Australian Finals Football never felt so different.

West Coast win the AFL Minor Premiership, Melbourne Storm win the League Minor Premiership and should the Waratahs ever win the Super 14, what next?

Geelong won the AFL Premiership. Well done. And the memories remain for fans and players maybe forever, but where next?

By Sunday at 9pm one of Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney or Queensland Roar will be the third minor premiers of Australian football.

The winners and runners-up will get the famous Aussie double chance in the finals.

The winners also get to play in the Asian Champions League. What better reward for winning the Minor Premiership.

Last years ACL final was won by Japan's Urawa Reds in front of 60,000 fanatical fans. Urawa are the Champions of Asia.

Whoever gets the double prize this weekend can dare to dream, dream beyond grand final day. TV Revenues and Sponsorship will start to flow as teams from Iran, Japan, China, Australia and elsewhere start to reap the rewards.

The future of football in Australia has never looked so good, for Australian clubs, Australian women, Australian national teams...for kids.

No wonder there is a slightly different feel to Australia finals football this weekend, and it's great.

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Who old was Michael Owen or Ronaldo when

they played in a World Cup or Euro Championships for the first time? 17, or 18?

And how old are our boys at the AIS. Probably 17 or even 18 already, and not a professional game between them or maybe a couple for James Holland at the Jets and Sebastian Ryall at the Victory.

Which 18 year old Australian could play in the 2010 World Cup?

None because they'd still be training in the Granddads programme at the AIS.

The lads at the AIS are preparing for the Young Socceroos Under 20 World Cup. So this determines when they are taken into the AIS on a scholarship.

This also means we get about 25 lads every two years. And why not 25 every year...wouldn't that increase our depth.

With the Grand Plan out there surely it's time for a rethink on the future of the AIS.

The AIS do a great job. Look at the number of quality footballers they have produced.

But why not have an intake every year?

Cost of course and the lads are on a programme that takes them to the Under 20 World Cup.

It's interesting, to me, to look at how many of the current Olyroos squad didn't go to the AIS. Or perhaps have a look at how many out of twenty three did. Not many, less than ten maybe only 6 depending on who is picked.

And if you are any good, really good, what use is playing in the VPL at 17 or even 18?

Michael Owen was scoring against Argentina at that age in a World Cup game.

So what would he have said to a 17 year old's place on an AIS Scholarship?

The AIS should be bringing guys in for the Joey's programme Under 17, and developing them.

Surely 16 and 18 plus is too late in modern football.

Besides if you were any good wouldn't a lazy UK club just come over and nick you for next to nothing, play you in the reserves. You'd be cheap and if you work out great, if you don't so what.

So surely the AIS needs a revamp.

In line with Joey representation and then not just a bi-annual intake. There are enough quality players in Australia for an annual intake and it would improve our player base as well.

Imagine 14 and 15 year olds in a full-time residential football programme.

Bet they do it with 7 year old Gymnasts to why not footballers?

At the moment consider this: two players, one born in the on year and one in the off.

The one in line for Under 20 selection wins an AIS place the other is born in the wrong year so stays in his State or Club programme.

Born in the wrong year. What is that all about?

But if you get the golden pass to the AIS you will come out a better player with a stronger chance of making it than the guy who wasn't born in the right year.

Full-time skill development plus all the AIS insights. How cana guy who doesn't have the opportunity because of his birth date, how can he compete in terms of physical, skill development and football mentality.

As modern players get younger and younger can you see the next Lionel Messi stuck in an Argentinean training programme at 18?

I may not have the answer or even the understanding on this one, but it seems to me that with a new Youth League structure the AIS could become outdated in its current form.

It survives because the game in this country has been weak but if we can produce quality AIs type programmes in every state at every A-League club, why would we need to maintain a Young Socceroos programme at the AIS?

Lets develop the players at a younger age, for the Joeys. Surely they are the ones that can really benefit and leap forward quickly.

They would benefit from a full-time skill development programme.

Maybe then we would produce an extra Socceroo or two, or even a few more Olyroos.

And these guys would be ready to head off to A-League clubs or god forbid to overseas clubs after the Under 17 World Cup.

When was the last time an Aussie really stood out at the Under 17 World Cup?

They are coming into the AIS programme way way to late?

Fire away!

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Jesse Fink. Where's your detail!

Jesse Fink has moved from Fox Sport to SBS and TheRoar.com.au

In his first article at the Roar, Jesse has taken a pot shot at the high earning Socceroos and asked them to forego their appearance money for the Socceroos.

Big deal. How many of any given Socceroos squad is really on massive long-term money? How much money would the FFA save?

How much research have you bothered to do?

And that is important when you throw a hand grenade out there.

It's a weak article, lacking detail, analysis and even understanding of the Australian game...

Jesse talks about seven national teams. There are nine. Minor point granted.

He's amazed that the FFA funds are so low after the World Cup bonanza.

Fair enough many fans may be surprised by this, but as a writer covering football over many years Jesse you cannot be serious.

Which stone have you been under?

Which part of "Asia costs" don't you understand?

And the old cheap shot, the Socceroos should pay. Well easy to throw a stone, have you really investigated the Socceroos deal with the FFA? Have you even asked the question, how much is this deal, does it compare with previous deals.

And how many apart from Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, and Lucas Neill are really on massive long-term wages. Maybe 6 or 7 at best. And how many of them turn-up to play in every Socceroos game.

Should they fund the FFA's long-term strategy?

Carl Valeri, Nicky Carle, David Carney, Michael Beauchamp, Archie Thompson, Luke Wilkshire, Brett Holman, Scott McDonald, Patrick Kisnorbo, Jason Culina are all Socceroos. Are they on long-term massive wages?

I think not.

So Jesse asking the Socceroos to fund or support the FFA's teething financial problems is hardly worthy of an article.

We demand better from our controversial football bloggers.

This is a weak initial piece. Lift your game!

and if you want to discuss it on my weekly radio show here in Canberra please get in touch.

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Football Federation $11 mill in debt..but it's okay.

In the SMH this morning,finally, finally the FFA inform the football community what many realised.

We're in debt..up to $11mill..

but for the first time in Australia football I don't think it matters...


I'm more impressed that the FFA are starting to inform the football public about the state of the game and what is going on.

Now people can see why we couldn't appoint a coach, or release the technical report, financially irresponsible if we had appointed a coah..although what's $11mill to $15 mill between friends

And by friends we all know that at the moment it is the Howard Government with their bail out of $4mill per year...of course it's money for the Asia campaigns but in other businesses it would be seen as a bail out.

But we now have a plan.

We have girls and women in huge, successful numbers and surely this segment alone can attract a significant sponsor.

We have massive numbers in junior football, the A-League is growing, a women's league even a Youth league should attract sponsors to the World game.

Heck the Futsal National Championships should get TV Coverage or at least Sponsors.

Beckham is coming. An Australian side will get to play in a Pan-Pacific tournament for prize money, A-League sides into Asia, and more revenue and sponsorships from a huge increase in meaningful Socceroos games starting in Febuary.

The international element to our game is clearly being developed. In different ways. And it is this element that will add increasing dollars to our coffers. And it is this element that will add to our domestic packages on offer.

Smart moves FFA, finally a team to fulfill our international attraction.

Beckham v Sydney FC. 70,000 plus mainstream TV. The game to me is a waste of time as a football fan. But as someone wanting to see the game grow, Sydney FC get to play in front of 70000 people, how many more watch the A-League side on the telly, and all in the middle of a Kosmina inspired revival. Beautiful.

The sources and potential sources of revenue have never been so rich and clearly FFA CEO Ben Buckley understands what we have to offer the Business community of Australia like no other CEO football has ever had in this country.

Registration fees are up. Bad I know, but you can see the vision, the plan and the need for revenue to stabilise, invest and grow the game.

We've come through some very rocky times. We've survived the move and costs of the move into Asia...just.

Now we have to increase the revenue base from the $50 million to $60, $70 or even more.

The next four years are crucial, before the TV rights are up for grabs again.

The next TV deal could place the future of football beyond doubt in this country.

A few more Beckham-esque games, a pre-season tournament involving Liverpool, a World Cup qualification route more exciting than we've ever had.

This and increasing numbers watching Fox Sports could lift the next pay deal beyond our dreams.

Imagine a competition for TV rights. For Socceroos separate to the A-League. The Olyroos, Women and Youth all bundled into a separate package.

The potential for the revenue raising has never been so good.

And that, and getting the grassroots to A-League games, are the two biggest hurdles to ensuring the successful future of football in Australia.

$11 million in debt, no worries mate!

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Crowds and Marquee signings and A-League tipping point

Dwight Yorke did.

But do Marquees add to A-League crowds?

And the answer surely is no.


Juninho a World Cup winner? I don't think he added to the gate, not significantly.

John Aloisi, the Aussie World Cup hero, made his home debut in front of 11,000.

Now I know 11,000 is a good crowd for football in Australia and for a wee coastal area.

But it makes you wonder what the crowd would have been if Aloisi wasn't signed, the Mariners had been doing a Perth, it was pelting rain, or they were playing New Zealand, or all four!

And so you wonder what difference these players make to crowds and performances.

Aloisi, Kevin Muscat, Danny Tiatto, Craig Moore, Stan Lazaridis, Paul Agostino, Ljubo Milicevic, Archie Thompson, Nathan Burns, Ahmed Elrich, Simon Colosimo, Ante Covic, Mark Bridge, Tony Popovic are some of the many who are here or haven't gone yet.

Nick Rizzo, David Zdrillic, Hayden Foxe, Michael Ferrante, Jamie McMaster, Scott Tunbridge, and many others made a name of sorts overseas but haven't been able to walk back into Aussie A-League football and make a real impact.

Who would have thought it?

The quality of player that is on the park. And I have deliberately left out the overseas guys like Juninho, Cassio, Diego, Daniel, Felipe, Reinaldo and Bridges.

Now imagine if we were back to the old days. Few of these players, if any, would be here.

So the crowds are stable. Perhaps worryingly so.

Juninho made not a scrap of difference to the crowds in Sydney. If he did what would have happened if he hadn't been signed.

Did Aloisi impact on the Mariners crowd?

He would surely have had plenty of media coverage in the Gosford area but few extra bums on seats for the Victory game

So if you sign a star and Aloisi and Juninho must rank as star names, don't expect an increase in crowds. That is the message surely.

The next level in stardom, is perhaps the real stars. Harry Kewell or maybe Ronaldo(the Brazilian one.)And this will not happen in my lifetime.

Unless Ronaldo comes when he's looking for a Jardel or Romario type gig.

Increasing crowds is going to be a lot harder than just signing a Juninho or Aloisi.

Both have been good value so far on the pitch. Both are keen and look willing to make an impact.

Both have.

Brian Deane (Perth) Super Mario and others have not worked. If you aren't playing you haven't worked in my book.

We need the marquees. It's clear it's hard to get the right one. But when you look at the individual quality and history of some of the players on the A-League each weekend and the struggle to increase crowds quickly, then perhaps the A-league is in for a rocky few years.

They tell me Sydney fans want to see a winning side.

Well what would be their crowd if they were doing a Perth?

This A-league is at a tipping point I suspect.

When will we turn the TV on and not hear a Commentator discussing how yesterday's weather or the APEC meeting must have affected the crowd?

When that day comes the crowds are here to stay and we will know it.

Until then don't expect the marquee to fill the seats. Not if Aloisi's home coming and Juninho's games are the guide.

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Guess who's back on ABC Canberra radio...

One minute Tim.

And there goes the football. Tim Gavell has been away of late, recovering from the Rugby seasons.

And Tim is a nice bloke, don't get me wrong. And he does have a lot of sport to cover, but an analysis of the ABC with Tim on air v Tim on holiday has been interesting.



When Tim interviews the head of Capital Football on his Saturday morning Grandstand one hour show each week he gives the head of 16,000 players one minute each week and it goes like this.

"So with me now is the Head of Capital Football Heather Reid, how's the soccer going Heather?"

CEO Reid discussess the football news around the town,

and Tim concludes, "thanks for the soccer news."

Add to that recently other News Readers have included football in the middle of news items, and even had a FOUR minute section in the middle of the weekly one hour show while One minute Tim was away.

They showed enthusiasm and even interjected to add interest and knowledge to reflect the numbers of people playing, watching and interested in football in ABC Canberra.

Tim's kids play the game, he's even coached.

Talking to Canberra's Matilda Star Caitlin Munoz from China recently during the World Cup, Tim starts the interview,

"What I like about this World Cup Caitlin is the fact there is no diving and lots of goals."

Fair point? Do me a favour, you should hear how he talks up the Wallabies World Cup interviews.

English Football results always come before the Australian A-League with Tim.

Sometimes it's only English scores, as he leaves the A-League aside.

Imagine doing that for Rugby League or Union.

And when I asked Tim why he called football soccer, he said, "ABC policy."

Now football has over 16,000 players in this town and the ABC are supposed to represent the community.

And it was interesting to see football getting a little more coverage, being called football while One Minute Tim was away.

Now Tim's back, we can all turn on at 11:57 at the end of the one hour show with the clear knowledge that we won't have missed the football coverage from ABC Canberra's Saturday morning show.

So glad to be back to normal.

Great to have you back Tim.

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FFA: Time to announce (some) plans

When I was a kid my younger starving brother used to ask our mum when he came home from school, "When's dinner?"

Mum always replied, "Soon."

I'm feeling the FFA are a bit like my mum!

When will we get a National Coach? When will get the Technical Report, When we will get the National Women's league and the Youth/Reserve league?



There must be a plan for all of these major events, if not now then in a year or three's time.

Surely there is a plan!

The answer to the release of the technical report by author Rob Baan when I interviewed him in April was,

"The Report is finished it will be released in June."

But the report is coming...soon. It's now October!

The football fans on Australia need to have a blue print for the game released. We deserve to know what is going on. The plan, the problems.

The fans are mature followers of the game, the Australian public understand budgetary constraints.

We also understand when we are being taken for a ride.

CEO Ben Buckley needs to come clean, give us the plan, after all they do have one. It was mentioned when the Socceroos player payments were negotiated recently.

The FFA want grassroots support but I reckon they need to earn it.

Tell us what is going on. We've been left in the dark for too long!

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Socceroos: What did you think?

Well, Australia lost again, no surprise there, but did you take any positives from the game?

Firstly saying goodbye to Josip Skoko. He’s only 31 and with so many important games coming up it seems to me a little early to me.

That said giving our dedicated servants farewells, in the most meaningful friendly in Australia since the World Cup, is in my opinion a waste of time and should never be done again.


It would have been much more valuable to give Carl Valeri or Brett Holman a full game to assess their suitability for the upcoming World Cup campaign.

Coach Graham Arnold got this one wrong. He's too nice.

And everyone knows the score. Everyone knows Arnold is gone. Everyone in the know that is. And if he is gone, why now, why not twelve months ago or even before or after the World Cup.

Is it any coincidence that Arnold is gone once the revenues from the Argentina match are banked or on the day the Federal Government announced their extra $16 million for football?

And Dick Advocaat, give me a break!

So to the game, and the Aussie performers.

Mark Scharzwer: Flatters to deceive and makes too many mistakes for my liking, but he is the best we’ve got.

David Carney: Played against Messi and did very well considering he is no defender. Got completely skinned for the free kick which led to the goal. Full of energy and running which is more than can be said for his right back, Luke Wikshire.

Luke Wilkshire sums up Australia to me at the moment. Does some things well, makes the odd error, and rarely lights up the crowd.

Surely a man on the outer once Mark Milligan, Brett Emerton, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Nathan Burns, and others are available for selection.

Vince Grella redeemed himself with a strong performance. Showed Arnold up though. Grella clearly wasn’t up to Asia and should have been dropped, but that takes guts and Arnold didn’t have it.

Marco Bresciano hit the target not once but twice from free-kicks. I’ve never seen him do that before. Bresciano also played well, a different player from Asia.

Michael Beauchamp and Lucas Neill give limited confidence. They are a long way from the finished article. Seems hard to believe Beauchamp plays in the Bundesliga every week. For Australia he still needs to improve.

Josh Kennedy showed well, but may lead the Aussies to pumping it long and high. Archie Thompson made no impact and will remain a squad man at best.

Scott McDonald (Celtic) Nathan Burns, David Williams, Bruce Djite may all push hard for a strikers place in the next twelve months.

Brett Holman is struggling to relax and make and impact at this level. Have we seen the best of him? I think he is worth persevering with.

Nicky Carle. Many many people love the guy. Me too. But internationally he is a long way from doing anything of note. Last night in the last 15 minutes he looked well off the pace, unable to control the ball. Not many encouraging signs from Carle at this level yet.

Carl Valeri, showed he should probably have played in the Asia Cup instead of Asia. With Grella unable to play in all World Cup Qualifiers, Valeri, and Mark Milligan may have to share defensive midfield duties.

Jason Culina? When did he last create a goal, an opportunity for a forward. With Grella alongside him, that's two centre midfielders who never create anything in the final third. And if they do it's so rare the chances of getting a goal are few.

Who can create or score at this level? Bresciano, Stejovski, Viduka, Cahill, Kewell, Skoko and Aloisi.

Few of them will be available or young enough.

Burns, Williams, Mcdonald, Holman, Kennedy and not a flank man in sight. James Troisi?

Carle, Culina, Valeri or Thompson?

We have few creative players. Hopefully the positive achievements of the Olyroos will inject some pace and skill into the final third. At the moment breaking down top twenty sides at home, seems impossible. What chance when we are away.

Asia just showed us what many of us already knew. We aren't a top twenty side, therefore our results weren't as surprising as many thought.

Australia are a team in transition. We have know Mark Viduka or Harry Kewell any more. Oh they may play occasionally but their best days are surely gone.

The new generation has hope but you only have to look at where our players are playing to realize we are a long way off the pace.

Even those in the top leagues hardly play for the top clubs.

Biggest weakness: For me it’s the final third. How to create, how to score. I know we played Argentina but the signs have been here for a long time. Where will get players the quality of Viduka and Kewell who at their best could have played for most teams in the World.

Thank god we’re in Asia, at least we get more games, if not more goals!

Match Details:
Qantas Socceroos 0
Argentina 1 ( Martin Demichelis 49 ’)
Tuesday 11th September 2007
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Referee: Mike Dean (England)
Assistant Referees: Ben Wilson & Nathan Gibson
Fourth Official: Simon Pryzadcz
Crowd: 70,171

Qantas Socceroos: 1.Mark SCHWARZER (gk), 2.Lucas NEILL, 4.David CARNEY, 5.Jason CULINA, 6.Michael BEAUCHAMP, 7.Luke WILKSHIRE, 8.Josip SKOKO (17.Carl VALERI 51 ’), 9.Joshua KENNEDY (22.Nik MRDJA 82’), 11.Archie THOMPSON (19.Nick CARLE 62’), 13.Vincenzo GRELLA, 23.Marco BRESCIANO (10.Brett HOLMAN 58’).

Substitutes not used:
3.Patrick KISNORBO, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Michael THWAITE, 18.Clint BOLTON (gk), 20.Simon COLOSIMO, 21.Dean HEFFERNAN.

Yellow Cards: Brett Holman 60 ’, Vince Grella 87 ’

Argentina: 13.Roberto ABBONDANZIERI (gk) 2 .Martin DEMICHELIS, 6.Gabriel HEINZE, 8.Javier ZANETTI, 11.Carlos TEVEZ (84’), , 14.Javier MASCHERANO, 15.Gabriel MILITO, 17.Nicolas BURDISSO, 18.Jonas GUTIERREZ (5.Fernando GAGO 72’), 19.Lionel MESSI (91’), 20.Federico INSUA (16.Cristian LEDESMA 80’) .

Substitutes not used:
1.Oscar USTARI (gk), 4.Fabricio COLOCCINI, 12.Sergio ROMERO.

Yellow Cards: Gabriel Heinze 53'.

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State Federations are a joke?

Women and Men's football treated equally by your State Federation?

As the numbers of girls and women playing the game is booming across Australia, and the State Federations run both the men and women's games....

I thought it would be interesting to see the response to the 2006 Men's and 2007 Women's FIFA World Cups.

Attendance: Germany 2006.

Every State Federation CEO plus entourage, went to Germany. No surprise there.

Attendance: China 2007

At last count one person, yes one person, from the State Federations will be going....oh and she's a women Capital Football CEO Heather Reid.

Reid will also be undertaking some ground work to try and interest Chinese sides to come and play in the Kanga Cup. What an opportunity.

For the rest of the Federations, how can you expect to grow the women's game if you don't go and watch the major tournament in the World.

Hang your head in shame.

A chance to network in Asia, a chance to network with the major women players, media, and businesses. A chance to think about how to represent a growing increase in your membership.

Tell me I'm wrong and you've all changed your mind and are heading off to China as we speak.

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FFA: Where will the money come from Ben?

Graham Arnold is still The Socceroos Coach. Whatever you feel about Arnie's coaching, any other national team having seen their side under-perform in the Continents major tournament, would have pushed Arnie aside, sacked him or indeed Arnie would have stood down.

It is clear where the difficulty lies.

The FFA have desperate desperate financial problems.

$15 million given by the Federal Government to get the new Board going, has long gone. And despite this money there is still no national league for women or Youth League for men.

The Technical Report completed and set to be released in June is now locked down for another few weeks or is that months.

Arnie has a three year contract, so paying him out would have been a massive cost to an FFA with limited funds.

And of course if rumours are true the FFA have gone back to the Government for another $4 million a year.

With an election coming up this may take time.

So why despite our World Cup success are we still struggling financially?

Well in a word it's Asia.

When plans were laid, when the Federal Government handed over their dosh to support the Board and the new A-League, there was no Asia.

At least not for Australia. That came later.

And of course the costs are perhaps to big to bear at the moment.

The Olyroos play their ninth Olympic qualifier in Qatar tonight with another five games to come.

The Matildas have also been on the Olympic path.

The cost of these two teams Olympic qualification games is over $2 million dollars.

How much would five weeks of hotels and flights and staff have cost The Socceroos at the Asia Cup?

All of these costs could not have been budgeted for in the original plan because we weren't in Asia in the original plan.

Is this why John O'Neill left?

So no wonder we are hamstrung with our National Coach. It's so bad that Arnie will take the Olyroos and then slip back into the National team post for Argentina and China games and then back to the Olyroos, because remember he has a three year post.

And what organisation would keep a guy in charge who they have wanted to replace since day one?

And what guy would stay? But that's another issue.

With the World Cup games coming wouldn't it be great to see a manager in place who could prepare the side.

But we have no money remember.

So hold the Technical Report. Why? Because we have no money to implement anything within it.

Oh and slip Rob Baan back into the Olyroos position while Arnie is away. Because that will help our qualification chances.

If we don't want to qualify that is what you'd do isn't it? Paly around with coaches mid-qualification. But given we've spent a truckload lets do it right and keep one coach in the job, and one only.

You couldn't make it up, could you?

Time to come clean FFA. The football public deserve to know the plan, the problems with our finances and the solutions.

What about the AIS team, the Under 17 and 20's teams. Are they being prepared well enough? Is there any money for them?

If the Federal Govt give us the money, and it's a big if what will it go on? Will it be enough?

Where are the other revenue streams?

Mr Lowy?

Sponsorship?

All the players across Australia. One million multiplied by $10?

Lottery?

Sell our AIS players?

And so on and so on.

Asia has drained the FFA. It's fantastic to be there but the FFA have no real chance of funding a National Coach now or maybe ever at this rate.

Will there be a Dick Advocaat really? In November or as other rumours suggest a year out from the World Cup.

Makes sense? We get through the first set of qualifiers with, you've guessed it Arnie, and then bring in the real Mccoy for the final tougher qualification games.

Because we're a shoe-in to beat teams like Iraq and Oman in our first set of qualifiers aren't we?

Where will the money come from to Fund Advocaat? If we don't have it now, how is the millions to fund his position just going to appear?

I think the Football public need some answers, real answers.

Where is the Technical Report?

Why doesn't the National Team permanent manager since the World Cup?

And perhaps most importantly how are we going to progress the code in Asia, locally when the money is not their to meet our growing travel needs.

Imagine if we don't qualify for the World Cup? Imagine if we don't make the final round of qualifiers?

It couldn't happen could it? We have too many EPL players don't we?

What's the story Ben (Buckley)?

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FFA want $4 million dollars a year!

Football Federation Australia require money. Everyone knows that.

Put the pieces together.

Why else has Graham Arnold been allowed to stay in the main job despite a disappointing Asia Cup?

Why did Arnold even take the team to the Asia Cup?

Why else is there no National Women's League?

Why else is there no National Youth League?

Why else has the Technical Report not been released?

Football has a cash flow problem at best and a long-term funding/revenue problem at worst.

The Argentina game was delayed. That's three million waiting to arrive.

But where has the 15 million plus 4 million loan from Government gone?

Well costs have soared. Under the original request for $15 million plus $4mill (now unpaid) loan there was no Asia in that plan.

We hadn't been accepted, nor applied to be accepted.

Now we are and nine, yes nine National teams head off to Asia.

Under 17's Under 20's, Matilda's and Under 23's are all in or back from an Asian game or tournament this week alone.

The cost is blowing out by the week.

So $4 million a year is required for four years.

Is it enough? Have the FFA got a plan for the four years? Will they need further funding four years on? What will they spend the money on?

Rumours suggest the FFA case is not strong. It's up to the Prime Minister and he's not keen.

Not keen! Make sure the plan is strong. Make sure the cultural, social, economics and football benefits are loud.

Let's hope they get it.

If they don't? Forget a new coach, a women's league, a Youth league, more marketing, an AIS team playing in the Victorian League.

Maybe even forget training camps, and god forbid, teams competing in some international tournaments.

It's a crises, but no-one is saying it just yet.

What do you think? Do we have a problem?

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Government should fund Socceroos Manager

“The Government should fund the next Socceroos Coach!” I stated.

“Are you a communist Eamonn?” came the reply from my Legal Eagle, and Melbourne Victory friend.

I realised this was going to be a harder sell than I thought.

But take a moment.

I believe the Australian Government should fund the Socceroos Manager Position.
Radical? Not really.

Government gets involved in sports in so many ways. Look at the Australian Institute of Sport. Does Mark Viduka pay his scholarship back? Want more Olympic Gold medals? Need better swimming facilities?

The answer is the same. The government provides sports funding.

And what about business? Should they stand on their own two feet?

Subsidies to the Australian Car Industry, Private Health Companies and Australian Military Companies are widespread. No-one’s complaining.

So why not fund the Coach of the most important job in Australian sport.

Now before the League, Union and AFL fans jump up and down, just hear me out.

Australia is desperate to tie our future to Asia. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Which Australian team has made huge in roads into these countries in recent months? Football.

We’ve only been in Asia 18 months and already Socceroos, Matildas, Olyroos, Sydney FC and many more have played in or against these countries or major clubs from these countries.

Come back in 5 or 20 years and what bridges could or will be built?

Will our Coach be slamming the “Asians?” Will Vince Grella, or Lucas Neill or their equivalents be calling our latest nemesis cheats?

Will our players be wandering around half clad in hotels full of Muslim women?

I am not criticising the current squad. I’m looking to the future to ensure the Socceroos job is seen for what it is.

The foremost link of any community or sporting organisation with this huge populated region called Asia.

What goes in Saudi Arabia doesn’t follow in Japan. The region is diverse. The people are diverse.

When Australian businesses trade with China certain cultural norms are attended to to by the Aussie business men and women.

Football fans, and players, coaching staff and media need to aware of that they are the biggest face of Australia in Asia.

They are not just football fans and followers. Asian people will learn more about Australia and its image through football over the next twenty years. Which other sport or community group will bring you into Qatar, Japan India, China and Indonesia?

So we need a leader with football and tactical nous. Of course. But more importantly we need a coach and staff who make this nation proud.

We need a man who is culturally aware, a media legend across the continent, and a football manager extraordinaire.

You don’t get that from the current A-League list. You don’t get if from the current AIS staff.

What current Australian has such sensitivity, such awareness and such football knowledge?

Our football manager could improve our relationship with our Asian neighbours dramatically.

Imagine Iraq playing Australia in the Asian Cup Final in Jakarta last month. Who would the crowd have cheered? And why?

The football authorities need to appoint someone more than just a Coach.
The reason Graham Arnold is still there?

Clearly the FFA has no money. Rumours abound that the new manager will come one year out from the World Cup! Too late surely.

The Federal Government needs to sort this mess.

Fund the job. To promote our image, our nation.

Howard and Rudd. Towards Asia is a term often heard in business circles in this country.

It’s time to get strategic and serious. Football isn’t just a sport; it’s much more serious than that.

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Opinion: Agents, players, and A-League.

So you are under contract to an employer. You take or are given a weeks leave. You go to another employer and get a new job. What's the problem?

Well, perhaps none. But in the case of David Carney and Mark Milligan, Sydney FC's rising stars I feel there is a problem. For the fans, the clubs, the A-League, and the agents.

The players? I'll leave them free from blame.

Mark Milligan is a star player. Best in the A-League says Branko Culina (Now he's leaving:), but certainly as Captain of the Olyroos and a Socceroos he is a man on the rise. Not to mention his Asia Champions League appearances.

And he flew out to Europe seemingly without Sydney's consent.

Really?

Did Sydney really know nothing?

Branko says he didn't know. I'll take him at his word.Even if he did he couldn't stop him, not really could he. And imagine if Branko said, yes Mark it's okay to go, good luck hope it all goes well."

Leaving a Branko led Sydney to wallow in uncertainty over replacements and player depth.

My point is.

Why should a player with Mark Milligan's experience and pedigree have to go for a trial.

It's an insult to him, to Sydney FC, The Olyroos, the Socceroos, the A-League and the Asian Champions League, in fact the whole of Asia.

Of course Mark Milligan can play English Premier League. Everyone knows that. Brett Emerton, Jason Culina, and Mark Viduka all played NSL, shone and were good enough to play in Holland or England.

It is no surprise that the best young A-League talents in Australia are good enough to walk into the EPL.

What is a surprise is the Agents way of operating.

It's called a transfer fee lads.

Here's the list of official agents.

Australian Licensed Agents

And if a club wants Carney or Milligan you negotiate a fee and everyone is happy.

Did Wayne Rooney need a trial to head to Man United, Shunsuke Nakamura to head to Celtic or Theo Walcott to head to Arsenal.

No! And Aussies playing at a high level shouldn't either.

Any player could go for a trial two weeks before the start of the A-League season. What if Nathan Burns Bruce Djite, Kaz Patafta, Danny Vukovic, Mark Bridge, and Nikolai Topor-Stanley all left this week.

All are good enough to play abroad, certainly those that played here last year.

So what is to be done.

Blacklist the Agent.

If an agent takes a player, encourages them to go mid-contract, for a trial in Europe. Fine.

Unlicense the Agent.

They break the rules, FFA refuse to deal with them.

Agents should operate within the system. Get the best deal and transfer for your player by all means. But whisking them away for a trial.

It's an insult. To the players ,to Australian football.

Agents beware!

Got an opinion? Feel free to let me know

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Opinion: So the Aussie footballers want to help?

I'm talking about money, right.

I'd loved to see the game grow in Australia. A strong domestic league would be fantastic. Anything I can do to help. Can't wait to come back and play in Australia. All my family are there and I'd love to come home.

Now I'm sure you've heard some of these comments from Australian players overseas during the course of the last three years. I know I have.



But it's time to get real.



No Australian player will come back to assist the game.



As Kevin Keegan once said, "Football is just about money, a business."



Maybe not to me or you. Only we fans appreciate the game for what it is. A game.



For those that work in it, it's a job, a lifestyle, a business or a career.



Look at the facts.



John Aloisi 31, may be going to Swansea City. Swansea City! Who has heard of them. English Division what? Oh maybe he'll go for the scenery. The docks are beautiful compared to Sydney Harbour.


Sydney FC's manager Branko Culina said, "John wanted more than Robbie Fowler and a three yea contract."

So when will Aloisi come back? When he's 33 and lost his pace. No thanks John.



Craig Moore. He's back playing with Queensland Roar. For the good of Australian football? Give me a break.



He hardly played for Newcastle United in the last two years. His contract was up and at 31 his injuries would scare anyone bar an Australian club.



Oh and he's just finished his house in Queensland in late July. Guess no-one wanted him in Europe; either that or he was just going to miss pre-season.



It's great to have Craig Moore back, but don't tell me he's doing it for Australian football.



And Sydney FC's Tony Popovic is back. Fantastic. But why not twelve months ago. Because as everyone knows Qatar offers more dosh.



So has anyone come back for the good of the Australia game.



Nick Rizzo at Perth Glory. Don't think so. On loan to Chesterfield or back at Perth with a possible Socceroos call-up. Nick's back for Nick.



Archie Thompson. Couldn't wait to get to PSV pre-World Cup. Three minutes in six months for PSV meant Archie's back. And I love Archie too.



And maybe just maybe only Kevin Muscat is back for Australian football. He was young enough to stay in Europe. Fit enough to stay. Sure his price is right here but he could probably have matched it overseas.



Now it's not sour grapes. Let players go where they wish I say. Careers are short and earning capacity for many is limited to ten years.



Just don't tell me they are coming back for the good of the Australian game.

Prove me wrong or add to the fire.

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Opinion:State of the Matildas, FFA, The Future

FFA: Socceroos and Matildas are an equal priority. Right?

Well, the Matildas lost yesterday, so are almost certainly out of the Olympics.

I've followed the Matildas from a far over the last few years, so I'm no expert. Getting to see any footage from their games is near on impossible.

So with that in mind, here's Football in the Capital's assessment of where the Matildas are at.

Firstly, it's disappointing for any Australian not to make an Olympic games in any sport. Some players may never get another chance. So perhaps the one good thing about yesterdays loss is the timing.

The Matildas are going to the World Cup in September in China, and if that doesn't quickly help to erase the disappointment of yesterdays loss then probably nothing will.

Also, it must be said while Coach Tom Sermanni prepared the team well for the Korean games a lack of a national league and competitive international games cannot help the team or coach.

The Korean side don't have a national league either, but the team live together 24/7 and that can make a big difference to skill levels and fitness. I think it showed.

Sermanni is proud of his team. And he should be, there were some excellent signs.

Given we were playing against the top side of the world, then the Maitildas shouldn't be too concerned.

Their performances at the Asia Cup in Adelaide and other international results should give them
confidence for a good performance at the World Cup.

The structure of the team was sound. We had three forwards in a bid to win the game, therefore it was always going to be a little problematic in midfield against a 4 woman Korean midfield. So it proved.

Lisa De Vanna, Jo Peters, Cheryl Salisbury, Thea Slatyer were standouts for me.

Long term injuries to Sally Shipard and Caitlin Munoz probably reduced their impact and revealed the lack of depth in the women's game in Australia.

Australia has many, many junior players, but the level of football is still developing. Getting enough players of quality to improve the pool of players pushing for selection remains a goal of the FFA.

This should change as structures are improved with the soon to be released FFA technical report. But don't hold you're breathe. With limited funds I expect the FFA will still focus on the men's game more.

Also Asia membership is a great thing for Australian football. But the women are competing against some of the strongest sides in the World to get to the Olympic games and World Cup.

It's probably only a matter of time before the Socceroos feel the pain of missing out on a major tournament due to the rising standard of Asian football.

But the Matildas have qualified through Asia for the World Cup, albeit through a tournament on home soil.

The Matildas, ranked 14, can look forward to producing a strong performance in the World Cup. Their group will be tough, with Norway, Ghana and Canada, but it's a World Cup so we expect no easy games.

At the moment to be a Matilda means dedication, loss of earnings, maybe loss of career opportunities.

We need a National League, in some format. We need to improve the State leagues. We need to raise the profile of the Matildas so more girls want to improve their standard of skills. There are lots of social players, but when they see what they can achieve with the Matildas there desire to improve as individuals will follow.

Imagine what Sermanni could do if he had 7 million players to choose from like they do in the USA. Clearly the Matildas are a remarkable group of players who are achieving way beyond some of their opponents.

Their passion and desire to play football has earned them a World Cup place.

Cheryl Salisbury notes the changes to the technical skills and dedication of the young players coming through.

Salisbury and others will surely add their experience to future generations through coaching. Salisbury herself was coached by men who had played or a parent who had some time.

As girls become women, and players become coaches, the standard and number of female role models will assist the game.

The Matildas achievements have been good, but of course the game doesn't stop still. And Australia always have a desire to see their teams at the top of their sport, no matter what extraneous factors are involved. With more countries playing more competitive football the Matildas task will get harder not easier. The FFA need to consider the women's game as a priority alongside the Socceroos.

Sure the Socceroos bring in the most money and, of course, they are important to the profile of the game. But not at the expense of the Matildas.

On the basis on numbers of girls playing alone, not to mention the amount of women involved in running teams, washing shirts and administering clubs across Australia, the FFA should put the men and female versions of the game on an equal footing.

Fair go Australia. The Matildas should be the best known female stars in the country.

It is the FFA's responsibilty to develop a strategy to get them there.

Disagree? Let me know what you think. Fire away:)

SBS will have LIVE coverage of the team’s matches against Chinese Taipei on Sunday 12 August. The match will be shown LIVE as “The World Game” weekly Football Feature from 3:00pm.

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