Ok, so many of you are saying "hang on? The A-League isn't exactly a lower level league, at least compared to to the lower leagues in Europe'. Yes, in many ways, you would be right, but the A-League brings with it a new set of challenges. Firstly, the wage cap. Secondly, only 4 foreign players per squad. And third, the fact that Australia is well away from the football capitals of Europe means most players don't want to come here. In saying that, I am completely brand new to the FM Series, and wanted to share my story so far. It's written in the form of an article, mainly for your purposes. I hope you can welcome me with open arms into the FM Base community, and hope this is the first if many stories I can share with you all. Cheers, Jim 
THE STORY SO FAR...
It has been an exciting year for the Central Coast Mariner boss. Having only been in the managing game for 1 and a half seasons, he finds himself not ony charged with leading the most successful football club in Australian history, but has also just been handed the reigns for the Ghana international team, in the hopes of leading them to World Cup glory.
The 2008/09 season started grimly for the new man in charge, with a poor pre-season, injuries to key players, including a season ending injury to Australian international Ahmed Elrich, and a host of football heavyweights and fans calling for a 'please explain' from the Mariners directors as to why they put an unknown man into the job.
The new boss was quick to put his stamp of authority on the team, quickly appointing well known Brit and friend of Arsene Wenger, Stephen Constantine as assitant manager, and making a few other backroom changes as well. Keen to see how his squad played in their current form, he entered the A-League season with not so much a point to prove, but a focus on building a team to his liking. It didn't take long to single out key striker Dylan Macallister, midfielders Bradley Porter and Matthew Osman and centre back Alex Wilkinson as key figures for the team. With leading GK Danny Vukovic suspended till October over a hefty disagreement with the ref in the 07/08 A-League Grand Final, he appointed Mark Bosnich as 1st string GK till Vukovic's return.
The start of the season was fairly average, as he expected. Using what knowledge he'd gained from casting a keen eye over all his players, he knew the midfield needed to be bolstered with some serious firepower. The strikers were struggling to perform, and were actually being outscored by the in form midfielders, yet the defensive unit was failing in favour of attack.
Enter 28 year old Brazilian, Marcinho. The crafty left back/midfielder was quick with the uptake, and immediately put himself on the A-League map. Together, he and RM Matt Osman fired in some of the most accurate and picture perfect crosses you would ever see on the football pitch. Happy with his new signing, the new boss watched as his team started to improve. They settled on a mainly attacking strategy that involved alot of movement on the flanks, as well as some clever back play to ease the tempo. Together with LB's Dean Heffernan and David D'Apuzzo, and RB's Pedj Bojic and Alex Wilkinson (Wilkinson is actually a CB but played alot of the season as a right back), they played a game that most teams struggled to match. Within the second transfer window, experienced Kiwi midfielder Simon Elliott came into the fray along with Brazilians Eduardo (RL D/WB/M) and Maurinho (L D/WB/M). The difference was instant again, with more results coming the Mariners way. Come the end of the season, the team had taken 2nd in the league (tied points with 1st, but down on GD), but had secured a place in the A-League Finals Series.
After securing a home Grand Final, the Mariners succeeded in defeating the Melbourne Victory and taking their first A-League title. They were gifted with a birth in both the Pan-Pacific Championships (which they would go on to win, two years running), and the all important Asian Champons League.
The start to the CL was a nervy one, with the team still on a high from it's A-League success. Drawn in Group E, alongside Japanese 2nd placers Osaka SC, the team weren't given alot of hope to get through to the Quarters. Well, what a turnaround. The highlight of their finishing 1st in the group was a jaw dropping 5-1 victory over Osaka SC, in Osaka, leaving the 80000 Japanese fans in shock.
The Mariners soon learnt that they were in fact, a force to be reckoned with, as they pushed aside Chinese Super League team Shandong in the quarter finals. They faced Al-Ahli, from Saudi Arabia. They were the current Asian Champions, and would be no easy task. Going down in the Away leg 2-1 wasn't such a bad thing, considering they got the all important away goal. But when Al-Ahli went 1-0 up in the first half of the home leg, things looked grim. Through the brilliance of Brad Porter and ST Matt Simon, the Mariners fought their way into extra time, then penalties. A crucial save from the returned Vukovic proved the difference. The Mariners were though to the ACL Final. It was truly a remarkable fat for the young manager and his team, but it wasnt to end there.
Okayama FC was their final hurdle, whom they had already once faced in the Pan-Pacific Championship final, and beaten, though only on penalties. This time would be easy task, and the japanese side made sure of it, securing a brilliant 3-1 victory on the Mariners away leg. The Mariners were up beat in the lead up to their home leg, maintaining they had a crucial away goal, but the nerves crept in. Leading 3-1 on aggregate, the Japanese side were full of confidence, and in the 2nd minute, Satoshi Honda scored the opener for Okayama, effectively destroying the Mariners confidence of victory. Okayama went in at the half up 1-0, and were brimming with confidence. What was to follow will go down in football history, and has been described as one of the greatest comebacks in the world game to date. After a behind locked doors talking from the Mariners boss to his team, the Mariners came out looking brand new. Revitalised. Porter was the first to strike in the 51st minute. Followed by Macallister in the 61st minute. The fans could sense something. The aggregate score was now 4-3 in Okayama's favour. Could their team possibly bring this home?
Tension was high at Bluetounge Stadium. Fans were on the edge of their seat as time after time, the Mariners brought the ball forward with purpose, and every time they were able to unleash a shot or a cross at very least. Then it came. In the 77th minute, a gorgeous cross from Marcinho met the head of MC Brad Porter with purpose, and flew into the net. The fans went wild. They had levelled the playing field. Could they find another before full time? No. Extra time was called. The tension was too much for the capacity crowd to bear. It was a record crowd for the stadium, and they got more than their moneys worth.
Both teams begun extra time with purpose. They needed to find something. Anything. And that something came in the form of Dylan Macallister. In the 97th minute, the striker hammered a ball from 25 yards out that powered into the corner of the net. Okayam couldn't believe it. Less than 90 minutes ago, they were ACL Champions, and now, they were sunken. Drained. All except for Takumi Hamada. In the 103rd minute, Hamada fired in a free kick from 25 yrds out that curled perfectly over the wall and into the net. The stadium was silent. It was going onto penalties, surely. The Mariners made their final change. Porter, who was exhausted, came of for John Hutchinson. And what a difference he would make. Less than 60 second after he came on, Simon Elliott and Marcinho would combine to put Hutchinson in space with the ball at his feet in the area. In the 104th minute, Hutchinson secured the Mariners place in history, smashing home the goal that would make the aggregate score 6-5 in favour of the Mariners, and make them Champions of Asia.
Such a turbulent first season. Who knows what the future will hold for the young side and young manager, who, now tasked with taking Ghana through the world cup, will surely not have seen the last of his victories.
Hope you enjoyed the story guys. Peace
jim
---------- Post added at 07:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------
Oh, and a quick thanks to Ronio and jdm0388 (hope i got the numbers right) for your stories too, they were wicked
THE STORY SO FAR...
It has been an exciting year for the Central Coast Mariner boss. Having only been in the managing game for 1 and a half seasons, he finds himself not ony charged with leading the most successful football club in Australian history, but has also just been handed the reigns for the Ghana international team, in the hopes of leading them to World Cup glory.
The 2008/09 season started grimly for the new man in charge, with a poor pre-season, injuries to key players, including a season ending injury to Australian international Ahmed Elrich, and a host of football heavyweights and fans calling for a 'please explain' from the Mariners directors as to why they put an unknown man into the job.
The new boss was quick to put his stamp of authority on the team, quickly appointing well known Brit and friend of Arsene Wenger, Stephen Constantine as assitant manager, and making a few other backroom changes as well. Keen to see how his squad played in their current form, he entered the A-League season with not so much a point to prove, but a focus on building a team to his liking. It didn't take long to single out key striker Dylan Macallister, midfielders Bradley Porter and Matthew Osman and centre back Alex Wilkinson as key figures for the team. With leading GK Danny Vukovic suspended till October over a hefty disagreement with the ref in the 07/08 A-League Grand Final, he appointed Mark Bosnich as 1st string GK till Vukovic's return.
The start of the season was fairly average, as he expected. Using what knowledge he'd gained from casting a keen eye over all his players, he knew the midfield needed to be bolstered with some serious firepower. The strikers were struggling to perform, and were actually being outscored by the in form midfielders, yet the defensive unit was failing in favour of attack.
Enter 28 year old Brazilian, Marcinho. The crafty left back/midfielder was quick with the uptake, and immediately put himself on the A-League map. Together, he and RM Matt Osman fired in some of the most accurate and picture perfect crosses you would ever see on the football pitch. Happy with his new signing, the new boss watched as his team started to improve. They settled on a mainly attacking strategy that involved alot of movement on the flanks, as well as some clever back play to ease the tempo. Together with LB's Dean Heffernan and David D'Apuzzo, and RB's Pedj Bojic and Alex Wilkinson (Wilkinson is actually a CB but played alot of the season as a right back), they played a game that most teams struggled to match. Within the second transfer window, experienced Kiwi midfielder Simon Elliott came into the fray along with Brazilians Eduardo (RL D/WB/M) and Maurinho (L D/WB/M). The difference was instant again, with more results coming the Mariners way. Come the end of the season, the team had taken 2nd in the league (tied points with 1st, but down on GD), but had secured a place in the A-League Finals Series.
After securing a home Grand Final, the Mariners succeeded in defeating the Melbourne Victory and taking their first A-League title. They were gifted with a birth in both the Pan-Pacific Championships (which they would go on to win, two years running), and the all important Asian Champons League.
The start to the CL was a nervy one, with the team still on a high from it's A-League success. Drawn in Group E, alongside Japanese 2nd placers Osaka SC, the team weren't given alot of hope to get through to the Quarters. Well, what a turnaround. The highlight of their finishing 1st in the group was a jaw dropping 5-1 victory over Osaka SC, in Osaka, leaving the 80000 Japanese fans in shock.
The Mariners soon learnt that they were in fact, a force to be reckoned with, as they pushed aside Chinese Super League team Shandong in the quarter finals. They faced Al-Ahli, from Saudi Arabia. They were the current Asian Champions, and would be no easy task. Going down in the Away leg 2-1 wasn't such a bad thing, considering they got the all important away goal. But when Al-Ahli went 1-0 up in the first half of the home leg, things looked grim. Through the brilliance of Brad Porter and ST Matt Simon, the Mariners fought their way into extra time, then penalties. A crucial save from the returned Vukovic proved the difference. The Mariners were though to the ACL Final. It was truly a remarkable fat for the young manager and his team, but it wasnt to end there.
Okayama FC was their final hurdle, whom they had already once faced in the Pan-Pacific Championship final, and beaten, though only on penalties. This time would be easy task, and the japanese side made sure of it, securing a brilliant 3-1 victory on the Mariners away leg. The Mariners were up beat in the lead up to their home leg, maintaining they had a crucial away goal, but the nerves crept in. Leading 3-1 on aggregate, the Japanese side were full of confidence, and in the 2nd minute, Satoshi Honda scored the opener for Okayama, effectively destroying the Mariners confidence of victory. Okayama went in at the half up 1-0, and were brimming with confidence. What was to follow will go down in football history, and has been described as one of the greatest comebacks in the world game to date. After a behind locked doors talking from the Mariners boss to his team, the Mariners came out looking brand new. Revitalised. Porter was the first to strike in the 51st minute. Followed by Macallister in the 61st minute. The fans could sense something. The aggregate score was now 4-3 in Okayama's favour. Could their team possibly bring this home?
Tension was high at Bluetounge Stadium. Fans were on the edge of their seat as time after time, the Mariners brought the ball forward with purpose, and every time they were able to unleash a shot or a cross at very least. Then it came. In the 77th minute, a gorgeous cross from Marcinho met the head of MC Brad Porter with purpose, and flew into the net. The fans went wild. They had levelled the playing field. Could they find another before full time? No. Extra time was called. The tension was too much for the capacity crowd to bear. It was a record crowd for the stadium, and they got more than their moneys worth.
Both teams begun extra time with purpose. They needed to find something. Anything. And that something came in the form of Dylan Macallister. In the 97th minute, the striker hammered a ball from 25 yards out that powered into the corner of the net. Okayam couldn't believe it. Less than 90 minutes ago, they were ACL Champions, and now, they were sunken. Drained. All except for Takumi Hamada. In the 103rd minute, Hamada fired in a free kick from 25 yrds out that curled perfectly over the wall and into the net. The stadium was silent. It was going onto penalties, surely. The Mariners made their final change. Porter, who was exhausted, came of for John Hutchinson. And what a difference he would make. Less than 60 second after he came on, Simon Elliott and Marcinho would combine to put Hutchinson in space with the ball at his feet in the area. In the 104th minute, Hutchinson secured the Mariners place in history, smashing home the goal that would make the aggregate score 6-5 in favour of the Mariners, and make them Champions of Asia.
Such a turbulent first season. Who knows what the future will hold for the young side and young manager, who, now tasked with taking Ghana through the world cup, will surely not have seen the last of his victories.
Hope you enjoyed the story guys. Peace
jim
---------- Post added at 07:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------
Oh, and a quick thanks to Ronio and jdm0388 (hope i got the numbers right) for your stories too, they were wicked