing argue against that happening.

Valencia v Espanyol, La Liga>>>Sunday

Yes, the UK’s monopoly on football ends on 2 January, as the Spaniards are back with a full slate of matches, over two days. This is the best of the matches, 4th v 5th with Unai Emery’s side emboldened by three things:  1) their own 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad going into the holiday break, 2) Espanyol’s disheartening 1-5 home loss in the Catalonia Derby on the same day and 3) 3rd placed Villareal’s injury issues, especially the loss of leading scorer Nilmar and veteran midfielder and captain, Marco Senna.

If Valencia can claim all 3 points in the Mestalla, it would further crystallise la mesa de la Liga, creating a two team battle for the final guaranteed Champions league spot, between Los Che and the Yellow Submarine.

Arsenal v Manchester City, English Premier League>>>Wednesday

Roberto Mancini’s side come into the Emirates, having eliminated many of the doubts surrounding the squad.  Carlos Tevez is back in the fold and as committed as ever.  Mario Balotelli has shown that he can find the goal, when called upon, as long as David Silva is around to do the heavy lifting, anyway.  On top of that they seem to be coming together defensively.

The Gunners proved that they can win a big game, as they finally dispatched Chelsea but then failed to make this a possible battle for first place, as they quickly dropped points against Wigan.  If anything this is now an even bigger contest than the Chelsea tilt, a week ago, as a loss makes the Prem a two-horse race, a draw gives United the opportunity to open some distance again, while still holding two games in hand on City, but a victory puts them into second, ahead of City.

With 360 days remaining in the New Year, either or both of these two clubs may find theirs already defined by this one match.

Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar, A-League>>>New Year’s Day

After Brisbane could only draw against Gold Coast United, on Boxing Day, the gap between the top two clubs in Australia is now 8 points.  This is Adelaide’s last best chance to put the regular season’s Minor Premier title in doubt, although even a 5 point deficit with 6 matches to play is barely a glimmer.

The club’s first two meetings don’t inspire much confidence, however.  Both were played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, the first a 1-1 draw, and the second, when the Roar had really found their voice a 4-0 trouncing of United.  With the final match at Hindmarsh Stadium, though, Adelaide will pull out all the stops and take heart in Roar captain Matt McKay’s absence, having been called to international duty at the Asian Cup.

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Enjoy your New Year’s celebration and we’ll see you before the FA Cup weekend!

The NSL had been the premier Australian football competition for 27 years, although it never gained mainstream acceptance. Clubs came and left, the format was tinkered with time and time again and ethnic tensions made it difficult for the league to establish itself as a competition for all Australians to enjoy, as it so desperately wanted.  The continuity of clubs was never certain.  Teams such as Mooroolbark, Collingwood Warriors and Canterbury-Marrickvale lasted no more than two seasons, while Blacktown City was in and out of the league three times in one decade.

The format of the league was also never settled.

In the beginning, a finals series was played but teams gained more pride from winning the league, so the series was scrapped after seven years. In 1984, a conference system was introduced which saw the competition split into two groups. Teams from New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory played in the Northern Conference while teams from Victoria, South Australia and, interestingly, Queensland were grouped into the Southern Conference. The winners of each conference would play off in a two-legged final at the end of the season. This system proved to be unpopular and after two seasons the league became a single division competition again.

In 1990, the league changed from a winter to summer schedule to avoid competition with the other football codes.

Dwight Yorke celebrates, after his Sydney FC win the first A-League Grand Final and hoist perhaps the most unusual trophy in football.

This change also prompted the then governing body, Soccer Australia, to attempt to remove ethnic ties to clubs, which frequently led to tension and drove neutral fans away from games. Ethnic flags were banned from games while clubs changed their names and logos to become more fan friendly.  New clubs were introduced with hopes of spicing up the competition, however, most of them failed to make an impact. The only club that was a hit was the Perth Glory, who won the final two NSL championships and was eventually accepted into the A-League. This neutering of cultural identities was the NSL’s last shot at entering the Australian sporting mainstream

In 2004, after staggering on weak legs for some time, the NSL finally collapsed.  When Seven Network decided not to renew its broadcasting deal with the league, the remainder of its sponsors soon followed suit.  The league’s failure prompted a major overhaul of the Australian football system.

Soccer Australia was replaced by the Football Federation Australia (FFA), in an effort to make the game familiar as football rather than soccer.  The A-League was developed as the new national competition, promising to be a competition that anyone could enjoy. Eight teams lined up for the first season in 2005, including Perth Glory and Adelaide United, the only teams unchanged from their NSL existence. The Newcastle Jets and  Brisbane Roar were born out of the old Newcastle United and Brisbane Lions NSL sides, respectively, while Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, New Zealand Knights and Central Coast Mariners were all new clubs.

The format of the league was, and still is, nothing like your traditional European football league. Teams play each other three times over the season. In the current 11 team competition, six teams make the finals series. The top two teams clash in a two-legged play off with the winner going straight to the Grand Final as hosts, not just in name but on their own ground. The other four teams play knockout football until one team remains. That team faces the loser from the top two, with the winner going to the Grand Final.  Still with me?  Maybe the graphic, below, of last year’s play-off will help.

This format means any of the six teams can become the eventual champion, though no team from outside the top two has yet managed to go all the way.

Sydney FC won the inaugural title with help from Dwight Yorke, formerly of Manchester United fame, who topped the goal scoring charts. Crowds were decent and the competition was healthy, with none of the ethnic tensions that had crippled the NSL.  The trophy, a uniquely shaped ring, which is a hybrid of the traditional cups and shields found in other leagues, was the victor in an intensely competitive contest, held by the FFA, to design the A-League’s championship prize.  D3 Design, the firm which produced the winning entry, was inspired by the laurel wreath originally awarded to ancient Olympic champions.

Season two saw a boost in crowd numbers, thanks largely to the Socceroos qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the nation’s first real achievement in the sport in over 30 years.  The sophomore campaign also saw the A-League gain its first major TV rights deal, pay TV company Fox Sports signed a $120 million/7 year deal.  It was a controversial move for a fledgling league looking to crack an established market, considering that the PPV set-up would only provide viewing access to proven fans already sold on the product.

Robbie Fowler has made an impact in the A-League but backroom issues have hindered his rising to the heights which Dwight Yorke reached with Sydney.

In the ensuing years, the A-League has seen one club fail, the New Zealand Knights, while the Wellington Phoenix, North Queensland Fury, Gold Coast United and Melbourne Heart have all joined the competition. The addition of the Heart has made football much more popular in Melbourne thanks to the Heart-Victory derby, while Queensland’s three teams have also attracted large turn-outs on derby days.

Robbie Fowler has become the biggest name to venture to Australia, originally playing for North Queensland before moving to Perth to play for the Glory. Other big name players who have joined Australian clubs include Dwight Yorke, Francis Jeffers and the well-travelled Scotsman, Charlie Miller.

In recent years, falling crowds have led to financial troubles for some clubs.  That and the failed Australian World Cup bid have threatened to undo the FFA’s hard work in setting up a top class Australian league. Despite the empty seats and backroom difficulties, the competition on the pitch remains top-notch, with the current 2010/11 season shaping up as the most exciting in the A-League’s short history.

If the FFA is able to secure the future of competition, ensuring no more clubs go out of business and boosting crowd figures, then the Hyundai A-League may one day grow into the most watched competition in the country. Hopefully, we will be able to entice some of our top internationals, like Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer into coming home while they still have some matches in them, possibly bringing a few top foreign players with them, to try their hand in a truly unique football league.

That’s a long way from now, though, and nothing is written in stone.  In the meantime, there’s a heavy fixture list to focus on throughout Albion.  Here’s the WFC gang to fill you in on the best of them…

Martin Palazzotto

Martin Palazzotto

If Alan Pardew thought that he’d been thrown into the fire, when he had to face Liverpool in his first match in charge of Newcastle, he should have taken a look at the holiday fixture list.  boxing Day sees Roberto Mancini’s Man City visit St. James Park.  City missed a chance to be top of the table, dropping a 2-1 decision to Everton at the Eastlands.  While they’ll be looking to get back on track, Toon may be remembering Nigel De Jong’s tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa, in their last meeting.  Two days later, the Magpies journey to London town to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane.  The frisky Spurs are not the side you want to be playing 48 hours after a heated encounter with a top side.

Monday sees the big match on the Christmas fixture list.  Arsenal welcome a wounded Chelsea to the Emirates and if there was ever a time for Arsene Wenger’s side to get a result against the blues it is now.  Chelsea is struggling on defense and Didier Drogba hasn’t been at his best.  Conversely, if any match could revive a despondent Chelsea side, it has to be this one.  They feast on the Gunners and no one more than the misfiring Drogba.

For Avram Grant, the final two matches of the year could simply be his final two matches with West Ham, if he can’t take any points at Craven Cottage, against fellow strugglers Fulham and then at home, two days later against David Moyes’Everton.  A win over Mark Hughes’club would pull them level and, if Wolves and Wigan split their points on Boxing Day, drastically change the Hammers’outlook.

Liverpool is scheduled for a rematch against Ian Holloway’s Blackpool side, if weather permits.  Perhaps thoughts of revenge, after the loss at Anfield in the home half of their league tie, will awaken some aggression in the usually cautious road Reds.  Follow that match up with a home tilt against the starving Wolves and Roy Hodgson has an excellent opportunity to silence the cries for the return of Rafa Benitez.

United have to look at the Arsenal/Chelsea clash as an opportunity to consolidate their hold on first place.  On either side of that match, Fergie’s boys welcome the usually compliant Sunderland to Old Trafford and journey to Birmingham to face another Fergie disciple, Alex McLeish.  The Red Devils have it all before them but they need to be mindful of the emerging partnership between Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent and the determination of the Blues in the confines of St. Andrews.

Linfield v Glentoran, Northern Ireland Premiership>>>Monday

Belfast’s Big Two take to the pitch in not only Northern Ireland’s biggest derby but a one v two table clash.  Linfield come into the match with a two point advantage over the Glens but, thanks to the postponement of last week’s Glenavon tilt, key players Robert Garrett and Mark McAllister will be unavailable due to one match bans.  Defending Windsor Park and their top place against their heated rivals has just become much more difficult.

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Tapesh Patel

Tapesh Patel

QPR v Swansea, The Championship>>>Boxing Day

Despite their lofty position at the top of the table, QPR are on the rocks. Two losses have cast doubts on their defence, and teams are starting to come at them. Having lost against form side Leeds last time out, they now face Swansea City, 4th in the table. It doesn’t get any easier for the Rs, either, with matches against in-form Coventry and Norwich to come.

Swansea started the season surprisingly well, going through a good run of form that saw them reach 3rd in the table. They have started to slip in the last few matches, however, with just 5 points from 5 games, and only the bad form of those around them has kept them in the promotion picture.

While both sides are languishing, there’s a lot of talent on display. QPR’s dodgy defence should be untroubled by the Swans, who have not scored more than once but a single time in eight games. Look for , Adel Taarabt, QPR’s best player to be the difference, putting in a good display at the other end.

Brighton v Charlton Athletic, League One>>>Wednesday

Will we get a White Christmas in the UK this year? Probably, but for the footy’s sake, I hope not. I’m taking a risk with this fixture, as in two of the last three weeks, a total of 18 games have been postponed. Still, if there’s one that League One followers will want to see over the festive period, it’s this one.

Manager Gus Poyet has had Brighton playing some great football over the first half of the season, and he’s even brought his old Spurs mate, Mauricio Taricco, along for the ride as his assistant. Although they have struggled lately, a Boxing Day match against relegation battler Dagenham and Redbridge should give them some momentum for this crucial encounter against a 4th placed Charlton side, also vying for promotion.

Charlton have steadily risen through the ranks to bring themselves into the hunt. Central to their success has been former Spurs midfielder Johnnie Jackson, who has scored 7 goals in his last 8 games. With the entire side banging the goals in for fun, away from the Valley, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him add to that tally.

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Andrew Gibney

Andrew Gibney @ The Gib Football Show

Scottish Premier League, Boxing Day

Hibs v Aberdeen

A huge match in the bottom half of the SPL. Aberdeen could close the gap with Hibs to only two points, if new boss Craig Brown can guide them to a victory. Sitting dead last in the table, they haven’t avoided defeat in their last seven attempts. Can Old Man Brown rally the troops to end 2010 on a high?

Having not played at home for a month, thanks to Jack Frost, Colin Calderwood will be chomping at the bit to get his team out on the Easter Road pitch. A scoreless draw against St Johnstone last time out is not good enough if they want to finish in the last six. The fans will see this as an ideal time to face the team from the Granite City.

Kilmarnock v Hearts

The last time these two teams met, Killie left Tynecastle with a 3-0 win, sparking a run of five wins from eight games. Killie now sit a respectable 5th in the table. That defeat also seemed to spark a little life into Hearts. Four 2-0 victories on the trot were ‘spoiled’by a 5-0 win over Aberdeen.  With six wins in a row and unbeaten in seven, Hearts are the form team by a mile.

Killie’s fans are lauding over the performances of classy midfielder Alexei Eremenko and Conor “Feed the Fish” Sammon upfront. Sammon has 12 league goals so far.  No Killie striker has been in such good form since Kris Boyd.  Can Sammon continue to swim upstream against Hearts?

Celtic v St Johnstone

If ever Neil Lennon needed a result, it is now! Celtic’s last three league games have been at home and they have drawn every one.  That’s nowhere near good enough if you have aspirations of winning the SPL. The fans are becoming restless and Lennon needs a performance against St Johnstone to appease them.   Defeat would be unthinkable.

The super J’s are having a decent season so far, comfortably 8th place, with two wins in the last three. Both victories came away from home, so Derek McInnes’men should have no fear performing at Celtic Park. It hasn’t exactly been a fortress of late.

Celtic will be missing Gary Hooper for six weeks, a massive blow for the club.   Anthony Stokes and Giorgios Samaras will need to step up their game. With the New Year game at Ibrox looming, anything other than a victory could bring the season to a premature end.

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Tom Pollock

The Oz Files with Tom Pollock

Brisbane Roar v Gold Coast United, A-League>>>Boxing Day

Queensland’s big football match, the M1 derby, comes at a critical time of the season, as both of these teams could be the A-League’s Minor Premier.   For those of you, not privileged to be from Oz, that’s not the opening of Paul Hogan’s next movie.  It’s the club which goes into the A-League playoffs having finished top of the table.

Currently, Brisbane holds top spot having gone 17 games undefeated.  However, Gold Coast do have three games in hand, so a win here would do United  a world of good. It’s a big ask, though, as no side has been able to defeat Brisbane at their home ground, Suncorp Stadium, this season. Eight wins and two draws, from 10 matches at their venue, is a record any team in the world would like to have.

Brisbane have named a largely unchanged squad from the one that defeated their other Queensland rival, North Queensland Fury last week, the only changes being the promotions of Luke Brattan and James Meyer.  Gold Coast welcomes back defender Kristian Rees, from suspension, a much needed inclusion considering Roar strikers Kosta Barbarouses and Jean Carlos Solorzano have hit an impressive 17 goals between them, this season. Captain Jason Culina is expected to play despite a niggling knee injury

Gold Coast has dominated these contests in the past.  In four meetings, United have three wins and a draw. However, on current form, Brisbane should be roaring at the end of the 90 minutes.

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We hope that you all had a great Christmas and enjoy the Boxing Day matches.  We’ll see you on Thursday!

Having moved to Australia just in time to get a season pass to the inaugural season I was treated to a deep lying Dwight Yorke dictating the play for Sydney as they romped to the title under world-cup winner Pierre Littbarski’s management, as the rest of the league struggled to find marquee players of note or a tactical system as rigidly enforced.

With the loss of Yorke, who returned to Sunderland, there were the odd interlopers, Juninho and Romario to name two, but the league was struggling under the fact that in such a small competition it seemed like pretty much any one could lose to anyone on their day and it was hard to imagine any huge talents coming in to the game. Mark Bosnich coming out of retirement to stand between the sticks for the Mariner was notable, but mainly for the schadenfraude prospects.

Partly this is because the salary cap system controls club finances and introduces an upper limit on the skills importable, and partly because the standard, throughout, was simply not that high. This season that’s changed. Things have, without a doubt, got better and it’s looking like now, anyone could beat anyone else and, increasingly, through beautiful goals.

The New Zealand Knights in their time were lamentably bad but Wellington Phoenix most certainly give a good account of themselves and New Zealand. The two new teams have invigorated the league by introducing more competition for the top places, more quality plays in the league and a playing schedule that’s less repetitive.

Admittedly, there’s been a few coups like Fowler and Jason Culina bringing their skills to the league, but more that that, the general level has improved considerably. Last year we saw a youth league and a woman’s league playing concurrent to the A-league with players from the former now breaking through to the first teams.

This means that within two seasons we’ve gone from a situation of players being sourced either from regional clubs (a big leap up) or from overseas to the nurturing of in house talent which can, of course, be custom trained to the necessities of the A-league, which remains a physical league.

So yes, the crowds are down a bit, but once the oval ball seasons are out of the way I’d expect that to change. More to the point, the A-league is beginning to make it in to the public consciousness as the media pick up on it and start running with it further and further up the news agenda. Last weekend’s clash between the Fury and Sydney was widely billed as Aloisi vs God and God, of course, won in the end, but the fact that an A-League match could produce such a headline, or such hyperbole, is a sign of how far it’s come.

Next season will see two new teams with one, based in Western Sydney, touted as being the jewel in the A-league crown even though the complicated bidding process saw a Lucas Neill backed bid fall apart following the murderer of a notorious business man. With no name, players or backroom staff yet in place, the new conglomerate creating this franchise will none-the-less be well placed to bring in some good names to what is one of Australia’s football heartlands if this season, and this league, continue to improve at this pace.