Category Archives: SPORTS

The Newcastle Jets have punished Wellington Phoenix’s inability to finish with a season-opening 2-1 A-League win in Wellington.

Reduced to 10 men for the closing 10 minutes on Sunday after skipper Nigel Boogaard’s second yellow card, Newcastle was pushed and pressured but hung on grimly to scramble a gritty win for new coach Scott Miller.

As it did last season, Wellington created plenty of chances but struggled to finish.

Despite dominating possession and territory, it was lucky to go into half-time on even terms after Roly Bonevacia’s stoppage time equaliser answered David Carney’s 30th-minute header.

Roy Krishna’s missed penalty two minutes into the second spell came back to haunt it when Jets striker Milos Trifunovic guided home what proved to be the winner with 20 minutes remaining.

Both sides struggled to find any flow early on in a scrappy start to the season.

Andrew Durante’s troublesome calf forced the Phoenix skipper from the field in the 27th minute and the Jets capitalised almost immediately.

South Korean defender Lee Ki-je was allowed too much room down the left and his well-weighted cross was headed home by former Socceroo Carney to give the Jets a 1-0 lead after 30 minutes.

Wellington were still creating chances, with Krishna and Blake Powell both coming close but Newcastle looked set to go into the halftime break ahead.

Midfielder Michael McGlinchey, whose pace and vision had stretched the Jets defence all evening, made another strong run into the box deep in stoppage time and his cut-back was glanced home by Bonevacia.

Wellington started the second spell strongly and was rewarded after two minutes when Jets defender Daniel Mullen brought down Krishna in the box.

But Newcastle keeper Mark Birighitti read the Fijian striker’s penalty, diving low and to the left to make a solid save.

Carney featured in Trifunovic’s 70th minute winner with a beautifully weighted through ball as the Jets again proved lethal on the counter-attack.

Although Wellington pressured right until the final whistle, Newcastle’s makeshift defence hung on for the win.

source:abc.net.au

Jose Mourinho has been given the ‘vote of confidence’ by his Chelsea paymasters.

If that’s not the kiss of death, then we don’t know what is.

Maybe the Stamford Bridge hierarchy actually do believe Mourinho can turn the Blues’ failing season around, but the Mirror say they’re sizing up replacement…just in case.

The top name on the list is Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone who has worked wonder at La Liga club, winning the league, the Copa Del Rey and reaching a Champions League final.

But obviously he’s not going to come cheap. There’s Mourinho’s big pay-off to consider – which is believed to be anywhere from £30m to £40m if he’s given the boot.

Then there’s the fact that Simeone has just signed a new long-term deal at Atletico worth £22m – a deal which includes a £15m buyout clause.

The millions would soon mount up, but with Chelsea languishing in 16th place with just two wins and eight points from eight games, it might just be a price worth playing to get the Blues back on track.

source:joe.co.uk

Central Coast has delivered on its intent to entertain with a 3-2 opening-round A-League home win over Perth.

Two Fabio Ferreira penalties in nine second-half minutes on Saturday earned the home team a win.

Portuguese forward Ferreira was also involved in the Mariners’ first goal, when his shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Ante Covic onto Irish striker and A-League debutant Roy O’Donovan, who knew little about it as the ball cannoned off him and into the goal from close range.

The Glory equalised in the 23rd minute with a fine stooping long-range header from captain Richard Garcia following a precise right wing cross from Chris Harrold.

The Mariners scored three goals in only one game last season, but played with plenty of enterprise, having 11 shots to Perth’s four in the first half.

Central Coast finished with 24 shots to 12, although Perth had two more on target.

Hungarian midfielder Gyorgy Sandor capped a late Glory surge with a stoppage-time goal.

The Mariners had good attacking value out wide from Ferreira on the right and another A-League debutant Mitch Austin on the left, with playmaker Anthony Caceres also prominent.

The Glory had a couple of opportunities early in the second half, but Antony Golec and Harrold both shot straight at Mariners goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

A couple of rash penalty area challenges cost Perth dearly.

New Dutch striker Guyon Fernandez fouled Ferreira who slammed the spot-kick high into the net.

He smashed the ball into a similar spot nine minutes later after Golec brought down Storm Roux.

Reddy produced three smart saves late on from Josh Risdon, substitute Sidnei Sciola and Diego Castro to preserve the home team’s two-goal buffer until Sandor’s late stoppage-time goal.

source:abc.net.au

New Sydney FC marquee Filip Holosko has scored on his A-League debut to hold Melbourne City to a 1-1 draw in a niggly but tantalising opener in Sydney.

An accomplished performance from youngster Brandon O’Neill ensured Holosko answered Wade Dekker’s early goal in front of a 17,051-strong crowd at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Both sides played with intent and quality in the full-throttle end-to-end affair that changed momentum in the blink of an eye.

Sydney kept the midfield congested early with the returned Milos Dimitrijevic showing vision and skill while his Serbian compatriot, newly signed playmaker Milos Ninkovic, made dangerous breaks.

The hosts applied pressure in the front third, transitioning to defence with intensity and forcing City to lose possession time and again.

But City bided its time and waited for a mistake.

It came in the 16th minute when Senegalese defender Jacques Faty lost possession deep in defence, allowing Dekker to score on his professional debut. The prodigious youngster pounced from just outside the area to flash past Vedran Janjetovic at his near post.

From that point Sydney dropped slightly deeper as City ramped up the defence and blocked pockets out wide to prevent the Sky Blues driving down the flanks.

But coach Graham Arnold’s reinvented post-Marc Janko attack had been deployed well and always threatened.

Dimitrijevic beat new City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen with a curling free-kick and the former Danish international gloveman’s blushes were only saved when Patrick Kisnorbo cleared.

Holosko showed class from the start and nearly made good on a solid chance in 25th minute with a snapshot from the edge of the box that ended up fizzing straight at Sorensen.

It was right on the stroke of halftime that the Slovakian made his next opportunity count via a wonderfully worked goal set up by another new recruit, a decade his junior.

Former Perth midfielder O’Neill picked out Alex Brosque on the right wing with an exquisite pass, releasing the captain to drill a cross for Holosko to fire home.

It rewarded Arnold’s faith in starting the 21-year-old in place of the more experienced Mickael Tavares, as he showed maturity beyond his years throughout the full 90 minutes.

City coach John Van `t Schip worked to construct a break of the deadlock after halftime by bringing on star midfielder Aaron Mooy, who only arrived back in Australia from Socceroos duty on Saturday morning.

But the Sky Blues did not let up.

More chances came, including a Rhyan Grant curled effort and a header from sub George Blackwood, who tested a resolute Sorensen with a point-blank volley a few minutes later.

source:abc.net.au

The sorry ghost of the 2004 European champion that is the national soccer team of Greece was once again busted by Northern Ireland, this time in Belfast, as the host celebrated its first qualification to a major finals, those of the Euro 2016, since 1982 with a 3-1 win over the hapless Greek visitors.

The emphatic result leaves little to say for the team of caretaking coach Costas Tsanas, though it really is painful to see so much talent going to waste due to the mentality, teamwork and preparation problems.

Greece remained winless for the ninth game in his campaign, suffering one more bad night that should be put behind as soon as possible.

Fully deserving their win and their place in the finals in France, the hosts sliced the Greek defense like an onion on the 35th minute for 1-0, as a diagonal pass to the right by Corry Evans – that Jose Holebas misjudged – found Stuart Dallas at the edge of the box; he crossed the ball to an unmarked Steven Davis who scored a sitter from close range.

Greece missed its best chance at the end of the first half, as Nikos Karelis had his shot blocked, the ball went to the edge of the box, Costas Mitroglou pounded it goalward but eventually it hit the upright of goalkeeper Michael McGovern.
Then barely four minutes into the second half Josh Magennis received the ball from a corner from the right and lobbed a header perfectly just below the crossbar to make it 2-0 in a delirious Windsor Park.

It took another 14 minutes for Northern Ireland to make it 3-0, as after a corner kick from the left by Chris Brunt was cleared by Andreas Samaris toward Davis, the Irish captain sent a rare 20-yard header straight into the Orestis Karnezis net.

Christos Aravidis scored Greece’s consolation goal four minutes from the end by turning in a cross from the right by Vassilis Torosidis. That was the first Greece goal for Aravidis.

The last act in Greece’s tragedy of a qualifying campaign will be Sunday’s home game against Hungary in Piraeus: The last chance for Greece to notch up a win.

source:neos kosmos

NEW owners, new coach, new players, new strip … new hope.

That is the vibe surrounding the Jets as they embark on another major rebuild.

The tumultuous reign of former billionaire Nathan Tinkler came crashing down after a shambolic 2014-15 A-League campaign.

Three wins in 27 games, the lowest points haul in the club’s history, a mid-season revolt which led to an unprecedented axing of five senior players and three support staff, overdue wages, unpaid superannuation and $20 million in liabilities. A complete horror show.

That was then. This is now.

Tinkler is history.

Football Federation Australia is pulling the strings and paying the bills until a sale with a consortium headed by Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson is done.

The governing body, on the recommendation of none other than Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, has taken a gamble on untried coach Scott Miller, a former assistant at Fulham who at 34 is the youngest tactician in the history of the league.

Countering Miller’s inexperience is his lieutenant, Jean-Paul De Marigny, knowledgeable, respected and most importantly a winner, having been Kevin Muscat’s right-hand man for Melbourne Victory’s premiership double last season.

There are 11 fresh faces on the roster.

Skipper Nigel Boogaard, industrious midfielder Mateo Poljak and imports Leonardo and Milos Trifunovic head the list of new arrivals. Solid, rather than jaw-dropping, is an apt description.

As well as an improved spine, Korean fullback Lee Ki-je and Serbian winger Enver Alivodic are back and will have benefited from a full pre-season.

From day one Miller has put a strong emphasis on organisation and structure, which has been reflected in pre-season results, culminating with a scoreless draw against Brisbane and a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners.

Off the pitch, the Jets have been busy reconnecting with the football and business community.

They will begin the season with almost 7500 members, a miracle given last season’s debacle, and will carry bona fide major sponsors on their playing shirts for just the second time in the club’s history.

The preliminary work has been done, and now for the real stuff, starting with Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.

New arrivals

Mark Birighitti (Varese). Returns after a six-month loan at Italian Serie B club Varese. Despite making only six appearances in Italy, seems to have benefited from the experience. Has won a tight contest for the No.1 job from Ben Kennedy, who usurped him after seven rounds last year. A brilliant shot-stopper, Birighitti needs a confident start.

Nigel Boogaard (Adelaide). Finally gets an opportunity to not only play for his home-town club but also captain the side. A left-sided stopper, the 29-year-old is strong in the air, a good organiser and has a wealth of experience.

Andy Brennan (South Melbourne). A powerfully built attacker who has been a prolific goal-scorer in the Victorian Premier League and Tasmanian State League. Raw and extremely enthusiastic. He could be one out of the box.

Labinot Haliti (Wanderers). Back for a third spell. Since last a Jet he has won an Asian Champions League and A-League [minor] premiership at Wanderers. Not a prolific scorer but has made a habit of kicking important goals. Hit the target regularly in the pre-season and versatility will ensure he is a major contributor.

Jason Hoffman (Melbourne City). Newcastle-born right back returning to the Jets after five seasons in Melbourne. Has great engines and is suited to the high-tempo game the Jets want to play. Likes to bomb forward and at 190cm will be dangerous from set pieces.

Lachlan Jackson (Brisbane Roar). A project player. Tall left-sided stopper in a similar mould to Boogaard. Can also play left back.

Mateo Poljak (Wanderers). Rock-solid holding midfielder and just what the Jets need. Came through the youth system at Dinamo Zagreb and at 26 has a wealth of experience. An efficient distributor with a high work rate, he has been in winning dressing rooms throughout his career and will help build a strong culture.

Leonardo Santiago (1860 Munich). The highest-profile signing. Brazilian but moved to Holland aged 12 and has played the majority of his career there. Hasn’t played since an ugly split from 1860 Munich after a change in manager. Has pedigree, having won a UEFA Cup at Feyenoord and spent three years in a star-studded Ajax dressing room. Adds class to an otherwise workmanlike squad. Will need to chip in with goals as well as create them.

Cameron Watson (Adelaide). Defensive midfielder who can also slot in at right back. Made 106 appearances for Adelaide over five seasons, but a combination of a toe injury and the arrival of the Spanish armada at the Reds was the catalyst for limited game time last season. A safe if not spectacular midfielder, he will compete with Ben Kantarovski to partner Poljak in front of the back four.

Themba Muata-Marlow (Sydney FC). Signed by previous coach Phil Stubbins. A big, athletic centre back, he had three years in Sydney FC youth system but earned just one senior cap.

Milos Trifunovic (Radnicki Nis, Serbia). Serbian striker with a strong goal-scoring record. Tall and powerful, his resume includes stopovers at Red Star Belgrade (8 goals in 26 games), Bunyodkor (17 in 25) and Liaoning Whowin (13 in 44). Has averaged a goal every three games but needs to better that strike rate if the Jets are to feature in the finals.

Departures

Zenon Caravella (released), Sam Gallagher (Wanderers), Andrew Hoole (Sydney FC), Edson Montano (loan ended), Scott Neville (Wanderers), Jacob Pepper (Wanderers), Taylor Regan (released), John Solari (released), Jess Vanstrattan (retired), James Virgili (released), Allan Welsh (released).

The burning question

Where will the goals come from?

The Jets scored a paltry 23 goals last season at a clip of less than one a game. Montano led the way with six, 10 fewer than Adam Taggart’s golden-boot effort in 2013-14. The Jets have worked hard on transition from defence into attack in the pre-season. Miller wants – demands – the Jets’ first instinct be to play forward. Still, Trifunovic will be under pressure to score regularly. He averages a goal in every three games but needs to better that. He will have a target of 12 to 15 goals. Leonardo will need to create as well as net five to 10 times. They will also need solid contributions from Labinot Haliti, Enver Alivodic, David Carney and Mitch Cooper.

Modern-day sport, it seems, is all about a strong culture and momentum.

Bottom line

Have that and it’s a ticket to success.

The Jets start on the ground floor in both departments in what shapes as a critical juncture in their history.

The Hunter faithful are not expecting another championship – yet – but after five years of mediocrity they demand improvement.

A team of which to be proud, one that fights hard, punches above its weight and delivers its share of knockouts.

Miller may be untried but the early signs are encouraging.

He has the respect of the players, educates rather than berates and has lifted the professionalism.

He will rely on the back four and two screeners to prevent a repeat of the suicidal 55 goals they conceded last season.

How far up the ladder they climb will rest largely on the shoulders of their overseas contingent.

Leonardo and Trifunovic need to adjust quickly and provide goals.

David Carney is fit and focused and Labinot Haliti will find reason to rip his shirt off in front of the Squadron.

The wildcard could be Mitch Cooper.

The Jets need a lot to go right for them, no doubt, but they are miles advanced on this time last season.

Don’t put the champagne on ice in anticipation of a championship, but they should be in a dog fight for sixth rather than fighting to avoid the embarrassment of consecutive wooden spoons.

TIP: SIXTH

JETS’ BEST TEAM 2015-16

4-2-3-1

MARK BIRIGHITTI

JASON HOFFMAN

DANIEL MULLEN

NIGEL BOOGAARD

LEE KI-JE

MATEO POLJAK

CAMERON WATSON

ENVER ALIVODIC

LEONARDO

DAVID CARNEY

MILOS TRIFUNOVIC

Team at end of last season

Ben Kennedy; Nick Cowburn, Taylor Regan, Daniel Mullen,

Lee Ki-je; Allan Welsh, Jacob Pepper; Enver Alivodic, Mitch Cooper, Andrew Hoole;

Edson Montano

Last season’s stats

10th place, 3 wins, 8 draws, 16 losses, GF 23, GA 55, 17 points

source:theherald.com.au

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazil showed Thursday it can’t win against the best without Barcelona star Neymar, losing 2-0 at Chile as qualifying in South America opened for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It was the same story for Argentina without its Barcelona marquee player Lionel Messi, falling 2-0 at home against Ecuador.

Chile won behind second-half goals by Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez.

Neymar is sitting out the final two games of a four-match suspension he received just over three months ago in the Copa America. He will also miss next week’s match against Venezuela.

Chile had more energy and more chances in the match in Santiago. Sanchez hit the post late in the first half and Mauricio Isla did the same early in the second before Chile broke through.

Vargas scored in the 72nd minute, chipping in a free kick from Matias Fernandez. Sanchez added a second goal in the final minute before stoppage time, scoring on a counterattack from close range.

Chile proved again it’s the best team in South America. Three months ago the Chileans won the Copa America, defeating Argentina in the final.

Brazil continues to struggle even under new coach Dunga.

It went out in the quarterfinals of the Copa America, and was humiliated a year ago in the World Cup semifinals on home soil, pummeled 7-1 by eventual champion Germany.

Argentina, the continent’s other power, went down to Ecuador in Buenos Aires on second-half goals by Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo.

Messi is out with a left-knee injury and is expected to return in late November.

Argentina had many of its other top players on the field, including Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Javier Macherano.

In other qualifiers on Thursday, Uruguay overcame the altitude in La Paz to defeat Bolivia 2-0 with goals from Martin Caceres and Diego Godin.

Playing at 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), Uruguay won without two suspended player – Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. It was Uruguay’s first victory in the thin air of La Paz.

Suarez is still suspended for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Cavani was suspended for a red card picked up in the Copa America against Chile.

source:washingtontimes.com

Μία από τα… ίδια και απόψε για την Εθνική ομάδα, με τη διαφορά ότι απέναντι στη Βόρεια Ιρλανδία, στο Μπέλφαστ, υπέστη την πιο βαριά ήττα στα προκριματικά του Euro 2016 χάνοντας με 1-3 (35΄ Ντέιβις, 49΄, 58΄ Μαγκίνις) από τους πρωτοπόρους του 6ου ομίλου.

Στην ελληνική ομάδα, που μείωσε στο 86΄ με τον Αραβίδη, απέμεινε πια ο αγώνας της Κυριακής με την Ουγγαρία στο «Γ. Καραϊσκάκης» προκειμένου, τουλάχιστον, να σώσει τα προσχήματα και να καταγράψει την πρώτη νίκη σε αυτή την «εφιαλτική» σειρά.

Οι γηπεδούχοι ξεκίνησαν επιθετικά και προσπάθησαν να ασκήσουν πίεση, με τον Νόργουντ να έχει ένα καλό και μόλις άστοχο σουτ στο 4ο λεπτό, αλλά εκτός τούτου η Εθνική αμύνθηκε σωστά και δεν επέτρεψε επικίνδυνες καταστάσεις στην περιοχή του Καρνέζη.

Η Ελλάδα, μάλιστα, παραλίγο να «παγώσει» τους Βορειοϊρλανδούς στο 15΄, όταν σε κόρνερ του Κονέ, ο Παπασταθόπουλος έπιασε την κεφαλιά, ο Τζιόλης τη δεύτερη για να αποκρούσει με μεγάλη δυσκολία ο Μακγκόβερν.

Στο 24΄ ο Ντάλας γύρισε την μπάλα στην περιοχή, ο Μαγκένις έκανε το γυριστό σουτ αλλά ο Μόρας κόντραρε κι έδιωξε σε κόρνερ, για να γίνει τελικά το 1-0 στο 35΄: ο Έβανς έβγαλε στον Ντάλας, αυτός γύρισε στον Ντέιβις κι εκείνος με προβολή έγραψε το 1-0.

Η Ελλάδα στάθηκε άτυχη καθώς έφτασε μια ανάσα από την ισοφάριση στο 45΄, αλλά το σουτ του Μήτρογλου χτύπησε στο δεξί δοκάρι του ΜακΓκόβερν.

Τα πάντα για την Ελλάδα χάθηκαν στην επανάληψη, όταν πολύ νωρίς οι γηπεδούχοι έφτασαν στο 3-0 με δύο γκολ του Μαγκίνις στο 49ο και 58ο λεπτό, το πρώτο με κεφαλιά και το δεύτερο με κόντρα στον Παπασταθόπουλο, «σφραγίζοντας» από νωρίς στο παιχνίδι την πρώτη πρόκριση στην ιστορία της ομάδας του στα τελικά του Ευρωπαϊκού Πρωταθλήματος και ταυτόχρονα την έκτη ήττα της ελληνικής ομάδας σε εννέα αγώνες, με τον Αραβίδη απλά να σημειώνει μόλις το τρίτο γκολ σε αυτά τα παιχνίδια, στο 86ο λεπτό.

ΔΙΑΙΤΗΤΗΣ: Μπας Νάιχαους (Ολλανδία)

ΚΙΤΡΙΝΕΣ: –

Β. ΙΡΛΑΝΔΙΑ (Μάικλ Ο΄ Νιλ): ΜακΓκόβερν, Μακόλεϊ, Μακνέρ (84΄ Μακάλοκ), Κάθκαρτ, Ντέιβις, Μπραντ, Έβανς, Ντάλας, Νόργουντ, Γουόρντ (81΄ Μαγκίν), Μαγκένις (78΄ Μπόις).

ΕΛΛΑΔΑ (Κώστας Τσάνας): Καρνέζης, Μόρας, Τοροσίδης, Παπασταθόπουλος, Χολέμπας, Τζιόλης, Κονέ (70΄ Πέλκας), Αραβίδης, Σάμαρης, Μήτρογλου (76΄ Αθανασιάδης), Καρέλης (65΄ Μάνταλος).

6ος ΟΜΙΛΟΣ

Ουγγαρία-Ν. Φαρόε 2-1
(63΄, 71΄ Μποντε – 11΄ Γιάκομπσεν)

Β. Ιρλανδία-ΕΛΛΑΔΑ 3-1
(35΄ Ντέιβις, 49΄, 58΄ Μαγκίνις – 86΄ Αραβίδης)

Ρουμανία-Φινλανδία 1-1
(90΄ Χόμπαν – 67΄ Πογιανπάλο)

ΒΑΘΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ
Αγ. Ν-Ι-Η Τερμ. Β.
1. Β.Ιρλανδία 9 6-2-1 15-7 20
2. Ρουμανία 9 4-5-0 8-2 17
3. Ουγγαρία 9 4-4-1 8-5 16
4. Φινλανδία 9 3-2-4 8-9 11
5. Νησιά Φαρόε 9 2-0-7 6-14 6
6. Ελλάδα 9 0-3-6 3-11 3

Πηγή:in.gr

Amman: The Socceroos have suffered a blow to their chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup after slumping to a lacklustre defeat away to Jordan.

The more things change, the more they stay the same – at least that’s what Australia discovered after losing on the road to a nation emerging as their bogey team. This time they arrived in Amman as the Asian Champions with a new generation of players embarking on a project to turn Australia into a respected football nation, but just like in 2012, they left empty handed.

Substance won over style as their quick passes, fluid movement and possession-based play amounted to nothing against the pragmatic Jordanians. In the end, it was an aimless long-ball and a quick counter attack that did the damage to a team so professionally drilled, much to the frustration of coach Ange Postecoglou.

“Beat them with a pass,” was the order continuously barked during the Socceroos’ training this week. Judging from their performance, it was a message heard loud and clear. By contrast, Jordan played only for a result. Their orders? “Just beat them.” In the end, only one was successful as the historic minnows of Asian football leapfrogged the Asian champions into pole position in their qualifying group to remain on track for a first-ever World Cup berth.

A bright start amounted to nothing more than long range strikes for Australia before Matthew Leckie should have given his side the lead with a double chance from close range. The Ingolstadt striker was denied by two superb reflex saves from Jordanian keeper Amer Shafi, who made complaints of being stamped on by the Australian in the process.

As Australia strove for control, cracks appeared. Too often where they second best defending counter-attacks, finding few ways through a stifling midfield. For all their clever passing exchanges, they came crashing off the Jordanian backbone like waves off a rock and only the post spared their blushes before the break.

Winger Yaseen Bakheet caused havoc for Australia, twice turning past Jason Davidson before threading a superb ball through a packed box to his striker Hamza Al-Dardour. Even he was surprised for it to land at his feet, rattling the cross bar from point-blank range instead of the back of the net.

After half time, Al-Dardour didn’t have to wait long for his moment. A hopeful long ball from Jordan’s fullback gave the nimble striker a chance to outpace Matthew Spiranovic and go through on goal, only to be abruptly fouled inside the box. The fans were cheering as if they had already scored before Hassan Fattah stepped up for the spot kick and, without a moment’s hesitation, duly tucked it away.

The Australians were rattled as that seamless connection between the midfield and the forward line evaporated and playing out from the back appeared a laboured task rather than a rote-learned manouevre.

The same old story repeated for the Socceroos in the Middle East as the Jordanians camped en-masse with the result inching closer. The stretcher bearer became the most active figure on the field and even Australia’s response was predictable – Tim Cahill.

In a shocking move for Postecoglou’s style, he abandoned his structure as strikers replaced defenders with Tim Cahill and Tomi Juric introduced in a four-man attack. Cahill fired a trademark header and Milligan forced another fine save from Shafi, but there was no way through.

As Australia pressed in vain for an equaliser, Jordan nailed the coffin shut. Al-Dardour was on the end of another counter attack and calmly slotted one past Adam Federici to seal an incredible victory over the Asian Champions.

The result deflated the Socceroos, who are now second in their group and at risk of missing out on automatic qualification to the next stage with a top spot finish. For Jordan, their destiny is in their hands.

source:smh.com.au

The Roar have kicked their A-League campaign off in style, steamrolling the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in an entertaining but error-ridden season opener.

A rudderless defence and a swag of missed shots undermined the new-look Wanderers outfit in front of 14,122 fans at Parramatta Stadium on Thursday night.

It leaves the young franchise still without a round-one win in their short history, while new Roar coach John Aloisi will be glad he signed Jamie Maclaren, whose brace was complemented by a powerful header from a much-improved Daniel Bowles.

Maclaren’s first effort was the worst of a number of clangers from Tony Popovic’s men.

Centre-back Brendan Hamill attempted to hook the ball back to Andrew Redmayne but sold his keeper way short and left him stranded off his line, leaving ample space for the ex-Perth striker to lob it straight over his head.

The hosts equalised four minutes later when high-playing midfielder Mitch Nichols pounced on a Scott Jamieson drive and blasted past Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo, who dove but could not get hands to the ball as it sailed past and tucked in near his far post.

Nichols nearly made it two but was controversially disallowed for handball by referee Jarred Gillet in the 35th minute.

Brisbane was sharp and purposeful throughout, charging forward and causing the Wanderers all sorts of hassles in their defensive third.

Notably impressive was new Spanish signing Corona, who owned the midfield and was the architect of corners that led to two of the three first-half goals.

Popovic had warned his near-unrecognisable side was a work in progress after last season’s torrid run.

There were glimpses of a more expansive style and they created chances, but their sights were amiss and they couldn’t undo the defensive blunders already made.

One such moment came when Maclaren scored his second off one of Corona’s set pieces in the 34th minute, rolling the ball over the line from 30cm out as five red and black shirts simply watched on.

New Wanderers marquee Federico Piovaccari will still have a point to prove, the Italian striker drifting out of position and missing key opportunities, including a sitter from a well-placed Romeo Castelen cross in the area which he sent towards the skies.

Searching for more spark, Popovic brought on new marquee Dario Vidosic in the 61st minute and the Socceroo had immediate impact, his first touch a curling shot that deflected wide.

But the Roar’s attacking efforts did not cease and the Wanderers’ rebuild will need to continue.

source:abc.net.au