ozzieeagle

The A league is now starting it's 10th season and is becoming entrenched as a main player is the Australian publics sporting psyche.

Kicks of on Friday with a fantastic game scheduled between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, which will be shown live on SBS on Friday 10th of October at 7.30 pm, coverage starts a bit earlier, expecting a gate of around 35K. WSW have achieved something only one Aussie A league team has managed before and are in the final of the Asian Champions clubs final... Quite an achievement for a 3 year old club. This season should be bigger than ever, as Melbourne Victory still has the largest number of supporters as members at over 21k today, and should reach 26 to 27K members should they reach the finals.

Looking forwards to yet another very competitive year in this fiercely fought competition.

How do you think your team will go.

Here's the official ad to hopefully whet some potential punters interest.

fish.01

The #BeautifulGame is back !!!

fish.01

In case you missed it Ozzie: Season preview: Melbourne Victory | Hyundai A-League

ozzieeagle

Nice one


Getting excited now, there's nothing like the anticipation of going to a live tense full of atmosphere game. It's been a long closed season. Victory's fan issues are over as well, so back on track for the first time in 2 years as far as the North Terrace is concerned... Which means even louder for the viewers at home. So everything should be turned up a notch this season.

It'll be interesting to see if Berisha the A leagues top forward can match the big money international stars of the other teams. I reckon tried and tested will bring dividends personally. Can't see Brisbane dominating this year... I reckon it will be the Two Melbourne teams.

fish.01

I really liked watching Berisha live. He may seem a bit of a wally but he really is a surprisingly useful player. He lifts the crowd with his energy.

Watch him under pressure from defenders when in the midfield...he often holds the ball really well and then gets an effective pass away in situations where other players would lose it. At his best he also pressures the midfield and defence really well leading to rash clearances so really useful in that regard as well.

His direct drives towards goal are great to watch as well. He also scores a lot by getting on the end of low fired crosses as he seems to get in behind the defence well.

ozzieeagle

Looks like you'll be able to see him at least 10 times on free to air TV this year as MV are on the SBS Friday game for that amount of fixtures. FFA got the fixtures right this year

I wonder if any of these big name imports will achieve anything exciting or anything approaching their best previous form, they rarely do, with Alessendro Del Piero being the notable exception.

OzTennis

I've got a feeling David Villa (and probably Damien Duff as well) will be a notable exception also; looking forward to 7th Feb at Etihad when I'll take in the Melbourne derby (and the Australia/England ODI the following week).

martin1978

Welcome back everybody. I can see Wanderers taking out a triple this season. I think the quadruple might be pushing it a bit far as Real Madrid are a bit too good.

Anybody care for some a league fantasy football this year. It's pretty standard.

Link is

FOX SPORTS Fantasy A-League

ozzieeagle

Just a reminder to everyone out that that feels a bit desperate about getting up at stupid oclock for games back in the UK.... Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers in front of close to what could be 50K fans now in a block buster game as the opener is about to start on SBS right now... kick off 7.45 pm coverage starts at 7.30 pm.

If you even a 1/4 way interested give it a look/try at least. I reckon most newcomers will be very surprised. It really doesnt get any bigger than this in local domestic football... the biggest club in terms of support v the current most succesful club and probably 2nd biggest club in the comp. Expect low to mid championship standard and a Melbourne Victory win according to the bookies.

bobbyftm

The key to any success Victory MAY achieve is dependant on whether both their manager and star forward can stay on the pitch as both are extremely volatile numpty farkwits at times which certainly doesnt help the team. Great 1 st goal

ozzieeagle

Well that opener worked out even better than I expected. Looks like the universe as far as Australian domestic sport in concerned is back in alignment.

It's going to be an interesting season, what with Melbourne Citys signings and all....

OzTennis

Great start for Victory. What a wonderful achievement by Archie Thompson - scoring in every season of the A-league, well done Archie.

fish.01

I've finally bit the bullet and signed up for foxtel to get all a-league matches for the 6 months.

Just the Foxtel Play internet service though...$50/month, no contract and was able to choose doco's (history channel, discovery channel etc) and sport as my package.

Good 6 months to have it as it will cover the full Asian Cup in OZ in January as well.

Can mirror the football from the Foxtel Play app on my Macbook full screen onto the tv and still use the Macbook for web surfing so perfect.

Great start for MV...WSW looked worryingly below expected form...

Brian Clough down under

Got high hopes for Sydney this season, taking into account our coach and the number of quality forward players. Melbourne City looked decent on Saturday, and Duff proved that he's still a quality player.

It's going to be close at the top as a number of sides have strengthened. Particularly looking forward to the derby this Saturday against the bandwagon jumpers who will hopefully all still be as tired as Raheem Sterling!

Brian Clough down under

Some of you might be interested in my new book by the way, available on Amazon or at The Treats from Home store in Sydney CBD, just off Pitt St: