Walter Pless on Football

Tasmania Under-21s v Queensland Roar Youth Match Report

By Walter Pless
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Tasmania U-21s 1 (White 3)
Queensland Roar Youth 0

HT: 1-0 Att: 900 Ref: I Jozeljic

Tasmania U-21s: Pitchford - Fagg, Ludford, Scott - Gasparinatos (Downes 61), Eaves, Igor, Ladic, Ambrose (Ross 54) - Walsh, White [Substitutes not used: Hingston, Pooley] [Coach: E Kelly]

Queensland Roar Youth: Acton - Ryan, Bowles (Vujevich 54), Tsumusiime, McDonald - Sarota (Anderson 54), Angus (Mason 46), Satake, T Thurtell (M Thurtell 46) - Farina, McVey [Coach: R Vidosic]
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Tasmania’s Under-21 side fully deserved this 1-0 win against the Queensland Roar Youth side at North Hobart in an A-League Youth competition exhibition match.

Match officials Patrick Galloway, Ivan Jozeljic and Sasa Jurkovic arrive

Tasmania had the better of the first half and should have scored twice, while Queensland had just two half-hearted efforts at goal.

The visitors came back strongly in the second half, prompted by Josh McVey, the equal top scorer in the A-League youth competition.

But, they failed to equalise and Tasmania had several good chances to increase their lead.

The teams shake hands before the start

Queensland brought six players from the Queensland Academy of Sport, who were on trial to see if they were good enough to be recruited. The six were Zac Anderson, Neko Vujevich, Koh Satake, Matthew Thurtell, Jordan Farina and Jordan Mason.

Satake and Farina were in the starting line-up.

Tasmania took the lead in the 3rd minute when Queensland goalkeeper Matt Acton made a complete hash of a clearance.

The ball went straight to Dwayne Walsh, who moved down the left and cut the ball back for Daniel White to smash home from 12 metres.

Tasmania’s Henry Fagg takes on Koh Satake (No. 14)

In the 12th minute, White released Mark Ambrose down the left and his low cross was met by Walsh, whose half-volley from close range flew over the bar.

Ambrose was the focus of Tasmania’s attack and the width he created spelled trouble for Queensland, his crosses proving dangerous.

Queensland’s passing left a lot to be desired and Tasmania refused to sit back and allow the visitors to dictate play.

Queensland made two changes at the break and another two within ten minutes of the resumption.

Tasmania’s coach, Eamonn Kelly, made a surprising substitution in the 54th minute, bringing on Julius Ross, the scorer of the goal against Sydney FC last week, in place of Ambrose.

Ross certainly played well when he came on, but there were other players in line to be replaced ahead of the effective Ambrose.

Henry Fagg pursues Adam Sarota

Queensland should have equalised in the 55th minute when Hugh Ludford slipped and allowed Satake to set up Josh McVey for an easy chance. Incredibly, the striker lobbed the ball over Nathan Pitchford and onto the top of the crossbar.

Two minutes later, Farina’s low cross from the right was touched on by McVey, but the ball carried wide of the far left-hand post.

In the 58th minute, White knocked the ball back into the path of Ross, whose fierce shot was turned wide for a corner by Acton, who was at full stretch.

Greg Downes came on for Billy Gasparinatos in the 61st minute, the latter appearing to be carrying an injury.

Adam Sarota takes on Henry Fagg

Pitchford had to be alert in the 65th minute and was quickly off his line to intercept a pass destined for the feet of McVey.

Tasmania counter-attacked in the 73rd minute when White won the ball from Tsumusiime and hared towards goal.

He eluded a desperate sliding tackle from McDonald but made a bad angle for himself and, by the time he worked his way back for a shot, could only tamely chip wide.

Tsumusiime limped off with 15 minutes remaining. Queensland had used all four substitutes and were forced to see out the match with just 10 players.

Koh Sarake steers a header at the Tasmanian goal

They nevertheless continued to attack and create chances.

In the 80th minute, Satake’s free-kick from the right was headed tamely wide by Farina, while two minutes later, McDonald was put through on the left by Satake only to shoot into the side-netting.

In the 84th minute, Pitchford was almost embarrassed by Farina’s shot, which slithered through his legs, but he recovered and grabbed the ball before it could cross the line.

Tasmania had the better of the closing minutes, however, as Ross shot wide from range and Igor directed an effort straight at the goalkeeper.

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• Tasmania’s coach, Eamonn Kelly, said:

“We were confident when we went out.

“We had our initiation last week against Sydney and we told the boys not to be frightened and to go out and hold your heads up, play football, and you’ll come back with a result.

“And, that’s exactly what we’ve done.

“I mean, I think we should have had two or three more goals.

“I’m happy we got a good result and we’ll be back here training tomorrow.

“These boys deserve all the praise they’re going to get. It was a great result and we played good football against a team that’s second on the table.”

• Queensland Roar Youth coach, Rado Vidosic, said:

“It was quite an enjoyable game.

“From our point of view, it was a bit of a long trip.

“We got up at 5 o’clock in the morning and got here just one hour before the kick-off, so from that point of view, it was a little bit hard.

“Unfortunately, we gave that first goal away through a silly mistake. But, after that, I think it was quite enjoyable and the boys had good fun.

“The surface was fantastic and the opponent was very, very good.

“We’ve got a game on Wednesday and we’ve got a game on Sunday and so I had to change a few people around.

The teams warm up

“We’ve got a couple who are slightly injured so I had to take them off at half-time and then the ones we brought for this trip with us, I had to give them a little bit more time.

“But, unfortunately, one of our boys, William [Tsumusiime], got injured. It’s an injury he’s been carrying for some time and I hope it won’t affect him for the next few weeks.

“Playing with ten men for the last 15 minutes didn’t affect us.

“I think Tasmania played very, very well. I think they’re well organised, especially in the first half.

“They put good pressure on us and they defended very high up the field and I think there was a player on the left-hand side [Ambrose] that caused a little bit of a problem for us with his good crossing.

“He looked very, very good and has a good cross on him and he caused us some problems.

“This wind was very unpredictable. One minute it goes one way and the next another way.

“And the rain and the cold, we had more fights with the umbrella than with anything else. But, it was fun.

“I think they [Tasmania] fully deserved their victory today.”

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STATISTICS

TASMANIA-U21s QUEENSLAND ROAR
12 Goal Attempts 8
5 Shots on Target 5
8 Corners 5
13 Fouls Committed 8
0 Off-Sides 5
3 (Igor 69, Ludford 79, White 83) Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

Tasmania:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Ambrose 2 0
White 3 1
Walsh 1 0
Eaves 1 0
Ladic 1 1
Ross 3 2
Igor 1 1

Queensland Roar Youth:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
McDonald 2 1
Sarota 1 1
McVey 2 1
Farina 3 2

Tasmania beat the Roar

By Walter Pless

Tasmania’s under-21 team produced a fine performance to beat Queensland Roar’s A-League Youth side 1-0 at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.

A 3rd-minute goal by Daniel White earned the home side victory against a Roar outfit that didn’t really get going until the second half, despite being second on the A-League Youth ladder.

Roar goalkeeper Matt Acton fluffed a clearance straight to Dwayne Walsh, who cut the ball back from the left for White to smash home.

The two teams walk on to North Hobart Oval

The Roar played the last quarter of an hour with just 10 men following an injury to Will Tsumusiime, who could not be replaced because all four substitutes were already on the field.

The visitors did not manage a genuine shot in the opening half, while Tasmania should have notched a second goal shortly after its first.

White released Mark Ambrose down the left and his low cross was fired over the bar by Walsh from close range.

Ambrose was a continual threat down the left and his crosses were always dangerous, while Igor and Bobby Eaves worked hard in midfield and Hugh Ludford and Henry Fagg were solid at the back.

Igor gets in a tackle on Adam Sarota

In the second half, substitute Julius Ross forced a fine save from the Queensland keeper, while the mobile and speedy White was always dangerous and kept the visitors’ defenders on their toes.

Queenland’s revival was sparked by the A-League Youth competition’s equal top scorer, Josh McVey, who drifted into space and made himself available for passes from team-mates Jordan Farina, Koh Satake and Brad McDonald.

But, it was McVey who missed a glorious chance to equalise in the 55th minute.

Adam Sarota got the better of Ludford on the left and crossed to the unmarked McVey, who lobbed the ball onto the crossbar with an open goal beckoning.

Queensland build up through the midfield

Tasmania held out despite close calls from efforts by Satake, Farina and McDonald and the game ended with a fierce shot by Igor that flew straight at Acton.

The win will have boosted Tasmania’s confidence ahead of the next game against Melbourne Victory at North Hobart on 29 November.

In the curtain-raiser, the combined Tasmanian Under-14/Under-15 team beat the Tilford Zebras Academy 4-1.

Andrew Barron, Adam Knapek, Ethan Engels and Brodie Denehey netted for Tasmania, while Oliver Bird replied for Zebras, who trailed 2-0 at the break.

Tasmania’s Jason Singleton was sent off in the second half after collecting a second yellow card.

[Detailed match report of Tasmania v Queensland Roar and statistics to follow soon.]

Interview with Michael McIntyre, the new CEO of Football Federation Tasmania

By Walter Pless
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Walter Pless: How old are you, and I believe you’ve had a state service and private industry background?

Michael McIntyre: I’m 47 and, yes, that’s correct. Going back a little further, I started off predominantly with the higher education sector. I had fifteen years between universities in Tasmania and Queensland. It was a nice sea change in Queensland but we came to Tasmania for family reasons when my children hit the high school years and that’s when I started a career in the state service.

I had about five years in the state service before moving on to a couple of other minor roles and then this opportunity presented itself.

Michael McIntyre

WP: You’re a former player, so you’re familiar with the territory?

MM: That’s fair comment, yes. I’ve played the game from under-10s through to now playing in an old duffers’ side. I thoroughly enjoy it and I thoroughly enjoy the friendships I’ve made throughout the state, not just in the south, but also in the north, and we’re lucky that the football community in the state is a very strong and a very close community.

WP: Do you have any initial ideas on what needs to be done?

MM: I’m open minded about what needs to be done. The administration of the game in the state has progressively improved or organically grown over the years and I see my role as building on that, building on the professionalism on the way the game is run.

I have three particular pillars, I suppose, in mind that I’d like to focus on, but ultimately improving things such as access, quality and participation in the game. I want to ensure that everyone that has an interest in the game can participate to the extent that they desire, whether that be a as a player, a spectator, a coach, a parent or someone looking for elite progression through the system.

I’d like to improve the way we run and deliver programmes that support opportunities for people with those sorts of interests.

WP: What do you think of the Under-21s playing against A-League youth sides?

MM: I think it’s a great opportunity. I know it’s a trial, but it gives the youth in the state something to aspire to. I think their performance against Sydney was quite creditable being the top youth club within the country. I think as a first hit out, they performed extremely well. I think it’s a good experiment and I think there’ll definitely be further opportunities for that structure, be it by filling the gap in the roster, or permanently entering the roster, I think there are great opportunities there.

WP: Is communication with stakeholders important?

MM: Communication is something I want to focus on sooner rather than later when I mention the role. I want to ensure that everyone understands the role of FFT. I want to ensure that people understand what we do, why we do it, and, if people want to contribute to the administration or the running of the game, how they can best become involved.

I think it’s extremely important that there is transparency in the way the game is run and that’s something I want to focus on.

WP: Will you be re-introducing a ten-team league as soon as you start, or are you happy to go along with an eight-team competition?

MM: That’s something I can’t comment on at the moment because I haven’t had a chance to discuss the structure with the Board or with member clubs at this stage.

WP: Do you think Metro and Taroona are being sent into a wilderness?

MM: Not at all. The future structure was known through the year. Metro and Taroona finished ninth and tenth, respectively, in the league. They now have the opportunity to regroup within Division One and have another shot at the highest league in the south in future years. Both are very good clubs, strong clubs. I know Metro, in particular, has got a strong tradition and a good fighting spirit, so I’d see them as being successful in future years.

WP: Do you have any ideas on a state league?

MM: My personal view is I think there are very strong merits in promoting a viable state-wide league. What final form that may take is subject to consideration and debate n a number of different forums. That’s my personal view at this stage. Again, it’s an issue I haven’t really had a chance to discuss with the Board or with participating members.

New CEO of FFT, Michael McIntyre

WP: As CEO, do you carry out the instructions of the Board, or do you advise them on the way to go, or is it a bit of both?

MM: I suppose it’s a little bit of both. I report to the Board and the Board is at present finalising the strategic plan for the next few years. Within that there’ll be the development of an operating plan that will provide myself with direction and what the priorities are in the immediate future. I have the opportunity to discuss issues with the Board and provide recommendations as such on issues that I believe need to be brought to their attention.

WP: Do you think your playing background will be useful in this role?

MM: I think my playing background will provide some assistance going forward with regard to judgements, but not just that. I’ve also been involved in junior coaching. I’ve also been a parent. I’m also a current player and I’ve also volunteered at club level and association level. There are a range of roles that people play in contributing to the development of the game. I’m familiar with most, if not all, of those and I’ll be drawing on those experiences with regards to the judgements I apply in carrying out my role.

WP: Should state representatives at junior and senior levels be totally financed by FFT?

MM: It’s an interesting issue and one that has probably divided opinion on it. As I said earlier, one aspect I want to focus on is access and equity. Clearly, FFT have not got the resources to fully fund all that would be participating in the programmes. But, by the same token, we don’t want to make it elitist and based on who can afford it.

What the final balance is, is something that I am deeply interested in and want to make sure that there are equal chances for all to be involved that have the talent and inclination to be involved.

WP: You’ve seen football in Queensland and Tasmania. How do we rank as an organisation?

MM: I think, based on regional Queensland, Tasmania ranks quite comparably. The grassroots at a regional level and within Tasmania is extremely strong. The passion for the game regionally and within the state is extremely strong. The stakeholders are genuinely single-minded in their desire to progress the game and they become great assets in trying to further develop the game and improve the delivery of the game within the state.

WP: How are you going to overcome the entrenched parochialism, which is still evident?

MM: This is not an issue which is unique to football. It’s an issue that other codes have struggled to satisfactorily address. There are particular strategies that I think can be adopted to balance out people’s perception of where and how the game should be played throughout the state. I’m keen to discuss my particular views and the views of members over coming months to try and come up with a collective way of bringing together the various regions within the state, again, for the betterment of the game within the state.

On a population and state government basis, Hobart is the capital. That is correct. I don’t necessarily subscribe to the view that Hobart is the capital for a particular code, be it cricket, be it AFL et cetera.

Training [for state teams] is an issue that I think particular groups, be it junior or senior teams, need to address. I don’t think it’s necessarily something that needs to be mandated down from the top, but most of the issues or problems associated with that are generally to do with people’s perceptions.

Drawing on the Queensland experience, it was nothing for people to drive four hours to attend training. It was their perception and it wasn’t a hurdle. If that’s what they wanted to do, it wasn’t a hurdle in them achieving a particular outcome.

I see no difference here. It’s just that, locally, people have been brought up with a perception that there is a tyranny of distance, and four hours between venues isn’t really an impediment if people have the desire to participate at the highest level. But, how that transpires in bringing together future teams, again, it’s an issue of the clubs and the Board.

Roar another huge test for Tasmania

By Walter Pless

Queensland Roar jet into Hobart at 1pm on Saturday for a 4pm date with Tasmania’s under-21 side at North Hobart oval.

The Roar are second on the A-League Youth ladder after beating Melbourne Victory 3-1 last weekend.

Tasmania, of course, lost 4-1 to Sydney FC and so will have a huge task ahead of them to contain the Queenslanders, providing they bring their strongest squad.

Chris Grossman scored twice against Victory to become the equal leading marksman in the competition.

Josh McVey was the other scorer and these two have the potential to cause endless problems for Tasmania.

Jordan Farina, son of Roar’s senior A-League coach, Frank, is also a member of the squad and played for one half against Victory.

The State squad training at North Hobart on Tuesday evening

Tasmania’s coach, Eamonn Kelly, said he knew little of Queensland Roar.

“I don’t know what to expect from them,” Kelly said. “They’ll either bring their full-strength A-League Youth squad, or they might play one or two over-age players.

“They might also be of the opinion that they saw what we did against Sydney, so maybe they don’t need to take a strong squad down.

“I’m not really sure of what way he’s [the coach] going to be feeling.

“I don’t know what sort of calibre of player they’re going to turn up with.”

Sydney FC beat Queensland Roar 2-1 in October and that may be one guide to this encounter.

Getting ready for small-side game

Kelly said the Tasmanian squad would not be named until Thursday night.

“We’ll still be running with a squad of 15, “ Kelly said. “We were happy with what we had in Sydney, with what we took away to Sydney.

“They did their job for us.

“We learnt a few things about a few players and I can’t see us making wholesale changes now.

“I think we’ll certainly do a lot better than we did in Sydney.

“I think that was a baptism we had to have and we’ve had it, and now we’re over it and we’ve learned a lot from it.”

Kelly said the entire squad, including the northern players, would train at North Hobart again on Thursday at 6.30pm and the squad for this match would then be selected.

North Hobart Oval

Five northern players were included for the Sydney trip.

Kelly said he was more than pleased with the North Hobart venue.

“The venue is absolutely brilliant,” he said. “The pitch looks absolutely brilliant.

“Even Queensland Roar will be impressed with the venue.

“The playing surface in Sydney was a damn sight harder than North Hobart and they’ll be used to a hard surface.

“North Hobart hasn’t been watered because they were expecting the rain to come down in buckets.

“Perhaps we should have it watered before the game.”

The curtain-raiser is between Tilford Zebras youth team and the State under-15s.

State Under-21 soccer squad announced for match against Sydney FC Youth

By Walter Pless

The Tasmanian under-21 squad to play Sydney FC Youth at the Sydney Football Stadium next Friday has been announced.

The game will be the curtain-raiser to Sydney FC’s A-League match against Wellington Phoenix.

Sydney’s Youth side has won all five of its matches and is on top of the Youth League ladder.

The 15-member Tasmanian squad, which leaves on Friday morning, was named after a training session at KGV Park on Sunday.

The squad is: Nathan Pitchford (New Town Eagles), Todd Hingston (Somerset Sharks), Hugh Ludford (South Hobart), Henry Fagg (Hobart Zebras), Liam Scott (South Hobart), Jonathon Ladic (South Hobart), Igor Oliveira Sao Jose (Glenorchy Knights), Mark Ambrose (Northern Rangers), Daniel White (South Hobart), Dwayne Walsh (Clarence United), Bobby Eaves (Somerset Sharks), Billy Gasparinatos (South Hobart), David Oosterloo (Riverside Olympic), Julius Ross (South Hobart), Marshall Pooley (Northern Rangers).

Tasmania Under-21 squad to meet Sydney FC Youth

“The boys have worked really hard over the past four weeks and we are looking forward to the match against Sydney FC,” said Tasmania’s coach, Eamonn Kelly.

“We are keen to get a great result against Sydney.

“I’d encourage all Tasmanians to come along and support the boys when we get to play our two homes matches later this month.”

The two home games are against the youth sides of A-League clubs Queensland Roar and Melbourne Victory and are scheduled for North Hobart on Saturday, 15 November, and Saturday, 29 November, respectively.

The nine players not selected for the match against Sydney will get their chance in these two games and in the one away to Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday, 5 December.

Under-21squad trains at KGV Park

By Walter Pless

The 24-man Tasmanian under-21 squad which will play four A-League youth sides in the coming month went through a rigorous training session at KGV Park on Saturday.

The first game is next Friday against Sydney FC’s youth side at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The squad members will be rotated for each of the games against Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Queensland Roar and Adelaide United.

Keeper Nathan Pitchford is put through his paces by coach Eamonn Kelly

Tasmanian coach, Eamonn Kelly, was happy with the training session and will announce the squad of 15 for the Sydney trip after another training session on Sunday.

“The emphasis on training is to keep our physicality because we’ll need to be physical against the opponents we’ll encounter in our four games,” said Kelly.

“We need to keep our fitness up and all of next week it’ll be ball-at-feet type of training.

“We’ll also work on set-pieces such as corners and free-kicks and throw-ins.

“We’ve got a team structure on how we want to play.”

Michael Edwards supervising the squad

Devonport City’s Sean Howe and Scott Wilson were absent yesterday as the club is competing in a tournament in Melbourne.

Kelly’s assistant, Tom McGinn, who coaches Devonport, was also in Melbourne, but Michael Edwards supervised yesterday’s fitness work.

Sprint training dictated by Michael Edwards

“The training has been pretty intense and short and sharp,” said 23-year-old midfielder Jonathon Ladic, one of three over-age players included in the squad.

“We’ve got a young side and everyone is keenly looking forward to the match.”

“Australian FourFour Two” has decided to discontinue the pages dealing with the various State bodies in Australia.

Tasmanian football and players received considerable coverage this year in that section of the magazine.

The Tilford Zebras photo that appeared in the recent edition of Australian FourFourTwo

Billy Gasparinatos and Marcello Marchioli featured in the ‘Rising Star’ section, while Tilford Zebras made the ‘Why should we watch you?’ section.

‘The big match preview’ featured the South Hobart versus Metro game, and Igor, Ben Crosswell and Liam Scott were included in the 50 best players in Australia outside the A-League section.

New Town Eagles will feature in an upcoming issue and so will Hobart United. But, that will be the end of coverage for Tasmania and the other States.

The editors say that there was no noticeable increase in sales as a result of the inclusion of the State League section from around Australia and so the budget has been re-directed.

I don’t know what the budget was because I did it for nothing so I don’t think my contributions broke the bank.

Perhaps FFT was paid something. After all, the sections always carried the FFT logo for some reason. I doubt that many board members would have known of the existence of the magazine, let alone the regular Tasmanian sections.

In a way, I can’t blame the magazine’s editors. I kept looking in newsagencies and there were always dozens of copies of “Australian FourFourTwo” lying around unsold, even though there was a regular Tasmanian section.

That’s where apathy gets us, I guess. We just don’t support publications that support us.

Evans no longer part of the team

By Walter Pless

Richard Evans, the Football Federation Tasmania coaching and development manager, has been relieved of his position as coach of the Tasmanian under-21 team which will play four matches against A-League youth sides next month.

Chairman of FFT, Steve Gasparinatos, said Evans had many other duties to attend to and it was fitting that the coach of the State senior men’s team, Eamonn Kelly, take over as coach of the under-21s.

Evans is currently in China as part of a previous commitment he had with the NSW governing body for football.

He was recruited from NSW by FFT despite knowledge of this commitment, which would take him out of the State at a critical time.

Tasmania’s under-21s play their first match on Friday, 7 November, at the Sydney Football Stadium against Sydney FC’s A-League youth side.

The southern members of the State under-21s go through a warm-up routine

Contrary to previous plans, the Tasmanians will now travel to Sydney on the day of the match, which will give them scant time to acclimatise and prepare for the late-afternoon kick-off.

Dane Hudson and Michael Edwards, who had been announced as assistant coaches and part of a panel of five coaches, have also been stood down, although Edwards will be involved in the Sydney match.

And, Tasmania will now not play Adelaide United’s youth side at North Hobart on Saturday, 15 November, but will instead play Queensland Roar’s A-League youth side at the same venue and on the same day.

This is because Adelaide’s A-League side has had its scheduled match that day postponed because it has reached the final of the Asian Champions League, where it will meet Japanese side Gamba Osaka on a home-and-away basis.

Coach Eamonn Kelly watches his charges

Tasmania’s other games are against Melbourne Victory Youth at North Hobart on Saturday, 29 November, and Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday, 5 December.

Kelly said he did not mind the change as it means Tasmania would now play four different clubs rather than just three.

The 11 southerners in the State squad training at KGV Park

FFT has still to appoint a new CEO following the departure of Martin Shaw late last month.

Reports indicate the new CEO will commence on 17 November but the identity of the successful candidate remains a mystery.

* * * * *

State coach Eamonn Kelly has been announced as the coach of Glenorchy Knights for the next Premier League season, as well as the 2010 season.

Reports in Newcastle papers said that he had been tipped to take over South Cardiff in Northern NSW, but he said he and the club had not been able to come to an agreement about financial terms.

Meanwhile, Ian Parker has declined the opportunity to continue as coach of New Town Eagles after two seasons at the club and may sit out next season.

* * * * *

Former Tasmanian State director of coaching, Steve Darby, has left his Malaysian club, Perak, and has been appointed as assistant coach of Thailand’s national team.

Former Manchester City captain, Peter Reid, is Thailand’s new coach.

And, Tasmania’s Alex Cisak has been selected as a goalkeeper for the Australian under-20 national side for a tournament in Saudi Arabia next month which will also double as the qualifying series for the next World Youth Cup.

Meanwhile, Ken Morton and John McGirr, representing the group trying to form a Tasmanian A-League side, were in Sydney today to talk to a Tasmanian-born property developer with links to Sydney FC about financial support for a Tasmanian bid.

Morton then appeared on Fox Sports lunchtime program and was interviewed about Tasmania’s bid.

Change in Youth Team opponents

By Walter Pless

Tasmania’s youth side will now play Queensland Roar’s A-League youth side at North Hobart on 15 November rather than Adelaide United.

Adelaide United have had their A-League match that day postponed because of their appearance in the final of the Asian Champions League and this has necessitated the change.

Tasmania coach Eamonn Kelly welcomed the new opponents.

Eamonn Kelly

“It means that we now get to play four different A-League sides rather than just three and that will be a better test for us,” Kelly said.

Kelly, incidentally, has also just been appointed coach of Glenorchy Knights for at least the next two years, with an option for a third.

The Tasmanian youth side will train at KGV Park on Wednesday night, 29 October, and then again at the same venue on this coming Saturday (noon) and Sunday (10am).

The 15-man squad to travel to Sydney for the match against Sydney FC’s youth side will be announced at KGV on Sunday at 1pm.

Coach and physio watch the players warming up

Ian Parker has stepped down as coach of New Town Eagles for next season and the club is on the hunt for a new coach.

Meanwhile, former State coaching director Steve Darby has been appointed assistant coach of Thailand.

He will be second-in-charge to Peter Reid, the former Manchester City star.

Igor Oliveira Sao Jose has been named as Premier League club Glenorchy Knights’ best-and-fairest player and leading goalscorer, while goalkeeper Ben Peter was the players’ player-of-the-year.

In the reserves, Carlos Fuentes was the leading scorer, Marcus Burn the best and fairest, and Peter Frank the players’ player-of-the-year.

Brodie Green took out the Under-19 best-and-fairest award and the players’ player award, while Will Stalker was the most improved and Amadu Koroma the top scorer.

Anthony Grundy and Marina Brkic were awarded life membership.

Stacey Bennett was the Women’s Premier League best-and-fairest player, Brenda Nevin the players’ player and Lauren Griffiths-Lee the leading scorer.

In Women’s Division One, Steevie Coulson was the leading scorer, Jemma Dacy the best and fairest, Michelle Luck the players’ player of the year and Agnes Parr took out the encouragement award.

Spencer Gibbs was the top scorer in the men’s Division Three side, while Jarrod Cumming was the best-and-fairest player and Tony Dzelalija the player’s player of the year.

Knights are on the hunt for a coach for next season.

Janko Begovic and Josh Fielding were the joint player-coaches this past season.

* * * * *

Central defender and State representative Hugh Ludford took out Premier League champion South Hobart’s best-and-fairest award and the players’ player-of-the-year honour.

He also won the coach’s award.

Defender Liam Scott, who has had trials with the Joeys, Australia’s under-17 national side, was the most consistent, and Greg Downes, who trialed with English clubs Sunderland and Walsall this year, was the most improved player.

Billy Gasparinatos was South Hobart’s leading goalscorer.

Other award winners were: (Premier Reserves) Best and Fairest: Nathan Wardle; Players’ player: Julius Ross; Most consistent: Greg Downes; Most improved: Trent Pearce; Coaches Award: Simon Burrett; Leading Goalscorer: Rowan Franklin. (Premier Women) Best and Fairest: Hanna Manuella; Players’ player: Hanna Manuella; Most consistent: Danielle Raymond; Most improved: Brigitte Raymond; Coaches Award: Sabella Ormandy-Neal; Leading Goalscorer: Amy Witney. (Under 19s): Best and Fairest: Rory McCullum; Players player: Rory McCullum; Most consistent: Ned Clarke; Most improved: Daniel Philips; Coaches Award: Rory McCullum; Leading Goalscorer: James Wilkinson. (Div 1 Women’s) Best and Fairest: Rosie Hunt, Players’ player: Issy Hardwick; Most consistent: Tegan Barber; Most improved: Suzanne Harris; Coaches Award: Rosie Hunt; Leading Goalscorer: Zena Husari. (Div 2 Men) Best and Fairest: Will Robinson; Players’ player: Luke Aitken; Most consistent: Seth-Van Hyster; Most improved: Gavin Wailes; Coaches Award: Jess Singh; Leading Goalscorer: Eddy Mohamed. (President’s Award) Colin Wain; (Chairman’s Award) Bart Beecroft; (Junior Clubman) Greg Downes; (Club person of the year) Katie Barker; (Club Leading Goal Scorer) Andy Brennan.

Tasmania versus Heidelberg [Men’s Match, KGV park, Saturday, 18 October 2008]

By Walter Pless
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Tasmania 3 (White 30, Ladic 50, McKenna 73)
Heidelberg 4 (Hockless 11, Gasparis 41, 57, Groenewald 89)

HT: 1-2 Att: 500 Ref: I Jozeljic

Tasmania: Pooley - Scott Wilson, Mulraney, Ludford, Scott - Bobby Eaves, Hingston, Ladic, Igor - McKenna, White [Substitutes: S Howe, Gasparinatos, Ambrose, Claxton, Pitchford]

Heidelberg: Laino - Ameti, Roberts, Stefanou, Vassiliadis - Groenewald, Ouliaris, Jones, Gasparis - Tsiorlas, Hockless [Substitutes: Doumbalas, Saglam, Paton]
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Heidelberg were a class or two above Tasmania, but the home side could not be faulted for effort.

Heidelberg’s team work was impressive and the players’ technique, skill and vision were first class.

They had not trained or played for five weeks since finishing fourth on the Victorian ladder and losing in the preliminary final, so their victory was all the more creditable.

Match Officials(L-R): Ian Colhoun, Patrick Galloway, Ivan Jozeljic, Sean Collins

Tasmania relied on a penalty - Daniel White had his spot-kick saved but scored from the rebound - and a free-kick to get two of their three goals, but only some excellent goalkeeping by Heidelberg’s 17-year-old keeper, Chris Laino, prevented Tasmania from possibly getting a draw.

Laino produced brilliant saves in the second half against White, Billy Gasparinatos and Chris McKenna.

Tasmania

Just as a draw appeared inevitable, Josh Groenewald headed the winner a minute from the end, after a short corner by Rudy Saglam and a chip into the box by Heidelberg captain, Tony Ouliaris.

Substitute goalkeeper Nathan Pitchford came out for a ball he could never reach and Groenewald, despite being under pressure from other defenders, nodded home.

Graham Hockless, the winner of the gold medal for Victoria’s best-and-fairest player, was outstanding, as was midfielder Marinos Gasparis.

Heidelberg

Hockless has been on trial with A-League club Perth Glory. He hopped off a plane from Perth on Friday night and onto the plane for Hobart on Saturday morning.

Gasparis teased and tormented the Tasmanian defenders and his second goal was marvellous. He waltzed past two defenders and slotted the ball past a flat-footed Marshall Pooley in the Tasmanian goal.

He weaved similar magic later in the match but was unable to notch a hat-trick.

Heidelberg’s speed and team-work mesmerised Tasmania in the opening minutes and Hockless put them ahead in the 11th minute with a fine drive from 30 metres that flashed past Pooley’s right hand and into the corner of the net.

Chris McKenna challenges Peter Roberts (no. 2) in the air as Igor looks on

It was like a game of keepings-off in grids at training at this stage, with Heidelberg always having the numbers, the moves and the touches to retain possession.

Tasmania’s first chance came in the 13th minute, but Bobby Eaves drove over the bar from range.

Three minutes later, Hockless put Mark Tsiorlas through, but he fired wide.

Tasmania’s second chance came from a free-kick in the 20th minute, but Igor shot high.

Tasmania’s Scott Wilson closes down Heidelberg’s Rudy Saglam (No. 20)

Hockless was totally dominant in a deeper creative role as the game wore on and, in the 24th minute, he fed Ouliaris, who chipped over the bar from inside the box when he should have scored.

In the 27th minute, Tsiorlas cut in from the left, but Pooley managed to block his shot from an acute angle.

Tasmania earned a penalty on the half-hour mark when an off-balance Peter Roberts swept the ball away with his hand.

Laino blocked White’s poor spot-kick, but to his tremendous relief, White was first to the rebound and drove the ball home to make it 1-1.

Tasmania lost key defender Hugh Ludford in the 32nd minute through concussion after a hefty collision with Groenewald. Tim Claxton came on as the replacement.

Heidelberg’s Daniel Jones (No. 3) surrounded by Tasmanian players

Heidelberg escaped a certain goal in the 37th minute when Scott Wilson put Igor away and James Stefanou headed off the line.

Four minutes before the interval, Ouliaris chipped into the box and Gasparis made it 2-1 for Heidelberg with a clinical finish past a static home defence.

This match was played using interchange rather than substitution and this spoiled the game in a way as a spectacle with constant changes by Heidelberg in the second half. They probably needed this system, though, given that they had had just one training session before this game after a five-week break.

Tasmania drew level again in the 50th minute when Heidelberg conceded a free-kick 30 metres from goal down the Tasmanian inside-left channel.

Ladic scores for Tasmania to make it 2-2.

Jonathon Ladic struck a fine shot into the left side of the net past a stranded Laino, who for once looked vulnerable, to make it 2-2.

Igor missed a great chance in the 53rd minute when White’s accurate cross from the right found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post. He shot wide of the target when he should at least have worked the keeper.

Four minutes later, Heidelberg again hit the front when Gasparis ghosted past two defender before beating Pooley from inside the box.

Heidelberg’s Rudy Saglam gets in a cross ahead of Tasmania’s Scott Wilson and Bobby Eaves

Laino denied White in the 65th minute with an excellent save after the Tasmanian striker had been put through by a perfect pass from Ladic.

In the 73rd minute, Laino could only parry substitute Billy Gasparinatos’s shot and Tasmania’s captain, Chris McKenna, planted the loose ball in the back of the net to make it 3-3.

Two minutes later, Laino again produced an outstanding save from McKenna at the far post after a fine attacking move by Tasmania involving Gasparinatos and substitute Sean Howe.

Gasparinatos had enlivened the Tasmanian attack since coming on and, in the 85th minute, he twice outfoxed the Heidelberg defence on the right of the box before shooting over the bar from a difficult angle.

Hockless shot over two minutes later as Heidelberg increased the tempo in the quest for a winner, but Tasmania’s Liam Scott wasted a chance a minute later when his long-range effort from wide on the left carried beyond the far post.

A minute from time, Groenewald came up with his winning header, but Tasmania had one last chance in the dying seconds as Ladic knocked the ball to Gasparinatos, who released McKenna, but the Devonport striker blazed wide.

A respectable score-line for the home team, indeed, but it did not tell the whole story of Heidelberg’s dominance.

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• Tasmania coach, Eamonn Kelly, said:

“I thought in the second half we played well and we played good football.

“In the first half, we were a little bit shaky.

“I think once we settled to the pace of the game, we came out in the second half and played our game of football.

“We were unlucky. We should have buried them, really.

“We had four or five good chances and, I mean, the score-line should have read about 6-3, but it didn’t.

“Goals win games and we were unfortunate.

“They can all hold their heads high. They put on a good performance and I think it shows where we’re at and where we need to work a bit harder.”

• Heidelberg coach, George Katsakis, said:

“Having not played for five weeks, I think we shifted the ball around quite impressively, to be honest.

“It just shows that, in terms of possession and being a little more creative, I think we had the upper hand.

“We made sixteen changes in all and I was quite impressed.”
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STATISTICS

TASMANIA HEIDELBERG
14 Goal Attempts 19
7 Shots on Target 8
1 Corners 7
8 Fouls Committed 11
10 Off-Sides 8
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

Tasmania:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Eaves 1 0
Ladic 4 1
White 4 3
Gasparinatos 2 1
McKenna 2 2
Scott 1 0

Heidelberg:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Groenewald 2 2
Gasparis 3 2
Hockless 2 1
Tsiorlas 5 3
Ouliaris 3 0
Jones 1 0
Vassiliadis 1 0
Stefanou 1 0
Paton 1 0