The A–League’s expansion has thrown up a mighty dilemma for the FFA. With two extra teams, six extra rounds and more teams lining up in the not too distant future, the FFA has two options – the dreaded intrusion into winter or midweek games.

From Tashkent to Hindmarsh Stadium and the thousands of kilometres in between, Adelaide United are living the high life.

Queensland can thank their defenders for helping them continue their unbeaten A-League run against the Wellington Phoenix, which was extended by a 1-0 win at Westpac Stadium today.

Perth Glory co-owner Tony Sage and chief executive Scott Gooch will hold a crisis meeting with the player group tomorrow to find out who, if anybody, wants to walk away from the struggling A-League club.
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Now that the football season is finished across the country (bar the A-League and the rugby league World Cup), I thought it would be timely to discuss the year that was in the football codes.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek today hosed down a potential spat with his Crystal Palace counterpart Neil Warnock after clarifying comments he made about English football and the club’s Australian midfielder Nicky Carle.
Jesse Fink: ‘Pick Nicky Carle!’
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Kewell’s a slight chance of playing
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Coaches and their symbiotic relationships with the media often generate fireworks. Although speaking to the media is part of what professional coaches are paid to do and the media also need their precious sound bites from coaches to sell their wares, at times the mutual relationship seems fraught with drama.

In a post-match interview with Aurellio Vidmar, Simon Hill referred to the Adelaide United Football Club as the Manchester United of the A-League. Is that some sort of praise or largely due to Adelaide United’s involvement in the Asian Champions League and their very busy match schedule of the past few weeks?

Newcastle have squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap on the A-League top four, allowing two penalty goals as Wellington escaped with a 2-2 draw at EnergyAustralia Stadium today.

Scanning the football websites this weekend made me smile. And it was an SBS article about the A-League, in particular, that was responsible for bringing on that smile - surprising if discussions over the past year have any basis in truth.

A few months ago the A-League franchise hotline was ringing off the wall with investors looking to buy a share of a sporting business with annual growth running at nearly 20 per cent.

Melbourne Victory powered clear at the top of the A-League after a weekend performance their normally understated coach Ernie Merrick rated close to a season highlight.

Sydney FC coach John Kosmina insists it’s just a matter of time before misfiring new strikers John Aloisi and Mark Bridge break their goal droughts.

High-flying Melbourne Victory left Perth Glory flailing at the foot of the A-League ladder with a 4-0 thumping at Telstra Dome tonight.

Sydney midfielder Stuart Musialik stole an incredible 1-1 draw against Queensland Roar tonight with a neat strike deep into stoppage time.
No Glory for Perth as Victory tear them apart

The Central Coast Mariners have pegged back a three-goal second-half deficit to force a thrilling 3-3 draw against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight.

Well, I can put one lingering unsolved mystery to bed. Graham Arnold has no intention of quitting his assistant coach role with Pim Verbeek and wants to go to South Africa 2010. I have this on the best authority next to Arnold himself and that is Verbeek.

If five matches in 14 days wasn’t tough enough, Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar expects his charges to cop a physical battering in Friday night’s A-League clash with Central Coast at Hindmarsh Stadium.
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Moore expects Coyne retention
Jets make Griffiths marquee man

Former skipper Craig Moore is delighted about his Socceroos recall but doubts he’ll appear in Pim Verbeek’s starting team to play Qatar.

Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths cited the re-signing of coach Gary van Egmond and the upcoming Asian Champions League campaign as key reasons for extending his stay for a further three years at the A-League champions.