Coup For A-League With Liverpool Legend Fowler

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The recent decision by the man dubbed ‘God’ (Robbie Fowler) to pack up life in England and head to the tropics of far north of Australia has caught many by surprise.

The 33-year-old Anfield legend, who was born in Liverpool and has played his entire career in England, revealed in February he and his family would be trading in the wintery weather of the United Kingdom for sunny Australia where he would play for new A-League franchise North Queensland Fury.

Indeed, while Fowler’s career has been in decline over the last few years since leaving Liverpool for a second time, many football fans first reaction to the news of his move to Australia would have been complete surprise.

But on the other end of the spectrum, Fowler’s arrival in Australia is just what the doctor ordered for football Down Under as the fledgling A-League tries to make its mark on the domestic sporting landscape.

Football is one of many sports jostling for the attention of the sports-crazy Australian public. And while the national team, the Socceroos, is the sport’s trump card, the A-League is seen as critical to cementing football’s place in the competitive market of Australia, which includes cricket, Australian rules football, rugby union and rugby league.

So the arrival of ‘God’ inevitably creates publicity and attention for the A-League and that can only be good for a league barely four years old.

But there is more to it. Football in Australia has been riding a wave of excitement since the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 World Cup, but years on from that now, that wave is gradually turning into a ripple and the sport desperately needs something to regain the momentum.

The upcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which the Socceroos look likely to qualify for, will inevitably garner up football fever again Down Under but in the meantime the sport needs to keep making inroads and the A-League is one outlet for that to occur.

And while the signing of a player in his mid-30s who hasn’t scored professionally since for almost 18 months may result in skepticism from some, it is likely many more others will be excited by the prospect of witnessing a player nicknamed ‘God’ first-hand.

Indeed what Fowler brings to the A-League is something new, something not seen before, something which sparks attention and interest, and that is exactly what the competition needs right now.

As mentioned earlier, the A-League is barely four years old. The current campaign is about to come to an end with Melbourne Victory set to face Adelaide United in the Grand Final this weekend to decide this season’s premiership.

But season four of the A-League has seen crowds decline on average for the first time in its history and the competition has copped criticism for being stale and boring.

And one of the reasons for the argument that the league had become stale was the fact that there was nothing igniting interest from the public. There were no players who fans would pay their admission fees alone to come and watch.

In a league like the A-League the fans don’t expect to see the world’s best players. But what they do want for their dollar is to be entertained and that takes characters and Fowler is someone who fits that bill. After all, and I know I’ve said this before, but he is nicknamed ‘God’.

But during the fourth season of the A-League the clubs of the competition had begun following a peculiar trend which could potentially be attributed for the decline of attendance figures.

First of all, it is worth explaining in the A-League all clubs are bound under a salary cap which allows them to only spend a certain quota on their playing squad thus equalizing the league.

But the governing body of the A-League, the Football Federation of Australia (FFA), realized the restricting effects of such a policy on luring big-name star players to the competiton and thus introduced a marquee player system which enables every club to sign one player outside the salary cap on an unlimited wage. Thus that player would be the club’s marquee player.

Indeed, teams took up that opportunity and the likes of former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke and ex-Brazil international Juninho have graced Australian shores with a football at their feet, but they are now long gone.

And into season four the problematic trend began amongst A-League clubs of signing marquee players who weren’t really ‘marquee’ players.

Initially the idea of a marquee player was to have a big-name player who would bring crowds to games and spark interest in the competition. But by season four clubs started to think that spending big money on one player wasn’t creating the turnover to justify itself.

So instead, clubs began making high-profile Australian players their marquee players in order to increase the quality of their squad at an affordable level.

Essentially this trend went against the initial rationale behind the marquee concept.

With due respect to the Australian players who became their club’s marquee men, they were not the likes who generated interest and attention in the league. They were not players who were something new or something not seen before and thus crowds dipped.

But that is where Fowler enters the fray. He is that someone who will create interest in the A-League.

And actually Fowler’s new club, North Queensland, was another guilty of following this trend when they initially signed fringe Socceroo Jade North as their marquee player before he moved to Korea forcing the Fury to find an alternative name.

They perhaps couldn’t have done much better than luring a name like Robbie Fowler to the A-League.

And already the signs are good with the newspapers in Townsville, where North Queensland are based, flooded with stories on Fowler whilst in the terraces around Australia at A-League games or on internet football forums, everybody is talking about ‘God’.

Fowler’s Australian move has also caught the attention of football fans the world around and all this only increases the attention and interest in the A-League and that is exactly what it should do and what it needs to do.

Oz Tug Of War Looms Over Brad

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Promising Newcastle United teenager Bradden Inman could be the latest Australian youngster lost to the Socceroos after receiving a call-up to Scotland's under-19 squad.

Adelaide-born Inman, who is still only 17, has progressed rapidly this season at St James' Park and as a result he has attracted the attention of the Scottish national team.

Inman started the season playing with Newcastle's academy side but the youngster, who is nicknamed 'Kaka' at St James' Park, has impressed so much he has been promoted to the club's first-team and was amongst the substitutes for the Magpies recent English Premier League match at Manchester City in late January.

But despite being born in Australia, the teenager who joined Newcastle at under-15 level is eligible to play for Scotland because his mother was born there.

Now Scotland's under-19's boss Archie Gemmill has selected Inman to be part of the team to face France in Wednesday's International Challenge Match in Clairefontaine.

Australian fans shouldn't despair the loss of a young talent just yet though, because FIFA regulations state that a player is only committed to representing a country once they have played for that nation at under-21 level.

Carney's Set Piece Cracker

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Socceroo David Carney staked a claim for a first team start at Norwich City this weekend after rifling home a cracking free-kick and setting up another goal for the club's second string.

Carney has struggled for game time since making a loan switch from Sheffield United but he was given another chance to boost his match fitness last night as the Canaries reserves took on non-league Yarmouth in a friendly.

The Socceroo curled home a terrific free-kick while fellow Aussie Adrian Leijer planted a header against a post.

City coach Ian Crook, who was Newcastle Jets technical director until a few weeks ago, told Norwich paper the Pink 'Un: "It was a good exercise. It gave a number of players game time who have been short of it."

Carney played 71 minutes of the match with Leijer putting in a full shift for the Canaries.

The Australian international missed out on Norwich's 1-1 draw with Burnley last Saturday in the Championship but Gunn explained Carney's absence was a result of picking up a knock in training on Friday.

Carney had passed a fitness test on the Saturday, but Norwich boss Bryan Gunn believed he wasn't worth the risk.

Nonetheless, Gunn clearly believes Carney has something to offer the Canaries and his stunning 25-yard peach of a free-kick in the reserves would only reiterate that thought in the Norwich gaffer's mind.

Speaking in reference to missing out at Burnley, Gunn said: "David's disappointed. And that's something that I need to be aware of as a manager.

"And it is difficult. You've got 16 players that you can get into a shirt on a Saturday and there will be plenty of players that will be disappointed."

Gunn added: "We've got 12 games left, there will be knocks, there will be bumps and bruises I'm sure between now and the end of the season.

"And, obviously, we have got a player who will be leaving us in the next two weeks in Jonathan Grounds, so we will have opportunities for wide, left-sided players."

Gunn's comments suggest Carney, who barely got a run for Sheffield United earlier in the season, could be in line for a game this Saturday when Norwich entertain Coventry City at Carrow Road in the Championship.

Chippers Winning Touch Again

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North Queensland Fury target Scott Chipperfield came off the bench to score a crucial winner for FC Basel as they defeated Swiss Super League leaders FC Zürich 2-1 on Sunday.

Socceroo Chipperfield was making his first appearance for Basel since mid-December and came on as a 59th minute substitute before heading home an important goal 12 minutes from time.

The 33-year-old, who recently played in Australia's World Cup qualifier in Japan, had actually missed Basel's first two matches since the resumption of the Super League season after the winter break due to a lingering foot complaint.

But he marked his return in style with the winning goal in a huge match, after Eric Hassli had put Zürich ahead early in the first-half before Basel's Jürgen Gjasula levelled the match ten minutes into the second-half.

Both sides had a player sent off in the second-half before Chipperfield rose above Zürich defender Hannu Tihinen and headed Benjamin Huggel's cross past Johnny Leoni for the matchwinner.

In the context of the season the goal was massive for Basel too, who now move to within two points of leaders Zürich whilst maintaining second position ahead of improving Young Boys.

Speaking after the game Chipperfield said: "To come on and score was great, but just to get some game time, I was happy with that.

"And to get the three points in a big game for us, if we had lost today it would have made it very hard in terms of the championship but now it's only two points and we've still got a long way to go so we have to keep working hard."

With 15 matches to go in the Swiss Super League season, Zürich lead the way on 44 points ahead of reigning champions Basel in second on 42 points while Young Boys loom large in third on 41 points.

Return Of The Mark

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MARK Schwarzer made up for his midweek blunder at Old Trafford by saving an injury-time penalty in Fulham's 2-0 victory over West Bromwich.

The 36-year-old Australian custodian had a night to forget on Wednesday against Manchester United but was back in good form on Sunday keeping a clean sheet for the Cottagers as they move up to eighth on the league table with the comfortable win.

Schwarzer wasn't kept terribly busy by a poor West Brom, who were well beaten by a Fulham side who could have easily won by more.

In the first-half, most of the action was at the Albion goal yet somehow Fulham went into the break without having made the breakthrough despite having clearly more opportunities to score.

Not long after the break though, Schwarzer was called upon to quickly smother Marc-Antoine Fortune's effort after the French forward opted to take a touch inside the box after bringing down a cross just six yards out.

But Fulham continued to dominate into the second-half and eventually the goals came through Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson which ensured Fulham got the points they deserved.

Schwarzer did have to make a good save from a decent Robert Koren long-range effort but the Australian wasn't really ever tested by West Brom.

That was until late in the contest when there was to be some drama, after Brede Hangeland was dubiously adjudged to have tripped Roman Bednar in the box in injury-time resulting in a West Brom penalty.

Bednar stepped up to take the kick himself but Schwarzer anticipated the Czech striker's kick brilliantly, lunging to his right to deny the West Brom man a consolation goal and maintaining his unblemished record in goals for the day.

After the game Fulham boss Roy Hodgson added: "The referee, I thought, was a bit generous trying to even it up a little bit at the end with the penalty but we even got away with that one and Schwarzer got the clean sheet he deserved."

The result sees Fulham leapfrog West Ham United and Manchester City on the league table and continue their surprising push for a European spot for next season.

Nikita Set For UEFA Debut

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Nikita Rukavytsya could make his FC Twente debut tonight after travelling with the Dutch side to France to face Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup.

Rukavytsya, who moved from Perth Glory to Twente in January, was included in a 20-man squad which flew from the Netherlands to Marseille for the Round of 32 clash.

The 21-year-old Australian forward could be in line for a run having been part of the Twente matchday squad for the club's 2-1 victory over FC Volendam in the Eredivisie last Saturday after scoring for the reserves in a 3-0 win over FC Groningen.

The former Perth Glory striker recently spoke to FC Twente TV and said: "I'm just going to do my best, train hard and hopefully I get a chance."

As a result of a bright performance in his first outing with Twente's Jong side just over a week ago, Rukavytsya has done enough to force his way into the first-team frame.

And now the Beijing Olyroo could be on the verge of a senior debut in southern France.

Rukavytsya, who is only just settling into life in the Netherlands, also told FC Twente TV; "I always dreamed of playing in Europe and Twente gave me an opportunity. And I came here and it looks like I did well so I'm very happy to be here.

"The club is great. It's obviously one of the best in Holland and I'm very proud to be here."

The 21-year-old was also asked about his aims and goals in the Netherlands; "I expect, first of all, to improve as a player. Hopefully become the best I can be."

Viduka Can Keep Magpies Up

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Newcastle's caretaker boss believes Mark Viduka still has a role to play at St James' Park in the short-term, despite the Australian's long-term future at the club being in doubt.

The forward's current deal expires at the end of the season and it is by no means certain that it will be extended. He has been bizarrely linked with an unlikely return to play for his old Melbourne Knights club in the Victorian State League.

But he has also been linked with a marquee spot at Melbourne Victory next season or new team Melbourne Hearts when they join the A-League in 18 months.

Injuries have so far blighted Viduka's season - with just five games, and only 20 starts for Newcastle since he joined them - but he looks likely to be back in action this weekend against Tim Cahill's Everton.

Chris Hughton, in charge of the Magpies whilst Joe Kinnear recovers from a recent heart operation, told Newcastle's Evening Chronicle he thinks Viduka could be an important player in the club's bid to avoid relegation from the top flight.

"Mark has a very big role to play for us. He's a big name player," Hughton said.

Viduka only recently returned to the Newcastle first-team as a late substitute at West Bromwich after a groin injury kept him out since Boxing Day when he was booed off the field by angry fans upset by his latest injury.

It is likely the 33-year-old Australian hitman, who has battled a number of injuries in the last 12 months, will be used mostly off the bench for Newcastle in the latter part of this season.

Hughton added: "We're aware of how many games we've got left this season. For every player, they know how important it's going to be.

"That's regardless of what part they play, be it a bit part role or the whole game - they have a contribution to make and that's the same for Mark.

"We are certainly much better off with a fully fit Mark Viduka than without him."

Schwarzer's Bad Night At The Office

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Socceroos custodian Mark Schwarzer made a goalkeeping howler on the big stage this morning in a rare poor performance as Fulham lost 3-0 at Manchester United.

The 36-year-old, who has been one of the English Premier League's most reliable shot-stoppers this season, was at fault for two of United's three goals at the 'Theatre of Dreams', on a night which sees the Red Devils move five points clear on top of the league table.

After 12 minutes Schwarzer was beaten by a trademark Paul Scholes set-play which saw the former England international sweetly hit Michael Carrick's pass direct from the corner kick.

While Scholes' drive was powerful, the Australian goalkeeper seemed to have it covered as he moved to his right but in making the save, Schwarzer allowed the ball to roll underneath his body and dribble into the left corner of the net, in a woeful mistake from the Socceroo.

Moments later Schwarzer looked nervy again when he fumbled a Cristiano Ronaldo cross allowing Dimitar Berbatov to pounce on the loose ball only for Aaron Hughes to bail out the Australian with a goalline clearance from the Bulgarian's goalbound effort.

Berbatov though got his goal on the half hour mark, when Schwarzer, desperate to redeem himself for his earlier mistake, was caught in no-man's-land as John O'Shea centred the ball after a neat United move, before the Bulgarian prodded home from close-range with the Australian goalkeeper scrambling to prevent the shot.

Schwarzer was desperate for redemption, as the 'Theatre of Dreams' was becoming the 'Theatre of Nightmares' for the big goalkeeper.

The Fulham custodian did do well to deny a Berbatov effort later, but United inevitably added a third just past the hour mark when substitute Wayne Rooney tapped in Park Ji-Sung's wayward effort giving Schwarzer no chance.

The result means Fulham's woeful winless away record remains while the Red Devils edge further ahead in the race for the Premier League title.

AFC World Cup Qualifying: The Halfway Point

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The final phase of World Cup qualifying in the AFC is halfway through, with all teams having played 4 games, and now we head into the business end of the process.

The big guns of Japan, Australia and Korea Republic all look set to be on their way to South Africa 2010, cruising in their respective groups while the surprise packets from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have the heavyweights from Iran and Saudi Arabia worried.

But as the South Korean boss Huh Jung-Moo noted, “It is only half-time.” There is still plenty of football to play and anything can happen in the race of a spot at the 2010 World Cup.

The way it works in Asia is the top two ranked teams from 2 groups of five automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the sides ranked third in their group enter a play-off for the right to play Oceania winners New Zealand in an intercontinental two-legged tie for a spot in South Africa 2010.

Indeed with the AFC qualification process down to just 10 teams with only 4 automatic World Cup spots up for grabs, the competition is fierce and nobody is going to give up easily.

Group B seems the more open of the two groups with just two points separating the top three teams in the group while the Saudi Arabians, sitting in fourth, can not be discounted and remain in the hunt.

The Korean Republic, who sit atop Group B on 8 points, will be buoyed by the fact they’ve still got three home games to come and having claimed positive results away from home against their nearest rivals they look comfortable, especially with Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung chiming in with a couple of goals.

But Korea DPR have thrown the group wide open with a bright start and a recent 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Pyongyang sees the North Koreans sitting pretty in second place.

Indeed, Korea DPR broke a 26-year winless drought over Saudi Arabia when they defeated the Green Falcons in February and breaking records could be the theme for the North Koreans whose performances could end the Saudis run of four consecutive World Cup finals appearances whilst ending their own 44-year absence from football’s showcase event.

Nonetheless, Iran and Saudi Arabia still loom large in Group B unlike the United Arab Emirates who are languishing in last in the group with just one point and only home game to come.

Iran have had their progress in Group B slowed by a trio of 1-1 draws which has frustrated the fans of Team Melli. Iran remain undefeated in the group but manager Ali Daei knows he needs to get his players winning if they are to leapfrog the North Koreans and ward off the Saudi Arabians for an automatic qualifying spot.

In Group A, Australia are on top with 10 points and are yet to concede a goal with veteran shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer in fine form. The Socceroos will, like the South Koreans, also enjoy three home games later in the qualification process and seem to already have a foot on the plane to South Africa.

Japan are two points behind the Australians and while pressure is on boss Takeshi Okada following home draws against Uzbekistan and the Socceroos, the Blue Samurai seem in a strong enough position to be on their way to a fourth consecutive World Cup berth.

The undefeated lead pair have a considerable gap over the chasing pack of Bahrain, Qatar and Uzbekistan, who realistically will be fighting over the play-off spot for third place in Group A.

And the battle for the Group A play-off spot looms as an entertaining struggle between three nations who’ve never qualified for the World Cup finals.

Bahrain, who lost out to Trinidad & Tobago in the 2006 World Cup intercontinental play-off, currently occupy third spot in the group ahead of Gulf rivals Qatar on goal difference while Uzbekistan, who’ve had a miserable start to their qualifying campaign, are a further three points behind in last.

The Bahrainis would be favourites to claim third spot in the group on the back of good performances in qualifying including a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Qatar despite being reduced to ten men along with an unlucky 1-0 home loss to Australia, when they dominated against the group leaders only to concede a Mark Bresciano goal in second-half injury-time.

The momentum too, will be with Bahrain following a late winner in Uzbekistan from Mahmood Abdulrahman’s free-kick which earned the island nation its first victory of the fourth-round.

Bahrain’s victory in Tashkent put them ahead of Qatar, who themselves started the group stage well with four points in their first two matches before losing their way conceding seven goals in their most recent two outings, heavy defeats against Australia and Japan.

Uzbekistan’s devastating late loss at home to Bahrain seems to have really dented their hopes of a revival after a slow start to their campaign.

Already the Uzbeks have changed coaches, with former national team star Mirjalol Kasymov replacing Rauf Inileev and earning a commendable 1-1 draw in Japan in his first qualifier in charge. But the subsequent result against Bahrain leaves Uzbekistan battling in bottom spot and short of confidence and points, so Kasymov has a big job to turn their fortunes around.

Nonetheless we are only at the halfway point and there is plenty of football still to be played, and so much at stake no one is going to give up without a fight.

The next AFC World Cup qualifying fixtures are due to take place in late-March and early-April which will surely make the picture a little bit clearer.

Federici Injury Not Serious

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Adam Federici's English club Reading have confimed the back injury which forced the shot-stopper out of Australia's squad for Wednesday's Japan match isn't a serious problem.

On Monday the 24-year-old Socceroos back-up goalkeeper withdrew from the Australian squad which would travel to Yokohama, after struggling with a back complaint.

Reading physio Jon Fearn told readingfc.co.uk: "The back injury is something that has developed over the last few days, probably as a result of training on hard surfaces in the recent cold weather.

"It took a turn for the worse towards the end of last week and we had to work quite hard to get him available for the game with Preston on Saturday."

Federici got through a full shift against Preston keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw but Reading medical staff felt travelling to Japan midweek wouldn't do the Australian any good, especially considering he is unlikely to play.

"He now needs treatment and some time to allow the injury to settle down, and the long flights to Japan and back could well have aggravated the symptoms," said Fearn.

"It's a good thing from Adam's point of view that we're not playing this week, so he's now got two weeks to fully recuperate and we're hopeful that he'll be available for the game with Bristol City."

Reading won't be action this upcoming weekend as their league fixture with Derby has been postponed because the Rams will be in FA Cup action.

The Australian shot-stopper will now enjoy a fortnight's rest before Reading resume their promotion charge at home to Bristol City on February 21.

Wes Welcomes New Start

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James Wesolowski has revealed he is desperate to put years of injury troubles behind him and make the most of his time on loan at Dundee United.

The 21-year-old Australian midfielder sealed a loan deal for the rest of season with the Scottish Premier League club on the final day of the recent transfer window from English League One side Leicester City.

The former Northern Spirit youngster joined the Foxes in 2004 but his time at Leicester has been ruined by a series of terrible injuries including two broken legs and, more recently, a broken ankle.

Now Wesolowski, who was once involved with the Socceroos under Rob Baan in a friendly against Nigeria in 2007, is desperate to put all that behind him after being given a chance by former Leicester boss Craig Levein, who is currently in charge of United.

Speaking to the Dundee Courier, Wesolowski said: "It means a lot that he (Levein) wants to bring me here and if I can get the chance to help him and Dundee United it would be great."

The luckless Wesolowski, who also went out on loan in October to Cheltenham before that deal was cut short after fracturing an ankle, added: "United have an option to buy me at the end of the season but I am not really thinking too far into the future.

"I just want to get back into playing first-team football again and see what happens from there."

And a fresh opportunity could be just what Wesolowski needs after years of bad luck.

Wesolowski said: "I am mentally strong, so although what happened put me out of action for a while, I think I am a stronger person for it now."

Injured Roo Plans His Comeback

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Forgotten Socceroo Michael Beauchamp is quietly making his comeback from long-term injury with his club side Aalborg BK in Denmark.

Beauchamp hasn't played senior football since September after injuring his hamstring whilst playing with Aalborg in the UEFA Champions League against Manchester United.

Then in November, in just his second training session after his return from the hamstring injury, Beauchamp had a recurrence of an old knee problem which cruelly left him on the sidelines once again.

The injuries have been a major setback for the former Central Coast defender, who has missed out on the Socceroos last two World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and Bahrain with injury and was unfit for selection for Wednesday's Japan game.

But in January Beauchamp returned to training with Aalborg, eager to build up his fitness and get back into the national team frame.

At the time the 27-year-old spoke on the official Aalborg website saying, "It has been a long time that I've been off the track, so I shall not take any unnecessary risks by pressing the body hard here at the beginning."

But the Australian international is now beginning to win back his fitness after a trio of appearances in friendly matches for Aalborg as they prepare for the resumption of their season after the Danish winter break.

Beauchamp first played just over an hour in a friendly against Aarhus in late January, before getting through two full competitive matches for Aalborg this week.

The Australian played 90 minutes on Wednesday as Aalborg defeated Norwegian club Valerenga IF 3-2 in a friendly, whilst on Sunday he got through another full game, helping the defence keep a clean sheet as AaB beat Romanian club Steaua Bucuresti 1-0.

The signs are good for Beauchamp as Aalborg continue their preparations with another friendly match coming up against Russian club Zorya Luhansk this Wednesday.

And while the Danish league season resumes for Aalborg in a few weeks on March 1 at AC Horsens, Beauchamp will be hoping for an earlier senior return when AaB face Spanish club Deportivo Coruna in the UEFA Cup in just under a fortnight's time.

And if Beauchamp's progress continues unhindered there is no doubt the big defender will be hoping to leave the disappointment of the last six months behind and will be pressing to be back in the Australia side for the Socceroos next World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in his home city of Sydney in early April.

Viduka Ready To Aid Drop Fight

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Mark Viduka is poised for a return to action and believes he can get back to goalscoring form and help struggling Newcastle United fight off a relegation battle.

The 33-year-old, who hasn't scored for Newcastle since April, could return to the Magpies first-team this Saturday after over a month out with a groin injury when they face bottom club West Bromwich in an important clash between two battling sides.

Along with Viduka, forwards Obafemi Martins and Alan Smith are also returning to fitness at St James' Park which will give Toon fans hope.

And the former Celtic and Leeds hitman, who has struggled with injuries and form since joining Newcastle in 2007, believes he can play his part in helping the Magpies out of relegation danger.

Viduka told The Echo: "Last year we showed towards the end we could play together with three up front. We were a threat to many defences. And I'd love to repeat some of that.

"Last season they couldn't deal with Oba's pace, Michael Owen's goalscoring ability and myself as a target man."

Currently though, Newcastle are just one point out of the drop zone sitting precariously in 15th in the Premier League.

Viduka added: "The manager's got a lot of options up front when everyone's fit, and this team has got goals in it.

"We pulled away from trouble last season when we used that formation and if we can click up front again then hopefully we can do the same this time."

Petkovic The Hero

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Socceroo Michael Petkovic is the toast of Sivasspor after producing three penalty saves in the penalty shootout Turkish Fortis Kupasi quarter-final victory over Galatasaray on Tuesday night.

Petkovic saved a trifecta of penalties from Galatasaray trio Arda Turan, Ümit Karan and Yaser Yildiz to lead Sivasspor to a 3-1 spotkick victory over the Lions and a berth in the Kupasi final four after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of football.

It capped a memorable day for the former South Melbourne shot-stopper, who was called up to Pim Verbeek's Australia squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier in Japan earlier on Tuesday.

The match itself didn't start so well for Petkovic, after he was beaten on 8 minutes when Arda Turan worked a neat one-two before slotting a shot past the Australian to put Galatasaray, without injured Socceroo Harry Kewell, ahead early.

But on the half hour mark Sivasspor, who currently lead the Turkish Super Lig, equalised through Yannick Kamanan who unleashed a thunderous 35-metre-shot which sparked wild celebrations from the local crowd.

Minutes later Petkovic did well to keep the scores level with a good late save to deny an effort from Mehmet Güven.

During the second-half the scores remained 1-1 although Galatasaray came close to breaking the deadlock on 79 minutes when Mehmet Güven and Mehmet Topal combined before Petkovic intervened.

The game went to extra-time and after 100 minutes of football, Gala should have claimed the winner when Mehmet Topal rounded Petkovic before losing control of the ball with the goal at his mercy.

The miss meant the game would go to penalties and roared on by the parochial home crowd, Petkovic produced an outstanding display to guide Sivasspor to a semi-final spot.

Galatasaray's Arda Turan took the first kick, but Petkovic anticipated the shot and produced a brilliant right-handed save to deny the Turkish international only for Sivasspor's Muhammed Ali to see his spot-kick pushed over the bar.

Hakan Balta and Mamadou Diallo then traded converted penalties before Petkovic intervened again, denying Ümit Karan with a low fingertip save which he tipped onto the post and away from the goal.

Israeli Pini Balili then hammered his penalty past Galatasaray goalkeeper Aykut Erçetin, to give Sivasspor the advantage before Petkovic saved a weak shot from Yaser Yildiz.

Kamanan, who had scored earlier in the match with a thunderbolt, then stepped up to net to winning penalty for Sivasspor, setting off wild celebrations for the hosts as Petkovic was mobbed by players, trainers and coaches.

Jesus To Exit Karlsruhe?

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Joshua Kennedy's days at Karlsruhe SC could be numbered after reports in Germany claimed the big Socceroo striker wants to leave the Bundesliga club.

According to German football magazine Kicker, the Australian international has made enquiries about a move away from Karlsruhe after enduring a frustrating time at Wildparkstadion.

Kennedy signed with Karlsruhe from FC Nürnberg last season and started brilliantly scoring four goals in his first five games with the Baden-Württemberg club.

But this campaign has been different as Kennedy has failed to score all season while Karlsruhe slip towards the bottom of the Bundesliga table and an inevitable relegation battle.

According to Kicker, advisers close to Kennedy claim the 26-year-old has enquired about the possibility of a winter move away from Karlsruhe.

Although a winter move may be too late due to strict German transfer regulations, the Australian is believed to also be keen on departing Karlsruhe in the European summer.

The story has emerged after a spat between Kennedy and Karlsruhe manager Edmund Becker following the Socceroo's substitution in Wednesday's disappointing 1-0 loss to second tier Wehen Wiesbaden in the German DFB Pokal.

When Kennedy was substituted in the second-half of the match, the Socceroo wasn't interested in the customary embrace between the player and the manager, and opted to promptly take up his place on the bench.

And following the game an unimpressed Becker told German media, "Joshua created no goal danger in the DFB Pokal against a second division team. This can not be."

To make matters worse, Kennedy wasn't even included in the Karlsruhe squad which lost 2-0 at VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga on Sunday and Becker has signed a new striker, Mahir Saglik, on loan from VfL Wolfsburg.

While Kennedy, who actually hasn't scored for Karlsruhe in 21 matches, is unlikely to be able to leave Karlsruhe immediately, the spat will obviously be detrimental to his first-team opportunities.

Aussie Wes Becomes An Arab

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Luckless Aussie midfielder James Wesolowski has signed with Dundee United on loan for the rest of the season from Leicester City.

Wesolowski, who has had a horrendous run of injuries with the Foxes, links up with former Leicester City boss Craig Levein at the Scottish Premier League club on a loan deal which is subject to international clearance.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who was involved with the Socceroos in a 2007 friendly against Nigeria under Rob Baan, has only just returned to fitness after an ankle injury sustained whilst on loan with Cheltenham in October.

During his loan stint with Cheltenham, Wesolowski had impressed the Robins who were expected to sign him on loan in the transfer window but the opportunity to play in Scotland's top flight was too good for the young Aussie to refuse.

Wesolowski joins a Dundee United side who currently sit third in the Scottish Premier League and are chasing a rare European berth.

The Australian may get a chance to impress immediately too, when Dundee United face Hamilton Academicals in the Scottish Cup this Saturday.

Leijer Joins Canary Carney

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Former A-League Young Player of the Year Adrian Leijer has joined Norwich City on loan for the rest of the season from Premiership club Fulham in a bid to revive his languishing career.

The 22-year-old Beijing Olyroo has struggled since moving to England having failed to break into the Fulham first-team after signing with the Cottagers from Melbourne Victory in August 2007.

But on the final day of the current transfer window, Championship club Norwich City have offered Leijer an opportunity to breathe life into his English career with a loan deal which will run until the end of this season.

Leijer follows Australian compatriot David Carney on loan at Carrow Road, with new Norwich assistant manager Ian Crook playing a big part in luring the pair to East Anglia.

Norwich manager Bryan Gunn told the media, "Adrian is someone who Ian Crook has worked with during Adrian's time with Australia under-20.

“I have seen him playing for Fulham reserves and together with David Carney he will provide us with extra cover - I am delighted to have him on board for the remainder of the season.”

Brett Out For Up To Nine Months

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Brett Emerton is expected to miss the rest of Australia's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign after scans on his knee revealed a serious cruciate ligament injury.

The 29-year-old midfielder has been ruled out for up to nine months after he twisted his knee whilst playing for Blackburn Rovers at Middlesbrough in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Emerton had to be replaced almost immediately after the incident early in the second-half at the Riverside Stadium but the problem wasn't thought to be too serious at the time.

But results from tests on Emerton's knee on Sunday revealed devastating news for the former Feyenoord man who will need to undergo surgery on his knee.

As a result, Emerton will miss the rest of the English Premier League season as well as the final five matches in Australia's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

It is a bitter blow for the Socceroos, just days out from their crucial World Cup qualifier against Japan in Yokohama. Pim Verbeek names his squad for that match later today.

Blackburn are expected to allow Emerton to return home to Australia to have the surgery on his knee.

Brett In Doubt Over Knee Knock

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Brett Emerton's availability for Australia's February 11 World Cup qualifier in Japan is in doubt after the Socceroo twisted his knee in Blackburn's 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.

Emerton had to be substituted early in the second-half of the game at Riverside Stadium after he felt a problem in his knee.

After the game, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce commented on Rovers' injury concerns and said: "The bigger worry is Brett Emerton's knee. He felt it twist and had to come off.

"So we won't know how serious that is until tomorrow (Sunday). We hope it's not too serious."

Emerton, who missed Australia's last World Cup qualifier against Bahrain due to a hamstring injury, is expected to undergo tests on the injured knee on Sunday to ascertain the severity of the problem.

Praise For Jones After Rare Start

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Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones won praise after an outstanding display between the sticks for Middlesbrough in their 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Jones, who hadn't played in the league since the opening day of the season, came into the Boro side at the expense of regular number one Ross Turnbull, who was at fault for Chelsea's second goal in Middlesbrough's midweek defeat to the Blues.

And the 26-year-old Australian shotstopper proved his worth with several outstanding saves in the contest including a number of crucial interventions late in the match which ultimately earned Boro a much-needed point.

His performance drew praise from Boro gaffer Gareth Southgate who admitted: "I thought Brad Jones in goal has made some fantastic saves for us to make sure we got the point in the end."

But Jones also won a compliment from frustrated Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce who added: "The keeper has pulled off some good saves today.

"We got probably the best chance of the game right at the very end. Jason Roberts' header but I have to say it was a terrific save."

Jones started the match well when he denied Blackburn's Keith Andrews on 20 minutes before another good save in the first-half. The Boro shot-stopper produced an unorthodox save with his feet to deny Roque Santa Cruz's swinging shot just before the break.

Middlesbrough struggled to control Blackburn, who were the much more likely of the two sides to break through in the contest.

And Jones was clearly the busier of the two keepers, especially late in the match when he did well to deny efforts from David Dunn and Roberts.

Roberts's late chance was a glorious opportunity for Rovers to win the game, but Jones's save not only helped Middlesbrough hang onto a crucial point in the relegation dogfight but also enhanced his chances of holding onto his first-team spot at the Riverside.