Well it’s finally here…..A-League season 3 is finally about to kick off tonight in Sydney and I’ve got a score on all 4 opening games being draws…admittedly it’s a long shot at 120odd to 1 but that fact that it’s any sort of shot at all shows how close I believe the A-League will be this season.
Every team, without exception, is stronger than last year. The one straggler in the pack was Sydney FC but they’ve finished strongly with Poppa, “The Little Fella” and Patrick “Hi Ho” da Silva. As most people know I support Sydney FC, member number 332 to be precise, but I also have a pretty large vested interest in the success of the game in this country as a whole and has the local game ever been in better shape than today? I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing all the teams in action this weekend and for the next 25 weeks although again I fear it will all be over a little too quickly for everyone's liking.
We have a club in Melbourne Victory who may well have 20,000 season ticket holders by the time they kick off at the Dome next week, we have the real possibility of 3 of the 4 games on the opening weekend breaking the 20,000 barrier (yes…I think Wellington will shock everyone with their numbers on Sunday), we have World Cup winners, European Golden Boot winners, current and recently former Socceroos back playing at, or at least near to, the height of their powers.
I can’t wait to see Juninho with the ball at this feet tonight and feel the tangible buzz that goes round a ground when a truly world class player gets his foot on the ball….but I’m also looking forward to seeing Muscat put his early mark on the new season as he surely will, I’m looking forward to seeing Archie and Allsop in tandem again…seeing if Zorro can replace Fred…I’m looking forward to seeing what Ricki Herbert can do with a squad of players he’s actually been involved in picking rather than getting 4 wins and 2 draws from a squad which couldn’t buy a win before he got hold of them. I’m looking forward to seeing Adelaide’s youngsters again – Djite, Burns and Spagnuolo. I’m looking forward to seeing Cassio raiding the left hand side next weekend at the SFS even if it means costing the team I follow points. I’m looking forward to seeing Craig Moore and Ognenovski putting up the “Thou Shalt Not Pass” signs at the back to improve Roar’s poor home record…I’m looking forward to seeing a fit Nicky Mrjda finally get the chance to prove what he can do in the A-League not to mention Lawrie McKinna’s trademark quips through the season and of course seeing if Jardel can show what made him one of the most feared hit men in Europe for the best part of a decade.
So bring it on I say…get out there support your club with all you’ve got…but also take some time to enjoy some of the quality on display beyond your own team because there’s plenty to enjoy wherever you look.
Every team, without exception, is stronger than last year. The one straggler in the pack was Sydney FC but they’ve finished strongly with Poppa, “The Little Fella” and Patrick “Hi Ho” da Silva. As most people know I support Sydney FC, member number 332 to be precise, but I also have a pretty large vested interest in the success of the game in this country as a whole and has the local game ever been in better shape than today? I'm genuinely looking forward to seeing all the teams in action this weekend and for the next 25 weeks although again I fear it will all be over a little too quickly for everyone's liking.
We have a club in Melbourne Victory who may well have 20,000 season ticket holders by the time they kick off at the Dome next week, we have the real possibility of 3 of the 4 games on the opening weekend breaking the 20,000 barrier (yes…I think Wellington will shock everyone with their numbers on Sunday), we have World Cup winners, European Golden Boot winners, current and recently former Socceroos back playing at, or at least near to, the height of their powers.
I can’t wait to see Juninho with the ball at this feet tonight and feel the tangible buzz that goes round a ground when a truly world class player gets his foot on the ball….but I’m also looking forward to seeing Muscat put his early mark on the new season as he surely will, I’m looking forward to seeing Archie and Allsop in tandem again…seeing if Zorro can replace Fred…I’m looking forward to seeing what Ricki Herbert can do with a squad of players he’s actually been involved in picking rather than getting 4 wins and 2 draws from a squad which couldn’t buy a win before he got hold of them. I’m looking forward to seeing Adelaide’s youngsters again – Djite, Burns and Spagnuolo. I’m looking forward to seeing Cassio raiding the left hand side next weekend at the SFS even if it means costing the team I follow points. I’m looking forward to seeing Craig Moore and Ognenovski putting up the “Thou Shalt Not Pass” signs at the back to improve Roar’s poor home record…I’m looking forward to seeing a fit Nicky Mrjda finally get the chance to prove what he can do in the A-League not to mention Lawrie McKinna’s trademark quips through the season and of course seeing if Jardel can show what made him one of the most feared hit men in Europe for the best part of a decade.
So bring it on I say…get out there support your club with all you’ve got…but also take some time to enjoy some of the quality on display beyond your own team because there’s plenty to enjoy wherever you look.
