A-League Rd 10 - Western Sydney v Sydney FC

‘I assume responsibility for the big loss’

COACH Josep Gombau has taken full blame for Western Sydney’s record 5-0 Sydney derby loss. “I want to send my apologies to the fans who come to support our team.’

Johnny Koutroumbis (left) of the Jets celebrates after scoring a goal during the A-League round 10 match between Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets at NIB Stadium, Perth, Saturday, December 9, 2017. (AAP Image/Will Russell) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

‘Charged with theft’: Jets comeback in 88’, 92’

NEWCASTLE Jets coach Ernie Merrick says he should be charged with “theft” after watching his side steal a 2-1 A-League win over Perth Glory with two goals at the death.

A crying Brendon Santalab of the Wanderers is consoled by Wanderers fans after the 5-0 defeat by Sydney FC during the round 10 A-League match between Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, December 9, 2017. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

‘Their darkest night’: Bozza explains WSW fall

FORMER Socceroo Mark Bosnich says Saturday night’s Sydney Derby loss was arguably the “darkest night” in the Wanderers’ history.

Derby Wanderers v Sydney FC

‘Men vs boys’: Sydney hit FIVE in Derby win

IT was clinical, it was sublime and ultimately, it was ruthless. And Sydney FC’s demolition job was a whole lot of pain for Josep Gombau’s “hapless” Western Sydney Wanderers.

A-League Rd 10 - Western Sydney v Sydney FC

Arnie’s ultimate Derby revenge, WSW ploy backfires

IT was a spicy prelude to the Sydney Derby, one where Sydney FC could have been rocked by the news three players are being targeted by the Wanderers. Instead, it backfired incredibly.

Roar players huddle prior to kickoff in the Round 10 A-league match between the Brisbane Roar FC and Wellington Phoenix, Saturday, December 9, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Touching Roar gesture to A-League champion

BRISBANE Roar fans payed tribute to former Championship winner Liam Miller during their 0-0 draw with Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night.

Phoenix player Marco Rossi (left) competes with Roar player Nicholas D'Agostino during the Round 10 A-league match between the Brisbane Roar FC and Wellington Phoenix on the Gold Coast, Saturday, December 9, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Bautheac hurt as Roar and Phoenix draw

THE Roar’s injury woes continued on Saturday when their French star Eric Bautheac was forced off with a hamstring problem in Brisbane’s forgettable 0-0 draw with A-League cellar dwellers Wellington Phoenix.

Marco Kurz explodes after second red card.

Watch: Coach’s epic ref spray after mental red card

ADELAIDE United were down to 10 men when Ben Garuccio decided to waste times by doing keepy uppys. He was predictably sent off. Cue an epic coach explosion by Marco Kurz.

Adelaide take the lead again

‘It was CHAOS!’ Two reds in wild game for the ages

WHAT. A. Game. On Friday night, the A-League witnessed one of the games of the season when a nine-man Adelaide beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 in a drama-filled match

Australia's Tim Cahill (L) talks to coach Ange Postecoglou after Australia defeated Honduras in their 2018 World Cup qualification play-off football match at Stadium Australia in Sydney on November 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / William WEST / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Tim Cahill exclusive: ‘With or without Ange’

SOCCEROOS superstar Tim Cahill has spoken exclusively to FOX SPORTS on his club future after leaving Melbourne City ahead of the 2018 World Cup, describing what will make his mind up and his obsession for the game.

A-League Rd 1 - Western Sydney v Sydney FC

Magic Sydney derby moments

SIMON Hill and Robbie Slater pick their most memorable Sydney derby moments.

A-League Rd 9 - Western Sydney v Brisbane

Franjic all heart in comeback

WHATEVER Ivan Franjic achieves in his second coming as a Brisbane Roar player will be a bonus after a heart condition almost ended his playing days last year.

A-League Rd 8 - Sydney v Brisbane

Papadopoulos banned for 7 games for spitting

AVRAAM Papadopoulos has been given a seven-match ban by the A-League judiciary for spitting on Sydney FC’s Matt Simon two weeks ago.

Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic reacts after his sides 4-2 loss to the Central Coast Mariners during the A-League Football match between the Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, November 25, 2017. (AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Western Sydney Wanderers

Phoenix lose marquee man after coach fall out

WELLINGTON Phoenix and their marquee man have mutually agreed to part ways, the A-League club confirmed on Friday.

Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold talks to the media during a press conference at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Monday, November 20, 2017. Sydney FC will face Adelaide United for the FFA Cup final on Tuesday night. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz) NO ARCHIVING

Arnie’s personal Wanderers slap

GRAHAM Arnold is ‘nervous for the families’ of Western Sydney defenders after confirming the club made a cheeky pre-derby raid of Sydney FC.

Melbourne City Training Session

‘Everything’s out’: Joyce speaks after Cahill exit

OUR greatest Socceroo just left his A-League club mid-season, in a pre-World Cup bombshell. Now, a defensive Melbourne City boss Warren Joyce has spoken for the first time on Tim Cahill’s exit.

A-League Rd 20 - Western Sydney v Sydney

Cruel injury twist that sparked touching Derby build up

SYDNEY FC have produced an incredible gesture to a young academy star shattered by a serious knee injury just hours after a national team call up.

Daniel de Silva of the Mariners (left) celebrates with Kwabena Appiah-Kubi after scoring against the Phoenix during the A-League Football match between the Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, November 25, 2017. (AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Ex-Roo’s query over A-League’s World Cup bolter

THIS youngster is the A-League’s latest revelation and is shaping as a World Cup bolter. But a former Socceroo has his queries.

Tim Cahill of Melbourne City complains to team mates about the service during the A-League Round 9 match between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, on Saturday, December 2, 2017. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Where to next? Experts tip Cahill’s destination

TIM Cahill has officially parted ways with Melbourne City. So where is the Socceroos talisman headed next? The Just for Kickspanel looked at Cahill’s departure and where he could be headed next.

Melbourne City Training Session

Muscat: Cahill’s next club is already decided

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat says he knows Tim Cahill well enough to believe he has his next playing deal stitched up, while Mark Bosnich reveals a conversation with a key Cahill confidant.

A-League Rd 9 - Central Coast v Perth

The story everyone’s missed amidst football’s sagas

IT’S about time people started talking about the football again – and there’s no better place to start than the two feel-good stories of the A-League season so far.

Sydney head coach Graham Arnold gestures during the round 3 A-League football match between Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Saturday, October 21, 2017. (AAP Image/David Moir) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Wanderers’ cheeky pre-Derby raid for star Sydney trio

EXCLUSIVE: The Sydney Derby is set to get even spicier with news that Western Sydney Wanderers will begin talks to sign three of Sydney FC’s key stars.

AFC National Team Competitions Director Shin Man Gil announces the 2018 AFC Champions League football tournament official draws for group stages at the Asian Football Confederation headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on December 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Manan VATSYAYANA

Victory, Sydney, Roar learn ACL fate

MELBOURNE Victory have avoided Asian nemesis Jeonbuk Motors in the Champions League draw but face a tough test to reach the knockout rounds all the same.

Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay during a training session at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane, Thursday, November 16, 2017. The Roar face Melbourne City in Round 7 of the A-League at Suncorp Stadium on Friday. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING

Roar schedule takes a toll

FOOTBALL Federation Australia will be risking the health of Brisbane players if it forces the Roar to play an A-League game just three days before a likely AFC Champions League match in China.

QLD_CM_SPORT_ROAR_6DEC17

May the force be with Brisbane

BRISBANE goalkeeper Jamie Young has backed the Roar empire to continue striking back when they host Wellington Phoenix at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.

Tim Cahill of Melbourne City during the A-League Round 9 match between the Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City FC at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, on Saturday, December 2, 2017. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Exclusive: Cahill bombshell, Roos hero leaves City

SOCCEROOS legend Tim Cahill has decided to part ways mid-season with A-League club Melbourne City, ahead of a potential fourth World Cup appearance for Australia.

Mark Milligan of Victory is seen during a Melbourne Victory training session in Melbourne, Wednesday November 29, 2017. Victory will take on the Wellington Phoenix in the round 9 of the A-League this weekend. (AAP Image/Joe Castro) NO ARCHIVING

Milligan: Victory can’t stop now

MARK Milligan has challenged his Melbourne Victory team to claim another three points against Adelaide United on Friday night, despite his enforced absence.

Socceroos players Tim Cahill (centre) and Mark Milligan arrive for a press conference in Sydney, Monday, November 13, 2017. The first leg of the playoff in Honduras last Saturday (Australian time) was drawn 0-0, meaning the winner of Wednesday's clash at Sydney's ANZ Stadium will advance to next year's World Cup finals in Russia. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito) NO ARCHIVING

Milligan backs Cahill over City walkout

MARK Milligan has backed Tim Cahill to pick up the game time he sees as crucial to his World Cup participation after severing ties with A-League home Melbourne City.

Australia's Tim Cahill (L) talks to coach Ange Postecoglou after Australia defeated Honduras in their 2018 World Cup qualification play-off football match at Stadium Australia in Sydney on November 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / William WEST / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Archie: How Ange triggered Cahill bombshell

FOX Sports football expert Archie Thompson has pointed to Ange Postecoglou’s departure as Socceroos coach as a reason behind Tim Cahill’s shock exit from Melbourne City.

A-League Elimination Final - Melbourne v Perth

Studs Up: Cahill departs, Roos coaching latest

STUDS UP CHAT: David Davutovic is online for his weekly football chat, ready to chat about the latest on the Socceroos coaching post, Tim Cahill’s future, the Congress and A-League.

Some of the A-League's big-name recruits.

Transfer hits, misses: Roos bolters, market shockers

FROM the talented Australians to the big-name imports, the A-League has seen a number of recruits shine this season already.We take a look at some of the standouts.

Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi during Roar training at Ballymore in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 17, 2017. The Roar are playing the Newcastle Jets in their round 3 A-League match in Brisbane on Sunday, October 22. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

No certainty for fixture reshuffle

FOOTBALL Federation Australia is refusing to guarantee Brisbane Roar’s request to shift a match next month to aid the club’s AFC Champions League campaign will be granted.

QLD_GCB_SPORT_ROAR

Bautheac: ‘The players here are rough’

BRISBANE Roar’s French star Eric Bautheac fears he’s on the verge of being seriously injured such has been the rough treatment he has received since arriving in the A-League.

Socceroos - Thailand

Bolters and strugglers: How fringe Roos are faring

FOUR fringe World Cup prospects are playing and doing well overseas. Three others are struggling. We take a look at the lesser-light Aussies who will be eyeing a spot in the Socceroos squad for Russia 2018.

Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy speaks at a press conference at the federation's head office in Sydney on November 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

FFA left to sweat over potential FIFA takeover

STEVEN Lowy and his FFA board have been left to sweat on their potential dismissal, with FIFA yet to make a decision about whether it would seize control of the game in Australia.

Australia's national football coach Ange Postecoglou leaves a press conference with Football Federation of Australia (FFA) chief David Gallop (R) after announcing his resignation in Sydney on November 22, 2017. An emotional Ange Postecoglou said on November 22 he will not take Australia to the World Cup next year after a lengthy qualification campaign, leaving the team just months to find a new coach for Russia. / AFP PHOTO / William WEST

How Abu Dhabi took hold of Aussie football’s future

WHILE Australia football suffers a leadership vacuum at Socceroos level, while waiting to learn the future of the FFA top brass, a Middle East city has emerged as a key player.

MELBOURNE VICTORY

Victory start CEO search after Robson pulls plug

A-LEAGUE big guns Melbourne Victory are on the hunt for a new chief executive after decorated administrator Ian Robson announced his resignation on Tuesday morning.

A-League Wanderers v Brisbane

‘Where’s the hunger?’: ‘Insipid’ Wanderers slammed

FORMER Adelaide and Sydney coach John Kosmina has slammed an “insipid” Western Sydney after the Wanderers lost 2-0 to Brisbane Roar.

Central Coast fans and players celebrate beating Perth.

Central Coast Mariners

Moment that sums up what top four shock means

TWO seasons ago, when Central Coast wallowed in the depths of their worst A-League campaign, even the most loyal of fans would not have dared believe a top-four position possible.

Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy speaks at a press conference at the federation's head office in Sydney on November 30, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS / --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

Scary unknown if Lowy is toppled, Bozza’s plea

THERE’S still time, and hope, for peace in Australian football, pleads Mark Bosnich, but if Steven Lowy’s board is toppled there’s a vacuum of unknowns awaiting Oz football.

Red set to depart, fan favourite could return

ADELAIDE recruit Karim Matmour looks set to depart the club for family reasons. And his departure could open the door for a fan favourite to return to the Reds.

Besart Berisha of the Melbourne Victory, right, attempts a shot on goal as Andrew Durante of the Phoenix defends in the A-League Football match between the Phoenix and Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, December 3, 2017. (AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The comeback to ignite Victory’s season?

DOWN 2-0 at halftime against the Phoenix, Melbourne was staring down a loss that would have sent it to the foot of the table. But instead of folding, the Victory relaunched its campaign.

A-League Rd 9 - Central Coast v Perth

The ‘magical’ proof the Mariners are ‘back’

THE Central Coast Mariners are in the top four. It’s something Mariners fans wouldn’t have dreamed of just a few seasons ago. And it’s a well-earned reward for a club that’s turned its fortunes around.

James Troisi celebrates his winner.

‘Lost for words’: Victory comeback stuns Phoenix

MELBOURNE Victory got back to winning form. But it had to do things the hard way, with wasteful finishing coming to the fore against Wellington Phoenix.

Melb City training with new coach

Ex-Socceroo appointed City coach after axing

MELBOURNE City’s restructure under Warren Joyce has continued with a former Socceroo appointed senior assistant coach after the sacking of Michael Valkanis.

A-League Rd 9 - Newcastle v Melbourne

Unsung hero who kept alive A-League title race

IF Melbourne City lost, they drifted nine points behind the league leaders. Instead, one unsung hero pulled off an individual performance to earn his side the win.

A-League Rd 9 - Western Sydney v Brisbane

Roar continue Wanderers’ winless streak

WESTERN Sydney Wanderers are still searching for their first win since the opening round of the season following a forgettable display against Brisbane Roar.

A-League Wanderers v Brisbane

‘A disgrace ... as for Gombau, show some passion’

BRISBANE have finally got their A-League season on track by snatching a sorely win off an injury-hit Western Sydney, but Mark Bosnich has unloaded on a “disgraceful” Wanderers display.

Bobo celebrates after scoring his goal

The scary quality Sydney showed in latest win

A-LEAGUE champions Sydney FC have shown why they are just that, flooring Adelaide United 1-0 in a classic counterpunch performance.

A-League Rd 9 - Adelaide v Sydney

Resilient Sydney don’t give United a sniff

ADELAIDE United can now seriously measure just how much improvement they need to catch the finest team in Australia.