OFC News

Auckland, 27 February 2004: The Oceania Football Confederation would like to announce that it has selected Fiji to represent Oceania at the 2004 Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland from 18-24 July.

The Milk Cup is one of the premier youth soccer tournaments in the Northern Hemisphere and has helped launch the careers of such distinguished international stars like England's David Beckham.

The decision was made by the OFC executive committee after receiving expressions of interest from three member national associations.

Milk Cup organisers have since confirmed the entry of the Fiji Football Association for a national under fifteen squad to take part in the junior section of the tournament.

As part of its ongoing commitment to youth development, the OFC is providing financial assistance to contribute towards the team's airfares.

Last year, Samoa represented the OFC at the Milk Cup in the Junior (U-15) section and returned with the tournament's fair play trophy. A youth team from Otago, New Zealand, also took part in the premier section (U-17) taking on Manchester United in one memorable encounter.

According to acting OFC president, Tautulu Roebeck, he is delighted that Oceania will once again be involved in this prestigious tournament.

"Youth development is arguably one of the major priorities for our confederation and we will continue to embrace this kind of opportunity to expose our youth to a higher level of football," said Roebeck.

"It will be a good learning experience for the young Fijians but I am sure they will benefit from this and do Oceania proud. I wish them well on their preparations leading up to the tournament."

NOUMEA: There is as much interest surrounding the neck and neck race for the third position between AS Poum and JS Baco as there is for New Caledonia division d`honneur national league leaders AS Magenta and Mont Dore. This is because Magenta and Mont Dore are safely into the playoffs which start in March.

The third spot is a two-horse race between current occupant AS Poum and JS Baco and the margin between the two rivals got even slimmer after round 16 matches last weekend. Both teams now have the same points differential after Poum's magnificent 2-0 upset of Mont-Dore and JS Baco's 4-2 victory over Olympique. Poum still leads Baco by 2 points; however, Baco has a match in hand and could well pull the rug from under Poum in the climactic round.

The top three teams in the division d'honneur will playoff for the championship with the winner of the territorial league finals in a round robin series.

Round 16 results

Gaïtcha FCN- AS Magenta 2 - 4

Olympique - JS Baco 2 - 4

USC - ASLN Kouaoua 1 - 2

Mont-Dore - Poum 0 - 2

ACB Poya - Auteuil 2 - 2

Points Ladder (after rd 16)
Teams	Pts		P	W	D	L	F	A	diff
1. AS Magenta	56		16	13	1	2	57	21	+36
2. Mont-Dore	51		16	11	2	3	29	12	+17
3. AS Poum	47		15	10	2	3	35	22	+13
4. JS Baco	45		14	10	1	3	35	22	+13
5. Gaitcha FCN	39		15	  7	3	5	25	26	   -1
6. USC	29		16	  3	4	9	22	29	   -7
7. Kouaoua	29		15	  4	2	9	22	43	 -21
8. ACB Poya	28		15	  4	1         10	28	31	   -3
9. AS Auteuil	26		14	  3	3	8	26	37	 -11
10. Olympique	20		16	  1	1         14	20	56	 -36

HONIARA: The Solomon Islands is deep into its preparations for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup/World Cup Qualifiers which it is hosting from 10-19 May 2004. A 27-strong national training squad was named on 19 February after two weeks of fierce trials were held and a foreign coach is also set to be announced to lead the Solomons.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation has made it clear it will do its best to ensure the best preparation for its team in a tough group which also includes Tahiti and New Caledonia, the french speaking giants of Oceania.

After a string of below par performances at the South Pacific Games and the Olympic qualifiers, local Solomons soccer fans will be demanding a top performance from their senior team playing at home in an OFC tournament for the first time in over a decade.

For Solomon Islands football it will be a much anticipated event and with stars such as Henry Fa'arodo, Batram Suri, Commins Menapi, Dick Ngota and Alick Maemae at their disposal, there will be no shortage of motivation for the Solomon Islanders to rise to the occasion in front of their home fans.

ASA RELEASE: London, UK - Australia's national football team will be heading to London for their next international friendly match. The Socceroos have confirmed that they will be kicking off against their arch sporting rivals, South Africa, at Loftus Road Stadium, London at 8.00pm on Tuesday 30 March.

Following the Socceroos' impressive 1-1 draw against Venezuela last week (Wednesday 18 February), Lucas Neill, Socceroos and Blackburn Rovers defender, was looking ahead to the next international match.

"After the last game against Venezuela, the lads can't wait to get together again and perform on the park in England - especially since we are two wins from two games in London for the last 12 months. We are all determined to make the World Cup in Germany in 2006 and all our games are important, and South Africa is sure to give our boys a true test. We are looking forward to the match and are hoping that we can get a full house at Loftus Road," said Lucas Neill.

Loftus Road Stadium, home to Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) in West London, will play host to this game and tickets for the match go on sale 9:30am, London time on Tuesday 24 February on QPR's ticket line, 0870 112 1967*, or through the website, www.soccerooslondon.com , with prices ranging from £12 to £28. Hospitality packages will also be available for those who want to watch in style. *Note dedicated Green 'N Gold army supporters section for ticket sales by phone only (below).

The match is likely to draw a capacity crowd particularly following the Socceroos' match against England in February 2003 where the Australia ticket allocation was sold out within one hour of being released on sale.

Frank Farina, Australian national coach, is also looking forward to the challenge of the South African team, "The Socceroos are excited about playing in London against our sporting arch rivals, the South Africans. And to be going head to head at such a great football stadium makes the contest with the Bafana Bafana much more of an epic encounter. I really urge all Aussies and South Africans in London to get down to the game and show that our sporting rivalry really means something to both sets of fans, given that our Socceroos truly want to build our home London base of fans."

QPR Chief Executive David Davies has welcomed this major international fixture to Loftus Road Stadium and is confident that the West London venue will be the ideal setting, "Given the large Australian community in the west London area, I'm sure that Loftus Road will be packed out for this fixture. The stadium generates a fantastic atmosphere when full and hopefully this will be the beginning of a long and successful relationship between Australian Soccer and Queens Park Rangers Football Club.

PORT VILA: The Vanuatu Football Federation announced earlier this month that two of their star senior national reps had secured contracts to play for the Mitchelton Soccer Club in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia.

Strikers Richard Iwai and Etienne Mermer were announced as the lucky recipients. Iwai was a star back in the 2000 OFC Nations Cup, named the player of the tournament and featuring highly in the OFC Player of the Year voting. Mermer is a national team stalwart and played key roles at the South Pacific Games last year and also the 2002 OFC Nations Cup.

Since their departure two weeks ago, they have made an immediate impact at the club and have featured prominently both in the goalscoring department and improving the play of those around them.

The VFF last year secured a temporary contract for another senior national rep, Seimata Chilia, who played a season with the Fawkner Blues in the Victorian State Federation premier league.

Last year also, the Southampton Club invited Vanuatu's promising youngster Jean Emmanuel Victor Maleb for a trial. However his age (17) and nationality made it difficult for him to gain a transfer. But as he continues to astound football lovers - most recently as the top individual goalscorer (7) at the 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifiers - more offers are bound to come.

The VFF talent pool is growing and overseas exposure is seen as the key to rounding out the development of the elite players. That lack of experience at playing top level football on a consistent basis has perhaps cost them in crucial internationals in the past but is a reality that all island teams face.

PAPEETE: While the Federal Championship playoffs loom next week, the Tahiti Cup (formerly Polynesian Cup) reached its semi-finals stage last weekend.

Tefana cruised to a surprisingly easy 3-0 win over the season upstarts Tamarii Faa'a while national league champion Pirae ended Dragon's fairytale run with an emphatic 5-1 drubbing.

The stage is now set tomorrow (Friday) for the Cup final between Tefana and Pirae. Manu Ura won the Tahiti Cup last year and went on to represent Tahiti in the French Cup qualifying series. This year's winner will represent Tahiti in the 2004 French Cup qualifiers.

The Tahiti Federal Championship top four playoffs and promotion-relegation series begins 3 March. Pirae, Manu Ura, Tefana and Tamarii Faa'a have booked their berths in the top four while Venus, Dragon, PTT and Arue will try and survive the cut and retain their spots in the 2004-05 Federal Championship.

SUVA: There were stunning upsets during the second round of action in the Fiji national soccer league last weekend. There were losses for league giants Nadi and Suva while Ba was taken to the wire before escaping with a 1-1 draw against Nadroga.

The Suva team were stunned by Nasinu 2-1 in a match they were expected to win, particularly with such high profile players like Fijian international striker Thomas Vulivuli in their ranks. The loss was a wake-up call not just for Suva but the rest of the super premier teams.

In the match of the round, Ratu Cakobau Park played host to a thrilling encounter between the home side Rewa and Nadi who were bolstered by the presence of the Toma brothers, Viliame and Veresa, reunited and giving the visitors an easy physical edge.

However, disaster struck just minutes after kick-off as Veresa, the giant striker and captain of the national u-23 side, limped off with a leg injury. Despite this, Nadi managed to score first through Viliame Toma.

The fired up Rewa side buoyed on by their large home support hit back through a Henry Nair, whose header came from a brilliant cross from Waisake Sabutu. Both sides went into the break drawn level at 1-1 all.

In the second half, Emosi Belinuku gave Rewa a 2-1 lead just minutes after the break with a well worked goal. Nadi's Ovini Duguca got his side back on even terms with his opportunist striker moments later. From then on it was a deadlock to the end. However in stoppage time, Rewa hit the winner despite protests the referee had allowed too much stoppage time.

Lautoka announced their claims as a possible contender with a commanding 6-0 victory over hapless Labasa. Shakil Khan got a hat-trick with Taniela Waqa, former Ba standout Osea vakatalesau and Sumit Shankar also scoring.

In the other second round result, Navua beat Tavua 2-1.

Round 2 - National League results

Rewa 3-2 Nadi

Ba 1-1 Nadroga

Lautoka 6-0 Labasa

Navua 2-1 Tavua

Nasinu 2-1 Suva

ASA: DPR Korea has won the Australia Cup, rounding out the week-long tournament with a double-figures victory over New Zealand, whilst the Matildas' scoreless draw against China gave the home side second place.

Australia were unable to record a win for themselves tonight, after failing to score from two successive chances from the penalty spot in the second half.

The Matildas' hopes of winning a fourth Australia Cup title had been all but dashed when the impressive North Korean outfit, level on points with Australia going into the day, defeated New Zealand 11-0 in the early match at Brisbane's QEII Stadium.

Nevertheless, the new-look Australian side took the field full of confidence against the youthful China, but for all their dominance of possession throughout the match, found it difficult to penetrate an opponent which got behind the ball well. At the other end, China enjoyed few chances to attack the Australian goal.

Australia's best chances of the first half came in the opening period of play, April Mann hitting wide from a good opportunity in the 11th minute. Katie Gill then produced the best chance of the match from open play in the 17th minute, unlucky not to see her 20 metre dipping strike from a Tal Karp cutback crash against the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.

Six minutes later, Gill beat her marker to a ball in from the right, but her first-time attempt from 16 metres flew skywards. Australia continued to hold the upper hand, but the finishing touch eluded them.

Striker Lisa De Vanna had three attempts early in the second half to break the deadlock for Australia, but still no reward as the Chinese goalkeeper met the challenge.

The match then took a dramatic turn when Australia was awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute after substitute Selin Kuralay was taken down in the right hand side of the box. Joanne Peters stepped up for the spot kick, but the captain's attempt was well saved by keeper Weng Xiaojie low down to her right. The Matildas received a reprieve with the referee directing that the penalty be retaken as the Chinese had encroached upon the first penalty.

Amidst the protesting Chinese, youngster Kuralay took it upon herself to take the second spot kick. Her kick cracked against the left post, eluded the goalkeeper and flew across the face of goal and struck the right post, and Kuralay drilled the rebound into the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed as no other player had made contact with the ball, meaning only a player other than the original penalty taker could finish off the chance.

Five minutes later, more drama unfolded. Another yellow card to China prompted further protests from the visitors, and play was delayed for a couple of minutes as the Chinese walked off, refusing to continue play.

Australia had a couple more chances to claim the lead towards the end of play, but in the end came close to conceding a late winner to China, but the Chinese shot was cleared off the line by substitute Leah Blayney.

Australian National Coach Adrian Santrac could find some positives from the game with the longer term success in mind. "It was a tough match. We're obviously disappointed not to have won the game, but a lot of experience was gained by our many new players. China is a very streetwise team, they defended in numbers and really tightened up in the defensive areas. You need to be very experienced to break down that sort of play."

"We should have scored from the penalty, and there were other opportunities to score. We were in the last 30 metres countless times, but where we needed composure and patience, at the moment these are areas which need refining. This is the reason why we have chosen these teams - they are the games we'll learn from. This is the type of opposition we need to play regularly."

In the early match tonight, DPR Korea showed exactly why they are the current Asian champions and the seventh-ranked team in the world. Their polished skill on the ball and crisp speed of movement was a class above the inexperienced New Zealand who had no answers to the Korean onslaught.

Ri Kum Suk opened the Korean account on the quarter-hour mark, picked out with a fantastic cross from the left and finishing with a drive from 15 metres. Seven minutes later, a missed attempt by the New Zealand last defender to head clear a long ball forward allowed Yun Yong Hui in with only the keeper to beat, slotting home from 12 metres. North Korea's next came in the 34th minute from a pinpoint corner kick which was met by a powerful header from Ri Hyang Ok.

The three-goal first half was followed up by a flurry of eight goals after the break by the North Korean maestros. Star striker Jin Pyol Hui produced a second half hattrick, whilst teammate Jong Pok Sim scored a pair in a game where the goals were shared between eight different players.

6TH AUSTRALIA CUP

18-24 February 2004

QEII Stadium, Brisbane, Australia

MATCH DAY THREE

Game Two

Tuesday 24 February 2004

Result:

AUSTRALIA 0

CHINA 0

Halftime score: 0-0

Kickoff: 7.30pm

Weather: Warm, humid, light showers, 24°C

Pitch condition: Damp, Very good flat grassy surface

Match Officials:

Referee - Krystyna Szokolai, Assistant Referees - Jacqui Leleu, Airlie Keen, Fourth Official - Jacqui Melksham (all AUS)

AUSTRALIA Lineup:

Cassandra Kell (GK), Karla Reuter, Dianne Alagich, Rhian Davies, Tal Karp (Leah Blayney 46'), Sarah Walsh (Gill Foster 57'), Kate McShea, Joanne Peters (capt), Lisa De Vanna, Amy Taylor, Katie Gill (Selin Kuralay 46').

Unused Substitutes:

April Mann, Pam Grant, Melissa Barbieri (GK). (Lana Harch unavailable due to injury).

Cautions: Kuralay 81', Alagich 90+'.

Expulsions: nil

CHINA Lineup:

Weng Xiaojie (GK), Gao Yan, Guo Lin, Wang Kun, Hou Iijia (capt), Fan Tingting, Xu Yuan (Wang Yihang 83'), Wang Dandan, Liu Sa (Lou Xiaoxu 90+'), Guo Yue, Sun Yongxia (Weng Xinzhi 90+').

Unused Substitutes: Li Shasha, You Jia, Zhang Wen, Hao Danyang (GK).

Cautions: Wang Kun 50', Guo Yue 73', Hou Iijia 73', Wang Dandan 78'.

Expulsions: nil

MATCH DAY THREE

Game One - Tuesday 24 February 2004

Result:

DPR KOREA 11 (Ri Kum Suk 15', Yun Yong Hui 22', Ri Hyang Ok 34', O Kum Ran 47', Jin Pyol Hui 52', 62', 78', own goal 59', Jong Pok Sim 67', 71', Ri Un Gyong 75') NEW ZEALAND 0

Halftime score: 3-0

Kickoff: 5.00pm

Weather: Warm, humid, occasional rain, 26°C

Pitch condition: Wet, Very good flat grassy surface

Match Officials:

Referee - Tammy Ogston, Assistant Referees - Sarah Ho, Rebecca Brose, Fourth Official - Jacqui Melksham (all AUS)

DPR KOREA Lineup:

Ri Jong Hui (GK) (Chon Kyong Hwa 46'), Yun In Sil (Jon Hye Yong 46'), Ra Mi Ae (O Kum Ran 46), Ri Kum Suk (Jong Pok Sim 44'), Sok Chun Myong, Ho Sun Hui (Jin Pyol Hui 23'), Yun Yong Hui (Ri Un Gyong 46'), Jang Ok Gyong, Song Jong Sun, Pak Kyong Sun (Ri Hyang Ok 23'), Yang Kyong Hui.

Unused Substitutes: Nil, (Ineligible to play - So Yong Ran, Sin Kum Ok).

Cautions: Ri Hyang Ok 39'.

Expulsions: nil

NEW ZEALAND Lineup:

Jenny Bindon (GK) (Rachel Howard 63'), Brooke Rangi (Sarah Gibbs 58'), Maia Jackman (Sara Clapham 74'), Rebecca Smith (capt) (Meisha Pyke 68'), Hayley Moorwood, Amber Hearn (Naomi Clarke 68'), Pip Meo (Zoe Thompson 38'), Simone Ferrara, Rebecca Simpson, Rebecca Sowden, Zarnia Cogle.

Unused Substitutes: Nil. (Priscilla Duncan - suspended)

Cautions: nil

Expulsions: nil

FULL REVIEW

18 February

Australia 2 New Zealand 0

China 0 DPR Korea 3

22 February

Australia v DPR Korea - Match Abandoned due to adverse weather

New Zealand 0 China 3

24 February

Australia 0 China 0

DPR Korea 11 New Zealand 0

Final Points Table :

Teams P W D L F A GD Pts

DPR Korea * 3 2 1 0 14 0 14 7

Australia * 3 1 2 0 2 0 2 5

China 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4

New Zealand 3 0 0 3 0 16-16 0

NOUMEA: AS Poum and JS Baco are neck and neck heading into New Caledonia's division d'honneur playoffs battling for the third and final berth. Reigning champ AS Magenta leads with 52 points but AS Mont Dore is right behind in second on 50 points and assured of the second playoff berth.

The third spot is open with AS Poum currently occupying the spot on 43 points with JS Baco right behind them on 41 points. However, JS Baco have a game in hand and this could prove crucial on who eventually takes out the third and final berth before the playoffs commence next month.

The top three teams in the division d'honneur will playoff for the championship with the winner of the territorial league finals in a round robin series.

Meanwhile, round 25 results saw Poum demolish AS Auteuil 5-3, Gaitcha edge Olympique 1-0, while AS Magenta was tested in their 2-1 victory over ACB Poya. JS Baco kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 win over USC while Mont Dore continued their good form with a 4-1 win over ASN Kouaoua

New Caledonia 2003-04 Division d'honneur

Round 15 results

Olympique - Gaïtcha FCN 0 - 1

AS Auteuil - AS Poum 3 - 5

AS Magenta - ACB Poya 2 - 1

JS Baco - USC 2 - 1

ASN Kouaoua - AS Mont-Dore 1 - 4

Points table (after Round 15) 
Teams	Pts	P	W	D	L	F	A	diff
1. AS Magenta	52	15	12	1	2	53	19	+34
2. Mont-Dore	50	15	11	2	2	29	10	+19
3. AS Poum	43	14	9	2	3	33	22	+11
4. JS Baco	41	13	9	1	3	31	20	+11
5. Gaitcha FCN	38	14	7	3	4	23	22	 +1
6. USC	28	15	3	4	8	21	27	  -6
7. ACB Poya	26	14	4	0	10	26	29	  -3
8. Kouaoua	25	14	3	2	9	20	42	-22
9. AS Auteuil	24	13	3	2	8	24	35	-11
10. Olympique	19	15	1	1	13	18	52	-34

ASA: The teams for the final NSL Championship Series have all been decided, following tonight's 4-2 loss by Sydney United at the hands of league leader Perth Glory, with Nick Mrdja scoring a hat-trick for Glory.

The only thing to decide now is which positions the top-six will finish and that could be decided on Wednesday night at Hindmarsh Stadium, if Adelaide can take a point from its match against Parramatta Power. A point will ensure Adelaide finishes in third spot, a remarkable achievement for a team formed a month before the season started.

That will also decide the semi finals to be played with Brisbane unable to finish any higher than sixth and Perth and Parramatta already confirmed as the Major Semi Final teams.

Given that scenario the Elimination Semi Finals will be Adelaide v Brisbane and Marconi v South Melbourne.

If Adelaide doesn't get the point it needs against Parramatta, Marconi still has an outside chance of securing third, although it must win in Perth for that to happen, which given Perth is unbeaten at home this season, is unlikely.

Perth meanwhile has ended Sydney United's brave run at the top-six with an exciting 4-2 win at the Sydney United Sports Centre.

Mick Mrdja, back in the starting line-up, made his intentions clear and given coach Mich d'Avray food for thought coming into the finals, by grabbing a hat-trick, with his third goal coming with virtually the last play of the game.

The match however saw Perth and United managed to produce a match of the utmost class.

In a surprise move Damien Mori played in the defence for the visitors and Anthony Doumanis and Franco Parisi started on the bench for the home side.

It was the locals who started well with Mark Beldham just managing to put the ball wide of the far post in the third minute.

In the 16th minute Wayne Shroj could only shoot the ball at the keeper after good lead up work from Jade North. In the 22nd minute Beldham had another opportunity, this time laid on by Dean Heffernan in the area but Beldham tripped up on the ball and could not get a shot away.

Despite United great start it was they that gave the lead away when in the 27th minute, Joe Vrkic gave the ball away and Nick Mrdja ran onto it and fired home with a cracking shot from 25 metres, leaving Liam Reddy grasping at air.

In the 41st minute, after a number of United chances went astray, Perth doubled their lead, again thanks to the feet of Mrdja. The ball was chipped into the path of Mrdja and he beat the defence trying to track back, and Liam Reddy scrambling towards him, to score his second of the match.

Right on half time United had the chance to get back in the match but several shots on goal in the final frantic minute were either saved by Vince Matassa in the Perth goal or blocked on the line by Glory players.

In the second half United again started strongly but were blocked by the Perth defence, with Mori in particular doing well, all be it his head was all bandaged up after a first half head clash. In the 49th minute it looked as if Perth would score on the break once more as Adrian Caceras from the left beat his marker and played it back into Greg Sharland but like Beldham for United in the first half, he tripped up on the ball and the chance was blown.

Brendon Santalab and Labinot Haliti were very involved in the following passages of play and United looked likely to get back into the match. In the 66th minute Franco Parisi, finally on as substitute, managed to fire over the bar from just 15 metres out.

Two minutes later though Brendon Santalab saw Matassa out of position and from the left he put his free kick in at the near post. United were back but it seemed they would be denied as two minutes later Brad Hassell took a controversial free kick quickly, with United not yet set, and the ball went into the back of the net.

Perth 3-1 but United were not going to lie down. Franco Parisi flew down the right flank, held it up at the byline and then played it to Dean Heffernan unmarked on the far post, and Heffernan slotted home. United threw everything in the final minutes, even with ten men after Brendon Santalab came off with a bad ankle injury.

In the last minute of the match Nick Mrdja scored from the break collecting his hat trick and sending the large Perth contingent of supporters into raptures.

After the match Mich d'Avray was happy with his team's performance, especially given the number of players not normally in the starting line up who were playing.

Grant Lee was obviously disappointed with the result, especially with the three mistakes his players made leading to three of the Perth goals.

NSL 2003-04 - Round 25 results

(Round 21 Deferred Fixture)

ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (C Veart 3')

MARCONI STALLIONS 0

(Round 21 Deferred Fixture)

NORTHERN SPIRIT 1 (J Richter 60')

FOOTBALL KINGZ 0

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

MELBOURNE KNIGHTS 2 (A Pelikan 64', 75' pen)

PARRAMATTA POWER 3 (F Rech 4', A Milicic 34', M Thompson 82')

SYDNEY OLYMPIC 2 (Z Caravella 3', P Cardozo 43')

BRISBANE STRIKERS 0

WOLLONGONG WOLVES 1 (C Nwaogazi 34')

SYDNEY UNITED 2 (B Santalab 69', D Heffernan 78')

PERTH GLORY 4 (N Mrdja 28', 38', 92', B Hassell 70')

SOUTH MELBOURNE 1 (V Coveny 71')

NORTHERN SPIRIT 2 (A Kwasnik 52', J Richter 68')

MARCONI STALLIONS - BYE

TABLE - After Round 25 
TEAM			P	W	D	L	B	GF	GA	PTS
Perth Glory		23	18	2	3	2	54	20	56
Parramatta Power		23	15	3	5	1	56	30	48
Adelaide United		22	11	7	4	2	27	21	40
Marconi Stallions		23	10	7	6	2	27	23	37
South Melbourne		23	11	3	9	2	39	21	36
Brisbane Strikers		23	9	5	9	2	25	29	32
Sydney Olympic 		23	7	7	9	2	26	31	28
Sydney United		23	7	7	9	2	18	25	28
Northern Spirit		23	8	3	12	2	29	32	27
Wollongong Wolves	23	7	5	11	2	31	41	26
Newcastle United		23	6	6	11	2	18	30	24
Melbourne Knights	23	6	4	13	2	21	41	22
Football Kingz		23	3	3	17	2	21	48	12