Bling FC and World Club Championships

[Rubbernose]

So, do we kinda need to become all selfishly A-League patriotic and hope the Bling do well over in Tokyo in a cuppla weeks time?

It might be hard, but I think we do.

I believe Bling FC get A$1.2m just for turning up, and the FFA have decided that straight up, $700,000 of that is to be shared equally among the 7 other A-League clubs. So, $100,000 for us.

However, the further they go, the bigger the prize money gets and so too the bigger the split the Mariners get.

I'm not totally sure about this, but for example, I believe that winning it nets about $3m?

Considering Bling first play North American club Deportivo Saprissa for a shot at Liverpool in the semi's (with Sao Paulo in the other semi) winning is extremely unlikely, but stranger things have happened I suppose and Liverpool/Sao Paulo will hardly give a shit, and even the prize money for making the semi's would be considerable and could go a fecking long way down at Mariners HQ.

So, rather reluctantly, for self preservation and self-interest purposes, I must say; come on the Bling.

I suppose there is a little bit of A-League pride at stake, too...

[Keith Saffron]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. For FC to do well would further enhance the league in the eyes of the "bandwagoners", and may well have the same effect as qualifying for the world cup in the way of sponsors, crowds, etc. Liverpool have said they will send a proper strength squad out though, so I think the semi's would be the best FC could hope for.

[yellowcake]

yellowcake said:

I expected to hate Sydney and all the bling stood for but...you can't help your feelings and I just don't. HATE Yorke's diving, though. I think it respect for what their fans are doing for the league and the away game against them is a hoot. I'd like to see them go well against Deportivo Saprissa on 12 Dec (then Liverpool on the 15th, then Sao Paolo on the 18th.....OK, dreaming!)

Obviously I'd rather we were there but...

Unexpectedly, I find they're my second fave team now. Reinforced at the WCQ when, between Omni at the gate of the Brewery pre-match and RR and bear at Strathfield post, I only had (various, new) Sydney mates all night - all decent guys who wanted to passionately talk football. Some of them were going to Japan (and Germany...bling bastards!) I got "5-1, 5-1"ed about 4 times but then they'd buy me a beer for beeing cool about it and for just being a fan!

I really hope they can give a decent account of themselves (even if they end up coming 6th) in Japan. Creditable performances will be good for Australia and particularly the A-League, given that people know that only one A-League player contributed to only the initial 25% of the 210 Socceroo minutes vs Uruguay.

[yellowcake]

Deportivo Saprissa are looking further than the bling and are talking up going all the way at the CWC!

from www.fifa.com/en/comp/index/0,2442,111136,00.html?comp=CWC&year=2005&articleid=111136

Bugger, copy the whole URL and paste into browser

Not only are the Deportivo players delighted to be taking part in the world's most prestigious club championship, but they are clearly ambitious too, as revealed by Gérald Drummond. "It's a wonderful opportunity to show what we're capable of at the highest level. We're a well-balanced, cohesive unit, whose success is based on our defence. We're going to Japan to bring back the cup!"

[omni]

The better Sydney do the more money we get so I hate to say it but:

nananananananananana Sydney!

I didn't think it was an equal split I thought we got more because we were robbed in the CWC Final (well that or we came 2nd whatever is good) but I could be wrong

[Farthing]

I just want to see sydney beat the North American team so they can get there ass kicked by liverpool

[shelleybeach]

anything that increases the cash flow and doesn't damage the mariners should be supported, plus who knows how far they'll go though imagine the gloating if they won it

[yellowforever]

I'll be supporting em, unless they make it against my now 2nd team Liverpool, then screw em.

Whya do all get a cut of the money?? Would leave Sydney with much after you take expenses for the actual trip.

I know if we made it, I wouldnt want to share it!!!

[ryan]

South Melbourne gave a good account of themselves last time so i am sure Sydney can do the same. I would like to see them win their first match and also do well against Liverpool. If they can compete well against the mighty Reds then surely it would give all the A-league players confidence to know that they are at the same level.

[omni]

It was a condition the FFA put on the qualifying tournament, that the money would be split. Sydney FC still keep 50% of the money and it's not really like they need it.

[Farthing]

Yea sydney could give away all of the money to other clubs and still be the richest club in the A-league

[brett]

The money split makes complete sense. The A-League needs all clubs viable, and with a salary cap it's not like one club needs millions of dollars more than the others. The last thing we need is money going out of Australia through transfer fees.

I think Saprissa will comfortably beat FC but will be cheering Sydney nonetheless. As much for the extra $ to the Mariners as the exposure and respect aspects for Aussie Football.

[jollyroger]

I hope the Bling go really well. At the end of the day it will improve the profile of our game if they do.

Here is a thought. Imagine if they won the thing. Technically speaking they would sit on top of the heap. And that heap contains the juggernaughts of world football. Think of Real Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona, Man united etc etc. And now imagine Sydney FC on top... Its almost amusing.

[Rowdy]

Could put a second wind in Dwight's flagging career. Syd FC wins there in the Xfer $'s. On the flip-side to this, we can't let Meggzi go for shit money either.

[Dan]

A decent showing against Pool whilst losing to a Crouch hat-trick would give me a beaming smile (odds dibo?!?).

I feel complete contempt for Bling, but coverage for the league is welcome.
On a side note, Yes, Liverpool are sending a full-strength squad incase anyone doubted it. Rick Parry has gone on record as saying a competition win will bring welcome cash towards the new stadium.
This, naturally, makes me a tad nervous

[Rubbernose]

danthefan said:

On a side note, Yes, Liverpool are sending a full-strength squad incase anyone doubted it. Rick Parry has gone on record as saying a competition win will bring welcome cash towards the new stadium.
This, naturally, makes me a tad nervous

Not to mention the fact that clubs like Liverpool - whilst they undoubtedly see this sort of comp as a meaningless inconvenience - also see it as a means to grab a cuppla million extra merchandise buying Asian fans.

wyomingtiger said:

The money split makes complete sense. The A-League needs all clubs viable, and with a salary cap it's not like one club needs millions of dollars more than the others. The last thing we need is money going out of Australia through transfer fees.

I think Saprissa will comfortably beat FC but will be cheering Sydney nonetheless. As much for the extra $ to the Mariners as the exposure and respect aspects for Aussie Football.

I don't think Sydney are looking that crash hot at the moment under Littbarski, who still doesn't seem to have settled on his preferred team - or formation.

But who knows. Maybe, similar to the way Benitez gets good performances out of Liverpool in Europe but ordinary performances in the Premier League, maybe Littie will step up to the plate and get Sydney to click in a different environment.

Seems Sydney may have the crowds on their side, too.

[Rubbernose]

As a matter of interest I just heard on Total Football that winning the WCC is worth $6m.

[omni]

I can't do that maths in my head but YEA FOR MONEY!

[Rubbernose]

omni said:

I can't do that maths in my head but YEA FOR MONEY!

It'd be enough for McKinna to buy that new clipboard and tracksuit he's been eyeing off.

[omni]

Yea, the clipboard budget is far too low.