A Lucky Point
Although the penalty decision that might have sent the Socceroos home a defeated side was dreadful, conceding a soft, straightforward goal at that point always looked likely, as the Socceroos tired to a man.
In short, Pim Verbeek and his men dodged a bullet. Ultimately, the result is an acceptable and even a good one - but there must be some questions over Verbeek’s tactics and substitutions (or lack thereof).
…continue reading A Lucky Point
Australia v China World Cup qualifier highlights
The match kicked off at 5pm AEST and was played in the high altitude city of Kunming, China.
This game was played on the 26 March 2008.
Read the match report - China v Australia
…continue reading Australia v China World Cup qualifier highlights
Schwarzer saves the day with last minute penalty against China
…continue reading Schwarzer saves the day with last minute penalty against China
Socceroos held to a 0-0 draw against Singapore
AUSTRALIA’S friendly hit-out against Singapore ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw. Socceroos coach Verbeek decided to call-up a mainly A-League side weighted with mostly Olyroo players.
…continue reading Socceroos held to a 0-0 draw against Singapore
Celtic to play Melbourne. Or will it be Sydney FC?
Scottish Champions Celtic FC are said to be visiting Australia during the European off-season. They are slated to play either Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC during the month of July.
…continue reading Celtic to play Melbourne. Or will it be Sydney FC?
Mixed results for Aussie teams in ACL
Chonburi hero Stephane Baga scored two late goals to help his side to victory against Aussie favourites, Melbourne Victory by 3 - 1.
Baga was introduced into the game with only 20 minutes to go but that didn’t matter as he single-handedly downed the Victory.
Brazilian Fabiano scored the opening goal on the stroke of half-time but his goal was canceled out only two minutes into the second half by Victory striker Danny Allsopp.
However, Baga restored Chonburi’s lead when he scored a screamer from 30 metres out with 11 minutes to go.
He then went on to strike the killer blow with his second goal deep into injury time.
The loss leaves Melbourne in third place in Group G by 1 point.
In the other match played in Adelaide, China’s Changchun Yatai went away with a point after a 0-0 draw.
Untied dominated for most of the match and were unlucky not to get all the points when Diego hit the crossbar with a rasping strike from miles out.
Tatai was missing three key Chinese national team players ahead of next week’s match against the Socceroos.The two best chances of the first half fell to Yatai. The first was in the 10th minute when a free-kick was floated in to the path of Zadi Dah, but his effort was headed straight to Adelaide custodian Eugene Galekovic. Dah had another chance half-way through the first half when his shot scraped the outside of the post.
Australian international, Nathan Burns put a header on target in the eighth minute and had a juicy volley stopped at close range before the half-time whistle.
This result leaves Adelaide at the top of the table with 4 points.
Socceroos squad against China & Singapore
Socceroos international action continues this Saturday evening with a friendly against Singapore and the crucial world cup qualifying match against China four days later.
Pim Verbeek has named a mostly A-League & Olyroo squad for the first match against Singapore but that will most likely include Aussie super-star Harry Kewell.
Squads for the upcoming matches.
Nigel Boogard (Central Coast Mariners), Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Ante Covic (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Adam Griffiths (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Mile Jedinak (Central Coast Mariners), Jade North (Newcastle Jets), Nikita Rukavytsya (Perth Glory), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Ruben Zadkovich (TBC), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar)
Socceroos squad against Singapore:
Saturday 22 March 2008, Kickoff at 10:00pm AEST - Live on Fox 3
Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Jacob Burns (Unirea Valahorum, Romania), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nick Carle (Bristol City, England), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England), James Troisi (Newcastle, England), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Netherlands).
Socceroos squad against China:
Wednesday 25 March 2008, Kickoff at 5pm AEST - Live on Foxsports
Why they fear us…
Football. Being born a Football fan. A Football convert. When football flows in your veins it is not just a sport you watch with detached interest over a BBQ, and have a laugh when your team loses. You live and breath it. Its like a drug, the extreme elation and pain. You are not just a spectator but a fan. Following football is more then a following a sport, it is been part of a revolution, a mission, and often means carrying the burdens that comes with it in Oz.
…continue reading Why they fear us…
Celtic want Kewell to join Scottish champs
Harry Kewell is being tipped to join his fellow Australian Scott McDonald at Scottish champions Celtic. Liverpool and coach Rafa Benitez has indicated that Kewell will not be getting a contract extension come this summer.
…continue reading Celtic want Kewell to join Scottish champs
Kewell wants in against China
Harry Kewell has been included in the 21-man squad for the World Cup Qualifier against
…continue reading Kewell wants in against China
