In the 11 years since the first FFA chief executive John O'Neill coined the phrase "new football" to differentiate the A-League from the "old soccer" that had been its predecessor in the NSL, the links between the two sides of the same game have become closer.

There is a core belief shared by Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola which helps explain why, as long as the two managers are rivals, they can never be friends.

Jose Mourinho has instructed his Manchester United players to bully Manchester City in the air tomorrow as Old Trafford braces itself for the most high profile match in British top-flight history.

The AFL might have a fantasy about using soccer pitches to pioneer a new short form of the oval ball game, but unless millions of dollar are spent on developing new soccer infrastructure the chances of footy's governing body getting its new concept up and running are limited, according to soccer officials.

It will be interesting to see how many FFA trumps, or A-League coaches, show up for grand final day in NSW. Don't expect miracles.

Mile Jedinak's injury wasn't the only selection dilemma facing the Socceroos against United Arab Emirates this week.

The Central Coast Mariners have set up a talent identification pathway for players in the territory, Capital Draft, giving three local stars the chance to test their skills with the elite club.

Melbourne Victory wide man Marco Rojas was a darling of the home crowd in his first spell at AAMI Park, which finished with him winning a Johnny Warren Medal as A-League player of the year before he departed for Stuttgart at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Newcastle are searching for a seventh coach in less than five years after sacking Scott Miller on the cusp of the new A-League season.

The Socceroos are ready for another World Cup, according to former Liverpool star Steve McMahon.

Seventy per cent of W-League players would consider switching to the AFL, with money the major motivating factor, according to a survey by a leading women's soccer website.

• ANALYSIS

Reigning Asian champions Australia made it two wins out of two in the third round of 2018 AFC World Cup qualifying after Tim Cahill came off the bench to score in a 1-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night

• ANALYSIS

Qualification for Russia 2018 remains a work in progress, but Australia could not have made a better start: six points, three goals and none conceded.

From the goalscoring veteran to a giant in defence, who shone for the Socceroos on Wednesday morning?

Euro 2016 finalists France and Portugal have made poor starts to their World Cup qualifying campaigns, playing in Belarus and Switzerland respectively.

A bonus of importing so many high-end managers to the Premier League is a refreshing rise in ruthlessness. Who could fail to enjoy the squeals of super-agents when their platinum clients are purged by a J??rgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola?

By Ben McKay

El Salvador players claim they have been offered financial inducements to win, draw or avoid a heavy defeat in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Canada.

21 successful community football projects were announced today to have received funding as part of the Community Football Infrastructure Program (CFIP) 

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will give Mile Jedinak until the very last minute to prove his fitness before facing United Arab Emirates in Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier.

Spain, Italy and Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales began their World Cup campaigns with victories while newcomers Kosovo earned their first point and scored their first goal in international competition in European qualifiers on Monday.

Somewhere out there are three Canberra footballers and one coach on the cusp of securing an opportunity to spend a week with the Central Coast Mariners.

Tough-talking Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou expects the United Arab Emirates to be afraid of Australia, with or without captain Mile Jedinak, in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Sam Allardyce has made a dramatic start as manager of England with a last-gasp 1-0 win in Slovakia in 2018 World Cup qualifying Group F.

Enduring Socceroos striker Tim Cahill has no plans to hang up the boots any time soon as he looks to lead a new Australian strikeforce to Russia.

By Ben McKay

Oakleigh Cannons will face South Melbourne in the NPL Victoria Grand Final next weekend after seeing off the defending champions, Bentleigh Greens, 3-1 at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex in the second semi final on Sunday afternoon.

Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak says there will always be a place in his heart for former club Crystal Palace as he embarks on life outside the Premier League with Aston Villa.

One of the most crucial jobs facing an international manager is the constant regeneration of a national team squad.