Hyundai A-League - Oz fitba

[manc_don]

8 hours ago, Jute said:

Developing their own players seems to be sensible way for A League to go but McGarry still has me nervous of taking players from there at the moment. 

Haha as I’ve always maintained, I was surprised we went for him. Wasn’t even the best kiwi left back or left back at their club. These guys are destined for the top. 

[manc_don]

This was the equalising goal. Weirdly, aussie TV had guys in a sydney based studio, so didn't have the mic feed from the ground and their sound was bloody quiet. This is the kiwi one, stadium went berserk. 

 

[manc_don]

Well, seems like we've well and truly missed the boat with the Nix keeper. Linked with Chelsea, Liverpool and Bournmouth. The latter being owned by Foley who also own Hibs, Lorient and the newly form Auckland FC. I wouldn't see him coming back to play in the a-league, but I'd be pissed off if he was in goal for Hibs. Also, fuck Foley.

[tom_widdows]

I may have selective memories but the last time I can recall Hibs having a consitant good keeper was in the 90s when they had both Goram and Leighton.
Since then they have had some real bombskares (almost made Bossu look like Buffon). 

 

[manc_don]

8 hours ago, tom_widdows said:

I may have selective memories but the last time I can recall Hibs having a consitant good keeper was in the 90s when they had both Goram and Leighton.
Since then they have had some real bombskares (almost made Bossu look like Buffon). 

 

They’ve had many a shite keeper. I’m only assuming Bournemouth will loan him out, but seems like he may even come in and challenge their current crop. Missed opportunity for us imo. 

[Reekie_Red]

Brand new team to the A League, Auckland FC are proving to be a bit of an enigma. Played 3, Won 3 in their inaugural season. They are my "local" team and the second NZ based team to feature in the A League.

Watched them again today as they took on the Wellington Phoenix in their first ever derby match. The quality is definitely lacking, kind of reminds me of the quality of the Scottish Premier maybe around 25 to 30 years ago. Certainly interesting though, following a brand new team, with brand new fans, brand new songs, brand new rivalries, etc 

[manc_don]

On 03/11/2024 at 01:56, Reekie_Red said:

Brand new team to the A League, Auckland FC are proving to be a bit of an enigma. Played 3, Won 3 in their inaugural season. They are my "local" team and the second NZ based team to feature in the A League.

Watched them again today as they took on the Wellington Phoenix in their first ever derby match. The quality is definitely lacking, kind of reminds me of the quality of the Scottish Premier maybe around 25 to 30 years ago. Certainly interesting though, following a brand new team, with brand new fans, brand new songs, brand new rivalries, etc 

Was a shite ending to the game and set off what has turned out to be a shite week  I think they'll do fine this season, seem to be well drilled, which you'd expect from a Corica team.

[Jute]

What are the attendances like in A league? Watching Melbourne v Brisbane just now and ground only looks a third full at best. 

[manc_don]

Pretty poor in all honesty, but that’s also because most teams play in stadia they shouldn’t (I.e too big for them). But a few clubs have been run incredibly poorly of late. Feels like a it’s a bit of make or break for the league right now.

[Jute]

Crowd at Adelaide game looks better but probably a smaller ground than previous game. Interesting to see no goal line technology used though how they needed VAR to see that was over the line anyway. 

[manc_don]

9 hours ago, Jute said:

Crowd at Adelaide game looks better but probably a smaller ground than previous game. Interesting to see no goal line technology used though how they needed VAR to see that was over the line anyway. 

Aye, United always have a good crowd. Think Hindmarsh holds around 15k, which is the perfect size pretty much for most teams in the league (apart from Western United and MacArthur who have no fans. There are of course exceptions (Melbourne Victory, western Sydney and possibly Auckland depending how they fare). 

[tom_widdows]

Had assumed they would be using the seemingly forgotten (perhaps mythical) North Harbour stadium but Penrose it is.

Learned from the NZ knights experiment perhaps

[manc_don]

On 10/11/2024 at 08:35, tom_widdows said:

Had assumed they would be using the seemingly forgotten (perhaps mythical) North Harbour stadium but Penrose it is.

Learned from the NZ knights experiment perhaps

Would seem so there’s been more talk about a waterside stadium, which I’d imagine was the same conversation they were having when you were here! We know how long it takes to build anything in this country.

The other thing I meant to add is that Aussie (and NZ) suffer from the lack of purpose built stadia. So most grounds are usually built with Rugby (any code) in mind rather than football. In Wellington's case, it was the opportunity for cricket and potentially AFL (never materialised) which lead to an oval. Nimby's prevented a purpose built 10k seater stadium elsewhere.

Went to the women's game yesterday, as they play up the road from me on a site which would be amazing if they developed it. One of the players' dogs ran onto the pitch, definitely the highlight of the game. Love this league