Young Socceroos coach Okon selected seven foreign based players and 19 from the A-League for the 19-31 May camp.

This will be Okon's final chance to assess is playing group before naming his squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, which commences on 21 June (22 June AEST).

All the Young Socceroos matches at FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, plus the semi-finals and final, will be LIVE on SBS TV and streamed online on TWG.

“Our recent training camps in Australia have been extremely beneficial for our preparations, especially the last two weeks when we have been able to train with the older national team players,” Okon said.

“The experience of working with the older players has given us a good indication of where we are at and what we need to do to perform at a high level.

“ I am really pleased with the progress that we have made and the high standards we have now set.

“For this European tour we have merged the overseas and domestic players together and we will be looking to improve even more.

“We have two tough matches against quality opposition who are both preparing for the UEFA U-21 Championships, which begin next month in Israel, so we know we are in for a good challenge will need to be focused to play them at their level.

“From these matches we will get a good indication on what is required to be competitive at the FIFAU-20 World Cup.

“This will be the last chance for the players to stake their claim for a position in the final squad which we will announce in early June."

European camp match details
Netherlands U-21 v Young Socceroos
Friday 24 May 2013
Univé Stadium, Emmen, Netherlands
Kick-Off 6:30pm (Saturday 25 May 2:00am AEST)

Germany U-21 v Young Socceroos
Friday 31 May 2013
Venue TBA
Kick-Off 10:00am (6:00pm AEST)

Australia's FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 match schedule is:

With long-time skipper Melissa Barbieri on a hiatus after the birth of her first child, De Reus elected to share the responsibility between Gill and Polkinghorne.

"I try to lead by example and obviously being one of the more senior players and being involved with numerous coaches I’m really just embracing the opportunity I have been given," 28-year-old Gill said.

Polkinghorne at 24, has already amassed 49 games for her country and has had experience as a leader for W-League side Brisbane Roar.

"It’s always been part of my style to lead by example... it’s something I have naturally put into my game," Polkinghorne said.

"It doesn’t change the way I play but obviously it shows through my style of football."

De Reus is confident the leadership change would work but did not guarantee anything long-term.

The Matildas to play two matches against New Zealand in Canberra on 13 and 16 June and then embark on a European tour with internationals against Netherlands (29 June), Dutch club side ADO Den Haag (2 July) and France (6 July).

"I think in sport nothing is permanent, as long as your perform in the role, in this case the leadership role," De Reus said.

"Melissa is not available at this time and we have games coming up so we need a captain, that why I have chosen two new captains."

"At the end of this period, the end of July, we will sit down and discuss if the players were happy with the role, if I was happy with the role and then we will see how we continue from that time on."

"I’m looking forward to having Melissa in the time, she is working really hard to make a comeback."

"I’m looking forward to meeting her and seeing where she is in comparison to the players we have right now."

Since taking over the reins from Tom Sermanni, De Reus has held a number of training camps with an extended group of players. "We’ve had six or seven camps now and we’ve been working on a structure that we want to implement and we’re building a foundation," Polkinghorne said.

"These games are going to be an indication of where we are at, the things we need to improve on and the way forward." De Reus is just as eager to see her team in action in a competitive setting come June and July - with an eye on the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.

"Every time you go to a game, you want to win a game. I think that’s the natural habit," De Reus said.

"It’s very clear we are implementing a new system.

"We have got players who are overseas, who are not here, who are not a part of the changes so that’s also a challenge.

"And if they come back and join the team what will happen with all the changes we made.

"So there are a lot of challenges around the team at this moment."

But it's a challenge Gill, who is confident she can lead the forward line with the added pressure of the co-captaincy, is looking excited about.

"I think it’s great, it’s definitely a change I have been looking forward to for some time and I’m really enjoying what’s happening at the moment," Gill said.

"The foundations we are putting in place will be very beneficial to the team in the future."

After being held to a 2-2 draw by Oman in Sydney in March the Socceroos are now left in third place in Australia’s World Cup qualifying group with three games remaining.

A frustrated Cahill, who's moment of aerial brilliance along with a Brett Holman screamer salvaged a draw, said after the match:" There's a lot of young players and inexperience. I'm happy for the youngsters that they're getting the experience but it's going to be a difficult run into the campaign."

Australia now meets Japan away next month before hosting Jordan and Iraq later in June.

Sainsbury, along with fellow Mariner Mitchell Duke, Western Sydney midfielder Aaron Mooy and Newcastle's Craig Goodwin, has been called in to a Socceroos training camp on the Central Coast this week as coach Holger Osieck takes advantage of the A-League off-season to assess more youngsters he may want to blood.

Sainsbury, who had a stellar season as a defender for the championship-winning Central Coast side, says while he's still just "pinching himself" about even being selected for the camp he's not taking the opportunity lightly.

"I don't know if there's a word to describe how much I want to prove myself to Holger," he said.

"I'm going to give it everything I can and just try to get as much advice from him as possible."

The 21-year-old said all the other youngsters were just as driven and Cahill's words only served to further motivate them.

"With Timmy saying that, of course you have to give the older guys credit for what they've done over the years and if they're still performing then they deserve to be in the team," he said.

"But those younger boys, myself included, we've all got ambition to play at that highest level with the Socceroos, so hearing that it definitely will motivate us to want to prove we're just as deserving."

A 12-man Australia-based squad is in training on the Central Coast this week as the Socceroos begin preparations for their crucial match against Japan in Saitama on 4 June.

Having drawn 2-2 with Oman in March, Australia is now precariously placed, sitting third behind leader Japan and second-placed Jordan in the qualifying group – only ahead of Oman on goal difference.

Only the top two sides gain automatic qualification to next year's showpiece with the third finisher to face further play-offs.

But North, who spent two years playing in Japan's top-flight with FC Tokyo and Consadole Sapporo before joining Brisbane, says world Japan still fears the Socceroos side.

"We have our backs to the wall now," North said.

"But that Aussie spirit is something that we've grabbed when we've needed it and I think now we really need it.

"People will say: 'Japan are a strong side, they're leading the group', but I think they fear us more than the other way around.

"I played there and I know their mentality and I know they don't like the physicality of the Aussie style of play and that team spirit we have.

"I'm confident we can do a job in Japan."

Much has been made of Socceroos coach Holger Osieck's team selection for the Oman match.

One was that North, with 39 caps to his name, sat on the bench while Michael Thwaite and Robert Cornthwaite formed an untried central defence in suspended captain Lucas Neill's absence.

It was a decision Osieck later admitted may have been a mistake.

Neill will be back for the Japan game and North, who has partnered with him before, says he's ready to do the job.

"Looking back at the (Oman) game, I'm sure Holger has his eye on a few players and has a few ideas of what he'll do next time," North said.

"But he keeps his cards pretty close to his chest.

"If the boss plays me then that's great. I know I can do the job, I've done it before so fingers crossed."

The camp, which finishes on Friday, is being held in conjunction with one for the Young Socceroos side which is preparing for the FIFA under-20 World Cup in Turkey next month.

Much to Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold's delight the 12-man squad will face the A-League champion later in the week in a game to be played behind closed doors.

Arnold suggested the game in an effort to keep his charges match-fit ahead of their Asian Champions League match against Guangzhou Evergrande next week.

In front of FIFA President Joseph Blatter and Confederation Presidents Jeffrey Webb (CONCACAF), Michel Platini (UEFA) and David Chung (OFC) at the AFC Congress last week, the support for Dodd was emphasised by her being re-elected unapposed as AFC Vice-President.

The former Matilda received a glowing endorsement, not just from Al Khalifa, but also from the Kuwait Football Association, who urged delegates to back Dodd for the FIFA Executive Committee and demonstrate its committment and continued unity. The comments were met with loud applause from across the floor.

Addressing the 47 football nations attending the AFC Congress, President Blatter praised AFC for the progress it has made in promoting women to senior leadership positions on the Executive Committee, and noted that FIFA’s reform process includes positions for female representatives on its Executive Committee.

“What a realisation after 108 years, what patience for the women and what a stubborn organisation for men not to accept women in their organisation - but this will be changed now,” said Blatter.

Dodd was delighted with the widespread support, saying: "I’m delighted to have the confidence of a unified Asia, and I am working hard to persuade the rest of the football world too. Football will be better, fairer and stronger with women more involved, and I would love to make a contribution at FIFA’s top table.”

Dodd is a former vice-captain of the Matildas, with an international playing career that spanned nine years from 1986 – 1995. She is currently a Partner at Gilbert+Tobin lawyers, having worked in law, media and economic consulting, and has an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.

The vote for the FIFA Executive Committee Female Member will be conducted at the FIFA Congress in Mauritius on 31 May 2013, among all FIFA’s member associations globally.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill will be joined by newcomers Sainsbury, his team-mate Mitchell Duke and Newcastle Jets wide man Craig Goodwin on the five-day get together that commences on Monday.

The list of attendees also includes Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Aaron Mooy and Adelaide United trio Eugene Galekovic, Jon McKain and Dario Vidosic.

The Socceroos face a trio of FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers against Japan, Jordan and Iraq next month with points vital as the Aussies look to secure a third straight appearance at football's biggest showpiece.

All the Socceroos World Cup qualifiers can be seen on SBS TV.

“We currently have two groups of players, those that are still playing in their domestic leagues and those from Australia that are in their off-season,” Osieck said.

“The purpose of this training camp is to assess the physical standard of the players out of season and get them to a similar level compared to the other players.”

Australia's U-20 squad will be in camp with the Socceroos as the team prepares for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

The Young Socceroos are in Group C and will face Colombia on 23 June, El Salvador on 26 June and host nation Turkey on 29 June.

All the Young Socceroos matches at the tournament will be LIVE on SBS TV and streamed online on The World Game.

The players from both squads will hold an open training session at Pluim Park, Lisarow, from 4.30pm on Wednesday.

The Victorian Premier League side released a statement on Thursday - after Heart's decision to knock back the offer on Wednesday - in which it restated its desire to be involved in the A-League.

South Melbourne's statement read:

"Following yesterday’s media reports on SBS World Game, Fox Sports and Statements made by the CEO of the Melbourne Heart.

"South Melbourne FC wishes to confirm the following:

:: South Melbourne FC that it made an offer to acquire 100% of the Melbourne Heart Licence.
:: The offer was in excess of 3.5 million
:: The offer was made after several discussions between Heart & SMFC Directors.
:: South Melbourne FC has received an expression of interest from Emerson (Brazilian Legend) to coach & has already secured Major Sponsors for its A-League ambitions."

Heart CEO Scott Munn revealed the club had been in talks with interested parties from the Middle East and Europe.

"Those conversations were quite open and transparent but we made it very clear that there were some non-negotiables and one of them is that the founding owners always want to retain control," Mun told the Herald Sun.

A Heart statement on Wednesday announced the club would make a small profit for season 2012-2013, and that it would not sell a "portion of the Club's shares" to South Melbourne.

"Melbourne Heart FC can confirm this is the second time the Club has received an offer from this consortium and can confirm that it is the second time that the Club has rejected the offer," the statement read.

South Melbourne, a four time National Soccer League champion, last month was involved in talks to bail out cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners before Mike Charlesworth refinanced the A-League champion to take majority ownership.

The Bahraini gathered 33 votes to the seven attained by Thailand’s Worawi Makudi and six for Emirati Yousef Al Serkal – the decision announced to a chorus of support from his key backers inside Kuala Lumpur’s Mandarin Hotel.

Saudi contender Dr. Hafez Al Medlej withdrew from the contest on Wednesday but the final vote was expected to be much closer than it was.

The result means Shaikh Salman will assume the remainder of the term of disgraced former leader Mohamed Bin Hamman – a period that runs until early 2015.

Speaking after the vote the head of the Bahrain Football Association said the day marks a new dawn for Asian football.

“Now is the time for fairness and transparency. We need concrete reforms and we need to be accountable for our actions,” he said in his first address as Asian football's president.

“We shall apply principles of good governance at every level and we need to have our funds managed according to the principles of good governance.”

His election was well received by the Australian delegation, which is believed to have cast its vote for the Bahraini.

FFA Chairman Frank Lowy told The World Game Shaikh Salman’s victory was welcomed.

“We are very pleased at the result and we will be fully supportive of his presidency,” Lowy said.

“We had discussions with Shaikh Salman and we believe that the reforms that have been started will be positive for the AFC and for football.

“He’s elected for two years and that should be enough time to re-establish the sustainability and co-operation within the AFC.”

In more good news for Australia, FFA Director Moya Dodd was re-elected unopposed as an AFC Vice President.

“The fact that Moya was re-elected unopposed shows she enjoys widespread support within the AFC,” Lowy said.

“Moya will give Australia a voice at the AFC’s top table and contribute to football development over Asia.”

Dodd, an AFC Vice President since 2009 and the Chairwoman of the AFC Women’s Committee, was the only candidate for the position, the term of which runs until the next AFC Congress in 2015.

"I am delighted to be re-elected as AFC Vice President and very grateful to our Member Associations for their confidence in me,” Dodd said.

"The opportunities for Asian football are second-to-none. I look forward to working with our new President to better serve football, and especially women's football, on our diverse continent."

Prior to the vote for a president, FIFA supremo Sepp Blatter had addressed the AFC Congress and in a pointed speech made clear reference to the fact that the real winner will be the victor in the 2015 election.

“You have overcome difficulties in Asia and you will now have a restart. But I call it an intermediary restart where you have two years to put your house in such an order that the AFC, in the context of the world, can play its part – the part that Asia deserves,” he said.

Shaikh Salman though refuted suggestions that he is merely a stop-gap president.

“The AFC needs a strong leader and I am that man; I will establish a code of ethics within the AFC and make sure that everyone is accountable for all actions and decisions they take,” he said.

The day started with some early drama as the Congress was asked to allow Brunei, which had been suspended for failing to participate in the required number of tournaments, to have the right to vote.

That was passed with 35 associations supporting it and with Brunei’s vote expected to go the way of Shaikh Salman, it was an indication of how the final count may unfold.

In the end it was a surprisingly comfortable margin, a result that the victory said points to a newfound unity in Asia.

“The nature of the AFC got confused; now it’s my personal duty and moral obligation to unite our family,” Shaikh Salman said.

In the day’s other election, for an Asian spot on the FIFA Executive Committee, Shaikh Salman also emerged victorious, seeing off a challenge from the man who masterminded Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid campaign, Hassan Al Thawadi.

"Melbourne Heart FC can confirm this is the second time the Club has received an offer from this consortium and can confirm that it is the second time that the Club has rejected the offer," a club statement read.

Heart CEO Scott Munn told The World Game the club's board had no intention of taking this matter further.

Munn rejected claims that Heart directors were asked to recapitalise the club's finances to meet future shortfalls.

"The Club will announce a small profit at the end of this financial year," the Heart statement read.

"The Club will look forward to investing in the football department, on and off the field, and competing for a finals position in the 2013-14 Hyundai A-League season."

Munn took excpetion with the break-even attendance figure at AAMI Park quoted as 15,000 by The World Game and asserted that under the club's new stadium deal that number would be closer to 9,000.

South Melbourne, a four time NSL champion, has not hidden its A League ambition - and as recently as last month was involved in talks to bail out cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners.

Now a leading light in Victoria's Premier League, South plays at the redeveloped Lakeside Stadium with state of the art facilities, a healthy membership base and what’s considered the most advanced youth development structure in Victorian football.

The Melbourne Heart board has called a meeting for Wednesday to consider the sale of the club in a deal believed to be in the region of $3.5 million.

Heart's stadium deal at AAMI Park has expired and under any new arrangement the club will have to attract a home crowd of 15,000 to break even, which is well above Hearts average home gate last season of 8,560.

Heart club directors will be asked to either recapitalise the club's finances to meet future shortfalls or consider the South Melbourne takeover offer.

Sources close to Heart have said the majority of directors are not willing to keep funding the shortfalls after both the Victorian Government and Football Federation Australia (FFA) knocked back their request for funding assistance.

South Melbourne, a four time NSL champion, has not hidden its A League ambition - and as recently as last month was involved in talks to bail out cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners.

Now a leading light in Victoria's Premier League, South plays at the redeveloped Lakeside Stadium with state of the art facilities, a healthy membership base and what’s considered the most advanced youth development structure in Victorian football.

Any South Melbourne offer would be subject to FFA approval.

Melbourne Heart offered no comment when contacted by The World Game while FFA has yet to respond to inquiries.

The MOU, signed by FFA CEO David Gallop and DFB Head of International Relations Markus Weidner, identifies a number of areas of collaboration between the countries including football development, management and hosting major events.

"Germany is a great football nation with a proud record of success over many years," Gallop said.

“The Bundesliga and Frauen-Bundesliga are top-class, the community of grassroots clubs is the envy of many other aspiring football nations, and Germany continues to produce leading male and female teams and coaches. There is much we can learn from the DFB.”

Weidner praised the success of the A-League and the great progress being made in Australian football.

“The amazing success of the A-League this year has been noted in Germany and throughout Europe – more and more elite European players are interested in playing here,” Weidner said.

“Take this with the continued qualification by both Men’s and Women’s Australian National Teams for FIFA competitions and there can be no doubt Australia is making great strides – it has the potential to become a true power in world football.”

The MOU incorporates the sharing of technical information and coach development, the exchange of information and best practices in football management, the possibility of friendly international matches and the transfer of knowledge in the lead up to AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.

“I have no doubt that Australia will deliver a spectacular AFC Asian Cup in 2015 which will not only be a world-class event, but will be a true festival of football for the Asian region,” Weidner, who also met with Asian Cup LOC CEO Michael Brown, said.

FFA Director and AFC Vice President Moya Dodd was also present for the historic signing and was pleased that the MOU commits both Australia and Germany to developing football throughout Asia.

“FFA and DFB have agreed to closely collaborate in technical projects in India and South East Asia,” Dodd said.

“These are two regions with a tremendous passion for football, and I am pleased that together we can make a meaningful contribution to the continued development of football in the AFC."

But the FFA says none of the $462,000 - given during Australia's failed World Cup bid as a development grant to Trinidad-based Warner's CONCACAF region - was Australian taxpayers' money.

Instead the FFA says it came from a separate football development fund established from its own finances.

"The funding of preliminary design and feasibility works for a CONCACAF Centre of Excellence in Trinidad was one of a range of international development projects FFA undertook," a spokesman said.

"All were reported to the Australian government."

Warner resigned as Trinidad and Tobago's minister of security on Sunday, denying any wrongdoing after a CONCACAF integrity report made the case of the vanishing funds public.

He is a former CONCACAF president and FIFA executive committee member, and at the time of the FFA donation had voting rights on the 2022 World Cup bid.

Warner and former CONCACAF secretary general, American Chuck Blazer, were accused of fraud in the report.

The report said the Australian funds "were not accounted for in the CONCACAF general ledger or reported as income in its financial statements for 2010", when the grant was made.

Instead, it is alleged the money was deposited into an account controlled by Warner which also included his personal funds.

Warner resigned from FIFA in 2011 after an ethics committee investigation was launched against him over bribery allegations.

The FFA says it assisted CONCACAF in its investigation and has written to the Caribbean football body regarding next steps.

Kerr put her side ahead with five minutes remaining at the Maryland Soccer Complex Stadium, getting on the end of an Abby Wambach header, but Diana Matheson converted a penalty just two minutes later to make it 1-1.

The result gave Kerr's side its first point of the season after starting with a 1-0 defeat to Sky Blue FC, while Washington sits second after its second draw in two games.

Kerr is joined by fellow Aussies Caitlin Foord, Lisa De Vanna (both Sky Blue FC) and Kyah Simon (Boston Breakers) in the newly-formed league.

The Reds will face the two-time A-League champion at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 July but manager Brendan Rodgers said he might not include the Uruguay striker in the pre-season touring party because of a fear of burnout, The Guardian reported.

Liverpool also faces a Thailand selection four days later in Bangkok.

Suarez has played 43 games for Liverpool this season and will be a member of Uruguay's side to take part in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil from 15-30 June.

”If Luis is playing in that tournament, he may not be back at the start of pre-season for us because he needs to have a recovery period,” Rodgers said.

”There will be an individual pattern for every player. The idea is to get everyone back in the summer as soon as possible to have a real push next year."

The 19-year-old midfielder, WSW team-mate Reece Caira and Mariners defender Hayden Morton are among 24 players named by Young Socceroos coach Paul Okon for the five-day camp on the Central Coast starting on Monday.

Only Australia-based players have been chosen as Okon's final selection phase for this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

All the Young Socceroos matches at the tournament will be LIVE on SBS TV and streamed online on TWG.

“This is our first camp together since the AFC U-19 Championships last November and our first since the draw for the World Cup was made last month ,” Okon said.

“There are some new faces in this squad that we will have the opportunity to experience the national team set-up for the first time as well.

“The competition for places in the final World Cup squad we be high and we need the players to show themselves in these camps,” Okon said.

The Young Socceroos training camp squad is:

Nicholas Ansell - Melbourne Victory
Terry Antonis - Sydney FC
Anthony Bouzanis (gk) - Sydney FC
Joshua Brillante - Newcastle Jets
Corey Brown - Brisbane Roar
Reece Caira - Western Sydney Wanderers
Connor Chapman - Newcastle Jets
Daniel Da Silva - Perth Glory
James Donachie - Brisbane Roar
Jack Duncan (gk) - Newcastle Jets
Scott Galloway - Melbourne Victory
Corey Gameiro - Wellington Phoenix
Ben Garuccio - Melbourne Heart
Jason Geria - Melbourne Victory
Andrew Hoole - Newcastle Jets
Paul Izzo (gk) - Adelaide United
Jesse Makarounas - Melbourne Victory
Hayden Morton - Central Coast Mariners
Connor Pain - Melbourne Victory
Yianni Perkatis - Western Sydney Wanderers
Adam Taggart - Newcastle Jets
David Vrankovic - Melbourne Heart
Jeremy Walker - Melbourne Heart
Kwame Yeboah - Brisbane Roar

Australia has been drawn in Group C at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and will face Colombia on 23 June, El Salvador on 26 June and host nation Turkey on 29 June.

Cahill said Australia, which is engaged in a tough bid to freach its third straight FIFA World Cup in 2014, was on track to retain its high status in Asia for years to come.

”I think it is fantastic,” Cahill told FIFA.com when asked what he thought of Osieck's regeneration drive.

”What Holger is trying to do is incorporate new players over a period over time.

”You have to slowly put the ingredients together and make sure that you don’t push things too quickly.

”We are at a stage now where the ability and stature of the boys is fantastic.

”It is great to be one of the older players that guides and leads. It is a different aspect but one that is really enjoyable.

”To see these kids help the team and push us for spots I couldn’t be happier.”

Australia is engaged in a cut-throat bid to reach the FIFA World Cup and in June it faces group leader Japan in Saitama before entertaining Jordan and Iraq at home.

With only two teams qualifying directly to the finals in Brazil, Osieck's team is sitting third in five-team Group B behind Japan and Jordan.

Osieck said there was no need for fans to panic but he has urged his players to display the grit and temperament that are synonymous with the 'Aussie battler'.

"Australians always lift when they have their backs to the wall and I really hope that the Socceroos players will respond to their qualifying situation with a fighting performance against Japan," Osieck said.

"I have come to realise that the Socceroos are at their best when the going gets tough and this gives me hope because this is also when the tough get going.

"In a way Aussies are like we Germans, who like nothing more than beating the odds."

Osieck spoke at length to The World Game about the three matches in June that will shape the destiny of Australia's national team.

Were you shocked at how close Australia came to losing at home to Oman?

I was well prepared for the Oman game and we knew them very well and had a good idea of what to expect.

But unfortunately some unpredictable stuff happened. We conceded an early goal and an unfortunate own goal early in the second half.

There also were indications that some players who had never played at that level felt the pressure of the occasion.

Some players were a bit too tight because everybody wanted us to win and that created a mindset that deprived them from playing to their potential.

Luckily we bounced back after an intense team talk at halftime and found our rhythm.

I would not call the 2-2 draw a shock, more like a setback. I would have been shocked if we did not respond, but we did.

You were very agitated during the match. Is this a sign that the pressure is rising?

Normally I am a bit more composed during a game when it runs according to expectation.

But I tried to have an impact on the team from outside and try to lift my team that way. I also was annoyed with the time-wasting antics of the Omani team.

They were out to disrupt our rhythm from the start with their gamesmanship, which in my book is not right.

I do not understand that. You always try to gain maximum advantage over your opponent but there is also a code of conduct.

Many fans are deeply concerned about the group situation. Is this because they realise we are not in the comfort zone anymore?

I don't think we should panic. I said from the very beginning that our qualifying campaign probably might have to go down to our last game versus Iraq.

We have had a difficult road and the set-up was different to the last campaign because we played many games away in the first half of qualification while Japan had more games at home and got enough points early to be able to cruise while we were forced to trail.

Let's face it, the Socceroos are in a spot of bother. How are they getting out of the hole they have dug themselves in?

First of all we are still in a position where we can still determine our own fate.

If we had been in a situation where we depended on other results to get through, that would be scary.

So we can still work actively towards qualification.

I am convinced we will make it. If I were not convinced I would be the wrong person to lead the team and I would not be here.

Is the Australian team becoming too dependent on Tim Cahill?

I would not say so. The fact is that when you introduce some new faces you could see that players like Cahill are leading the group in terms of their experience.

Cahill is in a good mindset at the moment and I am confident he will continue to do a good job for us.

Are you 100 per cent convinced about how best to use Cahill?

I have no doubt that Cahill, as we saw in the second half against Oman, is best at the top of our attack.

However Cahill said after the Oman game that he was not getting any joy by playing up front and he had to drop back to create more space for himself.

But how could he create space for himself when he dropped off and created a vacuum up front?

I don't agree with that. We don't need him in midfield. We have enough players in that area and besides, who is going to play up front? I think Cahill is most dangerous when he plays up front.

The A-League will be over soon which will deprive your domestic-based players of competitive games.

Percentage wise we always have more overseas-based players, anyway. My plan is to pick a dozen or so A-League players and have regular camps in the period of time between the end of the season and the June qualifiers.

We are working on the logistics of having trial matches against State teams which hopefully will give us the competitive edge.

Some players have shown that they are not quite ready for international football. Did you pick them to appease those who say you have not given new players a chance?

I never pick players because I have to please anybody. I pick players because I see prospects.

My job is twofold: one is delivering results that would enable Australia to qualify for Brazil and the other is to develop players.

I cannot drop some new players after they have a below-par game because as a coach you have to show patience otherwise you lose them.

That would not be the right approach.

Are the two demands of your job working against each other?

It could be the case, yes, so it is crucial that when you use new players you win games. A good example was the friendly match we played against Korea Republic in Hwaseong last year when we had several new faces, we did well and won 2-1

Are expectations on the Socceroos too high?

I'm not too sure what the people are saying because I am ill-informed about what's going on. I am not into the social media and all that stuff.

Do you feel that the media has treated you well so far?

Again, I do not really know. The media has a job to be critical and report on what it thinks is necessary.

You can win a game by a good margin and still get criticised and if you lose it is normal that you receive criticism. It is simply part of the game.

Japan needs a point to qualify and a point would do very nicely for Australia. Can we expect a safety-first match in Saitama?

Apart from the points situation one aspect of the match will be the rivalry between Japan and Australia.

Even if it were a friendly it would have been a very tough game. It's all about not giving an inch to the other team and I expect them to have the same attitude.

They are a difficult side and I hope that we will be the stronger team on the day.

Australia outplayed Japan before Mark Milligan got sent off in the last qualifier in Brisbane. Does this give you courage for the game in June?

All you need to do is look back at the Asian Cup final in Doha in 2011. Who was the better team?

We lost 1-0 because we made a mistake three minutes from time and we did not finish off a couple of opportunities we had earlier.

We were stronger in that final and that is what I want us to be in Saitama.

I want us to play football. Sometimes it is a bit tough because of the opposition's set-up but you should never lose your fire and direction.

Australia has not been playing too well lately. Do you expect a strong reaction in Japan?

Of course, and it will have to be a team effort. All players who will be on the park that night will have to deliver.

Your contract expires as soon as Australia's involvement in the World Cup comes to an end. Would you be interested in staying on for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup?

We have not discussed anything. All I can say is that I like it here in Australia. But I have not even thought about the Asian Cup to be honest. I've put all my energy into our bid to reach Brazil.

How do you see the A-League grand final between Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers?

It should be an open game between two similarly well-structured teams that have great tactical discipline.

They both have good shape and it is difficult to split them.

The Mariners dominated the first half of the season but their game suffered a bit when Tom Rogic left.

On the other hand the Wanderers came good in the second part and played some excellent stuff.

Both coaches have done a great job with a good group of players.

So what's your tip?

The winner is very hard to predict. It could come down to a free kick or a referee's decision.

The much-anticipated knockout tournament, based on England's FA Cup, will feature around 700 teams across Australia with the A-League sides to join in September and October at the same time as their season starts.

Gallop said the FFA Cup is a priority for his administration.

"We will move to an FFA Cup and I would expect it to start in 2014," Gallop said.

"It will start around this time of the year and the A-League clubs will come in around September and October to coincide with the start of the A-League season.

"The grand plan is to hold an Australia Day grand final of the FFA Cup."

However, that would clash with the 2015 AFC Asian Cup semi-final scheduled for Sydney that year.

Gallop said he had fast-tracked planning on the tournament when he took over as FFA CEO in November.

"There are people at the FFA working on it now," he said.

"The first day on the job when someone told me about it I said what are we doing about it?

"There will be six or seven hundred teams involved and we all know about the FA Cup, we all get up for it, the chance for those lesser teams to come through.

"The FFA Cup will happen. There is a lot of work being done on it and there are some challenges involved but when we do it we want to do it right."

Gallop also said the A-League's controversial new finals format was proving to be a success.

The decision to cram a three-week finals series, consisting of only sudden-death games, into the end of the A-League season after 27 rounds was greeted by derision in some football circles but former rugby league chief Gallop said the format was providing an exciting finale to the competition's eighth season at a time when it is competing with the NRL and AFL for the attention of fans, sponsors and media.

"Talking to people in and around the game about the change this year having sudden-death games where everything is on the line has been important because we are in a very competitive environment," Gallop said.

"It was a smart move away from a start in September when the AFL and NRL are at the pointy end.

"And at the end of the season, we unashamedly realise we are in a very competitive period and we need to adjust to that."

The format has given the game's governing body a dream set of semi-finals, with Western Sydney Wanderers hosting defending champion Brisbane Roar on Friday and Central Coast Mariners playing Melbourne Victory on Sunday in Gosford.

"It's an exciting conclusion to the season, there are no dead rubbers and it is a quick finish to the season and that is why we created it," Gallop said.

Gallop also defended the need for a grand final in the Australian market.

"In Australia, it is about the grand final and, while we will certainly recognise the premiers, sport is all about seizing the moment and that is what the grand final is about," he said.

Central Coast Mariners are in China for Tuesday night’s AFC Champions League Group H Match Day 4 tussle against Guizhou Renhe and then back up in a Grand Final qualifier against old rival Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday.

Having beaten Guizhou 2-1 at Bluetongue Stadium last week to take second spot on the group ladder, the Mariners’ squad has been stretched to snapping point and is awash with youngsters for the return clash at the Guiyang Olympic Sports Centre.

While the Chinese Football Association gave Guizhou a free weekend to prepare, the Mariners only earned themselves a breather courtesy of a top-two finish, rather than any largesse from FFA.

“The Chinese FA have rescheduled fixtures to give their team every chance of beating us but we don’t have the luxury when it comes to the FFA,” said Arnold.

“In reality, chasing success in both the A-League and the ACL is almost impossible. We are not being given the opportunity to perform to the best of our ability.

“People think I whinge and carry on but I just want to see Australian teams given a better opportunity to progress in this competition and some aid from FFA would be very helpful.

“I’ve got great passion for this game and I want to see things done right at all levels, and some of the decisions FFA makes don’t reflect that.

“I have been around the game long enough to see how things can be handled best in these situations and with some support from the ruling body.

“If we hadn’t made sure of a top two finish then, we could have seen ourselves playing Sunday and Tuesday – and that makes things incredibly difficult. I have come to expect no help from FFA (in terms of fixture scheduling).

“From previous experience I’ve learned that I can no longer field my best team in all games and have to utilise the entire squad to give us any chance of success on two fronts.

“Ideally you’d have a squad of 30 to choose from. But we’re down to 19 with a couple of season-ending injuries and that makes it a big challenge.

“I worry about player welfare – it’s a matter of having faith in the whole group rather than not killing 11 players.”

With that in mind, the likes of Zac Anderson, Adriano Pellegrino, Bernie Ibini, Brent Griffiths, Brad McDonald, Anthony Caceres, Mitch Duke and Nick Fitzgerald fly the flag in China, while the older legs of Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pedj Bojic, Daniel McBreen, Josh Rose, Mile Sterjovski, Mike McGlinchey and Nick Montgomery have remained on home soil.

Competing in their third ACL campaign, the Mariners have yet to reach the knock out stages and are also chasing a first away win overseas in seven attempts.

“In Europe, you see teams play in their national leagues and also in European competitions three or four days apart but the distances they are travelling are far less than the 10 hours we fly to China, with three hour layovers and then domestic flights,” added Arnold. “It’s incomparable.”

Last season the Mariners led the A-League by 11 points before the ACL kicked in, ultimately just getting over the line by two to take the Premiers’ Plate.

This season, it led the league by five points before its first ACL fixture, only to finish three points adrift of Western Sydney Wanderers.

“I think that tells you quite a lot,” added Arnold.

Now, as a die-hard rugby League supporter you would expect my attention to be devoted to NRL on Saturday. This, however, has not been the case of late. Instead, I've found myself emphatically taken in by A-League football.

It all started with what I thought was a momentary flick of the channel to see whether this ‘Sydney Derby’ had lived up to all the hype it had been generating around the SBS Sport office where I'm undertaking a cadetship.

I was quickly enthralled, not only by the 20,000 football worshippers creating an atmosphere unrivalled within Australian sport, but by the quality of play the game was serving up. And then, it hit me. Not only has the calibre of the A-League dramatically increased since its inception, but so has my admiration for the world game since starting in this dream role at SBS more than a month ago.

This prompted me to reflect upon my relationship with ‘football’ (as I feel duty-bound to call it) and how I came to conform to the 3 three billion other people worldwide who classify themselves as fans of the beautiful game. Like losing that extra bit of fat before summer, this process, for me, can be categorised into three easy steps.

1. The FIFA World Cup

Football failed to capture my attention until John Aloisi’s golden left boot sent Australia to Germany 2006. Then suddenly, like most of the nation, I was holding back tears when our World Cup dream was cut short by Fabio Grosso’s Academy Award-winning dive. But, like his apparent injury, my love affair with the game quickly died and was momentarily revived for Australia’s brief campaign at South Africa in 2010.

2. Enter SBS

From there you have to fast forward to the start of my SBS career only six weeks ago, where I was invited to sit in on live productions of UEFA Champions League broadcasts. From there, my deep dive into ‘footbalism’ (yes, I just gave it its own religious title) really began. I found myself waking early to watch Copa Del Rey clashes over breakfast, viewing UEFA Champions League highlights on The the World Game and sneaking glances at Premier League games as they played on a small TV mounted at the back of the Brookvale pub.

3. The A-League

But the past two weeks have really driven home to me why this sport is so special. Indulging in phenomenal play from the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the EPL, Champos, or La Liga is one thing, but watching the A-League over NRL rugby league is a whole new ball game.

It is no secret the A-League lacks the talent, depth, facilities, training practices and supporter base which drive many of the premier competitions around the world. However, I believe the last two rounds of the regular competition this season have been a testament to how the league has developed in its short history.

It is this development which helped complete my transformation into a fully-fledged football fan. A few months ago a Barcelona v Real Madrid match wouldn’t have captured my attention for 90 minutes. The A-League wasn’t even in the equation. To me, it was a competition that survived on the viewership of a small group of football die-hards hidden within the Australian population. But shots of a virtually empty Skilled Park or North Harbour Stadium are now a thing of the past. As the competition goes from strength to strength, so a supporter base one I now consider myself to be a part of.

On Good Friday we saw an army of 8,000 Wanderers fans trek up the F3 to watch its team, Western Sydney Wanderers, claim the Premiers' Plate in its inaugural season.

Melbourne Victory has averaged a crowd of more than 26,000 people per game at Etihad Stadium this season.

The 2012-2013 season, the A-League’s eighth, averaged a record 12,347 people to each game. This average crowd resulted in the competition setting a new all-time viewership record of 1,666,942 people throughout the season. An even more impressive statistic considering the National Rugby League, in its 105th year of operation, had an average crowd of 16, 423 in 2012.

Stats like these are no-doubt what prompted Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop to label the A-League as the new back bone of Australian football. It's a sentiment I agree with when analysing not only the support and hype, but the quality of Australia’s most recent World Cup qualifier compared with what the final round of the A-League served up over the weekend.

Obviously the acquisitions of Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono have been massive draw cards for supporters. However, these guys are just as much developers of talent as they are players. You only have to watch a game to see how their expertise and heightened skill levels are rubbing off on team-mates and opponents alike, and improving the overall class of the competition as a result. This is not to take anything away from the coaching staff and clubs who have also adopted higher professional standards and implemented more rigorous world-class training practices on the back of increased financial support from FFA.

Hence, why we are now regularly seeing full-time A-League players like Michael Thwaite, and Archie Thompson pull on the green and gold and play important roles for the Socceroos in positions once exclusively reserved for overseas based Australian players.

And you would be stupid to think this competition won’t be boosted by a highly-anticipated 2012-2013 finals series and its long awaited move to free-to-air on SBS next season.

The visit will be the club's first to Australia and form an important part of pre-season preparations for the 2013-2014 EPL season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers on coming to Australia:

Liverpool will travel with a full-strength squad that could include the likes of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, England star Steven Gerrard and Australia goalkeeper Brad Jones.

"We are delighted to be playing against Melbourne Victory, one of the most successful clubs in the A-League," Liverpool FC managing director Ian Ayre told the club's website.

"We know we have a large fan base in Australia and New Zealand and this visit shows our commitment to bringing the club closer to our fans all over the globe, no matter how far away from Anfield they may live.

"We are very much looking forward to playing in Melbourne and giving our supporters a chance to see the team up close."

The match will be played just four days after fellow Premier League heavyweight Manchester United faces an A-League All Stars side at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

That match sold out within minutes and organisers are expecting another huge crowd for the Liverpool match.

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop said the game would provide another opportunity to showcase 'all that's good about the A-League after the best-ever season for the standard of play, big crowds and record TV ratings'.

Liverpool will also visit Thailand as part of its pre-season tour.

The nominees are A-League players Jerrad Tyson (Western Sydney Wanderers), Thomas Broich (Brisbane Roar) and Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory).

The award is designed to recognise, reward and support the most significant gestures of fair play within the A-League community, both on and off the field.

FFA CEO, David Gallop paid tribute to the role of fair play in football.

“While players are most often judged by their skill, goals and flair, football clubs exist because they represent their members, fans and the local community,” he said.

“The players are the people who make the connection by inspiring moments on the pitch and by acts of true sportsmanship and community spirit.”

The inaugural winner will be judged by a panel including: Mark Bosnich and Mel McLaughlin (FOX SPORTS), David Davutovic (Herald Sun), Sebastian Hassett (Sydney Morning Herald), Marco Monteverde (Courier Mail), Damien de Bohun (Head of Hyundai A-League) and Ange Postecoglou (Melbourne Victory).

Fans can vote for the most deserving act of fairer play and go into the draw to win $5000 plus a grand final package that includes two game tickets, return flights and accommodation.

Fans can vote for their Fairer Play moment here.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) boss David Gallop has declined to guarantee the job security of under-fire Australia coach Holger Osieck.

The Socceroos’ lame 2-2 draw with Oman in Sydney on Tuesday left the Socceroos facing a desperately tight battle to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

There are now nearly 10 weeks before the Socceroos' crucial clash with qualifying group heavyweight Japan in Saitama on 4 June, but Osieck has no practice matches in between with which he can try to restore confidence.

Asked if Osieck still enjoyed FFA's full support, Gallop chose not to answer directly.

"The Socceroos have the full support of the FFA but it goes without saying that we are under pressure to make it to Brazil and the coach and the staff know that. We want to qualify for Brazil.

"We've got three games to come and we need to be making sure we give every effort we can into winning those games."

Asked if Osieck's position would be reviewed before the Japan game, Gallop said: "No one needs to remind Holger and indeed his staff and indeed the team that they're under pressure."

Australia is still in control of its own destiny but needs at least one point out of the Japan match to make sure it isn’t relying on other results to go its way in the remaining games.

Osieck talked the talk during his eight-day camp leading into the Oman match, lauding the number of options available to him.

But on the pitch the Socceroos failed to deliver and, for the most part, looked flat and devoid of creativity.

His decision to pair two defensive midfielders was shown up as a glaring error.

With the A-League grand final taking place on 21 April, domestic players in the Socceroos squad must find a way to stay fit and in form leading into the Japan clash.

Gallop said Osieck was in charge of preparations.

"I'm sure they'll be talking to Holger about their preparations for June because we've got three games in a short space and we need them to be ready for those three games," he said.

Australia has qualified for the past two World Cups, with interest in the national team exploding since the Socceroos made it to Germany 2006.

After all the inroads the A-League has made this season, with the success of Western Sydney Wanderers and the buzz behind superstars like Alessandro Del Piero, making it to Brazil would give FFA another major boost.

However, Gallop claimed it wouldn't be "catastrophic" if Australia missed out.

"It wouldn't be catastrophic because the A-League has become the backbone of Australian football, which you couldn't possibly say in years past," he said.

"But we've been to the past two World Cups, we want to go to a third in a row. It's important and we'll be doing everything we can to get there."

The former Australian Under-23 skipper will now stay until the completion of the 2013-2014 season, his fourth with the club.

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold said Bozanic had knocked back a number of offers from other A-league clubs to stay loyal.

"We certainly know what he is capable of and at 24 we are convinced Oli's best form is yet to come," he said.

"He's a player with big ambitions and goals for himself."

Bozanic returned to Australia after a stint with Reading and has played 77 competition matches since he signed with the Mariners in mid-2010.

The Mariners are currently in second place on the A-league table, guaranteeing them a home semi-final.

Chipperfield – a two-time World Cup finalist and one of the mainstays of Australian football’s golden generation – is beginning to question his long-held conviction that the Socceroos will quality automatically for Brazil with a top-two group finish.

But even if they do, the left-back, who accumulated 68 caps before bowing out after the 2010 World Cup, views Latin America as a potential graveyard for Holger Osieck’s men in match-ups against football’s higher powers.

Back in his adopted home of Switzerland, playing and learning the coaching trade with amateur outfit FC Aesch in the fifth tier of Swiss football, Chipperfield, 37, saw cause for concern not just in the statistics of Australia's battling 2-2 draw with Oman in Sydney on Tuesday night – but also in manner of its performance.

And with a trip to Japan to come in June, followed by home games against Jordan and Iraq later that month, he warned: “What I saw against Oman, particularly in the first half, wasn't good to watch.

“There were passes going into the grandstand and some not finding their targets over 10 metres and all we seemed to offer were long balls and crosses to Tim Cahill, who dug us out of trouble in the end (with the aid of Brett Holman).

“We lacked creativity through the midfield and I was surprised to see two holding midfielders (Mile Jedinak and James Holland) when you had somebody like Bresh (Mark Bresciano) on the bench, who is the one player we have with the vision and touch to pick a pass and really hurt teams. He can produce that killer ball, which is what we are lacking.

“We also had two new centre-backs (Robbie Cornthwaite and Michael Thwaite) and we missed the experience of Lucas Neill there.

“And we are lacking a natural left-back – Matt McKay is a good player but that’s not his position. I thought David Carney might have been the answer but he doesn’t have a club, so that’s an issue.

“We did show our fighting spirit to come back from two goals down, but even then we relied heavily on Timmy and a succession of corners. You won’t get those dead ball situations against the better teams at the World Cup. You need to play football – and we didn’t see enough of that.”

Japan’s loss to Jordan has seen the Middle Eastern nation leap-frog Australia into second spot in Group B – having played a game more – and now the Socceroos need to avoid losing in Saitama on June 4 to avert further collateral damage to its campaign.

“Suddenly the pressure is on. That was bad result for us and I really think we need to take something from our trip to Japan now,” Chipperfield said.

“They will do us no favours because they still need a point to be sure of qualifying themselves after the slip up in Jordan.

“If we lose that one, then we really are in big trouble. I thought with three games left we’d have a lot more than six points and only one win to our credit.

“I am concerned because I have been saying all along that we have the quality and depth and that we will get to the World Cup. I stick by that.

“But it’s about time now for the team to start performing and showing that they are good enough.”

Chipperfield, who is on the first rung of the coaching ladder as he studies for his EUFA badges and a possible future career calling the shots from the sidelines, also wants to see Tommy Oar – impressive off the bench against Oman – and fellow youngster Tom Rogic promoted to starting positions.

And he is hankering for the return of long-time absentee Josh Kennedy, who has declared his intention to be ready for the Japan game.

“I think all three would make a difference. I have liked what I’ve seen from Oar and Rogic for a while now and they deserve more game time,” he said.

“Some of the younger players have maybe shown they are not quite good enough yet, but these two have something about them.

“And it would be good to get Josh back because he has a good scoring record against Asian opposition and he scares them. He’s been excellent in his time in the J-League and I feel we have missed him.”

The 32-game tournament will take place in Australia from 9-31 January.

The other venues are Stadium Australia (ANZ Stadium), Brisbane Stadium (Suncorp Stadium), Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (AAMI Park) and Canberra Stadium.

The tournament will be contested by 16 teams that will be divided into four groups, the top two in each section to reach the quarter-finals.

The Socceroos, who went all the way to the final of the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar before falling to Japan in extra time, will play in Group A at the tournament's biggest venues Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

The Australian team has an added incentive to win its group and reach the semi-finals because it would play in Sydney on Australia Day.

Newcastle Stadium (Hunter) has undergone a facelift and will host two group games, a semi-final and the match for third place. Its capacity is 33,000.

”Newcastle is a heartland of football,” local organising committee chief executive Michael Brown said.

”It has the second highest A-League membership and we are really looking forward to taking some games there.

”There will be several games in Sydney so by having seven in Sydney and four in Newcastle we are having the best of both worlds.

”We are pleased to have locked in five top-class venues for the competition and finalised the match schedule.”

Australia, Japan, Korea DPR and Korea Republic have qualified for the cup.

The qualifying rounds are expected to be finalised by next March and the final draw will take place in April.

The competition is being jointly funded by Federal Government and the State governments of Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

The number of games to be played in each state is proportionate with the level of funding by the respective governments.

AFC Asian Cup organising committee chairman HRH Prince Abdullah Ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah, who flew from Malaysia for the launch, said he expected big things from Australia.

"We are sure it will be a great backdrop for world-class football," he said.

"Looking at the progress made so far and Australia's rich sporting culture, I expect this AFC Asian Cup to be better than all previous (tournaments)."

But the Socceroos will have to play much better in their remaining three matches if they are to book their ticket to the finals in Brazil in 2014.

It took Oman only six minutes to show the Australians that it meant business in this must-not-lose clash for both sides.

With the two teams sitting on five points - a good eight points behind runaway group leader Japan - neither side could afford another defeat.

Striker Abdul Aziz Mubarak went past cumbersome Michael Thwaite like an express train and from the tightest of angles managed to slip the ball into the net through Mark Schwarzer's legs.

The 34,603 crowd at Stadium Australia was somewhat muted as the two teams entered the field but the arena fell into a stunned silence after Oman's shock strike.

The look on some of the Socceroos' faces indicated that an early goal against was the last thing they needed or expected.

The home side was having major problems getting going.

Tim Cahill and Brett Holman were crowded out by Oman's resolute defenders who made up for their lack of height with a fierce determination to get to the ball first.

After 20 minutes of utter confusion right winger Robbie Kruse swapped sides with his left-sided counterpart Alex Brosque and for a while this seemed like an inspired move as Australia began to move a bit better and with more drive but it was from a set piece that Australia created its first half-chance when Mile Jedinak headed over from a free kick by Luke Wilkshire.

Holger Osieck had hinted that Australia would hit Oman with an aerial bombardment but this never materialised mainly because the wide men - including fullbacks Wilkshire and Matty McKay - were not providing enough width.

At one stage Osieck remonstated vigorously with Jedinak after the midfielder played a bad pass in a promising situation.

Ten minutes later, almost by accident, a goalbound header from Holman was plucked from the air by competent goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

”It was definitely not what we expected,” an exasperated Osieck said later.

”We had different hopes going into the game but unfortunately the first half did not go according to plan and we almost paid dearly for that."

Osieck had expressed deep satisfaction with the way his week-long camp went and could not explain why his players were so out of touch in the first half.

"These are the imponderables in football," he said. "You can work on stuff and try everything but the transfer is always another issue.

"It was a 2-2 draw and we have to live with that now."

The second half was not even four minutes old when Oman went further ahead after Jedinak miscued a clearance and managed to slot the ball into his own net.

The Socceroos were staring a humiliating defeat in the face but, thankfully, they responded almost immediately with a classic goal by Cahill who rose beautifully to head in a corner from Wilkshire.

Suddenly the game changed and the home team sensed that it had a chance of salvaging a result.

Passes were sticking, more space was appearing and Al-Habsi suddenly came under intense pressure.

A deflected shot from Wilkshire hit the bar and the post before Cahill volleyed the rebound over the bar and the same player forced Al-Habsi to make a marvellous save with a header but the Australian had fouled his marker in the process.

The 'Al-Habsi and Cahill show' continued when the goalkeeper dived sideways to a turn a header from the striker to corner.

When it looked like Australia was losing the momentum it had generated after Cahill's goal, Holman's thunderous strike in the 84th minute gave the home side renewed hope of a victory that seemed unlikely at the start of the second half, albeit for a couple of minutes.

But it was not to be.

You can see all of Australia's games at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup LIVE on SBS plus the semi-finals and the final.

The Young Socceroos were one of four teams to qualify for the 21 June to 13 July tournament from last year's AFC U-19 Championship, along with Iraq, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan.

"All the groups at the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be tough," Young Socceroos head coach Paul Okon said.

"Every game will be a final and we look forward to representing Australia and showcasing Australia as a serious football country.

"We are confident that we can rise to this wonderful occasion.

"Playing in a World Cup is a huge challenge but none more so than playing in a group that has the host nation.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our players to play against the world's best players."

The Young Socceroos kick off against Colombia on 22 June, and then face El Salvador on 25 June before their final group match against Turkey on 28 June.

Group A arguably looks the toughest of the six groups, containing Spain, France and United States as well as a team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Matches will take place across seven cities - Antalya, Bursa, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Kayseri, Rize and Trabzon.

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 group stage draw:

Group A (Istanbul, Kayseri): France, CAF, USA, Spain
Group B (Kayseri, Istanbul): Cuba, Korea Republic, CAF, Portugal
Group C (Trabzon, Rize, Gaziantep): Turkey, El Salvador, Colombia, Australia
Group D (Gaziantep, Trabzon): Mexico, Greece, Paraguay, CAF
Group E (Antalya, Bursa): Chile, CAF Champion, England, Iraq
Group F (Bursa, Antalya): OFC Champion, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Croatia

Australia coach Holger Osieck said he would prefer not to play international 'warm-up' games before competitive matches in favour of greater preparation time in camp.

The Socceroos gathered on Sydney last Monday to prepare for the must-win 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Stadium Australia on Tuesday.

Osieck said friendly internationals can serve a purpose, citing his side's 2011 match against Malaysia, but expressed his preference for preparation in camp.

"We played Malaysia in 2011 prior to the Oman game in the first phase of qualifying and it worked well because I had to find the right players to use in the qualifier," Osieck said at the official pre-game conference at the team's hotel.

"On another occasion in 2012 we played Lebanon in another friendly which went well but the following qualifier against Jordan was one of our poorest games since I've been here.

"Based on that experience and the significance of the Iraq game a month later I decided not to have an additional game prior to the qualifier.

"I think it was a good solution because sometimes it is better to work on things.

"I'm pleased with this last preparation because this time we have had a lot of time to prepare for the game and adapt to the conditions.

"We could work on many aspects of our game and I am quite pleased with the way the boys have responded.

"I could not say this on too many occasions but I have some positive selection headaches this time.”

Osieck, who vetoed his players from attending the Week 26 Western Sydney Wanderers versus Sydney FC derby, citing a risk of losing focus on the big game ahead, said one-off international games can break up one's preparation because it diminishes the concentration on the real thing.

"You need all the focus and energy you can get in an important qualifier and this can get lost in a friendly,” he said.

"Sometimes, too, a game can be very deceiving. You play good football, you win two or three nil and you build a level of euphoria which does not transfer to the important game, as was the case of the Jordan game.

"I'm not even talking about logistical and travel issues like delays and hanging around in airports for eight hours.”

Osieck also explained that playing internationals so close to important matches had the potential of affecting the tactical preparation.

"These are opportunities for me to give some fringe players some game time,” he said. "This of course disrupts the tactical preparation for the starting players.

"So right now I think that this is a better solution.

"This has some pros and cons and we will see tomorrow if a long camp is the way to go."

At the halfway stage of qualifying Japan leads Group B with 13 points from five matches.

Australia, Iraq and Oman have five points each while Jordan is bottom of the group with four points.

The Socceroos have a match in hand.

The top two teams in the group qualify directly for the finals in Brazil.

A-League chief Damien de Bohun confirmed that Australian clubs can expect two and a half spots in the 2014 edition of the tournament after a new ruling from the Asian Football Confederation.

Australia was ranked fourth behind Japan, Korea Republic and China in Asia in 2013 and did not meet some elements of the qualifying criteria and consequently lost one of its direct spots.

The AFC also decreed that Australia's sole direct entry would be Central Coast Mariners, which won the 2012 Premiers' Plate.

This forced champion Brisbane Roar to play Thai team Buriram United in a qualifying playoff which it lost on penalties while beaten grand finalist Perth Glory, which thought it was in a playoff, was forced out of the tournament altogether.

”The AFC has ruled that the penalties for Australia's shortcomings in the points criteria and ranking system will be removed for 2014,” De Bohun said.

”So if we retain our current status we will have our two and a half spots back.

”We have had very positive talks with the AFC and it's looking very good.”

The status of the A-League finals came under scrutiny after the AFC decreed that it recognised the Premiers' Plate winner as the champion team.

But this development means that the two automatic spots for 2014 will go to the premier and the champion, while the team finishing second in the regular season will qualify for a playoff.

The Qatar-based midfield maestro acknowledges the need for Australia to make the most of its home ground advantage in three of its final four qualifiers, starting with Oman.

But he is well aware of the risks of going overboard in the search for goals.

One of those risks is the speed of Omani striker Amad Al Hosni on the break.

"We can't leave him too much space because they might catch us on the counter-attack," Bresciano said on Sunday as the Socceroos made their final preparations for the first of four qualifiers between now and the end of June.

"We want to attack but we also have to be careful. We've got to be really patient.

"We must make sure we don't give them the chance to go forward.

"If you push too many players forward looking for an early goal, you can leave too much space, so we have to keep the balance.

"It's a long game. It's 90 minutes. We must not lose our heads. The sooner we get a goal the better, but 1-0 will do for us."

Striker Archie Thompson added: "There will be a lot of anxious people out there wanting us to score. But we know we've got players capable of scoring at any time."

Bresciano, one of the team's most experienced players, said he felt no extra pressure from the absence of suspended skipper Lucas Neill because the team was "full of leaders" who divided the responsibilities.

He described Tuesday's match as critical, saying: "Our position isn't the best. We need those three points."

Oar, who plays his club football for FC Utrecht in the Netherlands, suffered a knee knock in his last match in the Eredivisie before flying to Australia.

He said he was confident he would be available for the game at Stadium Australia which Australia needs to win to boost its chances of reaching the finals in Brazil.

Oar, 21, has come in for plenty of praise from Australia coach Holger Osieck after showing progress in the last year.

"Each year, I've been getting more game time, more confidence and, this year, I've nailed down my spot in the starting 11 which has been great for me," Oar said.

"If you look at a number of the Socceroos that have played in Europe the last 10, 15 years - the same thing has happened.

"It doesn't just happen overnight. It takes a lot of adjusting to the standard."<.p>

Another player who has earned rave reviews from Osieck is James Holland, who is poised to play his first game on home soil in more than four years.

Holding midfielder Holland started in Australia's last international against Romania and is a strong chance of being in the run-on side next week.

If he does, it will be the first game in Australia for the Central Coast product since he played an A-League match for Newcastle at the end of 2008.

"I haven't thought about it too much, but it is exciting," said Holland, who has flourished in Austria after some tough times in the Netherlands.

He has blossomed as the starting defensive midfielder for league-leading Austria Vienna.

"The three years prior to me going to Austria were difficult for me in Europe and I was finding my feet for a long time," Holland said.

Williams, who is in the Socceroos squad for next Tuesday's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Stadium Australia in Sydney, has earned a reputation as a jack of all trades but he admitted he would rather be seen as a master in a given position.

The message he might like to give his coaches is: thanks for having faith in me but can you please let me settle down in one position.

”Sometimes being versatile gives you an edge to play,” Middlesbrough captain Williams, 24, said at the team's hotel.

”It has been a bit difficult this season because I think I've played in seven or eight different positions.

”It's nice to get to know the game in different positions and from different perspectives.

”I just accept this but it can be a worry because I want to settle in one position soon.

”I'd like to think I'm a rare commodity, a bit different, but a lot of players are similarly versatile.

”I don't really know where my main position is.

”I've got good and bad qualities in every position I play in but if I can make one role my own that would be nice.

”Having said that, I've always said that the pitch is my best position.”

Williams is one of the contenders for the spot left vacant by suspended captain Lucas Neill.

”I'd like to think that with Lucas out there might be an opportunity for me,” he said.

”But there are some good players here so I need to fight for the position.

”And if I do get the nod hopefully I can show the boss that I'm ready.”

Another player who is fighting for a starting spot is defensive midfielder Mark Milligan.

With Carl Valeri injured, Melbourne Victory's Milligan is one of the favourites to take up the joint holding role along with Mile Jedinak.

Elevation to the starting 11 would add strength to coach Holger Osieck's stand that he is prepared to give anybody a chance, regardless of where they play their club football.

”There are a few A-League players in this camp and with the league being quite strong and competitive more local players are being looked at and getting a chance to be selected,” Milligan, 27, said.

”The (East Asian Cup qualifying) tournament in Hong Kong last year was very good for A-League players who showed what they can do.

”If you are a player overseas and maybe not having the best run of things it is nice to know that you can come home and be in the national frame so this is good for the national team, the A-League and the players.

”The A-League is growing and the standard is getting a lot higher.

”But the main thing about getting into the national team is to play games, regardless of where you play.

”Holger has shown that if you play regularly for your club and you do well, you will get picked for Australia and if you do well you will stay in the side.”

Schwarzer, 40, has played for Australia 104 times since making his first appearance in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.

On Tuesday night Schwarzer will deputise for suspended defender Lucas Neill in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Oman at Stadium Australia.

"Anything less than three points will be a disaster for us," Schwarzer said at the team's hotel in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.

"It's going to be a very, very tough task for us."

"Obviously, if you look at where we're sitting on the table, it (three matches out of four played away) has worked out ok.

"We would have liked to pick up a couple more points along the way.

"Now with the four remaining games, every one of them is obviously vitally important, particularly the three home games."

Next week's Oman encounter is a crunch game and Schwarzer will be just as excited as when he came on as a substitute for Robert Zabica in Edmonton, Canada, two decades ago.

”Of course, I get the same buzz,” Schwarzer said.

”Yes, it's very true, I have been playing a long time but I think that, the longer you play, the more games you play, if you do not get that buzz that I still get from playing for your country I would not be sitting here today.

”That is what drives me, that continuous buzz from representing my country.”

Schwarzer, who plays his club football for Fulham in the English Premier League, is Holger Osieck's most experienced player and the coach had no qualms about giving him the captaincy when it became available.

Goalkeeper captains are not very common at club or national level.

While many believe goalkeepers have the best seat in the house to see what's unfolding in front of them, others maintain that sometimes they are too far away from the action to be able to exert any influence.

The veteran custodian, who was raised in Sydney's west, clearly subscribes to the former view.

”The game is all about opinions,” he said.

”And my view is that a goalkeeper's position is just as important as any other on the park.

”I think you can have influence from any position.

”What's important is that we have a team that has a good balance of experienced players who are able to lead from all over the park.

”When Lucas is here he is definitely one of the more vocal players in the team but there are other leaders too.

”You cannot have just one leader.”

Schwarzer, who has tried to avoid controversy throughout his career, raised many eyebrows in 2012 when he said that Aussie players coming home to end their careers in the A-League were at risk of falling victim of the notorious tall poppy syndrome.

He cited as an example World Cup striker John Aloisi's two-year stint with Sydney FC when he was often heavily criticised by the fans for his performances that did not meet their expectations.

”I'm not going to hide from the fact that I did say that, yes,” Schwarzer said.

”I think early on it (the excessive criticism) was something that happened.

”But I don't think that as the years went by it happened as often any more, in fact I don't think it happens at all now.

”All the returning players I have spoken to since then speak very highly of the way in which they are received here in Australia.

”I think the league has evolved and become very competitive and even the fans have taken the competition to a higher level.

”Western Sydney are a great example of that.”

Many members of the Socceroos squad have expressed their wish to attend the much-awaited Sydney derby at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

But Osieck has ruled this out because he said it would be too much of a distraction three days before a key qualifier.

The team will have to watch the match as a group at its hotel via a set of big screens.

So who will Schwarzer back in the derby?

”I will be supporting Western Sydney definitely,” he said.

The Socceroos face the Omanis at Stadium Australia and the home team is set to unleash all its attacking power in a bid to take the points and lay a strong claim for a spot at Brazil 2014.

Japan leads Group B with 13 points from five matches while Australia, Iraq and Oman are second with five points each although Holger Osieck's side has a game in hand.

"The countdown has started and for me it is all about the points," Cahill said at the team's Sydney hotel on Tuesday afternoon.

"I suppose I will be playing in an advanced role against Oman because there are going to be a lot of balls coming into the penalty area.

"I should be working as hard as I can because we need goals.

"I expect a busy game for the whole attack because it is going to be a high-tempo, high-energy game.

"I hope all the boys are up for it.

"It has to be that way from us and we have to make sure we pressurise them and make them feel unwelcome."

Osieck said last week that he thought the New York Red Bulls star, who is an excellent header of the ball, was a better and more dangerous player when facing goal rather than having his back to it.

He suggested he might use Cahill in the hole just behind two strikers against Oman which, like most Arab teams, is never comfortable dealing with high balls.

"With the pace we have on the wings from guys like Brosquey (Alex Brosque), Krusey (Robbie Kruse) and (Brett) Holman they should be putting a lot of crosses in," Cahill said.

"For me I always feel comfortable playing high up the pitch.

"Of course, I will prepare how the boss prepares me and that is something I have done throughout my career."

Australia will play three of its remaining four matches at home and is in the box seat to reach a third successive World Cup.

Yet its position would have been remarkably different without the aid of Cahill's goal in its last qualifying match against Iraq in Doha.

With the gritty Iraqis leading 1-0 and time running out fast, Cahill headed home a late equaliser before Archie Thompson found the net with a glancing header for a priceless victory.

Heroes... Cahill and Thompson turned back the years against Iraq (Getty).

"A lot of people talk about the moments of my career and that was a good one, definitely up there," he said.

"If you look at the meaning of goals, you realise that a lot of games we played we have been behind the eight ball.

"We have been playing well but circumstances sometimes worked against us.

"To score that goal at that time, I suppose, was important.

"So, yes, it was a special goal."

Cahill has caused Oman plenty of grief with heart-breaking goals over the years, starting from a last-gasp equaliser in a group match in Bangkok at the 2007 Asian Cup.

No prizes for guessing which Australian player the Omanis fear most.

"You can say the same about a lot of clubs or countries I have played against," he said.

"But as a footballer I show great respect for any team I have played against.

"I take this as a compliment and, the thing is, once you put on the green and gold you do anything to win.

"And for me it does not matter how the ball goes in as long as you can make the difference."

Cahill, who at 33 considers himself as one of the leaders in the Socceroos group, said he was thrilled with the progress of squad member Tomas Rogic since he burst onto the A-League scene with Central Coast Mariners just over a year ago.

"His transition overseas has been really positive," he said of the Celtic man.

"I will be meeting him today for the first time and getting a chance to work with him and find out more about him as a person and as a player.

"I will try to help him develop and also show that it is a level playing field out there and I really hope that some of the young ones coming through will take their chance."

Host Vitor Sobral is back in the hot seat along with Sydney Morning Herald football writer in chief Sebastian Hassett, Costas Kilias and Stuart Randall.

And we must send out a big congratulations to our colleague Mariana Rudan on the arrival of baby Markus, who we are all sure is destined to be a Socceroos star.

The World Game Podcast - 19 March by SBS The World Game

The pod team dissects Week 25 of the A-League as Western Sydney Wanderers hit the power of 10, Central Coast Mariners secured what we all need, a week off, and the finals race became an ode to the greatest TV show in history.

Also featured are Zdrila’s awesome promos, Costa’s King Hit!, A-League All Stars and the Socceroos.

Don't have time to listen to the pod now? You can subscribe via iTunes or any other podcasting software by simply following the link here, and clicking the orange 'RSS' button in the top right corner.

Download the Harmony Game resource kit here

“Football is the face of Australia and is a sport that truly reflects the cultural diversity of our nation." FFA CEO David Gallop said.

“As Australia’s most inclusive and accessible sport, with 1.7 million participants, football bridges gender, age, linguistic, ethnic and religious divides.

“The Harmony Game is an extension of the Harmony through Football initiative that aims to help foster inclusivity across all cultures through football.”

SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster today joined school children at Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta to showcase The Harmony Game, a free resource kit produced for schools and community groups nationwide which seeks to support cultural harmony and respect through football.

Football represents Australia’s multicultural diversity with a connection to more cultures, languages and ethnicities than any other sport. With more than 250 million registered players globally, football is the most widely played game in the world.

“SBS has always championed the sports which contribute to building strong communities. We are proud to be driving this great initiative which will provide a year-round resource to help teachers use the game to inspire our younger generations of Australians from diverse backgrounds to understand the importance of diversity,” SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said.

The Harmony Game was conceived by Foster as a way for young people from all cultural backgrounds to develop their appreciation, understanding and skills for living harmoniously and respectfully in Australia’s diverse communities.

The resource kit provides lesson plans, player clips, posters and facts about football which promote understanding and acceptance that can be incorporated into school curriculums throughout the school year for students from years 3 to 10.

“There is no doubt that football changes the lives of kids everyday both in Australia and around the world," Foster said. "Through football, we come to know different ways of life and this understanding breeds tolerance and respect.

"That’s what the game gives us all: experiences, friends, memories and new perspectives.”

The Harmony Game forms part of a new ‘Harmony through Football’ initiative being delivered with FFA including over 150 events for more than 17,000 participants in NSW and Victoria.

The Harmony through Football initiative culminates with three marquee fixtures incorporating the Harmony message –Melbourne Heart v Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory on 16 March and Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC on 23 March.

For more details on the Harmony through Football program visit FFA and for more information about Harmony Day visit SBS's Harmony Game website and the government Harmony Day website.

Australia's ageing national side has raised concern within the football family that it was not being sufficiently challenged by the players coming through the ranks.

But Osieck said the media's and fans' concern was misplaced because a few players have made giant steps forward in the last two years and it is only a matter of time before they became Socceroos stars.

”This topic came up when I started here three years ago,” Osieck said.

”I always said we would look at transition but it had to be a smooth one.

”Of course, most of the young guys are not ready and you cannot play with seven or eight 20-year-old players.

”There is a natural evolution in the game, where you see the talent and you nurture it and give it time to grow.

”Sometimes the media and the fans are impatient but that is my position as a coach: I also am and educator and a developer and I must know how to do it.

”Sometimes there is some controversy and I accept it.

”Footballers will tell you what it takes to step up because sometimes things do not go your way.

”You have to fight and that is the way it goes.

”I don't think fans should worry about the future.”

Osieck cited as an example the rapid progress Robbie Kruse, Tommy Oar and James Holland have made while playing for Fortuna Dusseldorf, FC Utrecht and Austria Vienna respectively.

”Robbie went through a rough patch in Bundesliga.2 last season and he hardly got any playing time,” he said.

”He was frustrated but I always invited him to the national team and he got a boost from that.

”This year he is playing regularly in Bundesliga.1, he is scoring and he is one of Fortuna's best players.

”He kept fighting and he is now a regular in the Socceroos team and one of my most important players.

”Those who really make it in such difficult circumstances are the ones you can count on. That's a fact.”

Osieck said he continues to receive similar good vibes from Oar and Holland.

”We all could see two years ago that Tommy was a talent but he has made tremendous progress and now he has become a player,” he explained.

”And the same goes for James. He was a one-paced, comfortable midfielder who could play some nice passes.

”He now has the fire, energy and determination that is required and is always looking for positive balls to the front.

”I am excited because the three are pretty good players.”

Osieck said there were other players based in Australia who are good enough to wear the green and gold whom nobody talks about.

One of them is Western Sydney Wanderers playmaker Aaron Mooy, who was overlooked for the Oman game.

”Why not Aaron Mooy? He was part of the Socceroos team in the East-Asian Cup qualifiers in Hong Kong,” Osieck said.

”He used to be slow but now under Tony Popovic he has developed into a more aggressive, attacking and defending player.

”He has all the elements to step up.

”I have already opened the door for him and all he has to do is walk through.”

The policy paper is the outcome of a conference at the Lowy Institute on 23 November, 2012, where more than 100 business, government, football and community leaders came together to share their ideas about the role football can have in deepening Australia’s relationship with Asia.

LOC chief executive Michael Brown said the Lowy Institute paper highlighted the important role football could play in strengthening and broadening Australia’s networks in Asia.

Brown said the paper also provided priorities for the engagement with a Football Asia Council the key recommendation.

“There is growing recognition that football, through events like the Asian Cup, offers a unique opportunity for Australia to promote tourism, trade and other interests in Asia,” Brown said.

“Australia needs to do more to capitalise on the doors football can open and the Football Diplomacy Paper explores those opportunities.

“The policy brief discusses the practical ways that Australia can use the 2015 Asian Cup to promote diplomatic, tourism, business and social engagement with key countries in Asia.

“Importantly, it also recognises that this opportunity begins with the Asian Cup but does not end when the tournament is over. Football will continue to connect Australia and the rest of Asia long after the teams have travelled home.”

Brown said the LOC would now review the paper and work with governments and stakeholders on addressing the policy brief’s recommendations.

“I want to thank The Lowy Institute, and especially executive director Michael Fullilove, Anthony Bubalo and his team, for their great work on the policy brief and the November conference," Brown said.

“I welcome feedback from government, business, football fans and community representatives on the ideas raised on the day and those canvassed by the policy document.

“If we can turn these ideas into concrete action I’m sure this will be a legacy not only for football but also for Australia.”

The Sydney FC youngster links up with the New Jersey side in her first stint overseas.

"She is someone who grew up playing forward and converted into being a right defender, so she fits well into the system that we want our wide defenders to play.

"She is someone who is willing to get into the attack, and she also provides good recovery speed and makes her defensive presence felt."

Foord, who has played for Sydney FC in the W-League since 2010, began her international career in 2007 in Australia's Under-17 side.

She achieved her first cap with the full Australian national team in May 2011, scoring a goal in her debut against New Zealand.

Sky Blue FC kicks off its 2013 season on 14 April against Western New York Flash.

Gameiro, who is playing on loan to A-League club Wellington Phoenix from Fulham, told The World Game his contract with the English Premier League club runs out at the end of the season and that he was keen to go to the youth tournament as a free agent.

Gameiro scored all six of Australia's goals in the AFC U-19 championship in the United Arab Emirates last November, in which the young Socceroos made the semi-finals to qualify for June's U-20 World Cup finals.

"I haven't re-signed with Fulham yet," Gameiro said. "We haven't had any discussions, so I don't know what is going to happen there.

"I'm treating the youth World Cup as a chance to put myself in the best possible position by playing well in front of agents and club representatives from around the world. They all go to this tournament to look at players.

"People have said to me, 'that's a lot of pressure to put on yourself', but I don't look at it that way. I see it as a great opportunity to perform, and I'm excited about it.

"If I got any offers, I'd be able to negotiate straight away because I'd be a free agent.

"I'm just going to go there and play my football for the team, and if a club sees me and decides I'm worth signing, that's great.

"If nothing happens, then that's the way it goes, and I'll probably keep playing in the A-League while I work out what to do in the future."

Gameiro will play his fifth game for Phoenix when it meets competition leader Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.

He had been playing on loan to Dutch club FC Eindhoven, and his move to the A-League was not expected, but Gameiro said circumstances convinced him to make the choice to come here after his spell in the Netherlands finished.

"As soon as I got back to Fulham from the loan I wanted to go straight back out again," the 20-year-old said.

"They were going to put me in reserve grade, but I didn't want to do that. I thought it was time to play men's football, and I needed to, if I was going to develop.

"I grew up watching the A-League, and I knew it was a lot better now that when I left Australia.

"I knew it would be better for me to play in that rather than reserve grade in England, so my manager went looking for a club for me.

"There were plenty of clubs interested but the main thing for me was to make sure I was playing football.

"I didn't want to be coming off the bench, or not getting much time. I saw a great opportunity at the Phoenix, so I signed for them.

"I'm on loan until the end of the season and we'll see what happens after the World Cup."

Gameiro played in his first two games for Wellington under coach Ricki Herbert, who resigned after a poor run of results. Herbert's assistant, Chris Greenacre, took over the coaching duties in an interim capacity.

"I'm used to playing up front but when I started at Wellington they put me in an attacking midfielder role, through the centre," Gameiro said.

"That was good, because I could be dangerous coming forward but last week they dropped me back as a central midfielder.

"I didn't play very well and I've had a chat to the coach about it. I think I'm better off playing in the more forward midfield role.

"I said I'd be happy to stay where I was, if that's what they want to do, but hopefully I'll go back to the attacking midfielder role this week."

Sheikh Salman represents the last hope that the game in the vast continent will clean up its act, it has been claimed.

Sheikh Salman, who is a member of the Bahrain royal family, is one of four candidates to contest the election at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on 2 May.

The other nominees for the AFC's top job are Thailand's Worawi Makudi, a long-time ally of disgraced former president Mohamed Bin Hammam, Hafez Ibrahim al-Medlej of Saudi Arabia and Yousuf al-Serkal of the United Arab Emirates.

Football Federation Australia, as a member of the 11-nation South-East Asian group within the AFC, has not publicly declared its intention but it will be expected to back Makudi.

Peter Velappan, who served as AFC general secretary for almost 30 years and oversaw Australia's entry to the confederation in 2006 before he fell out with Bin Hammam and retired in 2007, said Asia would make a huge mistake if it failed to give Sheikh Salman the chance of giving the game a new face.

Makudi, al-Medlej and al-Serkal are members of the AFC's executive committee.

”None of the AFC ex-co members are fit to hold the position of president," Velappan said from Kuala Lumpur.

”They are friends of Bin Hammam and they come with too much baggage.

”If any one of them is elected we will have the ghost of Bin Hammam running the show again.

”The only one of the four who would be good for the game in Asia is Sheikh Salman, who is not on the ex-co.

”If the AFC's member associations have the welfare of Asian football at heart they should have no other option but to vote for him.

”He would be a totally new face for Asian football and at the moment we need it badly.”

Velappan said Asian football had an image problem and the first thing the incoming president will have to tackle is the match-fixing allegations that continue to hinder the game's progress in this part of the world.

”Bin Hammam has left the game in a chaotic state and there are many things that need to be fixed, the most important being the match-fixing claims,” he said.

”Our image is in tatters but I believe Sheikh Salman would give our game the shot in the arm it needs.”

Sheikh Salman is president of the Bahrain Football Association.

The AFC presidency became available because Bin Hammam was suspended by FIFA and the AFC after being accused of trying to buy votes in a bid to topple the world governing body's president Sepp Blatter in 2012.

Bin Hammam, who comes from Qatar, resigned last December soon after a new probe into financial irregularities was launched against him but he has denied the allegations.

Caretaker AFC president Zhang Jilong of China announced last week he would not seek to be elected to the position.

Host Vitor Sobral is joined by TWG's Mariana Rudan, a man who refuses to follow the trends – just like George Costanza’s lawyer – Sebastian Hassett and Costas Killias, whose controversial theories have revolutionized football in Australia.

The World Game Podcast - 5 March by SBS The World Game

The pod team dissects Week 23 of the A-League as the league lead changes hands, an A-League coach does his best impersonation of Kangaroos great Darren Lockyer.

It’s vini vidi vici for Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Victory gave Newcastle Jets the five star treatment, while Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory and even Wellington Phoenix refused to turn off the life support.

The A-League’s often criticised sudden death finals format gets reviewed before Costa’s King Hit! brings the pod to an end.

Don't have time to listen to the pod now? You can subscribe via iTunes or any other podcasting software by simply following the link here, and clicking the orange 'RSS' button in the top right corner.

The pod team dissects Week 22 of the A-League as another A-League coach bites the dust and the competition turns to its attention to the top two showdown in Gosford that could decide the fate of the Premiers' Plate.

The Kilias theorem takes hold across the ditch, the Mariners hit Victory for six and Wanderers rise to the summit but only get a brief view.

Host Vitor Sobral is joined by Mariana Rudan, after a week reporting on how dolphins give each other names, a man who encountered a Mexican revolt en route to the World Cup in South Africa, Sebastian Hassett and football's answer to Charles Picard, Costas Kilias.

The World Game Podcast - 26 February by SBS The World Game

Don't have time to listen to the pod now? You can subscribe via iTunes or any other podcasting software by simply following the link here, and clicking the orange 'RSS' button in the top right corner.

Turner had been involved in school football for more than 30 years and was synonymous with the development of the game at both school and elite player levels.

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer David Gallop paid tribute to Bill Turner and his services to the game.

"Bill Turner was one of the great pioneers of youth football in Australia and made a prodigious contribution to the game," said Gallop.

"Bill had a vision to develop school football and never lost his drive over four decades. He worked tirelessly for the game he loved, and gave opportunities to so many players and coaches, well beyond his home patch in the Hunter Valley.

"On behalf of the Australian football community, I send condolences to Bill's loved ones and I salute one of the genuine heroes of our game."

Bill Turner is well known in school football as the figurehead of the Bill Turner Cup, a high-school knockout competition run in Queensland, NSW, ACT and Victoria, which will be contested for the 35th time this year.

Click the link for more information on Bill Turner, the Cup and Trophy.

Northern NSW Schools Football Incorporated administers the Under-15 boys Bill Turner Cup as well as the girls equivalent, the Bill Turner Trophy.

The committee of the day, some 30-plus years ago, had the foresight to name the competition after Turner.

Turner, then a teacher at Booragul High School, became the driver of the junior high school tournament. He was also involved in the formation of the senior boys Tasman Cup, which later became the Commonwealth Bank Cup and is now referred to as the Errea Cup. "Bill was enormously proud to be associated with Northern NSW Football and Booragul High, where amongst others he coached the Tredinnick brothers and Craig Johnston," said Lindsay Hewison, President of Northern NSW Schools Football.

"Bill was an international referee in the 1960s and refereed, amongst others, Everton and Dundee. He was a staunch supporter of all referees and claimed he 'watched the ref rather than the game'."

Bill Turner was a lot more than a football man, he was a family man that immersed himself in music, the church, table tennis and wrestling to name a few of his interests, or in most cases, his passions. On one occasion his commitment to the church saw him reject an appointment to referee Manchester United.

"Dad refereed around Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie regions," said Lloyd Turner.

"He declined refereeing the match between Manchester United and Northern NSW in 1967 because of a conflict with church commitments.

"Bill's family are very proud of his football achievements, he had such a vision to develop junior talent and worked tirelessly while he was a school teacher - organising trials, development programmes and overseas tours.

"The amazing thing was that he concurrently did the same for music - he conducted a 90-voice school choir and organised Hunter Region music festivals that were the forerunner of the Spectaculars of today. Then on the Sunday, he was off to referee at the highest level.

"Bill will be greatly missed by his family, his football family, his church family and the many fellow teachers, students and players who appreciated his ability and humour."

Bill would start work the day after the finals on the next year's Bill Turner Cup and Trophy but in recent years, given his age and at times his health, the committee were more involved in the day-to-day running of the competitions that encompassed in excess of 400 schools both boys and girls.

His influence always shone through - if there was a problem the committee would ask: "Bill, what do we do?"

Now they have to ask themselves: "What would Bill have done or said?" The committee, in part, that named the tournament after Bill Turner, in 1979, is still active and with the newcomers, like myself, have the responsibility to uphold Bill's ethos for the Cup and Trophy that bears his name.

"Fun, Fitness and Fair Play and to say NO to Tobacco, Sugar Drinks, Alcohol, Junk Foods, Drugs, False Advertising, Racism, Bullying and Anti Social Behaviour."

Harmony through Football, the first formal FFA program linking directly the game's diverse player role models to the growing multicultural communities of Australia, includes more than 150 events for more than 17,000 participants in New South Wales and Victoria.

The program, organised and driven by FFA, Federal Government, Local Government and SBS, commenced last Sunday with a tournament coordinated by Melbourne Heart featuring Victoria Police, the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association and the Australian Somali Football Association.

The initiative concludes with three marquee A-League matches in Melbourne and Sydney around Harmony Day (21 March) involving Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.

"Football is the face of Australia and is a sport that truly reflects the cultural diversity of our nation," FFA chief executive David Gallop said.

"With 1.7 million participants, football is Australia’s most inclusive and accessible sport, one that bridges gender, age, linguistic, ethnic and religious divides.

"In 2012, FFA undertook a cultural audit of the A-League which showed that 87 per cent of players have an overseas ancestry and 68 per cent have one or more parent born overseas, both well above the national average.

"Football's broad fan base similarly reflects this diversity and our aim to help foster this diversity through the Harmony through Football program."

Senator Kate Lundy, federal minister for sport and multicultural affairs, said: "Sport is a powerful unifier which brings together people from diverse backgrounds. This initiative shows football living up to its status as the world game – a universal language and passion."

SBS is proud to be involved with the program with TWG's David Zdrilic on hand at today's launch in western Sydney.

"We are proud to be a partner in this great initiative which will help to inspire our younger generation of Australians from diverse backgrounds to connect with the champions of the game."

The 38-year-old World Cup winner has been in talks with the Sky Blues about activating the second year of his $2 million-a-season contract, with his brother Stefano arriving in Sydney last week to finalise the deal.

“I am very happy to be staying at Sydney FC for another season,” Del Piero said.

“I chose Sydney FC at the beginning of this season because I wanted to show my love of football in another country and I have enjoyed the challenge and my time at Sydney FC and in Australia.

Del Piero posted a statement on his website revealing his decision to stay at the A-League club, with this banner:

At an afternoon press conference to confirm the deal, Del Piero joked that "at my young age" he was proud to have had interest from other clubs in his services - with Brazil heavily mooted as a destination - but that he did not seriously consider leaving the Sky Blues.

"No. No. No," Del Piero replied when asked if he was considering leaving Sydney FC.

"I took a lot of time to agree to another season... it was a big challenge for me and my family to come here, I changed everything in our life.

"That's why I needed to understand what is good and what is not. For sure it's good here, and the relationship with the club (is good)."

Del Piero has scored 11 goals in 18 matches - the highest-ever goal haul by a Sydney FC player in a single season.

After a horrible start to their 2012/13 campaign, the Sky Blues have risen to fifth under coach Frank Farina.

Del Piero said the turnaround, his family's happiness, and the vision of Farina and chairman Scott Barlow were all crucial factors in his decision to remain with the club.

"Weeks ago we had to be concentrating to come out of a terrible situation with the team. Now we are in a good position but it's not enough," Del Piero said.

"We have six games remaining and we have to push our energy to make the playoffs.

"Everyone wants improvement next year, everyone wants to do better and better every week and that's what I feel when I talk with Scott and all the board and the boss.

"That's why I'm very happy to stay here and do another great and better year."

Off the pitch, Del Piero has helped generate greatly-increased media interest, crowds and television ratings for the A-League.

Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow was thrilled to have agreed to terms with Del Piero well before the end of the season.

"On the pitch his class has been on display and off the pitch the impact Alessandro has had has been huge," Barlow said.

"He has raised the profile of not only Sydney FC, but the A-League as a whole.

"He has done that here in Australia, but also internationally.

"It's incredible to think every week there are football fans across Italy tuning in to watch Sydney FC play live. That's just one example of the impact he continues to have."

Barlow suggested negotiations were reasonably straightforward with Del Piero's camp.

"There wasn't a sticking point. We made it quite clear to Alessandro some time ago that we were quite keen for him to say," Barlow said.

"He made it clear to us some time ago that he was very happy to stay as well.

"We worked through some of the detail of the contract that needed to be worked through, and that concluded late yesterday."

Tougher penalties for hooligans at major Victorian sporting events will help reduce bad behaviour at matches, Melbourne Victory managing director Richard Wilson said.

Hooligans who light flares or invade the pitch will soon face fines of more than $1000 and bans for up to five years.

The tougher penalties are part of a draft law introduced into State Parliament on Wednesday.

Wilson said the club did not want a handful of people behaving badly to compromise the wonderful atmosphere at its games.

"These tough new penalties will be instrumental in heavily reducing incidents of anti-social behaviour occasionally seen at football games," he said.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said most sports fans were well behaved, and the minority spoiled the experience for others.

"There is no place for violent or destructive conduct at any sporting event in Australia and certainly not in Victoria," he said.

Police have recently been assaulted by fans at Melbourne Victory games, with Head of A-League Damien De Bohun confirming that three people had been banned for their part in recent incidents.

FFA isued a five-year ban, an eight-year ban and a 12-year ban to three individuals who "acted inappropriately ".

Unruly fans destroyed dozens of seats and lit flares at the Melbourne derby in February, leaving a damage bill of thousands of dollars.

Ticket scalpers will also be fined more than $700 under the proposed law.

Kelly was promoted to the new role after joining FFA as the Chief Financial Officer in January 2012. Previously, he spent a decade in senior executive roles with Ten Network Holdings.

During FFA's broadcast negotiations last year, Kelly played a leading role in securing arrangements that will deliver $160 million of economic value of the next four years.

FFA CEO David Gallop said the creation of the COO role and the appointment of Kelly were the first steps in a restructure aimed at giving FFA a greater focus on implementation of strategies and operational efficiency.

"John Kelly has vast experience in corporate finance and executive administration within the sports and entertainment industry," Gallop said.

"His significant role in the successful broadcast negotiations was acknowledged by all parties.

"In my first 100 days in the job John's sharp business and financial acumen have been demonstrated on a wide range of major projects beyond his finance portfolio.

"I'm delighted John has accepted this important role as COO and I look forward to working closely with him to make FFA a better organisation for all our stakeholders."

As COO, Kelly will retain responsibility for finance and assume control of international and domestic broadcast and digital rights, information and communications technology, major event acquisition and stadium hiring arrangements.

He will have a formal co-ordination role over major projects that cover a range of new business opportunities for the benefit of community football and the professional tier.

"I'm grateful to David Gallop for giving me this new opportunity and having confidence in my ability," Kelly said.

"My first year at FFA has given me a great insight to the football world. I'm tremendously excited by the growth I've seen this season and the opportunities ahead.

"As COO, I look forward to the challenge of delivering business improvements across a wide range of activities."

Recalled to Australia’s starting line-up for the recent international against Romania, Zullo, 24, is hungry for regular first team football at club level as he bids to secure a starting role for the Socceroos before the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

But whether or not that will be at Utrecht – the club he joined from Brisbane Roar along with Tommy Oar and Adam Sarota in 2010 - remains “up in the air”, according to the player himself.

After making his 20th appearance of the season for sixth-placed Utrecht in last weekend’s 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven, he declared: “My agent is due to meet with the club next week to discuss the situation and I would like to stay, if that is possible.

“Things are up in the air right now. The club has the right to activate the extension or not to – so it’s in their hands.

“It's a good club and I am settled there, especially with Tommy Oar and Adam Sarota as my team-mates.

“The reality is that I want to be playing games because that will give me my best chance of staying involved with the Socceroos.

“Obviously I have been in and out a bit at Utrecht (having overcome persistent groin problems over the past two seasons) and I now feel I’m possibly in the best shape I’ve been in and I am playing as well as ever.”

Whatever the outcome of Zullo’s summit with the club’s hierarchy, he has vowed to remain in Europe, rather than opt for Asia or even a return to the A-League.

“I hope Europe is where my future lies for the time being at least,” he said.

“Europe is the highest level possible and that’s where I need to be – I think it’s the best place for me to improve and continue to learn as a player.

“Of course, if something came up in Asia you would look at it but it’s definitely not in my thinking.”

Deployed as a left-sided utility by Utrecht, Zullo came off the bench after only seven minutes against PSV to fill in at left back after an ankle injury to his rival for that spot David Bulthuis – and he could now get an extended run in the team.

“I really need a few games under my belt to get my match rhythm going into our World Cup qualifier against Oman next month (26 March in Sydney),” he added.

“That’s an absolutely massive game and we know a win would bring qualification a little step closer. It’s a game we must win.

“I think I did okay against Romania after not starting for the national team for a while and I obviously want to build on that, given the chance.”

While fellow Socceroos team-mate Adam Sarota’s season has been wrecked by a serious knee ligament injury, the dynamic Oar returned from his recent hamstring injury with a 15-minute cameo off the bench against PSV to give a welcome boost to Australia coach Holger Osieck.

Oar had been penciled in for significant game time in the 3-2 loss to Romania after his recent impressive performances for his country and is certain to be recalled for the Oman game, assuming he is fit.

“Tommy looked good and will only get better with more game time,” added Zullo.

“He’d been out for six weeks, so it was great to see him back again.”

De Reus selected 31 players for a four-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, which begins on Thursday.

Having arrived in Australia in early January, De Reus took in all the W-League finals series and is excited to get started with the Matildas, after she succeeded Tom Sermanni who is now in charge of the United States women's national team.

"It is good to have the bulk of players available and in the country to come into our first camp together," De Reus said.

"The purpose of this training camp is to meet with the players, set-up the highlights of how we are going to work together and also discuss our short-term and long-term aims.

"Most importantly we can start on the field and work on our playing style." Nine members of the squad are on reduced training loads, including Garriock who is back in the national set-up for the first time since the Olympic Games qualifiers in September 2011 and giving birth to her first child last year.

Perry swaps a cricket ball for a football after playing a key role in the Southern Stars' win in the World Cup final over the weekend in Mumbai.

Sydney FC goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis, sister of striker Leena, is the only uncapped member in the squad while 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup young player of the tournament Caitlin Foord is selected ahead of her move abroad next month.

The Sydney FC star will trade in the W-League for Sky Blue FC - also home to Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna - in the United States National Women's Soccer League after interest from European sides Liverpool and Linkopings and Japanese club INAC Kobe.

Matildas training squad is (caps - goals in brackets):

Teigen ALLEN - 22 (0)
Laura ALLEWAY - 14 (0)
Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk) - 2 (0)
Danielle BROGAN* - 5 (0)
Ashley BROWN* - 6 (1)
Ellie BRUSH - 2 (0)
Kim CARROLL* - 48 (2)
Stephanie CATLEY - 9 (1)
Amy CHAPMAN - 18 (4)
Brianna DAVEY* - 4 (0)
Lisa DE VANNA - 79 (30)
Caitlin FOORD - 15 (1)
Heather GARRIOCK* - 130 (20)
Emily GIELNIK - 4 (0)
Kathryn GILL* - 72 (37)
Katrina GORRY - 4 (0)
Michelle HEYMAN - 8 (3)
Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT - 30 (0)
Alanna KENNEDY - 7 (0)
Samantha KERR - 22 (3)
Shamiran KHAMIS (gk) - uncapped
Leena KHAMIS* - 19 (5)
Aivi LUIK* - 15 (0)
Collette McCALLUM - 76 (11)
Ellyse PERRY* - 18 (3)
Teresa POLIAS - 2 (0)
Clare POLKINGHORNE - 60 (2)
Renee ROLLASON - 8 (4)
Kyah SIMON - 39 (10)
Servet UZUNLAR - 37 (2)
Emily VAN EGMOND - 16 (3)

*Reduced training load

The eighth A-League grand final is scheduled for Saturday 20 April.

However, a festival featuring Van Halen and Billy Joel lasting the whole weekend has ruined any chance of a multi-million dollar grand final between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers at the 84,000 capacity arena.

The scenario is purely hypothetical at this stage but a very realistic possibility exists that the impressive Wanderers and fast-improving Sky Blues could end up facing each other in the mother of all derbies, which would be a Football Federation Australia dream.

The two derbies, so far, at Parramatta Stadium and Allianz Stadium have drawn big crowds.

If such a grand final derby situation arises and FFA deemed that Allianz Stadium was not big enough to meet crowd expectations, it could stage its blue riband event at ANZ on another date.

But for this to happen the venue's management would need a firm booking from FFA.

The governing body, on the other hand, will not be in a position to book an expensive venue in advance without knowing which two teams will contest the grand final.

The final series, and all the gate takings, is the property of FFA.

The Socceroos remain the No.2-ranked team in Asia, behind Japan.

Japan dropped seven spots in the rankings despite defeating Latvia 3-0 in a friendly.

Australia's highest ranking remains No.14, achieved in September 2009.

England, meanwhile, rose two places to No.4 in the FIFA rankings after defeating Brazil 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley.

Roy Hodgson's men enjoyed a memorable night at Wembley and now look up at just three teams on the list; Spain remain the top-ranked side while Germany and Argentina are unmoved in second and third respectively.

The latest rankings, released on the back of the Africa Cup of Nations, see Nigeria climb 22 places to No.30 as a result of their title success in South Africa.

Runners-up Burkina Faso move from No.82 to No.55.

VIDEO: David Gallop talks to TWG's Mariana Rudan about a possible cup competition

FFA paved the way for these developments on Wednesday when it announced a restructuring of Australia's semi-professional state leagues to produce a national play-off series.

Gallop confirmed a report that promotion to and from the A-League could happen within five years but said FFA doesn't have a specific timeline on it.

He added that work was underway on an FA Cup style competition to be called the FFA Cup but said that wouldn't happen before 2015.

"I think we are all committed to an FFA Cup coming into fruition but we need to make sure the A-League is bedded down before we embark on such a big venture," Gallop said.

"But there is an appetite to do it and there's already people at the FFA working on it."

Under the new state league model revealed on Wednesday and to be phased in over the next two years, each state and territory will be run by the member federation but under the one National Premier League banner.

Their competitions will run from March to September with the winners to play-off in a knockout competition to find a national champion.

"It's an exercise of two years in the making. A lot of consultation of the stakeholders in the game but this is really a landmark thing for the development of Australian football," Gallop said.

"It means that our semi-pro state league clubs which have long been the engine room of our player development systems will have a fresh focus across the country."

The National Premier League (NPL) model, launched on Wednesday 13 February, brings national guidelines for the state and territory elite club competitions for the first time.

The key features of the NPL are:

:: A common brand and logo.

:: Qualified technical directors at each club.

:: Consistent player pathways in each state and territory.

:: A player points system to encourage youth development.

:: Revised compensation system to reward clubs producing A-League players.

:: Improved finance and business planning under a club licensing scheme.

The NPL competition in each state and territory will be run by the member federation with a national playoff at the end of each winter season.

FFA chief executive David Gallop said the introduction of the NPL model was a “landmark in the development of Australian football”.

“The semi-pro state league clubs have long been the engine room of Australia’s player development system and have always provided a local focus of football passion across the nation,” Gallop said.

“Today’s launch of the National Premier Leagues model gives the state-based competitions the status and organisational structure they deserve.

“This model is the product of the National Competitions Review, a hugely important piece of policy development over the past two years.

“I commend our member federations, the constituent clubs and the FFA staff for their commitment to the cause. This work will shape football across the nation for years to come.”

The phased national roll-out of the NCR recommendations will see 70 clubs across Queensland, NSW, South Australia, ACT and Tasmania implement changes this year.

In 2014, Victoria, Northern NSW and Western Australia propose to roll out the NCR changes. Due to its smaller scale, Northern Territory will adopt a partial model.

“The NCR is a key outcome of our strategic plan which has the objective to better connect community football to the professional tier,” Gallop added.

“The National Premier Leagues model is a vital conduit from the grassroots to the Hyundai A-League.

”The strategy is sound but now all parties need to redouble their efforts to ensure the implementation brings the desired results.

“In short, our aim is to see highly qualified coaches employed by stable and well-run NPL clubs producing better Australian players from under 12 to under 18, then under 20s and finally to senior ranks.”

Bosnich, now 41, stopped playing for Chelsea in the Premier League in 2003 after he failed a drug test and was forced to retire.

He has since carved a successful career as a television pundit in Australia.

He is as far removed from the pressure-cooker atmosphere of top class European football as can be.

But with the round of the 16 of the UEFA Champions League on its way and one of his former clubs Manchester United away to Madrid on Thursday (AEDT) in a titanic clash that has captured the imagination of millions of fans worldwide, memories of great European nights are flooding back to Bosnich.

He can feel the adrenalin rushing through his veins same as it used to do when he was the peak of his powers.

”Of course I miss the big nights, especially those in the Champions League,” Bosnich said.

”Every footballer dreams of such big occasions.

”But, hey, I'm doing the next best thing, which is working as a television pundit.”

Fox Sports commentator Bosnich said he has mixed memories of an epic Champions League quarter-final tie between Madrid and his United team in April 2000.

”We were world and European champions then but Madrid had a great side too with players like Roberto Carlos, Raul Gonzales, Fernando Redondo, Fernando Morientes and Steve McManaman.

(Bosnich with Real Madrid's star defender Roberto Carlos after the match... Action)

”It was a fantastic game in Madrid and both teams had chances and the real surprise was that it remained goalless, really.

”Zero-zero did not truly reflect the quality of play from both sides.

”We did very well to get a draw and I'd like to think that I played my part in front of a packed house at the Bernabeu.

”That match was most definitely one of the highlights of my career because I was playing with and against some of the world's best players.”

Bosnich's heroics in goal that night were not lost on the world's football media.

(Bosnich gets the better of Real Madrid attacker Ivan Helguera... Action)

'Bosnich passes Spanish inquisition', screamed the Guardian while the Mirror wrote: 'Had it not been for Bosnich, United would be facing an ignominious exit because Madrid battered them with some wonderful, flowing football. Only Bosnich stood in their way. He stood up to them. Two saves from McManaman were world class. One from Karanka defied belief.”

The New York Times put it simply: 'Bosnich saves Manchester United'.

Bosnich is too modest to dwell on his dazzling display that night when Madrid threw everything at the away team bar the kitchen sink.

”Forget my performance, it was a team effort and Iker Casillas in Madrid's goal played well too,” Bosnich said.

”However I would have to say that that period in my career was probably the best.

”I also did well in Tokyo a few months earlier in the World Club Championship against Palmeiras of Brazil and in a match against Leeds a few days before the match in Madrid.”

(Bosnich diffuses a dangerous situation during a goal mouth scramble... Getty)

Bosnich was the victim of an internal bungle before the return with Madrid at Old Trafford and did not play.

He was asked to undergo two consecutive gym sessions by United's conditioners and he suffered a hernia that would keep him out of the game he so desperately wanted to play in, if for nothing else than to prove his worth to manager Alex Ferguson, who sometimes complained that the Australian was inconsistent.

With Dutchman Raymond van der Gouw in goal, United lost 3-2 in a match that would be remembered for a master class from Redondo.

United's European reign was over and Madrid went on to beat Bayern Munich in the semis and Valencia in an all-Spanish final.

Bosnich said the 2012-2013 edition of Manchester United is strong enough to go all the way and win its fourth European title if it overcomes its Spanish nemesis.

”If they beat Madrid they can go on and win it, definitely,” Bosnich said.

”United have a very strong attack because Robin van Persie has given them a new dimension while defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are on their way back.

”On the other hand Madrid will be without Casillas who is out for two months and they have had some internal problems this season.

”I think United will get the better of Madrid, actually.”

The Age reported that an A-League match attracted a huge investment from Asian punters with Hong Kong betting agencies.

While Federal Justice Minister Jason Clare said on Thursday that one possible case of match fixing was already under investigation, he did not identify the sport.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton subsequently raised the example of a recent A-League match in Melbourne attracting $40 million in bets when he highlighted concerns about the high risk of match-fixing in sport.

Speaking in Melbourne on Friday ahead of The Heart of Business Luncheon hosted by Melbourne Heart, Gallop moved swiftly on Friday to clarify there was no link between those two statements. "As far as we know there is no match fixing investigation into any A-League match by any authority, including the Victorian police," Gallop said.

"We’ve had it confirmed overnight by our overseas surveillance agency they don’t see any issues of concern about integrity surrounding A-league matches."

"Having said that, there are issues of concern for Australian sport and we need a speedy resolution to these issues.

"The vast majority of sports people, players and officials are doing the right thing. So one way or another, we need to get the actual facts on the table in a speedy way."

In response to the Australian Crime Commission's report, made public on Thursday, that there is widespread use of banned drugs and links to match-fixing in Australian professional sport, Gallop outlined FFA's process to dealing with such issues.

"We must maintain vigilance in education, in making sure that players are aware of penalties that can be imposed and as you'd be aware we have recently engaged an overseas agency to assist us with surveillance of football matches," Gallop said on Thursday.

"We are vigilant about it, we have internal and external resources in place and while we don't specifically have evidence at this stage, we join in the general concern and we are all too happy to be supporting the government and the ACC."

Games under the governance of FFA are monitored by the surveillance agency Sportradar.

Gallop said authorities needed to pursue the allegations made about performance-enhancing drugs and match-fixing, overseen by organised crime, as quickly as possible.

"The sooner we know actual facts the better," he said.

"If we can get to the bottom of these things, Australian sport will be all the better."

The Australian Crime Commission released the findings of a 12-month investigation into the integrity of Australian sport and the relationship between professional sporting bodies, prohibited substances and organised crime.

It said the links may have resulted in match-fixing and fraudulent manipulation of betting markets.

The key findings of the investigation identified widespread use of prohibited substances including peptides, hormones and illicit drugs in professional sport.

It said that in some cases players were being administered with substances that have not yet been approved for human use.

The ACC also identified organised crime identities and groups that are involved in the distribution of PIEDS (Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs), to athletes and professional sports stars.

The ACC report noted increasing evidence of personal relationships of concern between professional athletes and organised criminal identities and groups.

"The ACC has found that professional sport in Australia is highly vulnerable to infiltration by organised crime. Multiple athletes from a number of clubs in major Australian sporting codes are suspected of currently using or having used peptides," Justice Minister Jason Clare said.

The report concluded that some coaches, sports scientists and support staff of elite athletes have orchestrated and/or condoned the use of prohibited substances.

Gallop declared there is no evidence of player doping or match fixing but that the game's administrators remained vigilant.

"There is nothing specific in relation to football in relation to this report," he said.

"We are not specifically targeted in this report".

"But that doesn't mean that we don't join in the general concern about the issues that are raised.

"We must maintain vigilance in education, in making sure that players are aware of penalties that can be imposed and as you'd be aware we have recently engaged an overseas agency to assist us with surveillance of football matches.

"It's simple to make the point but it's a good one where things are difficult to detect.

"The level of deterrence must be high and that's what we are dealing with here both in relation to the doping issue and match fixing.

"We are vigilant about it, we have internal and external resources in place and while we don't specifically have evidence at this stage, we join in the general concern and we are all too happy to be supporting the government and the ACC."

The ACC said illicit drug use by professional athletes was more prevalent than had been indicated by sports drugs testing programs.

The report found that organised crime had an expanding role in providing banned substances to athletes, and this was facilitated by some coaches and support staff. The ACC has referred its findings of suspected criminal activity to the Australian Federal Police and state police forces.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and other regulatory agencies will undertake more investigations on the basis of the findings.

Clare said one possible case of match-fixing was already under investigation, though he did not identify the sport.

"The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans," Clare said.

Federal sports minister Kate Lundy said the government was moving to introduce tough new measures to crack down on the use of banned drugs and unethical behaviour in sport.

"Today is about the integrity of sport in Australia," Lundy said.

"... If you want to dope and cheat, we will catch you. If you want to fix a match, we will catch you. And as you can see by the investigations that have taken place, that we are well on the way to seeking out and hunting down those who will dope and cheat."

Lundy had introduced legislation this week to strengthen ASADA's investigative powers and doubled its investigative resources.

"If persons of interest refuse to cooperate with ASADA investigations they will be liable for civil penalties," she said.

The Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) has agreed to several measures to assist the crackdown.

The Coalition represents all the major sporting organisations in Australia, including the AFL, NRL, FFA, ARU and Cricket Australia.

The individual bodies are to:
:: Establish integrity units to deal with doping, betting and ethical issues.
:: Cooperate with ASADA and law enforcement agencies in a joint-investigation.
:: Call on their athletes to come forward and own up to wrongdoing and cooperate with investigators to possibly reduce sanctions.
:: Enact a multi-code policy to share information and implement doping sanctions across codes.
:: Have zero tolerance for any support staff involved in pedaling inappropriate substances and help ensure they are not employed in other codes.

While some critics have questioned the wisdom of persisting with stalwarts like Lucas Neill, Luke Wilkshire, Sasa Ognenovski and Archie Thompson, 23-year-old McGowan is having none of it.

McGowan, who could feature at centre-back for his country in the friendly against 33rd-ranked Romania in Malaga, Spain, on Thursday morning (AEDT), said: “You can’t just chuck youngsters in all together.

“Our job is to be there and to let the more experienced boys know that if they slip up then we’ll be looking to try and take their positions,” he said.

“At the same time we learn a lot off them. We pick their brains all the time and they provide invaluable knowledge on the ins and outs of international football.

“The older boys have been there and done it over the years whereas for the younger players… our training sessions are almost like games.

“They know what it takes to get results in tough matches and one or two bad games doesn’t make them bad players or justify any calls for wholesale changes.

“They are invaluable to the squad and sometimes people are too quick to jump on them. Us younger players look up to them and have idolised them. At the World Cup I was their biggest fan and loved all of them - and now I get to train with them.

“We are all mates and all want the same thing. Of course you want to play but above all we’re also Australian fans and want the team to succeed.

“The last World Cup I was back in Adelaide watching it on TV. Hopefully at the next one in Brazil I will be there as a player.”

McGowan’s first call-up last August came as a shock – even though it was in his adopted hometown of Edinburgh.

“I had actually bought tickets to watch the game with my brother Dylan (also of Hearts),” he explained.

“So you could say it did come as a bit of a surprise. I gave my ticket to one of my mates. Since then I have been in all the squads, which is great.

“The last camp, I played the full 90 minutes against Korea and I’m more than happy to bide my time.”

McGowan’s recent switch to Chinese Super League heavyweight Shandong Luneng may have raised eyebrows with a number of clubs in England also interested in the Adelaide-born utility.

But he pointed out: “A lot of that was paper talk and speculation. There was nothing too formal from any clubs. With me being out of contract in the (northern) summer a lot of them were waiting on getting me on a free.

“But Shandong were interested and they paid a lot of money to get me there. They are a big club in Asia and I am looking forward to a new experience.

“I loved my six years at Hearts. They did a lot for me and it was a tough decision to leave – and I’d love to have been in a position where I could perhaps have stayed a couple more years.

“But Hearts, as people know, has financial problems and for the good of the club it was probably better that they got some money for me when the chance arose.

“I had a great relationship with the fans and I couldn’t ask for more from them.”

McGowan doesn’t see China as an end point in his career - far from it.

“I have a two-year contract and when it’s up I will be 25 and that’s still young enough to perhaps head back to the UK.”

The Chinese Super League, which kicks off again in March, has had its critics but McGowan has been impressed by the quality of players at his club with pre-season training in full swing.

“The league is getting stronger each year and I’ve been training with the team for a month and all the boys are fit and have good technique.

“We have plenty of internationals in the team and we are building a new $50 million training complex.

“They are sharp and quick whereas in Scotland it’s a little bit more physical. At Hearts I played everywhere across the back four but in China I think they will look to play me at centre-back.”

Though he made his debut for Australia at right back, the twice-capped McGowan has been mentioned by Holger Osieck as possible centre-back material and could get a gig alongside skipper Lucas Neill at some stage against Romania.

“I am comfortable with that and to be honest I will play anywhere for the national team,” he said. “So long as I get a game.”

It means United will return to the stadium in which it won the 2008 Club World Cup when it beat Ecuador outfit LDU Quito in the final.

United has already announced fixtures in Sydney and Hong Kong as part of the tour, and is expected to also visit Thailand, in addition to another match in Japan.

Responding to the Europol report on betting in world football, FFA CEO David Gallop said: “Match fixing and sports betting are serious matters that have the potential to cause serious damage to the integrity and image of any sport.”

“While our National Code of Conduct contains strong provisions relating to betting and match-fixing, as a governing body we have put significant processes in place to try and safeguard against betting and match fixing related issues, including ensuring athletes receive education specifically on betting and match-fixing.

“We have also taken steps to enter into product fee and integrity agreements with a number of betting operators in Australia and, most recently, we’ve commenced a partnership with Sportradar.

“FFA is a member of the Coalition of Major Professional & Participation Sports (COMPPS), the National Integrity of Sport Unit and has product fee and integrity agreements in place with leading betting operators.

“We are determined in our efforts to eliminate the potential of match fixing from football.”

In December 2012, the FFA commenced a 18-month agreement with Sportradar, an independent world leading betting monitoring organisation, to create another level of deterrence to match fixing in the A-League.

Sportradar is a leading supplier of betting and integrity related services with over 400 clients in more than 60 countries across five continents, including 30 state lotteries, betting operators, state authorities, law enforcement institutions and various global sports federations.

Sportradar also has particular expertise in relation to monitoring football matches as its clients includes UEFA, the English FA, the Estonian FA, the French FF, the German FA, the Scottish FA, the Czech FA, and the Italian Lega Pro.

FFA’s commitment to deterring any form of corruption in the A-League remains firm. This includes its support of the National Integrity of Sport Unit announced by Minister for Sport Kate Lundy in November last year.

FFA conducts, through its Speaker’s Bureau, an annual betting education program for all professional football players in the A-League and Westfield W-League.

FFA is currently working with the Australian internet wagering and sports betting industry to establish industry standard product fee and integrity agreements to ensure there is transparency and high level reporting on the betting markets available on the A-League.

It is FFA’s stated mission to finalise product fee and integrity agreements with all major betting operators operating in Australia.

The independent senator also wants to know if football matches in Australia have been fixed after revelations of rigged games across the globe.

Europol said a five-nation probe had identified 380 suspicious matches targeted by a Singapore-based betting cartel, whose illegal activities stretched to players, referees and officials across the world and at all levels of the game.

"The laws here are inadequate," Senator Xenophon told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

He said ball-by-ball and micro-betting made sports ripe for corruption and match-fixing.

Senator Xenophon said the findings from Europol were "very disturbing".

"I am looking for a statement from the Australian Federal Police, from the relevant ministers as to whether Australia has been touched by this major scandal," he said.

He also said there should be tighter rules for election betting.

Senator Xenophon said party officials, political insiders and family members should not be allowed to bet on an election.

"The Australian Electoral Commission should be able to monitor this and also any bets more than $1000 should be automatically registered with the AEC," he said.

Crystal Palace captain Jedinak copped a swinging arm from Huddersfield striker Alan Lee last week, suffering a fractured cheekbone and a broken nose.

Defender Mark Milligan has been called up by coach Holger Osieck for the match to be played at the Estadio Ciudad de Malaga in Spain.

The Socceroos are currently ranked 36th in the FIFA World Rankings while Romania is ranked No.33.

Osieck is looking forward to using the match to assess where his players are at leading into the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Oman in Sydney on March 26.

Australia is currently in second position of group B of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The International Football School (IFS) opened its doors to 75 of the country's aspiring Socceroos and Matildas on the NSW Central Coast last week.

Unlike other sports schools such as well-known Sydney institution Westfield Sports School, which the likes of Socceroos Kewell and Jason Culina attended alongside a host of current A-League stars, IFS is the first school in the country to focus solely on the world game.

The Mount Penang campus will cater for up to 350 students from Year 5 to Year 10, each paying $4800 a year.

Two hours every morning is dedicated to training as part of the intensive football program which is integrated into the school curriculum with full-time coaches working alongside teachers.

Coaches at the school include former Central Coast Mariners Andre Gumprecht and Bradley Porter, and ex-Matildas Julie Dolan and Joey Peters.

Founder and chief executive of IFS Paul Chapman felt there was a desperate need to introduce the school in Australia.

"I've come across a lot of parents who are passionate about the game and haven't been able to find an atmosphere where it's taken seriously," Chapman told AAP on Monday.

"If you're not interested in football you don't come to my school basically.

"One main difference is that they do football every single day where most schools only do two sessions a week."

Chapman said he modelled the school on similar ones he'd seen in Europe and while all skill levels are welcome, students are assessed on attitude.

"We really try to capture the attitude of the child and their willingness to be coached - that's the key criteria," he said.

"Technical ability doesn't matter so much because we're pretty confident once we get them in here they'll improve pretty rapidly."

Chapman, a Central Coast resident, said he'd always planned to base the school between Sydney and Newcastle and admitted having the A-League's table-topping Mariners in the region was a huge draw card.

While not officially linked to the Mariners, Chapman hopes to build a strong relationship with them and fellow A-League sides and establish his school as a breeding ground for their future recruits.

"The goal longer-term is when the kids are getting to Year 11 or 12 we want the A-League clubs to be coming to us and looking at our kids and considering them," he said.

Dodd, the AFC vice-president and chairman of the AFC women’s committee, will learn whether she’s been elected at the FIFA congress in May.

The nomination caps a meteoric rise through the game's administration for the ex-Matildas player, who joined Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) board in 2007, before being nominated to Asian football’s top table two years later.

The AFC also announced it will elect a new president, a female vice-president – Dodd’s existing role – and two female members to the AFC committee, at its extraordinary congress in Kuala Lumpur on 2 May.

The role of general secretary will be filled at the ordinary congress, to be held in Kuala Lumpur a day later.

AFC acting president Zhang Jilong is among the favourites for the presidency, which has been vacant since Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam left the role in 2011.

Bin Hammam, who became AFC president in 2002 and still hasn't been formally replaced, was found guilty of vote-buying during his failed challenge against FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2011 and the FIFA ethics committee suspended him from all football activity for life.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned that ban last July but bin Hammam remained under provisional bans by both FIFA and AFC as investigations continued into allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure.

Bin Hammam's life ban was imposed again by FIFA in December after he resigned from all football positions on December 17. He has denied wrongdoing.

Zhang said nominations would close on March 3, 60 days ahead of the extraordinary congress.

"We, as guardians of AFC and Asian football, must make sure that the continent scales newer heights each year," Zhang said in a statement.

AFC Vice President Yousef Al-Serkal told The Associated Press late last year that the uncertainty over the leadership of the confederation "has been damaging for Asian football."

"It is has been unfortunate that something like that happened to the AFC at a time when we are trying to develop and improve the standard of football and that depends on the image and sponsorships of the AFC," Al-Serkal said.

FIFA said the 63-year-old bin Hammam sent a resignation letter to both FIFA and the AFC in December, and that the second life ban was a result of the final report from its ethics committee showing "repeated violations" of ethics during his term as AFC president and member of the FIFA executive committee.

FIFA has said evidence from whistleblowers pointed to bin Hammam handing out $US40,000 ($A38,615) bribes in cash to each of 24 Caribbean football nations during his campaign visit to Trinidad. A yearlong audit by the Malaysia-based AFC also revealed "infringements" regarding the "execution of certain contracts" and tampering with the organisation's bank accounts by bin Hammam while he was president.

Neill is untouchable in the centre of defence but Osieck is unsure which one of a group of candidates should be paired with the Socceroos captain.

Neill has played alongside many central defenders since Osieck became national coach soon after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Sasa Ognenovski, Matt Spiranovic, Jade North, Mark Milligan, Robert Cornthwaite andf briefly Rhys Williiams have all had an opportunity to show what they can do in the centre of defence.

But Osieck has not yet made up his mind on the best combination.

With the crucial World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney in March fast approaching, Osieck picked a 19-member squad for the friendly match against Romania in Malaga, Spain, on 7 February (AEDT).

"That is absolutely correct," Osieck said when it was suggested to him during a teleconference that he still had not settled the central defence question.

"Looking back at our recent games after the qualifier against Iraq, Cornthwaite left a good impression in Hong Kong.

"Michael Thwaite has played fullback and as a holding midfielder in Hong Kong, but he can play centre-half as well.

"There are others whom I did not pick for several reasons, mainly because it does not make sense to ask them to travel half way around the world for one single match."

Osieck said he was likely to give Williams and Ryan McGowan a chance to impress alongside Neill.

"Williams was part of our team but he was very unfortunate to be injured for a significant time," Osieck said.

"He is now playing regularly (for Middlesbrough) and I would like to have another look at him in the centre-half position.

"I would also like to see young McGowan in there, too.

"Neill will be suspended for the Oman game but I think that as captain he is the right man to give us guidance in the Romania match.

"He should also provide the experience in what is relatively a young side."

Osieck did not pick defenders Spiranovic and Ognenovski for different reasons.

Spiranovic, who plays his club football for Al-Arabi in the United Arab Emirates, is nursing an ankle injury, while Ognenovski, who plays for Umm-Salal in Qatar, was overlooked so Osieck could have a closer look at other candidates.

"Spiranovic is definitely injured and Ognenovski is a regular in his club team," Osieck said.

"But I know what he can do so if I bring in Neill and Ognenovski I won't be able to test the others that I want to have a look at. That would be a useless exercise."

Osieck said he was pleased to recall attack-minded fullback Michael Zullo to fill the left-back role that has been a problem for the national team for many years.

Zullo, who plays in the Netherlands for FC Utrecht, is seen by many as the man best suited to occupy the position.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him play," Osieck said.

"He was out for a significant period but he is now back in his team.

"I know what he can do and I included him also for a psychological reason … I want him to feel that he is still a part of the team."

David Carney, who played many games at left back with mixed returns, appears to be losing his battle to re-establish his international credentials.

He last played for Australia in the 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat by Jordan in Amman on 11 September.

His whereabouts are unknown although he has been linked with the Persepolis club of Iran.

"This is a difficult one because I have no recent information about him," Osieck said.

"I think he is still trying to find a club and, yes, he definitely is running out of time to get back in the team.

"The transfer window is closing in the next two days and I don't know what other options he may have.

"He has lost at least seven months of football, which is really unfortunate and never very productive."

The FC Utrecht defender, 24, last featured for his country in the squads for the trio of clashes against Denmark, Oman and Japan last June – but by his own admission wasn’t fit enough or sharp enough to merit a start.

But the one-time Brisbane Roar winger turned left-back has put together a run of games for Utrecht and is now likely to be named in Australia's squad for the duel against Romania in Malaga, Spain on 7 February (AEDT).

But his Utrecht teammate, attacking midfielder Tommy Oar, is ruled with a hamstring injury. It's a blow for Oar, who was a standout in recent appearances for his country.

“I’ve had a good run of games the last couple of months,” said Zullo, was has made nine appearances for Utrecht this season alongside regular starters Oar and Adam Sarota, the latter of who is now sadly ruled out for the season with a torn ACL.

“I am in good form and my fitness is good, so fingers crossed I will get a call again for Australia.

“Everybody is aware there is an opportunity there for somebody at left-back for Australia at the moment.

“There has been no real standout and I just hope I can be in the right place at the right time to stake a claim again.

“Under Holger I feel I have played well but on my last camps I wasn’t fit enough to show my best at training – and probably wasn't ready to start.”

Zullo, who has nine caps, hasn’t stepped on the field for his country since playing in a World Cup qualifier against Thailand 14 months ago.

He continued: “It’s been a long time between drinks, so to speak and I am really eager to get back in there.

“At 24, I am at a stage where I really need to be kicking on with my career and making some inroads.

“Brazil in 2014 is my biggest goal – a lot can happen between now and then.

“Holger has told me I need to be playing games at club level, like any player who wants to represent his country.

“Anything good about me that he’s said of course gives me confidence and I think my game has improved since I’ve been in Holland.”

Zullo has had to bide his time at club level, explaining: “It’s been frustrating but I’ve been training well and the chances have come.

“But it’s sort of match-to-match proposition, with the coach here picking whoever he thinks will do a job for a particular game – so I certainly can’t take anything for granted.

“Obviously, like any player I hate being on the bench, and want to play every single game.”

Zullo has played both left midfield and left-back for Utrecht. He started and played a full match in the 2-0 win at Groningen 10 days ago but was on the bench as Utrecht – also missing the injured Oar, beat Willem II 3-1 at home at the weekend.

After starting out as a winger he is now happily adapted to life as a left-back.

“It’s the position where I feel most comfortable now,” he added. “I actually enjoy the role which perhaps wasn’t as much the case when I first made the switch at the Roar.

“You can get on the ball a lot more and get forward. It can be stressful but at the right time it’s a good role. Ultimately though, I don’t care where I play as long as I get a game.”

Displeased at losing the opportunity to host Manchester United, Victoria is ready to stump up in excess of $3 million to make sure the world giant opts for Victoria when it makes a final decision on its 2013-2014 pre-season plans in the coming days.

But NSW, which splashed out $3m to secure United against the A-League All Stars at a sold-out ANZ Stadium on July 20, remains very much in the hunt to secure back-to-back games for the All Stars against football royalty with imminent meetings between the FFA and the government scheduled to discuss the issue.

It’s believed the United game alone will generate revenue of around $15m for NSW, and Liverpool’s visit would be in the same ball park – hence the scramble to play host to the five-time European Cup winner.

A Liverpool spokesperson confirmed the Reds was looking to nail down an opponent “sooner rather than later” but sounded a note of caution to fans in the UK, or elsewhere, who might rush into making travel plans.

“Nothing has been finalised but discussions are on-going over a far eastern tour,” said the official. “I would advise people to wait until there is an official release on this before making many firm committments.

“But we don’t want people to jump the gun in terms of making concrete plans before everything has been formalised and at this stage that is not the case.”

High-ranking Reds officials were in Melbourne over the weekend discussing the nuts and bolts of the proposed showpiece match with well-credentialed match agent Lou Sticca and the Victory hierarchy.

Sticca is the man responsible for twice bringing David Beckham and LA Galaxy to Australia along with Scottish powerhouse Celtic. Not to mention persuading Alessandro Del Piero to commit to Sydney FC.

The battlelines have been drawn but it remains to be seen whether the NSW State government is willing to outbid Victoria and claim a historic double-header.

It’s believed there could be a decision on that before the end of the week.

Sydney FC defeated Melbourne Victory 3-1 to win the W-League grand final in a game highlighted by a stunning goal from Sam Kerr at AAMI Park.

While Sydney needed a stroke of luck to take the lead through Nicola Bolger, who saw the ball ricochet off her and into the net from Victory goalkeeper Brianna Davey's clearance, there was nothing fortuitous about Kerr's effort when she put her side back in front just after half-time, after Petra Larsson had curled home a free-kick just before the break to level things.

Kyah Simon did well on the right to win the ball and then produce a dangerous cross, which Kerr converted with a wonderful diving head to put her side back in the lead.

Simon added a third from the penalty spot on 86 minutes to seal victory after Maika Ruyter-Hooley was sent off for bringing down substitute Larissa Crummer in the penalty area.

Melbourne produced the first real effort of the game, Enza Barilla firing a shot in from distance that Sham Khamis saved, while on 16 minutes Kerr could only prod straight at Davey under immense pressure.

Renee Rollason then came close to opening the scoring for Sydney - missing Ellyse Perry due to cricket commitments and the suspended Emma Kete - only to be denied by the fingertips of Davey.

But two minutes later Sydney took the lead in bizarre circumstances. Rebekah Stott's backpass was slightly underhit, with Bolger's attempts to chase it down proving successful when Davey slammed the ball off her and into the back of the net.

Teresa Polias then hit a long-distance effort that Davey dealt with, and while at the other end Jessica McDonald had an effort saved by Khamis, there was almost a repeat of the opening goal with Stott against short with a backpass and Davey kicking the ball into a Sydney player.

This time though, the goalkeeper was able to gather when the ball rebounded off Chloe Logarzo.

On 41 minutes Melbourne pulled level through Larsson, who produced a stunning free-kick which went in off the post to leave Khamis with no chance.

Three minutes after half-time Simon and Kerr combined to put Sydney back into the lead, Kerr celebrating in some style when the ball flew into the back of the net, with Barilla and Simon then trading shots only to be thwarted by Khamis and Davey respectively.

The game was as good as over with six minutes remaining however, substitute Crummer racing clear only to be brought down from behind by Ruyter-Hooley who was immediately shown a red card.

Simon stepped up from the penalty spot to seal her side's third, and more importantly give it its second W-League title.

With less than a second left on the clock, the referee opted not to award a goal to Australia, which would have sent the game into extra time, the match official ruling that time had run out before the ball went into the net, much to the chagrin of Australia's protesting players.

The Beach Socceroos went into the match without experienced Socceroos duo Ante Juric and David Zdrilic, the latter forced to sit out the match after being shown a red card for dissent in the 2-1 loss to Japan.

UAE made the task of qualifying even more difficult when Ali Karim scored directly from the kick-off.

Within 30 seconds it was 2-0, after UAE goal-keeper Humaid Jamal scored from another long-range thunderbolt.

UAE played in four Beach Soccer World Cups before missing out on the 2011 edition after being eliminated from the from the corresponding match two years ago by Iran.

But Australia wasn't going to ensure a smooth passage, with Michael Matricciani pulling a goal back for the Beach Socceroos midway through the first period.

UAE dominated the second period, with numerous chances falling, including this spectacular effort from Karim:

But it was the Beach Socceroos who next troubled the scorers, with Matricciani's second, three minutes into the final term, levelling the match and giving Australia hope for an unlikely victory.

With five minutes remaining, Karim scored what would prove to be the match-winning goal for UAE.

Drama marred his team's celebrations, as Australia's players protested the referee's decision not to award a late goal to the Beach Socceroos, who scored from a throw-in with less than a second remaining.

Australia is expected to appeal the result.

In the final, Iran completed a stunning comeback from 6-3 down to beat reigning Asian champion Japan on penalties.

Iran scored three times in the final minutes of regulation time to draw level at 6-6 in a pulsating game that could not be decided in extra-time.

After the first nine spot-kicks were all converted, Japan's Takeshi saw his shot saved by Iran keeper Hosseinilargani.

Both finalists were already assured of a place in the World Cup finals in Tahiti.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has been in talks with Liverpool officials for several weeks about bringing the Reds to Australia, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Liverpool representatives are in Australia this weekend and attended Saturday night's Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC game at AAMI Park.

An A-League All-stars team will meet Manchester United at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 20 July with the Liverpool game, should it happen, to be played the following week.

Allocated tickets for the Red Devils game sold out within two days and FFA officials are expecting the same response from Australian football fans to see Liverpool.

Liverpool also has a strong Australian connection through Craig Johnston and Harry Kewell and current back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones.

After the first two periods of a tight encounter ended goalless Japan took a two-goal lead early in the final period before Australia halved the deficit through the tournament's top scorer Panagiotis Nikas, who nabbed his ninth goal in four games.

The defeat means the Beach Socceroos will meet United Arab Emirates in the third place playoff with the winner grabbing the final AFC spot up for grabs at Tahiti 2013.

Saturday 27 January
AUSTRALIA v UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Third place playoff
LIVE from 1.30am AEDT. Kick-off 1.45am AEDT
Available via LIVE stream on The World Game

With so much at stake, Australia and Japan began cautiously in the final four meeting.

While it may not have had the lion's share of possession, the Beach Socceroos looked more likely to score in the first 24 minutes of play, hitting the woodwork on at least four occasions.

It was an unlikely error that resulted in the deadlock finally being broken with Australia's best in Doha, Nikas, at fault.

Under little pressure his back pass to goalkeeper Simon Jaeger came up short and Kawaharazuka Takeshi pounced to give Japan the lead three minutes into the final stanza.

It was a tough break for the Aussies who had defended resolutely to that point to keep Japan at bay.

Still recovering from that body blow, Australia conceded again less than a minute later when Peter Crevani gave away a free kick that Makino Shinji took full advantage of.

He drove hit shot in to the sand and the bounce took it over the despairing dive of Jaeger.

Australia refused to lay down and replied to set up an intriguing final five minutes when Nikas scored.

Captain Michael Matricciani's fine run from the back and cross saw Nick Tsattalios's header pushed onto the bar with Nikas on the spot to volley in the rebound.

Australia pressed for the leveller that would have extended proceedings but it came up short.

It will also have to make do without key forward David Zdrilic, who was sent off for dissent late on, for the clash against UAE.

UAE went down 3-2 to Iran in the first semi-final at Katara Beach.

Doubles from Panagiotis Nikas, David Zdrilic and Peter Crevani saw the Beach Socceroos end their group campaign with three wins.

Australia sailed through to the semi-finals where it will take on Japan while United Arab Emirates and Iran clash in the other final four meeting.

Watch Australia's semi-final against Japan streamed LIVE on TWG on Saturday 26 January from 4am AEDT.

The top three sides qualify for September's Beach Soccer World Cup.

Australia went into the clash against Afghanistan in the knowledge that only a win would ensure its progress from the group stage, and it had to make do without George Souris and Ante Juric. The tough schedule taking its toll on the veteran defenders.

With both sides desperate for victory at Katara Beach, the game wasted little time in heating up.

Afghanistan went ahead after just three minutes through Samiullah Mohammadi. His free kick from range curled into the top right hand corner to give Aussie keeper Simon Jaeger no chance.

Within a minute Australia equalised when Zdrilic's cross from the right found the heaad of an unmarked Nikas at the far post and he couldn't miss the wide open goal.

Australia had the better of the first period with Zdrilic and Nikas lively up front and they tested Afghan goalkeeper Mujtaba Haidari on numerous occasions.

In the second period Nikas wasted little time in restoring Australia's lead when he was awarded a free kick and then duly converted with a shot into the left hand corner of the goal. It was his eighth goal of the tournament.

But the advantage lasted less than 30 seconds. Mahmood Azad converted a penalty when his spot kick sent Jaeger the wrong way and nestled into the net.

Two quick-fire goals then swung the momentum back Australia's way. Zdrilic received a Michael Matricciani ball with his right foot, swivellied and fired a left-foot shot from close range past a helpless Haidari.

Crevani opened his account for the match with a side-footed free kick that deceived Haidari in its simplicity as the Beach Socceroos went into the final third of the game leading 4-2.

The margin was extended a minute into the final period as Crevani netted another free kick. This spectacular effort from a long way out sailed into the goal.

Before Australia could start thinking about cruising to victory, Afghanistan hit back quickly and decisively.

The combination of a long and direct Haidari throw out and a flick-on header from Mohammadi worked to perfection twice in the matter of seconds to reduce the deficit to a single goal.

But a touch of brilliance from Zdrilic with a matter of minutes remaining rounded off the scoring and put to bed the outcome.

After he won a corner, his low drive with the outside of his right foot flew into the net past an unsuspecting Haidari.

The three points secured the group win for Australia, which has two bites at the cherry to qualify for the Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti.

Beach Socceroos coach Airton Andrioli was ecstatic with his team's win.

"We couldn’t have asked for any better," he said.

"When we came here nobody expected anything like this, so credit to the boys, they did a fantastic job.

"We’re looking forward to going one step further in the next match. We’re going to continue to fight and we’ll see what happens at the end. But the boys have done extremely well, I’m really proud of them."

Australia kept its 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifying campaign alive with a dramatic 4-3 sudden death penalty shootout win over Qatar on Thursday.

Watch Australia v Afghanistan streamed LIVE on TWG, Friday 25 January from 12.15am AEDT

With the match locked at 3-all after three 12-minute regular periods and three minutes of extra time, the Beach Socceroos claimed the penalty shootout win to go top of Group A and on the brink of a semi-final berth with one match remaining.

In a qualifying tournament in which eight goals on average have been scored per match, it was a cagey opening as both side struggled to find their rhythm.

The beach Socceroos suffered an early set back when Ante Juric left the pitch with what appeared to be a hamstring injury he sustained taking a shot.

As the period entered its final minute, Qatar snatched the lead through Jafal Rashid.

The introduction of Ex-Socceroos striker David Zdrilic gave the Beach Socceroos more of a focal point in attack and Australia equalised five minutes into the second period when he set up Panny Nikas.

The dangerous Rashid hit back almost immediately for Qatar, which took a 2-1 lead, before Zdrilic again combined with Nikas to level the scores.

Rashid fired Qatar into the lead for a third time, with three minutes left in the match, but his effort was cancelled out by Peter Crevani, who pounced on the ball after Zdrilic's shot was parried by Qatar replacement goal-keeper Amro Fawzi.

After a dour extra time period during which Zdrilic's early strike was the only shot that threatened to trouble the scores, Australia's players maintained their composure during a tense penalty shootout, with Qatar's fourth shot spraying wide to give the Beach Socceroos the win.

Australia kicked off its FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 AFC qualifiers in style with a 6-4 victory over Group A favourite Oman in Doha.

Panagiotis Nikas starred for the Beach Socceroos with four goals. Peter Crevani opened the scoring for the Aussies before David Zdrilic rounded off the scoring for Airton Andrioli's side.

It took Australia seven minutes to go ahead with Crevani producing a spectacular overhead goal from the right touchline, his left-foot strike giving Oman goalkeeper Haitham Showan no chance.

Two minutes later Australia doubled its lead with Nikas winning a soft penalty and then stepping up to make no mistake, sending Showan the wrong way.

Oman hit back 90 seconds before the end of the first period as Yaqoob Al Alawi fired a close-range right-foot volley into the top right corner.

Midway through the second period of play Oman levelled the score. Making the most of an error from Guilherme De Zouza, Khalid Al Oraimi created a two-on-one opening against Aussie goalkeeper Simon Jaeger and teed up Is'haq Al Qasmi for a tap-in into an open goal.

Not to be disheartened the Beach Socceroos restored their lead late in the period with Nikas chesting a Jaeger throw and then burying a superbly executed right-foot overhead. His shot bouncing in over the despairing dive of Showan.

However, it was soon all square again as Australia's defence went to sleep at a corner and left Abdullah Al Balushi unmarked at the far post to head home.

Early in the final period Australia went in front for the third time and it was Nikas bagging a hat-trick after a defensive mix-up involving two Oman players.

Al Oraimi squandered two fantastic chances to equalise before Nikas made his pay with Australia's fifth goal as time began to run out.

The match was effectively over when ex-Socceroos striker Zdrilic fought off the attentions of his marker and Showan to walk the ball into the next and make it 6-3.

Yet Oman still has time to score and end the game at 6-4 with Al Oraimi on target as time expired.

The win and three points against 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup finalist Oman is a huge boost for Australia, which did not play a single warm-up game before the tournament.

Next up for Australia is a meeting with host Qatar (Thursday 4:15am AEDT) before its final group match against Afghanistan (Friday 12:15 AEDT.

You can see all of Australia's games at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 AFC qualifiers LIVE streamed on The World Game website. Click here for all the details.

Neill, who is contracted until the end of the season, was linked with a switch to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda before Christmas.

And it’s understood that Neill - who turns 35 in March - is seen as surplus to requirements by Al Wasl’s French coach Guy Lacombe, who replaced Brunu Metsu in November. Lacombe wants to free up an Asian spot on his roster as he seeks to transform a poor season for the club, which is languishing in eighth spot – 17 points off Alex Brosque’s league-leading Al Ain.

Ironically Neill, who was released by fellow Pro League outfit Al Jazira after a season prior to his switch to Al Wasl, was one of five nominees for 2012’s AFC Player of the Year.

He missed out on the final shortlist of three but said at the time: “I was surprised when I found out (I had been nominated), but at the same time extremely proud and humbled that I could be recognised among some really top Asian players.

“It also gives me justification having chosen to come here and be challenged in this league. I've seen numerous comments now from foreigners from both here in the UAE and from outside either complimenting or criticising this league.

“But when you look at it, and you can only judge it when you're playing in it, there are six or seven teams this season who can arguably win the league.”

Neill’s UK-based agent Darren Jackson could not be contacted by SBS on Tuesday night, but said recently: “Yes, there has been interest from other clubs, but for the time being Lucas very much remains a Wasl player and is committed to the club.”

The ex-Millwall, Blackburn, West Ham, Everton and Galatasaray defender remains determined to play on to – and beyond – the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil as he bids to lead Australia to a third successive finals appearance.

The penalty shootout, which came after 120 minutes of football had left the teams deadlocked at 1-1, was not without controversy however, with Kaitlyn Savage saving Jessica McDonald's penalty with the scored locked at 3-3, only for the referee to rule that the goalkeeper had moved too early.

That allowed McDonald another chance from the penalty spot, and she made no mistake second time around to give her side a home final against Sydney FC next Sunday.

Only the shootout separated the teams on a hot afternoon in Perth, with Melbourne taking the lead on 52 minutes through Laura Spiranovic and Perth hitting back five minutes later through a wonderful Collette McCallum free-kick.

In the end though it all came down to McDonald from the penalty spot, and although her first effort was saved she scored the retaken effort to guide her team through.

While Melbourne always looked to have more possession that the home side, it was Perth which looked threatening on the break, with Lisa De Vanna - just back from suspension - having three efforts in the first 20 minutes and Katie Gill seeing a shot blocked by impressive Victory defender Maika Ruyter-Hooley.

Just after the half-hour mark McDonald went through but was thwarted by Savage, who came off her line quickly, while Stephanie Catley had an effort not too far wide.

Gill came close just after the break while at the other end McDonald headed over from close range from a corner, and on 51 minutes Petra Larsson fired a shot in from distance.

A minute later Melbourne was ahead though, Catley producing a wonderful cross from the left that Spiranovic finished well.

McCallum tried to get her side back in it with a right-foot shot that was not too far off on 55 minutes, but two minutes later the Australia midfielder was on target with her favoured left foot.

Ruyter-Hooley was harshly adjudged to have fouled De Vanna on the edge of the area, with McCallum stepping up to curl a free-kick into the top corner.

That was the end of the action in 90 minutes, apart from De Vanna appealing in vain for a penalty after trying to cut inside Ruyter-Hooley, with Perth coming closest to grabbing a second in the first period of extra-time through De Vanna, Aivi Luik and Gill.

The only action of note in the second period of extra-time saw Larsson hammer a free-kick just over, with the penalty shootout seeing the home side take an early advantage when substitute Caitlin Friend had her effort saved by Savage.

But Luik missed the chance to put her side 3-1 up in the shootout, Brianna Davey making the save, and things turned Melbourne's way when Davey followed up by saving Rosie Sutton's effort.

That left McDonald with the opportunity to fire her team into the final, which she did - at the second attempt.

Kerr netted on 30 and 62 minutes after Annalie Longo had cancelled out Emily Gielnik's opener for Brisbane, with Sydney holding on despite Vedrana Popovic's 76th-minute effort and striker Emma Kete's late dismissal.

Victory means Sydney will take on either Perth Glory or Melbourne Victory in next Sunday's final, while Brisbane misses out on what would have been a fifth consecutive grand final appearance.

Sydney started well at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre with Kyah Simon shooting just wide in the opening minute, and then Kete and Kerr were both thwarted by Roar goalkeeper Kate Stewart before 10 minutes had elapsed.

But Brisbane - missing the injured Amy Chapman - took the lead on 15 minutes with its first real effort, Tameka Butt taking advantage of some static Sydney defending to race on to a long ball. Despite appearing to be in a good position to shoot she unselfishly squared the ball for Gielnik, who made no mistake.

Sydney hit back shortly after, Longo taking a short corner in her stride and curling the ball from the left-hand side into the top right-hand corner, and 10 minutes later Sydney was ahead with Kerr side-footing home although Stewart appeared to dive over the ball.

Simon then saw yellow for a clumsy challenge which floored Brooke Spence, with Caitlin Foord also going into the referee's notebook before half-time.

Brisbane made two changes at the break, with Ashley Spina coming in for Sachiko Tatsouka and goalkeeper Stewart - who had appeared to be hampered by a hip injury - coming off for Hoshimi Kishi.

Alanna Kennedy became the third Sydney player to see yellow, before Butt had an effort well saved by the feet of Sham Khamis.

On 62 minutes Sydney extended the lead however, Kerr - a constant menace down the left flank - cutting in and firing home with ease.

Brisbane, which finished the regular season in first place, hit back with Popovic firing over and Butt seeing a shot saved, with Popovic and Katrina Gorry each picking up yellow cards as the home side's desperation grew.

On 76 minutes Popovic neatly headed home a Butt cross from the left to put her side within a goal of Sydney, and after Gorry fired just wide Kete then saw red presumably for something she said to the referee.

That left Sydney a player short, but it held on mainly thanks to a fine double save from Khamis, who blocked Clare Polkinghorne's point-blank header before making an instinctive save from the same player's follow-up.

Butt had a late effort which she fired over, but Sydney saw out nearly six minutes of injury-time to claim a place in the final.

Roar heads into the home semi-final against an Ellyse Perry-inspired Sydney FC full of confidence after an unbeaten seven-game streak helped it claim the Premiership.

But a very different emotion will be fuelling its quest to book a fifth straight grand final appearance - revenge.

Roar defender Elise Kellond-Knight said Brisbane was still seething over Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic's comments after last season's controversial semi-final.

Brisbane scored a stoppage time equaliser before emerging a 4-3 penalty shootout winner as an irate Stajcic watched from the stands.

Stajcic was given his marching orders after complaining about Roar's equaliser, later accusing it of an "immoral and unethical act of the highest order in football".

Instead of passing the ball back to his team, the Sydney FC women's coach claimed Roar re-started the game after a player injury substitution in an attacking position before scoring the equaliser.

Twelve months later, Stajcic's words still cut deep.

"There has never been any love lost between Sydney and Brisbane," Roar defender Elise Kellond-Knight said.

"What happened last season just adds more to the fire.

"There is a lot of tension between the two teams I would say."

Recovering from a knee reconstruction, Kellond-Knight watched last season's semi-final erupt from the stands.

"I saw their coach come off and he wasn't happy - he was a pretty big rage ball," she said.

"He will be out looking for revenge, definitely."

Roar cruised into the finals under new coach Belinda Wilson despite being without injured Matildas Casey Dumont and Kim Carroll for the season.

In Sunday's semi-final in the west, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory will be vying for a maiden W-League final berth.

Victory - which underwent three coaching changes since the pre-season - missed a chance to host the clash after last weekend's draw to lowly Newcastle Jets.

Glory will be confident after welcoming back Lisa De Vanna from suspension alongside Golden Boot winner Katie Gill.

The powerful centre-back has not yet been yet sighted under the regime of Socceroos coach Holger Osieck after missing South Africa 2010 with a torn Achilles that rubbed him out of football for 10 months.

But the 31-year-old, loaned by Leeds to fellow Championship outfit Ipswich until the last week in January, says he is fit and ready to make up for lost time as he bids to add his 18 Socceroos caps.

“It still hurts that I missed the last World Cup with the Achilles injury and I would love to get back in the Australian team,” said Kisnorbo, who had been earmarked as a starter in South Africa.

“It’s been a hard couple of years not being in the team and if I am playing regularly again then hopefully Holger will take a look at me and give me that opportunity.

“I want to give him a decision to make and put my name in the mix. The more choice he has the better.”

Kisnorbo, whose contract expires at the end of this season, acknowledges that a permanent move away from Elland Road might be his best hope of getting the first team football he needs to grab Osieck's attention. He would then need to compete with a lengthy cast of hopefuls for the right to partner skipper Lucas Neill at the centre of the defence in Brazil.

He has featured just once under current coach Neil Warnock this season – in a League Cup tie against Oxford – despite being fit since the beginning of the campaign.

“I have been on the bench or not even in the squad and that’s of course frustrating,” he said.

“I have trained really hard to get back from the injury. I have put in extra work. I just want to play football because if I am not playing then how can I expect to get picked by Australia?

“But whatever I have done at Leeds doesn’t seem to have counted for much in terms of getting selected.

“Whatever I do at Leeds doesn't seem to be good enough to get me in the team, no matter how hard I train or how well I have played in the reserves.

“The boss (Warnock) has his own philosophy on football and likes a certain type of player and if I am not that type, then that’s not my problem. I will just keep working hard and playing hard when the chances come.

“It’s a shame because it’s a great club with great fans and the boys are really good. But that’s football and you have to accept that and get on with things.

“I think I have at least another four or five good years left in the game and I will have to weigh up my options at the end of the season, if not in January, and see what happens and what is best for me and my family.

“I’ve had the worst injuries (knee and Achilles) and have got through them all and come out the other side better and stronger.

“I have been injury-free for a year or so now and physically I don’t see any difference. It’s taken time but I am back now to where I was prior to getting the injuries.

“Initially Ipswich wanted to take me in December and Leeds said no. But they came again in January and I am here now and got to play against Aston Villa in the FA Cup (a 2-1 loss), which showed the boss Mick McCarthy that I am fit and can still perform at a good level.

“It was just good to play again. I didn’t play last weekend but I have two more matches left here of my loan spell and it is good to be at a club where the boss likes you and has faith in you. It’s been a breath of fresh air.”

The former Hearts and Leicester man’s near four years at Elland Road have brought him just 58 appearances because of injuries.

And he has no idea whether the loan spell at Ipswich will be extended, adding: “That’s out of my hands but if the gaffer here wants that and Leeds are happy then that would be fantastic.”

Though he has recently been sounded out by at least two A-League clubs, Melbourne-raised Kisnorbo isn’t ready to make that choice – just yet.

“There has been some interest lately but I am still enjoying life in England. I have been away 11 years now but you never say never about coming home,” he said.

“Right now, I just don’t think the time is right. It’s not my first preference.

“I want to keep going here at a good level and I think my experience should be an asset. You look at Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United. He’s in his mid-30s now but is playing some of his best football.”

Sydney FC welcomed defender Perry's decision, after several days of consideration, to play for the Sky Blues in their W-League semi-final against Brisbane Roar in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.

It means she misses playing for the dominant NSW Breakers in the interstate Twenty20 final against Western Fury in Perth on the same day.

"It was a truly difficult decision to make and certainly something that took a huge amount of thought and consideration," said Perry, who has juggled the schedule all season to play in both teams.

"It's such a privilege for me to be a member of both Sydney FC and the NSW Breakers and I am truly grateful to the support given to me by both Cricket NSW and Sydney FC.

"The opportunity to play for the team (Sydney FC) in this weekend's semi-final of the W-League is something that I am very much looking forward to."

Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic said Perry's decision and presence would lift the team.

"It's fantastic news that Ellyse will be playing for Sydney FC in Saturday's semi final," Stajcic said.

"I know it's a tough situation for her as both teams face important end of season games but her presence for us is certainly a boost as we take on our arch-rivals Brisbane Roar.

"Ellyse has worked very hard this season to fulfil all of her training and playing commitments for Sydney FC and Cricket NSW and she was in a tough situation."

SBS will stream Australia's matches from the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Qatar, LIVE and exclusive on The World Game website this month.

Australia's Beach Socceroos faced tournament favourite Oman before meeting Qatar and Afghanistan in Group A, to finish top of the group and progress to the semi-finals.

Next up was a semi final defeat to Japan that set up a playoff against United Arab Emirates for a place at September's 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiiti.

Sunday 27 January
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES v AUSTRALIA
Third place playoff
LIVE from 1.30am AEDT. Kick-off 1.45am AEDT
Available via LIVE stream on The World Game

Refresh this page at 1:30am AEDT on Sunday 27 January to launch live stream.

Saturday 26 January - (Semi Final)

AUSTRALIA 1-2 JAPAN

Friday 25 January - (Group A)

AUSTRALIA 6-4 AFGHANISTAN

Thursday 24 January - (Group A)

QATAR 3-3 (3-4 pens) AUSTRALIA

Wednesday 23 January - (Group A)

OMAN 4-6 AUSTRALIA

SBS Football Analyst David Zdrilic is taking to the sand as a member of the Beach Socceroos, playing alongside fellow former Socceroos defender Ante Juric.

Follow Zdrila on Twitter and his daily vlog of the Beach Socceroos' World Cup qualifying experience on The World Game Facebook page for the latest.

Zdrilic, previously a member of the Socceroos for nine years, is an active ambassador for Beach Soccer in Australia.

Highlights will be shown on The World Game show from 9:30pm on Monday 28 January on SBS TWO.

Sixteen teams competed in the Asian qualifiers, with the top three sides qualifying for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Perry will make a decision on Wednesday morning about whether she will play for the NSW Breakers in their Twenty20 cricket title against Western Fury, or help Sydney FC in its W-League semi-final against Brisbane Roar.

The 22-year-old, caught in an eternal tug-of-war between the two sports because of her love and proficiency in both, spoke with Breakers coach Joanne Broadbent on Tuesday morning before chatting with coach Alen Stajcic at Sydney FC training at night.

Perry has previously split her loyalties in big events - choosing an A-League semi-final over a WCT20 final two years ago but playing in the ICC World Twenty20 ahead of the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

But neither side is confident of securing the star allrounder's services for their crucial clashes on Saturday.

"She holds her cards very close to her chest," Broadbent told AAP.

"Obviously we're looking at selecting her, I don't think that's any great secret. And we want her to play.

"But it's also not that pressure that we're going to hold a gun to your head if you don't (choose cricket) we pull the trigger.

"I think it's very important, and I've been like this the whole season, that you lay your cards on the table.

"And she's got all the information required from us."

Perry left Canberra United in September last year after being handed an ultimatum to choose between the two sports by United chief executive Heather Reid - but De Bohun said the W-League won't place similar pressure on the young star.

"Having spent a lot of time with Ellyse, my view is that she has managed playing both sports exceptionally well," De Bohun said.

"She adds a lot to whatever team she is playing in.

"And the fact that she is creating so much press is good for women's sport.

"So there is no ultimatum for us, we are happy with what Ellyse decides.

"... The most important thing is that she is happy to do what she is doing.

"As a dual international she has made an unparalleled impact on female sport in this country over the years."

Sydney FC and Matildas teammate Sam Kerr wasn't even aware Perry faced such a difficult choice until it was mentioned at the W-League finals launch in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"People told me they saw it on Twitter. I'm not really sure what is going to happen there," Kerr said.

"Obviously we would be happy to have Ellyse but we knew from the start of the season that she has other commitments.

"If cricket is what she decides then we will support her."

Perry thought her days of tough decisions were behind her when she responded to W-League club Canberra United's May ultimatum by switching to football rival Sydney FC while continuing to juggle cricket.

But Perry must make the ultimate call between her twin passions after the W-League announced on Monday that Sydney FC would contest its semi-final against Brisbane Roar on Saturday - the same day her NSW Breakers side clashes with Western Fury for the Twenty20 cricket title.

"We only found out today so our coaching staff will sit down with her and work which way to go," a NSW cricket spokesman said.

"No decision has been made yet."

Perry's decision may be swayed by her selection in the Australian cricket squad for the Women's World Cup starting in India on 31 January.

She will be one of six players who will contest back-to-back cricket World Cups.

Perry has successfully split her time between cricket and football since first selected at age 16 to represent her country in both sports.

She is the first Australian woman to represent her country at a senior World Cup in two different sports.

But the Ashes-winning quick and Matildas World Cup defender was surprisingly told by Canberra United CEO Heather Reid last May that she must commit to the W-League club or move on.

Perry appeared to gain the last laugh when Sydney FC moved into the W-League top four with a 3-2 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend while defending champion Canberra missed out on the finals for the first time.

Sydney FC was guaranteed a W-League play-off berth when Brisbane thrashed Canberra 5-1 in the regular season finale.

But Perry's loyalties will be tested thanks to NSW Breakers' stunning WT20 run.

The Breakers went on a 12-game unbeaten streak to cruise into the final which will be the curtain raiser for the men's Big Bash League decider.

Both NSW and Western Fury will vie for a maiden WT20 crown after the Vic Spirit claimed all three titles since the competition's inception in 2009-2010.

The World Game Podcast team reviews Week 16 of the 2012-2013 A-League campaign and looks ahead to the W-League finals.

This week's pod examines Sydney FC's late win over Melborune Heart, Central Coat Mariners's transfer window saga and former Matildas star Sarah Walsh chats about the W-League top four series.

Host Vitor Sobral is in charge of the team that includes a man who has scientifically proven the existence of the false nine, the Sydney Morning Herald’s chief football writer Sebastian Hassett, and back after a week-long stint keeping us up to date with the snakes on the plane, The World Game’s Mariana Rudan.

The World Game Podcast - 15 January by SBS The World Game

Don't have time to listen to the pod now? You can subscribe via iTunes or any other podcasting software by simply following the link here, and clicking the orange 'RSS' button in the top right corner.

Emily van Egmond slotted a penalty for the Jets in the 84th minute with Victory's stumble allowing Perth Glory to maintain its hold on second.

Next weekend will see Victory travel to meet Perth in the semi-finals while the other grand finalist will be determined when Brisbane Roar entertains fourth-place Sydney FC.

Melbourne appeared to be in cruise control against Newcastle with goals from Amy Jackson and Enza Barilla giving the visiting Victory a deserved two-goal advantage.

However, quickfire strikes from Jasmine Courtenay and Van Egmond against the run of play just before half-time pegged back the deficit.

A thrilling end-to-end second half saw Victory edge in front courtesy of a fortunate own goal just past the hour mark, only for Van Egmond to convert from the penalty spot and snatch a share of the spoils.

The point was enough for the Jets to move off the bottom on goal difference and hand the wooden spoon to Adelaide United.

"It is obviously a disappointing result but it is just another game and we are still aiming at go all the way," Melbourne skipper Stephanie Catley said.

"We were composed on the ball today but switched off at times, but we will remain positive."

Sydney FC will travel to Brisbane aiming to eradicate memories of last year's horror match-up against Roar when the Sky Blues conceded a controversial last-gasp equaliser before being eliminated on penalties.

Sydney claimed a measure of revenge by defeating its rival earlier this season but Brisbane scored a comfortable 2-0 win against the Sky Blues last weekend and is in a rich vein of form, with just one loss in their last nine outings.

"I thought we played quite well against Brisbane the other week, we actually took a lot of heart from that, even though it didn't go our way," Sydney coach Alen Stajcic said.

"I still think our performances are improving week by week.

"It is virtually a brand new team from last year so there is no use talking about history.

"It will be close regardless of past results, and matches between the two are always 50/50."

Sydney FC edged out Canberra from fourth as the Sky Blues grabbed a dramatic 3-2 victory over city rival Western Sydney Wanderers to leave United as the first reigning champion to miss a finals berth.

In Brisbane, prolific Roar attacker Tameka Butt starred by scoring a hat-trick, taking her tally to eight goals in the past five outings as her side claimed top spot at the end of the regular season.

Roar held a 2-1 lead at the halftime break before running away with the match in hot and humid conditions, inflicting a record defeat on Canberra in the process.

"It was probably best our performance of the season and hopefully we can build on this and perform even better next week," Roar captain Clare Polkinghorne said.

"We started strongly today with some early goals, and got the combinations working well.

"We knew at the start of the season that we would get stronger as the season wore one and that has been the case, having lost once in our last nine games."

Brisbane will host arch-rival Sydney FC, while Melbourne Victory will meet Perth Glory in next week's semi-finals.

Sydney FC substitute Nicola Bolger scored with her first touch seven minutes from the end to give her side victory in an action-packed encounter against the Wanderers.

Young guns Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr both hit the back of the net with the Wanderers' Swedish midfielder Louise Fors scoring a double to twice draw her side level.

The W-League's second Sydney derby was enlivened by an electric atmosphere at Campbelltown Stadium with several flares adding colour to the occasion.

It was a far more sedate affair as Perth Glory cruised to a 3-1 win over Adelaide United in the City of Churches to move into second.

Kate Gill scored in each half for the Glory, with the Matildas striker setting up a third for Marianna Tabain late on.

The Glory, however, must now hope Melbourne Victory fails to defeat bottom side Newcastle Jets on Sunday if it is to host its maiden finals match.

A brace to Matildas striker Kathryn Gill and late goal to winger Marianna Tabain was enough to see off the Lady Reds, who had equalised in the second half via Racheal Quigley's clever finish.

The win lifts Perth momentarily into second and a chance to host a home final although should Melbourne Victory win on Sunday, the Glory would drop to third.

The Lady Reds were the first to threaten on four minutes when Quigley caught Perth goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage by surprise with a dipping shot that forced a tough save from the custodian.

The Glory finally tested Kristi Harvey in the 10th minute and the Adelaide shot-stopper was equal to the task when she held Tabain's rasping shot comfortably.

A static opening was eventually brought to life when Gill gave Perth the lead on 18 minutes.

Tabain's cross was misjudged by Lady Reds defender Ann Mayo and fell kindly to Gill who nudged it past Harvey despite the keeper's best efforts.

Quigley was unlucky not to equalise for the hosts when the 21-year-old struck a stunning shot that was inches away from curling into the top corner of the net.

Gill and Rosie Sutton's forward partnership was a hazard to the Lady Reds back four and the duo almost conjured a second for the visitors.

Sutton got on the end of her strike partner's through ball and prodded past Harvey, but the ball rolled narrowly wide.

Gill thought she had scored again moments later, but the linesman's flag was raised. Eager to extend its lead, Perth put the foot on the gas after the break but scuffed back-to-back chances either side of giving up a free header to Lady Reds captain Abby Erceg.

With the visitors pressing, Adelaide found an unlikely equaliser in the 52nd minute when a long raking diagonal ball from Erceg found Quigley with only one Glory defender to shake.

Quigley held her nerve and shrugged the challenge before nodding over Savage.

The visitorsmissed another point-blank chance following a goalmouth scramble, before Gill finally made her side's pressure count on 65 minutes and handed the Glory back the lead.

Perth skipper Collette McCallum's corner was cleared straight back to her where the 26-year-old had time to pick out Gill who rose highest to head the ball sweetly past Harvey.

Tabain rounded out the victory with a simple finish after Gill's cutback.

After an undefeated campaign last season to claim a maiden title, Canberra has endured some erratic form and now must beat leader Brisbane Roar in this weekend's final round to shore up fourth spot, with Sydney FC just a point adrift in fifth.

One of either Sydney or Canberra will miss the finals for the first time with the pair, along with Brisbane, having reached the playoffs in all four seasons of the W-League.

For Canberra a tough challenge away to the two-time champion has been made even harder with the team facing a short turnaround from the match against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, which had been postponed from last weekend.

Canberra's ability to recover from its midweek exertions will be challenged even further by extreme heat and humidity predicted for the Queensland capital on Saturday.

Football Federation Australia has brought forward the match to a 10.30am start (11.30am AEDT), having initially been scheduled for a mid-afternoon kick-off.

Despite the daunting challenge Canberra skipper Ellie Brush said her side has the belief to overcome Brisbane on its own turf after its 5-0 thumping of Western Sydney.

"Confidence is very high in the camp after a good win and five goals against a strong team," Brush said.

"We have come here to Brisbane to do one job and that is to win and claim our spot in the finals.

"We have played really good football this season, even better I think than last year. We haven't had quite as much luck. We still have it in us to go on and do what we did last year."

Brisbane has everything to play for with victory against Canberra securing the premiership for finishing top of the regular season ladder.

Roar is hitting form at the right time and is on a six-match undefeated run culminating in an impressive 2-0 win against Sydney FC last weekend.

"Everyone is hitting form and the injured players from earlier in the season are finding their feet and playing some good football," Brisbane coach Belinda Wilson said.

However, should Roar stumble against Canberra both Melbourne Victory and third-placed Perth Glory have the opportunity to leapfrog into top spot.

Both teams will be hopeful of collecting all three points from their respective matches against the bottom two sides, Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United.

Sydney FC tackles Long-serving Matildas striker Sarah Walsh will play her final senior match, after announcing her retirement earlier this season, when Western Sydney Wanderers hosts Sydney FC early on Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium.

One of the success stories of Australia’s overseas brigade in 2012, the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory attacking weapon is being rewarded for a breakthrough year for club and country with the upgraded contract offer.

But the 24-year-old Bundesliga-based Socceroos player is not congratulating himself on the recognition.

"There are a lot of things I want to improve on and I think there is a lot more to come from me in 2014," said the striker, who was Fortuna's designated playmaker going into the Bundesliga's winter break.

"I think I have shown my versatility playing in a lot of different attacking roles, and it's great that the club and the coach, Norbert Meier, have shown faith in me.

"I feel I am going some way to repaying that, but it's been tough adapting to life here at times and I’ve had to work hard to get to where I am now - which is the fittest I've been in my career.

"Hopefully that has been showing in my performances. I am happy at the club. I am playing every week and learning a lot in what is a great competition.

"The crowds are great, the atmosphere is electric, and it brings out the best in you as a player.

"I feel proud in the fact that a lot of people probably expected me to fail, and I have hopefully proved them wrong.

"That's satisfying but there are things in my game I’m working on all the time to improve."

Newly promoted Fortuna Dusseldorf is currently 13th on the ladder, 12 points above the automatic drop zone and defying the predictions of pundits who claimed it would be in deep trouble.

Much of that success is down to Kruse, whose penetrating runs, perceptive passes and all-round poise have made him an automatic starter and won him the affections of fans - with average crowds at the Esprit Arena nudging 50,000.

Kruse has adorned those performances with three goals and five assists, and he believes the second half of the season will bring even greater bounty.

Dusseldorf resumes its season at home to FC Augsburg on January 20, with Kruse saying: "We've shown we can compete at this level but every game is huge for us and the slightest slip at this level and you are punished."

Erwin van der Shaft, partner of Kruse's agent, John Grimaud, said: "The club is very happy with Robbie and wants to talk about keeping him beyond the middle of 2014, when his current deal is due to expire.

"Robbie is very happy there and pleased to talk about a new contract. It's a reward for how well he has been playing.

"The big thing for him is being an automatic starter and to continue building his club and national team career.

"The coach, Norbert Meier, sees Robbie as a key player, and Robbie is very grateful for the chance the club has given him."

Fortuna is in Marbella, Spain, on a training camp, with football director Werner Wolf confirming to Express.de: "Robbie has had an outstanding season so far and we want to try to re-sign our successful players. I hope that we can as soon as possible with Robbie."

FFA was caught offside when the Asian Football Confederation cut Australia's automatic qualifying spots for the AFC Champions League from two to one.

The surprise move prompted calls from two-time A-League championship-winning coach Ange Postecoglou to boycott the AFC qualifying process.

FFA chief executive David Gallop, who was only two weeks into the role when Australia lost its second AFC automatic qualifying spot, in November, said the 2015 Asian Cup would provide the opportunity to regain the lost berth.

"That loss of the Champions League spot took a lot of people by surprise, and we need to do a lot of work to ensure our position in the AFC is recognised," Gallop said at an event to mark two years before the Asian Cup kick-off.

"We need to put ourselves in the position to ensure these sort of surprises don't happen again.

"It's a matter of allocation resources to the issue, and it is one of our priorities at the moment."

Asian Cup Organising committee chief executive Michael Brown said he was confident that Australia's hosting of the event would draw the nation closer to other countries in the region.

"We are working closely with the Asian Football Confederation to ensure Australia hosts a world-class event which celebrates football and continues Australia's reputation for sporting event excellence," Brown said.

"Our vision is to deliver a world-class event that celebrates Asia's rich football culture and leaves an enduring legacy for the game in Australia.

"This presents an outstanding opportunity for Australia to strengthen our cultural, social and economic ties with Asia, including some of our most important trading partners.

"The Federal Government's Asian Century White Paper acknowledged the power of sport to bridge language and cultural barriers and serve as a platform to build relationships.

"It confirms that events like the Asian Cup offer opportunities for Australia to build on our international reputation for delivering major sporting events, and to promote Australian tourism, trade and other interests in Asia."

Australia, Japan, Korea DPR and Korea Republic have qualified for the 2015 Asian Cup finals, with qualifying for the remaining spots to begin on 6 February in Jordan.

ANZ Stadium in Sydney will stage the final, with Australia to play its three pool matches in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne respectively.

FFA officials expect 45,000 international visitors to attend the tournament, saying the 2011 event, in which Japan defeated the Socceroos 1-0 in the final, was watched by 500 million people.

Two years to the day before the Socceroos begin their Asian Cup campaign in the opening match in Melbourne, the local organising committee revealed a grand plan to promote the tournament and Australia to a whole continent.

The organising committee could also invite a group of personalities like Western Sydney Wanderers' Japanese star Shinji Ono and other high-profile sportspeople to act as “ambassadors” for the event.

The Asian Cup will be held from 9 to 31 January with the final scheduled for ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

”Our strategy for the Asian Cup can be divided into three distinct stages,” local organising committee chief executive Michael Brown said.

”Last year was all about meeting people like governments and communities, setting the foundations and basically 'saying hello'.

”We tried to establish our identity domestically and internationally and I think we've done that.

”This year will be about promoting the event across Asia and engaging the continent.

”This is when we will build our relationships with Asia and basically ask them 'now that we have met you, what are we going to do together'.

”We want to assure them that their trust in Australia to hold the continent's biggest football tournament won't be misplaced.

”We will be working around important football matches in Asia involving Australia and with the help of tourism, trade and business leaders we will work together for the benefit of one and all.

”Then in 2014 we will get down to the business of making it all happen – selling match tickets, travel packages and so on.

”We are in the final stages of nominating the venues and when that is done we will be able to set a match schedule.”

The tournament will be played at five venues in four cities.

Brown was reluctant to reveal which of the eight venues that are on the shortlist will be retained because negotiations are not yet finalised.

The chosen stadia are likely to be ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Ettihad or AAMI Park in Melbourne, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and Canberra Stadium.

The organising committee is working with local football federations and governments to identify a range of training facilities across the participating states.

These could include regional locations like the Gold Coast, the Hunter or Ballarat.

The tournament venues and schedule will be ratified by the AFC in March.

The qualified teams won't be known until March 2014 but it is hoped that high-profile sporting identities or community leaders in Australia who exert a degree of influence among their compatriots be engaged to help promote the event.

”Look at Alessandro Del Piero,” Brown explained.

”He talks to thousands of his fans every day via the social media.

”Such popular people as Ono, who has many followers, could do wonders in terms of drawing attention to the Asian Cup.”

The qualifying phase will kick off on February 6.

Sixteen teams will be engaged in four round-robins with the top two in each group and the best third-placed team to make the trip to Australia.

Holder Japan, host Australia, Korea Republic, Korea DPR and the winner of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup will make up the 16-team event.

The competition is being jointly funded to the tune of $61 million by Federal Government and state governments.

The World Game Podcast team reviews Week 15 of the 2012-2013 A-League campaign and the latest round of the penultimate round of the W-League.

Central Coast Mariners leaves Western Sydney wandering, Melbourne Victory bounces back with a win, what is the best path for young Australian talent and it's crunch time in the W-League.

Host Vitor Sobral leads the pod team and is joined by a man who's CV includes taking Totting and Mitcham United all the way from non-league to the Premier League, on Football Manager of course, it’s the Sydney Morning Herald’s chief football writer Sebastian Hassett.

And back by popular demand, Australia's answer to Eric Cantona, without the panache for art and kicking people, David Zdrilic.

The World Game Podcast - 8 January by SBS The World Game

Don't have time to listen to the pod now? You can subscribe via iTunes or any other podcasting software by simply following the link here, and clicking the orange 'RSS' button in the top right corner.

The third annual event will be held on a purpose-built floating pitch in the heart of Sydney's Darling Harbour from 18 to 28 January.

The 11-day festival is organised by The Big Issue, a not-for-profit organisation that tackles homelessness through initiatives including a national street soccer program for homeless and disadvantaged people.

The festival brings together people from all walks of life through football including media personalities, politicians, junior and corporate teams and participants from the Community Street Soccer Program.

More than 1000 players will take part in over 300 matches during the event with an SBS team featuring The World Game team's Les Murray, David Basheer and Vitor Sobral to compete in the launch tournament on the opening day. Coinciding with the Australia Day long weekend, the event will celebrate diversity and showcase the power of football to unite the community and improve lives.

Event Schedule

18 January - Street Football Festival launch
Media personalities, Westfield Matildas, parliamentarians & Indigenous players

18-26 January - Junior competition
More than 50 junior teams from NSW clubs

23 January - A-League Youth Challenge
U21s from Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Heart, Brisbane Roar and the Australian Institute of Sport

18-24 January - Government Agency Cup
12 teams including police and fire fighters

21-24 January - Corporate Cup
16 teams from some of Sydney’s largest companies

27-28 January - Community Street Soccer Program National Championships
Disadvantaged players representing NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, WA, QLD and the ACT

An impressive 2-0 win over arch-rival Sydney FC has left Brisbane in the box seat to claim the premiership for finishing top of the regular season ladder.

Perth slipped to third and must now rely on other results in the last round to secure a first-ever home semi-final.

The result ended an unhappy week for the Glory whose star striker Lisa De Vanna received a hefty six-match ban, with four suspended in the case of further infraction.

The controversial De Vanna, who was sent home from a Matildas camp just prior to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, was punished for inappropriate comments made on social media.

The in-form De Vanna was sorely missed by Perth who had demolished the Jets 6-1 in November.

The Glory overturned an early Emily van Egmond goal but spurned several opportunities to guarantee all three points, only for teenager Jasmine Courtenay to equalise with 13 minutes remaining with her first W-League strike.

"We just didn't turn up to play," said Perth skipper Collette McCallum. "We trained hard all week and were looking forward to this match, but definitely didn't expect this result."

Brisbane took a one-point lead at the summit after a typically hard-fought encounter against Sydney FC.

Last season's semi-final between the teams resulted in two send-offs for Sydney and this was another bruising match-up, with Sky Blues defender Renee Rollason sent to hospital with a nasty leg gash.

A pair of goals either side of halftime from the prolific Tameka Butt proved the difference.

Melbourne Victory cruised to a 4-1 win over Adelaide United with three goals inside the opening 15 minutes setting up the result.

The Victory moved into second with the win, now well placed to claim a maiden home finals match.

Canberra United's home encounter against Western Sydney Wanderers was the victim of erratic weather.

Kick-off was initially delayed due to heat and the game was abandoned after 36 minutes due to lightning.

The match will be replayed on Tuesday with the pair, along with Sydney FC, in a three-way battle for the lone remaining finals berth.

These are the top transfer targets.

Tomas Rogic (Central Coast)

After a stellar season in which he made his Australia debut, 20-year-old midfielder Rogic is unsurprisingly attracting interest from Europe, including Premier League club Reading which has already tried to sign him. A matter of when, not if, he will move overseas.

Mat Ryan (Central Coast)

Ryan, 20, has capped a remarkable rise from obscurity to one of the most exciting goalkeepers Australia has produced. Trialled with Premier League big gun Tottenham Hotspur last year and several clubs, including Hull City, are reportedly keen to sign him.

Marco Rojas (Melbourne Victory)

Rojas's form has been so good in the A-League, some have dubbed him the “Kiwi Messi”. Ange Postecoglou wants the 21-year-old New Zealand midfielder to stay another season but with talk he could attract offers of up to $1 million, the club may have to bite the bullet.

Erik Paartalu (Brisbane Roar)

Midfielder Paartalu, 26, has been a target of several Asian clubs in recent seasons and reportedly turned down a six-figure offer from Chinese Super League club Guangzhou last season. With reports he is unsettled and champion Roar struggling, now could be time to make the move.

Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart)

A move to Turkish giant Besiktas fell through last season, but another strong season and a Socceroos call-up means Behich, 22, is bound to attract interest again. The fullback is keen to move overseas but may be prepared to see out the season with Heart.

The opening of the transfer period from Thursday represents a chance for clubs to give their squads a mid-season boost but overseas clubs are also circling some of the league's best players.

Central Coast young guns Tomas Rogic and Mat Ryan are being lined up by European clubs while the irresistible form of Melbourne Victory's Marco Rojas has increased his chances of a mid-season move abroad.

Exciting Socceroos attacker Rogic is reportedly attracting interest from Italy and England, including Premier League side Reading which tried to sign him last year before visa issues meant the move collapsed.

"I have no doubt he has the potential to play in the Premier League," Reading's director of football Nick Hammond told The World Game.

Goalkeeper Ryan has also attracted interest from England and Mariners coach Graham Arnold admits his table-topping club may have to sell the players if the price is right.

Arnold is no stranger to losing top talent midway through the season, with Matt Simon and Rostyn Griffiths sold to Asian clubs during the last campaign.

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou hopes Rojas remains in Australia for one more season but, with the 21-year-old off contract at season's end, the club may find it hard to knock back a good financial offer for the exciting winger.

Brisbane's Erik Paartalu, Western Sydney's Aaron Mooy, Newcastle's Craig Goodwin and Melbourne Heart's Aziz Behich are other players with the potential to attract interest from overseas.

The much-hyped potential arrival of superstar David Beckham looks increasingly unlikely but there should still be a host of new arrivals to the league.

Several clubs have signalled their intention to strengthen, with new Sydney FC coach Frank Farina reportedly keen to bolster his defence having already signed striker Joel Griffiths.

Adelaide, Roar and the Mariners all have foreign spots available and could look to bring in fresh international talent.

Australian players could also be on the move overseas this month.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill is apparently keen to snap up Socceroos midfielder Tim Cahill to play for the Premier League side during the MLS off-season in the United States.

O'Neill wants to add some firepower to his attack during the January transfer window, and the former Everton star, currently on the books of New York Red Bulls, would provide at least a temporary solution.

Such a move could test Cahill's loyalty to Everton, for whom he scored 68 goals in 278 appearances during eight seasons before moving to the United States.

Canberra sits two points adrift of Sydney FC which returned to form with a 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets to leapfrog the champion. Sydney's Kyah Simon enjoyed a hat-trick.

Brisbane Roar joined Perth at the summit, providing an ominous sign of its capabilities with a comprehensive 6-2 thrashing of struggler Adelaide United.

Glory leads on goal difference and meets the bottom two teams in the remaining rounds as it eyes a maiden top-of-the-table finish.

Perth's match against Canberra remained in the balance until the final whistle with numerous chances at both ends.

Glory, high on goalscoring confidence after a record-breaking 7-5 win over Sydney, was twice pegged back with defender Caitlin Cooper the scorer of the ultimate equaliser.

"We're happy we're still top but to get a three-all draw, by our standards, isn't good enough," said Perth skipper Collette McCallum.

"We made some silly mistakes which ended up costing us.

"The next two games are going to be vital because, if we want to finish top of the ladder and get a home final, we have to do a lot better than that."

Two-time champion Brisbane continues to build momentum and earned a share of the lead with a one-sided victory over Adelaide.

Roar raced to a 3-0 halftime advantage before striker Emily Gielnik bagged a hat-trick.

In-form Melbourne Victory is on the verge of a third successive finals appearance after the 3-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Powerful American striker Jessica McDonald scored twice as Victory cancelled out a second-minute goal from Vanessa Hart.

Victory, whose coach Mike Mulvey departed midweek for A-League side Brisbane Roar, remains a point shy of the leader.

Perth Glory remains well placed for its maiden top-of-the-table finish, however a 3-3 draw against Canberra United allowed Brisbane Roar to join it at the summit.

Two-time champion Roar overwhelmed Adelaide United 6-2 to sit adrift of Perth only on goal difference.

Melbourne Victory is just a point off the pace, while the last remaining finals berth appears to be a three-way shoot-out between Sydney FC, Canberra and Western Sydney Wanderers.

The feature match of the weekend took place in the west as Perth and Canberra turned on another all-action encounter, with the pair sharing the points and six goals.

The free-scoring Glory was twice pegged back by a desperate Canberra eager to defend its crown. However the point leaves Canberra in fifth and with its destiny out of its hands.

Brisbane continued to build its momentum in a one-sided win against Adelaide, with Emily Gielnik hitting a treble in the Queensland capital.

Hot on the tails of the front two are Melbourne Victory which maintained its strong form despite a change of coach in midweek.

Fabrizio Soncin claimed a win in his first match at the helm with Mike Mulvey taking up the position of Brisbane Roar head coach in the A-League.

The Victory, which is hunting a third successive top-four appearance, overcame an early Vanessa Hart goal to win 3-1 on the back of a Jessica McDonald double.

The final match of the weekend saw Sydney FC in cruise control to bag a 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets, two goals inside the opening quarter-hour setting up the win.

Former W-League top goalscorer Kyah Simon bagged a hat-trick to help the Sky Blues remain fourth, two and four points clear of Canberra and Western Sydney Wanderers respectively.

Sydney CEO Tony Pignata confirmed on Thursday that the Cottagers had contacted the club with a view to bringing the 19-year-old midfielder to London for a trial in January in what could be a prelude to a permanent switch during the transfer window.

But with rock bottom Sydney desperate for points and needing to field its strongest possible team in the coming weeks, the club will have reservatiions in letting him go.

"I will sit down with Terry, his father and the chairman (Scott Barlow) and discuss the situation," said Pignata.

"Fulham have been in touch and want to have a look at him. Anything is a long way from being decided right now and the situation is complicated by the fact that Fulham would want him there in January and we also need him for a number of crucial matches coming up.

"It's a bit of a Catch 22 at the moment because he's important for us."

A breakthrough performer for Australia at the recent East Asian Cup qualifiers, Antonis is out of contract at the end of April and has made no secret of his desire to test himself overseas.

Fulham is already home to Australians Mark Schwarzer and development player Ryan Williams, and Pignata admitted it would be difficult to stand in Antonis' way were a realistic offer forthcoming.

"if it turns out to be a good opportunity for the lad, and it’s the right thing for all parties, then we could make it work," he said.

“That said, we are not keen to lose him at all and we are in further discussions over a contract extension.

“Terry is a very talented player and we would prefer that he stayed with us.”

Antonis is focusing on now, rather than the future, explaining: “My main focus is trying to get to the semi-finals with Sydney FC and everything else happens after that.

“I am not looking too far ahead right now.”

He is convinced that bottom-placed Sydney is far from out of A-League title calculations and will begin its resurgence against the Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.

“We are really unhappy at losing the derby against Western Sydney Wanderers but it hasn’t knocked our confidence and we will turn things around,” he insisted.

Though a whopping 16 points adrift of leader Central Coast, Sydney is only three points out of the top six and Antonis believes the clash against Newcastle could prove a catalyst.

“We obviously owe them one for coming to our place and beating us 3-2 in round two. We are not letting ourselves get down over our position in the table," Antonis continued.

“The boys are keeping their heads up high and we believe things can and will change very quickly.

“Our main focus now is to get to the semi-finals and I believe we will do that. We still have a great roster of players and I believe in our ability to put things right.”