What An Uproar!

by Clinton Ooi

The Queensland Roar have started the 2006/2007 A-League season with a bang. Since its inception into the inaugural season last year, the Roar have had a glowing reputation of playing slick attacking football, creating a lot of chances, but also had a notorious knack of not being able to finish most of them.

So what culminated was a lot of hoo-hah and a disappointing 6th placed finish, meaning not qualifying for the finals. With the off-season proving to be further non-enthusing because of:

• the sale of key strikers Alex Brosque (Sydney FC) & Michael Baird (Uni Craiova)
• no significant additions to the coaching staff
• no statement of intent to signify any impending changes

Hence, things seemed pretty bleak.

Hoewever, 1 month later and now Queensland are top two of the table unbeaten, with 3 wins and a draw. The best part is they are scoring goals right, left and centre. The 5-0 trashing of the New Zealand Knights at Suncorp has made it 11 goals in 4 games with 2 conceded and 3 clean sheets.

These are amazing stats bearing in mind last season's troubles. So what was the chief changes of keys to the success so far if you like. Well, I'm glad you asked the question:

1. Signing 4 strikers from 4 continents: Simon Lynch (Dundee), Ante Milicic (Newcastle Jets), Reinaldo (Brazilian signed from last season) and Yuning Zhang (Shanghai) has given the Roar a totally new look, potent and balanced attacking line.
2. The Emergence of Matt McKay: His 2 goals against the Knights and recent call up to the Socceroos squad speaks of the massive improvement of the Brisbane native.
3. An Improved backline: 3 clean sheets were not expected after the sale of last season's first choice keeper Scott Higgins to Falkirk, Scotland. However, Luke Willis has stepped up while Liam Reddy (Jets) has proved to be an excellent acquisition.
4. Sasa Ognenovski: This tough tackling and heart on sleeve defensive player has added that bit of grunt to last season's tamer roar. Signed from the Fawkner/Whittlesea Blues in the Victorian State League, he may yet prove to be the one that prevents the team from Victoria to emerge victorious.

So the question remains, just as Portsmouth in the EPL: Can the Roar keep this going?

Time will tell...

Inter-necine

by Clinton Ooi

As the new season gets underway in Serie A, Nezzazurri fans could not be faulted for having a feeling of optimism. The demise of 'champions' Juventus to Serie B, the docking of 8 championship points of housemates, AC Milan & the awarding of the 2005/06 league title (their first in... well let's just say eons).

You noticed, I haven't even begun to drop names and speak about Inter's summer imitation of Chelsea (2004) & Real Madrid (well... Fiorentino Perez). So now I am...

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juve)
• Patrick Vieira (Juve)
• Fabio Grosso (Palermo)
• Hernan Crespo (Chelsea)
• Olivier Dacourt (Roma)

All world class names who would slot into any good first eleven in the world (apart from Dacourt of course).

These are in addition to last season's squad stars like:

• Adriano
• Estaban Cambiasso
• Marco Materazzi
• Luis Figo
• Ivan Cordoba
• Javier Zanetti

Q: So, Inter favourites for the title?

A: Far from it!

To be honest, I don't think Inter could win the title even if they signed Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry. Yes, football is a game won on the field. However, there are an array of off-field elements that could be as influential, if not more influential.

Here are the reasons why:

1. The transfer policy - Inter have always had a big squad, too big and inbalanced in my opinion.
2. The Gaffer - For a club of Inter's stature and rich history, they always seem to make the wrong choice for the top job. I like Roberto Mancini but I am not convinced he could lead Inter to the Serie A title... legitimately and on equal grounds.
3. Lack of luck - Inter can be classed as the 'graveyard' of football. Stars that come here, either do not perform or have career stalled for various reasons ie Ronaldo's injury curse and Dennis Bergkamp's insignificance.
4. The Shoot-myself-in-the-Foot tendency - They have a knack to losing the 'unlosable' games and watch this space. I will put myself out on the limb that by season's end we will be writing about either AC Milan's repentance and redemption or Roma's emergence and maturation of it's new generation.

So while the blue half of the San Siro may be singing now, watch out for the fat lady, she's waming up on the touchline.