Murfy1
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Posts posted by Murfy1
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4 September, 2012 2:25PM AEST
Socceroos hero searches for Illawarra Hearts
By Justin Huntsdale
Melbourne Heart head coach John Aloisi was in Wollongong today to try and uncover some of the soccer stars of tomorrow for his club.
They are nine words that are cemented in the minds of Australian sports fans.
"Here's Aloisi for a place in the World Cup."
It still makes the hairs on your neck stand up seven years after they were spoken by SBS football commentator Simon Hill on the night of 16th November, 2005.
John Aloisi, with the hopes of Australian soccer resting on his shoulders needs a penalty shoot-out goal to send Australia to the biggest sporting event in the world for the first time since 1974.
"People always ask me about this moment and I'm always happy to talk about it because I like talking about myself," Aloisi jokes.
He goes on to tell the history behind how he came to that point in his career with the deafening noise of a capacity Sydney Olympic Stadium cheering him on.
He recalls missing a crucial penalty goal to stay in a match when he was a junior.
A team mate of his punched a wall and broke his hand afterwards he was so angry.
And from that moment, John Aloisi vowed to be ready for the next time he had to take a pressure kick in a penalty shoot-out.
"I didn't know this was going to come around a few years later," he added.
It's not until you take a penalty goal that you realise how hard it is to calmly beat the keeper with enough speed, but still maintain control of the ball.
Add to that the pressure of the occassion, and having to beat international-standard goal keeper Fabian Carini.
The day before Australia beat Uruguay in the World Cup qualifier of 2005, Aloisi stayed back after training at Sydney Olympic Park.
He practiced one kick, over and over at the same end he found himself at the following night.
Left foot, mid height, right corner.
Left foot, mid height, right corner.
After five kicks, one of the onlookers even questioned why he didn't change it up and aim for a few different places.
It was this sort of methodical practice that helped him keep his cool for the penalty kick in the qualifier.
When then captain Mark Viduka gave Aloisi the job of sending Australia to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he said he wasn't even thinking about where he'd kick it.
Left foot, mid height, right corner.
The pandemonium of seeing him bury the ball into the goal, then run down the pitch swinging his shirt above his head in victory is regarded as one of Australia's most significant sporting moments.
While the famous penalty goal is what most endeared John Aloisi to Australians, his role has changed significantly since then.
After time in the A-League with Central Coast and Sydney FC, he's now the head coach of his last club which he finished with in 2011 - Melbourne Heart.
And today he visited Wollongong as part of a training trial for young soccer players to give them the opportunity to be selected as part of the Heart's youth team.
"It will be great to find a couple of players for our youth team and the reason we do it differently is because Melbourne Victory have been there eight years, so we have to see what else is out there," Aloisi said.
"Coming to a NSW region there might be something Sydney FC and Western Sydney haven't picked up.
"We want someone technically very good and versatile who can play a number of positions."
Three players will be selected from today's trial to travel to Melbourne to trail and train with the team.
http://www.abc.net.a.../04/3582654.htm
Audio interview with Aloisi: http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/illawarra/201209/r999131_11100321.mp3
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Wonder why we're continuing to trial some of these players. For the NYL or for the seniors? Anyone know what happened to Garrucio and the others we've been looking at?
It could be that Heart are trying to make sure the last 2 signings, who'll both be youth signings, are quality players, so that's why they're trialling so many players.
Or it could be bad luck. Ben Garuccio was injured in the game against the Wanderers and is now on crutches. Stefan Mauk apparently played in that game as well.
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I can add that he played with number 26 and his interests include soccer. I won't be revealing my sources just yet but trust me they're rock solid. More info soon I promise.
Do you have anything useful to contribute?
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Begins trialling with Heart today. Wollongong United FC player. Winner of their 2011 Youth Grade Golden Boot. Other than that, I can't find out any info about him.
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Thanks a lot for the post TigerBenji. Comments from Heart administrators and players have been pretty positive about Lismore. And given a cup has been created for Heart matches against the Wanderers named the Craig Foster Cup, I reckon there is a decent chance Heart will be back next preseason.
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That Williams goal sounds like it could of been incorrectly ruled offside, with even the Wanderers official twitter account calling it a 'lucky break' for them: '28th min: Heart claim a goal but it's called back by the official's for offside. Lucky break for the @wswanderersfc. #GoWanderers'.
We apparently had the majority of possession, so a positive is that we were able to hold onto the ball. Last season we were ordinary with possession, but in our first season we were pretty good with it (maybe Aloisi will emulate the first season more than the second, given that he played that season).
Redmayne must have been solid in goal, or our defence was strong and we starved them of chances (or option 3, the Wanderers were awful at finishing).
I wonder how much game time Tadic got. I saw him against Adelaide, and it looked like he needed time to gel with the team. Also, Macallister isn't appearing to be threatening against A-League opposition. Perhaps he'll be could as an impact sub late in the game, where A-League teams will be worn out and nearer to the state league teams Macallister has been scoring freely against.
Some or all of Heart's 4 triallists must have gotten a run during the second half. I'm still curious who they were, as we'll probably sign 2 of them. Also, I reckon the Wanderers would have subbed on a lot of triallists during the second half as well, and all the substitions probably disrupted the rhythm of the game helping to keep it scoreless.
As long as the team showed signs of starting to gel I reckon it was a positive preseason game. Keeping a clean sheet is very useful as well (we conceded a pretty high average amount of goals over the last 2 seasons. Get that average down by 0.5 or 1 goals a game and we'll get a lot more wins). We just need Tadic to adapt to playing for Heart and the goals will come. Then we'll be ready for a solid season.
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Heart Take Home Craig Foster Cup After Victory via Penalty Shoot-Out
Friday, 31 August 2012 12:00 AM
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have tonight drawn 0-0 with the Melbourne Heart in their first hit-out against a fellow Hyundai A-League side. Playing for the Craig Foster Cup, the Heart claimed victory with a 5-3 scoreline on penalties.
Although going down in the shoot-out, Coach Tony Popovic was impressed with the squad’s display.
“It was a step up tonight and we handled it well, we’ve been looking forward to this and it was a great gauge for us,” he said. “We’re working towards season kick-off and this is a step in the right direction.
“The players are starting to get longer minutes in readiness for round one so we will continue to do what we have to.
“The Heart are in good shape, so it was good to see where we’re at,” he said.
Popovic added that the main objective for the week was the coming together as a squad.
“The week has been fantastic and the squad has come together beautifully and bonded, which was the aim to get out of the week,” he added.
The Wanderers first chance came in the 10th minute when Labinot Haliti carried the ball to the by-line and cut it back for Mark Bridge but he pushed it over the top of the bar.
Just two minutes later it was the Heart who created their first opportunity with a similar move down the left hand side. It was cut back and the outstretched arm of Jerrad Tyson got a much needed touch on the ball to send it out of the danger zone.
It was in the 22nd minute where the Wanderers had their greatest opportunity. A mistake from the Heart put Haliti into the open and again heading for the by-line. He was able to get a rushed shot away that was pushed away by Heart Goal Keeper Andrew Redmayne and it was then Jerome Polenz who couldn’t get a clean strike on the ball before Bridge had his chance and pushed it wide of the right upright.
The Heart thought they had claimed their opening goal in the 28th minute. Off the back of a great save from Tyson the Heart put the ball into the back of the net but the linesman had raised his flag and the official had no choice but to call it back.
A great strike from Aaron Mooy occurred in the 35th minute after Bridge was brought down on the edge of the penalty area. Mooy struck the ball with a fair amount of force and it hit the under-side of the cross-bar before being cleared by the Heart.
On the stroke of half-time Nikolai Topor-Stanley was given the first yellow card of the match for going in too hard in defence. From the free-kick, the Heart pushed the ball wide. Moments later the referee signalled half-time and the score remained nil-all with both side’s heading to the rooms.
Both side’s started the second stanza with the same 11 that started the match and as the match hit the 55th minute mark the Heart Captain, Fred, was given his first booking of the match, receiving a yellow card for a tackle on Polenz. From 30m out, Mooy pushed the ball wide of the uprights without troubling Heart Goal Keeper, Redmayne.
In the 60th minute, Coach Popovic began to make changes with Shannon Cole and Jason Trifiro coming on to replace Youssef Hersi and Polenz.
The match continued to be played from end to end and with a number of changes being made the match was there for the taking but no one could take their chance. As the match hit the 90 minute mark the scores were level at 0-0.
With the Craig Foster Cup on the line, the match went to a penalty shoot-out and it was the Heart who were able to net every shot and claim the cup, 5-3 on penalties.
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Some write ups of the match
Heart win in penalty shoot-outMitchell Craig | 1st September 2012 6:00 AM
MELBOURNE Heart defender Aziz Behich kicked the winning goal in a penalty shoot-out in the A-League soccer trial game against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Oakes Oval, Lismore, last night.
After it was nil-all at full-time, the Heart converted all five attempts from the penalty spot; the Wanderers missed their second.
Aziz, Brazilian midfielder Fred, striker David Williams and centre back Steven Gray were standouts for the Heart.
About 3300 people turned up to watch the first A-League game on the Far North Coast.
The win capped a big week for the Heart, with the team having been in Lismore since last Sunday.
They walk away with the inaugural Craig Foster Cup while Wanderers coach Tony Popovic will take plenty of positives out of his side's performance.
It was the first hit-out against another A-League side for the new franchise.
Earlier, Williams was denied a penalty when taken down inside the box early in the second half.
Neither side held back, with plenty of yellow cards going both ways.
The Wanderers had the first genuine scoring opportunity seven minutes in but striker Mark Bridge missed.
The Heart had most of the ball but the Sydney outfit was more adventurous when- ever they touched it in the first half.
It looked as though Williams had scored when he found the back of the net in the 25th minute but he was ruled off-side.
Western Sydney captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley and midfielder Shannon Cole were among the Wanderers' best.
http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/09/01/shooting-to-thrill/
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We've brought along 4 triallists, and I doubt we'd have brought them along if we didn't plan on playing them. But it's good to hear that most of our quality players will be fielded. No more Hoffman and Groenewald in midfield then, I assume.
My guess for the starting 11:
Garuccio------Tadic----------Dugandzic
-------Thompson------Fred----------------
-------------------Garcia----------------------
Behich---Colosimo---Gerhardt---Marrone
---------------------Bolton---------------------
And 2-3 triallists to get a run in the second half.
Western Sydney have a pretty new squad, and I think they'll have at least 3 triallists on the pitch at anyone time.
I'm tipping us to smash them. 4-1 to Melbourne, with Tadic scoring a brace and Dugandzic also finding the back of the net.
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Wanderers ready for Heart attack
31st August 2012 5:00 AM
A-LEAGUE football comes to the Far North Coast for the first time tonight when Melbourne Heart and the Western Sydney Wanderers meet in a pre-season trial at Oakes Oval, Lismore.
Dubbed the Craig Foster Cup, the game will be the culmination of a week-long training camp in Lismore for the Heart, under new coach and Socceroo legend John Aloisi.
"I played a lot with Craig for Australia and for Ports-mouth and even then he was telling me how good Lismore was, so I'm glad to finally get the chance to see he was right," Aloisi said.
"We've had a great time here - the people, the weather, the facilities - and it might even become an annual thing.
"The boys have worked hard at training and we've also used the trip to help bond the side off the paddock, as we have a lot of new faces.
"As far as the game goes, we're taking it very seriously and treating it as ifit were a full A-League match.
"We'll use a 4-3-3 shape and want to attack as much as possible; there'll be no holding back."
The Heart line-up includes new signing and part of the Socceroos' 2010 World Cup campaign Richard Garcia; midfield maestro Fred; Croatian international Josip Tadic; Matt Thompson, who holds the all-time A-League appearance record of 150 games; and one of their best players last season in defender Aziz Behich.
Aloisi's counterpart on the Wanderers bench is former Socceroo teammate Tony Popovic, who is also having his first stint coaching at the top level.
With the Wanderers making their debut in the A-League this year, there will be much interest in their first game against an A-League opponent.
"As a new club being built from scratch we're making history every day and I think there'll certainly be a sense of occasion for the players," Popovic said.
The talent at his disposal includes new signings Jerome Polenz and Dino Kresinger, along with Mark Bridge, Shannon Cole, Tahj Minniecon and Nikolai Topor-Stanley.
Craig Foster will be on hand to watch the game named in his honour, along with the region's most high profile female player Lisa Casagrande.
"I'm delighted local kids can see their A-League heroes up close and watch a game in town, something they'll never forget," Foster said.
"In such ways are kids inspired and my congratulations go to Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell and Steve Mackney of Football FNC for making the visita reality."
Two local goalkeepers will also get a first-hand taste of the action tonight, with Workers' Simon Cleaver on the bench for the Heart and Goonellabah's Brad Robertson on the Wanderers bench.
Injuries to both sides' second-string 'keepers opened the door for the pair to rub shoulders with some of Australia's best players.
Gates open at 5pm and the match kicks off at 7pm.
http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/08/31/its-all-out-attack/
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[...]
The Heart will play an A-League trial game against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Oakes Oval on Friday night.
They will train at Oakes Oval today and tomorrow and have pool sessions at SCU Gym and Pool.
Aloisi believes this week will put them in good stead for the upcoming season.
"We'll have as close to our full-strength squad as possible on the pitch on Friday night," he said.
"We've picked up some handy new players and kept the base of players we've had for two years.
"It's good for the players to be together for a week and bond. A lot of them don't know each other off the pitch, so they will get the chance to here.
"I'm sure we'll have movie nights and stuff like that going on too."
Both teams will attend an autograph signing session in Keen Street, Lismore, at 4pm on Thursday.
The game on Friday will start at 7pm.
http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/08/28/youth-is-the-word/
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Four triallsts, who are presumably all 20 years old or younger.
Ben Garuccio seems to be one. Two other trialists could be Scott Galloway and Stefan Mauk, who played the last 15-20 minutes against Adelaide. Other possibilities could be Sam Mitchinson, Riley Woodcock and Jose Guerrero del Solar.
I imagine these four trialists must have pretty good chances of landing contracts, as Heart should really have the squad finalised soon.
Also good to hear they'll be in Lismore for a few days before the match getting to know one another. A lot of new players, and given how disjointed the team looked against Adelaide 4 or 5 days in Lismore should help the team gel before the season kicks off.
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Heart's pre-season heads North
Monday, 27 August 2012 4:34 PM
Melbourne Heart embarked on its pre-season camp to northern New South Wales on Sunday, arriving in Lismore as it gears up to meet newly-established A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night.
Lismore, the birth-place of Socceroo legend Craig Foster, presents the perfect backdrop for John Aloisi's side to bond, engage with the city's passionate football community and prepare for its second hit-out against an A-League rival this pre-season.
On the back of its match against Adelaide United last Tuesday, Heart will contest the Craig Foster Cup against the Wanderers, which is the West Sydney club’s first taste A-League opposition as both clubs fine tune their preparations for the impending season.
Foster, 43, who earned 29 caps for Australia, and scored nine goals for his country, was born in Lismore in 1969 and has praised Heart’s initiative to engage with the football community in northern New South Wales.
The clash also acts as a match-up between former Socceroo teammates Tony Popovic, who is at the helm of the Wanderers, and Aloisi.
Aloisi has travelled with a squad of 19, minus midfielder Jonatan Germano who is recovering from injury, and four trialists.
Heart’s Football Operations General Manager John Didulica said the focus of the week was not solely on Friday night’s match, but would facilitate team bonding, allow players to mix with the football community and focus on off-season technical priorities.
“Of course we’re looking forward to a high-level game against Western Sydney on Friday, but it’s a chance to work with the players and to help them gel and concentrate away from the day-to-day distractions,” Didulica said.
“We haven’t spoken too much about the game yet; it’s more about spending time with each other and it’s always good to get away and bond.
“On a camp we’re able to pack more sessions in and allow players to get adequate rest and recovery.
“There are other key aspects of the tour, including community engagement in an area that has a high percentage of registered players.”
Didiluca said Friday’s match-up would be a historic moment as the A-League’s two expansion clubs meet for the first time and vie for the Craig Foster Cup.
“Its exciting; it’s a bit historic and the first game against an expansion side from Sydney,” Didiluca said.
“It’s important to recognise a legend of the game; he [Foster] is a great champion of football and especially football in the community.”
News video: http://soulstream1.s...eheart27aug.wmv
What: Melbourne Heart v Western Sydney Wanderers
Date: Friday, 31 August
Where: Oakes Oval, Lismore
Time: 7.00pm (Kick-off) 5pm (Gates Open)
Cost: $10 – Adults and above 12 years of age
$2 - Under 12 (Get your coupon from the local paper to receive free entry)
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/Wanderers-Begin-PreSeason-Camp/48730
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'John Aloisi is very good looking. It's hard to tell where to start, but the opalescent eyes might be a good place, or his cheekbones' as sharp as a Ronaldo turn. The only tax on his winnings in the genetic lottery comes in the form of his stance; as he surveys the Melbourne Heart first team on a sunny winter's day in Bundoora, it is easy to spot that he is ever so slightly bow-legged'.
A bit of a puff piece, but it's also a decent article with some interesting quotes from Aloisi.
Aloisi on an earlier quote by him that he aims to win the league: 'Last year we weren't far off, we beat every team in the competition; we didn't lose to Brisbane, we beat them once and drew with them twice'. 'We can compete with anyone. The players just have to believe it. And it's my job to make sure they do believe it'.
On quickly becoming the head coach at Melbourne Heart: 'It's an easier place to step into than any other club. If someone had turned around and asked me, "Would you like to go and coach Melbourne Victory?", I wouldn't. I think I'm ready here, whereas a place like that you have to do a complete turnaround, to try and create a philosophy. I don't think I'd have been able to do that just yet'.
On past coaches of his: 'I had Terry Venables with the national team and I found that he was a really good man manager - and that we had Guus Hiddink who would keep his distance at all costs'. 'I'm not trying to copy anyone, just trying to be my own person. I can't be mates with the players, but I know them and I can lend an ear'.
On JVS: 'After a game van't Schip was pretty level - he's not really over the top if we win and he doesn't yell at the players if we lose. That's very good because some coaches can go either way and it's not good for a player.' 'It's something he did on purpose. I asked him about it once, and he said, "Look, I get so angry that I'll probably take it out on the wrong person" '.
On Melbourne Heart not spending lavishly: 'That's why we're breaking even'. 'We're here to make sure the club is stable and ends up lasting for hundreds of years - our game, our competition, is only young'.
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There are only so many articles each week on Melbourne Heart. On average per week there is maybe 3 or 4. A good week has maybe 5 or 6. The average might be an article or two higher during the season, but I think it's often the same.
Especially during preseason when there hellishly little football in Australian media, I reckon each article deserves its own thread (as long as they are on different subjects, of course. E.g., so all the reports of a particular match are in the one thread).
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Going on Aloisi's preferences, injuries and form:
Williams/Golgol------Tadic-----Dugandzic
-----Kalmar/Thompon-------Fred----------------
---------------------Garcia--------------------------
Behich----Colosimo----Gerhardt---Marrone
---------------------Bolton------------------
Bench
Redmayne
Macallister
Thompson/Kalmar
Vrankovic
Reserves
Hoffman
Williams/Golgol
Germano (injured)
Gray
IMO Kalmar should start in midfield alongside Garcia and Fred, so we don't have 3 30 year olds. Williams is about 50/50 with Golgol for LW based on what they've both shown preseason, but Williams might get the nod as Golgol appears to be RW by preference. We could sign a winger to take up a youth contract though, and given how no player holds down LW he could compete for a start like Zahra in our first season.
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Some details on the contract:
MICHAEL COCKERILL23 Aug, 2012 03:00 AM
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Melbourne Heart are also poised to complete the signing of Socceroos midfielder Richard Garcia - who was released by Hull City at the end of the last English season. Garcia, 30, passed a medical with the club this week and is expected to sign a one-year deal that includes release clauses to allow him to pursue future opportunities in Asia.
Not thrilled with the Asia release clauses, but securing Garcia whatever the clauses is pretty good. I also reckon when he is 31 at season's end there won't be too many Asian clubs prepared to front up big cash to sign Garcia, so I wouldn't be surprised if we hold onto him after the contract is up.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/smiles-a-goal-and-hes-all-heart-20120821-24l02.htmlSmiles, a goal and he's all HeartAugust 22, 2012
Michael Lynch
GOLGOL Mebrahtu has made quite an impression in his short time in the A-League, not just because of his pace and direct running, but also because of his ill-fortune in front of goal.
The Eritrean-born youngster, whom Melbourne Heart rescued from the wreckage of Gold Coast United, had a reputation for getting into good positions and threatening defences but then failing to finish off his good approach work.
So it was not surprising that it was all smiles last night when the 21-year-old hit the target for the first time for his new club, putting it level against Adelaide United in a pre-season friendly at Epping.
Mebrahtu struck midway through the first half to equalise a tremendous opening goal from Adelaide's Socceroo midfielder Dario Vidosic, but it wasn't enough to secure a share of the spoils as the Reds grabbed a second-half winner from the penalty spot, Vidosic doubling his tally for the night.
Vidosic had looked sharp right from the start of this game. He had a sighter early with a shot from distance that flew just wide of Andrew Redmayne's post and then struck with a tremendous lofted drive from well outside the penalty area, providing a reminder of the sort of quality he can deliver.
Although the A-League does not kick off for another six weeks Adelaide's season begins next month when it entertains Bunyodkor, the Uzbekistan side, in the Asian Champions League.
John Kosmina used this game to continue fine-tuning his line-up for that assignment, making a number of changes at the interval.
Sergio van Dijk, Cassio, and goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic were among those to make way as Kosmina brought on Antony Golec, Cameron Watson, Osama Malik and under-20 national squad goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
The teenager was quickly into the action, having to deal smartly with a back pass and demonstrate his foot skills, but soon after he was called on to display more traditional goalkeeping talents when he faced a penalty from Heart striker Dylan Macallister. The forward drove his shot to the right, but Izzo's reactions were equal to the task and he dived to save well.
Heart goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne had the chance to equal his Adelaide counterpart when the South Australians were awarded a spot kick of their own, but Vidosic gave him no chance as he drove home to restore the Reds' lead.
Mate Dugandzic came off the bench for Heart to make his first appearance of the pre-season following treatment for a long-standing groin injury, while Liberian international Patrick Gerhardt looked strong at the back. Croatian striker Josip Tadic came on for a run in the second half and looked tricky in and around the penalty area and was unfortunate not to win another penalty for his side when upended in the box.
Heart gave a run to two teenagers from the youth team, Ben Garrucio and Josh Groenewald, the former a promising winger who played the full game.
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Not an impressive game. It was in many ways an average preseason game, with rather tepid football and a lot of experimenting. Heart probably played best in the first half, with Fred being instrumental in giving Heart's possession purpose. Nonetheless, with a midfield of Fred, Hoffman and Groenwald (the latter two being very average IMO), service was pretty bad for the forwards.
Couldn't do much about the Vidosic goal. Was simply a stunner, but he was given too much space to get just outside the box to release that shot. Heart's equaliser was from a pretty decent corner. I believe Gurrucio took it and crossed the ball to the far post, where Hoff (I think it was Hoff) headed it in front of goal where Mebrahtu headed the ball in off a defender.
The second half was mainly about three penalty incidents. The first was a quick throw-in to Fred, who I think flicked the ball up hitting an Adelaide player's hand inside the box. Macallister took it and went for the bottom left corner, but I think Paul Izzo kept it out with his diving save. Then Adelaide had received a pen for an alleged foul inside the box. I didn't see much, if any contact and it looked like a very soft penalty from where I was sitting. The penalty was converted by Vidosic. Lastly, Tadic got the ball and dribbled into the box and shook off his defender with a deft turn, but the defender lunged out and seemed to definitely catch Tadic causing him to fall to the ground. It seemed like a much clearer penalty than what Adelaide were awarded.
In all, Aloisi played many different players and at least he got a look at many of them. Gurrucio may be good for a contract on this performance, but going off this match I see no need to offer Groenwald a senior contract. Hopefully Aloisi starts playing his best 11 soon, because all the experimenting clearly seemed to weaken Heart's performance.
P.S. Agree RE: the kebabs. Tragedy in a bread roll. Even though I only paid the reduced price of $5 they were still a disappointment.
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As far as I could make out the team fielded was:
---------Gurrucio-----Macallister (Tadic 60'?) ------Mebrahtu (Dugandzic 65'?)
--------Hoffman (Kalmar 70'?) ----- Fred (Thompson 60'?)------Groenwald (Didn't catch the name of the sub 73'?)
Behich (Scott Galloway70'?)---Colosimo (Vrankovic 60'?)-----Gerhardt-----Marrone
--------------------------------Redmayne-----------------------------------------
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Melbourne Heart won a Melbourne Award, bestowed by the City of Melbourne, in the category of Contribution to Community by a Corporation:
Contribution to Community by a CorporationMelbourne Heart FC
Melbourne Heart FC was formed in 2009 with a vision for a community team that celebrated cultural diversity and sporting passion through football.
A professional soccer club, Melbourne Heart FC competes in Australia’s top-flight, A-League competition but remains faithful to its grassroots community by sharing its resources and contributing its coaching expertise in a variety of ways.
In just a few years the club has connected with over 40,000 people through its Street Soccer programs, community clinics, school appearances and coaching seminars.
While it offers opportunities across Melbourne, the club has a particular focus in the City of Melbourne, with 13,600 people having participated in community activities in the municipality to date.
A particular focus of Melbourne Heart FC is engaging diverse cultural communities in its activities, some of them isolated from mainstream society such as refugees, new arrivals and underprivileged and marginalised people.
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/MelbourneAwards/Pages/2012Winners.aspx
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AIS player around 17 or 18 years old, who tweeted earlier today:
Sitting on the plane ready to leave for Melbourne. Looking forward to the big two weeks ahead training Melbourne Heart Fc #aleague #buzzinghttps://mobile.twitter.com/#!/Bengaruccio
He would be the 3rd player from Paul Okon's Young Socceroos squad to either trial or sign with Heart this offseason, with Riley Woodcock and David Vrankovic both featuring in Okon's squad. As far as I can discern he plays LB
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I don't know that much about Garcia, and haven't seen much of him in action. Could be a solid signing. I still don't get why we are so eager to sign another defensive midfielder or as the article says a 'central midfielder', with Heart even going to the extent to sign Garcia who is not a regular DM. Perhaps Gerhardt will always or mostly play as a CB, that's all I can think of.
Also, I hope that medical is rigorous.
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I think they'll tell us the news on Monday so it can be included on The World Game. Given that they are also doing a segment on Heart it adds up. And from memory Heart have synchronized a media release or two with TWG before, to get additional exposure.
Whenever the announcements come it is good to hear that it's all coming together for next season.
Mark Every
in Melbourne City
Posted
I think I got the games mixed up. From his own twitter account he said he is on crutches due to bruised ligaments.
I've effectively lost track of who Heart's last 2 signings are likely to be. No reports of the 4 triallists at the Wanderers game have been made, which has compounded the difficulty of discovering who we'll likely sign. I think Stefan Mauk played in the Wanderers game, but I'm not 100% on any of the details ATM.
Heart are being very tight-lipped on who the final signings will be. It looks like we are also beginning to scout and trial players for the youth team as well (see: http://southcoastwolves.com.au/?p=4176). I'm eager to see if our final signings include a young bolter who can play as LW; a player who can be in this season what Adrian Zahra was in our first season. That would complete a very strong squad IMO, so I've been trying to keep track of signings to see if that happens.
I'm now beginning to think final signings will be announced just before the season starts, to provide Heart with a media boost going into the season. So I'm gonna stop following potential signings so closely and just wait and see what happens.