Hewitt captures Kooyong title

Champion ... Hewitt was far too strong for del Potro in the Kooyong Classic final. Source: William West / AAP

Lleyton Hewitt has crushed world No.7 Juan Martin del Potro to win the Kooyong Classic.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hewitt breezed through the match in just 66 minutes, winning 6-1 6-4.

The victory sent out a clear warning to his Australian Open rivals, especially Janko Tipsarevic, the highly-ranked but injured player Hewitt meets in the first round.

From the start, Hewitt displayed vintage form, baffling Argentine del Potro with his sharp serving and crafty returns.

The Australian broke serve at will, surging through the first set in just 27 minutes with three breaks.

The 31-year-old seized an early break in the second set for a 2-0 lead but faced a brief fightback as the Argentinian claimed his first service break to trail 3-4.

Hewitt steadied though and took the crucial break in the 10th game.

It was the second time Hewitt had played at Kooyong and his second title victory after winning the tournament in 2011.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forgotten van Dijk to save Reds

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Striker ... Sergio van Dijk looks set to return for Adelaide United. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Adelaide United's forgotten frontman Sergio van Dijk will return to selection favour to cover the latest injury among the A-League contenders.

Van Dijk, who has told the club he wants to leave when his contract expires at season's end, will be summoned in the wake of striker Bruce Djite's groin injury.

Djite was helped from Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night just 80 seconds into Adelaide's 3-2 win against Perth Glory.

His absence compounds the Reds' recent losses of Fabio Ferreira (groin), Nigel Boogard (calf) and Marcelo Carrusca (groin).

Coach John Kosmina described the injury spate as "no big deal'' for the second-placed Reds, while lamenting Djite's poor luck.

"It's the way Bruce's season has gone,'' Kosmina said.

"He could have, with a bit of luck, had a hat-trick against Sydney two weeks ago and then he tweaked a groin in the first minute.

"It's just one of those things, he has lots of issues with groin tightness on the other side so there is a bit of imbalance there.''

Kosmina said his squad had the depth to cover injuries, including van Dijk, the league's Golden Boot winner two seasons ago.

Van Dijk has played just three games this season and rarely featured on the substitutes bench amid a frosty relationship with Adelaide hierarchy.

Van Dijk wants to play in Indonesia and last week United chairman Greg Griffin said there was "zero'' chance of the striker being in Adelaide next season.

Asked if Djite's injury put van Dijk in the selection frame again, Kosmina replied: "It does - if Serg doesn't go to Indonesia.

"He's playing in the youth team again on Sunday and all things being equal, he would be into the squad next week.''

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fulham join race for Rogic

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Tom Rogic ... is proving a popular man for potential European suitors. Source:News Limited

The interest in rising Socceroos star Tom Rogic has intensified with English Premier League side Fulham becoming the latest overseas side keen to sign the 20 year old.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Fox Sports can reveal the London club is looking at securing the services of the attacking midfielder as he begins a training stint with Celtic during their winter break in Spain.

Fulham have been monitoring Rogic's progress for some time and are now believed to be considering making an offer amid anticipation of an official bid from the Scottish giants.

The A-League's hottest prospect has already knocked back the chance to sign with Premier League strugglers Reading amid fears they may be relegated. Fulham, currently sitting in 13th place, represent a far more secure option.

Also of potential appeal to the Rogic camp is that the Cottagers' Australian links run deep. Should he sign with the club, he'll be the fourth Aussie on their books joining first team goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as well as youngsters Ryan Williams (brother of Socceroo Rhys) and Corey Gameiro (on loan at FC Eindhoven).

A move to football's biggest league would cap off a whirlwind 12 months for Rogic that has seen him win the 'Nike Chance' competition, light up the A-League with a series of eye catching performances for the Mariners, and win the first of his now four Socceroos caps.

A possible stumbling block to the move is his ability to secure a work permit, having failed to play in 75% of Australia's games over the past year, but UK immigration authorities could provide special case dispensation due to his undoubted potential.

---

Can the Mariners cope without Rogic? Watch them tackle Melbourne Victory LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Fox Sports 1 and 1HD from 5pm (EDT) on Saturday.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Friday Focus: A-League springboard

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Shining stars ... Tom Rogic and Mat Ryan have been courted by European sides this January. Source: Mark Scott / News Limited

Europe's silly season has got football fans in a spin and the A-League hasn't been spared from the craziness that is the January transfer window.

Which A-League player would be the biggest hit in Europe?

The introduction of the big three marquees and the form of Melbourne Victory's 'Kiwi Messi' Marco Rojas has helped lift the on-field quality of the A-League - and European clubs have stood up and began to take notice.

Ladder-leading Central Coast Mariners have seen top talents Mat Ryan, Tom Rogic and Bernie Ibini, courted by the likes of fallen Scottish giants Rangers, Barclays Premier League side Reading and Belgian outfit Club Brugge.

Mariners will do well to keep all three, while Marco Rojas, the A-League's form player, has decided to remain in Australia until at least the end of the season.

Has the rise in quality transformed the A-League into a springboard for players to move to the world's top clubs?

Should the game be doing more to retain its brightest stars against the lure of the bright lights of Europe?

---

Watch Kick Off, tonight at 6.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1 and 1HD, as Mel McLaughlin and Andy Harper discuss whether A-League's role in the development of players.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Michu won't leave Swansea: Laudrup

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Staying put ... Laudrup believes Michu will stay at Swansea City. Source: Alastair Grant / AP

Michael Laudrup insists Michu will stay with Swansea during the January transfer after the Spanish striker put his side in sight of a place in the English League Cup final.

Swansea manager Laudrup described the forward as the "bargain of the season'' following a 2-0 win away over European champions Chelsea in the first leg of their semi-final tie - the Welsh club's first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1925.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Michu, signed for STG2 million ($A3 million) from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, scored his 16th goal in 25 appearances this season to give Swansea a 39th-minute lead in west London.

His goal tally has made Michu a coveted target but Laudrup believes the 26-year-old's recent form had put him out of reach of all but Europe's wealthiest clubs.

"We all know the situation, the economic situation in the world, so there really aren't that many clubs who can buy him,'' Denmark great Laudrup said.

"There are some here in England. In Spain, there are only two. Italy, I don't think so,'' he added. "They're trying to sell. Bayern Munich in Germany ... so only a few, few clubs.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	21	17	1	3	26	52
2	Man City	21	13	6	2	22	45
3	Tottenham	21	12	3	6	12	39
4	Chelsea	20	11	5	4	20	38
5	Everton	21	9	9	3	9	36
6	Arsenal	20	9	7	4	18	34
7	West Brom	21	10	3	8	2	33
8	Liverpool	21	8	7	6	8	31
9	Swansea	21	7	8	6	5	29
10	Stoke	21	6	11	4	1	29
11	West Ham	20	7	5	8	0	26
12	Norwich	21	6	7	8	-10	25
13	Fulham	21	6	6	9	-5	24
14	Sunderland	21	5	7	9	-8	22
15	Newcastle	21	5	5	11	-12	20
16	Aston Villa	21	4	7	10	-24	19
17	Southampton	20	4	6	10	-11	18
18	Wigan	21	5	3	13	-17	18
19	Reading	21	2	7	12	-17	13
20	QPR	21	2	7	12	-19	13

"And Michu likes it here. He's happy where he is, so I'm really not afraid because I'm so sure he will stay with us for the next five or six months. I don't know in the summer.

"I don't know how much he's worth - ask my chairman. He was the bargain of the season - we know that. But we're happy we've found the right players.''

Turning to Michu's tally, Laudrup said: "What he is doing, in terms of goals, is incredible particularly when you think he's never been a number nine (striker).

---

Read all the transfer whispers surrounding Swansea City star Michu

---

"He's always been a midfielder coming from deeper. But one chance, one goal today. That's incredible. You'd pay a lot of money for that.''

Victory moved Swansea, who face Chelsea in the return leg at their Liberty Stadium home on January 23, closer to a first major cup final appearance.

But Laudrup refused to accept his side were favourites to go through and play fourth-tier Bradford or Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

"We have a realistic possibility, but there's still a mountain to climb,'' he said with an unlikely final against Bradford looming after the Bantams' 3-1 first leg win over Villa on Tuesday.

Mistakes from Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic allowed Michu and Danny Graham to clinch victory and inflict a second successive home defeat on Chelsea.

But Rafael Benitez insisted there were plenty of positives to draw from the performance, despite being jeered once again by Blues' supporters.

"I think the team were doing really well, had a lot of chances and could have scored two or three in the first half, but made two mistakes and paid for them. That is the reality,'' interim manager Benitez said.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ibini to trial with Club Brugge

Trial ... Bernie Ibini to trial with Club Brugge. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

Central Coast Mariners could be set to lose another young star with striker Bernie Ibini headed abroad for a trial at Belgian heavyweights Club Brugge.

Ibini will travel to Belgium on Sunday to link up with the Jupiler Pro League side after the Mariners' clash with Melbourne Victory in Tasmania.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Club Brugge extended the trial invitation to Ibini and the Mariners overnight, with the 20-year-old expressing his eagerness to explore the opportunity, the club says.

The pacey forward will now miss next Saturday's F3 Derby with Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium, but is due to return from the 10-day trial in time for the Mariners' round 18 clash with high-flying Adelaide United.

Ibini, who has scored 11 goals in his 49 appearances since making his senior debut at the Mariners in 2010, is under contract with the club until the end of the 2013/14 season.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But should the Mariners receive a worthwhile offer from the Belgian side he could be gone as early as next month.

The January transfer window could wreak havoc on the table-topping Mariners' championship hopes with playmaker Tomas Rogic, who is off contract at the end of this season, flying out to Spain on Thursday for a trial at Scottish Premier League side Celtic.

Meanwhile, boom goalkeeper Mat Ryan, also a free agent after this season, has had his trial with Scottish fourth-tier club Rangers postponed due to a shoulder injury.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pulver appointed as new ARU CEO

Businessman Bill Pulver (L) has been confirmed as the new boss of the Australian Rugby Union. Source: AAP

BILL Pulver, the father of collar bomb hoax victim Madeleine, says he believes he's finally found his true calling after being appointed as the new chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).

The multimillionaire businessman was unveiled on Wednesday as the replacement for long-serving former CEO John O'Neill.

Pulver, who landed the job ahead of 50 people worldwide who had expressed interest and 14 interviewed candidates, has served as CEO of companies in Australia, Japan, the UK and the US for the past two decades.

A former rugby player with the University of NSW, Pulver is relishing the switch to sporting administration with the ARU.

"I'm 53 years old and I think I've finally discovered what I wanted to do with my life," Pulver said.

"I have for the last 20 years been a chief executive working in a very-diverse range of industries and now I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take those CEO skills and apply them to the game I love."

"I feel like this is a civic duty ... I'm delighted to be here. Today I feel like the luckiest man alive. This is a dream come true for me. I feel privileged to be appointed to this role. Rugby has an extremely exciting future in Australia."

Pulver said he had the full support of his family as he takes on one of Australian sports' most high profile and demanding roles.

He also briefly mentioned the collar bomb incident which received such widespread media attention and of which Paul Douglas Peters was found guilty of and sentenced to at least 10 years jail.

"My family are rugby tragics ... I am licking my lips of what is ahead." Pulver said.

"Rugby is a subject that we will all be happy to talk about."

Sitting alongside ARU chairman and former schoolmate and teammate ARU chairman Michael Hawker, Pulver gave his unqualified support to embattled Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

"Robbie will be coaching Australia right through until the end of 2013," he said.

Pulver also moved to put the Quade Cooper saga behind the ARU.

Cooper's claims of a "toxic environment" under Deans created headlines in 2012 but the new CEO insisted it was not an issue he would bring up with the Wallabies player group when he meets with them.

Pulver starts work on February 1.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Deans gets backing for all of 2013

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Backing ... Deans has the full support of the board and new CEO. Source: Tom Hevezi / AAP

New Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver has wasted no time in giving his full backing to under-fire Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Pulver, who before Wednesday was most well-known as the father of fake collar bomb victim Madeleine, was unveiled as John O'Neill's replacement after an extensive worldwide search.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Before his appointment, there was much speculation surrounding the future of Deans, and some saw the arrival of a new CEO as an opportunity for a clean-out of sorts in the Wallabies coaching setup.

But Pulver gave his unequivocal backing to the 53-year-old New Zealander for the entire 2013 season, including the British and Irish Lions series.

"Last week Mike (ARU chairman Michael Hawker) on behalf of the board of directors confirmed that Robbie will be the coach throughout 2013 and that is 100 per cent consistent with my personal view.

"To be absolutely clear Robbie will be coaching the Wallabies right throughout 2013. And at that point we'll then be considering the ... coach through to the World Cup in 2015."

Pulver was frank in his assessment of the Wallabies' global standing at the moment.

"We're currently ranked No.3 which frankly is probably where we deserve to be," Pulver said.

"New Zealand have set the benchmark for international rugby over the last couple of years and I think that's to be applauded.

"But let me tell you we clearly aspire that number one position and there will be a real sense of urgency around achieving that.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Monster' Williams wins second title

NFL bound ... Australia's Jesse Williams leads Alabama to college glory. Source: AAP

Australia's man mountain Jesse Williams has booked himself a multi-million dollar contract in the NFL after a brutally dominant performance on American college football's grandest stage.

Williams' University of Alabama crushed No.1-ranked Notre Dame 42-14 in the BCS Championship game in Miami, Florida.

It was Alabama and Williams' second successive BCS Championship after upsetting Louisiana State University 21-0 last year, and appeared as though it would be the the perfect send-off for the Queenslander after two years with the team known as the Crimson Tide.

However, midway through the final quarter Williams suffered a leg injury.

It was not immediately clear how serious the injury was, but Williams' performance before he was helped off the field received rave reviews.

"Jesse can play in the NFL,'' ESPN commentator Brent Musberger announced to the estimated 25 million Americans tuning in to the TV telecast after Williams' versatility sealed Notre Dame's fate late in the first half.

The 193cm tall, 145kg hulking 22-year-old plays nose tackle, the most physically-demanding position on the Tide's defensive line, but close to the end zone head coach Nick Saban tosses Williams into the offensive unit as a battering ram.

It worked perfectly in the second quarter, with Williams opening a hole for running back TJ Yeldon to stroll through for a touchdown and give Alabama a 21-0 lead.

Williams is expected to be snapped up by either Pittsburgh Steelers or Indianapolis Colts in the first round of NFL Draft in New York on April 25.

Williams, born on Thursday Island and raised in Brisbane, played basketball and rugby before trying gridiron as a 14-year-old with the Brisbane's Bayside Ravens.

University of Hawaii scouts spotted him as a 16-year-old, but he eventually moved to the US in 2011 to play for Arizona Western College, a stint that caught the eye of Alabama and more than 20 other major college programs.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

FFA defends "crazy" transfer rules

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Frank Farina ... 'It's strange that he can't play for those two weeks.' Source: TRACEY NEARMY / AAP

A-League chief Damien de Bohun has defended the timing of the competition's transfer window which has left Sydney FC waiting on a gun striker they signed almost a month ago.

The cellar-dwelling Sky Blues had former Newcastle Jets marquee Joel Griffiths signed, sealed and delivered on December 14.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	15	10	3	2	15	33
2	Adelaide	15	9	2	4	7	29
3	Victory	15	8	2	5	0	26
4	Western Sydney	15	7	2	6	4	23
5	Perth	15	5	4	6	2	19
6	Heart	15	5	3	7	-2	18
7	Brisbane	15	5	2	8	0	17
8	Newcastle	15	5	2	8	-9	17
9	Wellington	15	4	4	7	-3	16
10	Sydney	15	4	2	9	-14	14

In seasons past, Griffiths would have joined Sydney FC when his contract with Shanghai Shenhua finished at the end of last year.

However, under the current rules he's not allowed to start until Australia's transfer window opens on January 14.

It's a situation Sydney FC coach Frank Farina, whose side are at the foot of the table and have been decimated by injury over the past month, labelled "crazy" and "strange" on Tuesday.

De Bohun says changes to the transfer window dates made before last season were intended to help protect sides that had their brightest young stars poached by European clubs in the first two weeks of the year.

"The main rationale for this change was to allow clubs to sign new players during the relevant European registration windows," de Bohun said.

"While also allowing clubs to sign new players after the European registration periods close, enabling clubs to replace players that move late in the relevant transfer windows."

Farina said the rule should be tweaked in cases like Griffiths', and Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata has already declared he will bring the issue up with Football Federation Australia.

"FFA has an ongoing dialogue with all clubs however a formal review process for league matters doesn't occur until the conclusion of the season,'' de Bohun said.

Most Asian leagues' transfer periods have already started and Farina felt it was wrong for the FFA to force Griffiths to spend two weeks on the sidelines.

"I don't agree with the window here at the moment," Farina said after the Sky Blues' trained in sweltering heat on Tuesday.

"It's not as if he (Griffiths) is still contracted to a club - but he can't start playing until the 14th which, for me, is crazy.

"It's strange that he can't play for those two weeks.

"In good faith they put the dates down thinking it was going to be the best thing for the league but for us, in our situation, it's not."

Farina, who promised to attack the competition's transfer window "rock hard", is still in the hunt for a central defender but admitted "it's a bit of a tall ask at this stage".

"We can look hard but we've got to find one - one that's ready to play right now, and is available."

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Renegades look to replace Samuels

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Bloodied and bruised ... Samuels cops a Malinga bouncer. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

The top-placed Melbourne Renegades will look at replacing controversial West Indian all-rounder Marlon Samuels with another overseas player if a suspected serious eye injury ends his Big Bash League campaign.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Samuels, who faces Cricket Australia charges over a heated exchange with Melbourne Stars skipper Shane Warne on Sunday night at the MCG, sustained a suspected broken eye socket courtesy of a Lasith Malinga bouncer.

The Renegades said they were still to learn the full extent of the damage.

"We're now waiting for the swelling around his eye to subside before determining the full extent of the blow,'' coach Simon Helmot said.

"We are also assessing what, if anything, this means in terms of squad composition for the remainder of the tournament and will take action to source an international replacement if necessary.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"You've got to feel for Marlon and we're continuing to do everything we can as a team to support him during his recovery.''

Samuels' tight off-spin bowling and hard hitting have helped the Renegades.

---

See every Big Bash blow-up at the Fox Sports KFC T20 page.

---

But his season has been drama-packed, culminating in Sunday night's run-in with Warne, which has resulted in a one-match ban and $4500 fine for the Australian leg-spin great.

Samuels' bowling action was questioned by Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann earlier in the competition and he was also involved in a heated exchange with Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry last week.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

While the Renegades sealed top spot and a home semi-final with their win over the Stars, Samuels' injury is not the only setback to their campaign.

Captain Aaron Finch, the competition's top run-scorer, will miss Wednesday night's SCG clash with the Sydney Sixers due to international duty, which could also keep him out of their semi-final and final, if they make it.

Fellow opener Alex Doolan is being tested for an ankle injury sustained on Sunday night, although Ben Rohrer is expected to return against the Sixers after missing the Stars clash with a minor leg injury.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cricket boss sees benefit of stoush

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Not all bad ... James Sutherland sees some positives in the Warne-Samuels stoush. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland believes Sunday night's altercation between Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels has been good for the promotion of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sutherland said he didn't condone Warne's actions, for which the Stars skipper copped a one-match ban and a $4500 fine.

But he said Warne's outburst at Samuels would create a stronger rivalry between the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"To be honest I thought it looked like two teams playing in front of a very big crowd in a highly charged environment with a lot at stake," Sutherland said.

"That was my observation of it and from time to time things cross the line in that scenario ...

"I'm not in anyway condoning breaches of our code of behaviour, but what we saw last night at the MCG was a huge crowd ... and two teams which had a lot at stake, basically vying for top of the table in the Big Bash League.

"...Players are entertainers, they're putting on a show, but first and foremost they're also sportsmen who are competing for big prizes and I think whilst we can stand here and say we don't condone anything that happened last night, this sort of thing is probably something that only inspires a greater rivalry between the Renegades and the Stars and creates greater interest for the Big Bash League."

Sutherland said he had not seen the incident in full. 

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Your say: the starting XI of 2012

Three of the best ... Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Vincent Kompany. Source: AAP

It's certainly the stuff of dreams. Imagine the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, Pirlo and Ramos in the same team.

Well, we now can. Welcome to foxsports.com.au's team of 2012.

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas

Defenders: Vincent Kompany, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique

Midfielders: Andres Iniesta, Andrea Pirlo, Eden Hazard

Strikers: Lionel Messi, Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo

Ahead of FIFA's announcement of the Ballon d'Or winner and team of the year on Tuesday (EDT), we asked users to put together their starting XI of 2012 based on a 4-3-3 formation.

And the result is a starting X1 that can only be described as amazing.

Seven players from La Liga, three from the Barclays Premier League and one from Serie A.

Even though he suffered through a tumultuous end to 2012, Real Madrid and Spain star Iker Casillas is our goalkeeper.

He comfortably outpolled the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Joe Hart, Manuel Neuer and Petr Cech.

The back four wasn't as straight forward though. Up to 10 names featured prominently before Vincent Kompany, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique got the nod.

Kompany, who captained Manchester City to their breakthrough EPL crown last season, topped the voting with 11.19 per cent.

Class certainly prevailed in the choice of the three players in the centre of the park.

Perennial Ballon d'Or candidate Andres Iniesta grabbed the most votes followed by Italian Euro 2012 star Andrea Pirlo. Rising Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard beat out the likes of David Silva, Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez to pick up the final spot.

The three-pronged strike-force virtually picked itself, although Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly languished behind Radamel Falcao.

Lionel Messi, the overwhelming favourite for yet another Ballon D'or, grabbed 30.08 per cent of the strikers vote and was clearly the most desired player in the polls.

How close you came to FIFA's choice will be revealed early on Tuesday morning (EDT).

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heart hold off Roar for tense win

In the clear ... Fred celebrates as his goal puts the Heart 3-0 up. Source: Stephen Harman / News Limited

Ten-man Melbourne Heart have staved off a huge comeback from Brisbane Roar to win 3-2 at AAMI Park and leap into the A-League top six.

In a match packed with twists and turns - the key ones coming from referee Alan Milliner and his linesman - the Heart threatened to squander a 3-0 lead inside the final 17 minutes on Sunday.

Both teams were given a game-changing controversial decision.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	14	9	3	2	13	30
2	Adelaide	15	9	2	4	7	29
3	Victory	15	8	2	5	0	26
4	Western Sydney	14	7	2	5	6	23
5	Perth	15	5	4	6	2	19
6	Heart	15	5	3	7	-2	18
7	Brisbane	15	5	2	8	0	17
8	Newcastle	15	5	2	8	-9	17
9	Wellington	15	4	4	7	-3	16
10	Sydney	15	4	2	9	-14	14

Heart's second goal was clearly offside and swung the momentum of the match the home side's way, while Heart striker David Williams' send-off in the 67th minute did the same for the Roar.

The Heart scored against the run of play after 13 minutes with their first chance to that point, when Richard Garcia unlocked the Roar's defence with a sublime ball for Williams to swoop and net.

The Roar had been in total control of possession, and did so again even trailing by a goal, but were brought undone by a controversial linesman's decision in the 35th minute.

---

Re-live the game as it happened with our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights and all the key stats!

---

Striker Josip Tadic was clearly offside when put through by Michael Marrone.

But the linesman missed it and Milliner awarded a goal - the Croatian's fifth of the season - to give the Heart a 2-0 halftime lead.

Brisbane's defensive frailties alone were responsible for the Heart's third goal eight minutes after halftime.

Fullback Aziz Behich was able to run unchecked down the left, then send a cross to unmarked Fred to slot home.

The Roar then were given a window of opportunity when Williams was given a straight red card which looked harsh with 23 minutes left for a crude challenge on Roar fullback Ivan Franjic.

The Heart's self-destructive tendencies, combined with Brisbane's better composure on the ball and Thomas Broich's industry in midfield, then threatened the mother of all comebacks.

Fred gave away a penalty in the 74th minute when he clumsily ploughed into Ben Halloran's back, and Besart Berisha made no mistake.

Then Berisha struck again two minutes later when Broich set him up delightfully, and the Albanian made it 3-2 and a nervous last few minutes for the Heart, before they eventually hung on.

It was the first time the Heart have posted back-to-back wins in an inconsistent season to date and allowed them to leapfrog the Roar into the top six.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More