There can’t be too many sports around the world where a former match-going fan can one day rise to the rank of professional coach and defeat the club he once supported.
Giancarlo Italiano is one of the best stories the A-League has ever produced.
A long-time Sydney FC fan who never played the game professionally, the man known universally as ‘Chiefy’ has just engineered a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Sky Blues in front of more than 18,000 fans at Eden Park in Auckland.
And he did it against the man – and mentor – who helped Italiano land the top job in Wellington.
Ufuk Talay is regarded by many as the most tactically astute coach in the A-League, but he won’t love the fact his former protégé just got one over him.
Nor will Sky Blues fans appreciate the fact it was their former player, Kosta Barbarouses, who skipped clear to steer home the winner in a game Sydney FC took an early lead in.
Call it karma for the Sky Blues nicking Talay from the Phoenix.
But the truth is Italiano’s men were decent value for their victory, even if they rode their luck in what was a cracking contest across the ditch.
Giancarlo Italiano has led Phoenix to a genuine premiership tilt (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
How Sydney FC centre-back Gabriel Lacerda didn’t score when he almost snapped the crossbar with a venomous half-volley midway through the first half is anyone’s guess.
And the Sky Blues thought they had doubled Robbie Mak’s early opener when Jordan Courtney-Perkins volleyed home a pinballing free-kick soon after – only for VAR to rule the ball had bounced off the defender’s hand in the build-up.
If Talay thought that was to be the end of his bad luck for the day, he was mistaken.
Lacerda’s defensive partner Hayden Matthews turned into his own net shortly after half-time to register an own goal that required yet more VAR confirmation, before Barbarouses popped up to haunt his former club with that well-taken winner.
It’s not like those were the only chances Wellington created in what was an entertaining encounter in Auckland.
And the Phoenix’s trip to New Zealand’s largest city will invariably be their last as a ‘home’ team, now that Auckland FC are entering the competition next season.
They’ll have their own Sydney FC connection in the form of coach Steve Corica, while the newcomers just unveiled a sharp-looking black-and-blue playing strip.
It didn’t look so sharp when a pitch invader galloped onto the pitch wearing the brand-new jersey on Saturday, only to be dutifully pole-axed by a security guard with a tackle that would have made former All Blacks lock Ali Williams proud.
Williams and his billionaire fiancée Anna Mowbray have been named as co-owners of Auckland FC alongside American businessman Bill Foley, and the A-League’s newest franchise clearly won’t be short of a quid.
Questions should nevertheless be asked of how a pitch invader took to the field wearing one of their jerseys at Eden Park – and if the Australian Professional Leagues are ringing around, they should put a call in to Lou Sticca while they’re at it.
The man responsible for bringing the likes of Dwight Yorke, Shinji Ono, and Alessandro Del Piero to Australia has had little to do with the A-League since his short-lived involvement with Western United, but evidently has no trouble bringing some of the game’s biggest clubs to our shores.
His latest venture sees Italian giants Milan take on Roma at Optus Stadium in Perth on May 31, yet Sticca’s deep contacts within the European game continue to go to waste among A-League circles.
A proper New Zealand derby that attracts big crowds to both the Cake Tin and Eden Park next season is a welcome new storyline, at least, in a competition crying out for them.
So too is Giancarlo Italiano.
The trained lawyer says he’s still waiting for the day he has to get a proper job.
On the basis of the one he’s currently doing in Wellington, he’ll be waiting a lot longer yet.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Good points
338
Roar Rookie
LH, I've been frustrated watching Jay O Shea playing so deep which is probably not his best position to be most effective. Not saying he's not doing a job but he's been like a gun with only half the bullets.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Unbelievable. Never seen this before in Aus sport.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
A win is a win. Greece won the UEFA EURO 2004 Championship with 1-0 on Portugal after winning 1-0 on Czech Republic in the semi-final and winning 1-0 on France in the quarter final. Greece played in super defensive style but they made wins. However, no other big teams play their way after. In A League, some won the championship and/or premiership defensively and some did not. Pheonix supporters are delighted while others are bored.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Let us know when it’s up. Not really a boxing fan anymore, but I’d certainly have a read and then comment on the crowd! I did grow up enjoying (I luv yous all) Jeff Fenech and Kosta Tzyu.
Chopper07
Roar Rookie
He has done well but is ultra defensive away from home and we want the A League to excite.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
been to a melbourne derby and it's brilliant mate. Proper football atmosphere
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
What are these OFC qualifications your talking about I dont remember anything. I have found the article and it says the following. In 2010 Vidmar was banned after already coaching Adelaide to the final and being nominated as AFC coach of the year. The required qualification at that stage was only the A-license and Joe Mullen had an A license. That article also says they started all the unqualified A-league coaches on an A license course before this so Vidmar was already studying for it. I remember at the time sfc forum having a laugh at Vidmar because we had Lavicka who had the UEFA pro licence and Vidmar didnt even have an A-license. So first it was the A-license for ACL then it was for the A-league and then pro came in at a later date.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
I really liked the Roar at the start of the year under RA. They seemed to have a really good balance. They initiated an oppressive high press to initially win the ball back quickly, but as soon as it was clear that they had not won the ball they quickly reverted to a medium block. They were happy to sit off until they saw an opportunity to to win the ball back. They then sprang into action getting into the box as fast as possible, however they did have the ability to recycle the ball and knock it around the 18 yard box probing for entries if the opposition closed up. A shame he left before we could see this across an entire season.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Im actually a huge boxing fan as well as football so i might write something up about Tim Tszyu, I boxed as a amateur in the day as well as played football.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Officially sold out – no tickets available to Accor. Less than a day.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I read this ages ago when Vidmar took Adeliade to the ACL final about coaching credits and the AFC said the OFC Pro licenses was equivalent to the AFC B version. It might have changed now but also there was a thing way back that all A-League coaches must have a AFC pro licenses to coach in the A-League and the Gold Coast United coach what ever his name was didnt even have a OFC license and kicked up a stink that he didn't need it which the FFA at the time pushed him to go study for it.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
Say what you will about GA and his style (and for the record I am not a fan, huge respect for the man, not for his style) but he gets results. Ange's team of 2014 played the best football I have ever seen Australians play, and we came away with 0 points. GA's team played the most reactive, unimaginative, low possession type of game possible, and we got through to the final 16. I think this goes to the heart of the conversation. Entertaining, brave, "good" football that often does not yield rewards, or predictable, steady, reactive play that get you points. Striking a balance between the two is probably the key. But in the end.........Aussies love 2 things... a battler and a winner. GA might be shrewder than we give him credit for.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
I agree, it is not great watching from a life time football supporter standpoint, but my point is "that is football", and as football fans we must know that it goes through periods and revolutions. I dont know the stats (and cant be bothered looking them up right now), but is seems to me that we are seeing more goals this year than the last few seasons despite some of the un-inspiring build up play?? I think "informed" football fans appreciate the tactical side of the game and understand that changing nature, and that it will not always be boring low possession games. But as for new fans and kids, they just want to see goals and their team winning. They don't care about low block or pressing or Inverted wing backs. They just want to see the net ripple 4 or 5 times in a match. Lets just hope they keep scoring regularly despite the style they employ. Aussies love a high scoring sport.
Grem
Roar Rookie
He is the chosen one. You’ve still got it Yoda!
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Not sure if you're familiar with Brisbane, location wise it's tucked away in the inner northern suburbs, off the train line, serviced by suburban bus routes nearby, no bus station, no parking, no entertainment precinct and nearby streets closed to parking on game days (supposedly). Compare to Suncorp which includes free public transport, has a walk-over from train station and parking, bus station underneath with shuttles from outer hubs , close to City and pubs. For many people, it's just too hard, especially from the outer suburbs.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
You mean AFC pro license. I had a look and the first OFC pro license course is underway. Zdrillic got the AFC pro license but not recognised in Europe so he is doing the Europe version. Ange got some special treatment to be appointed for Celtic. So the OFC pro license I am suprised they have 18 doing it including the Wellington womens coach but where will it be recognised.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I’ve heard Ruben say Hore’s position is further forward but he’s been playing him deeper because of injuries to others. I’m bemused by Mileusnic playing striker, but with limited stock and Waddingham getting over a minor injury, I can understand the choice. Brownley must be considered not up to A League yet, despite looking good in the few games he’s had, and Majok always a crowd favourite but doesn’t score many. PS JB, young grandson scored a nice penalty overnight, in England. Got the video, he hit it low near the right corner post, goalkeeper went the right way but just couldn’t get to it. His team’s in the final, played while we’re visiting.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
no team in the a league should be playing any type of 'hoof ball' - especially with how much emphasis has been put on developing technically proficient players over the past 15-20 years. i always sound like im having a go at the coaching fraternity in australia/nz, but it all boils down to how a side is coached as for possession, controls great - but whats the point of having possession just for the sake of it? (reminds me of that episodes of the simpsons where homer is watching football and those 3 players just pass it side to side and backwards) i would expect a team that dominates possession to also dominate attacking entries into the final third, shots on goals etc etc - but it doesnt always go that away
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
Yes but what is currently as planned is what it was on Saturday. As I understand it, that condemned grandstand is still not funded?