Can you name the previous two winners of the Australia Cup? Hint: they’ll be fighting for survival in the upcoming playoffs.
The reversal of fortunes for both Melbourne Victory and Macarthur FC have been dramatic, relegating the former knock-out champions to sudden-death matches in the Northern Territory.
The Victorians take on the Newcastle Jets this Monday, while Campbelltown’s finest play Perth Glory the following night in tropical Darwin.
It was only last October the Bulls proudly lifted their first piece of silverware, defeating Sydney United 2-0 at CommBank Stadium in the Australia Cup Final.
Afterwards, Macarthur commenced their A-League season with confidence, managed by EPL legend Dwight Yorke. By January this year, they were sitting comfortably in sixth place, unaware of the internal storm that was brewing.
Suddenly, after a loss to Adelaide, Yorke mysteriously departed the A-League’s newest franchise. The term “pub team” was thrown around, denouncing a secretive, behind-the-scenes conflict within the Bulls.
Macarthur never recovered. After the season’s midway point, the team lingered at the bottom half of the table, trapped.
Dwight Yorke (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
How could the Bulls ownership group allow this?
As a manager, Yorke’s winning percentage was well over 50 per cent. He also convinced Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United gaffer, to visit Campbelltown Stadium, bringing a camera crew with him.
Arguably, the only other scenario worse than losing a successful coach is dealing with an injured marquee player, such as Victory’s Nani.
Also occurring in January, as if by coincidence, the Portuguese international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, plateauing his club at 12th position for nearly two months.
Finishing the season second-last, Melbourne only scrapped past the Bulls by a couple of points. However, on closer inspection, Victory should have easily played finals football.
Two factors stand out. The first consideration is the team’s goal difference. Compared to other competitors, Victory came in at sixth position, on -6. Looking at the A-League ladder, they clearly did better than half of the table.
On reflection, Tony Popovic’s lads should have edged out Wellington Phoenix, pushing them out of the top six. In fact, during the season’s final five games, both clubs had the exact results.
With the arrival of former Socceroo Daniel Arzani, it’s easy to see why Victory would be favoured to beat Newcastle this Monday in Darwin.
As for the other Australia Cup match, how does an energetic Perth Glory back up their clash against West Ham United? Surely the Bulls will be better rested than their Western Australia counterparts.
A win would start another fairytale run for Macarthur, boosting their spirits. Anything less, and it’s a warm beer at the local bar.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Sail has been a shocker so far first West Ham all these give aways and now Glory now one leading to a goal. Ivanovic missed the goal unmarked in the center of the area with the goal keeper on the line. Add to the Taggart so many misses against West Ham butchered a touch in the in the first half that would have been an easy goal if he controlled it.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Wow anyone watching the Perth Macarthur. 3-0. Who is this Youlley 18 years old, ambitious long passing game from deep. Seems to have everything athleticism, tackling, fitness. He is only in the NPL roster as well. Surely they are promoting him to the senior squad after this game.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Only a couple from last night, not yet, yes, and no loss atm.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Who is in the senior squad though? Has Broxham retired , is Popovoc crazy enough to keep Fornaroli? Arzani wont be able to play for a while.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
its funny because i wrote an article on victory's youth and not being given a chance under poppa a couple months back - every player i wrote about started last night lol. its one thing starting them in a meaningless cup round, its anothere in the actual regular season. not a single player that victory played last night, would i expect to start in round 1
Garry
Roar Rookie
Currently a draw in the Cup with Victorys youngsters staging a comeback. Im annoyed on two counts - the usual anti MV thing :happy: ..but I also think by excluding his senior squad poopa has made a mockery of the Cup - personally I think it warrants a fine.
Brendan
Roar Pro
That’s a sad state, I’ll admit. The Jets deserve better. They were once an A-League powerhouse (similar to Brisbane).
Grem
Roar Rookie
7.30pm in NSW
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Pappas never used the young players so what relevance is the academy, Its not like Pappas didnt spend big on foreign players the first year he was there either.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think your confusing Germains high of goals scored versus minutes played being at Monaco 12/13 14 goals 2800 min but it was in the second division. His best season in Ligue 1 was with Nice 15/16 14 goals but in 3100 minutes. Then he went back to Monaco 16/17 10 goals 2200 min. Then Marseille 17/18 9 goal 2100 min 18/19 8 goal 2100. Next 4 season he declined but so did the minutes, its gone from 1 in 200 to 1 in 400. No reason why he cant make 10 a season in the A-league coming from Ligue 1.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i'm not going to give the ins and outs of pappas's time there in newcastle (mainly because of a 10 year+ working relationship i have with him) but he made it clear from day 1 that the academy was not up to the standard he expected and that ruffled feathers instantly with daniel mcbreen - pappas was also not speaking to van egmond during the end of his tenure whilst he was dealing with the academy. the clubs propping up the jets currently, cant keep doing it for much longer - they are bleeding money footing that bill i dont think the jets are in danger of folding, but they need new owners ASAP
Brendan
Roar Pro
That’s not an ideal academy, I gather. Something to be put under a microscope at the Jets. I’d like to think Stanton’s Sydney FC’s connections gives him stability. I read recently he had success at NPL2 level, obtaining silverware in 2016.
Grem
Roar Rookie
As SS wrote - 10 Play. Football doesn’t get the message out very well.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Such a shame about Newcastle. What’s the point of sacking a coach if the squad isn’t up to scratch?
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
newcastle are screwed in the short term, there academy set up is an absolute mess (worst in the a league) - they cant bring kids through to solve the problem, because they just arent good enough stanton is a dead man walking, easily favourite to be first coach sacked
Brendan
Roar Pro
I was convinced Newcastle would be competitive over the last two seasons, based on Arthur Papas‘ connection to Big Ange. My only concern with the former coach, however, was his constant bouncing between clubs, amassing around a dozen teams in a decade.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I’m keen to see Arzani in action too, especially under Popovic’s guidance. I was surprised the Bulls didn’t put up a fight to keep him. I’m also a Davila fan. He’s Macarthur’s heart & soul. An overall leader. Judging by Valere Germain‘s recent games, his on-field minutes have been limited to short appearances. I’m hoping Macarthur will improve that. Here’s hoping for a stellar year for Big Ange!
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
yup Australia cup is 10 play exclusive, kick off 6:30 AEST tonight
At work
Roar Rookie
Are the Australia Cup matches televised though? I checked Paramount and it doesn't appear, the 10Play app wasn't obvious to me. Tomorrow I'll definitely be watching Ange's Spurs, but would like to catch a game tonight
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
davilla has had to deal with a tragic family issue plus recovery from an ACL, its well known if you consistently foul davilla - his influence is minimal (adelaide targeted him with 2 or 3 really strong fouls in a match early last season and he was taken off, reinjured himself from memory) an ACL is a tough injury to overcome, especially playing as an attacking mid - which is easily one of the most fouled positions in the pitch. germain i have already picked to be the biggest VISA bust this upcoming season, this is not the same germain from his time at monaco almost a decade ago i cant see him hitting double figures, he hasnt even hit double figured combined in league goals over the past 4 season (granted at a much high level)