The A-League kicked off last night and rolls on through summer. As usual the New Zealand-based team, the Wellington Phoenix, is talking itself up. Sports editor Steve Hepburn runs his eye over the 10 teams.
Adelaide City
Coach: Guillermo Amor
Key player: Midfielder James Holland
The oil: Won it last year but what that usually means in the A-League is all the key players leave for new pastures. That is exactly what has happened to Adelaide which is not fancied to repeat. Has been boosted by the arrival of striker Henrique from Brisbane but his best days are probably behind him.
Brisbane Roar
Coach: John Aloisi
Key player: Midfielder Brett Holman
The oil: There has been plenty of drama off the field for the Roar in the winter months. Owners squabbling and management not happy with what has been going on. Dwindling interest in the very competitive sporting market of Brisbane. It can go two ways — united or divided — and much depends on opening few games. Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen will be looking to make an impact.
Central Coast Mariners
Coach: Paul Oken
Key player: Forward Roy O’Donovan
The oil: The glory years of making the final in its first season, 10 years ago have well and truly left the building. A shocker of a season last year, setting records for conceding the most goals and having the fewest wins in a season. They never seem to fire up in the laid-back airs of Gosford. New coach Paul Oken has come on board but has a big job in front of him.
Melbourne City
Coach: John van’t Schip
Key player: Striker Bruce Kamau
The oil: The busiest person in Melbourne over the past few months would have been the taxi operator between the Melbourne City headquarters and the airport. Has been an almost total transformation of the team and there are huge expectations. Sometimes all that can go wrong. Teams play on grass, not paper. Anything less than top two will spell disappointment for fans. Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will be important and Tim Cahill will give the team profile.
Melbourne Victory
Coach: Kevin Muscat
Key player: Striker Besart Berisha
The oil: Always a contender but fell away last year. Plenty of interest for New Zealand fans as Marco Rojas comes back to the A-league after his disappointing stint in Europe. Let’s hope he gets back his lofty heights. Will be tough to beat and solid up front with the player everyone loves to have, Besart Berisha, back again.
Newcastle Jets
Coach: Mark Jones
Key player: Midfielder Mateo Poljak
The oil: It must be tough being a sports fan in Newcastle these days. The rugby league side was rubbish and the football team is probably not going to be much better. Coach Scott Miller was dumped but it is hard to see the side going any better than last year’s eighth. Defender and skipper Nigel Boogaard could have a busy season.
Perth Glory
Coach: Kenny Lowe
Key player: Winger Diego Castro
The oil: After a few years in the doldrums and sliding into financial trouble, the Glory came back last year and finished fifth. Has not lost many players and striker Andy Keogh looms as a player who can score goals — which is what it is all about. Tough to beat at home but needs to improve away form.
Sydney FC
Coach: Graham Arnold
Key player: Defender Sebastian Ryall
The oil: Had a forgettable season last year although the optimistic are now saying it was the season they had to have. Strange theory, that one. New signing striker Bobo will be the man to provide the goals but could just as well flop. Bernie Ibini-Isei is looking to come back from a broken leg and make some waves on the field.
Wellington Phoenix
Coach: Ernie Merrick
Key player: Goalkeeper Glen Moss
The oil: Phoenix supporters know never to get ahead of themselves. It would be a tough life if one supported the Warriors league side and the Phoenix. A perennial underachiever, there is talk of the side having upgraded over the off-season. Ben Sigmund has retired but was getting too slow. Much will depend on striker Roy Krishna staying fit and the trio of Roly Bonevacia, the returning Kosta Barbarouses and Michael McGlinchey. Must stop leaking soft goals.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Coach: Tony Popovic
Key player: Striker Brendon Santalab
The oil: Have made every post a winning one since joining the league in 2012. Always up in the reckoning but another year of comings and goings may come back and bite the side. Has more than 18,000 signed-up members so will not lack for support.
● Sky Sport will televise more than 100 A-League games this season although it only announced the deal the morning before the first game.
The broadcaster confirmed yesterday it would cover the league for another year and would show all games played by the Wellington Phoenix.
Earlier in the week, it said it was still working through the negotiations with football authorities to get the A-League on screen.
It finally announced a deal had been clinched, starting with last night’s opening match between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.
