K-League Title Battle Looking Intriguing

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Ten rounds into the 2009 Korean K-League, reigning champions Suwon Bluewings are languishing down in 13^th on the table, with only goal difference separating them from the indignity of bottom spot.

It has been quite some turnaround for Korea’s best supported club, who only dropped points in 9 games in last year’s Championship-winning campaign, yet have somehow already equalled that tally this term.

Indeed, after ten matches the four-time Korean champions have won just once this league season and are a whopping sixteen points behind current leaders Gwangju Sangmu.

And while the question you may be asking is ‘what has happened to the Suwon Bluewings?’ many Korean fans are asking ‘who is going to claim their title?’

So with the K-League about to enjoy a break for international matches, perhaps it is the ideal time to attempt to address those queries.

First with Suwon, the four-time K-League winners who brushed aside all their opponents last season to claim both the league and playoff titles. What has gone wrong?

The obvious statistic which anyone can point out is Suwon scored 46 goals in 26 games last season yet so far this campaign they’ve managed just 6 from 10 matches. So there’s a shortage of goals, but why?

The club’s topscorer last season, Brazilian hitman Edu, remains at the club and at 27-years-old the former Bundesliga man still seems to have the quality. Edu has managed two goals so far in the K-League combined with a few more in the AFC Champions League, so he surely can’t be the problem.

So it is more deeply-rooted than just one man’s form or someone leaving the club or something simple of that nature.

It must be noted, Suwon experienced a fairly up and down off-season and with that in mind, many expected 2008 to be a hard act to follow, but not many thought it would be quite this tough.

The off-season ups-and-downs came mainly from the transfer drama involving holding midfielder Cho Won-Hee, who left the club as a free agent at the end of the 2008 K-League campaign before finding his way to Wigan Athletic following a peculiar trial at Monaco and some speculation about a move to Schalke 04.

There were also inevitable departures including that of brilliant young Korean international forward Shin Young-Rok, who moved to Turkish club Bursaspor. Combine that with the loss of central defensive pairing Mato Neretljak and Lee Jung-Soo, who both left for the J.League, and it is obvious Suwon had some stars to replace.

Bluewings manager Cha Beum-Kim was busy in the off-season trying to get new faces in as well, including highly-rated midfielder Lee Sang-Ho from Ulsan Horang and Chinese international defender Li Weifeng and Brazilian big man Jorge Luiz, who Suwon hoped would form their new central defensive partnership.

And while some of the new players have settled in okay, it seems replacing these players is easier said than done.

But also Suwon’s young stars, such as Cho Yong-Tae and Seo Dong-Hyun, are struggling to have the same impact as last season and the pressure may be getting to them, as the side have lost four times at their home stadium ‘the Big Bird’.

There has also been the added distraction of the newly-revised AFC Champions League, which has meant Cha Beum-Kim has used slightly weaker sides than usual on occasions, in particular against newboys Gangwon FC in early May when the champions surprisingly drew 1-1.

All these factors seem to be getting to Suwon, who even saw experienced Korean international goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae make a costly mistake against last season’s runners-up FC Seoul, in a 1-0 loss in early April.

There have also been missed penalties, shots hitting woodwork and all sorts of bad pieces of luck, which makes you think perhaps it may turn around for Suwon. And when you consider they’ve got the quality of the likes of Edu and Lee Woon-Jae, it would be crazy to write off at least a playoffs spot for the Bluewings, but winning the title might be a bit rich after such a bad start.

Thus onto the second question, if Suwon can’t win the K-League, then who can?

And the team putting their hands up like an eager schoolboy are 2006 AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk Motors. Incredibly the powerful Jeonju club have never won the K-League and look desperate to end the drought.

Jeonbuk recruited well in the off-season, after a disappointing 2008 where they scraped into the finals only to lose out to Ulsan in the second round of the playoffs.

But tough decisions were made at Jeonju Castle in the off-season with big names like Cho Jae-Jin, Jusuf Dajic, Kang Min-Soo and Chung Kyung-Ho all moved on, in favour of new stars like Brazilian midfielder Eninho, former Middlesbrough forward Lee Dong-Gook and young Korean star Ha Dae-Sung along with new captain Kim Sang-Sik who arrived from Seongnam Ilhwa.

And while Eninho is pure quality and Lee Dong-Gook seems determined to resurrect his faltering career, it has been the rise and rise of ‘The Prince’, Choi Tae-Uk, which has really sparked Jeonbuk’s push. Choi Tae-Uk, 28, has hit five goals this season and his fine form has won him a recall to the Korean national team, his first in three years.

It is frightening to think what damage Jeonbuk can do, when you consider their free-kick superstar Kim Hyueng-Bum hasn’t really got going this season.

But Jeonbuk boss Choi Kang-Hee is the man behind it all, with wise recruiting, a knowledge of how to get the best out of players and an awareness of creating a solid backline, it seems the Greens might be ready to finally claim a K-League title.

Perhaps those in the capital might argue otherwise though, as 2008 runners-up FC Seoul continue their own chase for their first K-League title in almost a decade.

With Turkish boss Şenol Güneş at the helm, FC Seoul are in good hands, but speculation has been persistent that the manager could return home to coach Trabzonspor soon.

Güneş heading to Trabzonspor could be decisive for FC Seoul, who have seen several of their young stars blossom under the Turkish boss.

Seoul’s young midfield pairing of Lee Chung-Yong and Ki Sung-Yeung, affectionately known as ‘Double Dragon’, both just 20-years-old, are the players who could guide the capital club to the top along with exciting Korean internationals Kim Chi-Woo and Han Tae-You.

Montenegro international Dejan Damjanovic is a goalscoring machine, so as long as Seoul’s youthful midfield keep up the supply they should be fine.

But the concern is Güneş’s future. The club experienced a fairly calm Christmas period with no major squad changes and everything at FC Seoul under the Turkish boss seems under control. Whether or not he stays, is the key for the capital club.

Another contender this season is west-coast club Incheon United, who are led by another foreigner in Serbian boss Ilija Petkovic.

Having frustratingly missed the playoffs in 2008, Incheon are determined to make amends this season and with a game built on strong defence, they look good enough to challenge.

Incheon don’t concede many goals, but don’t score many down the other end either, so coming into this season following the departure of 2008 topscorer Dzenan Radoncic to Seongnam, many would’ve suggested a lot depends on new big signing Dragan Cadikovski, who is a Macedonian striker.

But instead the source of goals has been a real surprise with 21-year-old Yoo Byung-Soo proving a real revelation.

The youngster, who Incheon drafted from Hongik University in the off-season, scored on his debut against Busan I’Park and has added several more before earning an incredible call-up to the national team.

Another source of goals is just what Incheon need and if Yoo Byung-Soo can keep up his impressive form, then Petkovic’s side could be a chance for the title.

Shocks and surprises seem to be the theme this season in Korea, with Suwon struggling and so many players coming from nowhere to produce fine form, but there surely is no bigger surprise than the fact last season’s bottom-club Gwangju Sangmu are leading the league at this stage.

After a good start to the season, everybody has been waiting for the military club’s bubble to burst, but it hasn’t.

Outstanding home form coupled with a solid defence has put Gwangju in good stead with Choi Won-Kwon leading the way at the back.

But the form of Choi Sung-Kuk, the man dubbed ‘Little Maradona’, along with fellow forward Kim Myung-Joong, has given the Phoenix something a little bit special.

Gwangju manager Lee Kang-Jo still claims he is simply aiming to make the playoffs, with the K-League title perhaps a dream for the perennial battlers, and his main concerns are based on the depth of his squad with the team seeming a little short of forward options.

Beyond those clubs there are other contenders including Seongnam Ilhwa who are struggling a bit for consistency at the moment under rookie coach Shin Tae-Yong. Australian defender Sasa Ognenovski seems a good addition for Chunma, while keeping Brazilian striker Mota is a big plus.

In 2007, Pohang Steelers came from nowhere to win the playoff Championship and despite a slow start to this season, riddled by home draws, the boys from the Steelyard shouldn’t be written off. Pohang’s main off-season signing Brasilia, is yet to really hit his straps so maybe there is more in store from the Steelers.

Last season’s bolters Ulsan Horang may produce another late surge this season, but their squad seems weaker this season and probably won’t challenge for the title.

Chunnam Dragons could be a dark-horse this season as they seem to have plenty of strikepower with Brazilian striker Adriano Chuva Pereira, ex-Sociedad and Feyenoord man Lee Chun-Soo and another Brazilian Wesley, who was scoring goals for fun in Portugal with Leixoes last year. The problem for the Dragons is there defence, as they’ve conceded the most in the league so far.

Nevertheless, with a third of the 2009 K-League season complete, it seems perhaps the champions are gone. But quite often the K-League throws up a bolter as the season wears on, so who knows? But as I mentioned, it has been a season of surprises so far, so there’s a few more chapters to be written.

Beauchamp Set For AaB Exit

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Australia defender Michael Beauchamp has admitted it is likely he will leave Aalborg BK in the European summer after a horror first season in Denmark.

On the same day that Beauchamp was left out of Pim Verbeek's extended Socceroos squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, it has been revealed Aalborg are prepared to sell the Australian.

The 28-year-old former Central Coast Mariners defender had moved to Denmark prior to the 2008-2009 season but endured a difficult campaign with injuries and suspension affecting his output as Aalborg failed miserably in their title defence.

Beauchamp told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet recently: "It has certainly been a year to forget. The worst season in my football career."

And the Australian, who has been out of favour for Aalborg's last five matches, admitted yesterday there will be changes at AaB: "I have been told the club will bring in a new defence and that has meaning for me.

"Right now I do not know what to expect. I have no idea about next season."

The Socceroo still has two years to run on his Aalborg contract but Aalborg sports director Lynge Jakobsen revealed the club are willing to let him go.

"Beauchamp has had a very unfortunate start at AaB and he has not quite been able to convince us that he must be in the team," Jakobsen claimed.

"If there is an opportunity for Beauchamp to find something else, then I think we can say that we will not stand in his way."

Storey Staying Put In Europe

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Ex-Melbourne Victory premiership winner Simon Storey has admitted he is looking to continue his career in Europe after leaving Scottish club Partick Thistle this week.

The 26-year-old defender, who was part of the Victory team which won the A-League double in 2006-2007, was allowed to leave Firhill this week after both parties couldn't reach an agreement on a new deal.

Storey, who had spent two seasons at the Scottish Division One club, told au.FourFourTwo.com: "I've just spoken to Ian (McCall, the Partick manager) and we didn't necessarily come to an agreement and it was probably time for me to move on.

"I've loved it there, it's been fantastic and I've thoroughly enjoyed everything about the club. It is like the same reason it was time to also leave the Victory and leave Melbourne, it was probably good timing for me and now there's another adventure and another challenge to move onto."

And Storey revealed to FourFourTwo he would prefer that next adventure to be in Europe rather than returning home to Australia just yet.

"I still want to stay in Europe for the time being," Storey added. "But at the moment we're just waiting to see what arises.

"Obviously right now it is sort of a bit of a lull, while everyone's away on holiday at the end of the season and we'll start figuring out it a bit more as things get back into motion over the next few weeks.

But the Australian admitted he was keen to test himself at a higher level.

"Staying another year in Division One was probably staying a bit stagnant but that's okay," he said. "It's a good standard over there.

"You always need to keep challenging yourself both personally and as a footballer obviously."

Josh Brace Not Enough

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Socceroo Joshua Kennedy finally scored but it wasn't enough to help his Bundesliga side Karlsruhe SC avoid the drop despite a 4-0 win over Hertha Berlin on the final day of the season.

Kennedy, who incredibly hadn't scored all season for Karlsruhe, saved his best form for last with a second-half brace but it was a case of too little too late for KSC who drop down to the 2.Bundesliga.

Coming into the final day, Karlsruhe knew they had to win and hope fellow battlers Arminia Bielefeld and Energie Cottbus failed to claim victory in their respective contests, in order to finish 16th and earn a shot at staying in the top flight with a playoff match against the 3rd-ranked 2.Bundesliga side.

But early on it seemed Karlsruhe had no hope of staying up as they began the match nervously, with Hertha having the better chances including a Marko Pantelic header which went close.

But as the half wore on Karlsruhe got more comfortable and they took the lead on 33 minutes when Stefano Celozzi's low cross missed Kennedy but found its way to Sebastian Freis and he finished off from close-range.

Seven minutes Karlsruhe captain Maik Franz headed the Baden-Württemberg club into a two-goal lead when he met Lars Stindl's corner sweetly.

At that stage it seemed Kennedy's bad goalscoring luck would continue as Franz had actually swooped ahead of the Australian to score KSC's second from the set-piece.

But the big Socceroo would break his duck in the second-half when Celozzi's right-wing cross reached him and he slid a volley into the roof of the net from close-range.

On 71 minutes Kennedy almost made it a personal double when he curled an effort on target only to be denied by a fine save from Hertha keeper Jaroslav Drobny.

From the resultant corner though, Kennedy outjumped Hertha's Australian-born defender Josip Simunic and fired a header past Drobny to make it 4-0.

The Aussie had a late chance to complete a hat-trick when Freis played him in but his shot from a one-on-one situation was well saved by Drobny and the linesman's flag had actually gone up for offside as well.

After the final whistle at Karlsruhe's Wildparkstadion it became apparent Energie Cottbus had won their game and KSC were relegated setting off scenes of disappointment.

Kennedy, who has been linked with a move away from Karlsruhe, may have played his last game for the club.

Spiranovic Nears Full Fitness

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FC Nürnberg's Australian defender Matthew Spiranovic is close to returning to full fitness at the right time, with the Socceroos 'Super June' just around the corner.

Spiranovic ruptured an ankle tendon in training on the verge of Australia's World Cup qualifier in Bahrain last November and hasn't played since.

But according to Nürnberg teammate Dario Vidosic, Spiranovic is feeling good and back in training.

Vidosic told FourFourTwo earlier this week, "He's okay now. He came back and he played the amateurs game and after 40 minutes he did his hamstring a little bit, he just got really tired, he came off and now he's just taking it easy this week."

But Vidosic also revealed, "He's in training so I expect him tomorrow to be back in full training along with the team. I think everything's okay with Matty now."

The 20-year-old defender has endured a wretched run of injuries but, despite his reported recent hamstring scare, it seems his return to fitness may have come at the right time.

Spiranovic's second tier German club Nürnberg face 1860 Münich this weekend on the final day of the season before a likely promotion/relegation playoff with the third-bottom Bundesliga side, although it remains unlikely the Australian will be rushed back at club level.

Nevertheless, with Australia looking forward to several matches in June, Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek may fancy calling up the young centre-back, who hasn't played for the national team since the 1-0 home loss against China in June last year.

I Want To Come Back...One Day

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EXCLUSIVE: Aussie Michael Brown admits he'd love to return home to play in the A-League one day - but he's happy now helping Airdrie United beat the drop.

The 24-year-old former Feyenoord and Parramatta Power man's club is in the middle of a huge relegation battle in the Scottish Division One playoffs.

Having got past Peterhead last week, Airdrie blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Ayr United on Wednesday ahead of the return leg at home on Sunday which will decide who plays Division One football next season.

But the Australian midfielder, who was an unused substitute against Ayr United, believes his side can get the job done: "I think to be fair going there and getting a draw isn't that bad.

"I think bringing them back to our place on Sunday, it's a bigger park as well so we can get a bit more space and play to the way we want to play. I think the more space we get, the better it will be for us."

And while relegation battles in Scotland's second tier may not sound all that glamorous, Brown is happy doing his part to help his club - whichever division that may be, despite harbouring an ambition to play in the A-League.

"Yeah, I'm enjoying it, it's really good," Brown said. "The gaffer's (Kenny Black) brilliant, he's a good gaffer. I get on well with him as well, he's one of the better ones I've been under.

"But Division One or Division Two, I hope to be still here."

He added: "I've really had to come over here to get my name back on the radar, to get the chance to get back to the A-League which would be great.

"I think the more time I'm here, the more opportunity I'm going to get to get back over there (Australia). So I think they'll look at the experience and how long you've been overseas and who you've played for."

Having signed a one-year-deal with Airdrie after a trial last August, the Australian midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, but he is confident of winning a new deal to stay with the Waysiders.

"I've had a couple of meetings with the gaffer and he said everything's going well," Brown said. "Nobody knows at all what is happening because of the situation we are in, what division we're going to be in next year.

"But what I've been speaking to him about has been pretty positive and I'm fairly confident that I'll get something here.

"I'm happy here. I've got family in Newcastle and that's just a couple of hours away. Im really happy here. The Scottish mentality and all that is similar to where I am from, so it is really comfortable. I enjoy it."

Vidosic: Roo Spot Would Be Perfect

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EXCLUSIVE: In-form Australian Dario Vidosic has revealed his tale from frustration to fame as he fires FC Nürnberg back into the German Bundesliga and possibly himself into the 2010 World Cup.

The 22-year-old Australian forward has scored two crucial goals for Nürnberg this month, as well as an important assist a week ago against Osnabrück, as the club edge closer to promotion to the Bundesliga.

Now the young Aussie's great form has attracted the attention of Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek, who sent his assistant Henk Duut to Nürnberg to witness Vidosic's recent game against Osnabrück.

And the former Queensland Roar man, who signed with the Bavarian club in March 2007, is relishing the opportunity to play regular football having endured a frustrating time in Germany following a lingering knee problem which he believes prevented Nürnberg from seeing his best.

On the back of his recent good performances, Vidosic told FourFourTwo: "It's just good to get the chance and get the start and to score the goals, as well to be in the end the winning goals, I couldn't ask for better.

"The whole first season I really didn't get that chance to show what I could do and what I could give to the club."

After signing with Nürnberg in early 2007, Vidosic struggled to win opportunities in the first-team making just four brief appearances as the Bavarians were relegated from the Bundesliga in the 2007/2008 season.

The following season started off in a similar fashion with the Australian battling for game time until his recent purple patch which began with the winner at eventual champions SC Freiburg in March.

Vidosic admitted though, he had endured a frustrating time in Germany before his fortunes turned: "I had a knee problem that was just ongoing and ongoing and I wasn't really sure what it was.

"I could train on it but I just had pain which was going through it. And that affected me a lot and basically my whole game relies on speed and being agile and taking players on and when I had that pain in my leg I felt as though I could never really take off good on my left and I could never really get those first few steps away from defenders.

"So that affected my confidence and I wasn't really happy with my training. And there were days when I felt as though I didn't even want to train because of my knee. I didn't feel good and I was getting it looked at and no one really knew what the problem was.

"Everything looked fine, scans were fine and in the end we found out it was just inflammation in my knee and everytime I put weight onto it, my leg would just kind of give way and I'd kind of almost collapse.

"So I took nearly two months off from that and now everything feels better and I'm getting my confidence back and training good and everyone's really happy. The coach is telling me everyday I'm getting better and better in training and he's really happy, so hopefully we can push on."

With Nürnberg likely to face a promotion playoff against the third-bottom Bundesliga club, there is still work to be done for Vidosic and his teammates.

"We've got three more games and if I get a part to play in all those games it would be perfect. Then have a bit of a break and then hopefully get a call-up to the Socceroos and continue on from there," Vidosic said.

And it seems the youngster is in the frame for Socceroos selection considering his own good form along with Duut's visit to Nürnberg and the fact Australia are likely to enjoy a few dead rubbers to experiment with players towards the end of World Cup qualifying.

Vidosic added: "Pim was very impressed with me and he's always asking how I'm going and it's all very good.

"If I get that chance to go along with the Socceroos it would just be the perfect end to a very good season which hopefully we can top it off with going to the Bundesliga as well."

Ireland Earns Coventry Deal

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Australian teenage goalkeeper Daniel Ireland has admitted he is ecstatic to have signed a new two-year-deal at Championship club Coventry City.

The 18-year-old shot-stopper's deal was due to expire at the end of this season but he has won a new contract keeping him at the Ricoh Arena until 2011.

Ireland made his first-team debut for the Sky Blues in the Carling Cup last August against Aldershot Town before a loan stint at non-league Halesowen Town.

The Australian under-20 international returned to Ricoh Arena in the latter half of the season and worked closely with Coventry's legendary keeper Steve Ogrizovic before being in the squad for the Sky Blues last two games of the season.

"I'm thrilled to have signed a new contract. I've worked hard since I have been here and am really excited for the next couple of seasons to try and improve myself," Ireland told the Coventry Telegraph.

"I had a word with the gaffer before I signed and he said that he wants me to go out on loan then hopefully, I can come back and have more experience to compete for the number one spot."

A loan deal now seems likely, but with Coventry's veteran keeper Andy Marshall likely to leave the club in the summer and impressive number one Keiren Westwood the constant subject of transfer speculation, there could be opportunities for the young Australian at Ricoh Arena soon.

Fed Set To Be Reading's #1

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Young Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici looks set to claim the number one shirt at Reading next season after the club released veteran stopper Marcus Hahnemann.

The 24-year-old Socceroos shotstopper impressed with the Royals when called upon last season and following Reading's failure to win promotion to the Premier League and the subsequent resignation of boss Steve Coppell, it is believed the club are ready to move in a new direction.

And that direction doesn't include veterans like Hahnemann along with Graeme Murty, Michael Duberry and Leroy Lita who have all been allowed to leave.

Reading director of football Nick Hammond said: "The players who are leaving will all be sorely missed, but this week has seen the end of an era and it's time for the club to move on."

Federici, who signed a deal with Reading last December keeping him at Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2011, is expected to be promoted to the club's regular number one in goals.

The Australian international appeared 18 times for the Royals last season, even scoring a crucial late equaliser against Cardiff City in December.

Fellow young Australian Oliver Bozanic has also been offered a new deal at Reading.

Dario Promotion A Step Closer

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Young Aussie Dario Vidosic came off the bench to help FC Nürnberg maintain their Bundesliga promotion hopes with a 2-0 victory over VfL Osnabrück today.

Vidosic, who had scored in Nürnberg's last two matches, surprisingly started on the bench for the Bavarians with manager Michael Oenning preferring returning regular Isaac Boakye up front.

But Vidosic would come off the bench to good effect, providing the assist for a crucial late Marek Mintal goal which sealed the victory for Nürnberg.

Earlier Mintal had got in behind the Osnabrück defence before beating opposition keeper Tino Berbig in a one-on-one to give Nürnberg a 16th minute lead.

In the second-half, the crowd cheered as Vidosic came on as a 62nd minute substitute for Boakye, with the former Queensland Roar man going straight into attack.

But the Australian came on just as Osnabrück were enjoying their best spell in the game and much of the play was down the other end.

Indeed when Osnabrück substitute Tom Geissler went close with a shot from inside the box, the Nürnberg crowd began to get nervous, especially considering their rivals for an automatic promotion place, FSV Mainz, were ahead in their game.

But Nürnberg weathered the storm and Vidosic almost made sure of the points for them on 82 minutes when he found space inside the box before hastily fizzing a shot into the side netting.

The Australian made amends for his miss though, when Marcel Risse found him wide in the box and Vidosic wisely elected to pass to Mintal, rather than shoot, allowing the Slovakian to force the ball home from close-range and seal the victory.

The result keeps Nürnberg in the running for automatic promotion, taking them to 56 points behind second-placed Mainz on 57 with two games to play.

Fourth-placed Greuther Fürth drew with champions SC Freiburg on Wednesday, meaning Nürnberg now enjoy a three-point gap on their nearest rivals for the battle for third spot which entitles that club to a playoff with the third last club from the Bundesliga.

...And Shear Pride In Viduka

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Newcastle boss Alan Shearer has praised veteran Australian Mark Viduka for his fantastic display in the 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at St James's Park.

Viduka produced easily his finest performance for Newcastle this season in his third successive start as the Magpies claimed a much-needed three points to move out of the drop zone.

And Shearer was full of praise for Viduka, who despite not scoring, was arguably Newcastle's best player afield.

"He was brilliant," said Shearer. "Everything we put into him, it stuck.I looked at it even with 10 minutes left and I was thinking to myself, 'He has still got the energy to cause them problems'.

"That's why the medical side and the fitness side have worked very hard too get him fit, because when he plays like that, he is very difficult to handle. I know what he can do."

The Australian striker, who has had an injury ruined season, is expected to be allowed to leave St James' Park in the European summer but Shearer believes Viduka still offers something to the Magpies.

"A fit Mark Viduka, and more matches, and he can produce a performance like that," Shearer added.

Newcastle, currently above the drop zone only on goal difference, host Fulham this Saturday in the Premier League.

Josh Flies Home To Oz For Op

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Romanian-based Aussie Josh Mitchell has ended his season with Universitatea Craiova to return to Australia to have surgery on a troublesome thigh injury.

The 24-year-old former Newcastle United defender has not played for the Romanian club since February because of the complaint.

Mitchell had been a regular in the Craiova first-team prior to the injury interruption but since February he has frustratingly been ruled out of action as the thigh problem has lingered despite various treatments being applied to the complaint.

Now Mitchell and Craiova have decided to cut their losses with the Australian returning to his homeland to have surgery on the adductor muscle in his left thigh.

It is believed one of the group of tendons in Mitchell's thigh are shorter than the rest and he needs to go under the knife to correct the problem.

Mitchell is expected to be out of action for two and a half to three months.

Universitatea Craiova, who also enjoy the services of fellow Australians Spase Dilevski, Joshua Rose and Michael Baird, are pushing for a Europa League spot in the Romanian Liga I at the moment.

Vintage Viduka As Toon Win

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Mark Viduka produced a man-of-the-match display inspiring Newcastle to a crucial 3-1 victory over Brad Jones's Middlesbrough this morning.

The Australian, who was subbed off on 87 minutes in the wake of Peter Lovenkrands' winning goal, was declared by the match announcer as the man-of-the-match as euphoria hit St James' Park with the Magpies claiming a huge three points.

Viduka was at his vintage best, holding up play and producing wonderful skills to beat opponents whilst providing a wise head as the Magpies move above Hull City and out of the drop zone.

On the other hand, Jones in goals for Boro, wasn't at fault for any of Newcastle goals but will feel a real sense of despair as Middlesbrough sink closer to the drop.

Earlier Boro had enjoyed a stunning lead on 3 minutes when Tuncay Sanli's turn and run into the box resulted in a coming together of players which saw Habib Beye deflect the ball into his own net.

Three minutes later Viduka responded for Newcastle with a scorching volley which cannoned into the post with Jones unmoved.

But on nine minutes Newcastle were back on level terms when Steven Taylor headed in from a corner with Jones desperately swinging his right arm at the powerful shot.

Things settled down until just before the half hour mark when Viduka did brilliantly to beat two Middlesbrough defenders on the left wing before sending in a perfect cross for Michael Owen who flicked a header on target but Jones produced a super save to deny him.

Moments later a Viduka error allowed Middlesbrough in down the other end as the Australian took too long on the ball and gave Marvin Emnes a chance but the Dutchman squandered the opportunity.

Viduka faded as the half wore on, perhaps from a lack of match fitness, but straight after the break he tried to put Newcastle ahead with an ambitious backheeled flick which went wide after Habib Beye's low right-wing cross.

With both sides desperate for three points there was always going to be a frantic finale but it was to be Newcastle who made the breakthrough on 71 minutes and it was the big Australian who created it.

Viduka won a crucial high contested ball on the edge of the box and flicked a header back into substitute Obafemi Martins' path before the Nigerian dummied and then shot past Jones with his right foot.

The goal sent St James' Park wild and when Lovenkrands sealed the victory with a close-range finish on 86 minutes, Newcastle were celebrating.

The big Australian was substituted just after Lovenkrands' goal and went off to rousing ovation from an appreciate and celebratory crowd.

There was still time for more for Newcastle, but Jones did well to deny Andy Carroll in a one-on-one.

Nevertheless, Newcastle got the points and move up to 34 points above Hull on goal difference, while Boro stay in 19th on 31 points.

Time To Move, Mile

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Derby County boss Nigel Clough has made it clear he believes Socceroo Mile Sterjovski's future is away from Pride Park.

The 29-year-old Australia international still has a year to run on his current Derby contract but his Rams gaffer believes it would be better for him to find a new club.

"I think the biggest thing for Mile is that he has to play next season because of the World Cup next summer but we can't guarantee him first-team football here," Clough told the Derby Evening Telegraph.

After Clough took over at Pride Park in early January, Sterjovski was on the fringes of the first team and was predominantly used off the bench.

But the Derby boss has made it clear he wants to trim the Rams squad and after using a number of youngsters ahead of Sterjovski in the club's final league fixture this season, it seems the two parties are heading in different directions.

Whether or not that means Sterjovski will head to Australia is another question but Clough revealed there had been contact made by A-League clubs.

"There is genuine interest in him from clubs in Australia," Clough said.

The Derby manager also acknowledged fellow Australian Ruben Zadkovich will probably be allowed to leave Pride Park this European summer too.

Dario Strikes Again For Nürnberg

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Dario Vidosic fired FC Nürnberg one small step closer towards promotion to the German Bundesliga after scoring in a 1-1 draw at Greuther Fürth.

The 22-year-old Australian scored his second goal in consecutive games as Nürnberg maintained third spot on the 2.Bundesliga table holding off Fürth, who are also in the running for promotion.

After a goalless first-half, Vidosic got on the end of Pascal Bieler's set-piece cross and volleyed past Fürth keeper Stephan Loboue to give Nürnberg the lead.

With promotion at stake, the inexperienced Vidosic in just his second start for Nürnberg was proving to be the club's new hero having scored the winner last week as well.

But Nürnberg's joy was shortlived as Fürth's Stefan Reisinger equalised at the third attempt after a desperate goalmouth scramble on 57 minutes.

Vidosic, who was subbed off on 85 minutes after a busy display, probably had the best chance for either to win it late in the contest, when the ball fell kindly to him in the box but his effort was desperately blocked away.

The result means Nürnberg stay third on 53 points, behind champions SC Freiburg, who were promoted today with 64 points, and second-placed FSV Mainz on 54 points. Fürth and Kaiserslautern are fourth and fifth respectively on 52 points with three games to play.

Iran's Pro League Throws Up Thrilling Finale

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Sometimes football produces real drama. Drama that is better than any film or television program. After all, that is half the attraction of the game along with the skill, style and speed.

But just occasionally the events which occur on a football pitch can produce results beyond belief. Real-life drama. Theatre if you may.

That was the case as this season’s Iranian Pro League came to a close a fortnight ago in spectacular circumstances with drama that couldn’t be scripted.

To begin the story we must go back to February 27 when Iranian giants Perspolis (Piroozi) and Sepahan drew 0-0. The result left powerhouse club Esteghlal and the upstarts of Zob Ahan as the only realistic title contenders with Piroozi and Sepahan some 8 points off the pace with only half a dozen games to go. It would be a two-horse race.

Zob Ahan had enjoyed a great season but undoubtedly Esteghlal, the blue giants from the capital Tehran, were expected to claim the title.

Indeed, on March 4 when the two sides met at Zob Ahan’s Naqsh-e-Jahan Stadium separated only by only a point at the top of the table, it was some occasion.

The Blues enjoyed the one point lead, along with a considerable goal difference advantage, going into the clash against their title rivals, who hail from the city of Isfahan, some 430 kilometres south of Tehran.

Zob Ahan, though, enjoyed home ground advantage in this crucial clash and with just four games to go after the encounter, it could have been the day the title was decided.

The hosts started the game in an attacking mood and after barely 8 minutes Zob’s Brazilian topscorer Igor put them ahead.

Hassan Ashjari’s deep cross from a free-kick was met by Zob skipper Mohammed Salsali, who squared the ball up with Esteghlal keeper Vahid Taleblou in no-man’s-land, before Igor scrambled the ball home.

Things were looking good for Zob Ahan and they held onto their advantage until the break.

But ten minutes into the second-half Zob Ahan’s Senegalese goalkeeper Issa Ndoye was harshly adjudged to have brought down Blues captain Farhad Majidi in the box. On replays it seemed the shotstopper had punched the ball away before colliding with the Esteghlal man the penalty stood.

Esteghlal’s Iranian international midfielder, Mojtaba Jabbari, stepped up to take the penalty and he emphatically beat Ndoye, who went the wrong way, to make the scores level much to the delight of the strong away support.

A goal a piece was the way it would end, and effectively it was as you were in the title race but with the Iranian league taking a month break, Zob Ahan may have felt they’d missed the chance to gain a psychological advantage over Esteghlal who remained on top of the table.

Upon the re-commencement of the league in early April both sides returned to the winner’s list with Zob Ahan beating struggling Payam 2-0, while Esteghlal defeated Malavan 3-0 with the competition’s topscorer Arash Borhani grabbing a double.

The following weekend the Blues slipped up and lost their lead at the top of the table after drawing 0-0 at Foolad Khuzestan, while Zob Ahan won 2-1 at Bargh Shiraz.

And on April 16 in the penultimate round of the season, Zob Ahan put forward their credentials as would-be-champions with a clinical 3-0 victory over Malavan, while their powerhouse rivals from Tehran stumbled to a 1-1 home draw against 2006-2007 league champions Saipa.

After a tense goalless eighty-odd minutes against Saipa, the Blues won another timely penalty which Borhani converted on 88th minutes to have Esteghlal ahead at the death. But the visitors dramatically equalised in injury-time through Kazem Borjlou from a set-piece to stun the massive Tehran crowd.

It left the Blues with a mountain to climb on the final day of the season as they trailed Zob Ahan by three points.

The situation was simple for Zob Ahan, who hadn’t lost in their last seven outings. They had to simply avoid defeat against midtable Foolad and the title would be won.

On the other hand, Esteghlal, who had only won 2 of their last 8 league matches, had to win at battling Payam and hope Zob slipped up to have any chance of claiming the title.

And while Esteghlal fans might have been excused for being a bit pessimistic prior to the match, they would have been enthused early on when Nader Ahmadi beat the Zob Ahan defence to score for Foolad after just 6 minutes. Now Esteghlal had to hold up their part of the bargain.

And late in the first-half at Payam, the Blues made the breakthrough after piling on the pressure Brazilian star Fábio Januário put them ahead with an exquisite long-range effort that sailed into the top corner on 42 minutes.

Suddenly at half-time Esteghlal had the upper hand and Zob Ahan desperately needed a goal.

And after a tense period following the break at Foolad, Zob Ahan would get the goal they wanted. Defender Mostafa Salehinejad popped up to score on 72 minutes to start wild scenes amongst the Zob Ahan supporters.

Salehinejad was an unlikely hero with Zob Ahan’s star goalscorers Igor, Mohamad Reza Khalatbari and Esmaeil Farhadi all failing to get one past the Foolad defence.

The news would have hit Esteghlal fans hard but just when they thought it might have all been over, they had reason for joy.

News filtered through that Mostafa Salehinejad had incredibly restored Foolad’s lead. Then barely five minutes Mohammad Ghazi Najafabadi made it 3-1 for Foolad and Zob Ahan were suddenly the ones with the mountain to climb. Esteghlal had somehow got themselves well and truly back in the box seat with only 10 minutes to go in the season.

But the Tehran club had to get their job done and make sure they won, no matter what Zob Ahan did. Holding a precarious 1-0 lead against a Payam side fighting to avoid relegation, things were still very tense.

Then on 84 minutes Esteghlal won a late penalty which would surely seal their victory.

Up stepped Borhani, the star man of Esteghlal’s season with 21 goals to his name. He had the chance to erase all the tension. But he blew it, the penalty was wasted and Zob Ahan, along with Payam, lived to fight another day.

Indeed Payam poured on the pressure as the minutes ticked down. News came through that there was another goal at Foolad, but it had not been scored by Zob Ahan but instead their opponents who had shot to a 4-1 lead and certain victory.

It was up to Esteghlal to cling onto their slender advantage, while Payam knew they’d go down if they couldn’t muster up an equaliser.

It was desperate stakes and Payam’s prolific striker Shpejtim Arifi tried to come up with something.

But it didn’t happen and when the final whistle blew, Esteghlal and their blue-clad fans celebrated their first league title in three years.

Blues manager Amir Ghalenoei, who had been in charge of the title winning Esteghlal side in 2006, was overjoyed, and slightly relieved, by the victory. But he also wanted to pay tribute to Foolad.

Ghalenoei said, “I would like to dedicate this victory to Foolad coach Majid Jalali and the people of Khuzestan province, who gave us a lesson on ethics fair play.”

Indeed, Foolad’s favour had been Esteghlal’s fortune but it had also been Zob Ahan’s failure and a difficult one to swallow for the team from Isfahan.

After such a long and brilliant campaign Zob Ahan had fallen at the final hurdle, while Esteghlal had pounced.

Unlike Hollywood, not everyone ended up happy. Someone had to be on the wrong end of all the drama. There had to be a winner and a loser because that is football.

It could be argued it was rough justice on Zob Ahan, but there is no doubt it made for thrilling drama.

Porter Hailed For Goal Rescue

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Gold Coast United new boy Joel Porter says his goal-laden campaign for former club Hartlepool United would have been meaningless had it not been enough to save them from the drop.

Porter has scooped the awards at Hartlepool United after a brilliant 23-goal season.

The 30-year-old Australian attacker claimed the League One club's Players' and Fans' Player of the Season award before also winning the Hartlepool Mail Player of the Year too.

Porter, who is set to link up with Gold Coast having completed his duties with Hartlepool, said, "It's been a great year for me and I've just got to thank everyone who I've played with, all the coaches and the fans.

"Some of the trophies are voted for by the fans and they've always been fantastic with me."

Despite his individual awards, a humble Porter showed his passion for Hartlepool by admitting survival in League One was the major prize after the club avoided the drop on the final day of the season.

"But in the end, the main aim of the club is to stay in League One," Porter added.

"If we don't do that, the season is a loss really and it doesn't matter how many goals you score, how many times you perform or how many trophies you win.

"We stayed up by the skin of our teeth and we can look back at the year and be proud of what we have done."

Coyne Aims To Avoid Repeat

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Socceroos defender Chris Coyne admits his domestic and international experiences have differed wildly amid speculation he could depart League One club Colchester United.

Coyne faces an uncertain off-season after a campaign with the Us which was affected by injuries and national team duties.

The Australia international managed only seven appearances for the Us after the turn of the year and with Colchester manager Paul Lambert keen to offload players in the European summer, the former Luton man could be to be up for sale. He still has a year remaining on his contract however.

"This season has been really disappointing for me, and I put that down to not having a pre-season for the first time in my career," Coyne told the East Anglian Daily Times.

Indeed, Coyne's 2008 pre-season was hampered after spending May and June with the Socceroos as they played the likes of Qatar, Iraq and China in Third Round World Cup qualifiers.

Coyne will again spend June this year playing more World Cup qualifiers with Australia, as the Socceroos try to secure qualification for South Africa 2010.

The 30-year-old defender, who didn't make his international debut until he was 29, though remains dedicated to the national team despite his concerns at club level.

"We have some big games coming up, away in Qatar and then at home to Bahrain in Sydney and the big one against Japan in Melbourne. We only need one more point to qualify.

"After that I'll be wrapping myself up in cotton wool this time. I want to make sure that I am ready for next season, and the manager has given me an extra week to recover. I'll be back on July 6-7 rather than July 1," added Coyne.

Stick Or Twist For Sterjovski?

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Mile Sterjovski's agent has added another twist in the ongoing saga on the Derby County man's future after insisting the Socceroo will play out the final year of his contract at Pride Park.

Tony Rallis, Sterjovski's agent, played down speculation the Australia international, who is contracted with the Rams until 2010, was planning on returning to the A-League for the 2009-2010 season.

Rallis told the Courier Mail, "There are no discussions, there are no deals, there are no offers, because he is a contracted player.

"Until such time that Derby County come out and say 'we don't want you, here's the money we owe you, see you later', he's going back to Derby."

Derby manager Nigel Clough admitted late last month he was hoping to trim the Rams squad for the next season although the fact remains Sterjovski is a contracted player at Pride Park.

Nevertheless Sterjovski doesn't seem to be in Clough's plans at Derby especially considering the Australian was left out of the Rams' squad for their final league game against Watford in favour of several youngsters last weekend.

Gold Coast United manager Miron Bleiberg weighed into the saga by saying, "We're getting close. It's a complicated issue but I'm interested to sign him and he's interested to come here."

"He doesn't want to go to Perth because it's far away from his family (in New South Wales)," Bleiberg claimed.

"He told me if he played for Perth, he might as well play in Europe. He wants a team on the eastern board."

Grella: We Can Beat The Drop

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Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella is confident his English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers can see off danger and avoid relegation from the top flight.

Grella, who has had a troubled start to life at Ewood Park due to a succession of injuries, has been back to full fitness recently as Rovers battle for survival in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old, who joined Rovers from Torino last August, put in arguably his best performance for the club in a 2-0 win over Wigan a fortnight ago.

But Rovers, 15th, are still not clear of danger although Grella believes his side can get the job done.

"We need three points to survive and two of our remaining three games are at Ewood Park," he said.

"Hopefully we can do it against Portsmouth on Saturday. We then play Chelsea away and finish off at home against West Brom.

"We have been playing well enough and I am sure the experience of (manager) Sam Allardyce will get us through."

And if Blackburn do survive, Grella believes he'll be bigger and better next season after a learning experience in his first campaign in the English Premier League.

"I was used to a slower pace in Italian football and when I got niggles and injuries I tended to play on," he said.

"You just can't cut corners in England. I tried to and it cost me so many weeks. I was naive. The intensity and speed is so different.

"You just have to be super-fit. Talk about the game being played at 100 miles an hour. It's more like 250 miles an hour times 95 minutes.

"I am gradually adapting to the style but I am not there yet."

Swedish Pain For Aussie Coe

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Nathan Coe's unhappy spell in Sweden has got worse despite his Allsvenskan club Örgryte IS claiming their first point of the season.

The Australian goalkeeper did not play as Örgryte drew 1-1 with IF Brommapojkarna, due to a hand injury .

Coe, 24, who is on loan at Örgryte from Danish club FC Kobenhavn, injured the hand in the late stages of the weekend's 2-1 loss against Trelleborgs FF.

It is believed Coe will return to Denmark to have his hand injury assessed by FCK doctors before a further decision is made on his Örgryte future. Coe's loan deal with Örgryte expires on June 30.

Coe joined Örgryte in March after finding himself as third choice keeper at FCK and struggling for first-team opportunities.

And while the former Brisbane Strikers goalkeeper has enjoyed several matches in Sweden since moving to Gothenburg, his new club have started the season off miserably having conceded 15 goals in their first six matches.

Örgryte elected to sign a short-term deal earlier this week for 42-year-old shot-stopper Bengt Andersson as cover for the Australian and the veteran keeper impressed against Brommapojkarna.

ÖIS remain bottom of the Allsvenskan with just one point this campaign and sit some four points adrift of their nearest rival Hammarby IF in 15th.

Wes In Talks Despite Blow

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Dundee United manager Craig Levein will talk to Australian midfielder James Wesolowski about making his stay at Tannadice permanent.

Levein confirmed the move on the same day he revealed Wesolowski, 21, will miss the rest of the season after tearing a hamstring in the weekend's league fixture against Hibs.

Wesolowski, who was on loan at Dundee United from English League One champions Leicester City, will head back to England to have treatment on the injury.

The injury-cursed Australian had been enjoying a good spell of first-team football with the Tangerines having joined the Scottish club on loan in the January transfer window.

Nevertheless it seems he may have done enough to impress Levein, who he previously worked with when the Scottish gaffer managed the Foxes.

Levein told Scottish newspaper The Press and Journal: "Considering James wasn't fit and had been out for so long with injury I think he did a really good job for us.

"His fitness gradually got better and he was having more influence on games. Hopefully, we'll see him back again next season if we can do a deal with Leicester."

The Dundee United manager also revealed the club have first refusal on the young Australian.

"We've got an option on him, so I'll speak to his club and see what happens from there," Levein added.

Wesolowski, who was involved with the Socceroos back in November 2007 for a friendly against Nigeria, is contracted with the Foxes until 2011.

Dario Back With A Bundes-bang

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Young Aussie Dario Vidosic fired FC Nürnberg ever closer to a return to the German Bundesliga with the only goal in a 1-0 win over FC Ingolstadt 04 on Sunday.

The former Queensland Roar attacker scored in the 23rd minute of Sunday's Bavarian derby match at the Frankenstadion as Nürnberg move into third spot on the 2.Bundesliga table.

Vidosic, 22, had scored his first goal for the club in a crucial 1-0 victory over league leaders SC Freiburg barely six weeks ago and he proved the hero again for Nürnberg in just his first start for the Bavarians.

The Australian got his chance in the starting eleven up front for Nürnberg after injury and suspension ruled out regulars Mike Frantz and Marek Mintal respectively.

And Vidosic made it count when he controlled Stefan Reinhartz's 23rd minute corner, before slamming a shot past Ingolstadt keeper Michael Lutz and under the bar.

The Australia youth international could have doubled his tally later in the first-half when his fantastic shot went through a crowd and into the back of the net, only to be ruled out by the referee for an infringement which caused mass protests from Nürnberg.

After the break Nürnberg kept up the search for a second, with Christian Eigler going closest on 62 minutes.

As the game wore on though, Nürnberg's nerves began to be tested and on 70 minutes Ingolstadt's Tobias Fink put an effort just a few centimetres wide of the left post.

In the end Nürnberg did enough to claim their sixth win in their last seven matches and move into third place, ahead of Greuther Furth who play on Monday.

In Germany's 2.Bundesliga the top two sides, currently Freiburg (61 points) and FSV Mainz (54), gain direct promotion to the Bundesliga, whilst third spot, which Nürnberg (52) occupy at the moment, results in a playoff tie against the third last team in the Bundesliga for the right to play in the top flight next season.