Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

Metro-Claremont have appointed Ahmad Abdaltam as their new Premier League coach for the 2008 season.

Abdaltam, who is from Sudan, played professionally in Greece and Egypt.

He has played in Tasmania with Hobart Olympic, Juventus and Glenorchy Knights and has coached the Knights and Juventus.

Metro finished last season as the wooden-spooners and survived a promotion-relegation play-off over two legs against Division One champions Beachside to retain their Premier League status.

Abdaltam replaces Matthew Gasparin, who has been in charge of Metro for the past two seasons.

Abdaltam said he would try and bring several experienced players to the club to form the nucleus of next year’s side.

Meanwhile, Premier League outfit University have appointed Scott Gallacher from NSW as their new senior coach for next season to replace Matthew Shaw, who is moving interstate.

Gary Slicer will be the reserve-team coach, while Les Richardson will coach the under-19s and the Premier Women’s team.

“I have been involved with soccer for the past forty years or more as a player and then as a coach,” said Gallacher, who is from Scotland.

“I first started coaching about twenty years ago and gained my licence as a senior coach ten years ago.

“In the past ten years, the first eight were spent coaching with Hills United Soccer Club, which is a representative club in the NSW State Super League.

“In this capacity I coached all age groups and during this time I took one year out to coach Castle Hill Premier League.

“I moved to Tasmania a year ago and have been involved with the Glenorchy Knights club and coached The Friends’ School first team.”

By Walter Pless

Premier League, Olinda Grove, Saturday, 1 September 2007

Roysten Dutton slides in to thwart University’s Matthew Shaw

University 3 (Shepherd 28, Proud 61, 89 pen)

Metro-Claremont 1 (S Kent 65 pen)

HT: 1-0 Att: 70 Ref: I Colhoun (S Pitchford 70)

University (1-3-4-2): Winter - M Andrews - Manaka (Teale 84), Fletcher, J Andrews - Mills, Richardson, Shepherd, Shaw (Matsuo 95) - Proud, Stockdale (Merry 55) [Substitute not used: Kirkham] [Player-Coach: M Shaw]

Metro-Claremont (1-2-5-2): Biggar (Kaden 71) - Chaffey - Curran (Gasparin 81), Dutton - Dawes, McKeown, Hope, Rahni, Marney (Lawler 61) - S Kent, Guma [Substitute not used: Herring] [Player-Coach: M Gasparin]

Metro’s Mohand Rahni wins the ball against University’s Colin Shepherd

Metro-Claremont ran riot in the first half of this replay of the earlier league meeting between the sides but trailed 1-0 at the break through a goal from a free-kick by Colin Shepherd in the 28^th minute.

The goalmouth action in the 7^th minute summed up Metro’s day. Adam McKeown’s low shot was turned against the inside of the left-hand post by Ashley Winter and the ball rebounded across the goal to the far post, where Edward Guma incredibly hit the bar from four metres.

In the 13^th minute, Stuart hope’s header looped onto the top of the crossbar and Winter caught the ball as it came down. The ball looked suspiciously over the line as Winter clutched it to his chest, but play continued.

It was all Metro and in the 24^th minute Shane Kent squandered a good chance by shooting straight at the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, a great ball forward by Darrin Chaffey found McKeown and Kent through the defence together, but Kent chipped over the goalkeeper and wide of the target.

Matthew Shaw evades a tackle by Metro’s Darrin Chaffey

Matthew Shaw had the ball in the Metro net in the 27^th minute, but the effort was ruled off-side.

A minute later, Shepherd put the Students in front.

In the 34^th minute, Winter had to dive to turn Kent’s free-kick wide as Metro’s bad luck continued.

Julian Proud made it 2-0 in the 61^st minute when he converted Shaw’s low cross from the left.

Metro keeper Neil Biggar takes a corner

Metro earned a penalty for handball in the 65^th minute and Kent netted to make it one goal the difference.

That was the signal for Troy Kaden to replace Neil Biggar in the Metro goal in preparation for next weekend’s promotion/relegation play-off with Beachside, who won the Division One title the same afternoon by beating Christian United 2-1.

Referee Ian Colhoun suffered a calf injury at this point and was replaced by senior assistant referee Stephen Pitchford, while University official John Parry took the flag.

A change of referees and a quick check on the time before resuming

University’s Taka Manaka was stretchered off in the 80^th minute with a leg injury and replaced by Brook Teale.

In the 89^th minute, University were awarded a penalty and goalkeeper Ashley Winter came up to take it. Kaden saved his spot-kick by diving to his left.

Mr Pitchford ordered the kick to be retaken and Proud made no mistake, sending Kaden diving to his left while the ball went straight down the middle.

Reserve goalkeeper Ryo Matsuo then came on in place of Matthew Shaw and went in goal, while Winter moved into the attack.

He had one shot in open play, but that was straight at Kaden.

Manaka down but not out

The three points were just reward for University, who had won the initial game 5-1 before a timing discrepancy led to the replay.

University finished in seventh place and Metro last.

“Well, its over,” said University’s player-coach, Matthew Shaw. “We were terrible in the first half at times.

“We just opened up the gates and said “Here, have a shot’.

“They just didn’t seem to want to stick it in the net. They had an open goal at the top of the six-yard box. You should score them every time, but we were kind of grateful they didn’t.

“In the second half we had a little bit more control, but still, we took our chances and they didn’t.

“If you don’t take them, you pay the price for not taking them.

Metro captain Shane Kent confronted by a University defender

“We’ve had games like that this year.”

Metro goalkeeper, Neil Biggar, said: “I think it was a good hit-out for next week, actually.

“Having the week off would have done more harm than good, I think.

“We created more opportunities today than I think we had for half the season and we got one goal for it, and that was a penalty.

“Sometimes it happens like that.

Metro’s substitute keeper Troy Kaden takes a free kick

“We’re quite confident for the game against Beachside. We got one goal today, but if we create half as many chances next week, we’re going to score goals. We have to score goals.

“We’re not worried about them. We’re only worried about us.”

Biggar said he did not know whether he or Troy Kaden would be in goal against Beachside.

He said it was good to see Kaden back because he was the future of the club and that the 20 minutes he played in this game were important.

Metro’s Jason Dawes tackles Colin Shepherd

UNIVERSITY		METRO-CLAREMONT
13	Goal Attempts	17
10	Shots on Target	6
2	Corners	6
14	Fouls Committed	15
6	Off-Sides	5
1 (Stockdale 53)	Yellow Cards	2 (Rahni 47, S Kent 72)
0	Red Cards	0

University:

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
Stockdale	2	1
Proud	4	2
Shepherd	1	1
Shaw	2	2
Richardson	1	1
Winter	2	2
M Andrews	1	1

Metro’s Troy Kaden saves Ashley Winter’s penalty

Metro-Claremont:

PLAYER	GOAL ATTEMPTS	SHOTS ON TARGET
McKeown	5	1
Guma	2	1
Dawes	1	0
Hope	1	1
S Kent	8	3

University’s Julian Proud scores a penalty to make it 3-1

By Walter Pless

____________________________________________________________

South Hobart finished second on the Premier League ladder, a point adrift of champions Tilford Zebras, after beating seventh-placed University 5-0 away at Olinda Grove.

Alexander Gordon breaks away from Taka Manaka

University were poor and had just one good chance in the 90 minutes. That was in the 28^th minute when Mills headed Manaka’s right-wing cross wide from beyond the far post.

Six minutes later, O’Brien chipped over the South Hobart bar from just outside the penalty area.

Roach deals with Shepherd and Manaka

University goalkeeper Winter pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the score less than half a dozen.

It was constant South Hobart pressure, yet the visitors had only one goal to show for it at the end of the first half, and that was from a penalty in the 42^nd minute. Michael Andrews brought down Daniel Brown and Bart Beecroft beat Winter with his spot-kick.

South might easily have had more through Brown, Cooper and Lo.

Beecroft puts South ahead with a penalty

Beecroft made it 2-0 shortly after the break, while Cooper added the third in the 63^rd minute with a tremendous strike from range.

Gordon broke through in the 75^th minute to slot away a fourth, while Beecroft completed his hat-trick with another penalty in the 79^th minute after Manaka had fouled Gordon.

Shepherd gets the ball out of defence

It came as a surprise that South Hobart kept Ross and Abbott on the bench until an hour had passed.

They pair started as twin strikers against Taroona last weekend and scored three goals between them in the 5-0 win.

Gordon and Brown, who started at the front in this match, found the going tough. Gordon did manage to score but Brown failed to do so.

Veteran Colin Shepherd puts his foot on the ball in an attempt to outwit his opponents

South Hobart can look back at their 0-0 draw with Clarence United in May and the 2-2 draw with New Town Eagles in July as major reasons for their failure to capture the title.

____________________________________________________________

• University coach, Matthew Shaw, said:

“It’s always disappointing to lose. It’s really disappointing to concede a penalty at the end of the first half.

“Cooper’s strike, especially, was quality. We were obviously not at their standard, and it showed, especially in the second half.

“Unfortunately, the penalty did deflate us and we just didn’t get it together in the second half enough to compete with them.”

University’s John Andrews clears from South’s Gordon while Michael Andrews looks on

• South Hobart coach, Steve Adkins, said:

“We really wanted to have a convincing win today. After Zebras drawing on Friday, it was something we needed to do to finish our season off well.

“The guys certainly tried their hardest through the year. Runner-up is better than last or anywhere else.

“I’m sure they’re looking forward to a good year next year now.”

 

South’s David Abbott heads toward goal

____________________________________________________________

University (1-2-5-2): Winter - M Andrews - Fletcher, J Andrews - Manaka, Richardson, Shepherd (Temby 73), Stockdale, Mills - O’Brien, Proud (Shaw 90).

Substitutes not used: Merry, Matsuo

Booked: Fletcher 39, Proud 46, Stockdale 67

Taka Manaka tussles with Jonathon Lo

South Hobart (1-2-1-4-2): Kruijver - Robinson - Ludford, Foley-Donoghue - Cooper (Horsley 84) - Wain (Ross 65), Beecroft, Roach, Lo - Gordon, Brown (Abbott 60)

Substitute not used: McCallum

Goals: Beecroft 42 pen, 48, 79 pen, Cooper 63, Gordon 75

Att: 80 (Olinda Grove, Sunday, 26 August 2007)

Ref: S Pitchford

University’s Ashley Winter beats South’s Gordon to the ball

By Walter Pless

This weekend throws up some fascinating encounters in the Premier League, with the title finally to be decided and with possibly the last dice to be thrown in the relegation play-off battle.

Tilford Zebras should clinch the title by beating third-last New Town Eagles at home at KGV Park on Friday night.

That should make Sunday’s match at Olinda Grove between University and second-placed South Hobart a non-event.

Hugh Ludford - South Hobart

But, stranger things have happened in football.

But, let’s deal with first things first.

Eagles managed to hold Zebras to a 1-1 draw at Clare Street on June 10 in their first-round clash.

It was Eagles’ first point of the season.

Eagles recently beat Glenorchy Knights 1-0 at KGV Park, which was a bit of a surprise. Considering the Knights’ poor form in the latter half of the season, though, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Eagles coach Ian Parker

Barring any shock, though, Zebras should win comfortably and collect the silverware.

South Hobart should have few problems against a University outfit that will be without midfield dynamo Mark Rapley, who is unavailable. Rapley, who also has a broken finger - which didn’t keep him out of last weekend’s game - has gone on a three-week skiing holiday and last Sunday’s game against Clarence was his last at senior level for the club.

Mark Rapley - career at the top level over 

“Mark Rapley is away on a skiing holiday for the next three weeks and so has finished,” said University coach, Matthew Shaw.

“He does not intend to play at this level again, but may appear in the social leagues.

“Family and work mean that he cannot afford the time commitment to continue.

“Mark has played at University since 1994 and was an integral part of our title-winning sides in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003.

“Mark was also part of the State-wide Cup winning side last season.

“He is one of the best players I have played with in my time at University and the competition will be poorer for not having someone of his ability playing in it anymore.

“Apart from Mark, everyone else who played last week should be available before they all disappear on planned holiday for the university break after the game.

“It would be nice for the side to put on a good performance for what is the final run this season for most.

“We know we will be up against it and that we must cut out some of our lapses.

“This season has seen a number of players who have rarely played at Premier League level get a consistent run in the side and have a chance to test themselves at this level.

“They have acquitted themselves quite well and, hopefully, will be better for the experience in coming seasons.”

University defender John Merry is injured, but he may be included on the bench, while striker-cum-midfielder Aaron Hindmarsh is definitely ruled out because of injury.

It’s starting to look good for Metro-Claremont, who must face University in a replay on 1 September.

At the other end of the ladder, the fight against a relegation play-off continues, with bottom-side Metro-Claremont away to second-last Taroona at Kelvedon Park on Saturday.

Taroona hope to have striker Martyn Wells fit, while winger Jon Mathers is available after returning from interstate.

 
Martyn Wells -  fitness hope

Striker Julian Timmins may be promoted to the seniors after impressing in the reserves last weekend.

“We were disappointed with our performance last week and will be looking for a big improvement this week to make sure we get a win and avoid the relegation play-off,” said Taroona’s Ben Horgan.

“At least we defended better in the second half against South Hobart, and our guys will have learnt a lot from playing against such high-quality opposition.

“We always look better when we try and attack teams and a defensive style of play doesn’t suit us, but we do need to work a lot harder when we lose possession.

Matthew Gasparin

The team won’t be finalised until we see how everyone puts in at training on Thursday night, but coach Greg McVeigh has already indicated there are likely to be some changes to last week’s side.”

Metro have a game in hand - against University on 1 September, and a game that is looking increasingly easier for Metro to win - but they must still beat Taroona they are to avoid the relegation play-off.

The visitors will adopt an attacking formation with three up front - Shane Kent, James Hope and Adam McKeown.

New signing from Hobart United, Mohand Rahni, will be in the starting line-up in place of the injured Darrin Chaffey.

 
Mohand Rahni - first eleven

Metro have trained this week on a pitch marked out to the same dimensions as Kelvedon Park and practised game situations likely to be encountered.

“After a wasted opportunity last week against the Eagles, you can be assured that Metro FC will come out full of enthusiasm against the Taroona Soccer Club this Saturday,” said Metro coach, Matthew Gasparin.

“The team will attack this game with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude knowing that the lads from Taroona are in a precarious position of trying to hold onto their three-point buffer.

“With nothing to lose, Metro FC will be playing a very attacking brand of soccer this week. We’ll more than likely have three up front for the majority of the game.

Metro scrum

“Partnering captain Shane Kent up front will be James Hope and possibly Adam McKeown.

“This will allow Mohand Rahni to make his first full appearance for Metro, more than likely in a defensive role, at the expense of Darrin Chaffey, who is still recovering from a heavy knock to the head sustained against Eagles last week.

“Training this week has been particularly pleasing, with youngsters Phil Curran and Adrian Lawler carrying on their good form from previous weeks in simulated games, played on the same sized pitch as Kelverdon Park will present this weekend.”

Clarence United cannot be displaced from fourth spot and will field a young side for the trip to Lightwood Park on Saturday to take on sixth-placed Kingborough Lions United.

Clarence will miss experienced midfielder Scott Hadley, who has work commitments, while Chris Hunt (back/ankle) and Dwayne Walsh (groin) are doubtful because of injury.

 
Veteran Scott Hadley will miss the final match prior to retiring

Goalkeeper Michael Moschogianis returns after work commitments kept him out last weekend.

“We’re looking forward to finishing off what has been a very good year for CUFC,” said Clarence coach, Andrew Brown.

“Women’s Premier League side in the final of SWC, men’s Premier League side fourth, the reserves second, and the under-19s champions.

“The Academy program was always going to be a success, but the appointment of Michael Edwards ensured the Academy was an outstanding success.

“CUFC shall look to bear the bountiful fruit of the Academy for seasons to come.

“On Sunday, I shall again offer opportunities to young and aspiring players from the Academy, against a Lions outfit that has under achieved in 2007.

“I expect a high-quality game, with both clubs parading some of the future young stars of our beautiful game.”

The remaining match of the weekend is at the Athletic Centre on Sunday, where third-placed Hobart Olympic entertain fifth-ranked Glenorchy Knights.

Olympic could lose third spot to Clarence if they go down to the Knights and if Clarence beat Kingborough, so the home side will be in determined mood.

Olympic will be without suspended striker Kosta Grillas, who is suspended after being sent off against Kingborough last week, having scored both goals in the 2-2 draw.

Kosta Grillas - will be missing due to suspension

Knights will miss defender Jayden Wiggins, who has work commitments, and midfielder Josh Fielding, who has an ankle injury.

Janko Begovic and Nick Harrison return from suspension, while Kellan Pringle is available again after missing last week’s game.

Youngsters Lindsay Millington, Brodie Green and Martin Cairns will be included in the squad.

Only four senior Knights players trained this week and the rest of the group were under-19s, so things are looking good for Olympic.

Premier League Standings (as at 19 August 2007)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Tilford Zebras	17	13	3	1	59	17	42 : 9
South Hobart	17	12	3	2	42	13	39 : 12
Hobart Olympic	17	10	3	4	37	19	33 : 19
Clarence United	17	9	4	4	32	26	31 : 21
Glenorchy Knights	17	7	3	7	31	36	24 : 28
Kingborough Lions United	17	6	3	8	25	30	21 : 31
University	16	4	3	9	25	33	15 : 37
New Town Eagles	17	2	5	10	14	33	11 : 41
Taroona	17	3	2	12	16	46	11 : 41
Metro-Claremont	16	1	5	10	20	48	8 : 44

By Walter Pless

____________________________________________________________

University defender Taka Manaka chases down the ball

Tilford Zebras have all but won the southern Premier League title with just one round of matches remaining.

Zebras are three points ahead of second-placed South Hobart and have a vastly superior goal-difference.

Zebras would have to lose to eighth-placed New Town Eagles next Friday night and South Hobart would have to thrash University by at least 12 goals for South Hobart to pip the Zebras at the post. And, that just isn’t going to happen.

On Friday night, Zebras romped home 4-0 against the deposed league champions, Glenorchy Knights, who barely managed a shot at goal.

At one point, Zebras goalkeeper Frank Mainella dropped the ball and the Knights had a half-chance, but Henry Fagg booted it to safety.

Eagles Chris Stingle and coach Ian Parker at half time 

The Knights were without the suspended Janko Begovic and Nick Harrison, and the injured Josh Fielding and Matthew Brown, but their dismal display was an embarrassment.

Two goals in each half did the damage, the first coming in the 19^th minute when Jayden Wiggins headed the ball straight to Aaron Brazendale. He advanced on goal and scored with a curling chip that gave Ben Peter no chance.

In the 35^th minute, it was 2-0. Brett Pullen won possession in his own half and released Ricky Self, who raced towards goal. Self then played the ball wide to the right to Pullen, who was in support, and he cut inside before scoring with a low shot.

The two remaining goals came in the final nine minutes through substitute Dylan Fennell, who had aligned his sights by scoring twice in the Reserve League curtain-raiser.

Craig Stockdale tackles George Stevens

In the 81^st minute, Fennell’s glancing header from Brazendale’s right-wing cross beat Peter, while in the 86^th minute, Self released Fennell down the inside-right channel and he held off Peter Frank and Tony Dzelalija before scoring off the underside of the bar.

All credit to Fennell, but it must make newspaper readers who know little about the local game wonder about the standard of the competition. How can someone play in the reserves and then double up for the seniors and score twice in each game? It must seem like a Mickey Mouse league. I cannot think of another top-flight sport where this can happen.

South Hobart were on a goal hunt against Taroona, but managed only one goal in the second half after leading 4-0 at the interval.

David Cooper and Julius Ross both struck the woodwork in the second half, while Taroona goalkeeper Michael McKenna produced some excellent saves in one-on-one situations to deny South Hobart double figures.

Taroona pressured South Hobart for the opening quarter of an hour, but once Bart Beecroft scored South’s opener in the 17^th minute from a corner, the visitors were on the back foot.

Danger for Taroona at South Hobart corner

It was South’s third corner in quick succession and a clear indication that the tide was turning.

In the 26^th minute it was 2-0 as Tom Roach, stationed at the far post, headed home Nathan Robinson’s pin-point cross from the left.

Five minutes before the break, Julius Ross netted his first goal at senior level from a corner taken by Beecroft to make it 3-0.

David Abbott added a fourth two minutes later with a superb free-kick from the right that dipped under the bar and gave McKenna no chance.

Ten minutes after the resumption, Abbott was on hand to sweep home the rebound and make it 5-0 after Cooper’s shot smashed against the crossbar.