What a pity this weekend’s round of A-League action was overshadowed by the Socceroos, with the lack of an international break hurting the competition once again.
Congratulations to Sydney FC, who capped off a stellar league campaign by sealing the Premiers’ Plate without kicking a ball.
It was the Sky Blues’ first piece of silverware in seven years, although in the eyes of many it will count for little unless Sydney FC go on to win the grand final.
Graham Arnold’s men can thank Brisbane Roar for the title win, after the Roar downed Melbourne Victory 1-0 thanks to a Jamie Maclaren wonder strike at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
It was an impressive win for the Roar in an entertaining clash watched by more than 13,500 fans in Brisbane, but how fair was it on second-placed Victory side that was missing three key players to international duty?
Enough is enough – the integrity of the A-League is being damaged by the absence of international breaks.
And there’s only one group to hold accountable. It’s not the media, it’s not broadcasters, it’s not the fans and it’s not club owners. It’s Football Federation Australia.
How can they possibly be happy with robbing a traditional grudge match of the likes of Besart Berisha, Marco Rojas and James Troisi, who were representing Kosovo, New Zealand and Australia respectively?
Had the game been scheduled to take place following the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, we might have witnessed Berisha notch his 100th A-League goal at the home of his former club.
Instead, paying spectators are expected to watch a second-string Victory side go around, while being robbed of the chance to watch the Ingham brothers go up against each other for opposing sides.
Meanwhile, the FFA keeps up the pretence that the marquee rule is designed to bring international-calibre talent to our shores – instead of the accounting exercise it actually is – then shrugs its collective shoulders when the likes of Berisha and Tim Cahill are called up for international duty.
The whole thing is ridiculous – and easily fixed by simply scheduling international breaks.
As it is, the spectre of Australia’s must-win clash with the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday night loomed large over the entire weekend.
So concerned was coach Ange Postecoglou with getting the media to buy into his tactical changes last Thursday that he actually briefed journalists in on the new formation before the match.
It just goes to show how seriously Postecoglou treats his position, and he’ll no doubt be hoping fans treat the game against the UAE with the same respect, even if high ticket prices are likely to keep some fans at home.
At least the Sydney Football Stadium surface enjoyed some respite over the weekend, with co-tenants the Sydney Roosters and New South Wales Waratahs both playing away.
The ground’s other tenants, Sydney FC, were also away from home, but the long trip west evidently didn’t faze them, as they thumped an outclassed Perth Glory 3-0.
It was a fitting way to celebrate winning the premiership, as Sydney FC broke Western Sydney Wanderers’ record points haul of 57, set in a ten-team A-League campaign.
The Sky Blues could even overhaul Brisbane Roar’s 2010-11 record of 65 points – set when it was an 11-team competition and three extra games were played.
Meanwhile, Wellington Phoenix brushed aside the fact they were missing no less than seven players to international duty to smash the Newcastle Jets 5-0 at a rain-swept Westpac Stadium.
Perhaps the Jets went into the game in a complacent frame of mind, but in the end they were no match for one player you would have expected to make the All Whites squad, Kosta Barbarouses.
At least Phoenix fans got to see one key player in action.
But the absence of international breaks is damaging the A-League, and it’s a problem that must be solved next season.
hooked13
Roar Rookie
punter jb was providing numbers of how well HAL did in opening round without derbies as compared to the AFL with "derbies" That doesn't prove that Football did quite well, he actually proved the opposite. HAL does get lost in the noise. Comparing opening rounds of both sports only highlights that even more.
Mark
Guest
Let's call a spade a spade. The Victory squad was miles away from being full strength and the young players that filled in, though I have no doubt they gave their best, are well below the quality of the players they filled in for. Sure, Victory weren't missing as many players as Phoenix, but Victory's losses were felt more because they were all up one end of the park. Take the top three goalscorers away from any team in this league and they would struggle to win. I'm sure plenty of teams would fancy their chances against a Sydney FC team without Bobo, Brosque and Ninkovich, a Melbourne City team without Fornaroli, Cahill and any of their other players on three goals, or Perth without Keogh, Castro and Taggert.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
"Second string Victory side"? Really, those four words say nothing of the talented and passionate MV side and I'm sure you wouldn't have the nuts to say to their faces. Or maybe your just another that chokes on popcorn.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
"He wouldn’t have asked for them because it wouldn’t have occurred to him. They are happy with the schedule and the status quo." Bingo! This is precisely what we have been trying to tell you Mid. And previously you stated. "… and then blame FFA and say they where to inept to understand and never asked for them… Really Frank Lowy would not have asked for them … come on…"
RBBAnnonymous
Guest
No I wouldn't accept what they do in other codes. What sort of answer is that. Your answer is basically this - I don't why they would pay less, they just do. They do it for all the other sports. It's the same answer someone at work, who gets asked. Why do we do it this way and the answer is - we always do it this way. Keep trying Midfielder, I have given up.
Midfielder
Guest
RBB He wouldn’t have asked for them because it wouldn’t have occurred to him. They are happy with the schedule and the status quo. Now your turn. If you are right I would demand the entire board be sacked as well as all senior management. So a person with over 65 years of Australian Football experience, who often spoke with Les Murray... one of the best business brains in the country ... would not ask for one of the most basic requests... I guess we see people like Frank Lowy in a totally different light ... I am still at a lost to answer you question as to why Fox would pay less ... you won't accept what they do in other codes as a guide, nor I guess believe me when I said I have read a couple of times where Fox have spoken about breaking up a season and they don't like it... I don't have any internal paper work ... so I have no idea how to answer your question... other than to say based on my observations and past experiences.
Nemesis
Guest
Australia vs Oman Coach: Holger Osieck 26 March 2013 Match was played midweek between R26 & R27 of the ALeague season ALeague players in the National Team Thwaite (Perth Glory) Thompson (MVFC) Milligan (MVFC) Galekovic (Adelaide) Ryan (CCM) North (Brisbane)
RBBAnonymous
Guest
@Nemesis By your answer I would say that Fox is happy with the status quo. However I would challenge that and suggest that the recent break in the A-league would have had no effect on the value of the A-league. Perhaps from fox's point of view it would, perhaps not. How would we know when we don't know the value they have put on having or not having international breaks.
Nemesis
Guest
"Refresh my memory, how many HAL players did, Holger, use for the world cup qualifiers?" Check out the squads and you'll find about the same number as we have in this squad. Usually 4-8 A-League players every 23 man squad. Less when the ALeague is out of season. Frank Lowy would not have been involved in the latest round of PayTV discussions. And, we don't know whether the next TV deal that starts in July will stop for international matches.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
"1. What is makes the most money" Why does no IB, make the most money? When yet we haven't had one to experience. I won't make any difference---the same amount of games will still apply. In fact it will make more as the best teams will be on the park, instead a reserve teams playing out understrength fixtures.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Refresh my memory, how many HAL players did, Holger, use for the world cup qualifiers? And so are you saying Frank Lowy, was involved in the latest TV deal with FOX?
Nemesis
Guest
@RBBAnonymous Based on observation we know FoxSports will pay less for a break in the continuity of the programming. Also, if FoxSports thinks it would be more valuable to have a break in the schedule for internationals, there would be a break in the schedule for internationals. At this stage of the evolution of the ALeague the FFA makes decisions based on 1. What is makes the most money 2. What is best for the game Very often (1) & (2) are mutually exclusive. Based on past experience, when this occurs, the FFA has shown that (1) always trumps (2).
RBBAnonymous
Guest
@Nemesis I appreciate you trying to help Midfielder but your answer doesn't go to the heart of the question. The question is directed to Midfielder who has consistently avoided why fox would pay less for the A-league if IB's were included. My contention is this. That if two deals were presented one with IB's and one without that fox would pay more for the deal including IB's. Simply because it would result in a better product per game as more players of International standard would be available. Nothing in his answers has he refuted this logic. I await eagerly for his logic and ultimately his answer to this basic question.
Nemesis
Guest
"There was no need to have a IB, when all the Socceroos were playing for O/S clubs" Pim Verbeek hasn't coached Australia since June 2010. Since then we signed a new ALeague broadcast deal and ALeague players have featured regularly during World Cup Qualifiers since 2011 - under the current TV deal with expires in a few months.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
NO! NO! NO! The national team was O/S based. Why on earth would Frank under those circumstances would ask for an IB (ie if he knew what that was). There was no need to have a IB, when all the Socceroos were playing for O/S clubs. Don't you think Frank Lowy new that? Pim, told Frank, all the A-League players were *r@p and he was going only to use the O/S contingent, to represent Australia...
RBBAnonymous
Guest
@ Midfielder Isn't it funny that you still haven't answered the question.
Griffo
Roar Guru
That's putting it mildy, Real. A loss at home to UAE will send the footballteriate into a frenzy... I just hope the 'wingers' in the 3-2-4-1 get more instructions on needing to undertake defensive duties, and take care of the Arabian Messi tonight...
Realfootball
Guest
This is a sideshow compared to what will happen if we fail to win tonight.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
He wouldn't have asked for them because it wouldn't have occurred to him. They are happy with the schedule and the status quo. Now your turn.
Midfielder
Guest
RBB Just on unanswered question. Do you have an answer to my question to you. Do you think in the last media deal Frank Lowy would have asked for IB's.?