FFA Season preview and player movements

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Hyundai A-League 2009/10 - Squad Details - as of 23 July 2009

Adelaide United

Current Squad: Alemao, Fabian BARBIERO, Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), Cassio, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Joe COSTA, Cristiano, Travis DODD (c), Iain FYFE, Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), Adam HUGHES, Scott JAMIESON, Michael MARRONE, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Daniel MULLEN, Lloyd OWUSU, Lucas PANTELIS, Paul REID, Kristian SARKIES and Inseob SHIN.

Re-signed: Daniel Mullen (2 years)

In: Joe Costa (Adelaide United NYL, 2 years), Iain Fyfe (Sydney FC 1 year), Adam Hughes (Drogheda United, Ireland 2 years), Inseob Shin (Kunkuk University, Korea Republic 2 years), Michael Marrone (Adelaide United NYL 1 year), Francesco Monterosso (Adelaide United NYL, 2 years), Lloyd Owusu (Cheltenham Town, England - 2 years).

Out: Paul Agostino (retired), Daniel Beltrame (retired), Angelo Costanzo (released), Diego (released), Isyan Erdogan (released), Sasa Ognenovski (Seongnam Ilhwa, Korea Republic), Jonas Salley (released), Jason Spagnuolo (North Queensland Fury), Michael Valkanis (retired), Robert Younis (released)

Pre-Season Results:

2/06/2009
Adelaide United
1:0
Para Hills Knights
The Paddocks, Para Hills

9/06/2009
Adelaide United
1:1
Metro Stars
TK Shutter Reserve, Klemzig

16/06/2009
Adelaide United
4:1
Raiders
Croatian Sports Centre, Gepps Cross

26/06/2009
Adelaide United
1:0
Perth Glory
Hindmarsh Stadium, Hindmarsh

2/07/2009
North Queensland Fury
3:2
Adelaide United
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin

8/07/2009
Adelaide United
4:0
South Australian State Team
Hindmarsh Stadium, Hindmarsh

26/07/2009
Melbourne Victory
-:-
Adelaide United
Aurora Stadium, Tasmania

Brisbane Roar

Current Squad: Isaka CERNAK, Luke DEVERE, David DODD, Henrique, Josh McCLOUGHAN, Matt McKAY, Griffin McMASTER (gk), Charlie MILLER, Craig MOORE (c), Matt MUNDY, Massimo MURDOCCA, Mitch NICHOLS, Tommy OAR, Andrew PACKER, Liam REDDY (gk), Reinaldo, Adam SAROTA, Timothy SMITS, Danny TIATTO, Sergio VAN DIJK and Michael ZULLO.

Re-signed: Craig Moore (1 year), Matt McKay (2 years), Massimo Murdocca (2 years), Mitch Nichols (2 years), Andrew Packer (2 Years), Danny Tiatto (1 year), Michael Zullo (2 years).

In: Henrique (Formiga, Brazil - 1 year), Matt Mundy (Brisbane Roar NYL - 2 years), Adam Sarota (Brisbane Roar NYL - 3 years) .

Out: Chris Grossman (North Queensland Fury),Tahj Minniecon (Gold Coast United), Hyuk-Su Seo (released), Ben Griffin (released).

Pre-Season Results:

26/05/2009
Brisbane Roar
1:0
Redlands United
Cleveland Showground, Cleveland

2/06/2009
Brisbane Roar
6:0
Brisbane Olympic
Goodwin Park, Yeronga

7/06/2009
Brisbane Roar
4:0
Sunshine Coast Fire FC
Gympie Grounds, Gympie

9/06/2009
Brisbane Roar
0:1
Peninsular Power
A.J Kelly Park, Kippa Ring

13/06/2009
North Queensland Fury
0:4
Brisbane Roar
Harrup Park, Mackay

18/06/2009
Brisbane Roar
1:2
All Japan University Team
Stockland Stadium, Kawana Waters

28/06/2009
Brisbane Roar
4:1
Brisbane Wolves
Carmichael Park, Brisbane

12/07/2009
Brisbane Roar
0:3
Celtic
Suncorp Stadium Brisbane

19/07/2009
Brisbane Roar
1:2
Newcastle Jets
Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

25/07/2009
North Queensland Fury
-:-
Brisbane Roar
Tony Ireland Stadium, Kirwan

29/07/2009
Brisbane Roar
-:-
Rochedale Rovers
Underwood Park, Rochedale

Central Coast Mariners

Current Squad: Pedj BOJIC, Nigel BOOGAARD, Adrian CACERES, Andrew CLARK, David D'APUZZO, Chris DOIG, Ahmad ELRICH, Dean HEFFERNAN, Shane HUKE, John HUTCHINSON, Adam KWASNIK, Matthew LEWIS, Dylan MACALLISTER, Nik MRDJA, Bradley PORTER, Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), Matt SIMON, Danny VUKOVIC (gk) and Alex WILKINSON (c).

Re-signed: Andrew Clark (1 year), Andrew Redmayne (2 years)

In: Chris Doig (Northampton Town, England - 2 years), Shane Huke (Dagenham & Redbridge, England 1 year), Adam Kwasnik (Wellington Phoenix 2 years), Matthew Lewis (Central Coast Mariners NYL 1 year).

Out: Andre Gumprecht (released), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Matthew Osman (Gold Coast United). Sasho Petrovski (Newcastle Jets), Paul O'Grady (released), Greg Owens (released), Nick Rizzo (released).

Pre-Season Results:

5/06/2009
Central Coast Mariners
2:1
Logan United FC
Clem Jones Field, Logan

7/06/2009
North Queensland Fury
0:1
Central Coast Mariners
Jardine Park, Rockhampton

6/07/2009
Sydney FC
0:0
Central Coast Mariners
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt

9/07/2009
Central Coast Mariners
3:0
Belconnen United
Belconnen Soccer Centre, McKellar

12/07/2009
Central Coast Mariners
3:3
ACT Presidents XI
AIS Athletic Track, AIS Bruce

18/07/2009
Gold Coast United
2:2
Central Coast Mariners
Skilled Park, Robina

25/07/2009
Central Coast Mariners
-:-
Wellington Phoenix
Appex Oval, Dubbo

Gold Coast United

Current Squad: Andrew BARISIC, James BROWN, Zenon CARAVELLA, Jason CULINA (c), Steve FITZSIMMONS, Richard GREER, Adam GRIFFITHS, Scott HIGGINS (gk), Jefferson, Milson, Tahj MINNIECON, Matt OSMAN, Steve PANTELIDIS, Daniel PIORKOWSKI, Joel PORTER, Kristian REES, Robson, Shane SMELTZ, Michael THWAITE, Adama TRAORE, Bas VAN DEN BRINK and Jess VAN STRATTAN (gk).

In: Andrew Barisic (Melbourne Knights, Australia 1 year), James Brown (AIS, Australia 3 years), Zenon Caravella (FC Omniworld, Netherlands 2 years), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands 3 Years), Steve Fitzsimmons (Beenleigh, Australia -1 year), Richard Greer (AIS, Australia 1 year), Adam Griffiths (Newcastle Jets, Australia - 3 years), Scott Higgins (Eastern Suburbs, Australia 1 year), Jefferson (Atletico Rorairama, Brazil 1 year), Milson (Madureira, Brazil 1 year), Tahj Minniecon (U/23 marquee: Brisbane Roar, Australia 3 years), Matt Osman (Central Coast Mariners, Australia 2 years), Steve Pantelidis (Melbourne Victory, Australia 2 years), Joel Porter (Hartlepool United, England 3 years), Daniel Piorkowski (Newcastle Jets, Australia 2 years), Kristian Rees (Adelaide City, Australia 2 years), Robson (Cabofriense, Brazil 1 year), Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand 3 years), Michael Thwaite (SK Brann, Norway 3 years), Adama Traore (Ecole de Football Yeo Martial, Ivory Coast 3 years), Bas van den Brink (FC Omniworld, Netherlands 2 years), Jess Vanstrattan (Verona, Italy 2 years ).

Pre-Season Results:

21/05/2009
Gold Coast United
1:0
Football Superstars
Skilled Park, Robina

23/06/2009
Gold Coast United
2:0
North Queensland Fury
Skilled Park, Robina

27/06/2009
Gold Coast United
5:0
New Caledonia
International Stadium, New Caledonia

30/06/2009
Gold Coast United
4:0
Singapore Under 23's
Jalon Bsa Astro Turf Stadium, Singapore

3/07/2009
Gold Coast United
5:0
Hong Kong FC
Hong Kong

8/07/2009
Gold Coast United
2:1
Fulham FC
Skilled Park, Robina

18/07/2009
Gold Coast United
2:2
Central Coast Mariners
Skilled Park, Robina

25/07/2009
Perth Glory
-:-
Gold Coast United
Hands Oval, Bunbury

Melbourne Victory

Current Squad: Daniel ALLSOPP, Evan BERGER, Grant BREBNER, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Nathan ELASI, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Matthew KEMP, Mitchell LANGERAK (gk), Glen MOSS (gk), Kevin MUSCAT (c), Ney Fabiano, Steven PACE, Tom PONDELJAK, Surat SUKHA, Mathew THEODORE, Archie THOMPSON, Rodrigo VARGAS, Daniel VASILEVSKI and Nick WARD.

Re-signed: Evan Berger (2 years), Grant Brebner (1 year), Billy Celeski (2 years), Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense, Costa Rica - 3 years), Matthew Kemp (2 years), Mitchell Langerak (3 years), Kevin Muscat (1 year), Archie Thompson (2 years), Rodrigo Vargas (2 years), Nick Ward (2 years).

In: Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix 2 years), Surat Sukha (Chonburi FC, Thailand 2 years), Mathew Theodore (Melbourne Victory NYL - 1 Year)

Out: Steve Pantelidis (Gold Coast United), Jose Luis Lopez (Deportivo Saprissa, Cost Rica), Sebastian Ryall (Sydney FC), Michael Theoklitos (Norwich City, England), Michael Thwaite (Gold Coast United).

Pre-Season Results:

12/05/2009
Melbourne Victory
2:0
Victoria Open Men's Team
Olympic Park, Melbourne

20/05/2009
Melbourne Victory
1:3
Victoria Open Men's Team
Melbourne Knights Stadium

27/05/2009
Melbourne Victory
2:1
Dandenong Thunder
Olympic Park, Melbourne

5/06/2009
Melbourne Victory
1:2
Guangzhou GPC FC
Yuexiushan Stadium, Guangzhou

7/06/2009
Melbourne Victory
1:2
Tianjin TEDA FC
TEDA Football Stadium, Tianjin

16/06/2009
Melbourne Victory
4:0
Hume City
Olympic Park, Melbourne

27/06/2009
Wellington Phoenix
1:1
Melbourne Victory
Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown

4/07/2009
Melbourne Victory
3:0
Victorian Mens Open Team
Deakin Reserve, Shepparton

11/07/2009
Melbourne Victory
0:3
Fulham FC
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

22/07/2009
Melbourne Victory
1:1
Green Gully
Olympic Park, Melbourne

26/07/2009
Melbourne Victory
-:-
Adelaide United
Aurora Stadium, Tasmania

Newcastle Jets

Current Squad: Angelo COSTANZO, Adam D'APUZZO, Donny De GROOT, Tarek ELRICH, Jason HOFFMAN, Marko JESIC, Ben KANTAROVSKI, Ben KENNEDY (gk), Ljubo MILICEVIC, Brodie MOOY, Jason NAIDOVSKI, Shaun ONTONG, Kaz PATAFTA, Sasho PETROVSKI, Sean ROONEY, Jin-Hyung SONG, Matthew THOMPSON (c), Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY and Jobe WHEELHOUSE.

Re-signed: Jobe Wheelhouse (2 years), Kaz Patafta (2 years).

In: Angelo Costanzo (Adelaide United 1 year), Donny de Groot (De Graafschap, Netherlands 1 year), Ljubo Milicevic (Melbourne Victory 1 year), Brodie Mooy (Newcastle Jets NYL - 2 years), Sasho Petrovski (Central Coast Mariners 2 years), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory 2 years), Sean Rooney (Sydney FC NYL 2 years).

Out: Ante Covic (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Adam Griffiths (Gold Coast United), Joel Griffiths (Beijing Guoan On loan), Jesper Hakansson (released), Antun Kovacic (Ulsan Hyundai , Korea Republic), Mark Milligan (Shanghai Shenhua, China), Jade North (Incheon United FC, Korea Republic).

16/06/2009
Newcastle Jets
1:2
Sydney Olympic
Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore

12/07/2009
Newcastle Jets
0:2
Sydney FC
Port Regional Stadium, Port Macquarie

22/07/2009
Newcastle Jets
2:0
Sydney Tigers
Lambert Park, Leichhardt

26/07/2009
Sydney FC
-:-
Newcastle Jets
Sydney Football Stadium

29/07/2009
Newcastle Jets
-:-
Bankstown City
Jensen Park, Sefton

North Queensland Fury

Current Squad: Fred AGIUS, Jeremy BROCKIE, Beau BUSCH, Robbie FOWLER, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Paul KOHLER, Osama MALIK, Daniel McBREEN, Robert MIDDLEBY, Justin PASFIELD (gk), James ROBINSON, Jason SPAGNUOLO, Chris TADROSSE, Ufuk TALAY, John TAMBOURAS, Jacob TIMPANO, David WILLIAMS and Scott WILSON.

In: Fred Agius (Adelaide City 1 year), Beau Busch (Sydney FC 1 year), Jeremy Brockie (Team Wellington, New Zealand 1 year), Robbie Fowler (Blackburn Rovers, England - 2 years), Rostyn Griffiths (Adelaide United 1 year , Chris Grossman (Brisbane Roar 1 year), Paul Kohler (Newcastle Jets 1 year), Osama Malik (Adelaide United NYL 1 year), Daniel McBreen (York City, England - 1 year), Robbie Middleby (Sydney FC 2 years), Justin Pasfield (Wollongong Wolves - 2 years),James Robinson (Perth Glory 2 years), Jason Spagnuolo (Adelaide United 2 years), Chris Tadrosse (Central Coast Mariners 2 years), Ufuk Talay (Avispa Fukuoka, Japan 2 years), Jacob Timpano (Sydney FC 2 years), David Williams (Brndby - 1 year loan), Scott Wilson (Dunfermline Athletic 2 years)

Out: Felipe (mutual termination), Brendon Santalab (Sydney FC 2 years), Marton Vass (APIA Leichhardt 1 year),

Pre-Season Results:

31/05/2009
North Queensland Fury
0:1
Tampine Rovers
Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore

5/06/2009
North Queensland Fury
4:0
Capricorn Cougars
Jardine Park, Rockhampton

7/06/2009
North Queensland Fury
0:1
Central Coast Mariners
Jardine Park, Rockhampton

13/06/2009
North Queensland Fury
0:4
Brisbane Roar
Harrup Park, Mackay

23/06/2009
Gold Coast United
2:0
North Queensland Fury
Skilled Park, Robina

27/06/2009
Sydney FC
4:0
North Queensland Fury
Toyota Park, Woolooware

2/07/2009
North Queensland Fury
3:2
Adelaide United
Darwin Football` Stadium, Darwin

15/07/2009
North Queensland Fury
1:2
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Members Equity Stadium

18/07/2009
Perth Glory
1:0
North Queensland Fury
Hyundai Stadium, Mandurah

Perth Glory

Current Squad: Scott BULLOCH, Jacob BURNS, Chris COYNE, Jamie COYNE, Eugene DADI, Jimmy DOWNEY, Howard FONDYKE, Brent GRIFFITHS, Jamie HARNWELL, Branko JELIC, Andrija JUKIC, Scott NEVILLE, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Naum SEKULOVSKI, Victor SIKORA, Anthony SKORICH, Wayne SRHOJ, Mile STERJOVSKI, Andrew TODD, Tando VELAPHI (gk) and Aleks VRTESKI (gk). 

Re-signed: Eugene Dadi (1 year), Adriano Pellegrino (2 years), Naum Sekulovski (2 years), Victor Sikora (1 year), Scott Bulloch (1 year), Tando Velaphi (2 years), Wayne Srhoj (1 year).

In: Jacob Burns (FC Unirea Urziceni, Romania 3 years), Chris Coyne (Colchester United, England - 3 years), Howard Fondyke (Perth Glory NYL - 2 years), Brent Griffiths (Perth Glory NYL 2 years), Branko Jelic (Energie Cottbus, Germany 3 years), Andrija Jukic (Perth Glory NYL - 2 years), Scott Neville (Perth Glory NYL - 3 years), Anthony Skorich (Perth Glory NYL 2 years) , Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England - ), Andy Todd (Derby County, England 1 year), Aleks Vrteski (FK Pobeda 2 years).

Out: Jason Petkovic (retired), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Newcastle Jets), David Tarka (released), Dino Djulbic (Rot Weiss Ahlen, Germany), Nick Rizzo (released), James Robinson (North Queensland Fury), Adrian Trinidad (released), Amaral (released), Josip Magdic (released), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente, Netherlands), Hayden Doyle (Perth Glory NYL),

Hayden Foxe (released), Mark Lee (released)

Pre-Season Results:

16/06/2009
Perth Glory
1:0
Inglewood Utd
Clipsal Stadium, Inglewood

26/06/2009
Adelaide United
1:0
Perth Glory
Hindmarsh Stadium, Hindmarsh

10/07/2009
Perth Glory
0:1
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Members Equity Stadium

15/07/2009
Perth Glory
0:5
Fulham FC
Members Equity Stadium

18/07/2009
Perth Glory
1:0
North Queensland Fury
Hyundai Stadium, Mandurah

25/07/2009
Perth Glory
-:-
Gold Coast
Hands Oval, Bunbury

Sydney FC

Current Squad: John ALOISI, Clint BOLTON (gk), Mark BRIDGE, Alex BROSQUE, Sung-Hwan BYUN, Adam CASEY, Shannon COLE, Simon COLOSIMO, Steve CORICA, Kofi DANNING, Brendan GAN, Anthony GOLEC, Rhyan GRANT, Matthew JURMAN, Karol KISEL, Terry MCFLYNN, Stuart MUSIALIK, Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), Chris PAYNE, Mitchell PRENTICE and Sebastian RYALL.

Re-signed: Alex Brosque (2 years), Adam Casey (2 years), Shannon Cole (3 years), Ivan Necevski (1 year).

In: Karol Kisel (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic 1 year), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory 2 years), Kofi Danning (Sydney FC NYL 2 years), Brendan Gan (Sydney FC NYL 2 years), Antony Golec (Sydney FC NYL 2 years), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC NYL 2 years), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC NYL 2 years), Byun Sung-Hwan (Jeju United, Korea Republic 2 years)

Out: Adam Biddle (released), Beau Busch (North Queensland Fury), Mike Enfield (released), Iain Fyfe (Adelaide United), Robbie Middleby (North Queensland Fury), Tony Popovic (retired), Brendon Santalab (North Queensland Fury), Jacob Timpano (North Queensland Fury), Nik Tsattalios (Newcastle Jets)

13/05/2009
Sydney FC
1:0
Macarthur Rams
Lynwood Park, St Helens Park

20/05/2009
Sydney FC
2:0
Bankstown City FC
Jensen Park, Sefton

27/05/2009
Sydney FC
3:0
Sydney Tigers
Lambert Park, Leichhardt

3/06/2009
Sydney FC
3:0
Northern Tigers
Mills Park, Asquith

9/06/2009
Sydney FC
2:0
Penrith Nepean United
CUA Stadium, Penrith

16/06/2009
Sydney FC
4:0
Manly United
Cromer Park, Dee Why

23/06/2009
Sydney FC
1:0
Sydney United
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

27/06/2009
Sydney FC
4:0
North Queensland Fury
Toyota Park, Woolooware

1/07/2009
Sydney FC
4:1
Sutherland Sharks
Seymour Shaw, Miranda

6/07/2009
Sydney FC
0:0
Central Coast Mariners
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt

12/07/2009
Newcastle Jets
0:2
Sydney FC
Port Regional Stadium, Port Macquarie

19/07/2009
Sydney FC
1:0
Sydney Olympic
Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore

26/07/2009
Sydney FC
-:-
Newcastle Jets
Sydney Football Stadium


Wellington Phoenix

Current Squad: Costa BARBAROUSES, Leo BERTOS, Tim BROWN, Daniel CORTES, Reece CROWTHER (gk), Diego, Andrew DURANTE (c), Michael FERRANTE, Chris GREENACRE, Troy HEARFIELD, Paul IFILL, Vince LIA, Tony LOCHHEAD, Jon MCKAIN, David MULLIGAN, Manny MUSCAT, Mark PASTON (gk) and Benjamin SIGMUND.

Re-signed: Tim Brown (2 years), Manny Muscat (1 year), Mark Paston (1 year), Tony Lochhead (2 years), Michael Ferrante (1 year), Daniel Cortes (2 years). Ben Sigmund (2 years),

In: Reece Crowther (Queens Park Rangers, England - 1 year), Chris Greenacre (Tranmere Rovers, England - 2 years), Paul Ifill (Crystal Palace, England - 2 years), Marco Rojas (Hamilton Wanderers - 2 years), Diego Walsh (Adelaide United - 2 years)

Out: Jeremy Christie (released), Vaughan Coveny (retired), Karl Dodd (released), Greg Draper (released), Richard Johnson (retired), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United).

Pre-Season Results:

3/06/2009
Wellington Phoenix
2:2
Lower Hutt SC
Porirua Park, Porirua

10/06/2009
Wellington Phoenix
2:0
Western Suburbs SC
Porirua Park, Porirua

27/06/2009
Wellington Phoenix
1:1
Melbourne Victory
Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown

5/07/2009
Wellington Phoenix
0:0
Mainland Select 11
QEII Stadium, Christchurch

18/07/2009
Wellington Phoenix
2:2
Tianjin Teda
Teda Stadium, China

21/07/2009
Wellington Phoenix
2:3
Guangzhou Pharmaceutical
Zhuzhou Sports Centre

25/07/2009
Central Coast Mariners
-:-
Wellington Phoenix
Appex Oval, Dubbo

 

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The Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season is just 14 days away and all ten clubs are in the final stages of their preparation for the opening round.  Without a formal Pre-Season Cup competition this year, the Hyundai A-League clubs have been very creative with their choice of opposition for friendly matches ranging from the local state league through to English Premier League teams.  All clubs have used the pre-season to trial players, formations and tactics with their early form pointing to an extremely exciting Hyundai A-League season ahead.



Adelaide United Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar has had the luxury of a longer pre-season campaign than the previous two years.  Vidmar has saved his two most interesting signings for last with the addition of former Ghanaian international striker Lloyd Owusu from Cheltenham Town and Korean midfielder Inseob Shin from Kunkuk University. Owusu definitely has an eye for goal scoring 436 goals during his 11 year period in the English Championship, League One and League Two competitions. Twenty year-old Shin, as he prefers to be known as, impressed the Adelaide United coaching staff after a two-week trial and definitely looks to be a player to watch this season. Vidmar also signed local boys Joe Costa and Francesco Monterosso following their performances in last seasons National Youth League.  Adelaide Uniteds pre-season match schedule has focused mainly on local state league clubs and the South Australian representative team as well as fixtures against Perth Glory at home, North Queensland Fury in Darwin and their traditional pre-season match against Melbourne Victory in Launceston, Tasmania this weekend.



The Brisbane Roar embarked on their annual pre-season Roar Roadshow with Head Coach Frank Farina scheduling 11 fixtures in the lead-up to their opening match blockbuster against local rivals Gold Coast United on Saturday 8 August at Suncorp Stadium. Although the majority of the Roars opposition has been local Brisbane state league clubs at suburban venues, their biggest test was against Scottish Premier League powerhouse club Celtic FC in the annual Translink Cup. Unfortunately for the Roar they were defeated 0-3, but took many positives out of the match including the memory of an electric stadium atmosphere generated from the 31,340 fans in attendance. 



After participating in their first AFC Champions League campaign, the Central Coast Mariners took a well deserved break and then re-grouped at the start of June to focus on the season ahead.  Lawrie McKinna has added English defender Chris Doig and promoted National Youth League player Matthew Lewis to his squad and released Andre Gumprecht, Paul OGrady and Greg Owens.  The Mariners have been undefeated in their six pre-season fixtures to date, a statistic that McKinna hopes his team can take into and continue throughout the season proper.



Gold Coast United have completed their Hyundai A-League player roster with the recent signing of nineteen year-old Ivorian defender Adama Traore. Traore appeared on Miron Bleibergs radar via some DVDs that landed on his desk and after a short trial period was promptly offered a contract.  Gold Coast United has traveled extensively during the pre-season with fixtures played in New Caledonia, Singapore and Hong Kong.  Like the Mariners, Gold Coast United has been undefeated in their seven pre-season matches to date. The most impressive result being their 2-1 win over English Premier League Club Fulham FC.



Melbourne Victory pulled off their biggest signing coups in the off-season when they announced that Club Captain Kevin Muscat had signed on for another year along with the successful transfer of Costa Rican Carlos Hernandez to the club for the next 3 years.  In addition, the Victory signed twenty six year-old Thai international defender Surat Sukha on a two-year deal.  Unfortunately, foundation goal-keeper Michael Theoklitos was released to take up a contract with English League One Club Norwich City, whilst Jose Luis Lopez mutually ended his loan period with Melbourne Victory, to allow him to return to Costa Rica in the hope of claiming a place in the national team leading into the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.  Head Coach Ernie Merrick took his team to China for matches against Guangzhou and Tianjin and also had an eventful road-trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, for a match against Wellington Phoenix in very chilly conditions.  In their other major pre-season match Melbourne Victory was defeated 0-3 by Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium.



The Newcastle Jets made it out of the group stage in their first foray into the AFC Champions League but were knocked out by Korean club Pohang Steelers in the Round of 16 last month.  Since then, the Jets have signed Brodie Mooy and Sean Rooney after their impressive AFC Champions League performances and also appointed Branko Culina as their Head Coach. Culina has had his eye on a number of trialists in the past week and is expected to make his final squad signings in the near future. Due to their heavy match schedule during the off-season, the Jets have played fewer pre-season friendlies in comparison to the other clubs, but no doubt they will be looking for a flying start come round 1.



North Queensland Fury has had an interesting pre-season with only one win from their nine matches but have learned plenty from the experience. The highlight so far was seeing their inaugural marquee player, Robbie Fowler, score on debut against newly promoted English Premier League Club Wolverhampton Wanderers in Perth. The addition of  Qantas Young Socceroo Osama Malik and former youth international David Williams will also provide plenty of speed and excitement for the Fury.  Felipe, Marton Vass and Brendon Santalab will not line up for North Queensland this season with Felipe and Vass mutually terminating their contracts and Santalab moving to Chinese Super League outfit Chengdu Blades.



Perth Glory have continued their audacious recruitment program with the signings of Qantas Socceroos Mile Sterjovski and Chris Coyne along with English defender Andy Todd and Serbian striker Branko Jelic. Twenty year-old Western Australian born and bred goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski returns to Perth Glory after spending the past season in Macedonia with FK Pobeda.  On the field, Perth Glorys pre-season campaign hasnt been as successful with losses to touring English Premier League clubs Fulham FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as Adelaide United. Head Coach David Mitchell isnt too worried at the moment and knows that pre-season results mean very little once the competition starts.



Sydney FC has enjoyed somewhat of a quiet revolution under new Head Coach Vitezslav Lavicka. The recent signing of  Korean defender Byun Sung-Hwan from K-League club Jeju United on a 2 year deal goes a long way toward filling the space left after former Qantas Socceroo Tony Popovic retired midway through last season to take up a coaching position within the club. From their 12 pre-season matches Sydney FC are undefeated, have scored an impressive 25 goals and conceded just 1 goal in 1080 minutes of football! Lavicka is not getting carried away with this early success and has been very careful with the amount of game time that he has given individual players to ensure that they will be ready for the start of the season.



Wellington Phoenix have had a somewhat interrupted pre-season with seven players and head coach Ricki Herbert joining the New Zealand national team, the All Whites, to compete at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa during June. Herbert has also been busy in the transfer market recently signing goalkeeper Reece Crowther from Queens Park Rangers, striker Paul Ifill from Crystal Palace and Kiwi teenager Marco Rojas from Hamilton Wanderers.  The Phoenix pre-season schedule included matches against Melbourne Victory in Queenstown and a Mainland Select XI in Christchurch before heading to China for fixtures against Tianjin Teda and Guangzhou Pharmaceutical.  Wellingtons final pre-season match will be against the Central Coast Mariners in Dubbo this Saturday.



With the so much pre-season activity going on, the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season is shaping to be bigger than ever.

 

[David Votoupal]

My guesses:
Melbourne Victory- capable of back-to-back I think, especially if the triangle of Hernandez, Thompson and Allsopp can fire. Langerak and Moss more than capable replacements for Theoklitos.

Adelaide United- look well capable of being up there now they've got another s triker, but question marks on their central defence, and they've gone some untried players.

Brisbane Roar- same as always despite name change. If Miller can last most of the season even better.

Sydney FC- big improvers, whether Aloisi can score or not.

Perth Glory- also big improvers, showing ambition.

Gold Coast United- will take time to gel but should be capable.

That should be the top six. The rest?

Wellington Phoenix- Smeltz is too big a loss I'm afraid.

Newcastle Jets- unlikely to improve much.

Central Coast Mariners- sadly, have been on a downhill slope since the year began. When will the next competitive win come?

North Queensland Fury- Fowler aside, pretty dreadful recruitment.

 

[marinermick]

I picked the Top 6 in order last season so here goes:

1. Melbourne
2. Brisbane
3. Gold Coast
4. Central Coast
5. Sydney
6. Perth
7. Adelaide
8. Nth Queensland
9. Newcastle
10. Wellington

 

[bulldogmariner]

1. Gold Coast
2. Melbourne
3. Perth
4. Brisbane
5. Mariners
6. Sydney
7. Adelaide
8. Wellington
9. Newcastle
10. North QLD

 

[David Votoupal]

Considering there's 4-5 strong-looking sides this season, can you really expet to do better than, say, Perth, or Adelaide or Sydney?

 

[dibo]

Sorry fellas, if DV's told you once he's told you a thousand times - no optimism (justified or otherwise) is permitted. Until we hire a foreign coach and exotic sounding players we're to lose every match on spec.

Might not even bother showing up this year, but if I do I'll be sure to don the appropriate hair shirt and pained expression of someone ritually exposed to tortuously unsophisticated football and the inane ramblings of the ill informed and easily pleased...

 

[marinermick]

Considering there's 4-5 strong-looking sides this season, can you really expet to do better than, say, Perth, or Adelaide or Sydney?

I don't expect us to go worse. We have a much stronger overall squad.

Perth have recruited well but are coming from a low base and have no depth. With a longer season they will struggle.

Sydney are horribly thin and fragile at the back.

Adelaide have lost a bucket load of experience and toughness.

 

[dibo]

mick - didn't i just warn you? 

 

[pjennings]

I picked the Top 6 in order last season so here goes:

1. Melbourne
2. Brisbane
3. Gold Coast
4. Central Coast
5. Sydney
6. Perth
7. Adelaide
8. Nth Queensland
9. Newcastle
10. Wellington

I'd swap Perth with Sydney and Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Apart from that I think you're very close.

 

[marinermick]

mick - didn't i just warn you? 

i ignore the doomsayers

they were out in force at the beginning of last season and predicting we would miss the finals, some even last

 

[David Votoupal]

I would love to be proven wrong, even though I can argue that the coming season will provide a stern test in reversing downward momentum. When you've not won since the end of last year, and had a poor ACL campaign to boot, how does that bode coming into a new season with tougher competition?

 

[bulldogmariner]

I agree with Mick i think the Mariners are looking quite good. Still unbeaten in a shorten pre-season and quality coming into the squad they will be there or there abouts. Everyone will right them off but that is the way McKinna and the team like it.

Gold Coast have the best player in the league, a squad that is versitile and can play different formations and two of the top strikers in the league with solid imports. For mine the only question is Miron and if he can actually manage in this league.

 

[bulldogmariner]

When offically annouced, add Travis and McGlinchey into ins and there looks like a strong squad with Ahmed and Adrian struggling to get first team football.

 

[TerrigalUtd]

1. Melbourne
2. Brisbane
3. Central Coast
4. Gold Coast
5. Perth
6. Sydney
7. Wellington
8. Newcastle
9. North QLD
10. Adelaide

 

[adz]

I would love to be proven wrong ...

This is called a get out of jail free card ... everybody please now change their prediction to "Mariners will come last... but I would love to be proven wrong". That way, if we come last, you're right, but you can still be happy if you are proven wrong. The higher up the table we finish, the happier you can be at being wrong.

 

[David Votoupal]

Of course. I guess though the lessons of history teach you that when you're losing form at the end of one season, it can carry on into another and be really ugly unless someone has an idea how to stop it. Happened with Everton a fair bit.

 

[adz]

We've made a few signings since the end of last season - whether they are enough to improve on what we saw in the A-League since NYE or in the ACL, I guess we just have to wait and see. I'm confident we will see improvement though, and get in another finals series.

 

[FFC Mariner]

We have a foreign born coach who came over here to play football and stayed and got citizenship. If his name was McKinnakovski or something we would be lauded.

slightly racist if you ask me

Seriously though, Adelaide may well struggle this season, their squad seems to be weaker.

We will be well in this you mark my words

 

[Deej]

Ahmed and Adrian struggling to get first team football.

Because they are lazy and ain't team players

4th/5th is definitely achieveable