The beauty of the English Premier League; while the title is often a four horse race, the promotion and relegation battle at the opposite end of the table throws up some compelling stories; this year, AFC Bournemouth is the fairytale story. Roy Hay profiles club stalwart and Geelong soccer referee; Russell Butler.
A Missing Part of a Bigger Picture
April 23, 2015 by 7 Comments
A timely reminder from Roy Hay of Soccer’s contribution to Australian servicemen on the front-lines; the Australian soccer team’s trip to the Independence Day tournament in Saigon. Sappers sweeping the pitch for land-mines, the Viet Cong watching from the sidelines and Diggers on guard duty with orders to shoot anyone who stops on their bicycle outside the Aussie barracks. A neglected chapter of the sport and service narrative we remember on ANZAC Day.
The Perfect Storm Ends Tonight
April 21, 2015 by 3 Comments
Wayne Ball takes stock of the Western Sydney Wanderers progress in their first three years, culminating in tonight’s losing tie in the ACL.
Two games from oblivion
April 21, 2015 by 15 Comments
Tom Riordan explains how he fell for the doomed Tranmere Rovers.
How greed can interfere in a sporting dream
April 19, 2015 by 3 Comments
Author DrCruel73 explains how supporters of a football club can suffer due to greed and ego by the clubs administrators/ owners.
Soccer in New South Wales 1880-1980 by Phil Mosely
April 9, 2015 by 3 Comments
Significant, well-researched soccer history by Phil Mosely is out now.
Have the Socceroos won back Australia’s heart?
March 30, 2015 by 3 Comments
It might have been a friendly, but for Vaughan Menlove, the Socceroos draw with Germany wasn’t about the scoreboard. Ange Postecoglou’s game plan has breathed life and flair into the national football team, which was sorely missing under the conservative approaches of past bosses Pim Verbeek and Holger Osiek
Who Will Stand Up To FIFA?
March 24, 2015 by 1 Comment
The repercussions of FIFA’s decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup continue to impact soccer’s governing body. Vaughan Menlove hopes that the compensation packages handed out to the powerful European leagues don’t come at the expense of grass-roots football.
A-League 1,000 – The Shuffle Edition
February 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
With the ICC World Cup continuing the AFL’s pre-season challenge getting underway and round 19 of the A-League promising some ripping match-ups, not for the first time this year, too much sport this weekend- to borrow from Roy & H.G – may be barely enough. Hamish Neal previews this weekend’s A-League action in which champion striker Archie Thompson clocks up his 200th appearance for Melbourne Victory.
Fearless (Sort Of) Visits the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia (And Assesses the Damage)
February 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
After almost becoming the pariah’s of Australian sport on the back of a disastrous 2022 World Cup bid, Fearless believes the FFA pulled the right rein by hosting a successful 2015 Asian Cup tournament.
A-League Week 18 Preview – The Falling Over Edition
February 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment
As the race to the title begins to get serious, Hamish Neal takes a look at this weekend’s action in the A-League.
Roy Hay: Is It Time for More Cooperation?
February 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Some great analysis from Roy Hay and Tony Ward in Monday’s Guardian on how the numbers are telling us that it’s time Australia’s sporting bodies stopped warring and began cooperating for the greater good of fans.
The dancing dozen – 12 wonderful fan moments from the Asian Cup
February 8, 2015 by 1 Comment
Want an antidote for politics and pessimism? Patrick Skene offers his latest Guardian piece highlighting all the brilliant Asian Cup fan moments off the pitch.
Breakfast With the Goodfellas February 6-8: Super Bowl Wrap-up and the Latest in the A-League and the EPL
February 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Welcome to February. The Asian Cup is over with and so it’s business as usual in the A-League and the EPL. Dr Cruel and Stone Cold settle in at Rocotillo’s Cafe in Frankston for some lunch and a chat about the Super Bowl and this weekend’s action in the world of football and soccer. [Read more]
Wednesday’s Soccer and Cricket
February 5, 2015 by 2 Comments
An SEN listener poll and talkback segment on The Morning Glory gets Yoshi thinking about the parallels between Australian soccer hopefuls grinding out careers in Europe and Japanese baseballers who chase the dream of playing in the MLB in the states.
57 Mt Pleasant Street (part 4): it’s the fun, stupid
February 4, 2015 by 4 Comments
“It can’t be that simple, can it?” E.regnans on the one link that binds all sports across all countries across all the years. Sport reporting has never been so existential.
Asian Cup: On supporting Iraqi football
February 2, 2015 by 3 Comments
Patrick Skene on the highs and lows of following Iraqi football.
The Asian Cup and Australia’s Future
February 1, 2015 by 6 Comments
The Socceroos are now the undisputed Kings of Asian football. It’s time, argues Roy Hay, to focus on winning the ultimate prize in world football: “We have a long way to go, but last night’s triumph is not the end, it is just the beginning…”
Asian Cup 2015: Australia is the Champion of Asia at Football
February 1, 2015 by 3 Comments
Roy Hay summarises 120 minutes of joy, despair and then joy again. The Socceroos are now the champions of Asia. A feat that should not be underestimated.
Asian Cup Final: Australia won, because that’s what Australians do
February 1, 2015 by 11 Comments
Tom Riordan relives all the excitement of a nerve-shattering, breath-taking Asian Cup Final – with Ange and the new generation triumphing in a pulsating 120 minutes.
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