Blog

The coaching world can be a cruel lonely place when team success is hard to come by. Just ask Ian Crook. Two months ago he had the world at his feet, the signing of Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero was announced, and the squad had limitless potential and contained names like Emerton, Antonis and Bosschaart. Many football experts had fallen underneath the magical spell that is the ‘Del Piero effect’ – including myself (although I’m hardly an expert) and had widely tipped Sydney to challenge for the 2012/13 title.

What went wrong? Who is to blame? What now for Sydney FC? We may never know the entire story but what is important for the club is that it makes the correct appointment now, and takes a step in the right direction. Many have applauded the move of Crook to fall on his sword and say “I’m not up to the role” – few men do this in football … Continue Reading

It’s official – the inaugural Sydney Derby is a sell out. The news that Parramatta Stadium will be at full capacity for the first meeting between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers caps off what has been a stunning few weeks for football in Sydney.

Sydney FC’s capture of Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero, coupled with the much anticipated A-League debut for the Western Sydney Wanderers, has sparked unprecedented media coverage and interest in the A-League from the harbour city. Over thirty five thousand fans packed Allianz Stadium to witness Del Piero’s home debut for the Sky Blues, whilst the Wanderers attracted a healthy debut attendance of ten and a half thousand on a rainy and windy Saturday night in Sydney’s west.

With only one point between them from their opening two matches, both teams will head to Parramatta Stadium desperate for a win and a chance to claim initial bragging rights, in what is expected to … Continue Reading

Three – Western Sydney Wanderers.

Probably the most anticipated expansion club in the A-League’s short history, Western Sydney Wanderers’ inclusion into the A-League was viewed as so vital to the competition by Football Federation Australia that a decision was made for the club to be set up and funded, at least initially, by the governing body.

Western Sydney has fast become Australia’s most sought after sporting area. With an expanding population and a rich sporting history across many codes, it has in recent years become somewhat of a battle ground for the hearts and minds of the western Sydney sporting public. Traditionally a football and Rugby League stronghold, the area has become even further crowded with the AFL’s incursion into the region with the introduction of the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

In 2009, Football Federation Australia awarded Sydney Rovers FC entry into the A-League, however the bid faltered after failure to secure funding meant that football fans in the … Continue Reading

Season 8, Season 2012/13 – call it what you want, I’m not too fussed really. It’s like the football/soccer argument. For years I have tried to point out that if it’s ok for millions of fans around the world to call the game ‘football’, then why can’t we. The counter argument normally mentions something about the Socceroos as our national nickname, but I’m getting off track; much like those who are running the great game in this country.

This season coming up for football in this country (and New Zealand) represents the most significant season of domestic football ever. Yes, that’s right, even more important that the relaunch of the domestic competition almost 10 years ago.  For years I have seen administrators, clubs and supporters making crucial errors of judgement in various facets of the game and not learn from previous mistakes. 2012/13 could very well make or break the A-League, and we need to excel on … Continue Reading

When the Hyundai A-League was launched back in 2005, eight professional football clubs were charged with the responsibility of bringing a game that had long lingered in the shadows of the Australian sporting landscape out into the mainstream. Their mandate was to take on and confront the existing and well-established idea that football in Australia was only a secondary sport, a game that would only ever be played and supported by those on the periphery of local sporting culture. The aim of the A-League was to challenge and change the make-up of the Australian sporting psyche, to help plant football in the hearts and minds of the Australian public.

Some of the clubs granted licences were newly created ‘franchises’, entities created for the sole purpose of Australia’s new professional football league, whilst others were re-branded or re-jigged versions of existing entities. With the majority of entrants having no established fan base and no footballing history, a key … Continue Reading

Much has been written of the impact Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero will have off the pitch for the A-League, but it is not really clear how he will fit into Sydney FC’s new look team.

The appointment of former youth coach Ian Crook has seemingly signalled the end of the pragmatic era at the capital club, with former coach Vítězslav Lavicka preferring a results-based approach. Few would argue he wasn’t successful (a title in his first season is not to be ignored), but there’s no denying that Sydney were more functional than fantasy.

That appears to have changed.

There is little to indicate what Crook’s preferred style of play is, but many quotes from Moore Park have suggested a change in ideology. Before his departure to Baniyas in the UAE, marquee Nicky Carle was lavish in his praise of the new manager, praising him for identifying a clear style of play centred around quick tempo passing and playing … Continue Reading

It’s hard to imagine now, but barely over a fortnight ago football was front page news for all the wrong reasons. Crowd incidents at two pre-season games in Sydney were met with predictable responses by the mainstream media, and again football and its fans were portrayed as something to be feared, and something not to be trusted. It stabbed at the heart of every fan across the country and, unfortunately for many, it was a path all too well trodden. With just over a month until the start of the new season, it was publicity the A-League could well do without. Like its predecessor, the National Soccer League (NSL), the A-League seemed destined to lose its battle with an often hostile Australian media.

But Australian domestic football is a resilient beast, having taken many knocks over the course of it’s existence and will no doubt have many more to weather. When news that Sydney FC were in … Continue Reading

Who would’ve thought that two weeks ago it was all doom and gloom for Sydney FC. Their star midfielder Nick Carle had gone out on loan to Baniyas of the UAE Pro League, and the pre-season plans of manager Ian Crook were undeniably turned upside-down just weeks out from the season-opener against Wellington. Fast forward to last night’s announcement in Turin, and the mood around Allianz Stadium couldn’t be more contrasting.

As of 9:30pm AEST last night, Italian and Juventus legend Alessandro del Piero is officially a Sydney FC player for the next two seasons, with the option of a third season, on a reported $2 million per season. But what does it all mean for the Sky Blues and the A-League as a whole?

Firstly, a two-year deal speaks volumes for the fact that Del Piero is here to make a serious impact, and not treat his time in the A-League like a holiday, … Continue Reading

The long awaited entrance of the A-League’s newest club, Western Sydney Wanderers, is edging closer. In fact, it’s fair to say that the competitions latest debutant has probably created more excitement than any of its predecessors, since the very first A-League match kicked off back in August 2005.

Beginning as far back as 2004 at the A-League’s inception, football fans and administrators debated the merits of an A-League club based in Sydney’s western suburbs, with many citing the area’s rich history in producing football talent and it’s cultural diversity as making it a natural choice. The area was considered early on, with Soccer NSW declaring Parramatta Stadium as its preferred choice as a base for Sydney’s sole A-League entry.

When Soccer NSW president Tom Doumanis announced in October 2004 that Sydney’s newest professional sporting entity and self proclaimed glamour club, Sydney FC, had ultimately chosen Moore Park as it’s spiritual home, he ensured that the debate about an … Continue Reading

Position: 5th
(knocked out of the finals by Wellington 3-2)

Change in position from 2010/11: ↑ 4

Win-draw-loss record: 10-8-9
(37 goals scored, 42 goals conceded)

Highest goalscorer: Bruno Cazarine (8)

Average attendance: 11,861

After a disappointing 2010/11 season that saw Sydney FC finish outside a finals place, and was marked by average attendances plummeting to a new club low, the 2011/12 pre-season saw renewed vigour and optimism surround the club, with the appointment of new CEO Dirk Melton and the major off-season marquee signing of Socceroo Brett Emerton. Emerton was hailed as a coup not just for Sydney FC, but along with Melbourne Victory’s capture of Harry Kewell, for the A-League in general.

Experienced Dutch central defender Pascal Bosschaart was brought in to shore up Sydney FC’s previously shaky defence, and was partnered with another new recruit in Socceroo Michael Beauchamp in Sydney’s new look defensive line up. The season started well for the Sky Blues, with an opening round draw to fierce rivals Melbourne Victory followed by a … Continue Reading