A bullying, selfish FIFA Confederation President pursuing his own agenda to the detriment of the development of the beautiful game? No, not Jack Warner, but AFC boss Mohamed Bin Hammam.

That, at least, is the perspective of much of New Zealand's soccer media this week, following the AFC's ultimatum to New Zealand's Wellington Phoenix, who play in Australia's A-League: become a lot more Australian, or else.

The Final Score
TWITTER UPDATE
The "Twitter" box had been removed from this blog entry and you can trace whatever I "tweeted" on the right of the page (under the "BoLASEPaKO" on twitter menu).
PICTURES OF THE DAY & THE SHORT TAKE of THE GAME
Banner boys getting ready
It was indeed a tame affair as compared to ACL, as the crowds were much lesser than expected.

Watching Ben Kantarovski last night was awesome as the young Jets player strode across Asia.
I could see the Green and Gold shirt on this young man for years to come. Another gem I'm sure.
But I also noted the impact of Jason Hoffman, Brodie Mooy, Adam D'Appuzzo, and in recent games Sean Rooney and Marko Jesic.

Hertha Berlin midfielder Bryan Arguez has been added to the US roster for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, replacing forward Sam Garza, who tore his ACL over the weekend.

A heart-breaking Sounders FC loss to New England was sad not just as a result. But it might have been the last time Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston took the field.
The league's all-time leader in games and minutes played tore his ACL on Saturday.
At 35 years old, he could be done.

Hannover 96 attacker Sal Zizzo suffered both an ACL and an MCL tear in training yesterday. He is expected to be out for 6-9 months, with the team fearing the worst end of that range. Even so, he would (fingers crossed tight) be able to begin preseason camp with his teammates next July.This is the part of the job I hate.

National Show. DownloadGlen Thomson Coach of the Borroloola Cyclones, and Paddy Bordier, Anthony Hatton and myself discuss ACL, Newcastle Jets and can Australia support a Second Division. Quiz, dedications to our Costa Rica listeners and more.
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Players FC Boss Anthony Hatton leads the way in junior development in Canberra.

The Rapids have just announced that Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith will join Colin Clark on the season-ending injury list. Peterson tore his ACL in a collision in Wednesday's San Jose game. Smith injured his knee against Houston on August 30th, and after having surgery to repair it has reportedly developed a blood clot.

Good to see some more news popping up around Australia.
In Victoria, at the Geelong Advertiser, new Victory defender Rita Mankowska has been out doing player visits. She's come back from the American College system to play for Melbourne this year. More here.
Further North at the Coffs Coast Advocate, there is even an opinion piece (well it doesn't say 'comment' but implies it) about how there girls should get a shot.

Just been thinking about the PSMS defeat at home to PKT on Saturday. As I mentioned earlier this game was played just hours after the Medan side had returned from a 24 trip back from the Maldives.
I only caught the last 20 minutes, still 1-1, and it was a ding dong affair. PKT took the lead on 80 minutes but PSMS still pressed and indeed Andhika should have equalised instead of sending his header over from close range.

They say that great goalscorers become renowned for the timing of their goals as much as the quantity.

Such a maxim might well apply to 20-year-old NSW product Jason Hoffman after he popped up with the winner in the first-half of Newcastle's historic AFC Champions League victory over Ulsan Hyundai last night.

Official Press Release (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
NEWBURGH, NY – Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues forward Angelika Johansson was named the 2009 W-League Most Valuable Player and defender Brittany Taylor was named 2009 W-League Defender of the Year on Wednesday, culminating a successful first season for the Lady Blues.

Could this man's season have been upended by injury?

From the Colorado Rapids Front Office, midfielder Colin Clark has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, the club announced today.

Clark suffered the injury in training on Tuesday and will be forced to miss the remainder of the 2009 season.

On Tuesday night the USF men played a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation time against the visiting Valparaiso University, out shooting the Crusaders 14-7. The crowd of 881 at the USF Soccer Stadium settled in for overtime, but the Bulls (3-0-0) made quick work of Valpo in the extra time. Bernardo Anor [right] scored off a Javed Mohammed free kick less than a minute into the first overtime.

A short turnaround from Wednesday's night disappointment to our next game tomorrow night, a short road trip to Kansas City. The Rapids will have a depleted lineup after learning today that Jacob Peterson tore his ACL in Wednesday night's game. Game time is at 6:30pm and the game will be televised on Altitude.

Hannover 96 defender Sal Zizzo will be out of action for a substantial amount of time after tearing an ACL on Monday.

Zizzo tore the ligament in practice after his foot got caught in the turf, and it is expected to take six to nine months for recovery, potentially ending the American midfielder's season.

photo by ISIphotos.com

Kenny Cooper has been struggling for playing time with TSV 1860 Munich lately, and now it appears he will have to wait even longer to get on the field.

The belittling of the A-League continues apace at SBS, with their blogger-in-chief now essaying an apologia on behalf of Pim Verbeek, interspersed with various digs at the national competition. It's becoming distinctly tiresome.
Perhaps Peter Turnbull's comments - coming in the wake of the Mariners' lamentable collapse against Kawasaki last week - were on the harsh side.

We talk Socceroos, W-League, and ACL with Adrian Caceres and Ahmed Elrich.
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Local Football we talk Lightning Tournament, Fed Cup Finals and Tim Skinner talks Street Soccer coming to Canberra...starts today (Wednesday 2pm Reid Oval.

Pity these games get so little coverage. CCM played well and the Koreans were very mediocre at home.
The omens were bad. Foxtel lost transmission in the opening minutes and only came back as Donelison smashed home a penalty in the opening minutes. The Korean team's Brazilian was the difference between the two teams - on the scoreboard and in terms of overall performance.

Back in February/March time when I could still get to games I was 'raving' about Persitara's attacking options. An odd thing to do seeing how they had struggled all through the first half of the season but the additions of Prince Kabir Bello, who had played with Sepahan in the ACL, and Mostapha Aji, promising with Persikota but still raw, could only complement the tireless Rahmat Rivai.

You have to think that Gary van Egmond had endured enough turmoil in his 32-month stint at the helm of the Newcastle Jets.
To some, it was no huge surprise when Van Egmond, an affable 44-year-old and former A-League coach of the year, this week handed in his resignation to outspoken Jets owner Con Constantine.

Which footballers have suffered severe injuries? You'd be hard pressed to identify one who hasn't! But, some are much worse than others. So, which of these freak accidents rate as the most gruesome? Read on to find out.

The most common minor injuries that footballers sustain include hamstring strains, sprained ankles, tears in the knee cartilage, hernias, or damage to the ACL.

Claude Ngon A Djam, the Cameroonian who led the Sriwijaya line so well last season in both the ISL and the ACL has gone and signed for newly promoted Persebaya. I was surprised when Sriwijaya allowed him to leave but can only assume their coach Rahmad Darmawan had his reasons.

Gold Coast have put together an amazing squad. Probably better than any other team. How have they done it with the salary cap and rules?
Well they do have a few journeymen who were cheaper. And clearly Jason Culina (outside the cap) has made a lifestyle choice. But apart from that, it has been done because most of the squad is for sale and on its way somewhere else.

The injury that affects soccer players seemingly the most and one that they all fear has happened to Colin Clark. A very bad thing to happen to a player who is vital to this team.
Press release from the Rapids: COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, August 11, 2009) – Colorado Rapids midfielder Colin Clark has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, the club announced today.

Sad news for Colorado Rapids fans, talented winger Colin Clark has done his ACL and is done for the year.
The 25 year old had five assists this season.
Hate to see anyone get hurt, let along solid young American talent that was getting a look at the national team level.

Gary Smith isn't ruling out going into the transfer market to replace the unfortunate Colin Clark but don't hold your breath. At this stage in the season, the head coach doesn't want to upset the balance of the squad he already has and, as assistant Steve Guppy also said recently, it's not as if you can just go out there and pick up another Colin Clark.

Great result for Matt Reis and the Revs! Wonder if it had anything to do with him being on my JMS Podcast last week??? LOL!

Wow! Montero!

Shalrie is a legend for the Revs!

Sorry to hear about Steve Ralston tearing his ACL in this game. He is a great player and one the Revs needed to count on down the stretch.

Hannover 96 defender Sal Zizzo will be out of action for a substantial amount of time after tearing an ACL on Monday.

Zizzo tore the ligament in practice after his foot got caught in the turf, and it is expected to take six to nine months for recovery, potentially ending the American midfielder's season.

I would consider myself a SAFFC's jinx if they couldn't beat Sengkang Punggol at Jalan Besar Stadium just now, as I was in person to see their last two matches (against Gombak United and Super Reds),which they played below expectation, that would have allowed them to pop open the champagne.
So third time lucky for the Warriors with their victory over the Dolphins at Jalan Besar Stadium, thus sealed their fourth consecutive league title and another shot to next year's ACL tournament.

This is my knee story. It was my junior year of high school. Midway through the soccer season and 20 minutes into the first half, I had a breakaway on goal. However, just before shooting on goal, a defender was able to get a touch on the ball knocking it away. Instead of making contact with the ball, I made contact with his leg.

Sriwijaya's defence of the title may have fallen away over the last few weeks, and performances in the ACL may not have been the best but the side from Palembang still have the Copa Indonesia in their sights. And they're thinking big about next season. Whenever it may start. One option is August (!), another is October.

The Central Coast Mariners will not advance to the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League after losing to the Pohang Steelers, 3-2, in Korea -- Read On -- ACL: Pohang Steelers End Central Coast Mariners' Asian Campaign

Van Egmond has had great success with Newcastle despite the loss to Pohang last week. It could be argued that he took the poor player selections of others and molded a highly successful club.
However, last season his frustration was clear. And quite a different team was fielded for the ACL after poor results in the A-League.

Early last year I had it in mind to self produce a book about the just finished season in Indonesia. The best laid plans of mice and men and all that the project forever got pushed to the side until it ended up nearly forgotten. Any old hows I have decided just to load it as a .pdf file, warts n all so if you're interested in Persik's ACL season in 2207 or fancy knowing who Charles Uchenna is, or was, then have a gander.

Many people will have already allocated the points from this one. Why not, Melbourne Victory are the super club of the A-League.
The only thing is that they tend to have a good year and an off year. May not be the case this year. I suspect their pre-season has been less rigorous than other clubs as Asia (ACL) means they have a long season ahead.

The extent of Jacob Peterson's injury is worse than anticipated, as the Colorado Rapids midfielder has torn his ACL and will need to undergo surgery, according to an individual familiar with the matter. Peterson injured his knee in the 12th minute of Wednesday's game with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Press release today from the Colorado Rapids:
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Friday, September 25, 2009) – Colorado Rapids midfielders Jacob Peterson and Jamie Smith have been ruled out for the remainder of the 2009 season, the club announced today.
Peterson has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee after injuring himself in Wednesday night's match against San Jose.

Former Mutiny star, Steve Ralston, tore the ACL in his right knee in the New England Revs' Saturday loss to Seattle Sounders. The Revolution captain holds the MLS records for career games played and career assists.
Ralston played twenty matches this season and scored seven goals and seven assists for the Revs, second only to Shalrie Joseph.