And We Are Away 2008

Well season four of the A-league has finally kicked off. I can’t say the build up to the first match was exactly electrifying. The media coverage has been bordering on nonexistent and with the FFA seemingly focussed on the expansion of the league next year it has left the start of the season feeling very flat.

So what of the first round ? Well there were certainly some positives and negatives.

First the coverage. On the positive side, Foxtel seems to determine to bump up their investment in the league this season. New graphics and a post-game review of matches has definitely improved the viewer experience. I really enjoyed the look and feel of the new graphics they have introduced and post game show on Friday night was excellent. Nice to hear from the coaches straight after the game. Also it is good to see that Foxtel has retired the idea of the “Versioning” of the league idea and are referring to the new season as “Season Four”.

It’s a pity then that Foxtel didn’t feel the need to refresh the commentary as well. I am sure that some will disagree with me but Foxtel could cast a critical eye over one of two of their commentary team. Friday Nights game was excellent but I thought the commentary on Saturday Night was very poor and actually distracted from the viewing of the game.

Got to say I have nothing but positives to talk about in terms of the refereeing. I didn’t watch the last match between Adelaide and Perth but up to that point I don’t think the referee put a step wrong. Breeze, Shields and Green (I think) were just about prefect I felt.

In terms of the matches it is a worry that not one team managed to score more than a goal and three of the four matches ended in a draw. Of course the 2007/8 season also started with three draws (though two of them were at least 2-2 affairs). Watching the matches nearly all teams seemed to lack the cohesion in the final third that is ended to finish off the build ups.

Of the teams I saw

Newcastle
Of all the teams on the weekend they looked the most underdone. Song was a standout for them but the team as a whole lack cohesion. Zura was disappointing I felt, its going to take time for him to adjust to the most physical league here. Van Egmond will be looking for improvement as the season goes on.

Central Coast
By far the most disappointing team I saw on the weekend. They lack drive through the middle and almost 100% dependent on Elrich and Caceres putting crosses into Petrovski. One dimensional would be an accurate term.

Melbourne
How refreshing to see Melbourne play the ball on the desk. Had three excellent chances to score in the first half and fluffed the lot of them. Taking into account that they were playing against a very under strength Sydney they looked the best team of the weekend. Fabiano looked like a good pickup and Lopez adds a calmness to the midfield.

Sydney
Hard to comment on Sydney with so many first teamers out. Koshmina will be very happy to take a draw away. I thought Chris Payne was excellent in his debut and Shannon Cole was a revelation (if there are players of his quality still lurking in the lower leagues the quicker we bring new teams in the better).

Queensland
For most of the game yesterday the Roar looked like they lacked teeth. Their build up play for the most part was far better than Wellingtons but they looked lost in the final third. But then Farina brought Reinaldo on and they looked a different team. Van Dijk and Reinaldo look a very dangerous combo and are going to give all teams lots of headaches this year. Miller is quality, just needs to lose another five kilos.

Wellington
Shane Smeltz would be my tip to take out the Golden Boot award this year. He kept Wellington in the game and will be a handful for every defence. Wellington overall though were disappointing, they seem to lack quality in midfield to control the game. Their defence though looks much better than last year.


Overall it was a slow start to the season. We can only hope we see more goals as the teams begin to jell.

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