April 23, 2007
A-League is BACK in Tassie
A replay of the 2006 A-League, Version 2 Grand Final between Melbourne Victory & Adelaide United will be played at Aurora Stadium, Launceston on Sunday 15th July.This will the second meeting between the clubs in Tasmania and will allow Victory’s considerable Tassie support squad to witness their team in action. Having said that, I’m sure Adelaide also has a fair support base here too.
Group A
1. Adelaide United FC
2. Melbourne Victory FC
3. Perth Glory FC
4. Newcastle Jets FC
Group B
1. Central Coast Mariners FC
2. Wellington Phoenix FC
3. Queensland Roar FC
4. Sydney FC
Complete preseason fixture list inside.
that is great. Good for the game!!!!
Comment by corey smith — April 23, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
YES another game of A-League in Tasmania it’s good to see the two of the best teams in the competition come down to Tasmania and playing a game of soccer. It great for the soccer in the state and promotion of the game can’t wait until the tickets come out. It’s going to be a sell out. Good to see FFA send down another good game to tasmania.
Comment by Ivan — April 23, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
Go the Victory
Comment by Ivan — April 23, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
another? which is the other game coming?
Comment by corey smith — April 23, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Round 1
Sat 14 July 07 Central Coast Mariners FC vs Wellington Phoenix FC Blue Tongue Stadium, Gosford 6.00pm
Sat 14 July 07 Newcastle Jets FC vs Perth Glory FC Port Macquarie Regional Stadium 2.30pm
Sat 14 July 07 Queensland Roar FC vs Sydney FC Maroochydore SC, Sunshine Coast 7.00pm
Sun 15 July 07 Melbourne Victory FC vs Adelaide United FC Aurora Stadium, Launceston 1.00pm
Round 2
Fri 20 July 07 Adelaide United FC vs Perth Glory FC Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide 7.30pm
Sat 21 July 07 Central Coast Mariners vs Queensland Roar FC Wade Park, Orange 3.00pm
Sun 22 July 07 Melbourne Victory FC vs Newcastle Jets FC Skilled Stadium, Geelong 2.00pm
TBC Wellington Phoenix FC vs Sydney FC Wellington TBC
Round 3
Fri 27 July 07 Adelaide United FC vs Newcastle Jets FC Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide 7.30pm
Sat 28 July 07 Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC Canberra Stadium 3.00pm
Sat 28 July 07 Perth Glory FC vs Melbourne Victory FC Darwin Football Stadium TBC
TBC Wellington Phoenix FC vs Queensland Roar FC Wellington TBC
Playoffs
Fri 3 Aug 07 - Sun 5 Aug 07
a) Winner Group A vs Runner Up Group B Winner Group A Home
b) Winner Group B vs Runner Up Group A Winner Group B Home
c) 3rd Place Group A vs 4th Place Group B 3rd Place Group A Home
d) 3rd Place Group B vs 4th Place Group A 3rd Place Group B Home
Finals
Fri 10 Aug 07 - Sun 12 Aug 07
Loser Match (c) vs Loser Match (d) Highest Placed Loser Match (c) / (d)
Winner Match (c) vs Winner Match (d) Highest Placed Winner Match (c) / (d)
Loser Match (a) vs Loser Match (b) Highest Placed Loser Match (a) / (b)
Sun 12 Aug 07 Winner Match (a) vs Winner Match (b) Highest Placed Winner Match (a) / (b) 5.00pm
Comment by Blackjack — April 23, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Hate to be pessimistic but who can be bothered? The last game they played here was mediocrity at its best! I’d sooner head to KGV to watch a game. The touches were poor, commitment wasn’t there and it looked like they were playing a preseason game. I admit the A-league is good for football in australia but I don’t enjoy the standard of play. Whilst sounding sour I do hope it promotes the game though in Tasmania
Comment by 1878 — April 23, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
1878…last years match between Melbourne Victory & Adelaide FC was a preseason game!! lol As a preseason match there wouldn’t be the commitment or touches simply because it’s a preseason game (just like Summer Cup really).
The ONLY attraction the local game has over the standard of A-League is that it’s local. Otherwise there is NO comparison.
Comment by Blackjack — April 23, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
Sorry I did realise that I hadn’t explained myself well post-post. haha yes it was a preseason game, these guys are professionals they shouldn’t be looking so ordinary even at the start of the season. Blackjack of course it is no comparison but I would’ve enjoyed 90 minutes at KGV over those 90 at York Park on that day.
I didnt enjoy the standard and making a trip to launceston for that. I’ll admit I am not an a league fan (yet). It is definitely a long way from the NSL and is part of the development of the game in this country but I just can’t enjoy the sloppy standard. It is looking inferior to the likes of teir 2 or 3 comps in Europe. Why is Patafta at Benefica not playing first team football and not here in the A-league? As a consumer of football, I can only consume to much and the A-league isn’t that marketable to me.
I do like the fact thought that a league is getting a lot of recognition as is the game in our country. Victory have done well in attracting plans. If this competition can keep going and evolve with youth leagues and academies I think we could start becoming a very attractive league in the West. It is unreasonable to think we could be an EPL or La Liga but we could definitely reach the standard of the MLS in two or three years (if we haven’t in many ways already ie crowd attendence).
Comment by 1878 — April 23, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
Portsmouth striker Andy Cole, currently on loan at Birmingham, will decide at the end of the season whether to join Australian club Queensland Rovers. (Daily Mirror)
Comment by old Keeper — April 24, 2007 @ 10:11 am
I remember last year, FFT suspended games for a day in order to allow all players to attend the game. Will they be doing that again this year?
Comment by Chuq — April 24, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
By the way does anyone know who instigates these games? Is it the local council, FFA, FFT, ground owners, the clubs?
I notice some teams (Adelaide and Wellington) don’t seem to travel at all, and others (Melbourne) play all their games away.
I’ll also be a bit controversial and say how disappointing it is that they aren’t trialling Hobart this year.
Also the fact there are only 3 pre-season rounds rather than the 4 that there was last year means less areas get to experience a game. I notice Gold Coast “lost” their spot this year.
Comment by Chuq — April 24, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
There are SPL games set down for 15th July but they could be changed I guess.
I believe FFT have played their part in securing this game but I am lead to believe FFA are trying to bring the A-League to the masses in regional areas (note venues for other games).
The thing that has disappointed me with FFT and the announcement (NO ANNOUNCEMENT) is that they have sat on this information for weeks. I purposely didn’t put this topic up as I believe FFT should be the ones that announce it, but they didn’t. Can someone tell me why??
Comment by Blackjack — April 24, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
Chug - Hobart not trialled as no suitable venue available on the date required.
Comment by sj — April 24, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Blackjack - I understand FFT issued a Media Release late yesterday. But no mention of the rescheduling of matches - although i would think it will happen as it did last season.
Comment by sj — April 24, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
what is a suitable venue down here sj?
Comment by redandblack — April 24, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
Bellerive
Comment by sj — April 24, 2007 @ 11:26 pm
Bellerive is not suitable, it is adequate only, just as York Park is only adequate. The grounds are oval shaped to begin with. Football ’should’ be played on a rectangular playing surface. Can anyone name a first class football venue that is round and then made rectangular by advertising boards or temporary fencing?
No SJ, Bellerive is adequate NOT suitable.
Comment by Blackjack — April 24, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
The A league has been described as analogous to the standard of the MLS already. Tommy Smythe from ESPN, claims it is already more technical than the MLS. Diego Walsh from Adelaide United thinks the standard is similar, but contradicts Smythe by stating the MLS is the more technical league. Both have been surprised where the A league standard is, given there have been only two seasons to date.
Comment by Decentric — April 25, 2007 @ 12:00 am
MCG
Comment by sj — April 25, 2007 @ 12:29 am
You’ve spent too much time at KGV if you think MCG is a first class venue for football. The ground is far too far from the stands.
Telstra Stadium in Sydney, because it can adjust it’s shape (from oval to rectangular) and therefore bring the viewing public closer to the action, is the only venue I am aware of that is top notch.
Football should never be played on an oval except when adequate will do.
Comment by Blackjack — April 25, 2007 @ 7:15 am
Suncorp is the best Football viewing stadium in Australia - seats 50,000 and is not an oval, Sydney Football stadium is also good but can only seat 32,000.
MCG is a cricket ground were if you don’t bring binoculars you miss half the real action
Comment by old Keeper — April 25, 2007 @ 9:32 am
I presume the Sydney Football Stadium you refer to is the one built for Rugby League. The Telstra Stadium (Stadium Australia) seats 80,000 and was the venue for the Australia v Uruguay WC match. Was rather impressive.
Suncorp was purpose built for Rugby and previously known as Lang Park.
Comment by Blackjack — April 25, 2007 @ 9:53 am
In days gone by it was proposed to play a match at Bellerive imediatley in front of the ” Great Southern or is it Eastern Stand “.
Therefore 6000 seated in comfort.
As I recall the TCA were in favour
Comment by Brian Roberts — April 25, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Well, blackjack, once you’ve finished bagging out all oval grounds in Australia (and you’re quite right, oval surfaces are not the best), where do you suggest an A-League game be played in Tassie?
What’s the best ‘oval’ ground?
Also, how does Telstra Stadium change its shape?
Comment by redandblack — April 25, 2007 @ 10:03 am
I’m not bagging them I’m just saying there are very few ‘purpose built’ football grounds in Australia. Arora Stadium is probably the best surface in Tasmania so it’s right that an A-League games should be played there but it doesn’t forster the best atmosphere and is therefore ‘adequate’ as opposed to suitable. If KGV had some decent facilities (stands, amenities, etc.) it might be adequate too.
Telstra stadium changes it’s shape by pushing the sideline bleachers inward to form a rectangular playing surface. I was most impressed when I saw it in action.
Comment by Blackjack — April 25, 2007 @ 11:05 am
You are correct!!!! It is very poor watching a game of football on an oval pitch. As a result a World Cup bid would be miles off. But in tasmania for competitive a leage fixtures we must be content with what we have.
The fact that you can go to a city the size of hobart in england and see an incredible 20k seater stadium puts us to shame really. I cant wait for the day that the country is scattered with purpose built stadiums.
SJ, MCG? As an example google Huddersfields stadium…. understandably they use it as a rugby league ground as well but it is incredible. Look at Hull City FC at KC Stadium, a brilliant ground. They may not hold as many supporters as the mcg but at any premier league, or english lower tier game you would not be subjected to such mediocre standards as the mcg when smalll cities and country towns have been creating decent stadiums.
Comment by 1878 — April 25, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Perhaps Blackjack should make a new thread about the stadiums?
What is North Hobart Oval like? (so far as shape goes, that is - I already know it is fugly!) From google maps it looks more “long” and less circular than most ovals.
Apparently an Australia B team played the Hungary national team there in the 50s!
Comment by Chuq — April 25, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Back on topic, I find it surprising that neither North Hobart Oval or Bellerive Oval were available on any day of any of other weekends that month.
Comment by Chuq — April 25, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
TCa are still in favour Brian.
Comment by sj — April 25, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Newcastle jets for the title!! they are by far the most attractive and entertaining a-league team….go the jets
Comment by squadron — April 30, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
And the FFT have just postpned all games (July 15th) so we can all go to Launy and watch a game! What absolute rubbish - I’m sure the players want to play a game, the club’s fans want to watch thier club’s games!
Is the FFT about promoting football within or without the State?
Or maybe money - to pay their exhorbitant wages?
Comment by tasblue — May 11, 2007 @ 10:15 pm