Little Master Takes A-league Centre Stage As Newcastle Whistle For Luck
Newcastle Herald
Thursday October 5, 2006
LAST weekend provided one of the more interesting and revealing rounds in the A-League. The Melbourne juggernaut rolled on, Sydney unearthed a real gem, the Central Coast limped over the line for their first win of the season, and an understrength Jets folded in the last 30 minutes against Perth.
And, before I forget, referee Simon Pryzdacz he of the incorrect Joel Griffiths sending-off was punished for his blunder by officiating in the blockbuster between Melbourne and Queensland! Did I mention an "us and them" mentality last week? Yes, in fact I did, and Simon was much more enthusiastic in awarding penalties this week. He gave two one which wasn't but refused a third which was, so I guess if Meatloaf was the referee's inspector, he would have received a pass mark. (Two out of Three Ain't Bad, for you young rappers and hip-hoppers.)Sydney FC travelled to Adelaide under a fair bit of pressure. Results had been mixed, although better than at this stage last season, and injuries, suspensions and departures had the champions with a question mark next to their name. Ninety minutes later and the world must have seemed a much brighter place for Sydney coach Terry Butcher.Italian Benito Carbone showed just why he bristled at earlier media suggestions he was trialling for Sydney with a virtuoso performance at Hindmarsh Stadium. At five feet six inches, you don't play in the leagues Carbone has without extreme sharpness, a healthy dose of smarts and an exquisite first touch.At 35 years of age, those ingredients are still very much in place, and he revelled in the luxury of the extra time and space afforded in the A-League.I wrote a couple of weeks ago that I felt Sydney had made a good business decision in letting Dwight Yorke go, providing they spent the money saved wisely. To quote Dr Phil, "Do I need to put the dots any closer together?" Carbone wanted a deal for the season; Sydney signed him to a four-match guest stint. Does opportunity knock any louder on your door? This is Jessica Simpson in boots and bikini, looking for somewhere to spend the summer.If Sydney haven't secured Carbone for the season by the end of the week, they've got rocks in their heads.Melbourne lob into town on Sunday full of confidence, six wins out of six, and looking every inch title contenders. I've always felt as a player that teams on a long winning streak are getting closer and closer to a hiccup, and the Jets have to believe that they can cause that on Sunday. The absence of Archie Thompson will help the Jets, as his movement and pace are hard to replace. And if the weather gods are listening, could we have a hot Sunday afternoon to diminish the impressive pressing game of the southern visitors?Kevin Muscat and Grant Brebner have played with much authority in central midfield this season, and if they win the battle for control in the engine room, the Jets face a huge task.Poor old Ben Kennedy as if he hasn't had to cope with enough pressure, now he has to decide midweek whether he will be fit by Sunday. The farcical goalkeeping situation almost turned into a disaster when Perth's Jamie Coyne lost his footing and careered into the Jets' only custodian on Friday night. As Kennedy lay prostrate on the turf, a couple of narks in the crowd stood up and enquired of those around them: "Anybody got a spare pair of gloves?"The Jets are probably lucky the game is a little nice at the moment. I can't help but think of the old Sydney City side of the John Kosmina, David Mitchell, Frank Farina, Murray Barnes and Steve O'Connor era. They would have salivated at the thought of launching a physical barrage on a 19-year-old keeper, let alone one with no replacement on the bench.Then again, Melbourne do have a few hardened old pros. They wouldn't, would they? Hmm . . . I wonder.
© 2006 Newcastle Herald