A-League Preview

The A-League is now into its third year. Considering the state of Australian football only five years ago, it has been an incredible success so far. This year has a lot to live up to. Can you believe there were 40,000 people at Telstra Dome for a match that wasn’t even a finals match? The other so-called ‘football’ codes cannot boast of such crowds, in such circumstances. I reckon this will be the best season ever, with so many teams possessing genuine talent, and all teams presenting a genuine case for qualifying for the finals. The league has started its love affair with recruiting Brazillians, and this is great, its just what the league needs, more skill and that added spark to those dead ball situations, which have so far been, well, dead. Every team has either a current, or ex-Socceroo in it as well this year. I can’t go past Melbourne Victory this year, I think they have the edge over all the opposition. They’ll win it again, but only just.

Adelaide United

Best performance: 2nd Place

Last performance: 2nd Place

Players to watch: Paul Agostino, Cassio, Kristian Sarkies, Travis Dodd, Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite

Coach: Aurelio Vidmar

Will want to be erasing memories of that horror Grand Final earlier this year. They’ve lost their captain Ross Aloisi, but have recruited very well. Agostino has come back home from Europe and Sarkies joins Burns, Djite, Dodd in group of, what I think, are future Socceroos. Cassio is yet another exciting Brazillian that has been compared to Roberto Carlos. A great mix of players and will definitely be up there for finals contention

Prediction: 3rd Place

Central Coast Mariners

Best performance: 2nd Place

Last performance: 6th Place

Players to watch: Tony Vidmar, Sasho Petrovski

Coach: Lawrie McKinna

Had a great first season, but have faded away since, and continue to do so. Although they are a good team that gels well, they lack the big names the other teams possess. I think they will continue to struggle.

Prediction: Last Place

Melbourne Victory

Best performance: Champions

Last performance: Champions

Players to watch: Carlos Hernandez, Kaz Patafta, Leandro Love, Archie Thompson

Coach: Ernie Merrick

The defending champions has a stellar year last year. They never looked like losing the league at any stage, running away from the opposition, which was exemplified with their 6-0 drubbing in the final. This side is an even more exciting prospect than last year. I think they will win again this year because Ernie Merrick has blended youth an experience so well. Experienced ex-Socceroos like Muscat, Milicevic, as well as current Socceroos marksman Thompson will be in with the likes of exciting youngsters Kaz Patafta and Brazillian Leandro Love. Carlos Hernandez played in the World Cup last year and will provide both youth and experience. While other sides have stars here and there, Melbourne has the perfect balance, although, there may be a slight weakness at the back.

Prediction: Champions

Newcastle Jets

Best performance: 3rd Place

Last performance: 3rd Place

Players to watch: Mario Jardel, Denni Rocha Dos Santos, Ante Covic

Coach: Gary Van Egmond

Narrowly missed the Grand Final last year. To be honest they would have probably provided more competition in the decider than Adelaide did. Mario Jardel is a big gamble for me. He really hasn’t played much recently, and I don’t think he should have been taken seriously. I hope he proves me wrong though. They’ve lost Rodriguez, Carle, Okon and Coveny, all huge losses. Like most other sides they look good, but lack the depth in all positions, and with my doubts about Jardel, I think they’ll just scrape into the finals.

Prediction: 4th Place

Perth Glory

Best performance: 5th Place

Last performance: 7th Place

Players to watch: Hayden Foxe, Simon Colosimo, Stan Lazaridis

Coach: Ron Smith

Have been very disappointing since they dominated the old NSL competition, kind of reminds me of Liverpool and the Premier League. I don’t think they have recruited well, with only older ex-Socceroos that I can see. I’m hoping though, that some of their younger players can make names for themselves.

Prediction: 7th Place

Queensland Roar

Best performance: 5th Place

Last performance: 5th Place

Players to watch: Craig Moore, Danny Tiatto, Reinaldo, Marcinho

Coach: Frank Farina

Missed out on the finals by goal difference last year. Frank Farina and Craig Moore will help the side move forward. Overall they are a good side, but I just don’t see them in the finals, simply because they just aren’t as good say, Sydney or Melbourne. They have a couple of Brazillians too, so watch out for them.

Prediction: 5th Place

Sydney FC

Best performance: Champions

Last performance: Fourth Place

Players to watch: Juninho Paulista, Patrick da Silva, Tony Popovic

Coach: Branko Culina

The glamour club of the A-League had a disappointing season last year by their standards. They will be better this year. I think Juninho is the real deal and playing in midfield he will create more chances for the strikers than in previous years. He will be great on the dead ball as well, something that the A-League is lacking. While losing Carney, I think the experience of now captain Tony Popovic, as well as the signing of the exciting Brazillian Patrick Da Silva will cover for this loss. Sydney FC are a completely different team this year. More experienced, a better marquee player (in my opinion, no disrespect to Yorke), a better coach, and an experienced captain. Anything less than a home final will be a failure for these guys.

Prediction: Runners up

Wellington Phoenix

Best performance: Debut

Last performance: Debut

Players to watch: Ross Aloisi, Vaughan Coveny, Felipe De Souza Campos, George Dos Santos Paladini, Cleberson Souza Santos Gois, Daniel Lins Cortês

Coach: Ricki Herbert

Come in after the disaster that was the New Zealand Knights. Their problem was that they were recruiting players from the lower leagues in England. The team lacked depth and diversity. Already, without them having officially kicked a ball in their A-League history, they look much better than New Zealand, and I dare say will go places that the Knights never could. For a debut club, the experience of Aloisi and Coveny mixed in with some young Brazilians, will ensure that they will be competitive. Don’t be surprised to see them in the finals.

Prediction: 6th Place