The FFA in their wisdom are still ignoring international weekends and, unlike almost every other top flight national league in the world, not closing down the A-League for the week.

China pulling out of the Socceroos clash planned for this weekend means the impact will at least be slightly less.

But Olyroo duties will still interfere and take the sting out of Adelaide's attack again in the so-called grand final rematch against Victory.

And Wellington Phoenix are losing five of their players to All White call-ups which will neuter them in the important tie with Newcastle Jets.

Hopefully this will be the last season that this is allowed to happen.

The FFA have at least shifted around games in the finals series to partially accommodate international matches.

Next season though, they have to address this from the start and set the fixtures around internationals, if only to be fair to clubs, players and fans.

Clubs only play 10 or 11 regular home games a season - and big ticket games like Adelaide's match up with Victory should be a treat for fans.

But for the second time already this season, they will face Victory at home without their star strikers because of internationals.

It's not just Adelaide and Phoenix affected of course. Perth also lose five players, Sydney lose three, as do the Jets, and the Mariners two.

Victory and Roar have just their usual casualty list worries to contend with - and neither of them are playing at home.

It made a mockery of round three and it stands a chance of happening again this weekend. Sort. It. Out. Fans deserve better.


Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 12 October 2007
Kick-Off 7.30pm ACST (11:00pm NZDT, 8.00pm AEST, 6:00pm AWST)
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Radio: Fresh FM (Adelaide) 92.7FM www.freshfm.com.au; SEN1116 (Melbourne) 1116am - www.sen.com.au

Previous meetings: Adelaide 4, Victory 4, Drawn 2

The weekend kicks off with what has once again been dubbed the grand final rematch and in a way it is.

Adelaide were weakened for the GF in February too, after the draining match against the Jets the weekend before left them too exhausted to put up any resistance to Melbourne's championship winning machine.

This time round, Victory are unbeaten. Victory have won back to back wins. Victory have close to a full-strength side.

Adelaide have a dodgy defence. Adelaide are missing half their goalscorers. Adelaide have injuries woes on top of Olyroo call-ups...can you see where we're going with this?

It was a draw when they met up at Hindmarsh in round three but Victory have improved since then and anything less than a win would be a disappointment to them.

But with Muscat a doubt with a fresh knee injury and Ljubo called back in from his spell in the physio's room, it could be a tight battle if the back-up boys called in by Adelaide take their chance to shine

It's just a shame Adelaide fans will once again miss out on seeing their club's best XI take to the field to try to recover their pride from Victory.

Instead, a good win here could see Melbourne move to the top of the ladder. Ouch (if you're an Adelaide - or Mariners - fan, obviously).

Stats, Facts & Milestones
This match is a battle for all-time Hyundai A-League home and away season supremacy. In terms of competition points awarded in all Hyundai A-League matches, Adelaide United has held the league's number one position since Round 13, 2005/06, or 37 consecutive rounds. However, following last weekend's matches, Melbourne have moved to within two points of Adelaide's all-time points tally. Currently Adelaide, with an all-time home and away season W-D-L record of 24-12-13, has earned 84 competition points, while Melbourne's all-time competition points total stands at 82 (W23-D13-L13). Adelaide therefore needs to gain at least one point from this weekend's confrontation to uphold their all-time competition point’s lead.

Adelaide United
Form - DDDLDWD

Squad 1.Daniel BELTRAME (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 3.Milan SUSAK, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 13.Travis DODD (captain), 14.Shaun ONTONG, 15.Jonas SALLEY, 17.Isyan ERDOGAN, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20.Robert BAJIC (gk), 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 22.DIEGO. 23. Dez GIRALDI

In: Dez Giraldi (promoted), Shaun Ontong (promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Paul Agostino (calf – 1 week), Bobby Petta (calf – 2 weeks), Bruce Djite (ankle – 6 weeks), Nathan Burns (National Team duty), Kristian Sarkies (National Team duty) Michael Valkanis (knee – season)

Melbourne Victory
Form - DDDDDWW

Squad 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6.Steve PANTELIDIS, 7.Matthew KEMP, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 11.Joseph KEENAN, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13.Kaz PATAFTA, 14.Adrian CACERES, 15.Leandro LOVE, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Daniel VASILEVSKI, 19.Evan BERGER, 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 21.Sebastian RYALL. * Two to be Omitted

In: Ljubo MILICEVIC (returns from injury), Daniel VASILEVSKI (promoted), Evan BERGER (promoted)

Out: Grant BREBNER (suspended – 1 week)

Unavailable: Daniel PIORKOWSKI (shoulder – 12 weeks), Leigh BROXHAM (thigh – 1 week)


Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Friday, 12 October 2007
Kick-Off 8.00pm AWST (1:00am NZDT, 10:00 pm AEST, 9:30pm ACST)
Members Equity Stadium, Perth

Radio: 6PR 882AM (Perth) www.mytalk.com.au; SportFM (Perth); 90.5FM www.905.com.au

Previous meetings: Perth 0, Sydney 3, Drawn 4

And so to the most soul-destroying match of the round. When I was a kid, they used to show horror movies on TV late on a Friday night. Now it's Glory vs Sydney matches... Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme and that.

Providing all 22 players stay on the pitch, there is little chance of more than one goal by full-time - and even that's pushing it.

Glory's record this season has been appalling and with a side ravaged by call-ups on top of their long-term injuries, it's unlikely to get better for them this weekend.

Sydney also have Olyroo issues but at least it might give us the chance of seeing Nick The Greek in action at left-back at last and Zdrilic in defence could be good for a laugh.

The question though is whether or not he's more or less likely to score an (own) goal from that position?

Stats, Facts & Milestones
This clash sees the Hyundai A-League's youngest team, Perth Glory, take on one of the oldest in Sydney. In terms of average age (in years and days) of each team's starting eleven, Perth's average age in its seven games so far this season is the league's youngest, at 24.95 years. In fact, the average age of the Glory's starting eleven against Adelaide United last weekend was the youngest recorded in Hyundai A-League history, at 23.28 years (breaking the previous record of 23.32 years achieved by Newcastle in their Round 6 match of the 2006/07 season). In contrast, the average age of Sydney's starting team so far this season has been 28.15 years - the league's oldest.

Perth Glory
Form - DDDLLLD

Squad 50.Tommi TOMICH (gk), 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Anthony DANZE, 9.Mate DRAGICEVIC, 13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 14.Jamie COYNE, 15.Mitchell PRENTICE, 16.Nick RIZZO, 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.James ROBINSON, 25.Tyler SIMPSON, 20.Danny MILOCEVIC (gk).

In: Dino DJULBIC (return from suspension), Anthony DANZE (promoted), Mate DRAGICEVIC (promoted), Naum SEKULOVSKI (promoted), Danny MILOCEVIC (short term replacement player)

Out: Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (National Team duty), Billy CELESKI (National Team duty), Leo BERTOS (National Team duty), Jordan SIMPSON (National Team duty), Tando VELAPHI (National Team duty)

Unavailable: David TARKA (hamstring – season), Jason PETKOVIC (leg – 3 weeks), Stan LAZARIDIS, Hayden FOXE (knee – 3 weeks), David MICEVSKI (groin – TBA)

Sydney FC
Form - LDDLWWL

Squad 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 3.Nikolas TSATTALIOS, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (captain), 9.David ZDRILIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.PATRICK, 13.Ben VIDAIC, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry McFLYNN, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21.Adam BIDDLE, 22.JUNINHO, 23.Ufuk TALAY.

In: Nikolas Tsattalios (promoted), David Zdrilic (promoted), Ben Vidaic (promoted), Adam Biddle (promoted), Ivan Necevski (return from injury).

Out: Ruben Zadkovich (National Team duty), Steve Corica (suspended – two matches), Mark Milligan (National Team duty), Adam Casey (National Team duty), Matthew Nash (gk) (released).

Unavailable: Robbie Middleby (quad - 1-2 weeks), Jacob Timpano (thigh - 1-2 weeks), Michael Enfield (knee - indefinite).


Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Sun, 14 Oct 07
Kick-Off 3:00pm AEST (6:00pm NZDT, 2:30pm ACST, 1:00pm AWST)
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Radio: ABC 1233 Newcastle (1233AM) – www.abc.net.au/newcastle

Previous meetings Jets 1, Phoenix 0, Draws 0

Potentially, Phoenix could leap from being bottom of the ladder just a few weeks ago to second place if they thumped Newcastle on Sunday.

But with their weakened side and coach Ricki Herbert's mind pre-occupied by his New Zealand's World Cup qualifier, they'll be happy just to put out the Jets' afterburners, although they do have playmaker Daniel back in the side.

They face an almost equally understrength Jets side though, missing goal heroes Musialik and Bridge...but still boasting the creative genius of Joel Griffiths.

He's a very lucky boy to still be playing in this match after his love tap to the groin of assistant referee Alex Glasgow in last week's game against Central Coast Mariners.

If he hadn't received the yellow card for it at the time, he could be facing a very lengthy ban, courtesy of an FFA match review panel.

As it is though, he's free to play - but Phoenix skipper Ross Aloisi's role in the game has yet to be decided. He faces a disciplinary hearing this afternoon over his elbow in the box during last week's game.

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Newcastle will be aiming to continue a club record six matches undefeated at home streak when they take on the Phoenix. The last time the Jets lost a game at EnergyAustralia Stadium was on 1-Jan-07 when they lost to Sydney FC - this was in fact Newcastle's only home defeat in the past twelve months, the previous loss at home occurring on 8-Oct-06 against Melbourne.

Newcastle Jets
Form - DDWWDLD

Squad 1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 3.Jade NORTH (C), 7.Jorge DROVANDI 8.Matt THOMPSON, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.Denni ROCHA DOS SANTOS, 11.Tarek ELRICH, 12.Paul KOHLER, 14.Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 15.Scott TUNBRIDGE, 17.Troy HEARFIELD, 18.Noel SPENCER, 20.Ben KENNEDY (GK), 21.Mario JARDEL, 23.Jason HOFFMAN, 27.Stephen LAYBUTT *Two To Be Omitted

In: Scott TUNBRIDGE (Promoted), Jorge DROVANDI (Promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Steve EAGLETON (Injured), Stuart MUSIALIK (National Duty), Andrew DURANTE (Injured), Adam D’APUZZO (National Team Duty), Mark BRIDGE (National Team Duty).

Wellington Phoenix
Form - DLLWDWL

Squad 4. CLEBERSON, 5. Karl DODD, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 14. Steven O’DOR, 15. George PALADINI, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, 19. Greg DRAPER, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. FELIPE, 22. Royce BROWNLIE, 23. Costa BARBAROUSES, 30. Jacob SPOONLEY (gk). *Three to be omitted

In: DANIEL (return from suspension), Vince LIA (promoted), Royce BROWNLIE (promoted), CLEBERSON (promoted), Ahmad ELRICH (promoted), Greg DRAPER (promoted), Costa BARBAROUSES (promoted), Jacob SPOONLEY (gk, promoted)

Out: Mark PASTON (gk) (National Team Duty), Jeremy CHRISTIE (National Team Duty), Tony LOCHHEAD (National Team Duty), Tim BROWN (National Team Duty), Shane SMELTZ (National Team Duty).

Unavailable: Nil


Central Coast Mariners v Queensland Roar
Sun, 14 Oct 07
Kick-Off 5:00pm AEST (8:00pm NZDT, 4:30pm ACST, 3:00pm AWST)
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Radio: Coast FM 96.3FM (Central Coast) - www.coastfm.org.au

Previous meetings Mariners 1, Roar 1, Draw 5

This has all the potential to be the game of the round - both teams barely affected by Olyroo call-ups, minimal injury worries and everything to play for, with Mariners aiming to stay top and Roar desperate to force their way off the ugly end of the ladder.

But look at that record - five draws in seven matches. There is hope though...the last two clashes have brought clear winners after the initial run of draws.

And despite the Mariners impressive record this season, they are possibly at their weakest as they go into this match.

Mrdja's still out injured (and it's not looking good for him), Mori's left the club after his guest spell, Vidmar's still suspended - and their two losses to the Olyroos, Boogard and Vukovic, have played important roles this season.

Meanwhile Roar are looking good, finally finding their scoring touch with new boys Zullo and Kruse, and virtually a full squad to choose from.

It's that choice though that could be their Achilles heel - will Farina go for the experienced but misfiring attack of old, or give the new boys a second chance to impress again?

It's a genuinely tough call - but that's what the big bucks are for, Frank. The game is there for Roar's taking though...

Stats, Facts & Milestones
Leading Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season team Central Coast Mariners will be aiming to break a long-standing hoodoo in Central Coast-Queensland matches: never before has a home team won. In three previous matches at Bluetongue Stadium there were two draws and a Queensland win, while in four previous matches in Brisbane, three were draws and the Mariners won the remaining one.

Central Coast Mariners
Form - WWWDWLD

Squad 1.Matthew TROTT (gk), 2.Matt SIMON, 4.Ian McANDREW, 5.Bradley PORTER, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT, 7.John HUTCHINSON, 8.Dean HEFFERNAN, 10.Tom PONDELJAK, 11.Damien BROWN, 12.Greg OWENS, 15.Andrew CLARK, 19.Adam KWASNIK, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 23.Mile JEDINAK, 30.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)

In: Ian McANDREW (Promoted), Bradley PORTER (Promoted), Damien BROWN (Promoted), Andrew REDMAYNE (Promoted)

Out: Nigel BOOGAARD (National Team Duty), Matthew OSMAN (Injury), Danny VUKOVIC (National Team Duty), Damian MORI (Omitted)

Unavailable: Nik MRDJA (Knee – Indefinite), Tony VIDMAR (Suspended – 1 week), 17.Matthew OSMAN (Knee – Indefinite), 18.Alex WILKINSON (Knee – Indefinite)

Queensland Roar
Form - DDLWLLW

Squad 1.Liam REDDY (gk), 4.Craig MOORE (capt), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Massimo MURDOCCA, 9.Simon LYNCH, 11.REINALDO, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 17.Mitch NICHOLS, 18.Danny TIATTO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22.Robbie KRUSE, 23.MARCINHO, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk). *One to be omitted

In: Mitch Nichols (promoted).

Out: None

Unavailable: Matt Ham (shoulder injury – out for season), Ante Milicic (groin injury – 2 weeks).

A-League Ladder Going Into Round Eight