The World Cup is by any measure the biggest sporting event on the planet, so it’s incumbent upon Football Federation Australia not to let an opportunity slip.
So there’s a new digital streaming rights deal between the FFA and Telstra that will see every A-League game streamed live on Telstra mobile phones until 2023 – as well as selected W-League, Socceroos and Matildas games.
And non-Telstra customers can access the same content through a variety of reasonably priced yearly, monthly or weekly passes.
That’s good news, isn’t it?
It not only throws the gauntlet down to Optus – which recently extended its deal to broadcast the English Premier League and will offer a standalone streaming service to non-Optus customers to watch the World Cup – it also means the A-League joins the NRL and AFL in being streamed by Australia’s biggest telco.
And although Telstra has only sub-licenced the digital rights from Fox Sports – and presumably could have done so ever since the latest broadcast deal was originally signed in December 2016 – anything that gets football in front of more fans is a good thing for our game.
Which is precisely why the World Cup is such an opportunity for the FFA.
The game in this country might have its problems, but Aussies genuinely care about the performance of the national team at the world’s most popular sporting event.
And if it helps the A-League win a few new fans along the way, so much the better.
That’s why it was no surprise to see Melbourne City wunderkind Daniel Arzani named in Australia’s provisional World Cup squad.
There were eyebrows raised when the fleet-footed teenager missed the Socceroos’ recent friendlies against Norway and Colombia – not least over legitimate fears the Iranian-born youngster could be called up by his birth nation instead.
But having declared his allegiance to the Socceroos, it doesn’t take a genius to suggest that Arzani will almost certainly be on his way to Russia as part of Australia’s 23-man squad.
That’s despite the fact that the Socceroos’ interim coach Bert van Marwijk doesn’t strike anyone as the type to necessarily follow orders.
The issue of whether van Marwijk will actually take Arzani to Russia is an interesting one, because it begs the question of whether a temporary hire should only focus on short-term goals, or act in the broader interests of the Australian game.
The Dutchman probably feels entitled to tell the FFA to sod off should they have suggested to select Arzani – especially after the way van Marwijk left Saudi Arabia – however it’s clearly in the Socceroos’ best interests to have Arzani wearing green and gold colours.
At any rate, having the Socceroos strut their stuff on the world stage once again is the latest sugar hit that comes around once every four years.
The tricky thing now – and this has been the FFA’s problem from day one – is how to convert some of the viewers who watch the World Cup on TV into match-going, merch-buying, broadcast-viewing A-League fans.
Maybe that’s why Fox Sports has decided once again to chip in $3 million of its own funds towards a marquee player ‘war chest’.
It’s a pity it won’t land outgoing Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta – the close links between Barca’s major sponsor Rakuten and the Rakuten-owned Vissel Kobe suggest he’s off to the J.League – but some genuine star names are desperately needed in the A-League, no matter how much the purists deny that simple fact.
A-League clubs could do worse than trying to land out-of-contract Japanese star Keisuke Honda – although we all know how averse our clubs are to signing Asian talent.
But something needs to give if the A-League is to avoid a repeat of one of the most difficult campaigns in memory.
And it can start with the Socceroos. They may not win the World Cup in Russia, but they can at least remind the sceptics that Aussies know how to play football.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Seriously Sam Pip where have you been mate? We know you prefer that odd shaped game where you kick 200 goals and watch 400 ads per game. I'm loving it, AFLX the McDonalds of Australian Sport.
j binnie
Guest
Waz - Thank you,my point exactly. Amateur football should be run,not as a cash cow for semi -pro clubs but as a starting point for people who love the game and like to participate in it's environs. Obviously that area would become the first rung on the ladder for any youngster who wanted to 'make the grade".A fixed fee should be inplace to reward an amateur club for its improvement efforts.among their younger players. The semi pro level of our football should be organised and run by people with a wholly different outlook on the game and an aim to achieve a level of football that would aid in continuing that hoped for improvement being experienced in the amateur game.They could be aided by allowing a transfer system to be in place where a player moving to a full time environment would attract a monetary valuation to be paid. The professional game is a totally different scenario being a level of football that has to be run more as a business that a hobby . The international level of our sport should be totally funded and run by the government in power and that of course is another story in Australia. Cheers jb.
c
Guest
concussion sports have a limited future
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I should add Surat Sukha showed it is possible, however I agree that some are now too expensive given the interest shown in Japan for Thai footballers which has pushed up the price.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
If you look to the better players in Maungthong or Buriram then you'll have to pay a hefty transfer fee, that's for sure, and a decent salary (though probably not marquee, that would be their asking price as opposed to what they'd take - good old SE Asian negotiations). Those clubs have money and ambition so will try to hang onto their stars. But for most Thai players the average salaries are far below what is offered in Australia and gems can be found for astute scouts. Not so different from most football markets.
chris
Guest
I watched most games and I agree the standard was very good. Arzani has to go to Russia and I suspect he will. People who say that this season was boring I suspect didnt watch much of it.
Jordan
Guest
Yes. People are entitled to their opinion in reply to his opinion. Thankfully everyone elses opinion has been an firm rejection of Folau's homophobic religious nonsense.
Jordan
Guest
Just completed the stadium survey Waz. Can you please tell me what your own personal vision for Roar's home would be?
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Good for you, so-called Surfside66. Absolute load of drivel, but keep on rocking in the free world, nonetheless.
Redondo
Guest
Any sport that produces a Mark Ella must have something going for it. But I wish he had taken up Football instead. Regarding religions, I’m suspicious of them all, including AFL.
Redondo
Guest
Yes to the good football and definitely yes re Arzani. His close control, speed and passing (quickly improving) all stand out already. He has won over Joyce, a curmudgeonly old sceptic who has worked with a lot of promising young players, so I’d back Arzani to go a long way.
Sam
Guest
Seriously Cuz - A League this year was boring as bat sh#t. Thank God for the world cup coming next month.
Sam
Guest
Can't help themselves
Waz
Roar Rookie
Ben “Apart from a few countries, such as China, Indonesia and the Gulf States, good value Asian players are within the financial range of A-League clubs” .... I’m not sure that’s true. When Muangthong played Roar an enquiry was made on their players. Most were commanding marquee salaries for the A League .. it’s not that simple although I agree, if they scout better ??
Waz
Roar Rookie
I read jb as saying the professional game should be run independently of the amateur game. That’s a conclusion most other countries have already come too.
Waz
Roar Rookie
The FFA control the competition. They do the marketing. They are hostile to foreign owners who could genuinely buy exciting talent. The ffa blew (wasted) millions on Cahill. They gave us Yoshi. And the summer of football. And “The Chase”. The ffa stuffed up expansion. The ffa prevent transfers and loans. The ffa fo the scheduling where teams play at home one week and away fur the next four. The ffa choose the time and day games kick off, often inconvenient to fans. The ffa say the A league model is “broken”, how can it thrive then? But yeah, it’s only about excitement on the pitch.
punter
Guest
Don't agree with his opinion, but 100% agree, he is entitled to his opinion.
Fadida
Guest
The football was pretty good, excellent at times. . Arzani is quality. Just like Mooy he looks a class above most around him. I keep saying it, but he looks like Nani, the ex Man U player, diving and all. He's a really exciting talent and will play in a top league if managed and advised correctly. This is no Kaz Patafta
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yes he hasn’t necessarily said Iran by name recently - it seems some journalists who interview him want a flat out refusal by name.
Griffo
Roar Guru
So now I see that Honda has been shortlisted as one of the group of players FFA are interested in for splashing some of the $3M on...