Melbourne City’s FFA Cup win is good for the game, particularly if it helps establish the club as a genuine title contender.
City’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC in Wednesday night’s FFA Cup final was the first piece of silverware for a club often treated as an afterthought by the Australian football community.
While the hosts didn’t exactly play Sydney FC off the park, the win was nevertheless a vindication of sorts for coach John van‘t Schip, who remains one of the more maligned characters in the game.
It was also yet another example of Tim Cahill stepping up and scoring a vital goal when his team desperately needed one.
The travelling Sydney fans may have booed the Socceroos striker, but I wonder how many of them would have preferred Cahill up front for their team rather than Bobo?
The Brazilian is increasingly looking like a lame duck when he doesn’t get the service he requires, and with Filip Holosko and Milos Ninkovic both having off nights in the Cup final, the frustration is surely mounting at Moore Park.
Frustration appeared to be behind City skipper Bruno Fornaroli’s expletive-laden outburst on the podium, and his four-lettered faux pas deserves some scrutiny.
Fornaroli has already come out and said he meant to say the Spanish word ‘vamos’ – a hopeful excuse I don’t buy for a second – but I’d hate to see the Uruguayan punished for his slip of the tongue.
Instead, I’d like to see us ask some questions about why Fornaroli was thrust in front of the microphone in the first place.
Yes, he’s the club captain – although I suspect that’s only because he demanded the armband when he signed a new deal at AAMI Park – but surely we can make allowances for someone who speaks English as a second language?
One of my eternal frustrations around coverage in Australia is seeing interviewers thrust a microphone in the face of foreign players and asking them in rapid-fire vernacular to explain their thoughts.
Maybe it’s just because I’ve lived in countries where English is not the dominant language, but a little bit of common sense would go a long way when it comes to speaking to foreign players and coaches.
And that includes not expecting someone like Fornaroli to suddenly speak fluent English just because a microphone happens to be in front of him.
The Fornaroli faux pas took some of the focus of City’s win, but equally vexing was the fact he won the Mark Viduka Medal after being named man-of-the-match.
How on earth could Fornaroli possibly be considered the best player on the pitch? You can only imagine he won the award because organisers didn’t want to give it to solitary goal scorer Cahill.
But the reality is there was one player who outshone either of those two candidates – Danish defender Michael Jakobsen.
What’s a defender got to do in the Australian game to get some kudos?
Not only did Jakobsen clear a Bobo header off the line, but as usual his positional play was simply outstanding in the heart of the City defence.
At any rate, the Dane has been one of the signings of the season for City and club officials will no doubt be hoping he can help the AAMI Park outfit kick on in the league.
The litmus test will be this Saturday night’s showdown with Brisbane Roar, which comes on the back of an excellent midweek crowd of 18,751 and bumper TV ratings for the FFA Cup final.
A-League officials must be hoping the midweek exploits can help entice a few more City supporters through the gates on a regular basis.
Despite the loss, and the fact it means their long wait for silverware continues, defeat isn’t the worst thing for Sydney FC either – who have plenty to keep driving them forward.
But the plaudits belong to Melbourne City. Here’s hoping their first piece of silverware helps transform them into a genuine A-League contender.
Chopper
Guest
City will not be a serious contender until they dump their coach.
Simoc
Guest
I watched the Melb City womens team last week. They're a class act. The mens team may need to watch them to learn how to control possession.
Bob
Guest
They were a contender last year and are a contender this year. I guess the next step is to win it then?
paul
Guest
We can't offload any foreigners at the moment.
buddy
Guest
Back on track with the gist of the piece....... IF MC are going to be genuine title contenders, once again it will come down to consistency. The only consistency we have seen to date is their inconsistency. Last seen they promised much and then "like my dreams they fade and die" and this season not much different. When playing in Sydney against WSW they took the lead, should have taken a grip on the game they dominated in the early stages and then fell asleep and ended up being punished. I'd be inclined to say that in spite of their powerful looking forward line, they are still a work in progress.......a few gaps still to fill!
K
Guest
City have dangerous players now and have had them in the past - Mooy, Williams etc. The real difference is now they have some depth in the squad. They can play a variety of players through the final third who are quality - Fornaroli, Cahill, Brandan, Kamau, Fitzgerald, Caceres. Midfield is solid too. Their first choice defensive line is solid, but that is clearly where they lack depth and need to bolster their squad.
Griffo
Roar Guru
This is true Ben...had American visitors at work a few years ago and they admitted they were struggling at times. Can be a fine line between
's p e a k i n g s l o w l y a n d i n s u l t i n g p e o p l e ' s i n t e l l i g e n c e'
and speakingthelingo dontchyaagree? Actually remember a long while ago an interview with Pele where the Aussie reporter asked something along the lines of 'What dontchya like about football these days?' When Pele asked what the word 'dontchya' meant, it took the reporter a few moments to think about how to refraise what he obviously thought was a simple question...Griffo
Roar Guru
Boooooo Waz! :-( Hopefully we can put out a decent performance with some quality plaster and bandage thrown in. :-P
Stevo
Roar Rookie
If English is not your first language and you're thrust in front of a microphone and you've just won a trophy and you wanted it badly I say give the guy a break. He has been tremendous for our league. The greatest goal scorer over a single season to date and will be remembered fondly for years to come. El Tuna !!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I think it was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment mistake from Bruno, and maybe he didn't quite understand the full implications of what he was saying.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
I agree, Stevo. Colazo arrived with some serious pedigree, however he's certainly lived up to expectations.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
"what makes you think, Mike, that Bruno demanded the armband?" The fact that he signed a new deal in August after protracted negotiations and the implication that he could leave. "Also what is wrong with having a foreign player speak on TV?" Nothing. "I love how you tackle the big stuff in your blogs." And I enjoy the fact you always read them and leave comments.
mattq
Guest
what makes you think, Mike, that Bruno demanded the armband? Also what is wrong with having a foreign player speak on TV? I love how you tackle the big stuff in your blogs.
punter
Guest
Like I said, the performances under Farina & Arnie last year has left a bitter taste in SFC & we are happy, undefeated in A-League, beaten in FFA cup final just. We are in a good place, no pressure long season but, much better place then 4-5 seasons apart from the GF season.
Cameron
Roar Guru
What about poor Perth Glory? :P
Midfielder
Guest
Just on City be a contender... IMO MV have the strongest squad, followed by City and then SFC, with PG not that far behind... If they can more Soresen in the transfer window as suggested by Sandy and get a top defender... they will be very hard to beat with the attack they have.
Midfielder
Guest
Agree with all above why did they get him to speak, Top Cat would have been an obvious choice .
Midfielder
Guest
WSW would be a great place for him.
pauly
Guest
I personally think he was trying on some Aussie lingo and attempted to say "F*** oath!" But in a South American accent, "oath" will sound remarkably like "off". Either that or he really hates the Melburnians.
Sandy
Roar Rookie
Strong rumour that Sorensen will leave the club in the Jan transfer window which will free up a visa spot. Will most likely look to further strenghten the defensive line.