So after almost 12 months not contributing a single article to this website, why am I now back here writing?
The past 12 months have been some of the most eventful in Australian football history, so there was certainly no shortage of material.
A failed World Cup campaign in South Africa. A dismal failure of a World Cup bid which embarrassed, not enhanced the country on a national and international stage as it should have. An Asian Cup Final against Japan ending in heartbreak thanks to a defensive moment of madness and the brilliant finish of Tadanari Lee. The sad death of North Queensland FC in the A-League and a generation of children lost to the A-League and possibly football forever. The precarious state of the A-League as we wonder if the league will even exist in a decade. And the list goes on.
As you can see, there has been a lot of disappointing moments for the Australian football fan - and ultimately we are still clouded in uncertainty year after year. Where are we going? Where is the A-League going? Why do Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory continue to pull poor crowds to AFC Champions League matches? When will Australia embrace itself as an Asian football nation? Who will be the players to take Australia to the next level in Brazil 2014? Can Australia win the Asian Cup in 2015? So many questions for scholars, students, pundits, and fans of the game alike to ponder.
There is always something magical about this game. Something that makes me believe that football can be used for the greater good, and in Australia's case, a bridge to a greater cultural understanding and appreciation of Asia and the rest of the world. There is something magical about how football can bring every nation in this world together.
In the absence of J-League football, I have satisfied my weekend Asian football fixes by tuning in to bet365 and watching the improving K-League and occasionally the Chinese Super League. Of course, Melbourne Victory's latest AFC Champions League campaign is up and running (sort of) thanks to a valuable away draw at group leaders Tianjin Teda.
Lastly, I wish to express my sincere condolences to anyone affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It has been a terrible time for Japan, but the response from the world football family has been one of solidarity and a resounding "we are with you". 心よりお見舞い申し上げます。世界のフットボールファミリーは日本の皆様と一緒に祈っています。そして私は日本が前より強くなって立ち直れるように祈っています。
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 24, 2010
2011 AFC Asian Cup Draw In
The 2011 AFC Asian Cup draw has finally been revealed, and what a wait Asian football fans have until the tournament's kickoff in just under 12 months' time. The draw was held on Friday evening in the Qatar capital, Doha. Mostly, a minimal amount of formal and cultural fuss was made of the event, and fans were quickly into finding out with which nations their team would do battle.
For Australian football fans, many who I am sure sacrificed sleep for the draw, the internet provided the sole means through which to keep up to date in real time. Disappointingly, Australia's usually reliable Fox Sports network which broadcast the 2007 Asian Cup draw, failed to do so this time around. I put the decision down to the late timing of the broadcast (2.00 AM on the Australian East Coast) and hopefully not a diminishing interest in the Asian Cup.
The groups for the tournament are as follows:
Group A
Qatar
Kuwait
Uzbekistan
China PR
Analysis: Uzbekistan and China PR face off in the group stages for a second straight Asian Cup. In the 2007 edition, Uzbekistan scored three second-half goals to advance to the knockout stages at the expense of the ever-ambitious Chinese. Host nation Qatar will be out to impress the home faithful and avenge a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign. Tiny Kuwait, which has a remarkable football pedigree including winning the 1980 Asian Cup, overcame Oman to qualify for its first Asian Cup since 2004. I expect Qatar to advance on home soil with Uzbekistan also qualifying for the knockout stages.
Group B
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Jordan
Japan
Analysis: Traditional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Japan are the favourites to progress. Syria will enjoy their first Asian Cup since 1996 whilst Jordan will be looking to repeat its quarter final appearance at the 2004 Asian Cup in China. Jordan's qualifying campaign was punctuated by a 1-0 victory over Iran. Look for Saudi Arabia to try and avenge its heartbreaking World Cup playoff exit at the hands of Bahrain.
Group C
Korea Republic
India
Bahrain
Australia
Analysis: An interesting group featuring nations from different parts of the region. India feature at an Asian Cup for the first time since 1984, and indeed its tournament may be short lived as it looks decidedly out of its depth in a formidable group featuring two World Cup qualifiers, and Bahrain, which failed to reach the World Cup via a continental playoff. Australia will resume battle with a familiar Bahrain, with Australia winning its World Cup qualifier encounters 1-0 and 2-0. Korea Republic dismantled a decidedly understrength Australian outfit 3-1 in Seoul last year, however the Australians will have learnt a great deal about how to contain the Koreans from the match. Australia will be desperately hoping to avenge its flop debut at the Asian Cup, and I expect the Green and Gold to advance with a slick Korea Republic outfit.
Group D
Iraq
UAE
DPR Korea
IR Iran
Analysis: Defending champions Iraq face a tough group featuring surprise World Cup qualifiers DPR Korea, and old foe Iran. Perennial stars Younis Mahmoud and FC Twente midfielder Nashat Akram are key to the nation's hopes. DPR Korea qualified for this Asian Cup having beaten Turkmenistan in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup. This well-drilled outfit featuring J. League stars Chong Tese and Ryang Yong-Gi will prove a stern test for any opposition. Iran and UAE's most recent international fortunes have been mixed, with both nations finishing fourth (second last) and fifth (last) respectively in the final stage of qualification. This will be an intriguing group, and I'm afraid too difficult to predict at this stage.
The official Asian Cup website can be found here.
For Australian football fans, many who I am sure sacrificed sleep for the draw, the internet provided the sole means through which to keep up to date in real time. Disappointingly, Australia's usually reliable Fox Sports network which broadcast the 2007 Asian Cup draw, failed to do so this time around. I put the decision down to the late timing of the broadcast (2.00 AM on the Australian East Coast) and hopefully not a diminishing interest in the Asian Cup.
The groups for the tournament are as follows:
Group A
Qatar
Kuwait
Uzbekistan
China PR
Analysis: Uzbekistan and China PR face off in the group stages for a second straight Asian Cup. In the 2007 edition, Uzbekistan scored three second-half goals to advance to the knockout stages at the expense of the ever-ambitious Chinese. Host nation Qatar will be out to impress the home faithful and avenge a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign. Tiny Kuwait, which has a remarkable football pedigree including winning the 1980 Asian Cup, overcame Oman to qualify for its first Asian Cup since 2004. I expect Qatar to advance on home soil with Uzbekistan also qualifying for the knockout stages.
Group B
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Jordan
Japan
Analysis: Traditional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Japan are the favourites to progress. Syria will enjoy their first Asian Cup since 1996 whilst Jordan will be looking to repeat its quarter final appearance at the 2004 Asian Cup in China. Jordan's qualifying campaign was punctuated by a 1-0 victory over Iran. Look for Saudi Arabia to try and avenge its heartbreaking World Cup playoff exit at the hands of Bahrain.
Group C
Korea Republic
India
Bahrain
Australia
Analysis: An interesting group featuring nations from different parts of the region. India feature at an Asian Cup for the first time since 1984, and indeed its tournament may be short lived as it looks decidedly out of its depth in a formidable group featuring two World Cup qualifiers, and Bahrain, which failed to reach the World Cup via a continental playoff. Australia will resume battle with a familiar Bahrain, with Australia winning its World Cup qualifier encounters 1-0 and 2-0. Korea Republic dismantled a decidedly understrength Australian outfit 3-1 in Seoul last year, however the Australians will have learnt a great deal about how to contain the Koreans from the match. Australia will be desperately hoping to avenge its flop debut at the Asian Cup, and I expect the Green and Gold to advance with a slick Korea Republic outfit.
Group D
Iraq
UAE
DPR Korea
IR Iran
Analysis: Defending champions Iraq face a tough group featuring surprise World Cup qualifiers DPR Korea, and old foe Iran. Perennial stars Younis Mahmoud and FC Twente midfielder Nashat Akram are key to the nation's hopes. DPR Korea qualified for this Asian Cup having beaten Turkmenistan in the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup. This well-drilled outfit featuring J. League stars Chong Tese and Ryang Yong-Gi will prove a stern test for any opposition. Iran and UAE's most recent international fortunes have been mixed, with both nations finishing fourth (second last) and fifth (last) respectively in the final stage of qualification. This will be an intriguing group, and I'm afraid too difficult to predict at this stage.
The official Asian Cup website can be found here.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
One More Year in Melbourne for Sukha
Trailblazing Thai international Surat Sukha has put pen to paper on a one year contract extension with the A-League's Melbourne Victory, ensuring that the Thai will remain in Melbourne until the end of the 2011/2012 season. The first Southeast Asian player to play at the highest level in Australia, Melbourne Victory's Gary Cole said of Sukha: "He's fitted in so well, he's always laughing and smiling, and he and his family thoroughly enjoy living in Melbourne."
Sukha has thus far turned out for the former A-League champions on 18 occasions, and was a member of the Grand Final starting XI in front of more than 44,000 vociferous supporters. He has struggled with soft tissue injuries and linguistic difficulties, although one hopes that a full pre-season in Melbourne will help Sukha settle in even more. He has played every game of Melbourne Victory's current AFC Champions League campaign, and will turnout for the club once again in tomorrow's vital home clash with Chinese champions Beijing Guoan.
I thought that Melbourne may have ended Sukha's time in Melbourne once his two year contract had expired and pursued other Asian players, so this contract extension comes as somewhat of a surprise. Sukha has been impressive in patches, but needs to turn out more consistent performances and hopefully, avoid the injuries that have plagued his first season with the club. A full pre-season in Australia should do him well.
Sukha has thus far turned out for the former A-League champions on 18 occasions, and was a member of the Grand Final starting XI in front of more than 44,000 vociferous supporters. He has struggled with soft tissue injuries and linguistic difficulties, although one hopes that a full pre-season in Melbourne will help Sukha settle in even more. He has played every game of Melbourne Victory's current AFC Champions League campaign, and will turnout for the club once again in tomorrow's vital home clash with Chinese champions Beijing Guoan.
I thought that Melbourne may have ended Sukha's time in Melbourne once his two year contract had expired and pursued other Asian players, so this contract extension comes as somewhat of a surprise. Sukha has been impressive in patches, but needs to turn out more consistent performances and hopefully, avoid the injuries that have plagued his first season with the club. A full pre-season in Australia should do him well.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Mysterious Mongolian Football
Look at a map and pick any Asian nation. Give yourself a little test: Do I know anything about football in this country? Would I be able to roughly guess this nation's FIFA World Ranking, or know the name of the domestic league? Would I be able to name even one player from this country?
Well, I did exactly that. Picking up a map, I scratched my head thinking about football in one East Asian nation in particular. Mongolia. Perched in between Russia and China, Mongolia covers a vast land and is known for its extremely low population density, its nomad culture, and the Gobi Desert.
But who would know anything about football in Mongolia, a land whose sporting successes are perhaps limited to archery or even sumo wrestling?
So, I've decided to do a bit of digging around the internet for some information about football in Mongolia, if for no other reason than I'm highly curious about just how popular football may or may not be in this beautiful nation of rolling plains and a revered history of nomadic traditions.
Football is a global game, and its strength is derived from the fact that it can act as a sporting and cultural link for every nation in the world. People write about Barcelona, or Manchester United, or Brazil ad nauseum. Given the super level at which they play and their achievements, that's understandable. But there are football stories all around the world, each which reinforce the unbelievable value of this game in a globalised world. Consider a viewing of the arresting football documentary, The Other Final, which brought together two unlikely opponents, Bhutan and Montserrat, for a game of football in the dreamy surroundings of the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu.
So what is the Mongolian contribution to the global tapestry of football? How strong is football in Mongolia, and what are the prospects and dreams for the future?
Let's see how I fare on my own little blind test about Mongolian football:
Do I know Mongolia's FIFA World Ranking? - I'm guessing it's somewhere about 175-180. Mongolia would definitely be one of the weaker Asian footballing nations. (Answer: Mongolia is 172nd in the global standings, 38th in Asia between Cambodia and Palestine)
Do I know the name of the national league? - Yes, I do actually. The league is called the 'Mongolia Premier League', however I could not name a club although I'm guessing most play out of the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Can I name one player from Mongolia? - Nope, none at all.
Apart from Wikipedia and the very odd article from the UB Post's website, I've been unable to find, well, just about any reliable sources of continuous and up-to-date information about football in Mongolia in English. Of course, there are Mongolian FA profiles on the AFC, FIFA, and EAFF websites. I think the IT man must be on holiday though, as the link to the Mongolian FA's website does not even work anymore.
Mongolia have been a member of FIFA for just over a decade, and have only won seven matches against three opponents (Guam, Macau, and the Northern Mariana Islands). Their most recent fixture seems to have been a friendly against Macau in Ulaanbaatar in April 2009, which the Mongolians emerged victorious from 3-1. Mongolia entered the first playoff stage of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and were promptly dismantled by eventual qualifiers North Korea 9-2 over two legs. Khoromkhon striker Ganbaatar Togsbayar is the current top scorer for the national team, and according to an admittedly dated UB Post article is the team's star player.
Development of football in Mongolia is hindered by the nation's harsh climate, with the Mongolia Premier League only able to be played from July-September. Ulaanbaatar's climate, at its worst the coldest of any capital city in the world, is for most months evidently not conducive to good player welfare or indeed good football pitches. Future prospects are encouraging however, with funds from FIFA's Goal Programme allowing the construction of some much-needed football infrastructure, including a futsal hall in Ulaanbaatar which will allow year-round football to be played. As the FA's mantra states, however, "the progress of football now depends on the passion of those who love football in Mongolia."
I'm dangling a line out there to anyone who might know more about the Mongolian game. If you are blessed with knowledge or know someone who can help with the gathering of more information, please feel free to contact me. Or, if you have watched some football in Mongolia and have some insights to share, also feel free to get in touch.
An entertaining insight, albeit from 2007, into Mongolian football is offered in a UB Post article, entitled The Beautiful Game - Mongolian Style.
Well, I did exactly that. Picking up a map, I scratched my head thinking about football in one East Asian nation in particular. Mongolia. Perched in between Russia and China, Mongolia covers a vast land and is known for its extremely low population density, its nomad culture, and the Gobi Desert.
But who would know anything about football in Mongolia, a land whose sporting successes are perhaps limited to archery or even sumo wrestling?
So, I've decided to do a bit of digging around the internet for some information about football in Mongolia, if for no other reason than I'm highly curious about just how popular football may or may not be in this beautiful nation of rolling plains and a revered history of nomadic traditions.
Football is a global game, and its strength is derived from the fact that it can act as a sporting and cultural link for every nation in the world. People write about Barcelona, or Manchester United, or Brazil ad nauseum. Given the super level at which they play and their achievements, that's understandable. But there are football stories all around the world, each which reinforce the unbelievable value of this game in a globalised world. Consider a viewing of the arresting football documentary, The Other Final, which brought together two unlikely opponents, Bhutan and Montserrat, for a game of football in the dreamy surroundings of the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu.
So what is the Mongolian contribution to the global tapestry of football? How strong is football in Mongolia, and what are the prospects and dreams for the future?
Let's see how I fare on my own little blind test about Mongolian football:
Do I know Mongolia's FIFA World Ranking? - I'm guessing it's somewhere about 175-180. Mongolia would definitely be one of the weaker Asian footballing nations. (Answer: Mongolia is 172nd in the global standings, 38th in Asia between Cambodia and Palestine)
Do I know the name of the national league? - Yes, I do actually. The league is called the 'Mongolia Premier League', however I could not name a club although I'm guessing most play out of the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Can I name one player from Mongolia? - Nope, none at all.
Apart from Wikipedia and the very odd article from the UB Post's website, I've been unable to find, well, just about any reliable sources of continuous and up-to-date information about football in Mongolia in English. Of course, there are Mongolian FA profiles on the AFC, FIFA, and EAFF websites. I think the IT man must be on holiday though, as the link to the Mongolian FA's website does not even work anymore.
Mongolia have been a member of FIFA for just over a decade, and have only won seven matches against three opponents (Guam, Macau, and the Northern Mariana Islands). Their most recent fixture seems to have been a friendly against Macau in Ulaanbaatar in April 2009, which the Mongolians emerged victorious from 3-1. Mongolia entered the first playoff stage of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and were promptly dismantled by eventual qualifiers North Korea 9-2 over two legs. Khoromkhon striker Ganbaatar Togsbayar is the current top scorer for the national team, and according to an admittedly dated UB Post article is the team's star player.
Development of football in Mongolia is hindered by the nation's harsh climate, with the Mongolia Premier League only able to be played from July-September. Ulaanbaatar's climate, at its worst the coldest of any capital city in the world, is for most months evidently not conducive to good player welfare or indeed good football pitches. Future prospects are encouraging however, with funds from FIFA's Goal Programme allowing the construction of some much-needed football infrastructure, including a futsal hall in Ulaanbaatar which will allow year-round football to be played. As the FA's mantra states, however, "the progress of football now depends on the passion of those who love football in Mongolia."
I'm dangling a line out there to anyone who might know more about the Mongolian game. If you are blessed with knowledge or know someone who can help with the gathering of more information, please feel free to contact me. Or, if you have watched some football in Mongolia and have some insights to share, also feel free to get in touch.
An entertaining insight, albeit from 2007, into Mongolian football is offered in a UB Post article, entitled The Beautiful Game - Mongolian Style.
Song Jin-Hyung not offered deal by PSV
As confirmed by Dutch and Italian sources this weekend, former Newcastle Jet and South Korean youth international Song Jin-Hyung has failed to land a deal with PSV following a trial period with the Dutch giants. According to the sources, Song was unable to convince the PSV coaching staff of his qualities. It remains to be seen whether Song will return to the A-League with Newcastle, or chase another European deal.
For what it's worth, I think there is a European club out there for the young Korean even though he is still a tad raw and inconsistent. Song's story is an interesting one, as he came to Australia with the express purpose of using it as a stepping stone to Europe. He has learnt English, and adapted to the more physical style of A-League football. He doubtless has loads and loads of potential, whether he will fulfil it or not is another matter.
It would be nice to see Song return to Australia and bedazzle us with his talent, but a part of me is also curious to see how he would perform in a European league. Wherever the young Korean decides to go, I wish him luck on his football journey.
For what it's worth, I think there is a European club out there for the young Korean even though he is still a tad raw and inconsistent. Song's story is an interesting one, as he came to Australia with the express purpose of using it as a stepping stone to Europe. He has learnt English, and adapted to the more physical style of A-League football. He doubtless has loads and loads of potential, whether he will fulfil it or not is another matter.
It would be nice to see Song return to Australia and bedazzle us with his talent, but a part of me is also curious to see how he would perform in a European league. Wherever the young Korean decides to go, I wish him luck on his football journey.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Tough Times for Australia's A-League
As if North Queensland FC's recent ownership woes haven't given Football Federation Australia enough headaches in recent weeks, Australia's fledgling A-League may yet further be rocked by the sad revelation that Gold Coast United are set to fold after only one season of football. If that's the case, then A-League fans needn't bother about waiting for an anticipated 30-round season at all.
The collapse of the South-East Queensland club will deal a massive blow to the credibility of the league, and indeed may dissuade members of the business community from investing in football, particularly in targeted regional expansion areas such as Tasmania and Wollongong. The collapse of the Gold Coast would effectively take the FFA back to the drawing board in terms of expansion, and may make the organisation less willing to hand out licences to regional areas which hold a key stake in the future growth of the A-League.
I think that a stable, well-supported Gold Coast side would be a fabulous addition to the A-League, however the approach of the club in terms of community engagement and supporter base building has, from an outsider's view at least, been an utter failure. It may well be a simple case of not too many people on the Gold Coast particularly caring about football, however I find it hard to believe that there aren't enough fans in this rapidly growing area to average somewhere around 10,000 spectators per game.
Expanding into previously unchartered territory, at least at national league level, was never going to be easy for football in Australia. What is perhaps most disappointing about the Gold Coast's failure is billionaire owner Clive Palmer's attitude to the whole process, with him seemingly choosing to cut his losses and run without appreciating the fact that building a stable club on the Gold Coast may take years, but perhaps more importantly - millions of his cash.
So, if indeed we bid goodbye to Gold Coast United, what will they be remembered for? Apart from having the embarassing distinction of lasting a season less than even the disastrous New Zealand Knights, they certainly won't be remembered for their pulling power after drawing record low crowds all season. Things started relatively positively: a billionaire owner, a great rectangular stadium, and managing to lure back established Australian international Jason Culina on a million dollar a year deal, as well as a whole host of talent including Joel Porter, Bas Van Den Brink, and young Adama Traore from the Ivory Coast. Indeed, many experts tipped Gold Coast to challenge for the A-League title, however erratic form throughout the season put bed to that dream.
The Gold Coast eventually finished a respectable 3rd, before succumbing to 6th-placed Newcastle in a home final in front of another disappointing crowd. Their National Youth League side, however, went on to win the championship in what may sadly be the only piece of silverware the club ever takes.
With the potential loss of the Gold Coast, and the inclusion of yet another expansion side Melbourne Heart, next year's A-League may look like this: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, North Queensland FC, Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix.
The collapse of the South-East Queensland club will deal a massive blow to the credibility of the league, and indeed may dissuade members of the business community from investing in football, particularly in targeted regional expansion areas such as Tasmania and Wollongong. The collapse of the Gold Coast would effectively take the FFA back to the drawing board in terms of expansion, and may make the organisation less willing to hand out licences to regional areas which hold a key stake in the future growth of the A-League.
I think that a stable, well-supported Gold Coast side would be a fabulous addition to the A-League, however the approach of the club in terms of community engagement and supporter base building has, from an outsider's view at least, been an utter failure. It may well be a simple case of not too many people on the Gold Coast particularly caring about football, however I find it hard to believe that there aren't enough fans in this rapidly growing area to average somewhere around 10,000 spectators per game.
Expanding into previously unchartered territory, at least at national league level, was never going to be easy for football in Australia. What is perhaps most disappointing about the Gold Coast's failure is billionaire owner Clive Palmer's attitude to the whole process, with him seemingly choosing to cut his losses and run without appreciating the fact that building a stable club on the Gold Coast may take years, but perhaps more importantly - millions of his cash.
So, if indeed we bid goodbye to Gold Coast United, what will they be remembered for? Apart from having the embarassing distinction of lasting a season less than even the disastrous New Zealand Knights, they certainly won't be remembered for their pulling power after drawing record low crowds all season. Things started relatively positively: a billionaire owner, a great rectangular stadium, and managing to lure back established Australian international Jason Culina on a million dollar a year deal, as well as a whole host of talent including Joel Porter, Bas Van Den Brink, and young Adama Traore from the Ivory Coast. Indeed, many experts tipped Gold Coast to challenge for the A-League title, however erratic form throughout the season put bed to that dream.
The Gold Coast eventually finished a respectable 3rd, before succumbing to 6th-placed Newcastle in a home final in front of another disappointing crowd. Their National Youth League side, however, went on to win the championship in what may sadly be the only piece of silverware the club ever takes.
With the potential loss of the Gold Coast, and the inclusion of yet another expansion side Melbourne Heart, next year's A-League may look like this: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, North Queensland FC, Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Victory Faultering in Asia
Melbourne fans' euphoria at overcoming Sydney FC in thrilling fashion on Sunday evening was slightly dented by a disappointing 0-2 home loss to Korean outfit Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma on Tuesday in the AFC Champions League. Melbourne's continental form has not yet matched its domestic form, with the loss to a well-drilled Seongnam consigning Victory to the bottom half of Group E with, perhaps surprisingly, Japan's Kawasaki Frontale.
The match was also met with a cold reception from the Melbourne public, with just 7,899 fans turning up to a cavernous Docklands. The figure was Melbourne Victory's lowest ever crowd for a competitive fixture and is disappointing no matter how one analyses it. Melbourne's opening Champions League fixture in 2008 against Korea's Chunnam Dragons drew somewhere around 23,000. The 15,000 drop in attendance, as well as poor finals crowds in Melbourne and Sydney, must be worrying for Football Federation Australia who needs to do more in backing those who support the A-League.
Despite possessing an enviable domestic record in Australia and advancing to its second straight home A-League Grand Final, Victory's continental form just hasn't quite lived up to the hype. I think Melbourne has had some rotten luck during its Champions League runs, with talisman Archie Thompson and playmaker Carlos Hernandez missing for most of the 2008 campaign. Likewise, this campaign the sides put out by Ernie Merrick have not been full strength, with Archie Thompson, Robbie Kruse, Matthew Kemp, and Kevin Muscat not lining up in matches for one reason or another.
Victory's all-time Champions League record now stands at 2 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, a less than inspiring haul for a side so successful domestically. With tough away trips to Kawasaki and Seongnam still to come, it is likely that Melbourne will once again miss out on progression to the next round. Somewhat amusingly, fellow Australian side Adelaide United finished stone cold motherless last this A-League season, but has enjoyed two resurgent wins in Asia thanks to smart recruiting and a gameplan which is proven in Champions League football.
Maybe we'll just have to wait until 2011 to see what Melbourne can really do in Asia.
The match was also met with a cold reception from the Melbourne public, with just 7,899 fans turning up to a cavernous Docklands. The figure was Melbourne Victory's lowest ever crowd for a competitive fixture and is disappointing no matter how one analyses it. Melbourne's opening Champions League fixture in 2008 against Korea's Chunnam Dragons drew somewhere around 23,000. The 15,000 drop in attendance, as well as poor finals crowds in Melbourne and Sydney, must be worrying for Football Federation Australia who needs to do more in backing those who support the A-League.
Despite possessing an enviable domestic record in Australia and advancing to its second straight home A-League Grand Final, Victory's continental form just hasn't quite lived up to the hype. I think Melbourne has had some rotten luck during its Champions League runs, with talisman Archie Thompson and playmaker Carlos Hernandez missing for most of the 2008 campaign. Likewise, this campaign the sides put out by Ernie Merrick have not been full strength, with Archie Thompson, Robbie Kruse, Matthew Kemp, and Kevin Muscat not lining up in matches for one reason or another.
Victory's all-time Champions League record now stands at 2 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, a less than inspiring haul for a side so successful domestically. With tough away trips to Kawasaki and Seongnam still to come, it is likely that Melbourne will once again miss out on progression to the next round. Somewhat amusingly, fellow Australian side Adelaide United finished stone cold motherless last this A-League season, but has enjoyed two resurgent wins in Asia thanks to smart recruiting and a gameplan which is proven in Champions League football.
Maybe we'll just have to wait until 2011 to see what Melbourne can really do in Asia.
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