Last week, when the Socceroos traveled to Brazil for their friendly match, Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson made a tongue in cheek comment in regards to Brazil’s Neymar, stating that he didn’t know “what all the fuss is about.”
When Neymar was questioned about these comments, he responded by saying, “Archie who?”.
These comments, much to the amusement of many, sparked a string of text messages. Messages received read like “hahah proves A-League is so bad” and “why watch Thompson when you can watch Neymar?”.
So the question that rises from the dust is “Why watch the A-League when I can watch European football?
It’s a very valid point. The leagues in Europe are the best in the world, with the world’s biggest stars plying their trade week in-week out. They have a world wide appeal. Those Leagues are vested with years and years of tradition, history and rivalry.
The A-League, on the other hand, is young, and one wouldn’t find the cream of the world’s players, at the top of their games, playing in Australia.
As revealed by Neymar’s comments, no one in Europe knows a thing about the A-League, at least not many.
Who cares? While it may not be the world’s best league, it’s Australia’s league. It is football being played on our shores, in our backyard and on our prime time.
What’s more important is that we get everyone on board here, and help grow the league’s popularity in our region, the Asia Pacific.
Asia is our territory and we should do all we can to capture it. Most of the A-League matches are already broadcast in Asia, while our teams play in the AFC Champions League, therefore, Asia is the continent we should aim for.
Let’s not worry about Europe, we are not going to catch them and they will always be miles ahead. But Asia is our region, and realistically, we can become the best league in Asia.
The next thing I would like to say, to all those who have not given the league a chance, is to give it a chance. This is the season to give it a chance. This year, A-League hits free-to-air on Friday nights, opening up the game to many who were deprived of it.
Football is returning home to SBS. This year is arguably the best ever in terms of player quality, and every single team has a genuinely realistic chance of making it to the finals.
There are, probably, six or seven teams who have a genuine chance at the title. Not too many leagues across the world can boast of this diversity.
The people who give it a chance, should also give it time. It will take teams a few weeks to get going and to string together their best play.
Also, do not judge on the basis of one match. Start by watching your Friday night games, the derbies or big fixtures. You can’t just judge the entire league in five minutes of one match in isolation and completely disregard it.
The more you watch, the more players you recognise, the more interesting it becomes.
The league possesses some real quality players, and the teams get better every year. Tactically and technically, it has evolved since day one. Teams, for the most part, play attractive attacking football, and for the most part, there isn’t diving or carrying on.
A-League has that physical element, which many of the Australian sports fans want. Oh, and the atmosphere is unreal at the ground.
It might not be as good as Europe, but it is not half as bad. The league is definitely watchable and there are some brilliant goals and pieces of play produced.
If everyone jumps on board, we will definitely grow as a league and therefore, will be able to attract better players and rise up the ranks in world football.
As a football fan in Australia, isn’t that what you would want?
A-League was ranked in World’s Top 20 leagues by FIFA at number 20 after eight years of its existence. This wasn’t based on technical standards alone, but rather a cross section of factors such as crowds, stadiums, facilities etc. If in eight years A-League can achieve that, imagine what the next eight will bring if everyone gets on board.
Ballymore
Guest
"Hahah proves A-League is so bad". Anyone who believes there is a causal relationship between national league strength and national team probably doesn't have much of an idea.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Thoughts on the changed to the North Terrace? For those not aware the following has happened: - they have banned group banners on the fence; - introduced scanners at the entrances/exits of the NT - put in tarps surrounding the Terrace to limit movement.
AZ_RBB
Guest
and very proud :D lol they're saying only a handful of tickets will be sold to each game. pre sale for the derby has been surprisingly slow today. despite a not so secret password and 10 tickets per transaction limit.
Bondy
Guest
Well done AZ very swift.
AZ_RBB
Guest
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS SEASON TICKETS SOLD OUT!! ABSOLUTELY ZERO APOLOGIES FOR THE CAPS!
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
Its about financial stability. A-League clubs need to meet their bottom line to survive. As the sponsorship and media money goes up and the A-League club's share of profits do, then so does the competition's stability. The FFA's guarantee to pay each clubs salary cap wages from now on is a big step in the right direction.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I missed it unfortunately, I had nothing on all weekend but thought that it was on this coming weekend. DOH!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
A Deakin Uni student is conducting a survey for ALeague fans - doesn't take more than 2 minutes. http://thelastfootballfrontier.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/field-research.html?spref=tw
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Great article Daniel. Keep shooting for the stars
AZ_RBB
Guest
Sydney Derby goes on sale tomorrow morning! With 7000 set aside for SCGT members and 8000 set aside for SFC members. Plus however many SFC members have bought tickets this week. There's probably no more than 30k tickets left. WSW fans have been allocated approx. 13 bays, 6 of them Active. I know we all love to hate Olympic. But this fixtures demands a venue like that and a crowd of that size. But we first need to sell out the SFS a few times to prove that.
Mike
Roar Guru
Good stuff Craig! That's exactly the support the A-League needs, and there are Aussies like yourself all over the country giving it a go. I'm sure you'll find it's quite a good watch, and the atmosphere is electric, especially at the derbys. And best of all, it is Aussie! I like watching out for future Socceroos too. I remember watching Robbie Kruse play for Victory, and I just knew he'd get picked sooner or later for the national team. I was so happy for him when he got his first goal in the '11 Asian Cup.
kylesy sky blues fan
Guest
Did you by any chance catch the Sydney v Newcastle match on Sunday at WIN stadium mate? Would have been a perfect introduction!
Zee
Roar Guru
LOVE your passion, wee need more people like you getting behind our league. I love the Aleague, its small, passionate and we have fun supporting it. Nothing irritates me more than the "EURO" snobs who scrutinize our league by comparing it to Europe's Elite. ONLY THREE WEEKS LEFT, the off season is THE Worst aspect to A league, its too bloody long. Allianz Stadium, 3 weeks time, Jets/Sydney ... CMON YOU BOYS IN BLUEEEE
The Hurler on the Ditch
Guest
If you could swing a trip to Perth you might have a complete Groundhopping set,
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
I've decided to give the A-League a go this year. On the advice of Ian while commenting on another article I am going for the Roar - until we here in the Gong get our own team anyway. I'm looking forward to the year (once my Bunnies win the GF). From the point of view of a casual observer (I have 3 kids that play, 1 in juniors and 2 in seniors, and I went to some Wolves games in the past but never got into the A-League due to cricket and lack of a local team) I have seen the A-League become more and more attractive to those that are interested in 'soccer' but had not committed to the A-L Some of the marquee signings have helped but also seeing A-L players getting selected for the Socceroos. More importantly, seeing it grow each year has impressed me and there is no substitute for watching for a local comp compared to an O/S comp.
Sawyer
Roar Rookie
"...I mean who really cares about a team that plays half way across the world?". This is what I have an issue with Legro. That kind of mentality either stems from ignorance or the kind of parochialism that will only serve to alienate certain parts of the footballing community. I wasn't accusing you personally of being vitriolic.
Legro
Guest
No my comment was pointing at those people who continually derided the A-league in favour of some European teams. If you support both A-league and European team, then more power to you. And if you read my comment clearly, you'll see there was nothing "vitriolic" about it.
Bart
Guest
Well said. See you at suncorp.
Sawyer
Roar Rookie
Agree with you Jukes. There's so much to be said for the A-League and so much it offers supporters which can't be offered by European football. However, the vitriol bandied about by some of the 'A-League or nothing' fans does nothing to bring others to the game here.
Peter Care
Guest
All the more reason to have a new team based in Geelong.