A-League Round 8

[Andy]

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 12 October 2007
Kick-Off 7:30pm ACST (8:00pm AEST, 6:00pm AWST)
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide


Adelaide United Squad: 1.Daniel BELTRAME (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 3.Milan SUSAK, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 13.Travis DODD (captain), 14.Shaun ONTONG, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 17.Isyan ERDOGAN, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20.Robert BAJIC (gk), 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO. 23. Dez GIRALDI.

In: Dez Giraldi (promoted), Shaun Ontong (promoted), Jason Spagnuolo (promoted)
Out: Bruce Djite (ankle – 6 weeks), Nathan Burns (National Team duty), Kristian Sarkies (National Team duty)

Others Unavailable: Paul Agostino (calf – 1 week), Bobby Petta (calf – 2 weeks), Michael Valkanis (knee – season)

Melbourne Victory Squad: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6.Steve PANTELIDIS, 7.Matthew KEMP, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.Joseph KEENAN, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Kaz PATAFTA, 14.Adrian CACERES, 15.Leandro LOVE, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 21.Sebastian RYALL. *two to be omitted

In: Ljubo MILICEVIC (returns from injury), Daniel VASILEVSKI (promoted), Evan BERGER (promoted)
Out: Grant BREBNER (suspended – 1 week)

Others Unavailable: Daniel PIORKOWSKI (shoulder – 12 weeks), Leigh BROXHAM (thigh – 1 week)

Impending stats, facts and trivia: This match is a battle for all-time Hyundai A-League home and away season supremacy. In terms of competition points awarded in all Hyundai A-League matches, Adelaide United has held the league's number one position since Round 13, 2005/06, or 37 consecutive rounds. However, following last weekend's matches, Melbourne have moved to within two points of Adelaide's all-time points tally. Currently Adelaide, with an all-time home and away season W-D-L record of 24-12-13, has earned 84 competition points, while Melbourne's all-time competition points total stands at 82 (W23-D13-L13). Adelaide therefore needs to gain at least one point from this weekend's confrontation to uphold their all-time competition point’s lead.

Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Friday 12 October 2007
Kick-Off 8:00pm AWST (10:00pm AEST, 9:30pm ACST)
Members Equity Stadium, Perth


Perth Glory Squad: 50.Tommi TOMICH (gk), 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Anthony DANZE, 9.Mate DRAGICEVIC, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Jamie COYNE, 15.Mitchell PRENTICE, 16.Nick RIZZO, 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.James ROBINSON, 25.Tyler SIMPSON, 20.Danny MILOCEVIC (gk).

In: Dino DJULBIC (return from suspension), Anthony DANZE (promoted), Mate DRAGICEVIC (promoted), Naum SEKULOVSKI (promoted), Danny MILOSEVIC (short term replacement player)
Out: Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (National Team duty), Billy CELESKI (National Team duty), Leo BERTOS (National Team duty), Jordan SIMPSON (National Team duty), Tando VELAPHI (National Team duty)

Others Unavailable: David TARKA (hamstring – season), Jason PETKOVIC (leg – 6 weeks), Stan LAZARIDIS, Hayden FOXE (knee – 6 weeks), David MICEVSKI (groin – TBA)

Sydney FC squad: 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 3.Nikolas TSATTALIOS, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (captain), 9.David ZDRILIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.PATRICK, 13.Ben VIDAIC, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry McFLYNN, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21.Adam BIDDLE, 22.JUNINHO, 23.Ufuk TALAY.

In: Nikolas Tsattalios (promoted), David Zdrilic (promoted), Ben Vidaic (promoted), Adam Biddle (promoted), Ivan Necevski (return from injury)
Out: Ruben Zadkovich (National Team duty), Steve Corica (suspended – two matches), Mark Milligan (National Team duty), Adam Casey (National Team duty), Matthew Nash (gk) (released).

Others Unavailable: Robbie Middleby (quad - 1-2 weeks), Jacob Timpano (thigh - 1-2 weeks), Michael Enfield (knee - indefinite).

Impending stats, facts and trivia This clash sees the Hyundai A-League's youngest team, Perth Glory, take on one of the oldest in Sydney. In terms of average age (in years and days) of each team's starting eleven, Perth's average age in its seven games so far this season is the league's youngest, at 24.95 years. In fact, the average age of the Glory's starting eleven against Adelaide United last weekend was the youngest recorded in Hyundai A-League history, at 23.28 years (breaking the previous record of 23.32 years achieved by Newcastle in their Round 6 match of the 2006/07 season). In contrast, the average age of Sydney's starting team so far this season has been 28.15 years - the league's oldest.

Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday 14 October 2007
Kick-Off 3:00pm AEST (6:00pm NZDT, 2:30pm ACST, 1:00pm AWST)
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle


Newcastle Jets Squad: 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 3.Jade NORTH (C), 7.Jorge DROVANDI 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Denni ROCHA DOS SANTOS, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12.Paul KOHLER, 14.Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 15.Scott TUNBRIDGE, 17.Troy HEARFIELD, 18.Noel SPENCER, 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK), 21.Mario JARDEL, 23.Jason HOFFMAN, 27.Stephen LAYBUTT. *two to be omitted

In: Scott TUNBRIDGE (Promoted), Jorge DROVANDI (Promoted), Tarek ELRICH (promoted), Noel Spencer (promoted), Jason Hoffman (promoted)
Out: Stuart MUSIALIK (National Duty), Adam D’APUZZO (National Team Duty), Mark BRIDGE (National Team Duty).

Others Unavailable: Steve EAGLETON (injured)

Wellington Phoenix squad: 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 4. CLEBERSON, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 14. Steven O’DOR, 15. George PALADINI, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, 19. Greg DRAPER, 21. FELIPE, 22. Royce BROWNLIE, 23. Costa BARBAROUSES, 30. Jacob SPOONLEY (gk). *three to be omitted

In: DANIEL (return from suspension), Vince LIA (promoted), Royce BROWNLIE (promoted), CLEBERSON (promoted), Ahmad ELRICH (promoted), Greg DRAPER (promoted), Costa BARBAROUSES (promoted), Jacob SPOONLEY (promoted)
Out: Mark PASTON (gk) (National Team Duty), Jeremy CHRISTIE (National Team Duty), Tony LOCHHEAD (National Team Duty), Tim BROWN (National Team Duty), Shane SMELTZ (National Team Duty).

Others Unavailable: Nil

Impending stats, facts and trivia Newcastle will be aiming to continue a club record six matches undefeated at home streak when they take on the Phoenix. The last time the Jets lost a game at EnergyAustralia Stadium was on 1-Jan-07 when they lost to Sydney FC - this was in fact Newcastle's only home defeat in the past twelve months, the previous loss at home occurring on 8-Oct-06 against Melbourne.

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

interesting...

SMH - NZ-Fiji World Cup qualifier called off

October 12, 2007 - 12:34PM

Saturday's Oceania Zone soccer World Cup first leg qualifying match between New Zealand and Fiji at North Harbour has been called off.

The decision was announced by the Oceania Football Confederation at a press conference in Auckland on Friday.

The match had been under a cloud since the New Zealand Government declined to issue a visa to goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau.

He was the only Fijian player to be denied an entry visa.

New Zealand has imposed strict sanctions on its Pacific island neighbour following the military coup in Fiji, including banning entry to anyone with military connections.

Tamanisau's father-in-law is in the Fijian military.

The match is likely to be rescheduled and played at a neutral venue.

Earlier this week, Fiji Football Association president Dr Sahu Khan told AAP he intended to protest to FIFA about New Zealand's travel ban.

"I have written to FIFA to tell them we are playing under protest, and if need be I will take this matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne," he said.

"This is not a small game. It is for the World Cup and for the Confederation Cup for 2009 and 2010," he said.

Khan, on holiday in Australia on Friday, welcomed the decision.

"I am pleased that it has been resolved, but it is very unfortunate that it took until so late in the day to have this decision made," he said.

He slammed the New Zealand government's part in stopping Tamanisau getting a visa, and said it was a tactic to make it tougher for his team to win.

"I think the New Zealand government have been very childish," he said.

Khan said although Tamanisau was not even married yet, the goalkeeper was being barred from entry because his soon-to-be father-in-law was a member of the military.

"The ironic thing is that two of my players who were in the military in 2005 got the visa.

The key player, the key goalkeeper, is not even married at the moment. He intends to marry the daughter of one of the chaps in the military," he said.

"If the New Zealand government doesn't change their attitude, then their home game will have to be played on a neutral ground. It is going to be a very costly exercise for New Zealand football," he said.

He said a fax alerted his office to the FIFA decision on Thursday night.

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

does that mean the nix (and glory) will have their players back?

[marinermick]

dibo said:

does that mean the nix (and glory) will have their players back?

bugger, i just subbed smeltz and bertos off my fantasy team

hope they do play so that it increases their team's odds of beating newcastle and sydney respectively

[Andy]

dibo said:

does that mean the nix (and glory) will have their players back?

No

[brett]

Don't you just miss the fun and games of Oceania?

[omni]

Play it in Australia - ahh the memories Australia 7 Solomon Islands 0 - "TAKE THE PISS"

[djebella]

Adelaide 2 -0 in the 20th minute. Melbourne looking very, very average

[djebella]

Adelaide 2-1 half time

[northernspirit]

how good are adelaide, losing to them away is nothing to cry about... melbourne lucky to be only a goal behind

[serious14]

Sydney 3, Perth 3.

[djebella]

serious14 said:

Sydney 3, Perth 3.

I know WTF! Perth stopped playing 2 minutes too early again!


That's 11 goals so far this weekend!

[northernspirit]

i was so pissed off i stayed awake only to find perth draw, must have felt like a loss to them...s ome shocking defending to concede two late goals to a woeful sydney has to be said... loving all the goals... fingers crossed we outscore qld tommorrow!

[shoelady]

Adelaide were class, even without Bruce and Burns playing, which is a real credit. Pity the same can't be said about Melbourne. Merrick seems to base the whole team's play around a couple of key figures and without them nothing works. We've seen it since Fred left and last night without Muscat and Brebner they were lost. That's not to take anything away from Adelaide, that game was so entertaining.

As for Perth... poor, poor Perth.... I can't help but feel bad for them. Simon Colosimo was nearly in tears at the post-match interview on Fox.

[Pete]

shoelady said:

As for Perth... poor, poor Perth.... I can't help but feel bad for them. Simon Colosimo was nearly in tears at the post-match interview on Fox.

I don't - deathrode Sydney again and won (again!).
Picked either a Draw or a Perth win. The draw paid more ($3-30).

Keep it coming Sydney!!!.

[brett]

www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22577663-5000940,00.html

check out Dodd's age in the second last para!!!

[thesandman]

Oct 11 (AAP) - Wellington Phoenix captain Ross Aloisi has been found guilty of violent conduct but will be free to play in Sunday's A-League match at Newcastle.

The A-League's disciplinary panel handed Aloisi a suspended one-match ban for elbowing Queensland's Korean midfielder Hyuk-Su Seo.

The incident occurred in the second minute of the Phoenix's 2-1 loss to the Roar last Friday.

The suspension will only be activated should Aloisi receive yellow or red card in his next match.

Aloisi's availability is a boost for the Phoenix, who announced they would not include their five New Zealand internationals in their squad to face the Jets, despite the All Whites' Olympic qualifying match against Fiji being cancelled.

Wellington Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the verdict was a fair one.

"We're pleased with the decision," Pignata said.

"We pleaded guilty and accepted there had been some contact, but we're delighted that Ross will be able to play against Newcastle this weekend."

Is it just me, or is this the most ludicrous sentence ever??

Seriously - either he's guilty of VC, in which case suspend him, or he isn't!! WTF is the point of a 1 week suspended sentence only applying for the next round supposed to achieve???

This has to be the most nonsensical decision I've ever heard.

The FFA have lost the flipping plot this season...

I didn't actually see the incident though....

[Andy]

It does make sense IMO.

He's pleaded guilty to Violent Conduct, but what he did, in the eyes of the FFA, didn't warrant a suspension.

Like you, I didn't see the incident, so I can't comment on whether or not it was the correct call.

[EGGBA]

Cmon Nz Steal some points tonight so we go 2matches clear cmon kiwi'z

[thesandman]

Umm, why am I watching baseball when I should be watching Joel Griffiths beating up hapless officials?