A-LEAGUE SEASON REVIEW – A NEW AGE IS DAWNING AND ANOTHER IS FADING?
The final stanza of season 13 is just around the corner. For the first time in many seasons, there are four teams who could conceivably walk away with the A-League Title. Such is the closeness of this season, that it is possible for all 4 teams in contention to end up on 65 points, with the ultimate champion being decided on goal difference. Irrespective of whether AC New Age, Guards, Collingwood or Chemango hold aloft the trophy, it has certainly been a season unlike any other in terms of the future of A-League.
Dawn Of A New Age
Traditionally, the gap in quality between A-League and Division 2 (with a few exceptions) has been too broad for freshly promoted teams to handle in their first season, with many teams dropping straight back into Div 2 almost immediately. This season has shown that the gap is tightening, with 3 promoted teams filling top 5 positions (Collingwood FC, Chemango United & Sydney). Of these 3 teams, it’s fair to say that Collingwood has been the biggest revelation this season. After a slowish start, Collingwood found themselves top of the table in round 13. Astonishingly, they held top spot for 13 straight weeks and 18 of the last 20 weeks. An astounding achievement for a promoted team.
Chemango too have played consistently good quality football, being a top 5 team for all but 3 weeks of the season. They may well have been still in major contention if it were not for their last match loss to mulcantine. In a cruel twist of fate, not only were Chemango a man down for most of the match, but they lost both of their goalkeepers due to injury and only lost in the 86th minute. Whilst their chance at a title is all but gone for this season, there’s no reason why I they can’t produce another forward showing next season.
Sydney has been a little inconsistent over the course of the season, but they seem to be peaking at just the right time, and have the chance at international football with a good result in the final match.
Although not a promoted team, Guards FC have been this season’s quiet achiever. With little fanfare or fuss, Guards managed to get themselves into a nice groove in midseason with only one loss in their last 16 matches, including a non-losing streak of 11 matches. This bodes well for another tilt at the title next season.
Fading Of A New Age?
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 5 seasons, everyone in Australian TM knows the name AC New Age. This team has dominated the A-League for the past 4 seasons and has always been amongst the top teams since promoting from Division 2 in Season 5. However, the signs are ominous that ACNA are not the invincible powerhouse that everyone thought they were. Lets take a look at their last 4 A-League Title wins. In Season 9, the took the title by a solitary point. In Season 10, they blew everyone away, winning by 22 points. In Season 11 they extended that to an amazing 25 points. In Season 12, however they could be considered lucky to win after Alcoholics United all but threw away the A-League title by 5 points. This season, ACNA leads by just a solitary point going into the final match. Is this a case of the rest of the league catching up, or are AC New Age at the beginning of the end of their vice like grip of the A-League?
Stalwarts Stalling?
Whilst the league’s newer teams are performing with great zeal and success, some of the traditional powerhouses have had more that their fair share of dramas. Perhaps the most perplexing of these is the below average performance of Alcoholics United. I don’t know if the stigma of losing an almost certain A-League title has dwelt on the players minds, but after a promising start the ‘Holics have been in an almost constant state of freefall. At mid season they were sitting in the qualification zone and have been flirting with it ever since. The astonishing part is that there have been very little changes in personnel and philosophy in this season compared to last. AU has just had a string of incredible bad luck in matches. I can’t see them demoting, and Aaron Smith will no doubt be keen to have the lads in title contention once more.
The dark clouds are even thicker for Melbourne Supremacy. Last season they made the final of the RoW Cup, losing to fellow Aussie Dangerous Alliance. This season they are in real relegation trouble. After a slow start they looked like a top 5 finish was all but certain, but they too started to slide and a qualification match is looming large on the horizon. Whilst it’s too late this season to make an impact, new signing Hektor Shehi may provide Supremacy with the spark to get them back on track.
Dangerous Alliance may still find themselves in a RoW Cup with a lot of luck, but despite showing real flashes of brilliance, they have been a very inconsistent side over the past few seasons. Alliance have the stigma of being a very slow starter and this season was no different. After 8 matches Alliance found themselves without a win and conceding a big lead to the top of the league. Ever since the sale of their most capped striker Will Doran, Alliance have failed to find a focal point up front. They made a few shrewd purchases to give them that spark, headed by super striker “El Tacataca” Mahuze, and they went on a winning streak much like the one late last season. The problem was a frustrating string of drawn matches, combined with a long injury/suspension list. Injuries in particular have been a real bugbear for them. If they can manage to keep their players healthy Alliance are certainly good enough to hold aloft the A-League trophy for the 4th time.
In closing, all eyes will be watching the final week’s matches. Who will be crowned champion? Only time will tell.
Written by Dangerous Alliance FC
League Prediction - Title/RoW/Religation
Title race:
With 3 rounds remaining the A-League title is getting hot. Collingwood are in the drivers seat after be9ing able to open up a 5pt lead over 2nd place. With ACNA for and against much, much better then Collingwood, Collingwood may need to win all of their last 3 matches as ACNA have shown in the past, when the need to step up and win matches, they more often then not do just that.
As for the final 2 teams still in the title race, I for one can't see either of them winning the title. With Collingwoods lead at the moment and ACNA outstanding for and against, it is too much of an ask for both Collingwood and AC NewAge slipping up.
The only thing both teams are really playing for now is the final RoW League spot. Chemango Utd should find themselves finishing in the final RoW spot as the have a much easier run home.
Final standings:
1st - Collingwood
2nd - AC NewAge
3rd - Chemango United
4th - Guards FC
Run Home:
Collingwood:
Sydney (H)
Melbourne(H)
Kuumonica (A)
AC NewAge:
Melbourne (A)
Harry Cool (H)
Sydney (A)
Chemango:
Inter Melarger (A)
Mulcantine (H)
C.C.Mariners (A)
Guards:
C.C.Mariners (H)
Green Tea United (A)
Alcoholics Utd(H)
RoW Race:
3 teams have already qualified for RoW football next season. Them being Collingwood, AC NewAge and Chemanagos. 4-5 teams are battling it out for the final 2 spots (possible 3 spots available).
Guards only needs 1 point form the last 3 matches to qualify for RoW football next season. Know Goffy, he will be out to try and qualify for the RoW League rather then RoW Cup. With only 3 matches left and a possible the hardest draw of the top 4 teams in the league Goff's men will most likely find themselves in the RoW Cup next season.
With Guards all but guaranteed wrapped up a RoW spot it leaves only 1 spot available. The race for the final spot in next seasons RoW Cup will be fought out between - Sydney, Harry Cool, Dangerous Alliance & Green Tea Untied.
GTU, even though they are still in the running, with 3 rounds left I feel the lost to Sydney will cost them dearly. Unless GTU can win the Australian Cup and qualify for the RoW Cup that way, they will have to rely on either Colllingwood winning the Australian Cup or CCM wins the RoW Cup.
So with GTU pretty much out of the picture, it leaves Sydney, Harry Cool and DA all fighting for the final spot. Dangerous Alliance have the easiest run in by far out of the 3 teams while Sydney has a 3pt lead over DA. The 2 of them will be fighting it out for the final spot. The team who misses out, out of the 2 will be hoping they could still qualify via the back door. Unforuantly, I can't see Harry Cool qualifing for the final RoW Cup spot as there are too many things going against them. They need both Sydney and DA to have a horrible last 3 matches to stand any chance.
PREDICTION:
RoW League:
Collingwood, AC NewAge & Chemango
RoW Cup:
Guards & Sydney
6th: (posible backdoor entree)
Dangerous Alliance
Remaining 3 matches:
Collingwood:
Sydney (H)
Melbourne(H)
Kuumonica (A)
AC NewAge:
Melbourne (A)
Harry Cool (H)
Sydney (A)
Chemango:
Inter Melarger (A)
Mulcantine (H)
C.C.Mariners (A)
Guards:
C.C.Mariners (H)
Green Tea United (A)
Alcoholics Utd(H)
Harry Cool:
Green Tea United (A)
AC NewAge (A)
Amiga (H)
Dangerous Alliance
Astroz (A)
Inter Melarger (H)
Dogukan Spor A.Ş.(A)
Sydney:
Collingwood (A)
Brisbane City (A)
AC NewAge (H)
Relegation battle:
AstroZ have little to no chance of staying up in what can only be described as a season to remember. Inter Melarger and Brisbane City while on the brink of straight relegation, both can realistically service. Both are only 3pts behind 15th place Kuumonica who currently sit in the final play-off spot. If either one of them can get themselves out of the straight drop zone into a play-off spot both will feel like the can survive by winning the play-off match against a 2nd place division 2 club.
So with Kuumonica, Brisbane City, Inter Melarger & AstroZ all but guaranteed to finish i the bottom 4, it leaves 5 clubs (Amiga Revival, C.C.Mariners, Alcoholics Utd, Melbourne Supremacy & Dogukan Spor A.Ş.) all trying to avoid the last 2 play-off spots.
Unfortunately for the 2 teams who currently sit in the play-off zone, they both have the hardest run in to the end of the season. So both teams will need a fair bit of luck if either are to survive to the relegation play-off. In saying that neither of the 3 remaining teams are safe. While they have an easier run home, and somewhat stronger teams, this seasons form has let them down. So when you take that into account, no one will be feeling safe.
PREDICTION:
Straight religation:
AstroZ (18th)
Inter Melarger (17th)
Kuumonica (16th)
Play-off spot:
Brisbane City (15th) (Religated, after play-off lose)
Dogukan Spor A.Ş. (14th) (Safe, after play-off win)
Melbourne (13th) (safe, after play-off win)
Teams safe:
C.C.Mariners (12th)
Alcoholics Utd (11th)
Amiga Revival (10th)
Remaining 3 matches:
Amiga Revival:
Dogukan Spor A.Ş. (H)
Kuumonica (H)
Harry Cool (A)
C.C.Mariners:
Guards FC (A)
AstroZ (A)
Chemango United (H)
Alcoholics Utd:
Kuumonica (H)
Dogukan Spor A.Ş. (H)
Guards FC (A)
Melbourne Supremacy:
AC NewAge (H)
Collingwood FC (A)
Brisbane City Devils (H)
Dogukan Spor A.Ş.:
Amiga Revival (A)
Alcoholics Utd (A)
Dangerous Alliance FC (H)
Kuumonica:
Alcoholics Utd (A)
Amiga Revival (A)
Collingwood FC (H)
Brisbane City Devils FC:
Mulcantine (A)
Sydney (H)
Melbourne Supremacy (A)
Inter Melarger:
Chemango United (H)
Dangerous Alliance FC (A)
Green Tea United (H)
AstroZ:
Dangerous Alliance FC (H)
C.C.Mariners (H)
Mulcantine (A)
Written by Alcoholics Utd
Archives
Almost at the end
With the A-League season nearing an end, it is shaping to be one of the closest finishes in years. Realistically, the champion will probably come from one of the top 4 teams, but I think that anyone currently in the top 7 could have a slight chance at it as well. Here are the runs home for the respective teams in question:
ACNA: GTU (A), Collingwood (H), Guards (A), Inter (H), Supremacy (A), Harry Cool (H), Sydney (A)
Collingwood: Dogukan (H), ACNA (A), Harry Cool (H), Mariners (A), Sydney (H), Supremacy (H), Kuumonica (A)
Chemango: Harry Cool (H), Dogukan (A), Sydney (H), DA (A), Inter (A), mulcantine (H), Mariners (A)
Guards: Brisbane City (H), DA (A), ACNA (H), Kuumonica (A), Mariners (H), GTU (A), Alcoholics (H)
Harry Cool: Chemango (A), Astroz (H), Collingwood (A), Alcoholics (H), GTU (A), ACNA (A), Amiga (H)
Dangerous Alliance: Alcoholics (A), Guards (H), Amiga (A), Chemango (H), Astroz (A), Inter (H), Dogukan (A)
Sydney: Astroz (A), Supremacy (H), Chemango (A), GTU (H), Collingwood (A), Brisbane City (A), ACNA (H)
Lets have a look in depth at each teams chances:
ACNA
Matches against current top 7 teams: 4
Key match(es): Collingwood, Guards
Danger match(es): GTU, Harry Cool
Comments: The two matchups against Collingwood and Guards will be the key to whether AC can take the title again. If AC wins both then you would be hard pressed to find anyone to bet against them, although the match against Harry Cool could be very interesting and have some influence on the outcome.
Collingwood
Matches against current top 7 teams: 3
Key match(es): ACNA
Danger match(es): Harry Cool, possibly Supremacy
Comments: Has a considerably easier draw than ACNA, but will need to beat them to ensure they stay ahead of them. After Harry Cool, I can't see Collingwood losing another match, although maybe Supremacy could suprise.
Chemango
Matches against current top 7 teams: 3
Key match(es): DA, Harry Cool
Danger match(es): mulcantine, Sydney
Comments: A win over Harry Cool is imperative to stay in touch with the leading pair. Avoids playing the top two which is a real bonus, but then has to face Sydney and DA back to back at a crucial point in the run home. Only possible threat after that would be the capable but inconsistent mulcantine.
Guards
Matches against current top 7 teams: 2
Key match(es): DA, ACNA
Danger match(es): GTU, Alcoholics
Comments: Not a very favourable draw, with 2 sets of back to back difficult games. The first pair is the powerhouses DA and ACNA, and then they finish with 2 dangerous opponents in GTU and Alcoholics. Will find it difficult to make up the extra points with this schedule.
Harry Cool
Matches against current top 7 teams: 3
Key match(es): Collingwood, ACNA, Chemango
Danger match(es): GTU, Alcoholics
Comments: OUCH! This is the hardest run home for the top 7 teams. Has to play the top 3 teams all away from home and then also has to face GTU and Alcoholics as well just to top it off. Harry has had a great season to this point but they would need to be extra special to stay towards the leaders after this horror draw.
Dangerous Alliance
Matches against current top 7 teams: 2
Key match(es): Chemango, Guards
Danger match(es): Alcoholics
Comments: A very favourable draw all up, and with the exception of Collingwood possibly the easiest. Has to face the toughest tests early on with matches against Alco and Guards, but once past that only has Chemango to worry about. Last 3 matches are easiest of all the top 7 but at 9 points behind the leader it may be a case of too little too late again.
Sydney
Matches against current top 7 teams: 3
Key match(es): Collingwood, ACNA, Chemango
Danger match(es): GTU
Comments: Much like Harry Cool, Sydney have the daunting task of facing the current top 3 teams as well as GTU. I can't see them making up the necessary points to have a real title threat, perhaps RoW Cup at best.
Of the remaining teams, I believe GTU and Alcoholics have the best "spoiler" potential as they play most of the top 7 at some point in the last 7 weeks. They could very well shape the makeup of the RoW spots.
In any case, it promises to be an exciting conclusion.....
Written by Dangerous Alliance FC
To Comment on this article and its content, or just discuss your views with other managers, go here:
Article Feedback
A-League - Round 20
Change is upon us
There is a ghostly silence in Division 1 at the moment you could hear a pin drop, is it finally sinking in to the traditional clubs that changes to their empire has finally arrived. For seasons now teams have come and gone like the wind not being able to match it with the might and power of a handful of traditional teams. But how things have changed, just like in America how it has fallen from grace the slide has started in Division 1.
AC Newage the superpower of the Australian League who once was unstoppable has already had 5 defeats and in round 20 the Australian football community observed the final nail in the coffin, when 15th placed team who many said is rubbish Amiga Revival defeated the once great AC New Age. AC New Age will remain competitive but with all the money in the world he cannot buy a championship as only 5 International players can be in a side at any one time, the transfer market not having enough quality Australian champions to go around.
Alcoholics UTD is in the same position as AC New Age incredibly rich but cannot purchase quality Australian players to strengthen his side. Alcoholics UTD is dangerously close to relegation in round 20 being soundly defeated by middle of the table C.C. Mariners 2-0 indicates his regularity at the top is not part of the immediate future.
It is being seen for the first time this season that the intimidation and doubt of new boy on the block Collingwood FC ability has stopped. Could it be Collinwood FC only currently having two losses this season the traditional managers have finally realised he is sitting top of the Division 12 points and a large goal difference from 6th place. That any traditional team to criticise him now, would look stupid in front of their piers.
Green Tea United showed what could be done with his skill in out managing 1st year team Chemango United 4 -0. I’m sure this will give Green Tea hope for the future and highlight to other managers in Division 1 he isn’t done with yet. But with his inconsistent form this season we will only see glimpses of his great management skills for the rest of the season.
Chemango United has done well in his 1st season competing with the big boys being a bit lucky to be out of the spotlight due to the dominance of Collingwood FC. Chemango United will struggle to maintain his current position but will hopefully learn quickly from his losses, being able to study the strength and weaknesses of his opposition and learn from it, making him stronger for the future. This includes not blaming his last thrashing on the snow.
As AC New Age and Alcoholics UTD have found out money will no longer provide the luxury of success. Champion Australian players are rarely on the transfer market. Teams can no longer build their nest egg for the NT Sales buying themselves out of trouble as these sales do not provide enough Australian champions for this practice to be successful any longer. The solution for these teams is to have a good look at the top two teams Collingwood FC and Harry Cool both fairly fresh 1st Division teams who are very well managed and who have a vision for the future. Having a mix of experienced and young talent in their sides. Both clubs have invested heavily in youth development, this is a skill most clubs trying to go down the youth development line end up being failures as managers. Collingwood FC and Harry Cool have an ability to develop youth and find youngsters on the transfer market worth investing in.
The question is seeing championships can no longer just be bought at a whim, have the traditional clubs like AC New Age and Alcoholics UTD got the management ability to move away from their previously successful styles to one of youth and development, only time will tell.
Written by Fremantle United
A VIEW FROM THE TOP- round 11
Week 11 Edition
ACNA upset by Dogukan Spur
Dogukan Spur has had the reputation of being a giant killer, and last match was no exception as they defeated league leading AC New Age 3-2. Spurs showed amazing determination after being down midway through the first half, however the turning point in the game came when AC New Age defender Ostap Volynets was shown a straight red card after bringing down Nurtaz Kiminsky with just the keeper to beat. This invigorated the Spurs side and they scored soon after the break through Vaughan Allen, and followed this up with a game winning strike by Mark Jensen. The win was much needed by Spurs as they were hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. AC New Age still lead the A-League but the rest of the pack is closing in.
Old Firm Derby – Dangerous Alliance vs Alcoholics United
This match has become one of the iconic fixtures in Australian TM history. The two longest running A-League clubs, Dangerous Alliance and Alcoholics United, met for the 22nd time in official matches. Dangerous Alliance went into the match with an imposing record of 17 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses against their old foe, but had been struggling with form of late. Alcoholics were also looking for a win after losing to Occaroos in their previous match. The match was played as usual as a tough encounter with both sides refusing to yield to their opponents. The game came alive just after 30 minutes, when Botswanan international Chan Bartlett opened the scoring with a powerful header. 5 minutes later he was on the scoresheet again, and Alcoholics were up 2-0. Alliance however fought back immediately as Thomas Allbeury, fresh back from injury, pulled one back just a minute later to have the score at Alocoholics 2-1 at the half.
The second stanza had all the excitement of the first half, but without any further additions to the scoreline. At the 78 minute mark, Alliance’s freshly signed Indonesian international Adela Atangana “El Tacataca” Mahuze equalized with a header of his own to set up a riveting conclusion. In the shadows of injury time, El Tacataca latched on to the end of an Allbeury pass and slotted home the winning goal for Dangerous Alliance. As the final whistle sounded, the Alliance players were jubilant in celebration while Alcoholics manager Aaron Smith has a hefty fine to pay after throwing a chair into the crowd in frustration. El Tacataca has scored 3 times in his 2 appearances for Alliance, and may just be their signing of the season. The win puts them out of the relegation zone, and extends their winning streak to three. Alcoholics on the other hand have dropped back to mid table and now must regroup in order to make a title challenge.
Other notable matches
Kuumonica have enjoyed a resurgence since the return of manager John Khoo, and showed they are a team to be reckoned with after disposing of Lee Waddell’s Melbourne Supremacy 3-0. Is this the season they are treated as serious RoW contenders?
Collingwood FC’s dream start to the season took a hit with a 1-0 loss to Harry Cool. Cool has an abundance of top quality youth players at his disposal yet somehow cannot always seem to get the best out of them. If he figures this out, it could spell danger for the rest of A-League.
After starting the season undefeated Chemango United have now suffered two losses in a row, the latest to NT manager Brendan Goff’s Guards FC 1-0. David Gan is naturally upset at the form reversal and will look to make amends against Dogukan Spur in Week 12.
Week 12 key matches
Melbourne Supremacy vs Sydney – Both teams in the RoW hunt. Supremacy are still smarting from the beatdown they suffered against Kuumonica, while Sydney had a routine 2-1 win against struggling Astroz. Should be a great matchup.
Collingwood FC vs AC New Age – Probably match of the round. This match will certainly show us if Collingwood are the real deal or have been just lucky in securing 3rd spot on the table. Both teams coming off losses and have something to prove. An AC loss would make the other chasing teams start salivating at the prospect if having a real title battle.
Guards FC vs Dangerous Alliance FC – The winner and runner up of the recent NT elections go head to head in a classic battle. Both teams are in winning form and want to keep the momentum rolling. Alliance will be debuting Austrian international Benjamin Schmidt who recently transferred to the Australian club for a sizeable $197 million. Lets see if it is as good a buy as El Tacataca was.
Written by Dangerous Alliance FC
To Comment on this article and its content, or just discuss your views with other managers, go here:
Article Feedback
A VIEW FROM THE TOP - A LEAGUE REVIEW
With the new season 8 weeks in, let’s take a look at some of the interesting happenings in and around the A-League.
Promotees flexing their muscle
It appears that the challenges of A-League football has not only been welcomed by a few of the freshly promoted teams, but have reveled in it. It’s still early on in the A-League season but already Chemango United and Collingwood FC find themselves in the top 3. Sydney also is performing very well, sitting in 6th place. Chemango United is the only undefeated team in the competition at present, a fact that has been broadcast very widely and very loudly by manager David Gan. No A-League team has ever gone through an entire season undefeated, could they be the first?
AC New Age continues dominance
It appears the dynasty that is AC New Age shows no signs of being stopped, with them topping the league tables again and are chasing an unprecedented 5th straight A-League title. This season however, the usual suspects in the title chase are nowhere to be found. Alcoholics United and Dangerous Alliance are 5 and 14 points adrift of ACNA already, and face a big task to reel that deficit in despite much of the season still to play. Dangerous Alliance in particular are struggling to break through for their first win, and have been incredibly unlucky in the majority of their matches. Manager rangitamoe is not perturbed in the slightest, as there is plenty of season to play.
Week 9 – Matches to watch
West Warwick FC vs Chemango – Two of the more vocal managers go head to head in a battle of egos. WWFC with the self proclaimed “worst team in A-League” are confidently predicting a big win, however Chemango has a bit more clout where it matters, and I think they will come away with the 3 points.
Alcoholics United vs Melbourne Supremacy – Both teams want this win for different reasons. AU needs it to get back into the title hunt, while Supremacy are looking to cement their spot in the RoW qualification zone. Tough one to call, and a draw would be a fitting result.
Written by Dangerous Alliance FC
To Comment on this article and its content, or just discuss your views with other managers, go here:
Article Feedback