A-League 2007 / 2008

[Wedgie]

You little beauty, we get Petrovski back next week too!
A great day for South Australian soccer fans, you champion Aloisiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

J.Aloisi + T.Vidmar > Adelaide United

It was like watching Adelaide City beat Adelaide United!

[Dirko]

A entertaining week in the A-League...
On Friday the Newcastle Jets 1 lost to Perth Glory 4. Perth finally get a win and they SMASH the third placed
Jets. Perth are STILL a chance for the 4 but would need a lot of teams to fall for them.
On Saturday the Central Coast Mariners 2 def Adelaide United 0 due to the superb game by John Aloisi. CCM will be
very hard to knock off this year know with Aloisi & Viddie in the squad. They have no weak links and look the goods.
Melbourne Victory drew Sydney FC 0 all. a good game with the woodwork hit both by sides and both keepers pulling* off
some great saves. Unfortunately the game made the news in the wrong spot due to idiots who think Football is a game to
vent of steam and turn violent. I hope the FFA has the balls to make a stand and take points away from BOTH clubs as a
lesson for the unsavoury support. That sort of crap is not needed in the game and needs to be stamped out ASAP...
The final game saw Queensland Roar 3 def Wellington 0. Wellington are now like Perth, need alot of results to go the right
way for any chance of making the 4.
The table is
1 Central Coast Mariners on 23 points
2 Queensland Roar.............19 points
3 Adelaide United...............17 points
4 Newcastle Jets................17 points
5 Sydney FC......................16 points
6 Melbourne Victory.............15 points
7 Wellington Phoenix............11 points
8 Perth Glory.......................9 points

[Dirko]

8 rounds to go and the next two rounds are season defining...
Adelaide play Perth at home. Adelaide NEED to win to stay ahead of the pack.
Playing the bottom two sides (Wellington next week - AWAY), they need to capitalise and ensure
maximum points.
Melbourne play Wellington at home followed by Perth Glory away. Same as Adelaide the bottom
two sides in a row. If Melbourne draw or drop one of these games it will find it very hard to make the
finals.
Queensland are sitting clear in second, and the next two weeks play Sydney & Newcastle.
Two huge games as both teams are in the hunt for a top four finish. If they win them both pending other results they
could fine themselves on top of the league. Should they get maximum points a finals spot is all but ensured.
Sydney play Queensland then Central Coast. The top two teams is a huge ask, and if they get the points, pending
other results, Kossies mob might be in the four. If they lose and results go against them, then it could be curtains.
Central Coast are top and clearly the best side of the comp. They play Newcastle & Sydney. They should get another
6 points and this will just about wrap up top spot for them...
Newcastle are the other top four side at the moment. They play Central Coast & Queensland. A tough draw for the
fortnight having to play the top two sides. Win these and they are in the four and looking good. Lose and watch out for Melbourne
or Sydney to come bouncing along...
Wellington & Perth it's season over barring a unforseen slump by ALL the teams above them.

[Dirko]

6 weeks to go.
On the weekend, Perth deliver a decisive blow to Melbourne's chances of making the 4.
They are now 6 points behind 4th place with a -5 goal difference. If Adelaide beat them
this weekend, it'd almost be curtains.
Bling FC & The CC didn't play due to the rain and saturated pitch. At last the FFA make a call and
abanodon a game. This game will probably be played in the first week of the rest i.e 21st dec.
This falls into the Blings hand as they no longer need to back up from playing Beckham Galaxy,
and the Brazilian in Juninho will be back from injury..
Newcastle defeated Queensland which is a good result for Adelaide as it narrowed the gap up top.
HE SCORED...Agostino the millionaire, has finally proven his worth and had a cracker of a game against the
Kiwi's. A very good result as despite the position on the ladder (last) the Phoenix have been very
competetive at home...

Next week a big one again.
Adelaide v Melbourne @ Melbourne
Sydney v Newcastle @ Sydney
Wellington v Perth @ Wellington
Queensland v CC Mariners @ Brisbane.

I think Adelaide will get the points. Ang should be back as well as Cornthwaite and maybe Cassio, Djite, Petta & Spagnuolo.
Newcastle to draw with the Bling
Wellington to beat Perth
CC Mariners to defeat the Roar...

[Pidge]

I think that out of the bottom 3 teams, Perth has the best shot of making the finals. I wouldnt be surprised if they made it

[Dirko]

Not now after losing to the Kiwi's 3 nil...

[Thiele]

Adelaide drew with Melbourne after Alagich own goal in injury time

[Dogwatcher]

Ahhhhhhh! We had them by the goolies!!!!

[Dirko]

ROUND 17

Tonight sees the Smeltz show vs the Queensland Roar in Wellington. This is a big game in the context of the season. Wellington have faint hopes of making the finals. Queensland need to win to ensure the chasing pack stay behind them. The Kiwi's have have the goal scoring power it's just the leaky defence that doesn't cut the mustard. They have conceded the most goals yet, scored the second highest amount.
Here's for a upset...Wellington 2 - Queensland 1.

Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners at Hindmarsh tonight. What a game first v third. Aloisi v Agostino. That is the crux. Adelaide CAN score and indeed have scored the most goals in the league at 24. The CCM have the Voik in goal in my view the best keeper in the A-League.
No Burns, no Diego. Sarkies & Salley back in. CCM look the goods, they have been the best team in the league all season. BUT...Adelaide need to win to stay in the 4. They need to win to possibly move into second. Adelaide 2 - CCM 0.

Bling vs Perth tomorrow night. Well Perth are shite, they are shite, they are shite. They need to win EVERY game to make the finals. FAT CHANCE. Seeya Glory...Sydney to win this one unfortunately. Score who cares...OK...Bling 3 Perth Shite 0

#### vs Newcastle Jets on Sunday evening...The master coach in Ernie, is under pressure...Ernie is under more pressure than Bert would ever be...If Melbourne drop this game it will be very hard to see them make the finals. Newcastle MUST win to ensure it stays in the four. Too much on the line for the Jets. Melbourne to give the morons at Telstra Doom a good show but the Jets for mine...Newcastle 1 - Melbourne 0

[Thiele]

Sydney has lost Perth 4-2 is that a goood result for Adelaide

[Dirko]

Sydney has lost Perth 4-2 is that a goood result for Adelaide

Understatement Thiele...

Newcastle def the #### 3 - 1
Queensland drew Wellington 1 all
Central Coast def Adelaide 2 - 1

Adelaide stay in the four. Melbourne's season is as good as over.
Adelaide need to beat Sydney in a fortnight and hope the CCM's beat
Sydney next week.

[Dogwatcher]

Well the first part of that hope's been knocked about.
Sydney 5-4 winners on the whistle over Mariners.

Sydney came from 0 2 down to lead 4-3 with minutes to go.
CCM then levelled only to see a second handball (the first was from their keeper) result in another player receiving a red.
Bling knocked in the penalty to win as the whistle was blown.

I'm hoping to be in Adelaide on Friday night. As Adelaide's last win was the last game I attended, I'm hopeful I'm a lucky charm.

[Wedgie]

Well the first part of that hope's been knocked about.
Sydney 5-4 winners on the whistle over Mariners.

Sydney came from 0 2 down to lead 4-3 with minutes to go.
CCM then levelled only to see a second handball (the first was from their keeper) result in another player receiving a red.
Bling knocked in the penalty to win as the whistle was blown.

I'm hoping to be in Adelaide on Friday night. As Adelaide's last win was the last game I attended, I'm hopeful I'm a lucky charm.

Amazing game with CC being down to 9 men at the end.
Despite being a Central Coast fan I wasn't too disappointed as I knew a Sydney win would make it harder for AU.

[Dirko]

ROUND 18
Friday 28 December 2007
Adelaide United v the BLING @ 7.30 PM, Adelaide Oval
Well the injuries just keep coming for AU (refer Dutchy's forum re Nunan ). youngster Ontong is the latest player out for the season.
Djite will start in place of Agostino, Costanzo & Petta are back. Juninho is in for Sydney which is a huge plus for them.
This will be a cracker, with hopefully a huge crowd, and a Adelaide win. A finals spot is up for grabs with the winner a likely starter with the loser a huge chance to be out of finals action...Adelaide 2 - Sydney 1.

Sunday 30 December 2007
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix @ 7.00 PM, EnergyAustralia Stadium
Newcastle are cruising at the moment, and should beat the shaggers from the land of the long white cloud. Wellingtons year is over and Newcastle have a chance to all but shore up a finals spot. Newcastle 3 - Wellington 1

Perth Glory v Queensland Roar @ 7.00 PM, Members Equity Stadium
A chance for Queensland to all but consolidat second spot and push for a top spot finish. A chance for Perth to relegate the #### to the spoon , please oh please win Perth !! Queensland 1 - Perth 1

Monday 31 December 2007
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory @ 6.00 PM, Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Well the Mermaids have a string of njuries and have rolled out the excuses already...BUT who cares, they are playing Melbourne and the #### are shite. If the CCM do not win, I predict the wheels may fall off and they will lose the top spot by seasons end to Queensland. Aloisi is over his knock to the knee but they are missing Owen, Heffernan, the Voic in goal and Kwasnik. Melbourne to lose and get the spoon. A great fall from glory for the scum !! CCM 2 - Melbourne 1

[Dirko]

Round 18 Summary

Adelaide United 1 lost to Sydney FC 3
A great crowd and a good advertisement for a inner city stadium was all that was gained out of this game for United. The Bling in Kosmina harped all week about the game being played on a pitch, but on game day he kept his mouth shut and let the ref and his team do the talking. The Bling should now make the finals, with Adelaide in a tussle with Newcastle for the last spot.

Newcastle Jets 2 lost to Wellington Phoenix 3
Wellington did Adelaide a favour by defeating Newcastle in Newcastle. The Smetlz show rolled on and he is clean out for Golden Boot award.
The Kiwis could still make the finals but would need some sort of miracle. Newcastle hang on to fourth spot, but could be in trouble.

Perth Glory 1 lost to Queensland Roar 4
The Roar are on top, dislodging the Mariners for the first time this year. They are looking real good, have a solid defence, keep putting away goals and a couple of real tough bastards in Moore & Tiatto. They have conceeded the least amount of goals in the league and IMO are the now the favourites for the title. Perth Glory season over, but they could do some damage to finals contenders as they play Central Coast, Adelaide & Newcastle.

Central Coast Mariners 2 lost to Melbourne Victory 5
Well the Mermaids have had the wheels fall off in the last two weeks. They have injuries, suspensions and have lost the past two games. off top for the first time this year, they may struggle to find the form of a few weeks back. Hefffernan is a huge loss and undermines the chances of winning the title. Well the Victory are back in the winners circle after 8 weeks without a win. 5 points adrift of a spot in the four with three games remaining would be a big ask and IMO the season is over for the #####.

On a side note this was the first week without a draw and with every away team winning ! 21 goals for the first game also is a great effort. Two record crowds at Adelaide & Bluetongue (CCM), made it a memorable round for the A-League.

***********************************************************************************************************

ROUND 19 Preview

Wellington Phoenix v Sydney
It's as simple as this. Wellington win and they are in for a chance. Sydney win andd they will be playing finals football. Not sure of the ref but if it's Breeze who has ref'd Sydney 8 times in 9 weeks , which is incredible in itself, it will give Sydney an leg up...
My tip the Bling to consolidate and push for a top two spot as they are now only 3 points adrift. Sydney 2 - Wellington 1

Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United
The battle for fourth spot. At home Newcastle should win. Adelaide will be without Cassio & Cornthwaite as both are suspended. That is two of the back four so can't see how they will hold out Newcastle.
If Newcastle win it will take them 5 points clear in fourth and just about guaranteed them a spot. Adelaide win and they are back in the four by a point. Should be a good game. Newcastle 3 - Adelaide 1.

Queensland Roar v Melbourne Victory
Well the Roar can consolidat up top and end the Victory's season all in one here. If they win and the CCM lose they will be clear top, and put Melbournes season on it's arse. Moore will be out suspended, but the depth of Queensland should hold up. Melbourne NEED to win and may prove a point, but they have been running cold most of the year. Queensland to all but wrap up the league. Queensland 2 - Melbourne 0.

Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
Nothing but pride on the line for Glory and try to avoid the spoon. CCM need a win to regain the touch, and should have a couple of ins this week with Vuk and Kwasy back in. Perth are harder to read than a Barbara Cartland novel and I have no hope of predicting which one will come out. If the good Perth do than I can see a upset. If the bad Perth do than the CCM easily. If CCM lose they could find themselves in third and incredibly if they lose the final three games may miss the finals. Perth 2 - CCM 2.

[Thiele]

Half time between Wellington and Sydney

Wellington 0

Sydney 0

[Wedgie]

Sydney up 2 nil.

Now means that the only spot in the top 4 AU can take is the Jets spot.

The finals start tonight for AU, go the Jets!

[Thiele]

Go United

[Wedgie]

Great win to Newcastle.
AUs only chance is to win both of their remaining games hoping that Newcastle don't win either or draw both of their games.
The end is nigh!

At least their share prices will be low for those stupid enough to invest on them when they float on the stock exchange!

[Dirko]

Great win to Newcastle.
AUs only chance is to win both of their remaining games hoping that Newcastle don't win either or draw both of their games.
The end is nigh!

At least their share prices will be low for those stupid enough to invest on them when they float on the stock exchange!

The end is there. Start preparing for the Asian CL now...

Get Bob to buy all the shares then he can get City back in...