The Serve

This has to be the year of the A-League

The first year was all about Sydney. Glitz and glamour. The second was Melbourne. Passion and fervor. Version three has the recipe to take local football to a new level.

It needs to.

While it’s perhaps premature to anoint FC as the Manchester United of Australia, there is little question that Sydney needs to be a force in 2007/08. The Terry Butcher negative football era long gone, Sydney can return to the bling. It seems right that FC has possession of the one true icon in the competition.

Juninho.

Say that name out loud.

Juninho.

When you say it, think of the old NSL. Imagine a ground announcer saying “..and now entering for the Wollongong Wolves, Brazilian world cup winner Juninho“.

We’ve progressed a little, huh?

In a nation where tall poppies are cut and egos run out of town, Juninho is the ideal fit for FC. His self effacing nature will endear, while his Brazilan-ness, shrewd credentials and sublime skills will provide a mystique that will surely draw in a navel gazing Sydney public. Dwight Yorke may have put FC in Confidental on a regular basis, but the Football Federation needs crowds. This little man has the goods to bring in the rank and file fair-weather supporters that the City of Sin can so readily produce.

Melbourne Victory’s squad proves success is its own punishment, however they’ve set the groundwork, establishing monster crowds at Telstra Dome. It would take some freefall to lose that sort of traction. A Sydney v Melbourne rivalry still awaits.

Queensland is a society which prides on its own, often above sagacity, so with Frank Farina returning home as coach, the Roar will have instant popularity. Craig Moore and Danny Tiatto will give Queensland steel. Adelaide seems to be on the right track with Aurelio Vidmar, while Wellington Phoenix is a mystery, however they can’t be any worse than the Knights.

The straggler has been Perth Glory. A pioneer a few years ago, Glory just has not clicked in the new competition, barely filling seats. This year already looks ominous with star recruit Stan Lazaridis in limbo as he awaits a ruling on a positive drug test.

The ingredients are there. A nice smattering of well known Australians as well as internationals, and not just from England. The competition is established. Excuses are thin. Version three has to be the trendsetter.

The time is now. Let’s not wait for a fourth edition to make a mark. Just look at Die Hard.