Sport

Football

Big decision: Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop.

Why expansion risks damaging A-League

Given the problems rugby union faces in contracting the number of teams in the SANZAAR competition and the ambitions of the football dreamers for an increase in the A-League, we're entitled to ask: haven't they heard of the Super League war?

Netherlands sack coach Blind after latest setback

Sent packing: Danny Blind was relieved of his duties a day after the Netherlands lost to Bulgaria.

AMSTERDAM: Netherlands coach Danny Blind was sacked on Sunday, less than 24 hours after a 2-0 defeat away to Bulgaria left the team floundering in fourth place in World Cup qualifying Group A.

Defoe scores on return as England win

Happy return: Jermain Defoe marked his return to the England setup with a goal.

England striker Jermain Defoe made a scoring return to the international stage and substitute Jamie Vardy added a second goal as the hosts laboured to a 2-0 victory over Lithuania in World Cup qualifying.

Schuerrle on target as Germany crush Azeris

Great start: German players celebrate with Andre Schuerrle after the opening goal of the contest.

Andre Schuerrle scored twice and set up another goal as world champions Germany cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Azerbaijan on Sunday to stay on track for a spot in next year's World Cup in Russia.

The pressure is on the Socceroos, and that is very good

Pressure is on: Ange Postecoglou will know anything but a win against UAE at home could be fatal for Australia's world ...

Ange Postecoglou likes living on the edge. No, let me re-phrase that. He loves it. So he's got what he wished for. A loss to United Arab Emirates in Sydney, and the prospect of the Socceroos missing out on the World Cup is better than real. The pressure pot is boiling. Let's see if anyone gets burned.

Cahill a chance to start against UAE

Socceroos (from left) Brad Smith, Tim Cahill, and Rylie McGree at Tarangoa Zoo with Nangaw the owl.

Tim Cahill will definitely play against UAE in Tuesday night's vital World Cup Qualifier, but Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is yet to decide whether the star forward will start or come off the bench.

Roar win hands Sydney FC Premiers' Plate

Corey Brown of the Roar and Jason Geria of the Victory contest a high ball.

Brisbane sharpshooter Jamie Maclaren delivered a timely reminder of his quality to Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou with an A-League wonder-goal to sink Melbourne Victory and deliver the Premiers' Plate to Sydney FC.

Reds rise from bottom after Mariners win

Papa Babacar Diawara of Adelaide controls the ball.

Baba Diawara has inspired a 3-2 comeback win for Adelaide United over Central Coast to lift the Reds off the bottom of the A-League table for the first time since January.

Socceroos struggle to fourth draw in a row

Mile Jedinak and the Socceroos need to find a way to rise above group rivals.

The Socceroos have escaped with a nerve-wracking 1-1 draw against Iraq amid dreadful conditions in Tehran to leave their World Cup qualification hopes in the balance.