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Second half looms as a hell of a ride to the finish
Craig Foster 8:44 PM After a three-week Asian Cup break and new players recruited by many teams, this season is like the Argentinian Apertura and Clausura. Two distinct halves, with plenty to play for.
Top stories
Wanderers hopeful of ending wretched run
!['We know we have a lot of fans out here in Penrith and I am sure they are looking forward to the game': Tony Popovic.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/g/p/l/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138np9.116fkx.png/1423296900096.jpg)
7:15 PM Tony Popovic is hopeful a change of venue will lead to a change of luck for his Western Sydney side against Wellington on Sunday.
Worry on di Maria after attempted break-in
![Anxious: Angel di Maria.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/i/j/7/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138occ.116fkx.png/1423302845427.jpg)
7:06 PM Louis van Gaal has admitted his concerns over Angel di Maria's frame of mind after the player and his family were the victims of an attempted robbery at their Cheshire home following United's victory against Leicester.
Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City
![The Melbourne derby](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/p/2/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138p09.116fkx.png/1423298570327.jpg)
Ronny Lerner 9:34 PM Follow live scores and statistics from the latest instalment of this Melbourne derby.
Ramsey lives dream as young gun at Arsenal
![Like this: Aaron Ramsey signals to his team-mates.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/g/r/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138e3p.116fkx.png/1423302845427.jpg)
Dominic Bossi 2:03 PM While Aaron Ramsey's friends were still finishing high school, adults were stopping him in the streets of London asking for his autograph.
Gerrard loves bitterness of away derby
![It's been nice: Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will make his final appearance in a red shirt at Goodison Park this weekend.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/h/4/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138h2h.116fkx.png/1423264723841.jpg)
Chris Bascombe 11:00 AM Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he relishes the Goodison derby more than any other fixture because of the "bitterness and hatred" he experiences.
Hooker in $600,000 dispute with TAB
![Dispute: Former Socceroo Robbie Hooker is pursuing more than $600,000 in winnings he says he is owed by the TAB. The bookmaker says the confusion is down to a glitch in an out-of-date version of the TAB app.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/d/d/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.137meq.116fkx.png/1423302845427.jpg)
Chris Barrett 11:21 PM Hooker is in a lengthy stoush with Tabcorp over claims of a faulty app, believing he is owed more than $600,000 by the wagering giant.
Latest football news
Williams blows whistle on critics
Chris Wilson 9:05 PM Canberra referee Ben Williams has retailiated to media commentary of his controversial officiating at the Asian Cup, calling it "ill-informed" and questioning the relevance of some former players in the broadcasting box.
Ex-Palmeiras striker Love signs for rivals Corinthians
![Brazil's Vagner Love.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/p/p/2/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138poe.png/1423298559096.jpg)
7:42 PM Corinthians have signed former Brazil striker Vagner Love, the club announced Friday, ending his two-year spell at Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng.
Leeds defender Bellusci cleared in Norwich racism row
![Leeds United's Mark Viduka celebrates a goal against Cardiff City during their FA Cup Third Round match at Cardiff City January 6, 2002. REUTERS/Stephen Hird EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO ONLINE/INTERNET USE WITHOUT A LICENSE FROM FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENSE ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE +44 207 298 1656.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/p/n/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138pj1.png/1423298343053.jpg)
7:39 PM Leeds United defender Giuseppe Bellusci has had a misconduct charge for allegedly racially abusing Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome found not proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission, the Football Association said on Friday.
Morocco's $A13m football punishment
![A Malian team supporter wearing a small French flag and a Malian flag on each side of his jacket cheers during the 2013 African Cup of Nations football match between Mali and Niger at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on January 20, 2013. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/p/h/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138pfh.png/1423297848836.jpg)
7:30 PM Morocco were kicked out of the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Friday while Equatorial Guinea were punished for the unrest in Thursday's semi-finals in which 36 fans were injured.
Soccer-Schalke leapfrog Gladbach into third with 1-0 win
![Schalke were by no means exciting to watch, crowding their defence and waiting to catch the visitors on the break.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/j/p/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138pd4.png/1423297457610.jpg)
7:24 PM A solid defence helped Schalke 04 secure a 1-0 win at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday that lifted them above their rivals into third spot in the Bundesliga in the battle for Champions League places.
Van Gaal vows to fight FA charge
!['I am not angry, I am very disappointed': Louis van Gaal.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/x/b/f/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138pbd.png/1423297199477.jpg)
7:19 PM Louis van Gaal is to fight the FA charge brought against the Manchester United manager following his team's goalless FA Cup draw at fourth-tier Cambridge last month.
Mourinho continues attack on Financial Fair Play rules
!['I don't think a team can be champions when you are punished': Jose Mourinho.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/3/z/t/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138oli.png/1423296629698.jpg)
7:10 PM Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has repeated his call for clubs who breach European governing body UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules to be stripped of their titles and docked points.
Matildas set sail for World Cup
![Big dream: Australia's women's football team are hoping to win the World Cup in Canada.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/h/k/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138hi7.png/1423266577159.jpg)
Ben McKay 10:49 AM Australia's national women's football team's road to the World Cup begins this week in New Zealand as they begin an arduous four-month campaign to win the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea fined over fan violence
![Sad sight: Ghana supporters react after the were attacked by Equatorial Guinea fans.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/g/v/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138gum.png/1423263605114.jpg)
10:00 AM The Confederation of African Football on Friday fined Equatorial Guinea $US100,000 ($A128,000) for unrest in Thursday's African Cup of Nations semi-final in which 36 fans were injured.
Rangers football board facing removal vote
![Fall from grace: Glasgow Rangers were once one the biggest clubs in Europe.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/h/v/j/y/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.138fvk.png/1423257667161.jpg)
8:21 AM Fallen Scottish giants Rangers were set for fresh turmoil after the Glasgow club confirmed Friday that former director Dave King had gained sufficient shareholder approval for a meeting demanding the current board be removed.
A-League's post-Asian Cup reboot
![Jean Carlos Solorzano of the Roar.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/5/t/d/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.1380dg.png/1423225284574.jpg)
Sebastian Hassett 11:21 PM The Asian Cup has been run and won, now it's back to the A-League. Here's what you need to know.
'War zone' on field in African Cup semi
![A helicopter hovered overhead as harassed officials dithered over whether or not to abandon the game.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/7/s/1/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.137qx3.png/1423218868926.jpg)
Equatorial Guinea coach Esteban Becker admitted he was saddened while Ghana star Andre Ayew was bitter over the violence and chaos which overshadowed Thursday's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
Winning streak needed to close gap, says Sydney FC's Alex Gersbach
![Alex Gersbach](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/c/6/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.13883i.png/1423213612149.jpg)
Sebastian Hassett Sydney FC left-back Alex Gersbach believes the Sky Blues are every chance of remaining in title contention if they can get on a winning run to kick-start the second half of their A-League season.
FFA's task now to leverage Asian Cup success and build for future
![Michael Lynch](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/q/w/1/j/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.137l0v.png/1423212833238.jpg)
Michael Lynch With the Asian Cup safely under lock and key for at least four years and the celebratory revelling done and dusted, the FFA must move sharply to capitalise on the benefits of a tournament that generated huge interest up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Derby jousts are just the lead-in to Victory-City clash
![Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat watches Saturday's game.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/e/h/e/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.1381ph.png/1423210450000.jpg)
Michael Lynch Earlier this week Socceroo superstar Tim Cahill talked about employing method in his madness.
Mourinho a genius and the Aussies made a big impression, Duff recalls
![The best: Jose Mourinho (left) consoles Damien Duff after an FA Cup game in 2005.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/8/b/i/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.137kf2.png/1423210084906.jpg)
Michael Lynch Melbourne City winger Damien Duff has worked with some of the top coaches in the world and played alongside some of the best known names in the game.
Tinkler pays debts, Jets name new CEO
Nathan Tinkler has announced he's paid off Newcastle Jets' outstanding debts and claims he's now ready to revitalise the stricken A-League club.
The Lowdown: A-League - Perth Glory v Sydney FC
![Due a big game: Bernie Ibini.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/e/7/y/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.1382bt.png/1423217263880.jpg)
Sebastian Hassett The Lowdown: A-League - Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Home is where the Heart is for Duff - but business comes first in derby clash
![Damien Duff in action for Melbourne City.](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/8/f/0/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.137jz2.png/1423208527815.jpg)
Michael Lynch Melbourne City's star import Damien Duff sucks in his cheeks and his mouth forms in a half smile when asked whether he would consider staying on for another season in the A-League.
Season has been a disaster for Wanderers
![Michael Cockerill](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/s/1/9/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.137rxo.png/1423218398626.jpg)
Michael Cockerill 10:00 PM Tony Popovic won't give up the fight, nor should he, but let's be frank. The season has been a disaster for Western Sydney Wanderers, with few signs of a recovery. Last week's meek capitulation in Melbourne looked like the final nail in the coffin. The Wanderers will need to win 10 of their remaining 14 games to have any real hope of sneaking into the finals, and you just can't see that happening.
Is Ange Postecoglou overseeing Soccer's coming of age in Australia?
![Martin Flanagan](/web/20150207104715im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/7/w/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.136ylc.png/1423302602977.jpg)
Martin Flanagan Ange Postecoglou may be the most influential Greek-Australian since former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.