The Australian A-League set to make its mark

The fourth season of the Hyundai A-League is set to commence this weekend. The buzz surrounding the new season is one of high anticipation as the Pre-Season Cup indicated with competitive free flowing football.

The growing number of supporters attending all matches is another mile stone for the Hyundai A-League as they just recently surpassed 700,000 individual ticket sales.

The Pre-Season Cup also saw the emergence of the New Zealand based team Wellington Phoenix who had finished at the bottom of the A-League table last season. Wellington’s effort whilst losing to Melbourne Victory in the Cup Final was observed by most soccer enthusiasts as further proof that the competition has all teams playing on level par.

With local talent seeking to first try its hand in the A-League and the genuine interest of players abroad looking to Australia as a plausible career option it seems the evidence points to a cracking season of football action not to be missed.

Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee. Matthew Breeze
Last Meeting between clubs: 24-02-08 Newcastle Jets 1 – 0 Central Coast Mariners (Sydney Football Stadium) 2008 Grand Final

Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Referee. Mark Shield
Last Meeting between clubs: 20-01-08 Sydney FC 2 – 2 Melbourne Victory (Sydney Football Stadium) Round 21, 2007/08

Wellington Phoenix v Queensland Roar
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Referee. Ben Williams
Last Meeting between clubs: 14-12-07 Wellington Phoenix 1 – 1 Queensland Roar (Westpac Stadium) Round 17, 2007/08

Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee. Peter Green
Last Meeting between clubs: 13-01-08 Adelaide United 2 – 3 Perth Glory (Members Equity Stadium) Round 20, 2007/08