Young Socceroos get spanked in AFC Semi against UAE
UNITED Arab Emirates have crushed Australia 3-0 in the AFC Under-19 Championship Semi-Finals at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahad Stadium on Tuesday.
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Pim spoiled for choice
Australia coach Pim Verbeek believes he is spoilt for choice when it comes to strikers for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.
Verbeek’s team heads to Manama for next Thursday’s clash with a perfect record in the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with six points from two games.
Such is Verbeek’s confidence that he believes any one of the five attackers he has chosen in the 24-man squad for next week’s game – Scott McDonald, Josh Kennedy, Bruce Djite, Brett Holman and Tim Cahill – are capable of doing the job for their country.
Kennedy and McDonald appear to be Verbeek’s preferred combination up front and he recently watched both in action and was pleased with what he saw.
“Both are doing well,” he said.
“I watched Scott last week when he played for Celtic against Hearts and then I was with Josh last Saturday when he played for Karlsruhe (in Germany),” Verbeek said.
“And Timmy (Cahill) is playing 90 minutes (for Everton) and Brett Holman is in a very good team (Dutch club AZ Alkmaar) which is doing well and (Bruce) Djite is always playing and scoring (in Turkey) so we have five good strikers and that’s not even including the strikers I have on the standby list (such as A-League pair Matt Simon and Archie Thompson).”
“So for the future I am not worried at all (about the depth of Australia’s strikers).”
Verbeek is also closely monitoring Australia’s goalkeeping talent knowing that after the next World Cup he will have to find a successor to the Socceroos’ long-term custodian Mark Schwarzer.
With that in mind uncapped Adam Federici has been included alongside Schwarzer and Michael Petkovic in the 24-man squad for the trip to Bahrain.
Verbeek says he has been impressed by the recent form of Olyroos keeper Federici since he moved to English League One club Southend on loan from English Championship club Reading.
“He had a good Olympics and we know his qualities,” Verbeek said of Federici.
“His problems were that he was not playing at a high level but he is playing regularly now for Southend and he is doing very well.”
“So we have three goalkeepers (in the squad) and the more we have the better.”
Mariners D’Apuzzo signs on another year
Central Coast Mariners defender David D’Apuzzo has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club till the end of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Mariners to date and it’s great to have signed on for another season in the Hyundai A-League with a fantastic club that is represented by a top group of players and coaching staff,” he said.
“My first few months at the Mariners have been very enjoyable and it’s exciting to think of what lies ahead in terms of the business end of the current season and then an AFC Champions League campaign and I hope to play as significant role as I can in both competitions.”
Phoenix to play practice match during A-League break
Wellington Phoenix will play a training match against New Zealand Football Championship side Waitakere United on November 15 as the A-League takes a break for FIFA Internationals.
The Wellington Phoenix versus Waitakere United match kicks off at 4pm on Saturday, November 15, at Douglas Field, Trusts Stadium in Waitakere.
Tickets are priced at $10 for adults or $5 for children and Senior Citizens and can be purchased via a link to Ticket Direct on the Waitakere United website, www.waitakereunited.co.nz/phoenix_tickets.html
Tony Popovic set to retire
Sydney FC captain Tony Popovic will today announce his retirement after a nearly 20-year career which saw him play in Japan, England and Qatar and make 59 appearances for the Socceroos.
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Card change for Coyne after Match Review
Perth Glory Captain Jamie Coyne is eligible to play in the club’s next match after successfully challenging the red card issued to him during the second half of Sunday’s draw against Newcastle.
Coyne was given a red card for serious foul play, an offence which carries a two match ban, however footage of the incident clearly showed the defender made contact with the ball.
Perth Glory made an application for an Obvious Error for consideration by the independent Match Review Panel, which upheld the application deciding that no red card or yellow card was warranted.
Coyne can now play in Perth’s next match against Queensland and the red card has been expunged from his record.
Socceroos squad announced for Bahrain WCQ
Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek has selected 24 players in his squad for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Round 4 match against Bahrain in Manama on Wednesday November 19, 2008.
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A-League Round 11 round-up and highlights package!
A-League results round-up for round 11 plus goals and highlights!
…continue reading A-League Round 11 round-up and highlights package!
Two more years for Mitchell
Perth Glory has extended Dave Mitchell’s term as Head Coach until the end of the 2010/11 A-League season.
Mitchell took control midway through last season and hopes he can help the club recapture its glory days.
Perth co-Chairman Tony Sage said the reappointment will bring stability and provide a solid base for a new and successful era.
“Dave has the vision and coaching nous to take Perth Glory back to the top of Australian football and we have enormous faith in his ability to achieve our lofty goals,” Mr Sage said.
“A key element that has been missing at our club since the establishment of the Hyundai A-League has been stability.
“Dave’s appointment for the next two seasons, coupled with our long term commitment as owners, ensures that Perth Glory now has the right mix to provide sustained success on and off the pitch,” said Mr Sage.
Cranky Kossie not over it
Sydney FC coach John Kosmina admits letting a 3-0 lead slip against the mariners has made him cranky.
In a game where Sydney had to settle for a draw after the mariners fired three quick goals to earn themselves a point.
“I still haven’t got over it, I just said that to them (the players) then I’ve been cranky all week,” Kosmina said on Thursday.
“That was worse than losing to give something away like that because you had it right in the palm of your hand.”
“But I think there were legitimate reasons why (it happened) and our inexperience was probably one of the more valid ones.”
“So I think there was a good lesson to be learned for everybody including myself about just how we went about things in the last 20 minutes of the game.”
Kosmina conceded complacency cost his side the three points against the Mariners but promised there would not be a repeat against the bottom-placed Phoenix.
