The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

Sorry to hear about the FFA Cup Final perforamnce!

On the bright side, maybe it'll motivate the boys!

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Hello readers. If you read the start of my story, you will have seen a few storyline updates introducing you to the club, and to Kewell, but truth be told they feel a bit far fetched to me and I don't want to write them anymore. As I progressed into the save, I realised that this story doesn't need external characters to make it interesting. The true characters are within the save, and not even just my players. Everywhere I look, there is a story. It's a pretty awesome feel to be honest.

So therefore from now on, I will be replacing storyline updates with segments of the "Kewell Diaries", where I will discuss one of the said characters. I hope you enjoy the new segment, and the rest of the story.

Regards, Feliks

Good plan Feliks. Makes a lot of sense.

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Ange Postecoglou has stepped down as manager of the Australian national team after a disappointing Asian Cup which saw the hosts eliminated in the quarter final. The 49 year old leaves after 15 months in the job, despite signing a 5 year contract in October 2013. FFA boss David Gallop spoke to journalists this morning about Postecoglou's resignation.

"Ange has resigned from his role effective immediately after he found his position untenable due to the team's performance at the Asian Cup. Ange and I came to an agreement to terminate his contract, said the chief of operations at the FFA.

Despite a strong group performance which saw them top Group A undefeated, they weren't able to progress past the quarter final stage, losing to Iran in a crushing 3-2 extra time defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Iran would then go on to lose to Japan, who lifted the trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over Uzbekistan.

Postecoglou's replacement is currently touted to be Tony Popovic, with the Wanderers boss already employed by the FFA, and as reigning Asian Champions League winner, has proven his ability in top competitions. Other candidates include Graham Arnold, current assistant manager Ante Milicic and Melbourne City manager Harry Kewell, who is emerging as the dark horse in the race. Gallop was tight lipped on news of a replacement.

"We have not yet begun the interview process; when there is news to relay I will relay it."

Australia will now look to rebuild after a tournament which showed so much promise, beginning their World Cup qualifying campaign later this year.

Surely Kewell isn't ready for the Australia job...yet...

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The Asian Cup disrupted our campaign, meaning we played just 1 match in January. However, over the 2 months we still had a good chance to push onwards into the New Year. Here's how we did.


Hyundai A-League
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 2-1
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Garuccio, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Duff, Hoffman
Hoffman (x2)
Jason Hoffman

The only game of January was a trip north to the coastal town of Gosford where we played the Mariners. Andrew Redmayne pulled out a wonder save in the 24th minute to deny Matt Simon a penalty, and the Mariners paid dearly as we pulled ahead thanks to Jason Hoffman. An unlikely equaliser by Nick Montgomery tied up the game, but The Hoff thought otherwise, heading home a late winner to give us a great fighting win on the road.

Hyundai A-League
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 2-0
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Smith, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Duff, Kennedy
Retre, Hoffman
Paulo Retre

We hosted the Western Sydney Wanderers on the first game back since the Asian Cup break, and we showed our fans we were still serious with an early goal from winger Paulo Retre. Josh Kennedy limped off injured at half time but his replacement Jason Hoffman made up for it by scoring again as we cruised to a 2-0 win.

Hyundai A-League
MELBOURNE VICTORY 2-2
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Smith, Melling, Paartalu, Koren, Dugandzic, Retre, Hoffman
Chapman, Koren
Robert Koren

We played the Victory once again, having lost all 4 of our previous clashes this season, and this time we were out for blood. We scored twice early, held a commanding lead at HT, but then crumbled as veteran striker Archie Thompson made a meal of our defence, scoring in the 67th and 82nd minutes to end the game as a draw.

Hyundai A-League
WELLINGTON PHOENIX 2-0
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Clisby, Smith, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Duff, Hoffman
Hoffman (x2)
Jason Hoffman

We travelled to title challengers Wellington brimming with confidence and it showed as we closed them out to win 2-0. Jason Hoffman, fast becoming a City legend, scored yet another brace in a commanding performance up front and his partnership with Paulo Retre is gaining cult status.

Hyundai A-League
PERTH GLORY 0-0
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Smith, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Duff, Hoffman
None
Patrick Kisnorbo

Our attacking flair left us for this game as both teams failed to hit the scoresheet. The biggest talking point was probably the 2 injuries we picked up, to Brad Smith and Aaron Mooy, but apart from that it was a bore draw.

Hyundai A-League
ADELAIDE UNITED 0-0
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Retre, Paartalu, Brown, Koren, Dugandzic, Duff, Hoffman
None
Patrick Kisnorbo

We finished off the month disappointingly, with another scoreless draw. Adelaide had just 2 shots for the entire game, with none on target, so it was a marvelous defensive performance. We just couldn't get it done up front.


After a 6 game unbeaten spell over the 2 months, we've closed the gap on the top 2 and with 9 games to go the title is certainly within our reach. Just 2 points separate us and the Phoenix, I reckon we've got it in us to go for the premiership!


Last month he was POTM for being reliable, this month it's because he's been spectacular. 5 goals in 6 games is a marvelous effort and with Kennedy injured, I can rely on this bloke to deliver goals. Earlier in the season I would have never have thought he'd be leading our scoring charts, but he's been great. Onya Hoff!


We still have a bit of a problem with finishing off games but I'm pleased with our effort in the new year, 6 games unbeaten is good and to see Hoffman do so well is pleasing too. We're in a good position to have that shot at the premiership, and although we've all but secured finals, we need to continue to push and get the silverware we all crave.

The Hoff

Quite a tight table for the end of season run-in, can the Wonderful Wizard Of Oz produce some magic?

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The search for Ange Postecoglou's replacement has ended with the FFA making an unexpected decision to appoint Sydney FC Youths Assistant Manager Ian Ferguson as boss of the national team. Ferguson is set to remain in his club role as he takes the reigns of the Socceroos.

Ian Ferguson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1967, making his Scottish First Division debut with St Mirren and going onto play over 200 games for Rangers and 9 games for Scotland. He finished his career in the A-League, in a player-coach role at Central Coast before becoming the first ever manager of North Queensland Fury. When the club collapsed, he moved onto become assistant manager at Perth Glory and eventually assistant manager at Sydney FC Youths.

The Scot's appointment has come to a shock to many, with the heavy favourites having been Tony Popovic and Graham Arnold. The move back to a foreign manager has also surprised some, after the dismal failures of Holger Osieck and Pim Verbeek, but the decision is made and now it's up to Ian Ferguson to rectify it by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

What a god awful decision lol

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March heralded the start of the final third of the season, and with just 2 points separating us and league leaders Wellington, it was imperative that we did well and picked up as many points as possible. Here's March in all of it's detail.


Hyundai A-League
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 3-3
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Smith, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Duff, Hoffman
Duff (x2), Hoffman
Damien Duff

We travelled back to Gosford to play the Mariners again, and this time they wanted revenge for our earlier victory. In the 46th minute, they were 3-0 up and we seemed out of it, but Irish winger Damien Duff turned back the years and individually clawed us back into the game. In the 74th minute, Hoffman scored the equaliser and thanks to our veteran Duffie we had rescued a point.

Hyundai A-League
NEWCASTLE JETS 0-0
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Smith, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Duff, Kennedy
None
Jason Hoffman

A great opportunity to pick up some points, we squandered it with some poor finishing. Hoffman had a commanding game up front but didn't get on the scoresheet as we played out a 0-0 draw in front of our home fans.

Hyundai A-League
SYDNEY FC 3-1
Redmayne, Germano, Chapman, Kisnorbo, Smith, Melling, Mooy, Koren, Retre, Dugandzic, Hoffman
Kisnorbo, Dugandzic, Wielaert
Patrick Kisnorbo

The Sydney FC game was our chance to break the deadlock and get that much needed win after 4 consecutive draws, and the team rallied to get the win. Captain Kisnorbo scored from a Dugandzic corner to get us off to an early lead, only for us to concede a penalty in the 47th minute and let them equalise. Dugandzic popped up again, however, in the 78th minute with a sneaky effort and we scored a penalty of our own to run out 3-1 winners.

Hyundai A-League
BRISBANE ROAR 1-0
Redmayne, Retre, Wielaert, Kisnorbo, Clisby, Paartalu, Mooy, Koren, Dugandzic, Duff, Hoffman
Garuccio
Erik Paartalu

We got another much deserved win although for a long time it didn't appear to be possible. We dominated Brisbane in every department yet couldn't find that goal; luckily in the 88th minute sub Benjamin Garuccio popped up, tapping in a superb Germano cross to give us another win on the trot.


So we've now gone an incredible 12 games unbeaten, 7 wins and 5 draws, and with just 5 games to go we have not only mathematically secured finals, we are sitting on top as well! Now it is up to us to get to the end of the season remaining in that top spot, and if we can continue our current form, it will be extremely achievable. Let's go City!


Club captain Kisnorbo had a great month in the heart of defence, linking up well with young Connor Chapman and denying any team from getting a stranglehold on us. The experienced centre half has been a great player this campaign and thoroughly deserves the POTM award.


One of the those months where everything you ask of the boys is achieved. They went out there, scrounged points where needed and got the wins necessary to move us up to 1st. With 5 games to go, morale is sky high and I don't see any reason why we can't go onto win the title. COYC!!

Top of the table!!!

Only first? Not good enough.

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"Thou Slighteth Portuguese One!"

The cheers can be heard around AAMI Park of a Saturday night whenever right winger Paulo Retre is on the ball; and in my time at Melbourne City it was often. He may have fizzled out in later years, but the versatile mofo took the league by storm in 2014/15, and won a place in my heart.

The slightly Portuguese Retre was born in country Victoria, in the town of Morwell, in 1993. He made his professional debut in 2012 for Melbourne Heart, and was retained on the list when the club transformed into Melbourne City. However, he had made just 4 appearances before I joined, and never in the same position.


He was a natural attacking midfielder, adept at central midfield, right midfield, defensive midfield and right back, and also able to do the job at left back, left wing and right wing. One of the most versatile players I have ever come across, Retre never complained about where he was playing - he just got it done.

Initially, I judged Retre by his cover - a bits part player, good for about 20 games a season, with 15 of them coming off the bench - and it took special circumstances for him to prove otherwise. Mate Dugandzic, after a thrilling pre-season, fell to injury, and of course it was Retre who stood up to take his place. And like a man on a mission, he took his chance - and never let go.


His touch and vision defied his 21 years, and he showed glimpses of that Portuguese technique he had running through his veins. He was a tricky customer for opposition full backs with his dribbling, and once clear was a great cross, finding the head of Josh Kennedy and Jason Hoffman consistently. His partnership with the latter became almost legendary during my stay at City, and they were best mates off the field as well. Retre may not have been the best player, but he put in 100% each and every week and reaped the rewards.

The most telling thing he ever said to me was, "I don't try to concentrate on one position, because if I do, I'm losing my ability to play in other positions; I want to be available to help anyone of my teammates."

Paulo Retre. Thou Slighteth Portuguese One. Legend.