Perth Glory's top-two hopes have received a double blow, with star duo Diego Castro and Josh Risdon unlikely to play again until early next year.

• Michael Lynch

The FFA Cup has delivered plenty of magic along the way, but there's nothing fairytale about Wednesday night's competition decider.

• Emma Kemp

Western Sydney must be more ruthless in front of goal if they're to finally kick-start their stuttering A-League season against Central Coast, says defender Scott Neville.

• Michael Lynch

Right from its first season, when Adelaide City, of the South Australian NPL, turned over Western Sydney Wanderers in an early round, the FFA Cup has become a key part of the Australian soccer landscape.

Tim Cahill says Melbourne City have eyed off the FFA Cup since pre-season as a way to break through for the club's maiden piece of silverware.

Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow sparked outrage on social media with comments about the ongoing child abuse scandal in English football.

• Michael Lynch

South Melbourne soccer chiefs are hoping that a top-level meeting on Wednesday between themselves, FFA boss David Gallop and A-League chief Greg O'Rourke will convince the Sydney-based pair that the Albert Park team should be one of the teams admitted in the next phase of A-League expansion.

The Socceroos will host next year's vital World Cup qualifier with Saudi Arabia at Adelaide Oval.

Aaron Mooy's first home goal for Huddersfield Town was in vain as his English Championship side's poor form continued with a 2-1 defeat to Wigan on Monday night.

Sydney FC can try to become the A-League's Invincibles but Melbourne City are set on lifting the FFA Cup trophy, says midfielder Neil Kilkenny.

• Michael Lynch

Four current A League players _ including Australia's greatest Socceroo, Tim Cahill _  are amongst ten nominees announced by the soccer players union, the PFA, for their prestigious Player of the Year Award.

Tom Rogic lashed a left-foot stunner as Celtic claimed the Scottish League Cup and their 100th major trophy with a 3-0 win over Aberdeen.

• Ian Chadband

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sent off for the second time in a month as the controversial coach watched his side draw 1-1 at home to West Ham United and lose more ground in the Premier League title race.

• Michael Lynch

Melbourne City closed to within four points of unbeaten league leaders Sydney FC when they prevailed 2-1 over Wellington Phoenix in an entertaining contest in front of  10, 644 fans at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

• Michael Lynch

Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick was disappointed that his side did not return to New Zealand with a point from their clash with Melbourne City - but that disappointment paled into insignificance when he was asked about the manner of their defeat.

• Michael Lynch

Melbourne Victory battled hard and worked tirelessly before submitting to the W-League's flagship team Melbourne City.

• Emma Kemp

If Sydney FC fans needed any further confirmation that Matt Jurman is as tough as they come, they got it on Saturday night.

• Michael Cockerill

It's hard not to talk about expansion of the A-League. Everybody is. Three weeks ago Tasmania came to town to state their case, and it's been a stampede ever since. Football Federation Australia is frantically trying to control the process, but it's lineball whether they can.

Chelsea consolidated their position at the top of the table by inflicting a first Premier League defeat of the season on Tottenham with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

• Michael Lynch

The Socceroos will face a tough test at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, having been drawn against World Cup winners Germany to open their campaign.

• Dominic Bossi

Sydney FC's worst performance of the season wasn't punished as the Sky Blues remain top despite stalemate.

• Michael Lynch

Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat admitted his touchline frustrations were growing as an injury hit Newcastle Jets kept his side at bay for the opening 50 minutes of a match in which Victory dominated possession but failed to breach the visitors rearguard.

• Michael Lynch

Two goals in three minutes from New Zealand international winger Marco Rojas brought Melbourne Victory three points in a 2-0 win over the injury ravaged Newcastle Jets.

• Robert Mendick and Ben Rumsby

Leading football clubs made secret payments to buy the silence of young players sexually abused by coaches, The Telegraph, London can disclose, as the growing scandal threatened to engulf the sport.

• Caden Helmers

A Michelle Heyman brace handed Canberra United a second straight W-League victory in emphatic fashion.

• Michael Lynch

Melbourne Victory have been forced to sign an emergency goalkeeper Matt Acton - who was set to make his debut for the club on Saturday night against Newcastle Jets - after injury ruled out Victory's two first-choice shot stoppers.

Former England midfielder Paul Stewart has revealed that "hundreds" of former players may have been subjected to child sexual abuse.

There's a buzz in the air at Melbourne City and a spring in the step of John van 't Schip's players as they prepare for one of the biggest weeks in the A-League club's history.

• Michael Lynch

Women's football grabbed a little of the limelight during a crowded week in Australian sport courtesy of Melbourne City's W-League team.