Australian A-League - 1st/2nd/3rd September

[Napoleon Solo]

Newcastle United Jets- Queensland Roar 01/09/06 11:00	1X2: Home 2.35 Draw 3.20 Away 2.75
New Zealand Knights- Adelaide United FC 02/09/06 01:30	1X2: Home 3.40 Draw 3.20 Away 2.00
Melbourne Victory- Sydney FC 02/09/06 10:00	1X2: Home 2.45 Draw 3.20 Away 2.60
Perth Glory- Central Coast Mariners 03/09/06 08:00	1X2: Home 2.50 Draw 3.20 Away 2.55

Centrebet out with the first book.

[Napoleon Solo]

First thoughts, Newcastle were poor in their first game, while Queensland struggled to a 3-0 win over an injury hit Perth side. Would have bee on Queens if the odds were a little meatier, so may jusy leave this one.

I'm all over the 2.00 available on Adelaide. New Zealand were just as poor as last season in their game against Newcastle, while a defeated Adelaide didn't play badly against Melbourne. I'm sure if they ever needed a kick-start it was that defeat. I'm not expecting many problems here for United.

Melbourne v Sydney is going to be a bit of a toughie. May well be one to stay away from.

CC Mariners may be another one for me here. Perth's injury hit team put up a decent display in their first match, but never really threatened to score. Apparently the Mariners were brilliant in their 1-0 defeat to Sydney and could have well won the game themselves, had it not been for some extraordinary goalkeeping. 2.55 on the away win looks more than fair to me!

[kompressaur]

looks tough to me Rockin but good luck

[Napoleon Solo]

Newcastle Jets host the Queensland Roar with both teams having contrasting fortunes at the moment.


Newcastle come into this game without a win in their last seven competitive fixtures, their draw last week at perennial strugglers New Zealand being only their third positive result of the season, the other two quite coincidentally being draws away to New Zealand and at home to Queensland. Newcastle struggled to break down a quite resilient New Zealand defence, with both teams looking quite edgy and eager to get their first points of the season on the board.

Newcastle will still be without new forward Milton, who is still to recieve his visa, and Steve Eagleton, Jade North and Craig Deans are still out injured, Deans for the season. Also joinging them on the treatment table, and adding to Newcastle's injury woes, will be midfielder Jobe Wheelhouse who damaged his ankle ligaments in an innocuous challenge in the game against New Zealand. They'll likely start with the same 5-2-3 formation deployed against NZ, with Shane Webb likely to replace Wheelhouse. They're also yet to sign a replacement for the departed Liam Reddy (now at Queensland), so 19 year old Ben Kennedy is set to continue in goals. He should expect to face a few more shot on his goal against Queensland than he did against New Zealand.



By contrast, Queensland come into their second league match of the season after a hard-fought, but well deserved, 3-0 win over Perth Glory. That was only their second win of the campaign so far, but they are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games, with their last defeat coming in a close encounter with last seasons champions Sydney United.

Queensland are expect to line up with a three pronged attack, much like in the last game, with Lynch, Milicic and Reinaldo leading the line. Their only change is likely to be the inclusion of Queensland striker Ante Milicic who is set to line up against his former club, having left Newcastle for Queensland this summer. Milicic is in form having played a part in two of the goals against Perth and is looking to get a victory against his former club. Another departee, goalkeeper Liam Reddy, is likely to remain on the bench after the recent good form of Tom Willis. Queensland are expected to name almost the same line-up as against Perth, with Milicic, Simon Lynch and Reinaldo leading a three-pronged attack yet again. The only change is likely to be Massimo Merdocca coming in to replace injured midfield playmaker Marcus Wedau.

Queensland coach Miron Bleiberg had this to say about the match: "We will be approaching the game in the same attacking manner but we have to be realistic and see how the game develops. Newcastle are tough opposition and we are away from home so we might have to close the game down a bit earlier. We have become smarter and we play for the points now. We will go for entertainment at home and practicality away from home.”



Well, with Newcastles injury concerns growing with the injury to Jobe Wheelhouse and their inability to trouble a frankly poor New Zealand side in their last match I was going to side with Queensland for the second straight week with the outright win at a generour 2.85. However, having taken into account the statement by the Queensland coach with regards to their priorities, I'm going to play this one a little safe and use the AH(0) available on Queensland at 10Bet, currently priced at 2.06.


Bet: 2 points on Queensland AH(0) @ 2.06

[Beanie]

Top work rockin

[Napoleon Solo]

Thanks Beanie! Nice hat, btw!

[Napoleon Solo]

Newcastle Jets 2 - 3 Queensland Roar

Well, as close a game as I was expecting with the desired outcome, but on another day it would not have been Queensland who came away with the spoils but their hosts.

Queenslands Brazilian import, Reinaldo, got the away team off to the perfect start with a goal after only six minutes despite Newcastle having the better play in the opening minutes. After the goal, Newcastle pushed and pushed for the equaliser, Joel Griffiths hitting the crossbar with a looping shot, while Labinot Haliti looked dangerous coming forward from right back. Newcastle finally equalised in bizarre fashion, a long ball from the back finding it's way to the head of Queens' defender Chad Gibson who calmly headed it back towards 'keeper Liam Reddy. Unfortunately Reddy had already decided he was going to come out of his area to collect the ball, so could only watch as Gibsons header looped over him and into the back of the net.

Another own goal was to restore the lead for Queensland, a dangerous low cross from Reinaldo was finished expertly. Unfortunately for Newcastle defender and captain Paul Okon, it was he who finished so deftly, tucking the ball neatly into the far corner and giving his own 'keeper no chance. Thankfully for Newcastle they didn't need to wait long for an equaliser, striker Mark Bridge running onto a quick throw-in and burying the ball into the Queens' net just before half time.

The Jets pushed and pushed for the winner after the break, Convey, Carle, Griffith and Bridge all coming close to giving Newcastle the lead for the first time in the match. However, Scottish striker Simon Lynch won the game when latching onto a ball running loose in the penalty area after a Queenland freekick.


Bets: 5 points
Returns: 8.22 points
Profit: 3.22 points

[Napoleon Solo]

Saturday 2nd September


New Zealand Knights v Adelaide United

The New Zealand Knights come into this game still searching for their first home win in the A-League, with the competition having started it's second season last week. They're without a win in their last nine league and cup games, their sole win of last season coming away to the CC Mariners. They had one of the worst pre-seasons of all the A-League clubs, drawing three and losing three of their cup games, though the losses were all by a single goal.

Their new found defensive resiliance is due to a heavy investment in defensive personnel during the transfer window and a determination not to lose games. The Knights tend to flood the defence and midfield to try and stifle any attacking play from the opposition. They had great success with this during their game against the Newcastle Jets, restiricting the visitors to few shots at goal, the majority of them from distance. However, their defensive tactics do mean scoring chances are at a premium, and with Dani Rodrigues and Noah Hickey still injured, this just leaves youngster Adam Casey and journeyman Sean Devine as their attacking options. Hardly encouraging!



Adelaide had the best away record in the A-League last season, but they haven't started this season too well, going down by two goals in the first game to a team they've dominated in their previous meetings, Melbourne. Having been unbeaten in pre-season, Adelaide had hoped for a perfect start to this season, but a newly revitalised Melbourne had other ideas. Adelaide had chances to get something from the game, but Melbourne 'keeper Michael Theoklitos was in exceptional form to keep Adelaide at bay.

Adelaide make one change from their first game, with a fit again Fernando making his return upfront. Aside from the extra goalscoring threat posed by Fernando, it also means Greg Owens is likely to drop back into his more familiar right midfield role having played as a stand-in striker against Melbourne. Dutchman Bobby Petta will still not make his Adelaide debut, despite finally arriving in Australia, with coach John Kosmina opting to leave the player out of the travelling squad.


Previous meetings between these clubs have been close, with Adelaide being one of only two teams who failed to beat the New Zealanders on their own ground. This game also looks like it has the potiential to be a close affair with New Zealand likely to flood the defensive areas. Adelaide should win this, but I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with the odds on offer. No bet for me!

[Napoleon Solo]

Melbourne Victory v Sydney United

After a patchy pre-season where the Melbourne Victory failed to make any lasting impression, they displayed their true colours in style last week, beating a team that has long had a vice-like hold over them, Adelaide United. It was an awesome team display and harked back to the display early last season when Melbourne ran out easy 5-0 winners over Sydney. The performances of the new signings were particularly impressive, Scottish midfielder Grant Brebner and Brazilian trio Allesandro, Fred and Claudinho all performing admirably on their first A-League apperances.

Melbourne are unlikely to make many changes from last weeks line-up, though Brazilian left-back Allesandro may be pushed further forward, with Simon Storey covering at left-back. This will allow Allesandro to make his potentially dangerous runs down the flank, while providing enough defensive cover should Sydney counter-attack.



Sydney United had a relatively successful first pre-season under new coach Terry Butcher, losing just the one game to eventual cup winners Adelaide. They also got their season off to a perfect start in a hard-fought game against a very tough Central Coast side. The Mariners would have won had it not been for the goalkeeping skills of Clint Bolton. The fact that the Mariners were also missing their first choice strike-force may also have had a detrimental affect. However, as good as the result against the Mariners was, coach Terry Butcher has criticised his team for a scrappy and disappointing performance.

Sydney are forced into two changes for this match, Dwight Yorke has been sold to Championship club Sunderland and will be sorely missed, as both an attacking threat and a leader, Yorke having been team captain. Club captain Mark Rudan will now take over that honour. Attacking player Alex Brosque, who damaged his ankle against the Marniers, will also be a huge loss for Sydney and, along with the loss of Yorke, will limit their attacking options. Midfielder Terry McFlynn could also miss out should he not recover from a hamstring injury in time. Butcher has even stated that Sydney are now down to the "bare bones" with regards to their squad selection. Not a great situation for the current champions to be in.



Originally I thought this game would be too close to call and it would be best just to leave it. I still have my doubts as to whether Melbourne can win this game, but I think they have a very good chance of getting something out of this game, especially with Yorke having left, Brosque being injured and Butchers assessment of his disappointing, injury ridden team. I think Melbourne AH(0), available at 1.90 is a more than acceptable price, and I'll be having a further 2 points on this.


Bet: 2 points on Melbourne AH(0) @ 1.90

[Napoleon Solo]

New Zealand Knight 1 - 0 Adelaide United
Melbourne Victory 3 - 2 Sydney United

(match reports to follow)

Bets: 7 points
Returns: 12.02 points
Profit: 5.02 points

[Napoleon Solo]

Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners

A poor pre-season, with just the one victory to show over perenial strugglers the New Zealand Knights, got no better as Perth Glory travelled to Queensland. In what was a patchy game, mainly due to the large amount of new signings made by each team during the close-season, Perth rarely threatened their hosts, their best chances coming after a poor goalkeeping judgement allowed captain Jamie Harnwell a free header, which was duely placed wide of the goal.

Of course, Perths chances were not helped at all by the amount of injuries they've had to cope with over the duration of the pre-season cup and the beginning of the league season. For this match they'll still be without first choice 'keeper Jason Petkovic, former Burnely trainee Ryan Townsend, midfielder Mark Robertson and Glory legend Bobby Despotovski. They do welcome back first choice right-back Jamie Coyne and young striker Luka Glavas. The continued absence of Despotovski is a major worry for Perth as their other strikers are yet to score for the Glory. It's a worry for them that their only decent chance on goal against Queensland was a header from a centreback, after a set piece.



An excellent pre-season was brought to a sudden halt for the Mariners in their first game of the season, going down by a single goal away at last seasons champions Sydney United. In what was a very entertaining match between last seasons A-League grand finalists, Sydney had goalkeeper Clint Bolton to thank for preserving the lead with an excellent display between the sticks. The Mariners dominated large portions of the game, defensive pairing Alex Wilkinson and Tony Vidmar were outstanding at the back, and midfield lynchpin Andre Gumprecht was integral in the Mariners attacking attacking play. The only thing that let the Mariners down was their finishing, but with a makeshift front pairing of Adam Kwasnik and Jamie McMaster was always going to struggle against a resolute Sydeny defense, and 'keeper Bolton.

First the good news for the Mariners, striker Stewart Petrie and attacking midfielder John Jutchinson are both recalled to the squad. Petrie (hopefully) or Tom Pondeljak will replace Jamie McMaster upfront, with McMaster dropping back into midfield. This brings me to the bad news... The reason McMaster is likely to play in midfield is due to the absence of the German playmaker Gumprecht, due to an injury picked up in the game against Sydney. However McMaster has been excellent playing in a similar role to Gumprecht during preseason so should have no trouble fitting in.



Perth's attacking options still look limited, though they have added strength to their backline with the return of Coyne. The Mariners also have a solid backline, as they showed against a Sydney team which is far better than Perth, in my opinion. Their attacking options are also a bit limited, though they created more than enough chances to win the game against Sydney, and the return of Petrie will be a major boost to their attacking prowess. Again, I'm going to play it a little safe and go for 2 points on the CC Mariners AH(0) at 1.90.

Bet: 2 points on Central Coast Mariners AH(0) @ 1.90

[lotsbgnet]

nice work there rockin_cherub, keep up the good picks.

[kompressaur]

agreed lotsbgnet and welcome yourself to TDP

[Napoleon Solo]

Thanks!

Perth Glory 2 - 0 Central Coast Mariners

Bets: 9 points
Returns: 12.02 points
Profit: 3.02 points

(I'll get round to the match reports sometime)

[Napoleon Solo]

As promised...

New Zealand Knights 1 - 0 Adelaide United
Undoubtably the shock result of the round, not just because of the final score, but more the manner in which New Zealand achieved their victory. A poor Knights performance in their first game hinted at a continuation of their dissapointing first season. The Knights looked strong at the back, controlled posession throughout the game and created a myriad of chances from their wingers, only their finishing of the strikers letting the team down. Adelaide were tight at the back, but poor otherwise. Any attacking chances they created were more than often stopped in their infancy by the Knights defence, Adelaide being forced to shoot from distance resulting in just one shot on target during the whole game.


Melbourne Victory 3 - 2 Sydney United
A game that had everything, an early sending off, a penalty, an own goal, a record attendance and some cracking football. Melbourne got off to a brilliant start thanks to early goals from Danny Allsopp and Kevin Muscat, who converted an early penalty. Sydney were then dealt a massive blow with Mark Rudden being sent off, what a first 13 minutes for the rest of the game to live up to! However, never ones to give up, Ufuk Talay halved the deficit with a header in the 18th minute. Some slick football from both sides was providing a thrilling end-to-end contest. After 51 minutes, Allsopp virtually put the result beyond Sydney with a lob over the stranded Sydney 'keeper. The victory should have had a fourth, Claudinho somehow missing an open goal having been set-up by Archie Thompson, before David Carney set up a tense last 6 minutes for the Victory with Sydneys second goal.


Perth Glory 2 - 0 Central Coast Mariners
Both teams were missing key players for this game and the result could have gone either way. Both teams had chances in the first half, the Mariners having an early penalty appeal turned down, Osman mis-kicking the ball when free in the Glory box and Stan Lazaridis having a shot cleared off the Mariners goal line. Perth took control after their first goal though, a 52nd minute freekick taken quickly by Simon Colosimo finding the Mariners 'keeper Vukovic off-.guard. Continued Glory pressure after that, helped by brilliant performances from Leo Bertos and Lazaridis down the wings, finally led to Perths second goal as Stuart Young buried a cross from Bertos to seal the win.