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.
2010 AFC Cup draw
The draw for the 2010 AFC Cup group stage took place at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur this morning.
Thai Port were drawn in Group H with Tai Po from Hong Kong, Geylang from Singapore and one of the
losing teams from the ACL qualifying playoff. Presumably we can't be drawn against another Thai
team (Muangthong) or a team from Singapore (Geylang are already in the group), so that would leave
either Da Nang of Vietnam, or Sriwijaya of Indonesia.
Melbourne v Sydney is always a big game in the A-League. Big crowds, send-off's thrashings we've
had the lot.
This Saturday's is bigger than most.
Should Melbourne win they would be six points clear with 8 to play. Who would bet against them
finishing top of the league and grabbing that crucial first Asian Champions League qualification
spot.
