Our A-league expert Tom Riordan previews the new season that kicks off on Friday, including his final ladder predictions.
English Premier League: Chelsea hold top
September 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Chelsea 1-0 Stoke Another game, another win for Chelsea. Both sides went into the game after hard fought draws the week before. Stoke had held on for a valuable draw against champions Man City while Chelsea failed to win at Loftus Road. The first real chance came on twenty minutes, when Walters smacked a header [Read more]
Southampton destroyed as Arsenal new boys run riot.
September 19, 2012 by 2 Comments
Arsenal 6-1 Southampton Everything clicked for Arsenal at the Emirates, as Southampton remained without a point four games back in the big time. Arsenal were yet to lose in their first three games of the season while Southampton were yet to avoid defeat. The game was over by half time as Arsenal had raced out [Read more]
What’$ the point?
September 18, 2012 by 5 Comments
There was a lot of hype this year of it being the closest top eight for many seasons; up to six or even seven of the top eight could win the whole thing. No one had ever had to win 13 games to get eighth before. Geelong fans were talking up the possibility of winning [Read more]
A New Love of Football
September 13, 2012 by 7 Comments
I grew up in a very traditional Australian sporting family. I was brought up in the steadfast knowledge that you play cricket on Saturdays in summer, Aussie rules in the winter, and golf whenever you can fit it in. Netball is for girls, soccer is for wogs and tennis is for those who couldn’t [Read more]
Van the man!
September 7, 2012 by 5 Comments
A wonderful Robin Van Persie hat-trick saved Manchester United from an unlikely loss against lowly Southampton.
How a move for Del Piero could lead the A-League in two very different ways
August 30, 2012 by 7 Comments
Recent speculation of Alessandro Del Piero moving to Sydney FC has raised questions about whether the move would have a completely positive influence on the A-League as a long-term prospect. Although upsides such as international publicity and recognition from overseas are obviously much needed for the A-League, there are 2 current examples of how marquee [Read more]
EPL: Hammers hammmered by rampaging Swansea
August 30, 2012 by 2 Comments
Swansea 3-0 West Ham What an amazing start to the season for Swansea. Eight goals in their first two games after managing just 44 last season. West Ham was humiliated in their second outing back in the big time. Early on it was the Hammers making all the running as Swansea continually turned [Read more]
City continues where it left off
August 22, 2012 by 5 Comments
By Tom Clarke Fans have barely regained their breath from the extraordinary ending to last season. But it is back again. Tom Clarke makes his Almanac debut as the EPL kicks off for Season 2012/13. He’ll keep us up to date with the world’s most popular League and invites comments and questions from readers. If [Read more]
Out of control
August 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The fracas at West Sydney’s first (practice) “rivalry” match raised eyebrows. How do you promote “enemy” and avoid its escalation to violence? Here’s the extreme of “fan” power and danger…from Argentina http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-beautiful-game-breaking-bad/311/ crio
Back to basics: Local sport in 3 parts
July 4, 2012 by 5 Comments
BACK TO BASICS Local sport in 3 parts There’s nothing like local sport to help you connect with the community. Corporate demands, overly structured game plans and totally rip-off prices go by the way to be replaced with a cheery welcome, lots of space, family friendly prices and much good humour. It’s good just to [Read more]
La Furia Roja
July 4, 2012 by 7 Comments
Last comments on 2012 European Championships by Lee Hugh McGowan Final Spain 4 -0 Italy Great final. Exhibition football from Spain, Italy played well too, but no team on earth can compete with the Spanish when they are on the form they displayed in the game that clinched their third international title in a row. [Read more]
The (recent) Brisbane (Football) Riot
June 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Riots in Brisbane? Very late coverage of the 2012 European Championships by Lee Hugh McGowan Semi Final 2 Italy 2 -1 Germany Such was the surprise and exuberant outpouring on the streets of Brisbane yesterday morning, one of the local radio stations reported news of a riot. There were a few blindingly shocked [Read more]
Cures for insomniac supporters
June 28, 2012 by 2 Comments
Sleepy-headed coverage of Euros 2012 Semi-final 1 Spain 0 – 0 Portugal (Spain trudge forward on penalties 4-2) This very stalemate would’ve whittled the edges from the even the keenest footballing enthusiasm. We were right to expect a show. Portugal and Ronaldo were improving with each performance. They’ve played exciting, attractive, passing, attacking football; the [Read more]
Unfair dismissal?
June 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
Less than objective Euro 2012 coverage by Lee Hugh McGowan QTR final 4 England 0 – 0 Italy (Italy 4-2 on penalties) The score puts off those whose sympathies lie with other codes, but this was a compelling viewing for football fans. A game of skill and wits matched, of expectations met and, in the [Read more]
Fever pitch
June 25, 2012 by 6 Comments
For the past 14 months I have been searching for the quintessential English experience. I have drunk in pubs older than Australia, saw the Queen in her Diamond jubilee and rambled along the raw British coastline, but nothing has seemed right. Nothing that is until tonight. Tonight was the Euro 2012 quarter final between England [Read more]
Less Bleu, more Roja
June 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Euro 2012 coverage QTR Final 3 France 0 – 2 Spain Spain will play Portugal in the first semi-final early Thursday morning. Les(s) Bleus, who played in white – the colour of their surrender – will head home after losing their second consecutive match. They looked every bit the unsettled team the press would have [Read more]
Two goals for the price of one
June 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Euro 2012 coverage by Lee Hugh McGowan QTR Final 2 Germany 4 – 2 Greece The highest scoring game in the tournament was a far cry from the austerity being discussed by their governments. The Greeks continued their nation’s form for giving away the goods and the Germans, generous to a fault, gifted them two [Read more]
All quiet on the touchline techonology front….
June 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Hush-toned Euro 2012 coverage QTR Final 1 Czech Republic 0 – 1 Portugal Before we get to the yawn fest from this morning. I wanted to offer some thoughts on the digital cloud hanging over the group stages. I’ve been waiting for vociferous English support of the Ukraine’s stricken goal. Long before their game the [Read more]
Viking strike
June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Wet-blanket coverage of Euro 2012 Group D England France _______ Ukraine Sweden England 1 – 0 Ukraine Sweden 2 – 0 France What? What! Zlatan Ibrahimovi? scores one of the best goals of the tournament and puts really dull England (Boo!) top of the group. Even the commentators nodded off in the first half. The [Read more]
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