Blackjack\’s Blog

Sydney Morning Herald

September 22, 2007

And this time it’s just the Matildas’ feet turning heads, writes Jessica Halloran.

THEY were once better known for baring their breasts than their football skills. There was a time when the buzz around the Matildas was caused by the thousands of raunchy calendars they had sold, not how many games they had won.

The year the Matildas stripped off for the now infamous calendar, they also appeared topless and frolicking on a beach in a Japanese toothpaste commercial. In that advertisement, they chased a football along the sand wearing flesh coloured G-strings.

Eight years later, people are buzzing about the Matildas again, but this time it’s because of their impressive progression to the World Cup quarter-finals in China.

(more…)

Dick Advocaat has signed to coach the Socceroos through the 2010 World Cup campaign.

It’s believed Advocaat, 59, agreed terms in a meeting with Football Federation Australia’s technical director, fellow Dutchman Rob Baan, in Europe two weeks ago. The FFA has stalled on making an announcement, possibly until Advocaat completes his contract with Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg, in mid-November.

It’s understood Advocaat would continue to live in Europe while coaching the national team through its 12-game qualifying campaign, but has agreed to spend up to eight weeks in Australia each year. Advocaat’s first game in charge will be Australia’s opening qualifier, a home match in early February.

Newcastle Jets FC  2  vs  Melbourne Victory FC  2

Griffiths, A                                Thompson

Musialik                                     Caceres

Wellington Phoenix FC  2  vs  Adelaide United FC  2

Felipe                                                 Diego

Smeltz                                                Djite

Queensland Roar FC  0  vs  Sydney FC  1

                                                       Patrick

Central Coast Mariners FC  1  vs  Perth Glory FC  0

Petrovski

Sydney Morning Herald

19th September 2007

COMMENT

As the FFA closes in on a new Socceroos coach, chairman Frank Lowy writes exclusively about why he wants a foreigner in charge.

In just a few months, the Socceroos will begin their campaign for the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa. It will be perhaps the toughest challenge yet faced by the Socceroos, including all those endured during the wilderness years of 1974-2006.

So now, before the campaign begins, is a good time for a sober assessment of the state of Australian football.

(more…)

Mourinho out in the cold

The ‘Special One’ has decided to call it quits. 

Well we knew he was not a happy camper with their Champions League draw against Rosenborg, and we knew that pressure was on Jose to bring home the Champions League but we didn’t expect him to be vacate Stamford at the start of the season. The very brief but official statement on chelseafc.com  is ”Chelsea Football Club and José Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent.” 

What looked like one of the most interesting seasons in a while just got a whole lot better.

Thoughts?

Wednesday  19th September 

Olympiakos  1  vs  Lazio  1

Galletti 55′                    Zauri 77′

Shakhtar Donetsk  2  vs  Celtic  0

Brandao 6′

Lucarelli 8′

Marseille  2  vs  Besiktas  0

Rodriguez 76′

Cisse 91′

Schalke  0  vs  Valencia  1

                             Villa 63′

Real Madrid  2  vs  Werder Bremen  1

Raul 16′                           Sanogo 17′

Van Nistelrooy 74′

AC Milan  2  vs  Benfica  1

Pirlo 9′                       Gomez 92′

Inzaghi 23

Porto  1  vs  Liverpool  1

Gonzalez (pen) 8′   Kuyt 17′

Chelsea  1  vs  Rosenborg  1

Shevchenko 53′    Koppinen 24′

Thursday  20th September

Fenerbahce  1  vs  Inter Milan  0

Deivid 43′

Barcelona  3 vs  Lyon  0

Clerc 22′ (og)

Messi 82′

Henry 91′ 

Roma  2  vs  Dynamo Kiev  0

Perrotta 6′

Totti 70′

PSV  2  vs  CSKA Moscow  1

Lazovic 59′      Love 89′

Perez 80′

Slavia Prague  2  vs  Steaua Bucharest  1

Senkerik 14′                   Goian 33′

Belaid 63′

Rangers  2  vs  Stuttgart  1

Adam 62′             Gomez 56′ 

Darcheville  75′ (pen)                

Sporting Lisbon  0  vs  Manchester United  1

                                             Ronaldo 62′

Arsenal  3  vs  Sevilla  0

Escude 28′ (og)

Van Persie 59′

Da Silva 92′

09:00    Champions League review show   ESPN

I want to ask this question…at the completion of the current state U/15 programme players are to be advised of their selection in the TIS programme. This squad will be full-time. see here Where will this squad play? In which competition? 

The current system now sees the better players that have been developed by the clubs as juniors removed from those clubs into full time squads at 12 years of age through to 16 years of age.

When will these players return to their clubs? Consider FFT still has plans to extend full time programmes through to U/19.

I find it interesting that the FFT programme is now effectively run to the detriment of most clubs rather than for the benefit of both players and clubs. Remember FFT are actively encouraging teams to stay together and go to clubs such as Clarence and their elite development programmes. Something FFT denied would happen by stating all players would be strongly urged to return to their home clubs.

This whole scenario is made to look even more ridiculous when you consider the SPL is to be reduced to eight teams with the hope of redistributing talented players yet state teams are being told to stay together.

I just don’t get it? 

Northern Rangers FC can loudly announce the re appointment of Mitchell Billing as the senior coach for the Premier League side for 2008. After much discussion and an overwhelming show of support from the playing group and committee, the club has agreed to terms with Billing and looks forward to the 2008 season with much anticipation. This will be Billings third year as coach on his current run, but he also coached the side in 2002 for a half season. Season 2007 ended in a mid table finish with 7 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses, thanks in part to a slow start. Northern Rangers firmly believe Mitchell Billing has the ability to help the club achieve its first Senior Championship after 9 years in the competition.

The club is also now in the early stages of finding a suitable Club Assistant Coach to work closely with Mitchell Billing in 2008. Expressions of interest for this position should be forward in confidence to the club President Mr. Mark Ackerly via e-email on Mark.Ackerly@veoliaes.com.au Applications will close on the 9th of October 2008.

Seniors
1st - Keegan Wells
Runner-Up - Bobby Eaves

Reserves
1st - Wil Nichols
Runner-Up - Daryl Ford

Women’s
1st - Danita Peck
Runner-Up - Janine Johnson

U/18’s
1st - Jordan Wright
Runner-Up - Robert Snare

Division One Men:

B&F – Jonothan Bellette

Most consistent – Mark Wakefield

Players player – Mark Wakefield

Coach’s award – Jonathon Bellette

Division One Women:

B&F – Melanie Quirk

Most consistent – Lauren Foot

Players player – Sita Ygosse (captain)

Coach’s award – Emma Blacklow

Most improved – Jess Ygosse

Del Story Perpetual award for most committed club member - Adam Bronson