A-League kickoff

[ozzybuds]

For those of you who do not know about the A-League, it is Australia's professional football (soccer) competition. It is the 5th year of the comp which replaced the old NSL. Round 1 kicks off this Thursady

I've gotta say that I'm pretty excited about this season and it is shaping up to be the most interesting yet. Most clubs have recruited well in the off season and we have two new teams, one from North Queensland and another from the Gold Coast.

Here's how things are shapign up going into the new season.

Adelaide: This is my team but sadly I think they are going to struggle this year. We did had an amazing year in 08/09 where we made the final of the Asian Champions League. Unfortunately we have lost a lot of players from that squad, the most notable being Sasa Ognenovski who has gone to Korea. Our biggest signing is English/Ghanaian striker Lloyd 'Hang Time' Owusu. He has not played all preseason after arriving injured and then catching swine flu. Hopefully he comes good.

Brisbane: Haven't made too many waves on the transfer market either. But if former Glasgow Rangers Craig Moore and Charlie Miller stay fit they will be there abouts at the end of the season. They had a hilarious press conference yesterday to promote their first game of the year against Gold Coast, where the Gold Coast coach sent a lifesize cardboard cutout of himself instead of attending in person.

Central Coast: Always seem to do better than what their squad on paper suggests. Have turned over a few players this year without making any big signings. Could really finish anywhere.

Gold Coast: One of this years new comers have already made an impact before the season has even started. Bankrolled by mining magnate Clive Palmer's billions and coached by the eccentric (putting it kindly) Miron Bleiberg, they have assembled one of the strongest squads on paper. Biggest signing is Socceroo Jason Culina who has left PSV Eindhoven in his prime after being one of their best players for several years. Clive Palmer says they'll not be defeated all year. Everyone else can't wait to see them fail.

Melbourne: The reigning champs have a pretty settled squad and were pleased to sign Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez after he has out here on loan last year. Kevin Muscat is still going and is still the man we all love to hate. They should do ok, but they will still be a bunch of !@#%!$.

Newcastle: A total shambles from the pitch to the boardroom. Will finish last. Ljubo Milicevic will provide some laughs along the way.

North Queensland: The other new comers hqave made a much more understated entrance than the Gold Coast. Seem to have a squad made up largely of average journeyman. I like Fred Agius who once played for Adelaide. Also David Williams should provide some pace and quality up front where he will be alongside former Liverpool player Robbie 'God' Fowler. Will Fowler stay fit? Probably not. Will Fowler get the service needed to make a big impact? Probably not. Will he put bums on seats? Without a doubt.

Perth: Ex-NSL powerhouse have stuggled since the inception of the A-League but are looking to turn things around this year. Big signings of Socceroos Mile Sterjovski, Chris Coyne & Jacob Burns. I like Perth but they play Adelaide in round 1 so I hope they lose.

Sydney: Hoping to bounce back after a disappointing season and several coaches. The club seems to be responding well to the influence of Czech Vitezslav Lavicka. If Colosimo can stay fit and John Aloisi can regain his mojo then Sydney will put up a decent challenge.

Wellington: I'm expecting a mid-table effort from the Kiwis who were looking much improved towards the end of last season. Losing goal scorer Shane Smeltz to the Gold Coast was big blow and they will be hoping that Paul Ifill who has joined from Crystal Palace will fill his shoes.