When you think about the ridiculous presence of the riot police at last weekend's A-League fixture between Melbourne Victory and Newcastle at Telstra Dome it really makes you think.
Are the authorities/people in power here so deluded that they feel a minor incident such as banter between rival fans needs to be controlled with extreme measures such as closing off an entire section of the stadium to home fans and strategically placing intimidatingly dressed police officers around the Arena?
Most of the "supporter groups" around the league are made up of people who care about the game and do not want even minor incidents harming the image of the sport. I guess the people in power feel that the A-League's many supporter groups are made up of psychotic individuals such as José Gastón Mendoza, leader of Argentine club Colon's Barra Brava (supporter group) who was recently handed a six-year jail term for trying to kill a fellow fan in February 2006.
Until the FFA allow representatives from supporter groups to be present at meetings, decisions will continue to be made against active support in a bid to curb "Hooliganism" (I've only ever missed two Melbourne home games and I've never seen anything happen). Leading supporters need to have a voice in order to convince the FFA and stadium officials that active support is harmless and actually improves the perception of the A-League.
Sure, banter will be shared between opposition supporters but Police need to be trained for this. At the moment they are causing more trouble than the supporters themselves by unleashing capsicum spray at the feintest whiff of banter and then reporting back saying that it was necessary to stop the impending "riot".
The FFA need to work together with active supporters and police officials to come up with the best possible solution that will not harm Football's authentic atmosphere in Australia.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Richard Porta - Australia or Uruguay?
Richard Porta finished the recent Uruguayan Apertura season with 18 goals in 15 games for River Plate (don't confuse them with the Argentine team of the same name). Who cares?Well, it turns out that the record-breaking 24 year-old was born in Australia. He left Sydney at the mature* age of 12 months (*if you go by how some big European clubs are recruiting their academy kids these days) for Uruguay and has never returned.
He's been called up twice to domestic-based Uruguayan teams but has still not recieved a cap. Now Pim Verbeek comes along and finally, we have an Australian national team manager who declares interest in the lad.
Dukes doesn't seem to want to make the taxing plane trip back to Melbourne, Josh Kennedy is forever struggling with injuries and lack of form and it could be hard to pry Scott Mcdonald out of Gordon Strachan's loving arms. That leaves us with John Aloisi (fair enough, he's done well so far in the A-League), Archie Thompson and bla, bla, bla - The usual candidates. I think it might be time to go in a new direction.
Several European clubs are interested in Porta and if we cap him before Uruguay we could well have ourselves a gem of a player as well as some much needed squad depth. Uruguay and Australia's next games both happen to be on the same date: February 6th, 2008. Uruguay take on Colombia whilst the Socceroos battle Qatar in Melbourne. We need to act fast and ensure that Porta becomes an Australian player.
If he does play against Qatar, both sides will have a Uruguayan up front with Qatar's star striker Sebastian Soria being born there.
Here are some of Porta's goals in the Uruguayan league to wet your beak a little:
(He scores the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th goal in the first game)
Credit to Murray from Green and Gold Army for the video.
D'Alessandro blocked from rejoining River
Real Zaragoza's technical director Miguel Pardeza stated overnight that Zaragoza are going to "finish the season with the players we have" meaning Andres D'Alessandro will not be allowed to join Diego Simeone's River Plate for the Argentine Clausura.
Simeone wanted the playmaker to return to Los Millionarios to help them in a bid for the Clausura title after their horrific showing in this year's Apertura.
Fair play to Zaragoza though, despite D'Alessandro barely featuring this season (four appearances if I counted correctly) they're holding on to him for dear life. He even reportedly had a training ground bust-up with compatriot and fellow former River playmaker Pablo Aimar.
Zaragoza are currently sitting mid-table, level on points with Sevilla which doesn't sound too bad but with the squad at their disposal, they could be doing a lot better and should've been challenging for a place in Europe this season.
As for the D'Alessandro matter, it looks like Diego Simeone's going to have to look elsewhere for a new playmaker and he's going to have to think hard and fast because Fernando Belluschi might also be leaving in January in a reported move to Olympiacos. Diego Valeri of Lanus could be an option but River would have to get in before Italian champions Inter who have allegedly bidded US$8mil for the 21 year-old playmaker's services.
With Juan Roman Riquelme rejoining Boca, River Plate are going to have to hope they find a quality playmaker otherwise it could be yet another disappointing season for them.
Simeone wanted the playmaker to return to Los Millionarios to help them in a bid for the Clausura title after their horrific showing in this year's Apertura.
Fair play to Zaragoza though, despite D'Alessandro barely featuring this season (four appearances if I counted correctly) they're holding on to him for dear life. He even reportedly had a training ground bust-up with compatriot and fellow former River playmaker Pablo Aimar.
Zaragoza are currently sitting mid-table, level on points with Sevilla which doesn't sound too bad but with the squad at their disposal, they could be doing a lot better and should've been challenging for a place in Europe this season.
As for the D'Alessandro matter, it looks like Diego Simeone's going to have to look elsewhere for a new playmaker and he's going to have to think hard and fast because Fernando Belluschi might also be leaving in January in a reported move to Olympiacos. Diego Valeri of Lanus could be an option but River would have to get in before Italian champions Inter who have allegedly bidded US$8mil for the 21 year-old playmaker's services.
With Juan Roman Riquelme rejoining Boca, River Plate are going to have to hope they find a quality playmaker otherwise it could be yet another disappointing season for them.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Russo Quits Boca Juniors
Important news has emerged from Argentina. The following is from the blog "Hasta el Gol Siempre"
"In the last hour or so, it’s been confirmed that Miguel Angel Russo has parted company with Boca Juniors, leaving the club’s managerial post vacant. Earlier in the day, the Boca board had taken the decision to sack Russo’s two assistants, Marcelo Trobbiani and Guillermo Cinquetti (assistant coach and physical trainer, respectively), as a condition of extending Russo’s contract following the disappointment of losing to Milan in Sunday’s Club World Cup Final."
Russo was the manager on the losing side of Sunday's World Club Cup Final. Boca finishing 4th in the Apertura might've contributed to the decision but it certainly comes as a bit of a shock.
Obviously the final straw for Russo was the fact that two of his associates and partners Trobbiani and Cinquetti were used by Boca in order for Russo to renew his contract.
Interesting times ahead for Boca and Argentine football then. Let's see how this pans out over the next couple of days.
Meanwhile it seems the only club at the moment who are willing to match River's $10m price tag on Fernando Belluschi are Greek giants Olympiacos. Belluschi's agent is now thought to have lied about interest from Porto. Careful consideration must be taken by Belluschi's party in any move as he must ensure he will get regular European football. Not UEFA Cup. He must be playing in the latter stages of the Champions League.
"In the last hour or so, it’s been confirmed that Miguel Angel Russo has parted company with Boca Juniors, leaving the club’s managerial post vacant. Earlier in the day, the Boca board had taken the decision to sack Russo’s two assistants, Marcelo Trobbiani and Guillermo Cinquetti (assistant coach and physical trainer, respectively), as a condition of extending Russo’s contract following the disappointment of losing to Milan in Sunday’s Club World Cup Final."
Russo was the manager on the losing side of Sunday's World Club Cup Final. Boca finishing 4th in the Apertura might've contributed to the decision but it certainly comes as a bit of a shock.
Obviously the final straw for Russo was the fact that two of his associates and partners Trobbiani and Cinquetti were used by Boca in order for Russo to renew his contract.
Interesting times ahead for Boca and Argentine football then. Let's see how this pans out over the next couple of days.
Meanwhile it seems the only club at the moment who are willing to match River's $10m price tag on Fernando Belluschi are Greek giants Olympiacos. Belluschi's agent is now thought to have lied about interest from Porto. Careful consideration must be taken by Belluschi's party in any move as he must ensure he will get regular European football. Not UEFA Cup. He must be playing in the latter stages of the Champions League.
AFC Player of the Year invited to Carrington
Saudi Arabia's Yasser Al Qahtani has recently been invited to trial at Manchester City. He will join another great, yet unknown Asian player in Thai right wing-back Suree Sukha who was signed by City several months ago (no doubt influenced by City's rich Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra) along with another two Thai players.
Hopefully the Asian Cup top scorer (joint top scorer) does well during his trial and impresses Ol' Blue Eyes Eriksson. Watching the Asian Cup made me realise how much untapped potential there is in the continent and if Al Qahtani can impress it might open the door for more Asian players to at least be looked at by European clubs. There are talents such as Younis Mahmoud, Ali Abbas, Yasuhito Endo, Keita Suzuki, Sebastian Soria Quintana, Server Djeparov, Ellie Aiboy and many more plying their trade throughout Asia, untouched by more famous European clubs when they clearly have the ability and the potential to play there.
One problem could be the hefty wages these players are paid in oil mining countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Players like Sebastian Soria choose to remain in their home country, simply because they are paid mountains of money. However, doing so will ensure that despite becoming quite rich, these players will never really gain fame (apart from in their own country) or worldwide recognition.
An issue that needs to be explored is whether top European clubs have significant (if any at all) scouting networks throughout Asia, particularly West Asia. Countries such as Japan and Korea have recently been tapped but now it's time for clubs to look into Qatar, Bahrain and even Iraq. There is talent in these countries going to waste playing against poorer quality opposition week-in, week-out when some, I daresay could even be playing UEFA Champions League football with the talent they have.
The best Asian player I can think of currently playing in Europe is Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic) who, despite playing OK in the Asian Cup was outshone by players from lesser-known teams.
A-League teams must also look into Asia. Obscure countries such as Uzbekistan, Oman and Indonesia have talented players that could be brought here on low salaries. Players who will give our teams an edge in Asia as well as not taking up the "precious" Marquee spot which can be handed to overweight wash-ups like Mario Jardel. Players aren't the only thing worth looking at in Asia, there are some talented managers out there too. Good football comes from a manager's philosophy and the majority of Australia's senior managers prefer grinding results over entertaining the crowd whilst getting results.
Hopefully Yasser Al Qahtani gets a contract and plays well for Manchester City. The 2007 AFC Player of the Year could be opening up doors for players all over Asia.
Hopefully the Asian Cup top scorer (joint top scorer) does well during his trial and impresses Ol' Blue Eyes Eriksson. Watching the Asian Cup made me realise how much untapped potential there is in the continent and if Al Qahtani can impress it might open the door for more Asian players to at least be looked at by European clubs. There are talents such as Younis Mahmoud, Ali Abbas, Yasuhito Endo, Keita Suzuki, Sebastian Soria Quintana, Server Djeparov, Ellie Aiboy and many more plying their trade throughout Asia, untouched by more famous European clubs when they clearly have the ability and the potential to play there.
One problem could be the hefty wages these players are paid in oil mining countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Players like Sebastian Soria choose to remain in their home country, simply because they are paid mountains of money. However, doing so will ensure that despite becoming quite rich, these players will never really gain fame (apart from in their own country) or worldwide recognition.
An issue that needs to be explored is whether top European clubs have significant (if any at all) scouting networks throughout Asia, particularly West Asia. Countries such as Japan and Korea have recently been tapped but now it's time for clubs to look into Qatar, Bahrain and even Iraq. There is talent in these countries going to waste playing against poorer quality opposition week-in, week-out when some, I daresay could even be playing UEFA Champions League football with the talent they have.
The best Asian player I can think of currently playing in Europe is Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic) who, despite playing OK in the Asian Cup was outshone by players from lesser-known teams.
A-League teams must also look into Asia. Obscure countries such as Uzbekistan, Oman and Indonesia have talented players that could be brought here on low salaries. Players who will give our teams an edge in Asia as well as not taking up the "precious" Marquee spot which can be handed to overweight wash-ups like Mario Jardel. Players aren't the only thing worth looking at in Asia, there are some talented managers out there too. Good football comes from a manager's philosophy and the majority of Australia's senior managers prefer grinding results over entertaining the crowd whilst getting results.
Hopefully Yasser Al Qahtani gets a contract and plays well for Manchester City. The 2007 AFC Player of the Year could be opening up doors for players all over Asia.
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