TIME TO SAY GOODBYE.

As the news swirled of Mark Schwarzer's retirement this week, I couldn't help but think of the song "Time to Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. The emotional operatic song is only fitting for Schwarzer, whose career spanned over 20 years and 109 International Caps. Mark Schwarzer was a larger than life player during his tenure in the Socceroos team. His 195cm frame was a massive presence in goals, and every Australian Football fan felt at ease thanks to his professionalism and calm demeanour. He instilled confidence in his defence and got the best out of them by his professionalism, commitment and tireless work ethic. From humble beginnings in the old National Soccer League (NSL), Schwarzer went on to have one of the most successful and storied careers of any Australian Goalkeeper to play the game. Having spent nearly his entire career in England playing for clubs like Middlesbrough FC, Fulham and Chelsea, Schwarzer finished his career with 504 English Premier League appearances to his name (the most English Premier League appearances made by a Non English Goalkeeper).

What made Schwarzer even more special, was the fact that his 20+ year career remained untarnished and unspoiled by outside distractions. With Footballers making exorbitant amounts of money these days, it's easy for them to fall off the straight and narrow and be lured in to the Celebrity world of Partying and Alcohol/ Drug use. Schwarzer led a life dedicated to Football and he proved you can have a more enjoyable career without all these destructive temptations, and it's these attributes which made him a perfect role model for kids. It was perhaps his time with the Green & Gold (Socceroos) where Schwarzer enjoyed his greatest moments. Who could forget his man of the match performance in the 1993  victory over Canada, which gave Australia a World Cup play off spot against Argentina. Or the 3-1 victory over England in which Australia defeated the Three Lions at Upton Park. And finally (and quite possibly Schwarzer's career defining moment) the match against Uruguay in 2005. With the penalty shootout hanging in the balance, no thanks to a Mark Viduka penalty miss, Uruguay's Marcelo Zalayeta stood up to the spot with the hope of getting the Uruguayans back in to the game. After striking the ball hard to Schwarzer's left, Schwarzer made a great save by sticking his arm upright and getting a solid hand to the ball to deny Zalayeta and Uruguay of a 2006 World Cup spot. Although replays will always show John Aloisi's final penalty as the clincher and the one that got us there, one cannot deny Schwarzer's tireless effort and input in to that game, which ultimately got us to Germany 2006. As Mark Schwarzer prepares for life on the other side of a Football career (retirement), he leaves behind a career which will never be forgotten and possibly never replicated again by an Australian Goalkeeper. Thanks for the memories Mark.


Written by Alex Stilianos.

BRISBANE'S SUPERB FORM ONLY THE BEGINNING.

With 4 Rounds now complete in the 2013/14 A-League season, there's already been Blockbuster games and memorable moments. If this is the action we can expect week in and week out, than it will be a very exciting season ahead. Leading the chase at the top of the A-League ladder is Brisbane Roar FC, who took top spot yesterday with an emphatic 3 nil victory over Melbourne Heart FC. With some tantalizing football and solid wins under their belt, it looks as thought the Brisbane side won't be relinquishing top spot on the ladder any time soon. Having scored 9 Goals in 4 matches and conceding just 2, Brisbane have staked their claim as the team to beat this season. It's scary to think how easily The Roar disposed of Sydney FC during there 4 nil victory over the Sky Blues. After playing nearly the entire match without star Striker Besart Berisha, the Roar managed to put 4 goals past Sydney courtesy of goals from Matt Smith, Henrique, Jade North and Thomas Broich . This was also the case yesterday when the Brisbane side comfortably beat Melbourne Heart 3 nil at Suncorp Stadium, again without Berisha.

Like former Roar coach Ange Postecoglou (who is getting ready for his first game in charge of the Socceroos), the Roar seem destined to move on to bigger and better things. With delightful Football being served up every week by the likes of Broich, Henrique, McKay and Berisha, the Roar are showing flashes of the Brisbane team of old. What's even more exciting is the introduction of young gun Dimitri Petratos, who is already showing promising signs as a player for the future. Between 2010-11, the Roar enjoyed a 36 game unbeaten strike which set a national record for the longest undefeated streak by any Australian Football club. Although the Brisbane side suffered a 1 nil loss at the hands of the Melbourne Victory 10 days ago, It wouldn't surprise anyone if the Brisbane side embark on another series of matches where they remain undefeated. While their is still plenty of Football to be played between now and April 2014, this may well be the season which sees the Roar take their rightful place as the top dog in Australian Football.


Written by Alex Stilianos.