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Nationally we talk Expansion and why the FFA love Canberra. Ben Buckley did you take your national capital for a little ride? Are you continuing to take the city for a ride?
And all the A-League, W-League and football talk you could ever dream of.
Locally: Download
Peter Funnell talks to one of Canberra star footballers, Ned Zelic.
And Pat McCann gives the lowdown on High Performance Futsal program progress.
Ivan Slavich, ABC's Tim Gavel and Ned Zelic talk the talk.
Former Socceroo Ned Zelic will be on ABC 666AM Canberra at 10.30am on Thursday..yes they changed it,talking Canberra A-League and his whole football journey from Canberra to Germany, Japan Georgia and the rest!
Quite a journey Ned!
And Ivan Slavich met Ned today and announced Ned is to become the Number One Ambassador for the Canberra A-League bid.
Ned Zelic: Canberra needs an A-League team,
I would love to have stayed and played in Canberra.
Ned joined us on the Nearpost last night. We had a ball talking football with one of Canberra's finest footballer. And a great listen for any football fan.
National Show: DownloadNed Zelic talks Current Socceroos, Asia 4th Visa Rule and impact on Aussies, Adelaide United, Coach Vidmar, Best A-League ground and more.
Locally: DownloadWhy Ned thinks Canberra needs an A-League
Why there should be even more quality players from Canberra.
Yes we asked Ned if he meant that goal, sorry but we did, of course he meant it
The day he nearly signed for Man Utd
How he went overseas at 21.
What he's doing next.
Who the best players he played with.
The best Socceroos he played with
What he would do to Mark Viduka the day Viduka got sent-off against Brazil.
How he loved playing in Georgia, Germany but not England
How he paid his signing on fee back to QPR, his choice.
And did he regret quitting the Socceroos so early?
We also feature interviews with Canberra United Coach Robbie Hooker and in the local half hour we catch up with the only player from the ACT Women's Premier League who made it to the W-League. Cian Maciejewski.
National Show Download
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Tom Sermanni on the difference between coaching Viduka and Salisbury!
Alex Tobin talks FFA Scholarship
Local Show Download
Ned Zelic chats from Germany on the Canberra A-League bid.
Weston Creek's Luisa Marzotto on her season and thoughts on a Canberra National League team.
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Former Socceroo and Canberra Croatia junior Ned Zelic sends his support from Germany where he is living with his young family having recently retired from football.
Ned Zelic wrote:
That's fantastic news that Canberra is putting a bid together!!
Yes I will definitely sign up and will give my full support to the bid in any way I can. Great stuff!!
Regards
Ned
Eamonn: On behalf of the ateam4canberra fans: Thanks Ned, much appreciated.
Socceroo Carl Valeri on the move? Ned Zelic on SBS catch his video here during the week. Nikolai Topor-Stanley plays centre-back for Olyroos! Kaz Patafta, Shaun Ontong, Caitlin Munoz, Amy Taylor and Adam Casey replaced by Irish popstar!
Carl Valeri's contract is up in twelve months. How many more times will he have played for the Socceroos by then?
And then he's a free agent. So don't be surprised to see Carl move on from his Serie B side, Grosseto in the next few weeks. But where to?
Serie A, or a top Serie B club I reckon but you never know. Holland could be the go, although with an Italian agent I expect him to stay in Italy.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley played a rare game at centre-back for the Olyroos last night. They drew with Chile 1-1 in Darwin. FFA Release at the very end of this post.
Former Canberra Croatia now Canberra FC Ned Zelic was interviewed on SBS today and you can see Ned in his tourist cart with Scott McIntyre giving his thoughts on playing football in Georgia. Yes Ned is still playing!
Kaz Patafta and Shaun Ontong. Both Canberra lads are now at Newcastle Jets.
Kaz played in the recent 1-0 defeat of the Mariners whilst Shaun is out for three months with a foot injury. Cruel world football. We wish Shaun, who was a recent guest on Nearpost radio a speedy recovery.
Better news for Adam Casey. The Sydney FC forward/winger come right back is back playing after breaking his leg early last season. He played in the recent 0-0 game against Blacktown before being replaced by Deltra's boyfriend Irish popstar Brian McFadden. Good to see Adam back.
Talking recently from Sydney FC, Adam said, "When I look at the talent around the dressing room, there's some great players, but I'm determined to work hard and earn my place."
Caitlin Munoz joins fellow Canberrans Amy Chapman and Lydia Williams as the Matildas head to China with a very young side.
And a former Matilda, Amy Taylor, loved her time in Canberra, playing for Tuggeranong United, Canberra City ACTAS under Katrina Neuss before being a Matildas for 8 years. Wally Hovell and Neuss were just two of the locals Amy mentioned in an interview for the Nearpost which you can hear in coming weeks.
For now she's WIN TV Sports Presenter and host of Football Superstar which airs on Thursday on Fox 8 at 7:35pm. Amy talks about the show on Tuesday on Nearpost radio.
Olyroos v Chile.
Qantas Under 23s Draw with Chile
The Qantas Under 23s played out an entertaining 1-all draw against the Chile Under 23s tonight in front of 1,780 fans at the Darwin Football Stadium. Kristian Sarkies opened the scoring for the Qantas Under 23s from the penalty spot in the 27th minute and Felipe Seymour equalised for the Chileans in the 67th minute with a clinical finish from inside the box.
Qantas Under 23s Head Coach Graham Arnold made 10 changes to the line-up for tonight's match with Mark Milligan the only player to start both games.
The match began at the same frenetic pace that was seen on Friday evening with the Chilean having the first attempt on goal in the 3rd minute, but five minutes later Kristian Sarkies had the Qantas Under 23s first shot which was expertly tipped over the bar by Gregory Saavedra in the Chilean goal.
The Qantas Under 23s continued to apply the pressure with Nikita Rukavytsya netting in the 21st minute but the goal was disallowed for off-side. But the Qantas Under 23s were on the scoreboard in the 27th minute when Kristian Sarkies calmly slotted home a penalty after David Williams had his shirt pulled in the box in a goal scoring opportunity.
Nikita Rukavytsya nearly doubled the lead in the 41st minute when his deft control in the box allowed him to unleash a stinging shot to the near post, but again Saavedra was on hand to make another crucial save.
After the half-time break, the Qantas Under 23s continued to push forward and had the bulk of possession and scoring opportunities. Had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Gregory Saavedra, who made a number of saves and interceptions, the Qantas Under 23s could have extended their lead on a number of occasions.
Just after the hour mark, Neil Kilkenny put Michael Zullo through but Saavedra was quick off his line and cleared the ball from Zullo's feet outside the area..
Chile's patience paid off midway through the second half when Felipe Seymour finished off a one-on-one opportunity against the Qantas Under 23s goalkeeper, Chris O'Connor, shooting low and hard to the bottom left corner of the goal.
After the match Graham Arnold was again pleased by with the performance of his players.
"Our players again performed well up against very good opposition tonight," said Arnold
"The purpose of this camp was for me to make critical selection decisions and also to prepare the players for the Beijing Olympic Games,"
"Based on that, this camp has been extremely successful, we have been very well looked after by everyone here in Darwin and the effort of all the boys could not be faulted.
"Now my coaching staff and I have a very difficult task in selecting the final squad that will go to the Olympic Games," concluded Arnold.
The Qantas Under 23s will take time out from their training camp in Darwin and will conduct a football coaching clinic tomorrow afternoon with Northern Territory junior football players before heading home on Tuesday.
The Australian Olympic Men's Football team will be named by the Australian Olympic Committee on Friday 4 July 2008 in Sydney.
-ends-
Match Details:
Qantas Under 23s 1 (Kristian Sarkies 27' (penalty))
Chile Under 23s 1 (Felipe Seymour 67')
Sunday 29 June 2008
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin Australia
Referee: Peter Green (Brisbane)
Assistant Referees: Tim Lay (Darwin) & Rohan Kelly (Darwin)
Fourth Official: Maurice D'Arrigo (Darwin)
Crowd: 1,780
Qantas Under 23s: 1.Chris O'Connor (gk), 3.Trent McClenahan, 5.Mark Milligan (Captain), 6.Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 7.Neil Kilkenny, 8.Kristian Sarkies, 9.Nick Ward (2.Jason Hoffman 65'), 10.Nikita Rukavytsya (20.Matt Simon 65'), 12.Nigel Boogaard (16.Robert Cornthwaite 67'), 15.David Williams (17.Michael Zullo 56'), 19.James Holland (4.Billy Celeski 70').
Substitutes Not Used: 18.Tando Velaphi (gk), 11.Tarek Elrich, 13.Troy Hearfield, 14.Nathan Burns.
Yellow Cards: Billy Celeski 73', Jason Hoffman 84'.
Red Cards: Nil
Chile Under 23s: 1.Gregory Saavedra (gk), 2.Marcelo Diaz, 3.Eugenio Mena, 4.Bruno Romo, 5.Bastian Arce, 6.Sebastian Mendez, 7.Felipe Seymour, 8.Angel Rojas (16.Sebastian Barrientos 56'), 9.Eduardo Vargas, 10.Esteban Paredes (Captain) (15.Fabian Torres 90'), 13.Esteban Saez (11.Boris Sa gredo 25').
Substitutes Not Used: 12.Fabian Cerda (gk), 14.Sebastian Diaz, 17.Lucas Dominguez, 18.Matias Campos.
Yellow Cards: Eugenio Mena,27', Esteban Paredes 34'.
Red Cards: Nil
Previous Match:
Qantas Under 23s 3 (Aaron Downes 20'/68', Troy Hearfield 76')
Chile Under 23s 4 (Esteban Paredes 26'/85', Boris Sagredo 47', Eduardo Vargas 82')
Friday 27 June 2008
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin Australia
Referee: Ben Williams (Canberra)
Assistant Referees: Mark Finestone (Darwin) & Ned Sparkes (Darwin)
Fourth Official: Rohan Kelly (Darwin)
Crowd:1,404
Qantas Under 23s: 18.Justin Pasfield (gk), 5.Mark Milligan, 6.Bruce Djite (10.Nikita Rukavysta 68'), 9.Tarek Elrich, 14.Billy Celeski, 15.Leigh Broxham (23.Nick Ward 79'), 17.Aaron Downes (16.Robert Cornthwaite 86'), 19.Mark Bridge (captain) (4.Michael Zullo 83'), 21.Dario Vidosic (7.Neil Kilkenny 67'), 22.Troy Hearfield, 24.Adam D'Apuzzo.
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Chris O'Connor (gk), 11.Jason Hoffman, 12.Nigel Boogaard, 28.Trent McClenahan.
Yellow Cards: Leigh Broxham 47', Adam D'Apuzzo 50', Aaron Downes 82'.
Red Cards: Nil
Chile Under 23s: 12.Fabian Cerda, 2.Marcelo Diaz, 3.Bruno Romo, 4.Eugenio Mena, 5.Bastian Arce, 6.Sebastian Mendez, 7.Felipe Seymour, 8.Angel Rojas, 9.Eduardo Vargas, 10.Esteban Paredes, 11.Boris Sa gredo
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Gregory Saavedra (gk), 13.Esteban Saez, 14.Sebastian Diaz, 15.Fabian Torres, 16.Sebastian Barrientos, 17.Lucas Dominguez, 18.Matias Campos,
Yellow Cards: Bruno Romo 60', Sebastian Barrientos 63', Eduardo Vargas 85', Esetban Paredes 89'.
Red Cards: Nil
Who was Ned Zelic's first sponsor?
Many football fans were a bit unsure about the appointment of former AFL administrator and player Ben Buckley to the role of head of football.
But FFA CEO Ben Buckley is doing a fantastic job I reckon, really blossoming in the role.
And at the recent Tattersall's CEO's lunch in Sydney I couldn't help notice the difference in demeanour, delivery and outlook between Buckley and our former CEO John O'Neill.
Sort of reflected the standing of the games of football and rugby currently in Australia.
O'Neill was a tad tired, reluctant to reveal too much, and looking like yesterday's man. Concerned about the politics of Rugby across the World, and unsure Australia could influence change.
Compared to Buckley who was open, vibrant, young, and humourous. I guess Buckley has a lot to be upbeat about with all the positive noises coming out of football these days.
Here's just another example: Currently an Australian Business Group lead by Austrade is making contacts on the back of the Socceroos at Business Breakfasts following the team from Dubai to Qatar for their World Cup Qualifiers.
Wonder if O'Neill resents seeing Buckley take his good works and push them further, quicker and louder than even O'Neill could have envisaged.
And did you know despite being an AFL man years ago, Buckley organised Ned Zelic's first sponsorship when Buckles worked for Nike.
Buckley has great talent and seemingly a great team. He really looks to be the right man in the right hole.
And he is going to make his name, as one of the top two Sport's CEO's in the country. I reckon he's left NRL David Gallop behind by a country mile.
Canberra's Ned Zelic took his Dinamo Tbilisi team to the Georgian title on the weekend. Zelic who is on a two year deal played throughout the season.
Many fans thought Ned was finished after leaving the Newcastle Jets. How wrong we were. Ned will play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Zelic clinches Georgian title with Dinamo Tbilisi
By Andrew Slevison - May 07, 2008 Former Australia international Ned Zelic has tasted success in Georgia, by helping his club Dinamo Tbilisi win the title after going seven points clear with a victory over FC Zestafoni on the weekend.
It was the Georgian heavyweight's 13th league title and will ensure they secure a return to the UEFA Cup competition next season.
Zelic signed with the club in 2007 after stints with various European and Japanese clubs, and of course with Australian clubs, most recently being with Newcastle Jets in the 2005-6 A-League season
Okay most know Canberrans Carl Valeri plays in Italy with Grosseto in Serie B, and Joe Siminic is with Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga.
But did you know Ned Zelic has played every game this season for table topping Georgian side Dinamo Tblisi.
And you thought he'd retired after he played for the Newcastle Jets!
Well he's on a two year deal and has recently played, although lost, in the UEFA Cup to Rapid Vienna.
I'm surprised. Thought Ned was finished when he left the Jets, shows what I know!
But you knew that already:)
An oldie, but a goldie.
One of the most important goals scored by a Canberran.
Ned Zelic scores in the last minute to put the Olyroos into the Barcelona Olympics, knocking out the Dutch in the process.
Do you know more important goal scored by a Canberra?