The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia's leading newspaper.

Monday November 5, 2007

Victory snatch loss from jaws of victory

MELBOURNE coach Ernie Merrick was devastated that after dominating the game with 10 men and scoring first, the Victory went home with nothing. Central Coast coach Lawrie McKinna knew he had dodged a hail of bullets.

Sydney back on map: Kosmina

TRIUMPHANT Sydney FC coach John Kosmina says his side is back in the thick of the finals race but remains cautious despite maintaining his 100 per cent start at the club.

Sunday November 4, 2007

No more Glory for sacked Smith

Sydney FC's resurgence continued under John Kosmina while Perth Glory finally lost patience with coach Ron Smith as the A-League season reached its halfway mark this weekend.

Late goal gives Mariners victory

A stunning late strike by defender Tom Pondeljak gave Central Coast a thrilling come-from-behind A-League win, 2-1 over a nine-man Melbourne at Bluetongue Stadium today.

Kick-off has come late, but our new national plan should lift us into the world's premier league

If the path to salvation begins with acceptance, this week was a huge step forward for the game of the people, the moment when Australian football faced its past and plotted a grand new future, writes Craig Foster.

Bridges strikes as Sydney run red hot

MARQUEE player Juninho exited centre stage at half-time with a re-injured shoulder and left it to another international star to do the business for Sydney FC against high-flying Newcastle last night. And Michael Bridges willingly obliged.

Saturday November 3, 2007

Phoenix win puts more pressure on Smith

Wellington extended Perth Glory's miserable winless streak - and could have ended coach Ron Smith's time in charge - with a 1-0 win.

Friday November 2, 2007

Reinaldo blasts Roar to win over Adelaide

Brazilian striker Reinaldo ended Adelaide United's three-game winning streak with a fierce second half volley as Queensland Roar claimed a precious 1-0 win at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Kossie's moral victory boosts Sydney cause

JOHN KOSMINA has had his second victory as Sydney coach - this time off the field.

Con's old style autocracy the wind beneath Jets' wings

The players aren't the only ones kicking goals for Newcastle, writes Michael Cockerill.

Thursday November 1, 2007

Juninho backs Lowy bid for 2018 World Cup

Sydney FC's World Cup winning Brazilian Juninho has thrown his support behind Frank Lowy's ambitious plan to bring soccer's main event to Australia in 2018.

New Reds signing to leave Bajic on the outer

Adelaide United appear likely to hand goalkeeping duties for Friday night's match against Queensland Roar to new signing Eugene Galekovic, barely two days after his arrival.

Victory to fight Pantelidis elbow ban

For the second time in as many A-League seasons, Melbourne Victory will defend one of their players banned for dangerously elbowing a rival.

Milan, Liverpool … FFA lines up top clubs

VISITS by big-name European clubs such as AC Milan and Juventus could be back on the program next winter as Football Federation Australia considers a bold revamp of its pre-season competition.

Tuesday October 30, 2007

Pantelidis handed three-match ban

Melbourne Victory defender Steve Pantelidis was today banned for three A-League matches after being sent off for elbowing Newcastle striker Joel Griffiths in the 2-0 loss to the Jets.

Injured Reds 'keeper to miss eight weeks

Adelaide United goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame says he's gutted at being told he'll miss the next eight weeks of the A-League season because of a thigh injury.

Monday October 29, 2007

Giantkillers Sydney show new grit

Before yesterday, this year's version of Sydney FC would have found a way to give up at least two of the three points they earned against Central Coast.

Kossie pulls one out of the box

JOHN KOSMINA arrived with a coffee and took his seat behind a pane of glass. He adjusted his neck tie, tugged at his shirt collar and took a sip from the paper cup.

Bridges pleases on debut

ENGLISH striker Michael Bridges was enthusiastic about Sydney's chances of coming from deep on the competition table and winning their second A-League title after his Australian debut coincided with a return to form by the team yesterday.

Sunday October 28, 2007

Adelaide United claim top spot

Adelaide United came from behind to thrash Wellington Phoenix 4-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium and claim top spot in the A-League.

Coaching woes run deep

Sydney FC had the right coaching strategy from day one, they just had the wrong execution, writes Craig Foster.

Last minute goal seals draw

Perth Glory snatched a last-minute equaliser to salvage a remarkable 3-3 draw against the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Stars on notice as Sydney draw up hit list

SYDNEY FC bosses will meet tomorrow to discuss a clean-out of playing staff before next season.

Saturday October 27, 2007

Sydney's other debutant out to impress

WHILE star import Michael Bridges admits he's been taken aback by Sydney FC's sudden change of coaches, he's pledged to produce "something different" when he makes his debut in tomorrow's crunch game against Central Coast Mariners at Sydney Football Stadium.

Friday October 26, 2007

Jets perform Victory roll

Newcastle punched a gaping hole in Melbourne's A-League title defence tonight with a clever, hard-fought 2-0 win over a 10-man Victory at Telstra Dome.

The human headline writ large in FFA's future

Frank Lowy runs the game, and he likes John Kosmina. Otherwise Kosmina wouldn't be back in the A-League, occupying the hottest seat in the competition. The one belonging to Lowy's club, Sydney FC.

Putting the spark back into Sydney

John Kosmina is thrilled to be back in the A-League and the Harbour City. He spoke to Michael Cockerill.

Buck stops with you, Kosmina tells his players

JOHN KOSMINA did not have a lot to say to the Sydney players before taking his first training session as their coach yesterday, but one thing he did stress was that they had to take more responsibility for their position on the competition table.