Australia

A-League Version 3

By Alan Belton ⋅ August 25, 2007 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

The A-League is returning for a third season - and it threatens to be the best yet. Alan Belton previews.

The first two seasons of the A-league have been a runaway success and while it would be over the top to say that the world’s eyes are on Australian football, there have certainly been more than a few global glances in this direction; this being highlighted by the number of players leaving during the off season to accept offers from abroad. In fact, at one point there was such a rush of players leaving the country that it threatened to rob the league of its best players before version 3 kicked off, but then the flow changed with one small signing, Sydney F.C. announced the capture of diminutive Brazilian Juninho Paulista and all was good again.

The mass exodus began as the dust was still settling on season 2. A couple of weeks after the Grand Final, Melbourne Victory’s creative midfielder Fred was sighted in America, smoozing up to representatives of DC United. At the time I paid no attention to the rumours, after all, this was the man that only a few months previously had stated that he wanted to stay in Australia until he was eligible for citizenship and then represent the Socceroos; and besides what have the Yanks got to offer that we don’t, well apart from goldenballs! The league over there is similar to ours, the players are professional, but some a lot more professional than others, the standard is roughly the same, so what made Fred decide to leave? Well he was one of the players that is to more professional than the others, Melbourne could not match his demands, so we lost Fred.

He was followed out of the club by fellow countryman Alessandro, the Brazilian decided he deserved similar wages to the amount offered to Fred, Melbourne and the rest of country disagreed, so Melbourne lost an occasionally exciting but for the most part predictable bench warmer. Although Alessandro will not be missed, the collective that followed him in leaving most certainly will. Another Melbourne player left, this time for England. Young centre back Adrian Leijer has decided to give the premiership a go (as you do!) and has joined Fulham. Exciting winger David Carney has moved to England, he has joined Sheffield United from Sydney, and probably most disappointing of all, Nick Carle, winner of the Johnny Warren medal (player of the year) last season has left the Newcastle Jets to join Genclerbirligi Ankara in Turkey’s Super League. All of these players seemed to leave at the same time, also during that period Sydney’s Mark Milligan was rumoured to be in Europe looking for a club.

Although not as young as he used to be, the signing of Juninho will be great for Sydney, and the league

Thankfully for the A-league Milligan returned and the migration stopped. It left the league a little damaged but still in healthy shape, with many young Socceroos and many seasoned professionals. Plus many clubs had started their recruitment process. Melbourne signed Carlos Hernandez to replace Fred, they also snapped up young Olyroo, Kaz Patafta on a year’s loan from Benfica. Queensland confirmed the arrival of Craig Moore, Perth liked the sound of an experienced defender and signed Hayden Fox and Wellington Phoenix, the newly formed New Zealand franchise, announced a whole new squad including 3 promising, if largely unknown Brazilians.

Whilst announcements were being made left, right and centre about new players with bags of potential, there was something missing. All the big name players were defenders, and whilst needed, they are never going to set the league alight. We needed something more, something different, and something to get me excited…and then Sydney called a press conference. During the off season there have been a few names linked with Sydney including Fowler and Sheringham, and whilst both class, neither seem suited to the A-league, luckily for the league neither signed and instead Sydney turned there attention to Juninho.

Although not as young as he used to be, the signing of Juninho will be great for Sydney, and the league. Since the departure of Dwight Yorke the league has been crying out for a poster boy to be the face of football in this country, and Juninho certainly fits the bill, with 50 caps for Brazil, a World Cup winners medal and bags of skill, he will definitely bring something to the league. His announcement was followed shortly afterwards by Newcastle Jets saying they had captured former European Golden Boot winner, Jardel!

Why there will be major doubts about Jardel, there can be none about Juninho, although past his best, he is still in good shape. His signature represents a major coup for Sydney, and could just be catalyst to push them into the top four this season. They will be in the top four, as will Melbourne despite their losses. Joining them will be Adelaide United, the most consistent team in the league, finishing second in the last two seasons, which just leaves one place for the play-offs…a place I predict will go to Central Coast. Although these are my predictions, the beauty of this season is that all of the eight teams have the potential to make the play offs, something which has not been in the case in the first two seasons, but teams should be wary that success may just leave them a star or two short next off season.

* the A-league consists of eight teams, Adealaide United, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Queeensland Roar, Sydney F.C. and new franchise, Wellington Phoenix. The top four teams at the end of the season enter the play-offs, the winner of the Grand Final being declared champions.

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