A-League and ACL final: what we learned this weekend

Character over cash

Western Sydney Wanderers’ Asian Champions League coronation is another milestone moment in Australian football history. Importantly too, it is one more massive step in Australia’s decade-long integration into Asia. Of course the win was certainly not one for the connoisseurs. In fact it was downright ugly at times. However, what is forgotten at times across Asia, and even locally, is that A-League squads are constrained by a salary cap. Such a notion would be unthinkably in most countries, let alone the Gulf nations who make up most of west Asia’s football elite. Privately one or two Wanderers players admitted after the first leg that their opponents were superior. Yes, money can buy rare talent, but purchasing heart and team unity is a far more difficult commodity to collect off the shelf. The next challenge for Australian football will be for modern ball-playing teams like a Brisbane Roar of recent years, or the new-look Melbourne Victory, to win with style and élan. Not that Australian football should forget its strongest characteristics, merely build upon them.

Happy wandering

There are many notable factors from Western Sydney Wanderers’ ground-breaking continental conquest. Undoubtedly they had an incredible amount of luck along the way. There were 25 Al Hilal shots to three for the visitors in Riyadh according to AFC’s official statistics. Al Hilal fans will be looking at this match and collectively shaking their heads much like Socceroo fans were at the MCG on 29 November 1997. Mark Schwarzer’s double-block against Uruguay in 2005 will remain unsurpassed for its significance and sheer quantity of TV replays, but Ante Covic’s miracle save from Yasser Al Qahtani will be remembered equally fondly by the local football cognoscenti. Hilal, of course, had three substantial claims for penalties. All of them were strong cases, although they did themselves no favours with the modern penchant for ‘finding contact’, and subsequent theatrical tumble. Mr Nishimura from Japan clearly was spooked from previous experiences that gained global notoriety. Who would have thought the opening game of the 2014 World Cup could have such an impact on Australian club football? Though, of course, given Covic’s presence and form, he may well have remained unbeatable, even from the penalty spot. Perhaps the most notable over-arching factor of all from the campaign was that the Wanderers’ simply embraced the tournament. Not every A-League participant can say the same over the years. It is no coincidence that Adelaide United did so in 2008 and equally reaped rewards. The Wanderers clocked up an incredible 100,000km in a tournament Tony Popovic described as “an honour” to participate in. The end result? Dancing on the streets of Parramatta. There are many that never thought they would live to see such a day. Johnny Warren, 10 years since his passing, must be looking on from somewhere with pride.

Melbourne City’s still to find their heart

One wonders how Melbourne City will score goals in any quantity without a quality No9 in their squad. City have constantly misfired in front of goal so far this season and are light on proven goalscorers. David Villa aside of course, with the Spaniard’s farewell spoiled by the impressive Adelaide United. Many too, are questioning the shallow nature of changing a club identity, and with valid reason. And for all the positive headlines around the newly-rebranded entity, the confusion around the length of Villa’s stay does little to help the credibility of the club, or even the competition. But it is what can happen when the league is beholden to wealthy owners. Unfortunately until the governing body has potential club owners forming an orderly queue out the door, such growing pains are part and parcel of the league for now.

Tightening margins

The on-field quality continues to grow in the A-League, and so too has the equality between the clubs. Champions Brisbane Roar and new Asian kings Western Sydney Wanderers currently prop up the bottom of the ladder, albeit having played fewer games than most rivals. Even Newcastle Jets, who many tipped for the wooden spoon, have shown some promising signs in the opening weeks. They will improve further as they find their rhythm under the new direction of debut coach Phil Stubbins. The smallest gap between top and bottom at the end of any season (with a 10-team competition) was 19 points in 2010. That figure could well change come next April. A similar scenario exists in the W-League, and is also another sign of Australian football’s growing. The W-League started seven years ago with only three genuine championship contenders. This season, for the first time, every team in the competition has genuine semi-final ambitions. Remarkably, Brisbane Roar currently prop up the table despite 11 internationals on their books.

Just like old times

Meeting your former employer is always likely to result in some friction. Graham Arnold (and Bernie Ibini) had such a reunion against Central Coast, which gave the Sydney FC boss a chance to use the significant knowledge he has on all things Mariners. In many ways, the Mariners still operate under Arnold’s blueprint. It was with the Mariners and at the same Allianz Stadium where Arnold had his greatest coaching triumph 18 months ago in winning the A-League. The derby certainly had some spicy moments as Sydney won 2-0. The almost comedic interruption to the fast bowler’s free-kick run-up of the seemingly combustible Eddy Bosnar was one notable that was undoubtedly discussed at Sydney training this week.