A-League needs to time ACL better
Roar Rookie
By jaymz, 10 Apr 2009 jaymz is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- A-League, ACL, Central Coast Mariners, Champions League, football
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After hearing about what I call the Bluetongue Massacre, there is increasing evidence to show that Australia needs to schedule its season around the ACL.
We are sending completely different teams than the ones who are our Premiers and Champions, and consequently are struggling in the competition.
It does not do our League justice.
We are not yet at the level of Japan, but I believe we would be able to compete with China, Korea (we already have a good record against them) and some Middle Eastern clubs, if our champions played ACL matches one month after winning the League.
Out of all the clubs who have competed in the competition, only Adelaide has progressed to the next phase (albeit it was a different format).
It would have been interesting to see how Melbourne would have performed in place of the Mariners.
The only way that this could happen is if we miss out for one year of Champions League and get back in sync with it. It may mean that FFA will have to compensate the clubs missing out, but it would be a wise investment.
Once in sync with the ACL, you would think that more often than not our teams could at least progress to the next phase of competition.
This would mean increased prize money coming to our shores more consistently.
Once this has happened, we are then able to have some basis to push for additional ACL spots.
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The Bear said | April 10th 2009 @ 7:36am | Report comment
Woah, two big concepts there. Finish the season and post season cup (ie finals series) before early Feb AND ask the two current qualifying teams to miss a crack at the next ACL.
Pretty big hurdles.
My opinion is that having the in-season teams also playing ACL would be a disadvantage to a developing HAL. It’s kinda nice having them seperate, and it gives the rest of us something to follow, even if superficially, during the off-season.
Don’t be embarrassed for CC Mariners. They have payed some quality opposition, as do all our teams.
If Adelaide can do well, any team have a good chance for future attempts.
NUFCMVFC said | April 10th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Don’t agree with teams having to miss out, when ACL places are expanded we can just give a place to previous place getters and catch up and even things out
Dave said | April 10th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
It is one of the downsides (not many) for playing our league in our Summer months. Clubs will just have to adapt and with some leniency in allowing ACL clubs to sign additional players (perhaps 1-2 players outside the salary Cap) in lieu of the difficulties associated with the timing.
HAL’s season will extend to a late August to late March scenario so not possible for current champions to play in that edition of ACL.
Joe FC said | April 10th 2009 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
the current arrangements are frustrating jaymz I’ll grant you that but I’m not sure there’s anything we can do about it. However it is not necessarily all bad. Prior to the current ACL season four Australian teams had competed over two campaigns with three finishing in the top two of their groups which, if repeated now, means qualification to the knockout stage. It’s unfortunate that the ACL is not run during the northern winter which would better suit our summer competition.
Midfielder said | April 10th 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
Jay
Don’t look at the 5 – 0, because the Roar put 4 past us during the season… the first 3 goals were soft, simply could not handle a cross ball… that is all it is and we did create a number of shots but our finishing was crap on the night … moreover the score of 5 nill was not a reflection of the game more … poor defense and poor attack… When Elrich came on he tore them apart down the right side and put in 5 very quality crosses non was finished…
Matty Simon and Sash (got to Scum I know) but they would have scored… we should have defended better at the back..
dasilva said | April 11th 2009 @ 3:43am | Report comment
Some people (such as Turnbull) blamed the 5-0 lost and the A-league standard on Pim Verbeek for his comments on the A-League and encouraging players to stay in Europe.
Interestingly enough this Pim curse has now spread to Scott Mcdonald as well
Celtic’s McDonald urges Ferguson to remain in Scotland
09.04.09 | Andrew Slevison
Celtic striker Scott McDonald has urged Barry Ferguson to forget about a career in Australia.
The Rangers star has been linked with A-League clubs Queensland Roar, North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory but McDonald believes the 31-year old still has quality to offer the Scottish Premier League.
“I wouldn’t necessarily think that would be the right move for him yet,” McDonald told the Scottish Sun.
“I think he’s a little bit too young for that even if that might sound a little bit disrespectful to my own country.
“It would be a really big coup for Australian football and a fantastic thing for our country.
“But I think Barry would be best served in Europe. He still has a lot to offer at the highest level.”
http://www.tribalfootball.com/celtic%E2%80%99s-mcdonald-urges-ferguson-remain-scotland-237525
The Bear said | April 14th 2009 @ 7:45am | Report comment
Scooty has probably not won anyone at home with his comments, here. More respect to Jason Culina.