Meno Toutsidis

Sydney FC in need of a new attitude and structure

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:28:03 -0800

Sydney FC is a team in denial. Another loss, another excuse. Is it any wonder the Cove, that dedicated core of supporters who back their team no matter what, have had enough.

They turned on $1.4m man John Aloisi (unfairly) and Sydney FC coach John Kosmina (justifiably) after a horrendous 4-1 home defeat against Perth Glory.

Aloisi was made the scapegoat for missing two unmissable chances just when Sydney needed their hit man to hit the target. ...

Adelaide paves the global route for A-League clubs

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:25:01 -0800

The dream of a match-up against Manchester United might have eluded them, but Adelaide United should feel nothing but pride for their Asian Champions League and FIFA World Club Cup campaigns.

What they have achieved in the past six months has been astonishing. Coach Auerlio Vidmar had set his players only one goal when they began their ACL campaign in May - win their group and qualify for the quarter finals. ...

Honouring one of the country's finest keepers

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:07:59 -0800

Supremely athletic, agile and heroic, Martyn Crook was one of the finest goalkeepers Australia has produced.

His death at 52 on the weekend is a tragedy for his family, the soccer community and everyone who knew him.

Crook, who had been coach of Australia's under 17 Joeys for the past two years, was an authentic good guy. Gracious and humble, he often gave the impression during his playing career of someone who didn't know how good he was. ...

Adelaide United building a legacy

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:44:20 -0800

Adelaide United's stunning run in the Asian Champions League will reap rewards much greater than the financial inducements that await.

While Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory might have the glamour - real or imagined - coach Aurelio Vidmar is building a team that could become the dominant force in Australian soccer. ...

United success will be against all odds

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:48:46 -0800

If Adelaide United wins the Asian Champions League it would have done so without the help of Football Federation Australia.

The FFA has demonstrated a lack of understanding of the task United faces in trying to compete simultaneously in the Hyundai A-League and the Asian Champions League. ...

Return to the Glory days

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:04:52 -0800

The decline of Perth Glory as a football powerhouse has been both spectacular and sad. In the bleak days of the National Soccer League it was the Glory which kept club football float as teams folded and those that remained barely survived as interest withered.

The Glory won two NSL Grand Finals, lost two others and set attendance records in each of the eight seasons they played in the NSL. ...

Eligibility rules hurt Adelaide

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:11:42 -0800

A-League title contenders Adelaide United have made, mostly, all the right moves on the pitch, but their footwork off the field has been strictly B Grade.

And their apparent lack of attention to detail could derail their Asian Champions League campaign.

United arrived in Japan last week to prepare for their first leg match against Kashima Antlers and were stunned to discover that one of their key players, Ivorian Jonas Salley, was not eligible to play. ...

United in search of elusive double

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:20:36 -0800

Is it possible to win the Hyundai A-League and the Asian Champions League in the same season?

Most observers would say "no", and with justifiable reasons, but United is about to discover just how difficult it is to achieve the "double", even if it has the talent to do so. ...

A-League reeks of inevitability

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:21:31 -0800

Is the Hyundai A-League’s Top Four all but settled after just three rounds of the new season?

Although there are 18 rounds remaining, it is difficult to see how joint leaders Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Adelaide United will be dislodged from their current positions.

The trio have demonstrated emphatically they are clearly a cut above of the rest and the major interest will be to see which of the remaining five teams will join them in the Finals in six months. ...

'Roos return to Hiddink football

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:38:22 -0800

The result was of minor importance but the Socceroos demonstrated in their 2-2 draw with South Africa in London that they are capable of playing the type of fluid football which was their signature under Guus Hiddink.

In the Asian Cup last year and during the first phase of World Cup qualifying the Socceroos battled hard but rarely showed the fluent movement and pace that stretched all their opponents in Germany, even Brazil. ...