Socceroos
Recriminations start in relation to the Socceroos bowing-out of the Asian Cup, but with the “crippingly sharp perspective” of the personal tragedy for Awer Mabil, who learned about an hour after the game that his younger sister was tragically killed in a car accident in Adelaide. Graham Arnold will no doubt bear the brunt of criticism, as a quarter-final exit from the tournament is the worst since he was last in charge in 2007, but there are some signs that he may be able to improve things for the World Cup qualifiers, including knowing how to manage Tom Rogic and “unqualified support” from the dressing room.
“The numbers don't look good for the Socceroos” considering they played five games for six goals in 300 minutes, with the “same old problems” for the Socceroos, a lack of cut-through in the final third. The road to Qatar 2022 is looking “very rocky indeed” and Arnold says there is a lot of work to do.
Having said that, Arnold also says it was a “job well done” with the younger players “soaking up” international experience, and it's the “start of a four-year journey”.
Milos Degenek says he is feeling “pretty sh*%” about his 'howler' that led to the UAE's goal, but team mates are rallying around him saying it wasn't “even close to an individual thing”. Degenek says he feels bad for his country and his team and he'll have to learn to deal with it.
Of course, Degenek posted a message on Instagram also, saying that “God has a plan for all of us” and he (Degenek, not God) will learn from this and grow.
Mark Milligan is thinking about international retirement again, after having been coaxed away from that thought by Arnold, and having been made captain. He says while it's difficult “to go out on a negative note”, at 33 he probably doesn't have four years to think about it and redeem it.
Milligan did the job as captain “brilliantly”, writes Vince Rugari, and was the perfect man for the job for a team in transition with both Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill out of the team. Off-the-field, he showed younger players how to deal with an international tournament. On-the-field, he did whatever was required of him.
Deepest sympathy to #AwerMabil and his family, and all in the #Socceroos family on the tragic death of Awer's sister, Bor Mabil. #RIP — Football Today (@FTdotnews) January 26, 2019
Alen Stajcic
Robbie Slater says something “stinks” about the entire debacle of Alen Stajcic's sacking. He thought it was bad when he wrote about it last week, but the more that unfolds, the worse it is, with bits of information and innuendo being drip fed by certain people. He says that “the worst of the innuendo” has come from Heather Reid who, “moments after being entrusted with the leadership of the game” can't help but make “wild allegations” which are damaging a man's reputation “without any specifics”.
A-League
Wellington Phoenix, 1 v Melbourne City, 0
David Williams' fifth minute strike against his old team was the decisive factor in what is described as “a willing contest” between the two sides, with Wellington dominating the first half “but barely clinging on” in the second. The 8,554 Wellington Phoenix fans were rapt in the result which sees their team consolidate a place in the top 6. Same report here.
In the NZ media, they referred to it as the “Filip Kurto show” (pictured) as he made “a remarkable eight saves” in the last half hour of the match to ensure his team kept the win.
Melbourne Victory, 2 v Sydney FC, 1
It was a moment of pure class from Ola Toivonen that handed Melbourne Victory yet another win in the 'Big Blue' which saw the two teams swap places on the A-League ladder at the end of the match between second and third. David Davutovic writes that it created “an electric atmosphere” that could probably have been heard across at the Women's Australian Open (tennis) Final. He says Toivonen is one of the best strikers to play in the A-League and “produced a lesson in both skill and niggle.”
Michael Lynch writes that the home team had by far the best of the first half – helped by Toivonen's goal – but Sydney FC came back and looked like they might get “an unlikely equaliser” based on the first half, until James Troisi's winner. Lynch says Melbourne Victory “have barely missed a beat” since the absence through injury of Keisuke Honda for the past eight games.
Adelaide United
Marco Kurz says he is not going to let speculation about Craig Goodwin's future – with four days to transfer deadline day – distract him from his focus, which is today's game against Central Coast Mariners. He says he prefers to think about things when there are facts, not rumours.
Brisbane Roar
Fullback Connor O'Toole is likely to miss the rest of the season with a broken leg sustained in the 2-2 against Western Sydney Wanderers, from a tackle by Tate Russell.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Captain Brendan Hamill has leapt to the defence of under-fire Vedran Janjetovic, saying “collective errors” were to blame for their capitulation in extra time against Brisbane Roar. Hamill said while Janjetovic made a mistake, the outfield players should have controlled the situation better from the set piece.
W-League
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory must play three games in 10 days, because of the replay of the abandoned match against Canberra United due to thunder and lightning, but first they must content with Sydney FC this afternoon, with both teams placed third and fourth respectively on the ladder. Player for player, Melbourne Victory coach Jeff Hopkins, rates the Sydney FC squad as the best.
Today's matches
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC, 4pm local & AEDT, Lakeside Stadium
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners, 5pm local, 6pm AEDT, Coopers Stadium
Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets, 5pm local, 8pm AEDT, HBF Stadium