Dutch defender invasion follows Zwaanswijk

Friday, 16 August 2013 6:13 PM

The ninth edition of the Hyundai A-League will have more than a tinge of Oranje to it.

Four Dutch defenders in Marcel Seip (Central Coast Mariners), Rob Wielaert (Melbourne Heart), Kew Jaliens (Newcastle Jets) and Pascal Bosschaart (Sydney FC) will all feature in the competition this season and it appears that 2012-13 Grand Final winner Patrick Zwaanswijk might have had a little to do with it.

Now 38, Zwaanswijk took the opportunity to play his last seasons down under and believes it was one of the best decisions of a career that included playing over 300 matches in the Dutch Eredivisie.

After retiring on top at the end of last season, the Dutchman has taken up a role as a coach for the Mariners and is excited to see many of his compatriots following his footsteps to play in Australia.

“It has been great that a host of Dutchman have come out here to play in the A-League and to be acknowledged as having played a role in that is great,” said Zwaanswijk.

“It is nice to know that Dutch footballers and the way we play is respected around the world.”

Zwaanswijk headed to Australia after Mariners head coach Graham Arnold got in touch with him and told him of the opportunity to play in a league that was on the way up.

“Arnie informed me of the opportunity to come out here to play for a year and I played three seasons.

“He outlined to me that he wanted me to be a mentor to the juniors coming through which I thought was also a great opportunity for me personally.”

Having helped usher through a number of young guns at the Mariners, Zwaanswijk is hoping his countrymen will do the same.

“Australia is a great country to live in and I think it is great for Australian football that the Dutch are heading out.

“I believe that each of these players has the opportunity to help pass on their experience at the highest level and what they have learnt from some of the world’s best coaches to young Australians so that their level of play continues to increase as it has been doing.

“The ultimate goal would be to see more and more Australians running around at the top as a result of them reaching the same level of play as the foreigners that are coming in.”

With a more intimate knowledge than most of the newly arrived Seip, Jaliens and Wielaert, Zwaanswijk believes that they will have a big impact on the upcoming season.

“I played against most of the Dutch defenders that have made their way to Australia and they all have their own story and their own style of play.

“Marcel has just arrived at our club and he is fitting in really well.

“He is getting use to the coaches and the style of play but he already loves being here and is looking forward to playing that all important mentor role at the club.”

Still in touch with many of his football mates back home, the Dutchman has praised the progress of the A-League to many of his compatriots from his home land.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of players in Holland about the A-League, how it is growing and the number of marquee foreign players that are coming out.

“I’ve told them that the game is going to continue to grow and grow although we probably don’t need any more Dutchman now as there is almost one at each club.”

Having now taking up a permanent role on the bench alongside Arnold, Zwaanswijk is keen to both learn and continue to pass on his knowledge in his new role.

“It is beautiful not to have to train as much anymore,” he said with a chuckle.

“I am enjoying being alongside Arnie, Andrew Clark and Phil Moss and beginning to learn what it takes to coach at the top level.

“I am now hoping to help continue to do what we have done at the Mariners for the past few years and that is to produce good players.

“I hope I can become as good a coach as I was a player.”

 

Proud Wolves not going down without a fight

Friday, 16 August 2013 3:06 PM

It has been over a decade since the Wollongong Wolves claimed back-to-back NSL titles and now another important day in the club’s history is beckoning as they look to stave off relegation.

Now known as the South Coast Wolves, the side is fighting to stay in the NSW National Premier League as the competition heads into the final round.

The Wolves sit in second last position, two points ahead of APIA Leichardt and a point behind this week’s opponents Central Coast Mariners Academy.

A win this week would see the Wolves avoid finishing bottom and likely avoid relegation, although the waters are muddied by the fact that under 18 and under 20 results do play some part in determining the team that does drop to the second-tier.

There is also the possibility that none of the NPL teams will be dropped if the top second-tier team, currently St George, does not fit the criteria to play in the NPL which is centred around the club’s facilities.

However this is not a chance that Wolves captain and former Sydney FC and North Queensland Fury player Jacob Timpano and his teammates are going to take.

“There is definitely a lot of motivation to go out there and get the result this week,” said Timpano.

“We are aware of what we need to do and the consequences of not achieving this.

“I personally came through as a junior at the club and now have a lot to do with the junior development programs so the club is close to my heart. I know how important it is to keep the side in the NPL which is extra motivation for myself.

“Personally I do not like the relegation system as it is putting too much pressure on semi-professional players and the younger squads which is detrimental to their development, but we have to deal with it for this year at least.”

The Wolves played the Central Coast Mariners Academy earlier in the season and lost 4-3 in a high scoring affair and will now be looking to turn the tables on their opponents this Sunday.

“I think the match will definitely be tight whether it is high scoring this time round or not.

“We are both doing our best to avoid relegation and this will ensure that both teams are going to give it everything.”

Timpano’s side had the opportunity to remove themselves from the relegation battle last week when they had a 1-1 draw with last placed APIA Leichardt but couldn’t quite get the job done.

“Much like this week will be, last week’s match was with two teams looking to avoid going down.

“Like much of our season we probably should have got all three points but we managed to get a draw which ensured we remained above them on the table heading into this week.”

While the results on the field have not been as the Wolves have wished the club has been kicking some goals off it.

The Wolves will be looking to move to West Dapto where a 14 million dollar grant has been pledged to upgrade facilities over the next couple of years.

“It is definitely some good news, especially for football in the Illawarra region.

”It is likely not to be ready for a couple of years but we are likely to be playing at WIN Stadium next year which is one of the best sporting grounds in the country. We are looking forward to it.”

Having come through the ranks in the club’s glory days, Timpano believes that the future could see a team from the Illawarra region playing in the top flight of Australian football.

“It might take a little bit of time but I believe that we have the facilities, the players and the supporters down here that can make an A-League successful club here in the future.

“It would be great to see a team from the area back in the top competition.”

While Timpano’s current priorities are focused towards keeping the club in the NPL for next season and beyond, the 27-year-old does believe that if given the opportunity that he could play at the highest level once again.

“I’ve played the last two or three State League (now NPL) seasons without missing many games to injury which was a major problem of mine was when I was playing in the A-League.

“I think that if given the chance that I have still have the ability to play in the top league again.”

Timpano and the Wolves take on Central Coast Mariners Academy at Hooka Creek Park on Sunday with kickoff at 3pm.

 

Young Socceroos get first COTIF win

Friday, 16 August 2013 12:48 PM

The Young Socceroos have defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 in their third match of the COTIF International Tournament in L’Alcuida, Spain overnight.

The match again started in very warm conditions and right from the start the Young Socceroos signalled their intentions to play good possession based football.

The fast ball movement of the Young Socceroos meant that the opportunities began to open up early on.

In the 8th minute Mitchell Oxborrow played a great through ball, from the midfield, to Nicholas Olsen on the left flank. Olsen gathered the ball, took on his defender and then unleashed a shot that the Saudi goalkeeper could only block. The deflected ball fell to the feet of Cristaldo who made no mistake in finishing to give the Young Socceroos the early lead.

The game continued at a fast pace for the remainder of the half, but neither side could break the other down.

The second half saw the Saudis make five substitutions to their line-up and the changes allowed them to work their way back into the game creating some chances. The Saudis were eventually rewarded for their efforts in the 56th minute when Mohammed scored following an attacking run down the left wing.

The Young Socceroos restored their lead a minute later after Stefan Mauk collected the ball in midfield and passed to Cristaldo who charged down the right side and then crossed to Skapetis. Skapetis was able to connect and accurately finish with pretty much his first touch of the game after coming on as a substitute for Awer Mabil only moments before.

Just before full-time, Skapetis doubled his tally when he received a pass from Mauk who had previously intercepted the ball from a Saudi clearance. Skapetis found himself with ball, unmarked inside the penalty box and then neatly placed his shot into the bottom left corner of the goal to seal a deserved win for the Young Socceroos.

After the match the Young Socceroos Head Coach Paul Okon was very pleased with the result and his team’s performance.

“A great effort and performance by the team tonight,” said Okon.

“Our aim in this tournament, as a new team having just come together, was to implement our style of play and improve in every match and tonight we did that.

“It is credit to the players that we were able to win this evening and it is due credit to the effort they have put in during the tournament which has been first class.

“We now recover quickly and turn our focus to the match against Spain tomorrow evening which will be another great opportunity for the players to play one of the world’s top football nations,” concluded Okon.

The Young Socceroos will face the host nation Spain in the last match of the COTIF International Tournament tonight.

 

Coach rammed into an intercity bus station in east China, injuries reported

John Duerden to be voice on the ground in Asia

Friday, 16 August 2013 12:27 PM

Experienced Seoul-based journalist John Duerden has joined the new-look footballaustralia.com.au team.

Duerden, described by the BBC as ‘the voice of Asian football,’ will dig beneath the headlines to provide expert analysis of major developments across the continent leading into the 2015 Asian Cup. As the qualifying campaign for arguably the biggest football tournament ever hosted by Australia gathers momentum, footballaustralia.com.au intends to be a regular source of news and comment, with Duerden’s columns a key component of our coverage.

His first column will appear in coming days.

 

Sydney FC signs Socceroo Richard Garcia

Friday, 16 August 2013 8:20 AM

Sydney FC has signed former English Premier League attacker and Socceroo Richard Garcia for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League.

Garcia joins Sydney FC from Melbourne Heart where he played 24 games during the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League season, scoring 6 goals, following a distinguished career in England highlighted by his 114 appearances for Hull City from 2007-2012, which included two seasons in the English Premier League.

The 31-year-old bolsters the Sydney FC attacking line that also includes Alessandro Del Piero,Corey Gameiro, Joel Chianese, Yairo Yau, Mitch Mallia and Blake Powell.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Sydney FC,” Garcia said. “Sydney FC is a big club with big expectations and that’s something I thrive on. To be playing alongside players like Alessandro Del Piero, Brett Emerton and Nick Carle will be a fantastic experience for me and something I’m very much looking forward to.

“I can’t wait to start pre season training with the team and I look forward to working hard with the rest of the boys to win a spot and then helping Sydney FC push for success this season.”

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina was excited at the signing of Garcia, as he continues the Sky Blues’ preparation for the 2013/14 season in Italy.

“Richie is a great addition to the Sydney FC squad for the 2013/14 season,” he said. “He is a proven performer at the highest levels of the game, has played English Premier League and been to a World Cup.

“He did well last year in the A-League and he fits in with what we are trying to implement and achieve at Sydney FC this season.

“Richie is a leader and a winner on and off the pitch and they are important ingredients when looking at who we bring to Sydney FC. He can play as a striker or a midfielder and I think he will suit our style of game just perfectly.”

The 31-year-old originally hails from Perth but spent two years at the prestigious West Ham youth academy, before he signed his first professional contract with West Ham in 1999. Garcia went on to play 16 matches in the English Premier League with West Ham, followed by a stint at Colchester before playing 41 top flight games for Hull City from 2008-2010.

Garcia was a member of the Australian squad that took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and has played 18 internationals for the Socceroos, scoring two goals, as well as making two appearances for the Australian U23 side (Olyroos) in 2003.

The Sydney FC A-League squad is: Ivan Necevski, Sebastian Ryall, Marc Warren, Pascal Bosschaart, Matt Jurman, Brett Emerton, Pedj Bojic, Corey Gameiro, Alessandro Del Piero, Richard Garcia, Blake Powell, Tiago Calvano, Mitch Mallia, Terry McFlynn, Joel Chianese, Peter Triantis, Nick Carle, Vedran Janjetovic, Yairo Yau, Ali Abbas, Rhyan Grant, Hagi Gligor and Daniel Petkovski.

 

Mulher Argentina faz striptease

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Benedito Ruy Barbosa não escolheu nenhum ator ou atriz para Meu Pedacinho de Chão

 

Benedito Ruy Barbosa jura, de pés juntos, que não tem ninguém escolhido para o elenco de “Meu Pedacinho de Chão”, na fila das 6, na Globo.

As gravações começam em janeiro, com direção de Luiz Fernando Carvalho.

Ficamos assim. Mas amanhã tem mais. Tchau!

 

Flávio Ricco com colaboração de José Carlos Nery

Audiência do BALANÇO GERAL RJ Manhã no dia 14/08/2013

 

Foi bem a edição do Balanço Geral manhã, quarta-feira, comandada por Luiz Bacci na Record Rio. Deu 6 de média, 29% de share, e dividiu liderança com a Globo durante 11 minutos, sendo 1, isolado. Festa.

 

Flávio Ricco com colaboração de José Carlos Nery

Rafinha Bastos ainda não sabe quando vai estrear em A Liga novamente

 

Rafinha Bastos assinou contrato com a Bandeirantes. A data de sua estreia em “A Liga” ainda será anunciada.

 

Flávio Ricco com colaboração de José Carlos Nery