Bryan Waters

Australia stunned the Dutch with their energetic start putting in the clichéd “heroic” performance. With expectation so low any semblance of direction would be seen as a positive. However, in the end the Netherlands prevailed by a 3-2 scoreline. The high press and gung-ho approach by Ange Postecoglou left a lot of admirers of his […]

If someone asked me about A-League team Melbourne Heart a few weeks ago, my reply would have been one of two things — (1) their 19 game winless streak (since broken after last Friday’s win against Newcastle Jets), or (2) that ever growing winless away streak that stretches to late December 2011. But my opinion changed […]

Last weekend kicked off the start to the new A-League season. The league has been praised in the past for its competitive nature, and this season ahead doesn’t look too dissimilar. One of the big differences in the league this season is the fact that FOX Sports has signed an agreement to televise live A-League […]

Australian midfielder Mark Milligan is close to securing a deal to move from Melbourne Victory to Crystal Palace, according to reports in Australia. Twenty four months ago, Milligan was nowhere near the Australian national team setup. He began to get a reputation as a journeyman among Australian soccer fans, but a loan and then permanent […]

After signing with Chelsea this week on a free transfer, Mark Schwarzer said “I didn't take much convincing to come here,” which is a very normal response for a player that’s just signed for a new club. However, Schwarzer’s move to Chelsea may hurt both Australia and himself in next summer’s World Cup tournament in […]

On a cold winter’s day in the city of Düsseldorf, as patrons of the city sat in the Esprit Arena watching their side go up against former Bundesliga champions VFB Stuttgart, the Fortuna faithful looked on worried, as their side may be staring at a fifth successive game without a win. The Flingeraner were flirting […]

Almost a decade ago, the world witnessed one of the rising stars in the English game move to Liverpool. His name was Harry Kewell. Fast forward 10 years later, the once sought after and most gifted Australian footballer of his generation recently signed with A-league minnows Melbourne Heart on a reported AU$48,000 a season deal. […]

The two biggest clubs in British soccer history are on their way to Australia this summer. Make no mistake about it; this is a huge scalp for Australian football. Manchester United announced the pre-season tour mid-December with great effect. Tickets went on sale and where sold out in less than an hour. The anticipation is […]

Following Arsenal's 2-1 loss in the north London derby, questions have to be asked about Arsene Wenger's grip on the club he has managed since 1996. Wenger has been regarded as one of the greatest managers in Europe. His revolution of English football and transformation of Arsenal has been recognized throughout. He modernized the game […]

Arsenal is under the microscope yet again. At the beginning of the season, it was “No RVP, no goals, and no Song.” Now it’s cries of “Wenger OUT,” even more-so after the loss at Old Trafford. But, wasn’t this the same Arsenal squad that was apparently the deepest in years? A side that had battle […]

Arsenal was earmarked as potential dark horses in the title race before the loss of Robin van Persie. Now without Van Persie, the hope for a title challenge has suddenly disappeared and has been replaced with doubts of Champions League qualification for next year. Is this valid or a premature assessment of Arsenal? The weekend […]

With just hours to go until the Euro 2012 final begins, flashbacks to past encounters between the Azzurri and La Furia Roja are coming to mind. Classic football matches, those that have shaped both national times significantly. Do you remember earlier in the tournament, the opening fixture for both sides? We saw the 3-5-2 of […]

It was the 1970 World Cup semi-final. Now Italian manager Cesare Prandelli recalls where he was that day. “I watched it at home on TV with my father and it was the greatest emotion I'd got from football." They’d defeated the Germans to face Brazil in the final. And it didn’t end there. Fast forward […]

The Azzurri are marching with their heads held high after defying the pre-tournament critics and escaping group C. Coach Cesare Prandelli’s tactical masterstroke against Spain demonstrated his vision. The Catenaccio styled Italy has been absent this tournament, and a new more adventurous side has emerged. The 3-5-2 played by Juventus adopted by Prandelli out of necessity […]

Italian football has been criticised for its overtly physical approach. The classic Catenaccio style played in the past has been altered. A fresh faced Italian with the name of Cesare Prandelli is the culprit. Prandelli’s appointment has allowed Italy to change. The ‘old guard’ under Lippi were being transitioned out of the international set up […]