Roar Guru
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Born in Melbourne but now based in England, Davidde Corran is a freelance journalist, photographer and videographer who has contributed to AP, PA Sport, Football+, Fox Sports, The Blizzard and The New York Times among many others.
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“They need a midfielder, not another international class striker.” That was the refrain that dogged the first couple months of Robin van Persie's time…
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a big fan of assessing his team through process-based rather than result-based evaluation. It doesn't make for sexy headlines,…
It’s here again. The football fan’s dream and the manager’s nightmare - the hectic end of year schedule in English football. It's two weeks…
Right across the English media websites the polls are up and they are all asking the same thing - is it time for Arsene…
As Manchester City faced defeat following a home loss to Ajax last month Roberto Mancini was bemoaning his team’s lack of defensive concentration. Then…
Few players are more loved by fans of the clubs they’ve represented than Tim Cahill. A combination of hard work, innate goal scoring ability…
The facts and figures have been pouring out since Roberto Di Matteo was sacked as Chelsea manager on Wednesday night Australian time. Eight managers…
Put fans at the centre of everything. That's my suggestion for how to fix Australian football and, more specifically, the A-League's ills. In professional…
"He seldom stands and watches. In fact, he always wants the ball, but he is a bit indisciplined (sic) and often goes where he…
“We don't need Tebow.” That was the now infamous tweet from New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, as the AFC East outfit prepared to…
All pre-season they'd been saying Peyton Manning couldn't throw to the right. The question had been posed – how would the 36-year-old quarterback handle…
They were all there. Journalists from Australia's TV networks, newspapers and radio stations crowded around waiting to speak to James Magnussen. When the 21-year-old…
With Brendan Hamill joining Eli Babalj and quite possibly Curtis Good on the way out of Melbourne Heart, it's starting to look like a…
The Socceroos take on Denmark in Copenhagen as the Australians prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Oman next week. It's also an important…
For Holger Osieck, the pool of players Australian football has for him contains few surprises these days. Well into his second year as coach…
Yesterday's announcement that John Aloisi would coach Melbourne Heart next season came as little surprise. Ever since the news began filtering out of the…
Ange Postecoglou must have felt a wave of relief when Besart Berisha converted the Grand Final winning penalty against Perth Glory on Sunday night.…
Just like last year, as the conclusion to the 2011/12 season approaches, we're faced with an enticing football match to put the full stop…
In light of Hunter Sports Group handing back their license for the Newcastle Jets, I’ve been wondering when did it all go wrong for…
Yesterday's announcement that Hunter Sports Group was handing back its A-League licence to run the Newcastle Jets may have come as a shock. But…
Yes, meanwhile with Zullo having to spend most of his time watching Bellamy, very little of Australia’s play is coming through the left-side.
Spiranovic has been the highlight for me. Finally stepped up at this level, even if only for a half so far.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
Australia missing Brett Holman’s presence when in possession. Holman has the incisiveness to split open the defence when the ball is won back in an advance position and his ability to play between the lines crucial in build up play. Having said that most of Australia’s attacking threat has come from his replacement Emerton with help from Wilkshire.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
Ah brilliant, comment lost to the nether of the internet.
It’s half-time and 1-0 to Australia after Cahill scored from a Wilkshire cross. The Dynamo Moscow player was in heaps of space and Cahill peeled off to volley home from 7-yards out.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
Other then Wilkshire’s bomb which hit the woodwork there’s been very little to write home about as the first half comes to a close.
Australia very well organised and mostly negating Wales.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
21st minute – 0-0 with the first goal scoring opportunity coming to Carl Valeri who scuffed his shot after winning the ball in a forward position. Australia not dominating possession but impressing their game plan on proceedings. Spiranovic looking excellent when Australia win the ball back.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
Credit to Sky Sports in the UK for this pearler to open their coverage of Wales v Australia – yfrog.com/h6nbcnwbj (Credit to Paul Hansford for that picture)
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
Team line-ups are in and Socceroos will line-up as predicted above except for the addition of Neil Kilkenny.
Socceroos (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Wilkshire, Spiranovic, Neill, Zullo; Emerton, Kilkenny, Valeri, McKay; Cahill; McDonald.
Wales (4-5-1): Hennessey; Gunter, Williams, Gabbidon, N. Taylor; Ledley, Bellamy, Ramsey, D. Vaughan, Bale; Earnshaw.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
Hello and welcome to The Roar’s live blog of the Socceroos’ friendly with Wales. Kick off is 45 minutes away as the two teams prepare to face for the first time in their history.
I’ll have confirmed line-ups for you shortly but in the mean time here’s a teaser:
Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw has said about his Australian opponents, who are ranked a mere 89 FIFA ranking places above Wales, “Don’t underestimate them, they’ll give a good test.”
Last time the Socceroos were knocked before an international friendly they ended up defeating Germany 2-1. Is Earnshaw playing with fire?
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog
A brief note from the stadium – The Australian Serbian community is out in force. Taking up a whole section of the stadium and making some great noise already. Rest of the crowd still trickling in. Not expecting much more than 25,000.
Live scores, blog: Socceroos vs Serbia
It is still TBC Titus – but with Brisbane playing at home the next day I suspect it’ll be at the Sydney Football Stadium.
What the A-League draw means for clubs and fans
As an aside to this story here’s a teaser from my chat with Cahill where he reveals he won’t be involved in the June friendlies – http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/436541/EXCLUSIVE—Cahill
We’re burning out our Socceroos
June friendlies will be confirmed within the next week or two by FFA as I understand it.
Socceroos put Durban nightmare right
Hi whiskeymac I’ll take the time to look up Fink’s column. Thanks for the tip.
For A-League to prosper, it needs flagship clubs
Kasey, I have made no mention of European leagues or that Sydney or Melbourne should dominate the competition.
For A-League to prosper, it needs flagship clubs
Haven’t missed the point. They should be one of these sides by earning the right. Fact is they have the foundations there to achieve this. Furthermore, in my opinion, there are only three clubs in the A-League with the remote chance of growing into such a side: Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
For A-League to prosper, it needs flagship clubs
There’s five days to go until the Grand Final and another three football columns (including one from me) to come before then. Focus will now start to turn towards the game.
IT would be news to me if Flores is French… I’ll ask around.
Football gods continue to both giveth and taketh away
Yes, of course it is. Thanks for pointing out the mistake. Updated now.
Football gods continue to both giveth and taketh away
Some further information I couldn’t fit into this article:
– You can read more about Ali on this site which was put together by an Australian who was caught up with him and claims to have lost a large sum of money – http://wikifrauds.net/
– Ali is also the owner of Racing Santander
– I am still waiting for a response from both Ali’s company WGA and FFA
– The deal hasn’t gone through yet but as it says in the article, as of yesterday, Serepisos is “very confident” of it happening
Is FFA letting a wolf in amongst the sheep?
Sorry Brendo51, that wasn’t written with “arrogance”.
Three of the eight Australian sides to have entered the ACL have progressed through to the knockout stage. In fact since the tournament structure changed to allow the top two teams in a group to progress, half the Australian teams have gone through.
Meanwhile Victory has the experience to understand both the on field and off field challenges Asian football provides, the resources to manage the travel and a playing roster with enough talent to be more then competitive.
I don’t expect Australian teams to be regularly challenging for the title but three attempts should be more then enough to find some success in the early stages of the competition. In my opinion to expect anything less would be selling Australian football short.
Third time the charm for Melbourne Victory in Asia?
Nope. Just cup and straight league format.
A-League finals have a place in Australian football
JP, yes last I heard the review is still happening and will be presented to media down the track.
A-League finals have a place in Australian football
whiskeymac, the early stages in March will be made up by State League clubs. As I understand it A-League sides will enter at the round of 32 stage which will be much later on. Hope that helps.
A-League finals have a place in Australian football
Changes at half-time: Rhys Williams and Robbie Kruse on for Luke Wilkshire and Brett Emerton. All change on the right side then.
Socceroos vs Wales live scores, blog