Pomersbach hits Heat into semis

Smashing ... Pomersbach hit the fastest 50 of BBL'02 to guide the Heat to victory. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited

A brutal onslaught from Luke Pomersbach has powered Brisbane Heat into the semi-finals of the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

T20 - Blundstone Arena

12 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Heat 1st Innings

J. Burns	41	27	2	3	151.85
D. Christian	5	5	1	0	100
J. Wells	0.1	0	4	0	24.00

Pomersbach smashed the fastest 50 of the competition as the Heat demolished Hobart Hurricanes by eight wickets to set up a date with Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Chasing the home side's below par 3-150, the Heat made a mockery of Hobart's battle with what had appeared a sticky Bellerive pitch to reach the target in just 14.1 overs.

Pomersbach's 50 came from just 24 balls and his 82 from 42 included 13 fours and two sixes.

The Heat finish the regular season equal on eight points with the Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers but with a superior net run rate.

Pomersbach had the Heat off to an absolute flyer, which didn't relent as they motored along at close to 11 an over.

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Paceman Doug Bollinger (1-41) went for 27 from his first two and Jason Krejza wasn't sighted again after taking 0-31 from his first two.

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Peter Forrest (18 from 11) was caught in the deep off Bollinger at 1-39 but the onslaught continued and in-form paceman Ben Laughlin was dispatched for 20 from his first over.

Pomersbach and Joe Burns (41no from 27) put on 107 from 55 balls to destroy the Hurricanes finals hopes.

		P	W	L	NR	T	Pts	NNR
1	Renegades	8	7	1	0	0	14	0.791
2	Scorchers	8	5	3	0	0	10	1.322
3	Stars	8	5	3	0	0	10	0.246
4	Heat	8	4	4	0	0	8	0.464
5	Strikers	8	4	4	0	0	8	-0.162
6	Hurricanes	8	4	4	0	0	8	-0.569
7	Sixers	8	3	5	0	0	6	-0.38
8	Thunder	8	0	8	0	0	0	-1.36

Hobart needed a late flourish from Jonathan Wells (40 from 24) and Englishman Owais Shah (32 from 28) to make their score competitive.

The home side had scratched their way to 3-84 before Wells and Shah put on 66 from 42 balls.

The Hurricanes managed just a single six, hit by Ricky Ponting (17 from 16), with miserly Heat, skipper James Hopes bowling a miserly 1-18 from his four overs while Dan Christian took 2-32.

A brilliant outfield catch from the Heat's Burns typified their night.

Burns grabbed the ball with an outstretched left hand before tiptoeing along the boundary and somehow staying on the field of play to dismiss Travis Birt (32 from 25).

The match doubled as an appeal for the devastating bushfires that hit Tasmania during the week.

Pomersbach will have scans on an injury suffered when a Bollinger delivery hit his foot.

"I'm pretty positive that it's going to be OK," he said.

"Even if it is cracked I reckon I'll be hiding the X-rays."

He said the Heat would be full of confidence after winning three of their past four.

"We're the underdogs now,'' he said.

"We're going in there, we're going to give it everything and I've got a really good feeling about it."

Hurricanes captain Tim Paine said his side had been 30 runs short.

"We probably misjudged the wicket a little bit although I think it probably suited their bowlers, that sort of slow medium pace," he said.

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Griffiths strike shoots down Roar

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Breakthrough ... Ryan Griffiths helps Newcastle past Brisbane. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

A Ryan Griffiths goal has ensured Newcastle a 1-0 win over an under-performing Brisbane and lifted them back into the top six on the A-League ladder.

The Jets, missing injured marquee star Emile Heskey (hip flexor), climbed to fifth place with the victory at Hunter Stadium while Roar remain in seventh with their championship defence taking a hit.

The young Jets backline featuring debutante Andrew Hoole managed to nullify the potent Roar attack including super striker Besart Berisha to post back-to-back clean sheets.

A mistake from Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo gifted the Jets an early chance when his pass to a defender was almost intercepted by Griffiths.

The Jets had a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 20th minute thanks to more shoddy defending by the Roar with Theo making amends with a great diving save from Craig Goodwin's strike.

Stand-in Jets skipper Ruben Zadkovich, who was declared fit after a knee injury scare at training, fired two long-range shots in the space of a minute just before the break but just shaved the woodwork.

Goodwin then squandered possibly the best chance of the opening half when he found himself in space inside the box but misfired.

The Jets finally broke through in the 47th minute when an unmarked Griffiths got on the end of a cheeky James Brown back-heel pass to slot home for the 1-0 lead.

Coach Gary van Egmond was pleased with his team's showing under pressure and without Heskey.

"We've seen how well Emile has played for us so to not have your marquee player was a test," he said.

"To get a result when he's not on the field will develop a lot of good character for this team.

"I thought the performance of the defence tonight was excellent. What they lack in experience they definitely made up for with attitude and work ethic.''

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Re-live the Jets' tense win over the Roar in our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights and all the important stats.

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The Roar had a chance to level minutes later when Mitchell Nichols got past the Jets defence but gloveman Mark Birighitti came off his line to stop the charging striker.

Brown had a chance to score a goal of his own in the 60th minute but pushed his header just wide.

James Donachie could have levelled with 15 minutes to go when he had Birighitti beaten but sent his shot wide.

Birighitti made sure the visitors remained scoreless by denying Berisha a chance to equalise in the dying minutes.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey admitted Brisbane were not at their best.

"It was a bit of a struggle tonight,'' he said.

"We weren't at our best, certainly in the first half. Our passing was not slick enough.

"We lapsed in concentration and we just can't afford to keep doing it - not at this level.''

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Tomic snares first title in Sydney

Hot streak ... Tomic continued his golden start to 2013 at the Sydney International. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

A rejuvenated Bernard Tomic captured his first ATP title with a gutsy three-set win over South African Kevin Anderson at the Sydney International on Saturday night.

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The rising Australian continued his remarkable transformation as he saw off a stubborn Anderson 6-4 6-7 (7-2) 6-3 at Sydney Olympic Park in his first ATP final.

The win ensures Tomic will climb more than 20 places, possibly as high as No.43, when the Australian Open begins on Monday, reclaiming the Australian No.1 ranking over Marinko Matosevic.

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He is the ninth Australian winner of the Sydney event and first since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005, and becomes the first 20-year-old to hoist the trophy since Roger Federer in 2002.

The win was Tomic's eighth straight and completed a remarkable Open preparation.

Tomic was honoured to collect his first tour win in front of Australian tennis legend Ken Rosewall and paid tribute to his father and coach John and support team for sticking by him.

"It's an amazing feeling ... It's been a long road and finally I've got one of these trophies,'' Tomic said.

"It took a while but thanks for having me by your side.

"Hopefully this is not the last tournament I can win.''

He shocked world No.1 Novak Djokovic, Tommy Haas (20) and Andreas Seppi (22) at the Hopman Cup in Perth, before beating higher-ranked players Matosevic (47) Florian Mayer (26), Seppi and Anderson (36) in Sydney.

As had been the case all week, Tomic showed little signs of nerves as he began strongly against big-serving Anderson.

Tomic broke the towering South African's serve in the second game, racing to a 3-0 lead, and served well at crucial times to seal the first set in just 27 minutes.

He was made to work much harder in the second set, as Anderson reeled off three consecutive service games without conceding a point.

Tomic kept his cool, defusing a break point trailing 4-3, but Anderson was always in control of the tiebreak, winning it 7-2 to level the scores.

The Australian failed to convert any of three break points in the fourth game of the deciding set by finally converted his seventh of the set when Anderson double faulted to give Tomic a 5-3 lead.

He closed out comfortably and dropped to kiss the blue Sydney court in celebration.

Tomic will begin his Open campaign on Tuesday against Argentina's Leonardo Mayer and could meet Federer if he reaches the third round.

He will head to Melbourne Park with a fresh wave of support and many new admirers following a controversial end to 2012, where he slipped from a career-high ranking of 27 and faced criticism over his attitude and off-court behaviour.

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Video: Pomersbach hits fastest 50

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Fastest fifty ... Pomersbach acknowledges the crowd after notching his 50. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited

Luke Pomersbach wrote his way into the record books at Blundstone Arena on Saturday night after smashing the fastest half-century of the KFC T20 Big Bash League season.

The Brisbane Heat batsman, who is one of a number of players to have made a successful move between teams for this season's competition, clobbered 82 runs off just 42 balls, guiding his side to a huge win over Hobart Hurricanes.

He reached 50 off just 24 balls, eclipsing the previous best effort this season of 25 balls by Chris Gayle, but still short of the 18-ball effort David Warner hit for New South Wales in 2009-2010.

The win ensured the Heat snuck into the semi-finals, and it once again proved that when Pomersbach is on song, he's one of the most destructive batsmen in the country.

He showed glimpses of that kind of form while playing for Western Australia, but seems to have come into his own at the Heat.

He took apart well-credentialed T20 bowlers such as Ben Laughlin, Doug Bollinger and Jason Krejza during his innings, hitting 13 fours and two sixes in his powerful knock.

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Click on the video at the top of the page to see the biggest hits from Pomersbach's innings, and watch the video below to see Burns's stunning catch!

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The Heat will be sweating on Pomersbach's fitness heading into their semi-final against Melbourne Renegades, as he copped a nasty ball on his foot towards the end of his innings, but it will take a lot to stop this super-blaster from padding up at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Pomersbach was well-supported by Heat bastman Joe Burns, but Burns's highlights of the night came not with the bat but with a sensational piece of fielding during Hobart's innings.

Travis Birt looked to have added another six to his tally when Burns, fielding on the mid-wicket boundary, raced across the turf and stuck out his left hand just as it was about to cross the rope.

He then displayed some fancy footwork to stop himself falling over the boundary, regaining his balance to pull off one of the catches of the season.

Birt would have been cursing his luck afterwards - it was just a few days ago that he was dismissed by Kane Richardson's amazing diving catch on the boundary at Adelaide Oval.

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Radwanska crushes Cilbulkova in final

Flawless victory ... Agnieszka Radwanska wins the Sydney International in style. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

No woman will head into the Australian Open in better form than Agnieszka Radwanska.

At least on paper, after the Polish world No.4 collected her second straight WTA title in devastating style at the Sydney International.

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A week after winning the title in Auckland, Radwanska lived up to her billing as top seed in Sydney with a 6-0 6-0 demolition of Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova in Friday night's final.

It was a performance certain to put the likes of Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova on notice just two days out from the Open.

And it completed a remarkable preparation for the 23-year-old, whose dream start to 2013 has included two titles and nine straight wins without a set dropped.

"It's been an amazing two weeks," Radwanska said.

While world No.15 Cibulkova had proved somewhat of a giant-killer in a surprise run to the final, she proved no match for Radwanska in a ruthless display.

"I didn't expect that (score) at all," a sympathetic Radwanska said.

"She's also a top player I saw her play the whole week, she really had some great wins.

"But this is tennis, this is sport, sometimes things happen like that.

"Of course I feel bad, it was the final and it's always supposed to be a tight, long match.

"She didn't deserve that score, definitely not."

It was Radwanska's 12th career title and a breakthrough grand slam is now firmly in her sights after finishing runner-up to Williams at Wimbledon last year.

"Now wherever I go I always believe that I can win it and I think Melbourne is also that kind of tournament," said Radwanska, who faces Australian qualifier Bojana Bobusic in the opening round.

"I think being top 10, top five already for a couple of years, I think it means that I can also win a grand slam."

While the first set was more competitive than the score suggested, Radwanska constantly frustrated Cibulkova, countering the Slovakian's aggression and power with patience and precision.

The second set seemingly couldn't end soon enough for Cibulkova, with Radwanska racing to victory in just under an hour in the most one-sided women's final in the tournament's history.

Cibulkova was visibly gutted late in the match and apologised for her performance during the on-court presentation.

But she will still take plenty of encouragement from her performance this week after beating second-seeded Angelique Kerber, third seed Sara Errani and 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova en-route to the final.

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Reds take Glory in thriller

Brace ... Jeronimo celebrates after scoring. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Adelaide United import Jeronimo Neumann made the most of a sudden call-up to score twice in a 3-2 victory against Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Neumann came from the bench when Adelaide frontman Bruce Djite limped off after injuring a groin muscle just 80 seconds into the Hindmarsh Stadium fixture.

The second-placed Reds kept pressure on league leaders Central Coast with a win also featuring a stunning Iain Ramsay goal, before two Glory goals in the final four minutes gave Adelaide a fright.

Adelaide trail the Mariners by one point ahead of the pacesetter's away fixture against Melbourne Victory on Saturday.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	15	10	3	2	15	33
2	Adelaide	16	10	2	4	8	32
3	Victory	15	8	2	5	0	26
4	Western Sydney	15	7	2	6	4	23
5	Perth	16	5	4	7	1	19
6	Heart	15	5	3	7	-2	18
7	Brisbane	15	5	2	8	0	17
8	Newcastle	15	5	2	8	-9	17
9	Wellington	15	4	4	7	-3	16
10	Sydney	15	4	2	9	-14	14

Neumann's first goal came through good fortune, the second through Dario Vidosic.

The Argentine opened scoring in the 29th minute when Perth defender Scott Jamieson swung a leg in an attempted clearance near the penalty spot.

Jamieson badly miscued, just making enough contact with the ball to plop it over Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and into Neumann's path for a tap in.

Eight minutes later, Vidosic delivered a calculating through pass to give Neumann a run at goal, and the striker trickled a left-footer past the approaching Vukovic which rolled slowly into the net.

Perth should have equalised two minutes later when three players had scoring shots in a pinball episode.

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Relive all the action at our Match Centre, plus video highlights

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Steven McGarry powered a long range attempt into a side bar, the ball fell to Shane Smeltz who blasted into a Reds defender and the rebound went to Liam Miller, whose shot was saved by Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic.

The fifth-placed Glory, winless from their past four games and losing touch with the top four, slipped further behind one minute into the second half when Ramsay netted a cracking one-timer.

A Vidosic corner was cleared by the Glory but the ball fell invitingly towards Ramsay, who sized up from 15 metres and powered a left-footer into the top corner to beat a diving Vukovic.

But Perth scored twice in the dying stages - a contentious 89th minute penalty to Shane Smeltz after he went to ground from slight contact with Reds defender Antony Golec, and a McGarry strike a minute before the final whistle.

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina said Djite's strained groin unsettled his side.

"You get a substitute that early ... we didn't panic, but we were shaky,'' Kosmina said.

"But we got three points against a really difficult team to play against.''

Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson said he was proud of the fight shown by his players, but lamented costly lapses.

"The first half I thought we played really well and to go down 2-0 (at halftime) was disappointing,'' he said.

''... But the pleasing thing or the positives that come out of it were we never stopped playing.''

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Bailey's 'B-team' beat up Sri Lanka

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Debut to remember ... Phillip Hughes belts a hundred against Sri Lanka. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

They may be Australia's "B Team" but George Bailey's men made a mockery of that moniker with a 107-run one-day win over Sri Lanka at the MCG on Friday.

Man of the match Phil Hughes (112) became the first Australian to score a century on ODI debut as Australia clobbered 5-305 before Clint McKay (4-33) helped bowl the Sri Lankans out for 198 with 10 overs to spare.

"It was a really great team effort to stand up on the back of  some criticism from outsiders and from some people who weren't sure  if we were up to it," Bailey said.

"Hopefully we've put those doubts to bed and the next challenge is to do it consistently and go two-nil up."

Hughes said he was flattered to be the first Aussie to score a century on his ODI debut.

Asked how he felt about going to the batting-friendly Adelaide Oval, Hughes grinned: "My confidence is quite high."

Mitchell Starc removed Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga for one and McKay struck a key blow when skipper Mahela Jayawardene was caught at slip for five.

Sri Lanka recovered to reach 2-111 at the 25-over mark but Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) was run out next ball by a direct hit from Usman Khawaja.

In a remarkable double-play of suicidal Sri Lankan running between wickets, cover fieldsman Glenn Maxwell ran out Angelo Mathews (12) and Lahiru Thirimanne (0) in consecutive deliveries in the 30th over as Sri Lanka slumped to 5-128.

Mitchell Johnson (2-43) dismissed Jeevan Mendis (20) caught at mid-off and 35-year-old wicketkeeper Brad Haddin pulled off a diving catch to remove the danger man Dinesh Chandimal for 73 in the following over from McKay.

Johnson also removed Thisara Perera (four) and McKay claimed the last two wickets in successive deliveries.

Despite fears of a very low crowd figure, 27,461 fans attended including several thousand Sri Lankan supporters.

Stand-in skipper Bailey (89 off 79 balls) and Hughes (112 off 129) shared a crucial 140-run stand for Australia's third wicket.

Australia's other top-order debutants Aaron Finch (16) and Khawaja (three) failed to match the crowd-pleasing strokeplay of Hughes who hit 14 fours.

David Hussey made a good fist of trying to slot into the finishing role made famous by his brother Mike with an innings of 60 not out from 34 deliveries.

Australia rested skipper Michael Clarke, opener David Warner and injured vice-captain Shane Watson while veteran Mike Hussey has been dumped after announcing this will be his final international season.

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Re-live the action and check out all the key numbers with Match Centre.

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It was the first time since 1986 Australia have fielded a one-day side with at least three debutants, prompting criticism that it was a "B team".

"To get three figures on debut is a great feeling and one I'll never forget," an elated Hughes, 24, told the Nine Network.

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene slammed his bowlers' efforts.

"At times we lost the plot. We didn't build pressure enough, a lot of four balls from a couple of our bowlers," he said.

The skipper said wicketkeeper-batsman Chandimal had suffered a hamstring injury and his fitness would be assessed on Saturday.

"Hopefully it's not too bad. Luckily we have another reserve wicketkeeper (uncapped 22-year-old Kushal Perera)," he said.

It's another cruel blow for the injury-hit tourists who already have wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (fractured thumb) and star batsman and back-up gloveman Kumar Sangakkara (broken finger) on the sidelines.

The second match in the five-game series is on Sunday in Adelaide.

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Inter claim Balotelli option

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Dibs ... Inter Milan expect first pick should Mario Balotelli leave Manchester City. Source: Sharon Latham / AAP

Inter Milan have stated that if Mario Balotelli leaves Manchester City, they have first option to take him back to the San Siro.

Balotelli's future is far from certain with many reports claiming that a move to Italy could happen this month.

Inter have been linked with a bid to take him back to the club, but city rivals AC Milan are regarded as favourites whilst Italian champions Juventus are also believed to have an interest.

But Inter believe they are in pole position as they have first refusal on the player.

"The first refusal right exists," sporting director Piero Ausilio told Italian magazine Panorama.

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Will Super Mario stay at Manchester City?

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"We will decide whether to exercise it or not at a time when City decides to sell."

Asked how Balotelli would fit into the side, he added: "Technically, Balotelli can fit alongside any striker."

It is understood the clause was inserted by Inter when they sold Balotelli to Manchester City in August 2010.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8389863/Mario-Balotelli-s-former-club-Inter-Milan-say-they-have-first-option-on-Man-City-star

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Aussies rate themselves: Sinfield

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Golden Boot controversy ... Kevin Sinfield hits out at his critics. Source:AAP

Even Kevin Sinfield was surprised to win rugby league's unofficial prize for the world's best player - the Golden Boot.

However, the Leeds champion dismissed his Australian critics who believe NRL stars Melbourne's Cameron Smith and Canterbury's Dally M Medallist Ben Barba were better placed to win the award, with Sinfield claiming Aussies "rate themselves very highly''.

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Sinfield, 32, looked set to go a long way to silencing the cynics when he led English Super League champions Leeds out against a star-studded Melbourne Storm in the upcoming World Club Challenge.

But the backlash over the England captain ousting the stars of the NRL does not look like going away soon after the Englishman's response.

"The Australians probably think the NRL competition is far superior to Super League,'' he told BBC Sport.

"Whether they rate me or not I am not sure, but with a lot of the Australians they rate themselves very highly.

"I am not bothered or interested in what they say. If they want to have a crack then they can fire away.''

Sinfield became the fourth Englishman to claim the Golden Boot, and the first since Andy Farrell in 2004.

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International team-mate Sam Burgess defends Sinfield. Read more.

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"I am surprised to win it and I feel very fortunate,'' Sinfield told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I don't pick the award. Like everything, people have an opinion.

"When do you ever have a 100 per cent winner?''

Back in pre-season training with Leeds, Sinfield will no doubt be looking to get the last laugh in the World Club Challenge (WCC) at home ground Headingley on February 22.

Sinfield led Leeds to a 26-12 triumph over Manly at last year's WCC, sparking a big year for the 10-year Rhinos skipper.

He overcame a head knock to lead the Rhinos to their sixth Super League title in nine years while also collecting the man of the match award.

Sinfield also took Leeds to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, which they lost to Warrington.

However, eyebrows were raised over Sinfield's international efforts last year, which only featured Tests against France and Wales.

"If people are not happy about it, it is not my problem,'' Sinfield said.

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Video: Richardson on a mission

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Kaner Richardson ... eventually gets the wicket of Shaun Marsh. Source: Simon Cross / News Limited

Kane Richardson has been one of the success stories of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash in 2012/13 and he was the centre of the action again when Johan Botha threw him the ball to try to stop a rampant Shaun Marsh in the 19th over.

While Richardson eventually did the job, dismissing Marsh for 79 but he didn't have it all his own way in an over that had everything.

The bowler got the honours from the first delivery after bowling a rare dot ball during the innings of Marsh.

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But after that the in-form batsman took control - first hitting a boundary through the covers, before teeing off and hitting the third ball of the over over the bowlers head for six.

He followed that up by giving a full toss what it deserved - again dispatching it for four through the covers.

But Richardson had the last laugh when Marsh scooped his beautifully pitched yorker straight to Nathan Lyon at mid off.

Wicketkeeper Tom Triffitt came in to face the last ball of the over, but it wasn't a long stay as Richardson got a yorker to tail back between his legs and skittle him for a globe.

Click on the video at the top to see the all-action over in full!

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Tomic through to Sydney semi-finals

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Ominous ... Bernard Tomic is looming as a dangerman at the Australian Open. Source:AFP

Bernard Tomic's new-found steel has thrust the reformed youngster into his second ATP Tour semi-final at the Sydney International.

Tomic battled back doggedly from a set down to defeat defending champion Jarkko Nieminen 6-7 (8-6) 6-4 6-2 to move to within two victories of a long-awaited maiden tour title.

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The 20-year-old will take on Italian third seed Andreas Seppi, one of his three victims at last week's Hopman Cup in Perth, for a place in Saturday's twilight final at Olympic Park.

"I'm ready to go for tomorrow's semi-final. I'm really confident," Tomic said.

"I'm going to do everything I can to win. To get the chance to play my first tour-event final and to do it in Australia is going to be unbelievable."

Tomic's only other tour semi-final ended in defeat against Andy Murray last January in Brisbane.

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Despite being below his best against the crafty left-handed Nieminen, Tomic will be a warm favourite to progress to the title match with a seventh straight win this summer.

The 2011 Wimbledon quarter-finalist now boasts 17 victories from his past 19 matches in Australia, an imposing record ahead of his home grand slam beginning in Melbourne on Monday.

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But his latest triumph was hard-earned.

"I was happy with myself to stay in there," Tomic said.

"Early in that second set, I felt like he was going for shots and was relaxing and for me to stay in there til that 3-all point was really big.

"After I won that second set, I freed up and played better tennis."

Tomic fought hard to recover from 5-2 down in the opening set, only to blow his own 5-2 advantage in the tiebreaker.

He had two set points at 6-4 and wasted his best chance on his own service when he overcooked a routine forehand.

Heartened by the reprieve, Nieminen continued to attack and was rewarded with the first set.

"I was very concerned after that first set," Tomic said.

Living on the edge, Tomic grabbed the sole break of the second set late on when Nieminen faltered trying to stay in it at 4-5 down.

The Finn's poor service game ended quickly when he put two balls in the net to allow Tomic back on level terms.

Despite his experience, Nieminen has has converted only two of his 12 finals into titles and it showed as the left-hander capitulated in the deciding set.

He surrendered his second service game of the set and, rather embarrassingly, the one-time world No.13 shanked his second serve on match point.

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Fox Sports tennis expert Adam Peacock previews the 2013 Australian Open

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Earlier, big-serving South African Kevin Anderson and Frenchman Julien Benneteau, last year's runner-up to Nieminen, booked their places in Friday's semi-finals.

Anderson downed Uzbek Denis Istomin 6-4 6-3, while Benneteau eliminated American qualifier Ryan Harrison 6-4 6-2.

Benneteau, a journeyman who has spent 13 years on tour without claiming a singles title, had a double win on Thursday.

With world No.13 Isner withdrawing from the Open with a knee injury, the 35th-ranked Benneteau was elevated to the 32nd and last seeding for Friday's draw in Melbourne.

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Marsh leads Scorchers to home semi

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Shaun Marsh ... was a match winner again for the Scorchers. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Shaun Marsh and his Perth Scorchers went on a record run spree to crush the Adelaide Strikers by 98 runs on Thursday night and earn a Big Bash League home semi-final.

T20 - Adelaide Oval

10 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Strikers 1st Innings

B. Young	9	12	0	0	75
S. Tait	2	3	0	0	66.67
A. Thomas	3.3	0	14	3	4.00

Marsh smacked 79 from 60 balls to become the tournament's top run-scorer as Perth amassed 4-189 a record high score in this summer's Twenty20 series.

The Strikers then crashed to 91 all out in 18.3 overs in a woeful run chase to end their season in front of a sell-out 17,000-strong crowd at Adelaide Oval.

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The win enabled Perth to snatch second spot from the Melbourne Stars and book a home semi-final next Wednesday night, while Adelaide's net run rate took such a hit that no result between Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night will squeeze them into the semi-finals.

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Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry described his side's performance as "a shocker".

"In all facets, we got belted," Berry said.

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Marsh smashed eight fours and two sixes to top the run-scoring list ahead of Melbourne Renegades skipper Aaron Finch (309 runs), whose team will host a semi-final next Tuesday night.

Marsh and Herschelle Gibbs (54 from 34 balls) built a perfect platform for the Scorchers with a 95-run opening stand from 12.1 overs.

Scorchers captain Simon Katich said Marsh and Gibbs's opening stand set up the win for the visitors.

"It was a brilliant performance with the bat and then the boys did exactly what we wanted with the ball," he said.

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In the process, they took down Adelaide's Test spinner Nathan Lyon, whose only over cost 17 runs and included three consecutive fours to Marsh.

The in-form lefthander was dismissed in the penultimate over as Adam Voges (35 from 18 balls) continued the plundering of Adelaide's bowlers.

The Strikers' run chase was cruelled by early wickets, 2-5 after eight balls with Michael Klinger (0) and Travis Head (4) out.

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Tim Ludemann (11), Nathan Reardon (0) and Callum Ferguson (13) soon followed and Adelaide were a hopeless 5-39 in the ninth over, requiring a run rate approaching 13 runs an over to win.

Scorchers paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed four batsmen yet curiously finished with 3-12.

Coulter-Nile had Kane Richardson, yet to score, out hit wicket but Perth skipper Katich called the batsman back to the crease.

Katich explained that the bizarre chain of events happened because no Scorchers players appealed.

"The ruling was we had to appeal and none of us did so we did the right thing and brought him back," he said.

"We noticed the stumps light up but no one really knew what had happened."

Richardson finished with 20, the highest score for the Strikers.

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Video: Hales hits biggest six of BBL

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Hale-storm ... Alex Hales smashed the two biggest sixes of the Big Bash season. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Have you heard much about Alex Hales?

T20 - Sydney Cricket Ground

9 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Sixers 1st Innings

B. Lee	10	11	1	0	90.91
L. Feldman	2	2	0	0	100
W. Sheridan	4	0	28	3	7.00

Not many Aussie cricket fans had before Wednesday night, but that is all set to change after the young Englishman smashed an incredible 89 runs off 52 balls for Melbourne Renegades against Sydney Sixers in their KFC T20 Big Bash League clash at the SCG.

Incredibly, Hales only arrived in Australia the morning of the match after being flown in as a replacement for the injured Marlon Samuels.

The 24-year-old made his international debut in England's T20 series against India in 2011 and has gone on to establish himself in that side, but on Wednesday night's evidence, he could be a future Ashes foe for Australia.

Hales more than made up for the absence of Aaron Finch, hitting an incredible eight sixes and five fours.

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Click on the video at the top of the page to watch Hales hit four sixes off one Steve O'Keefe over, or click on the video at the bottom of the page to watch all the sixes!

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But here's the kicker - he now holds the record for the biggest six of the season, after smashing a ball from Steven O'Keefe a whopping 111m. Just for good measure, he hit the next ball out of the ground, although that 'only' travelled 109m.

Hales was ably supported by Ben Rohrer, with the Renegades' stand-in skipper hitting a well compiled 57 off 37 balls - but his efforts were completely overshadowed by the powerhitting from Hales.

The Renegades finished on 5-178 from their 20 overs, leaving the Sixers a near-impossible task of chasing that score down inside 12 overs in order to qualify for the semi-finals.

The home side ended up being bowled out off the last ball of the match for 149, ending their Big Bash campaign, while the Renegades wrapped up top spot on the ladder heading into the semi-finals.

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Asian Cup to give Australia respect

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Respect ... David Gallop is out to impress Asia in 2015. Source: Roslan Rahman / News Limited

Football Federation Australia (FFA) is confident a successfully staged Asian Cup can provide some vital political muscle to the organisation.

The FFA were caught well and truly offside in November when the Asian Football Confederation cut Australia's automatic qualifying spots for the Asian Champions League from two to just one.

The surprise move prompted calls from two-time A-League championship winning coach Ange Postecoglou to boycott the AFC qualifying process.

Regardless, the FFA is expected to have to work hard on and off the field to regain the lost spot.

FFA chief executive Gallop, who was only two weeks into his new role when Australia lost their second AFC automatic qualifying spot, said the 2015 Asian Cup would provide the opportunity to do just that.

"That loss of the Champions League spot took a lot of people by surprise and we need to do a lot of work to ensure our position in the AFC is recognised," Gallop said at an event to mark two years before the Asian Cup begins.

"We need to put ourselves in the position to ensure these sort of surprises don't happen again.

"It's a matter of allocation resources to the issue and it is one of our priorities at the moment."

Asian Cup Organising committee chief executive Michael Brown said he was confident Australia's hosting of the event would bring it closer to other countries in the region.

"We are working closely with the Asian Football Confederation to ensure Australia hosts a world-class event which celebrates football and continues Australia's reputation for sporting event excellence," Brown said.

"Our vision is to deliver a world-class event that celebrates Asia's rich football culture and leaves an enduring legacy for the game in Australia.

"This presents an outstanding opportunity for Australia to strengthen our cultural, social and economic ties with Asia, including some of our most important trading partners.

"The Federal Government's Asian Century White Paper acknowledged the power of sport to bridge language and cultural barriers and serve as a platform to build relationships.

"It confirms that events like the Asian Cup offer opportunities for Australia to build on our international reputation for delivering major sporting events, and to promote Australian tourism, trade and other interests in Asia."

Australia, Japan, North Korea and South Korea have qualified for the 2015 Asian Cup, with qualifying for the remaining spots to begin on February 6 in Jordan.

The final will be held at Sydney's ANZ Stadium with the Socceroos to play each of their three pool matches in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

The FFA are expecting expecting around 45,000 international visitors to come to Australia for the event and said that the 2011 event, in which Australia was defeated by Japan 1-0 in the final, was watched by 500 million people.

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Hales hammers Sixers' finals hopes

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Too good ... the Renegades celebrate a wicket at the SCG. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

English opener Alex Hales ended Sydney Sixers' KFC T20 Big Bash League title defence in spectacular style as the table-topping Melbourne Renegades sounded an ominous warning ahead of the finals.

T20 - Sydney Cricket Ground

9 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Sixers 1st Innings

B. Lee	10	11	1	0	90.91
L. Feldman	2	2	0	0	100
W. Sheridan	4	0	28	3	7.00

Hales, signed as injured Jamaican Marlon Samuels' replacement on Tuesday, walloped 89 from 52 balls, smashing eight sixes to lift the Renegades to a total of 5-178 and a 29-run victory.

The performance came less than 12 hours after he completed the exacting journey from London to Sydney, but the 24-year-old showed no signs of jetlag in Wednesday night's easy win.

"I was lucky enough to get a bit of sleep on the plane,'' Hales said.

"I knew if I got through the tough bit at the start with Brett Lee bowling very well, then it was a pretty good deck and I could make up for it later on."

And how.

		P	W	L	NR	T	Pts	NNR
1	Renegades	8	7	1	0	0	14	0.791
2	Stars	8	5	3	0	0	10	0.246
3	Scorchers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.632
4	Strikers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.53
5	Hurricanes	7	4	3	0	0	8	-0.287
6	Heat	7	3	4	0	0	6	0.129
7	Sixers	8	3	5	0	0	6	-0.38
8	Thunder	8	0	8	0	0	0	-1.36

After a slow start by the visitors, who opted to bat first, Hales turned the game on its head when he single-handedly plundered 22 runs from Josh Hazlewood in the fifth over.

Hazlewood fumbled the one and only chance of Hales's innings and it was comfortably the most costly of the four catches the Sixers put down in front of 17,801 fans.

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Hales took a particular liking to the spin of Steve O'Keefe (0-50 from three overs), smacking four sixes off one over including a punishing blow over long on that travelled 111m and landed on the roof of the Members' Pavilion.

"There was a little bit of close your eyes and swing as hard as you can," Hales said.

Ben Rohrer (57), stand-in Renegades captain in the absence of Aaron Finch (national duty), shared a 112-run partnership with Hales and was in awe of the young gun who was in India three weeks ago with England's national T20 side.

"I think he was in business class and slept all the way, so he had no excuse," Rohrer laughed.

"I was wondering if the flight might have affected him, and I hope it has to be honest because it'll be pretty special if it gets better than that.

"He played perfectly really ... he's done really well to adapt so quickly."

Hales's knock was the second best of the tournament, with Finch's unbeaten 111 in the season opener the only better effort.

His total of eight sixes was also the most for an innings this season.

The Sixers were a mathematical chance of sneaking into the top four and keeping their BBL title defence alive, but needed to reach the Renegades' total in approximately 12 overs and also rely on other results going their way.

The first hurdle always looked insurmountable, and so it proved as the Renegades made it seven wins from eight matches and rolled the Sixers for 149 with the last delivery of the game.

O'Keefe, who top-scored for the Sixers with 41, exacted a small degree of revenge with the bat when he pulled a short ball to Hales in the deep that the Englishman lost in the lights.

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Roar sign teen prodigy Davies

Young gun ... Julius Davies has been signed by Brisbane Roar. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

The evolving Brisbane Roar have quickly moved to add spark to their attack after significantly bolstering their defence with the return of Socceroo Jade North.

The Roar added a second new player at the start of the January transfer window on Wednesday by signing Africa-born livewire Julius Davies from Melbourne Victory.

Davies, 18, had been unused by Ange Postecoglou at the Victory this season but new Roar coach Mike Mulvey believes the speedy midfielder can be the man to unlock the packed defences which have frustrated the defending champions.

While the Roar have continued to dominate possession, they have struggled to score in losing eight of 15 games to be seventh on the A-League ladder.

"We've played against packed defences so what you need is players with the ability to open up the defence," said Mulvey, who talked Davies up as a super-sub. "Julius has a a bit of X-factor about him.

"He's got the ability to break down defences, and that's something that we've lacked in recent times."

Born in Liberia and raised in Western Australia, jockey-sized Davies played with Bayern Munich U17s and 1899 Hoffenheim U19s before signing with the Victory last season when he played two matches under Jim Magilton.

"It was a team made up of a lot of big-name players and I was just a young boy," he said.

"I felt like I was going to play more this season but obviously that wasn't the case so I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to now establish myself.

"I'm very grateful for the chance and now I want to go out there and do a job."

Davies' signing comes after the Roar released Rocky Visconte to join Western Sydney Wanderers, young Japanese defender Yuji Takahashi returned home and centre-back North signed on Tuesday night, leaving Japan's Consadole Sapporo.

Mulvey would not comment on any further potential transfers, headlined by talk of a move for senior midfielder Erik Paartalu, but he admitted the new faces were part of the "rejuvenation process".

"We definitely needed a defender there's no question about that and Jade fits that bill perfectly," he said. "We're freshening up the squad a little bit.

"Brisbane Roar have been a championship-winning team the last two years but you can't rest on your laurels.

"It's evolution, that's what it is."

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Stars get home despite Gayle heroics

Relief ... the Stars snuck home by 13 runs. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Melbourne Stars, the KFC T20 Big Bash League's highest-profile team, have survived a scare to beat Sydney Thunder by 13 runs and qualify for next week's semi-finals, allowing suspended skipper Shane Warne to breathe a sigh of relief.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

8 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Thunder 1st Innings

G. Sandhu	6	6	1	0	100
D. Nannes	0	0	0	0	0
J. Faulkner	3.4	0	24	3	6.55

Warne was a nervous spectator after missing the game following his physical confrontation with Melbourne Renegades' batsman Marlon Samuels in Sunday's Melbourne derby.

The Stars made 8-145, which wasn't a massive total but the Thunder completed a winless season with a score of 132 all out after losing their last eight wickets for 41 runs in 45 balls.

The Stars now boast a 5-3 record from their eight regular-season games.

The Thunder needed 18 runs off the last over with tailenders Gurinder Sandhu and Luke Doran at the crease but both were dismissed by James Faulkner, who finished with 3-24.

Thunder captain Chris Gayle was named man of the match after smashing 65 off 43 deliveries and setting a new record for the current BBL season by reaching his 50 off 25 balls.

Brad Hodge (39) and David Hussey (32) added 58 for the third wicket for the Stars but their dismissals in consecutive overs hurt the home side's hopes of a big total.

Nineteen-year-old paceman Sandhu (2-33) and spinner Gayle (2-5) claimed two wickets each for the Thunder.

		P	W	L	NR	T	Pts	NNR
1	Renegades	7	6	1	0	0	12	0.681
2	Stars	8	5	3	0	0	10	0.246
3	Scorchers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.632
4	Strikers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.53
5	Hurricanes	7	4	3	0	0	8	-0.287
6	Heat	7	3	4	0	0	6	0.129
7	Sixers	7	3	4	0	0	6	-0.221
8	Thunder	8	0	8	0	0	0	-1.36

Gayle began strongly in reply and was missed on 34 as Cameron White misjudged a high ball at cover.

The big left-hander had scored only 72 runs at an average of 12.00 earlier in the tournament but finally found form as he bludgeoned four sixes and six fours despite an absence of footwork.

Matt Prior contributed only seven in a 43-run stand for the second wicket with Gayle before Prior was caught by a diving Jackson Bird at deep mid-wicket at 2-62.

The Thunder were cruising at 2-91 but stumbled as they quickly lost Gayle, Usman Khawaja (23), Sean Abbott (three) and Ryan Carters (two).

Mark Cosgrove (eight) and Adam Zampa (eight) continued the procession of wickets.

England international Dimitri Mascarenhas took 2-27 on debut for the Stars, replacing Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga who has been called up for national duty in the one-day series against Australia.

"The key part of the game was when I was batting and got out against Mascarenhas. From there it just faltered," Gayle said.

Mascarenhas said it was an amazing feeling to dismiss Gayle caught at deep mid-wicket.

"It's great to get an opportunity and to get a couple of wickets is amazing," he said.

Khawaja described the Thunder's season as hugely disappointing.

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Roar sign Socceroo Jade North

Roaring home ... Brisbane Roar secure Jade North's signature. Source: AAP

Defending A-League champions Brisbane have signed experienced Japanese-based Socceroo Jade North.

Roar officials confirmed they'd secured North's signature on a three and a half year deal on Tuesday night.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	15	10	3	2	15	33
2	Adelaide	15	9	2	4	7	29
3	Victory	15	8	2	5	0	26
4	Western Sydney	15	7	2	6	4	23
5	Perth	15	5	4	6	2	19
6	Heart	15	5	3	7	-2	18
7	Brisbane	15	5	2	8	0	17
8	Newcastle	15	5	2	8	-9	17
9	Wellington	15	4	4	7	-3	16
10	Sydney	15	4	2	9	-14	14

He will arrive with his wife and young children within the next week.

Brisbane managed to do what both Ange Postecoglou (Melbourne Victory) and Frank Farina (Sydney FC) failed to recently by securing North's services.

North, who has been playing for Consadole Sappora in the Japanese J League, has been signed as a defender as the two-time champions undergo a shake up under new mentor Mike Mulvey who recently replaced head coach Rado Vidosic.

"Jade has an excellent footballing pedigree and will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to our squad,'' Mulvey said.

"He is a proven winner and has a great appetite for future success.''

At the time of the A-League approaches, North was encourage by national coach Holger Osieck to remain in Japan.

However his club Sappora are heading for relegation and he was keen to come home.

Having started his professional career at the Brisbane Strikers in the National Soccer League in 1998, North said he was excited to be returning to where it all started.

"I'm looking forward to putting one foot forward and contributing to the legacy Brisbane Roar has created over the past two seasons and doing all I can to help add to the trophy cabinet,'' North said.

"For me it's exciting to know I will be playing in front of family and friends, but most importantly for the city which groomed me as a player.''

After confirming they had already released attacking midfielder Rocky Visconte, who has been linked to the Western Sydney Wanderers, it's tipped the Roar will also lose lightning quick attacker Nick Fitzgerald to the Central Coast Mariners during the A-League's transfer window.

Brisbane have mid-field issues which could also see the popular Erik Paartalu closely examining his options in the next few weeks.

Brisbane can squeeze North under its salary cap as a marquee player with financial assistance from the FFA.

Winners of the last two grand finals, Brisbane have been struggling for wins this season.

They dumped Vidosic as coach late last month appointing him technical director and bringing in hired gun Mulvey.

They staged a mini comeback with back-to-back wins over Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix but the wheels came off again with a 3-2 loss to Melbourne Heart on Sunday.

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'How could Sydney let Del Piero go?'

Marquee stars ... Shinji Ono and Alessandro Del Piero have had plenty of success. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Although Perth Glory have quashed speculation they are interested in signing Michael Owen, the fact that the former England international is keen on a move to the Hyundai A-League is a further feather in the cap of the competition.

For season eight has proved beyond doubt that - providing the men in question are the right choices - marquee players can be a fabulous asset to the domestic league.

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More on Alessandro del Piero in a moment. But first, Emile Heskey, whose arrival gave Newcastle Jets an immediate spike in membership, and who has delivered plenty on the park too, contributing seven goals already. 

Some have mischievously suggested he is the reason for their struggles this season - but the facts don't really back that up.  At present, the Jets have 17 points from 15 games and have scored 19 goals.  At the corresponding stage last season, (pre-Heskey), those figures were, remarkably, exactly the same. 

With so many new faces bedding in at Hunter Stadium, a transitional season was always a possibility. So, even if it's reasonable to say he hasn't significantly improved the Jets, then at the very least, they haven't been weakened.  We'll see if his current injury concerns lead to an upturn in the Jets fortunes - or not.

Shinji Ono, meantime, has been a revelation in recent weeks. His form is improving in line with his fitness, and what a pleasure it is to be watching an Asian player have a real impact.  It's long overdue.

Heskey and Ono have conducted themselves superbly in Australia, and providing they retain their fitness, there seems to be no reason why they shouldn't prolong their stay.

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But what of Del Piero? 

For weeks now, the question has been "will he be at Sydney next season?"  Here's a better one - how can he NOT be at Sydney next season?

Del Piero has filled grounds right across the country.  He has scored splendid goals, showed his passion for the game, his new club, and living in Australia. 

But it's not just about his playing career - it's about Sydney FC building a club, in which respected names are central to their ethos and are valued accordingly.  It appears Del Piero would like to stay - so the hold up can only be financial.  I understand football is a business, and the numbers must add up, but surely it's a no-brainer to keep the Italian here?

What message does it send out if Sydney discard a star who has already contributed so much after just half a season?

Can anyone in their right mind truly believe he can't be of benefit in either a playing, coaching, or even ambassadorial role?  Sydney should look to build a club around him.  If they don't, then they have learnt nothing from the all too brief stays of Dwight Yorke and Juninho, both of whom were ushered through the door with unseemly haste - in Juninho's case, after he offered to stay for much lower wages.

The Sky Blues could follow the example of Kashima Antlers, who employed Zico as a player, and then ensured he became part of the fabric of the club by offering him the role of technical advisor.  Zico now has his own statue at the stadium - a club legend.  But legends can't be created in only 12 months.

At the other end of the age spectrum, there is a similar point to be made regarding the A-League's player transactions.

There's been plenty of talk lately as to whether Reading is the right choice of club for Tomas Rogic.  Personally, I have no qualms in Rogic going to the Madejski if he so desires - my view is that football is a short career, and players should to be free to make their own choices.

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But no-one seems to have batted an eyelid at the supposed transfer fee quoted for Rogic - which is in the region of $600,000.  That, for a talent regarded by many as the best Australia has produced in years!

By way of comparison, the most talked about young English footballer at the moment is Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha - and the figures being bandied about for him are closer to the $15 million mark! 

Even if we accept the premium put on young English talent in the UK, shouldn't Rogic be valued at $1million at the very least?  The Mariners can't (and won't) stand in his way - but they deserve a lot more by way of compensation.  It may even help Rogic's career, as overseas clubs won't pay top dollar for fringe players.

The A-League cannot run the risk of being seen as a competition ripe with easy (and cheap) pickings - nor as a destination where superstars are dispensed with as soon as their novelty factor fades.  It's a bad look on both counts.

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Warne apologises for Samuels clash

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Sorry ... Warne's apology came with a caveat. Source: Jay Town / News Limited

Shane Warne apologised on Tuesday for his shirt-grabbing performance in the Melbourne derby but also insisted it was important cricketers played with passion and not like robots.

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The suspended skipper looked on nervously at the MCG as Melbourne Stars scored a 13-run win over bottom side Sydney Thunder to claim a 5-3 record from their eight regular-season games and qualify for next week's semi-finals.

Warne is now free to return to the side in what could be his final game for the Stars at age 43.

The champion legspinner can put his physical clash with Melbourne Renegades batsman Marlon Samuels behind him, but not before trying to clear the air publicly over his actions.

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However, similar to Monday's performance after emerging from his disciplinary hearing, Warne wasn't quite able to fully accept his one-game penalty.

"I'm very passionate when I play the game. I overstepped the line and hence I'm missing a game," Warne told Fox Sports on Tuesday night.

"I thought it was a pretty harsh penalty but I was more disappointed in my own actions, especially as a captain.

"It was emotion and passion. We sometimes like to see that in sportsmen and not robots.

"I apologise to the fans and I apologise to everyone. Sitting and doing detention, it's not easy to watch the boys."

Australia's leading Test wicket-taker said he didn't want to be judged on one behavioural lapse late in his magnificent career.

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"I'd like to think of the 25 years I've been playing first-class cricket rather than just one game," he said.

"I'd like to think there's a lot of positive and good things I've done for Australian cricket and all that sort of stuff over the years.

"One little incident here or there (doesn't matter).

"I do apologise for my behaviour and I'm disappointed in my own reaction."

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Roosters deny Jennings contact

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In limbo ... the club future of Michael Jennings is still uncertain. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

New South Wales Origin centre Michael Jennings is tipped to be a Sydney Rooster by the end of the week, though the Roosters claim the ball is in the court of NRL rivals Penrith.

Jennings is believed to be on the way out, a simmering feud with Penrith boss Phil Gould and a $600,000-a-year contract enough of an incentive for the club to release the brilliant back.

But just how much of Jennings' heavily back-ended contract the Panthers are prepared to chew up remains a sticking point, with the Roosters understood to be willing to offer a $2 million four-year deal.

Gould is not keen to pay for Jennings to play for another club, while the player himself has so far refused to take a pay cut.

Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said it was up to the Panthers to agree to a release before his club could make a move, Canavan denying he had met with Jennings or his management on Monday.

"There's been no contact there today at all," he said. "Nothing's happened.

"The issue from our understanding lies with the player and his management and the Penrith Panthers."

While last month's decision to release BJ Leilua - who has linked up with Newcastle - has freed up some salary cap space, Canavan admitted the Roosters would not be in a position to accommodate Jennings without an increase to the salary cap.

That increase is yet to be signed off on by the NRL, though clubs are working to a figure of $5.8 million for the 2013 season.

While Jennings remains in limbo, the Roosters locked up the future of gun backrower Boyd Cordner through to the end of the 2016 season.

Cordner established himself as an NRL regular in 2012, having played 29 top grade games to date.

"Boyd has been part of our commitment to develop our young players over the past few years," Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said.

"To ensure that we have him here for a number of years is a major coup for our club and a major vote of confidence in where we are heading.

"Boyd is a tough competitor with true leadership potential for the way he conducts himself on the footy field and at training, and we see him as the cornerstone of our pack for the next decade."

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Knights sign Quinn for 2013

Returning ... Anthony Quinn has signed a one year deal with Newcastle. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Newcastle have turned to a familiar face in a bid to add some depth to their outside backs, signing former Knight Anthony Quinn for the 2013 NRL season.

Quinn, 29, who played 103 games with the Knights from 2002-2006 before linking with Melbourne, has agreed to a one-year deal with the club.

The former NSW Origin winger has endured a wretched run with injury in recent years, but will give Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett another experienced option out wide.

The Knights have already added ex-Sydney Roosters centre BJ Leilua to their squad, with Quinn set to back-up first-choice wingers Akuila Uate and James McManus.

"He can play on the wing, in the centres and even in the second row, so his versatility will be a great addition to the team," Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said in a statement.

"He is very well liked, has a superb work ethic and he is just the type of player we want to have around the club."

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Stosur again bows out in first round

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Deflated ... Sam Stosur loses her first round match in Sydney. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

Samantha Stosur's miserable run in Australia has continued with a deflating first-round exit from the Sydney International.

Stosur's 6-3 6-7 (7-9) 6-4 defeat at the hands of China's world No.42 Jie Zheng was her fifth consecutive loss in Australia, a demoralising run that stretches back to last summer.

The world No.9 will head to Melbourne for the Australian Open starting next Monday alarmingly underdone after playing just two matches since undergoing minor ankle surgery six weeks ago.

With little history of performing well at a major without a strong build-up, Stosur's Open prospects look grim.

The 2011 US Open champion made a bright enough start against Jie, establishing two break points in the very first game.

But after failing to convert either, Jie broke Stosur in the second and sixth games of the opening sets as Australia's big hope struggled to find her rhythm.

Stosur clawed her way back from 5-1 to 5-3 before netting one of several mistimed backhands to hand the former Australian Open and Wimbledon semi-finalist the opening set.

The sixth seed mounted a revival in the second set, gamely saving a match point in the tiebreaker before blowing a 3-1 advantage in the decider.

Her elimination leaves Stosur with just two wins in seven years in Sydney since falling to fellow Australian Alicia Molik in the 2005 title match.

The latest loss also ended Australian interests in the women's singles after Casey Dellacqua made a swift first-round exit earlier on Monday.

Dellacqua lost 6-4 6-1 to 42-year-old Japanese qualifier Kimiko Date-Krumm, the world No.112 and oldest singles player on the WTA Tour.

Former Sydney champion Li Na, meanwhile, advanced to second round with a tough straight-sets win over American Christina McHale.

The Chinese fourth seed won 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 in a marathon two-hour affair to set up a meeting with Japanese qualifier Ayumi Morita, who ousted Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 1-6 6-3 6-3.

Stosur's French Open conqueror Sara Errani is also through to the second round after thumping Czech qualifier Karolina Pliskova 6-1 6-3.

The little Italian third seed next faces Russian Maria Kirilenko, a 7-5 6-2 first-round winner over Australian wildcard Olivia Rogowska.

One-time world No.1 Jelena Jankovic removed Austrian Tamira Paszek 6-2 7-6 (7-5) and will play unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci for a quarter-final berth.

Vinci upset Russian Nadia Petrova 7-5 7-5.

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Sixers dent Heat's faint finals hopes

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On target ... Luke Feldman impressed again at the Gabba. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Sydney Sixers, the world club Twenty20 champions, have resurrected their ailing KFC T20 Big Bash League campaign with a five-wicket win over Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

T20 - Gabba

7 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Sixers 1st Innings

M. Lumb	61	55	5	1	110.91
S. O'Keefe	1	1	0	0	100
K. Roach	4	0	23	0	5.75

Down and seemingly out in the competition just a week ago, the Sixers are back in the mix for a semi-final spot with one round to go after outplaying the Heat in all three facets on Monday night.

Spinners Steve O'Keefe and Sachithra Senanayake strangled Brisbane on their pace-friendly Gabba wicket, restricting them to 9-127 - their lowest completed innings in two seasons of the BBL.

The Sixers top order then picked apart the home side's new-ball attack to ensure victory in the 19th over with English opener Michael Lumb (61 not out) guiding the way.

New Australia one-day paceman Ben Cutting, strangely held back until the 12th over, gave the Heat some late hope with 2-9 (three overs) but they ultimately paid the price for Kemar Roach dropping Lumb in the outfield.

Last year's BBL champions remain in sixth spot on six points on a congested table but their convincing win gave a massive boost to the net run rate.

		P	W	L	NR	T	Pts	NNR
1	Renegades	7	6	1	0	0	12	0.681
2	Scorchers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.632
3	Strikers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.53
4	Stars	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.181
5	Hurricanes	7	4	3	0	0	8	-0.287
6	Heat	7	3	4	0	0	6	0.129
7	Sixers	7	3	4	0	0	6	-0.221
8	Thunder	7	0	7	0	0	0	-1.471

The final round has a number of the top-four contenders playing each other and a third straight Sixers' win - against the pacesetting Melbourne Renegades, who will be without Aaron Finch, at the SCG on Wednesday night - could see them defend their title.

The Heat (six) finished well below a par score of 160 as they suffered from a dawdling start and then a 4-13 mid-innings collapse, which included the wicket of dangerous opener Luke Pomersbach (37 off 34).

All of the Sixers' bowlers performed with distinction but it was Sri Lankan all-rounder Sachithra Senanayake who surprisingly set the tone by frustrating the Heat with deceptive off-spin.

Senanayake conceded just nine runs from his first three overs with the new ball, starting with 11 consecutive dot balls.

O'Keefe also impressed, dismissing James Hopes for a duck in the second over and finishing with the best return of 3-21.

Josh Hazlewood took 3-32 in his long-awaited return from a foot injury.

Brad Haddin praised man-of-the-match Lumb's cool head, closing out the win as a "seasoned pro" when wickets fell around him.

"We made it hard for ourselves," Haddin said.

"We did it hard with the bat but, after where we've been the last few weeks, I'll take the win."

Heat captain Hopes admitted his side paid for their slow-paced batting and would have loved 20 more runs to defend.

"We just got stuck at the start and then we worked ourselves back into it and then got stuck again," he said.

Like the Sixers, the Heat need a last-round win, against the Hurricanes in Hobart, and other results to go their way to make the top four.

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Relive all the key moments with our Match Centre!

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Finch stars again in fiesty derby

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Fiery ... Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels face off. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Melbourne Renegades star import Marlon Samuels has become the subject of another KFC T20 Big Bash League throwing controversy, this time involving his bat and Australian spin star Shane Warne.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

6 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Renegades 1st Innings

A. Finch	67	47	6	2	142.55
P. Nevill	24	23	1	0	104.35
J. Hastings	3.5	0	31	0	8.09

In a heated clash, the Renegades sealed top spot and a home semi-final by thrashing Warne's Melbourne Stars in front of a record crowd of 46,681 at the MCG on Sunday night.

The previous Australian Twenty20 domestic crowd record was 43,125 for a Victoria-Tasmania game at the MCG in January 2010.

Chasing the Stars' disappointing 9-146, Renegades skipper Aaron Finch (67 not out from 47 balls), the BBL's top-scorer, ensured his side won with seven balls and nine wickets to spare.

But teammate Samuels ended the night with his face bloodied by a Lasith Malinga bouncer after a verbal barrage by the Stars towards the West Indian all-rounder.

Samuels' bowling action was questioned by Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann earlier in the competition and he was also involved in a heated exchange with Adelaide Strikers coach Darren Berry last week, with Lehmann having been sanctioned and Berry facing possible disciplinary action.

There could be more code of conduct charges stemming from Sunday night.

Late in the Stars' innings, batsman David Hussey gestured unhappily towards Samuels after the West Indian seemingly impeded the Victorian when he turned for a run, although Samuels tried to make light of tugging his shirt.

But there was no hint of friendliness when Samuels started batting.

Warne, bowling at the time, marched to Samuels at the end of his over, tugged at his shirt, then swore at him and pointed angrily, seemingly remonstrating over the earlier Hussey incident.

Next over, after Samuels was peppered with short balls by Clint McKay, a Warne throw struck the West Indies star on the body.

Samuels responded by hurling his bat down the pitch, with the umpires having to step in to restore calm.

Asked about the incident by Fox Sports commentators, Warne said: "What are you meant to do when someone throws a bat at you?"

Post-match, Warne denied trying to hit Samuels with the ball and passed off their altercation as a "heat of the moment thing".

"I'm more disappointed with the loss to be fair," Warne said, adding the Stars' batting performance was not up to scratch.

Finch said Samuels was "pretty severely injured" by the Malinga delivery.

He was taken to hospital for scans with bleeding under his eye.

Finch said he had tried to help Samuels keep his cool.

"Marlon was getting pretty fired up and so was Warney ... I don't really know what to think of it. I haven't seen anything like that before," he said.

Two overs later, Samuels' night was over, after he top-edged a Malinga short ball into his helmet and had to leave the field with blood running down his face.

The Stars can still ensure a semi-finals berth by beating Sydney Thunder at the MCG on Tuesday night.

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Relive all the action with our Match Centre, featuring videos of every wicket and boundary!

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Bozza's Save of the Week R14/R15

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Paston ... wins Bozza's Goal of the Week for a save against Brisbane Roar. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

Wellington goalkeeper Mark Paston has won Mark Bosnich's Save of the Week for a technically perfect dive to his right in the Phoenix's round 14 encounter with Brisbane Roar.

Paston had some incredibly tough competition across round 14 and round 15, with a number of top class saves vying for the gong.

But former Manchester United goalkeeper Bosnich was particularly impressed with Paston's ability to stretch low and to his right to deny a certain goal to Besart Berisha.

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Click on the video at the top of the page to see Paston's outstanding save and for more of Bosnich's critique of two rounds of A-League goalkeeping.

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"Absolutely outstanding save," Bosnich said on Fox Sports program Sunday Shootout.

"It would have been remiss of me not to include this one.

"There were some great saves: Redmayne on Goodwin; Janjetovic in a game against Adelaide; Galekovic on the weekend against Newcastle, but this one just tops the lot. And it just shows the standard of goalkeeping couldn't be higher in the A-League.

"Right in the bottom corner and right in the top corner are the two hardest places to get to and that was an outstanding save."

The save gave Paston his second Goal of the Week gong of the season, leaving him joint top of the season table.

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How does Mark Paston's save stand up against other stops across rounds 14 and 15? Have your say below!

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Video: Warne, Samuels showdown

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Flashpoint ... Warne wasn't happy with Samuels. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

This is the incident that has the cricket world talking.

The angry mid-pitch confrontation between Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels during the fiesty derby between Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades stole the show on an enthralling night at the MCG.

The incident had its roots in Samuels's actions during the Stars' innings, when he appeared to hold back batsman David Hussey while he was attempting a second run.

This must have upset not only Hussey but his teammates, because when Samuels came out to bat, all hell broke loose.

He faced one ball before Warne unleashed a tirade of abuse in his direction, which appeared to continue into the next over.

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Watch the video at the top of the page to see the fiery confrontation in full!

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A few minutes later, Warne ran in to field a ball and threw it towards the stumps, hitting Samuels in the body. The West Indies star responded by throwing his bat in Warne's direction.

Eventually the umpires stepped in to calm down the situation, but the damage was done and it remains to be seen if disciplinary action is taken against either party.

Unfortunately for Samuels, his night ended on a sour note after he was struck by a vicious bouncer from Lasith Malinga and was forced to retire hurt.

Early reports suggested Samuels may have suffered a fractured eye socket.

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'Finishing difference for Mariners'

Tough battle ... WSW striker Mark Bridge takes on Zac Anderson. Source: News Limited

The Central Coast Mariners kick four points clear at the top of the A-League table while the perplexing Brisbane Roar crash to another defeat. Mark Bosnich and News Limited review an exciting round 15 of A-League action.

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Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Central Coast Mariners 2

Bozza says: I thought Western Sydney Wanderers deserved a point. It was a fantastic game and really sugar-coated with a marvelous atmosphere. The atmosphere at Parramatta Stadium is getting better and better every week. It really makes a massive difference, especially viewing it on television as well. I thought the Wanderers had the better of the first half but the Mariners, being the team that they are, were deadly. Daniel McBreen's first goal was excellent and it was inevitable they would get more chances on the break once the Wanderers were chasing the game. The controversy for me came at the end when the Wanderers should have had a penalty. Mark Bridge was brought down. Both sets of players and coaches can take a lot of credit. I was always thought this game would be tight. It quite simply came down to McBreen taking his chances and the Wanderers not taking theirs. They can't be too disappointed though.

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Melbourne Heart 3 d Brisbane Roar 2

Bozza says: Heart showed great fighting qualities in this. Brisbane had the better of the first half but it shows that you can be at your most vulnerable when you are in control. Perth showed that against Sydney on Saturday night as well. People lose concentration when the ball's up the other end of the pitch and you feel as though you are in total control. It only takes one lapse and that's what exactly happened to Brisbane, and they'll rue that. I've got no complaints over David Williams's red card either. It's completely out of character but the referee got it right. Roar didn't deserve to get anything out of this. There is still something missing from Brisbane Roar. Rado (Vidosic) couldn't put his finger on it. Mike Mulvey is struggling to put his finger on it as well.

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Perth Glory 2 Sydney FC 2

Bozza says: There has definitely been a difference in Sydney since the arrival of Frank Farina. The fight has returned . It was certainly questionable at the start of the season, and I made my feelings known about that after the Central Coast Mariners game. But they really went at Perth in the second half of this. Perth will be kicking themselves. Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic has been exceptional but made an uncharacteristic mistake here - and it was costly. Sydney should be very happy.

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Melbourne Victory 2 d Wellington Phoenix 0

Bozza says: I know Ange (Postecoglou) has been cautious but if you take a look at their squad , they definitely have the firepower to win this championship. They had a little bit of a hiccup against Western Sydney Wanderers and all it took was to watch the second half against Wellington to see how much off colour they were in Sydney. Gui Finkler is a huge loss and i think long term if they are to go and win the title they need to find a replacement. But when you have people likes Rojas, Flores and Thompson, for any team playing against them it's a real worry.

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Newcastle 0 drew with Adelaide 0

News Limited says: Eugene Galekovic's shot-stopping brilliance saved Adelaide United from dropping all points in a 0-0 draw with out-of-form Newcastle at Hunter Stadium. The Socceroos gloveman made two stunning blocks either side of half-time - one from Ryan Griffiths and the other from Adam Taggart. Galekovic was content with the point after keeping Taggart scoreless with one of the saves of the season. "He (Taggart) was put through lucky enough I got a foot on it and it went out for a corner," Galekovic said.

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