Soccer Manager: Australian Championship 330 Banter

[CrowsFan]

Ok here is the round up for the Australian Championship Cup Quarter Finals

Gold Coast United 1 - 0 Melbourne Heart
Both teams in this fixture used mostly there second string players, but there were still some big stars on show. It was a start battle of striker Keirrison for Gold Coast against the Ausrtalian keeper Schwarzer for Heart. Although Gold Coast held more of the ball with 55% possession it was the Heart who managed the most shots, having 16 with 10 of them on target. Brad Jones had come in to the squad because Turnball had been conceding too many and he stopped them all! The only goal of the game came in the 26th minute when Keirrison got lucky, with his shot taking a wicked deflection to beat Schwarzer and win the match for Gold Coast. Keirrison was named man of the match. Thwaite also injured his back and is expected back in 2 weeks for Gold Coast, whilst Nichols received a red card after kicking his opponent.

Wellington Phoenix 1 - 2 Adelaide United
Phoenix made 9 changes to their starting lineup for this clash, but Adelaide went in with a full strength team, except for the suspended Welbeck. After seeing the lineups everyone was expecting Adelaide to have an easy time of it, but it was the Phoenix who took more shots and got more on target. Not surprisingly then that the Phoenix took an early lead after 5 minutes when Bertos scored an amazing goal that the commentator just couldn't describe! Phoenix managed to hold on all the way up until 75 minutes when Leckie scored his easiest goal ever when the ball fell to him after hitting the cross bar and he tapped it in. The Phoenix fans were then heartbroken just 7 minutes later when N'Gog scored the winner after it took a deflection. Baraja for Adelaide was named man of the match. Even more bad news for Phoenix was Macallister injured his neck and will be out for 11 days.

Melbourne Victory 0 - 0 North Queensland Fury
Victory win 3 - 0 on penalties
In a match where Victories players looked so much stronger and everyone expected a big win they just couldn't score a goal! Although only having 46% of the possession Vicotry managed to have 19 shots at goal, with 12 of them on target! Compare this to Fury's 6 shots at goal and 1 on target it is very hard to imaging why Victory had to wait till a penalty shoot out to get the win. No mention of who the scorers were in the shoot out or who missed, but man of the match was awarded to Victory keeper Mihaylov for what you must assume is saving all shots in the shoot out, because he didn't do much else!

Sydney FC 3 - 1 Brisbane Roar
This match truly was a match of boys against men. After Sydney's disappointing form in the league, manager BP had dropped his first team players for the previous league match, but brought them back for the cup game, where they looked very refreshed. On the other hand Roar made 9 changes, the only players staying in the team were keeper Dudek and CB Devere who had to be subbed at half time because he was exhausted. It was 1 nil at half time thanks to Nicky Carle, but in the first 16 minutes of the second half Sydney took a commanding lead going 3 nil up thanks to goals by Lowry and Prosenik. 2 minutes later 17 year old McEachran pulled one back for the Roar, but it wasn't enough and Sydney ran out winners in a match they dominated and the stats agreed. 66% possession to Sydney, 26 shots at goal to Roar's 17. Only 9 shots on target though for Sydney whereas Roar were better at getting their shots on target with 8. Man of the match went to keeper Storari for keeping Roar's score down to 1.

Semi Final Matches:
Melbourne Victory - Adelaide United
Sydney FC - Gold Coast United

[benjy251090]

Had a lot of players low on fitness so I changed them, happy with the effort by the boys even though we lost, 2 stiff goals though :(

[Boomz]

Good luck to those still in ;) I'll just smash u all in the league instead :P

[BratPack]

Joy. I get to beat up on HP again  :P

[CrowsFan]

Looks like I can now devote all my time to beating everyone in the league now :P
Good luck in the cup BP. You deserve to win now after beating me ;)

[BratPack]

Prosenik has proven himself well as my Ortega replacement. Good young Chelsea youth from.

[Justin Bieber]

Nice write up CF.

Joy. I get to beat up on HP again  :P

You beat me when My guys were just finding their feet ;). Now they are on a roll with 3 wins 8). Also, Thwaite will be missed :'(. Nichols was fighting for a spot in the first team but looks to have taken a few steps back ::).

How did the Fury Keeper not get Man of The Match after that effort!!

[CrowsFan]

How did the Fury Keeper not get Man of The Match after that effort!!

Yeah I know! I guess cos the victory keeper must have saved the penalties

[Justin Bieber]

That's no excuse :P.

Happy with the win and didn't have to use most of my first team :D.

[Capt Cunners]

That's no excuse :P.

Happy with the win and didn't have to use most of my first team :D.

I only had 2 players of my first team playing.

[CrowsFan]

That's no excuse :P.

Happy with the win and didn't have to use most of my first team :D.

If you notice in the round up I did say that both teams were playing with weakened teams

I only had 2 players of my first team playing.

[chrisuzz]

different leagues and account all together but do you think it is worth trading Gerrard for Xavi Hernadez it will work cos im buying Xavi from an external club

[Justin Bieber]

Depends on who you like better. If you like Xavi more, don't see a problem.

I have Gotten Maxi Lopez and Santa Cruz in 2 different teams as they are two of my favourites :-*.

[chrisuzz]

Gerrard is my fav Liverpool player but i have to admit Xavi is better plus i enjoy sayin Xavi Hernadez :P

[BratPack]

It just rolls off the tongue....Xavi Hernandez.