A-League season preview [part two]
Roar Pro By Con Stamocostas, 9 Jul 2009 Con Stamocostas is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- A-League, football, Perth Glory, Sydney FC
The second part of this A-League season preview looks at the chances of both Sydney FC and Perth Glory.
Sydney FC (4th)
Sydney FC has the best credentialled coach in the A-League in terms of having been a proper coach in a proper league, enjoying success with Slovan Liberec. The squad looks more balanced than the last few seasons, particularly the left side with new left back Byun Sung-Hwan and Koffi Danning expecting to cause havoc.
The defence could be the weakest link, with Tony Popovich and Iain Fyfe departing. The hole has been filled by youth team players Anthony Golec and Mathew Jurman. However, an experienced defender is on the way.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Karol Kisel, the 32 year old Slovakian attacking midfielder from Czech clubs Slovan Liberec and Sparta Prague, can play in the middle on the right and on the left of midfield.
The Korean Byun Sung-Hwan comes to Sydney FC after seven years and 134 appearances in the K-League, most recently with Jeju United. His best position is left back and my spies tell me the 29 year old is not scared to take on players, can cross well and is two footed.
PREDICTION
Should make finals, but Bling FC, Drama FC, Discipline FC whatever you want to call them, will make their fans work for it, that’s for sure.
FAN CULTURE
The Cove, in both sight and sound, is something to behold in full flight. A supporters group can be marred by those who want to lead and those who don’t want to follow.
Perth Glory (5th)
The Glory has made some of the best signings so far, ranging from current Socceroos to players from the top leagues of Germany and England.
Coach David Mitchell likes to whinge and moan about long flights and how expensive Perth is to live in, and likes to kick water bottles on the pitch.
However, I believe Perth has made the right choice in keeping Mitchell as he is striving to re-build Perth Glory to something like what they were before in the old NSL.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Socceroos Mile Sterjovski (Derby) and Jacob Burns (FC Unirea Urziceni) are both full of experience at club and international level.
Serbian striker Branko Jelic (Energie Cottbus), at 32 yearS old, is nearing the veteran stage. Performances on the field is what counts and the striker has experience in Asia and Europe.
Ex -Derby defender Andy Todd will add bite to a defence that has needed it. Dutchman and former Ajax man Victor Sikora came late in the season. He will be one to watch as well.
PREDICTION
Should make the finals this season after missing out every time since season one. Mile Sterjovski to be quoted numerous times throughout the season that the A-League and Championship are the same level if not better.
FAN CULTURE
During the old NSL, the shed led the way in chanting, singing and fan culture. The A-League has seen the Shed not as animated, as results have been poor. Hopefully this season will see the Shed in full voice again.
Recommend this story.
- Explore:
- A-League, football, Perth Glory, Sydney FC
July 9th 2009 @ 10:31am
Pippinu said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
…but better make sure the Bushrangers aren’t in contention for any finals towards the end of the Summer.
July 9th 2009 @ 10:33am
Millster said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:33am | Report comment
I’m like Rellum…
A-League first
Sydney second
Perth third (both rational and emotional reasons)
July 9th 2009 @ 10:39am
Con Stamocostas said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Millster,
Why do you think there are a lot of fans who are like Rellum and yourself? In that they have their allegiance is to the A-League first and club team second.
July 9th 2009 @ 10:53am
Pippinu said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Con
my guess is that after the failings of “old soccer”, many want both the FFA and the A-League to succeed above all else (including any allegiance to a local club).
I think the sentiment is understandable, but as a Melburnian, steeped in the ways of our city – it’s a sentiment that perplexes me nevertheless.
The reason is this: swear blind allegiance to your club above all else – and the league’s success is assured anyway (if sufficient people are doing the same thing). But if people are going to be wishy washy about supporting a club – the league is dead – regardless of how much success you wish for it and how much you talk it up.
As John “pig’s arse” Elliott once said: No one barracks for the AFL.
July 9th 2009 @ 11:01am
Con Stamocostas said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:01am | Report comment
I agree Pippinu,
It’s almost like a let’s wait and see what happens approach as fans wait before the League is stable before investing themselves in a team.
I know a lot of old NSL fans watch the A-League on TV but will not go to a game.
July 9th 2009 @ 11:25am
Andrew said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
I support pretty much the whole comp to some degree apart from Melbourne and Adelaide. And tend to support players more than a club at this stage.
I live in the middle between Gold Coast and Roar (although technically part of Brisbane), used to live on the Central Coast and Sydney, and have a soft spot for Newcastle since they are pretty close to Central Coast and played the best football of any team the year they won the comp. Born in NZ I also want too see the Glory do well becasue they were a shining light for Football during the NSL days.
Roar have a young team which are pretty attacking, they also have fat old blokes like Charlie Miller (which is a plus) so I should support them…… but I don’t really feel anything for them, i’ve leaned more towards SFC. I used to love Danny Tiatto when he was breaking legs in England but not so fussed when it’s other aussies at the end of it.
hmmm the only two teams I dont support came first and second. Although I watched a bit of Adelaides ACL campaign and was cheering for them (Go Pissants!) and would do the same for victory.
Ok, if Roar drop their season ticket prices i’ll jump on board.
July 9th 2009 @ 11:25am
md said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
Great work Con.
You know the most surprising thing? The introduction of 2 new teams may actually have made the league more competitive. I reckon that there are 6 teams who are starting this year with serious expectations of winning it (in no order): GCU, SFC, MV, AU and PG. BR are also there in my view, because this year will be Frankie’s last roll of the dice – he knows the Roar cannot get away with being “promising” anymore. Previously it has been 2 or 3 teams with a real chance, tops and a couple of more hoping to strike it lucky in the finals. It will make the tipping comp interesting!
Cheers
md.
July 9th 2009 @ 11:30am
Andrew said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
I was a Northern Spirit fan…. which was pretty depressing. The owner pulled out after the first season and it just took the life out of the team.
The new teams have helped, I actualy looked at the prices of Roar and Gold Coast Memberships this year, but Roar had stories come out that they were going broke during the offseason
July 9th 2009 @ 11:46am
GeneralAshnak said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:46am | Report comment
md: I don’t think it is surprising at all, I never understood the whole “it will dilute the playing pool!” argument. The more spots available, the more games that get played, the more players will try and step up to the plate. I agree with your top 6 at end of season as well BTW.
Andrew: You poor bastard, a Northern Spirit fan! You had to deal with GA ruining your club team first and then as much of our national setup now…
Pips: we all know your a closet AUFC fan, you can admit it, we will continue to treat you the same as we have always done
July 9th 2009 @ 12:03pm
Rellum said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
I do live in Melboure. It is hard to go to many Roar games here
I go to all the Victory games though, so I figure I am spread my money around the more than if I only just notice of what the Roar does. I just want to see football.
As a Queenslander the last thing I want to see is any cockroach team win anything. But I can put parochialism aside for a second to try and see what is best for the league,