Preview of the A-league season: Part 3

With less then a week until the new season here is the third part of my A-league preview. I have predicated that Perth Glory will finish first at the end of the normal season and win the premiership. My reasons why are at the end of the post.

Melbourne

Major signing- Surat Sukha, is a versatile player who can play in defence or the midfield. The most significant thing about Melbourne signing Sukha however is if he's successful is it could lead to more south east Asian players playing in the A-league.

Major loss- M. Theokilitos, after winning two championships in four years, fans favourite Theokilitos has joined English league one club Norwich City.

Star player- Carlos Hernandez, has been signed permanently by Melbourne after two year loan. After a slow start to his A-league career Hernandez demonstrated his quality and become one of the competitions best players in his second season.

Strengths- Best forward partnership in A-league history and good forward depth. Good quality and depth in the cam and cdm positions. Good goalkeeping depth.

Weakness- Lack of depth for the centre-back position. Lack of wide midfielders in the squad.

Predication- 2nd

Perth

Major signing- Chris Coyne, after spending most of his career in the lower leagues of English football, Coyne joined Perth to play alongside his brother and increase his chances of going to the World Cup.

Major loss- Nikita Rukavytsya, the speedy striker left Perth to join FC Twente and continue his footballing education.

Star player- Mile Sterjovski, although Sterjovski usually plays in the midfield for the national team it appears he will play as a striker for Perth. Before he began playing in Europe Sterjovski played as a striker in the old NSL.

Strengths- Good forward depth. Quality midfield and quality centre-backs.

Weakness- Lack of quality for the left-back position. Lack of quality depth for the centre-midfield positions.

Predication- 1st

Gold Coast Untied

Major signing- Shane Smeltz, after two goal laden seasons in the A-league Smeltz is arguable the leagues best striker. After a season of being provided high quality service from Jason Culina the argument could be over.

Star player- Jason Culina, a consistent first team member for the Soceroos, Culina has come back to the A-league at the peak of his powers. Has the potential to totally dominate the A-league this season.

Strengths- Good depth and quality for the cdm and cam positions. Good forward depth. Quality goalkeeper.

Weakness- Lack of left midfielders in the squad. Teammates lack of familiarity with each other.

Predication- 3rd

During an football season many themes can run through out it, some can begin before the season and go all the way till the end, whilst other just suddenly appear and then disappear a few rounds later. This is also the case for an A-league season. One of the main themes of the 2009/10 A-league season will be the return of the empire. In the old NSL Perth Glory where the strongest team on the field and the strongest club off the field. During the off season the have already been signs from Perth that they are trying to return to the powerhouses they once were. Firstly by hosting friendlies against EPL clubs Fulham and Wolverhampton and then by signing three current socceroos. On the field i believe they also make progress by finishing as premiers. Compared to their main rivals Perth have a group of midfielders and forwards equal to those at Melbourne and Gold Coast Untied and sightly better then Sydney's. However Melbourne's, Gold Coast Untied's and Sydney FC's main weakness on the field is in defence, Perth have a better defence then the teams that will be their main rivals for the premiership in the 2009/10 A-league season and that's why they will finish first.

Preview of the A-league season: Part 2

There are two weeks left until the start of the 2009/2010 A-league season and here's the second part of my season preview.

Adelaide Untied

Major signing- Lloyd Owusu has spent all of his career playing in the lower leagues of English football and also made two appearances for the Ghana national team. If successful he could be the biggest thing from Slough since the office.

Major loss- Big and powerful centre-back Sasa Ognenovski has moved to play in the K-league with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Star player- Travis Dodd, last season was Dodd's most productive in front of goal scoring seven times. This season is set to become the first player to play one hundred A-league games for Adelaide.

Strengths- Strong left side of the team and up front. Good goalkeeping depth.

Weakness- Lack of forward depth, lack of depth for the center back position.

Predication- 6th

Sydney FC

Major signing- Karol Kisel has previously played for various clubs in the Czech Republic league and between 2002 and 2007 made 25 appearances for the Slovakia national team.

Major loss- Iain Fyfe, Sydney's A-league games record holder has moved to A-league rivals Adelaide.

Star player. National team hero John Aloisi only scored two goals for Sydney in his first season with them, Sydney fans will be hoping he more productive this season in front of goal.

Strengths. Quality midfield and forwards. Full backs have good potential. Good midfield and forward depth.

Weakness. Lack of depth in the center-back position. Full backs lack A-league experience.

Predication- 4th

Brisbane

Major signing- Brisbane have been fairly quite in the transfer market, however they have signed Brazilian winger Henrique to a permanent deal after he had impressed while on loan last season.

Major loss- Tahj Minniecon, the speedy youngster decided to join Brisbane's local rivals, Gold Coast Untied for the upcoming season.

Star player- Former Rangers player Charlie Miller scored in his first four A-league matches last season and finished the season with seven goals. With the added fitness of a whole preseason Miller should be even better this year.

Strengths- Depth for the centre back position. Quality wingers and forwards. Depth for the cam position.

Weakness- Lack of depth for the fullback position. Lack of depth for the central midfield position.

Predication- 5th

Preview of the A-league season: Part 1

There's less then three weeks to the beginning of the 2009/10 A-league season and without further ado here's the first part of my preview of the season.

Central Coast

Major signing- None, which is a problem for a team that just fell into last season's A-league's finals and is yet to win a competitive match this year. Although young Englishman Nicky Travis is said to have impressed in the preseason.

Major loss- Sasho Petrovski, after scoring 14 goals in 44 matches for the Central Coast he was released at the end of the last season.

Star player- Matt Simon, after scoring 11 goals last season the mariners will be hoping he can continue his  goal scoring form into the new season.    

Strengths- Strong on the right and left side of midfield and up front.   

Weakness- Lack of quality across the squad, lack of depth on the bench and in the squad.

Prediction- 8th

Wellington

Major signing- Like the Central Coast Wellington hasn't made any major signings so far this pre-season.  However they have signed attacking midfielder Diego who made 28 appearances in 2 and a part seasons for Adelaide.  

Big loss- Shane Smeltz, last seasons Johnny Warren Medal winner, and the A-league Golden Boot winner moved to play for new team Gold Coast Untied.  This season Wellington will probably find Smeltz irreplaceable.      

Star player- Andrew Durante is Wellington's captain and has previously won the A-league championship with Newcastle.  

Strengths- Solid defence and midfield.  

Weakness- Lack of depth in midfield.  Lack of quality forwards and lack of forward options.

Predication- 9th 

Newcastle

Major signing- Italian Fabio Vignaroli has previously played for numerous clubs in the Italian Serie A and B.

Major loss- Former captain Jade North decided to move to the K-league to play for Incheon Untied.

Star player- Ben Kantarovski as a 17 year old has already cemented his spot in Newcastle's starting lineup.  Is the A-league youngest ever player, making his debut when he was 16 years and 208 days old.  German club Bayern Munich have already expressed an interest in signing him.  

Strengths- Good young players, decent midfield depth.

Weakness- All the centre-backs have various questions marks hanging over them.  Lack of natural wide midfielders in the squad. 

Predication- 7th

North Queensland

Major signing- David Williams, is returning to the A-league after 3 mostly disappointing seasons playing for Brondby IF in the Danish League.    

Star player- God, also known as Robbie Fowler.  North Queensland will be hoping he can produce more of the goals for them that earned him his nickname whilst playing for Liverpool.

Strengths- Robbie Fowler if he stays fit and can find form.

Weakness- Lack of quality across the squad, lack of depth especially in the goalkeeping department.  

Predication- 10th   

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on North Korea

The last time North Korea played at the the World Cup,they made it the quarter-finals. History however won't be repeating itself in South Africa next June. Information about the North Korean team was difficult to find, these players could possibly be playing for North Korea at the World Cup next year.

First 11

GK. Ri Myong-Guk, Club- Pyongyang City (North Korea), Age at World Cup (AWC) 23.

Def. Pak Chol-Ryong, Club- FC Concordia Basel (Switzerland), (AWC) 21.

Def. Cha Jong-Hyok, Club- Amrokgang (North Korea), (AWC) 24.

Def. Ri Jun-ll, Club- Sobaeksu (North Korea), (AWC) 22.

Def. Kim Yong-Jun, Club- Chengdu Blades (China), (AWC) 24.

CDM. Ahn Young-Hak, Club- Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea), (AWC) 31.

Mid. Kim Kuk-Jin, Club- FC Concordia Basel, (AWC) 21.

Mid. Choe Myong Ho, Club- FC Krylia Sovetov Samara (Russia), (AWC) 21. Is a club teammate of South Korean player Oh Beom-Seok.

Mid. Ryan Yon-Gi, Club- Vegalta Sendai (Japan), (AWC) 28. Is the captain of the Japanese club he plays for.

ST. Hong Yong-Jo captain, Club- FC Rostov (Russia), (AWC) 28.

ST. Jong Tae-Se, Club- Kawasaki Frontale, (AWC) 26. Could of also played for the South Korean or Japanese national teams.

Subs

Gk. Kim Myong-Gil, Club- Amrokgang (North Korea), (AWC) 25.

Gk. Ju Kwang-Min, Club- Kigwancha (North Korea), (AWC) 20.

Def. Ri Kwang-Chon, Club- April 25 (North Korea), (AWC) 24.

Def. An Chol-Hyok, Club- Rimyongsu (North Korea), (AWC) 24.

Def. Ji Yun-Nam, Club- April 25 (North Korea), (AWC) 25.

Def. Pak Chol-Jin, Club- Armokgang (North Korea), (AWC) 25.

Mid. Mun In-Guk, Club- April 25 (North Korea), (AWC) 31.

Mid. Pak Song-Chol, Club- Rimyongsu (North Korea), (AWC) 22.

Mid. Kim Kyong-ll, Club- Rimtongsu (North Korea), (AWC) 21.

Mid. Kim Song-Chol, Club- Kigwancha (North Korea), (AWC) 26.

ST. Kim Kum-ll, Club- April 25 (North Korea), (AWC) 22. Was voted Most Valuable Player at the Under-20 AFC Youth Championship in 2006.

ST. Kim Myong-Won, Club- Amrokgang (North Korea), (AWC) 26.

The Coach

North Korea's national team is currently coached by North Korean Kim Jong-Hun.

North Korea's strengths

With most of the squad playing in the North Korean league extensive training camps have been organised for the national team in the past. North Korea could do this again in preparation for the World Cup. These training camps have lead to the the North Korean players having a high level of familiarity with their teammates individual strengths and weakness during a match.

North Korea's weakness

With only seven players playing outside of North Korea, the squad has a lack of experience playing against the various different styles and systems used in football that they will face at the World Cup. To add to this problem the standard of football played in the North Korean league is poor.

North Korea's style

Defensive counter-attacking football.

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on the Netherlands

The Netherlands were the first European team to qualify for 2010 World Cup. This is the Netherlands squad I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa next June and July.

First 11

GK. Edwin van der Sar captain, Club- Manchester United, Age at World Cup (AWC) 39. Has won the Champions League twice, once with Ajax and once with Manchester Untied.

RB. Khalid Boulahrouz, Club- Stuttgart, (AWC) 28. Is nicknamed the 'Khalid the Cannibal' for his physical approach.

CB. John Heitinga, Club- Atletico Madrid, (AWC) 26. Has already played at one World Cup and two European championships.

CB. Joris Mathijsen, Club- Hamburger SV, (AWC) 30. Can also play as a left back.

LB. Edson Braafheid, Club- FC Bayern Munich, (AWC) 27.

CDM. Mark van Bommel, Club- Bayern Munich, (AWC) 33. Is the son in law of of the current Dutch national team manager.

RM. Dirk Kuyt, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 29. Kuyt is not your typical Dutch player, with his most noticed attributes being his work rate and endurance.

LW. Arjen Robben, Club- Bayern Munich, (AWC) 26. Has won the Dutch league title, English league title (twice) and the Spanish league title.

CAM. Wesley Sneijder, Club- Inter Milan, (AWC) 26. Sneijder is part of a strong football family, his father was a player, his older brother played in the Dutch league and his younger brother is in the Ajax youth academy.

ST. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Club- Real Madrid, (AWC) 33. Is currently the second highest goalscorer in Champions league history, and has been a top goalscorer in three different European domestic leagues.

ST. Robin van Persie, Club- Arsenal, (AWC) 26. Can also play as a left winger.

Subs

GK. Maarten Stekelenburg, Club- Ajax, (AWC) 27. In a friendly against Australia Stekelenburg was sent off, he become the first goalkeeper of the Dutch national team to ever receive a red card.

GK. Michel Vorm, Club- FC Utrecht, (AWC) 26. In 2006 he was a member of the Netherlands squad that won the UEFA Under-21 Championship.

RB. Gregory van der Wiel, Club- Ajax, (AWC) 22.

CB. Andre Ooijer, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 35. Won the Eredivisie title fives times in his first spell with PSV Eindhoven.

CB. Dirk Marcellis, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 22. Is said to have the potential to fill the hole in the Dutch defence left by the retired Japp Stam.

LB. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Club- Feyenoord, (AWC) 35. Has already played in two World Cups (1998, 2006), and three European Championships (2000,2004,2008).

CDM. Nigel de Jong, Club- Manchester City, (AWC) 25. Is the son of former Dutch football international Jerry de Jong.

RW. Romeo Castelen, Club- Hamburger SV, (AWC) 27.

LW. Ryan Babel, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 23. Can also play as a striker.

CAM. Rafael van der Vaart, Club- Real Madrid, (AWC) 27. Has already earned 68 caps for the national team.

FOW. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 26.

FOW. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Club- Hull, (AWC) 31. After making his international debut 2000 he did not score his first goal for Holland until 2007.

The Coach

The Netherlands is the first international team Bert van Marwijk has coached. Previously he has coached various club sides in the Netherlands including Feyenoord, who he won the UEFA Cup with in 2002. Bert van Marwijk has also coached German club Borussia Dortmund.

The Netherlands strengths

The Netherlands are one of the best national teams in the world, the main reason for this is their quality midfielders and forwards.

The Netherlands weakness

Although good players the Netherlands defenders are not of the same quality individually or as group of the midfielders or forwards. Also if Edwin van der Sar stays internationally retired the other Netherlands goalkeepers have yet to prove the quality on the international stage. Lack of depth on the right side of midfield is also a problem, other then Dirk Kuyt who was converted to a right mid by his club, the Netherlands don't have many options for that position.