11 points on Victory 0-0 Heart

Honours even at the Etihad Stadium, after a fairly tentative game between the two Melbourne rivals. Billed as the return of 'turncoat'/'saviour' Harry Kewell, it was instead Postecoglou's Victory which provided the more tactical interest.

Heart 3-2 Victory: Match Analysis

This edition of the Melbourne Derby was a thrilling contest, fought between two clubs with contrasting approaches. Heart were able to emerge victorious, largely due to the shrewdness of Dutch manager John van't Schip. Having seen his initial theoretically sound tactical plan fail to contain the sparkling Victory trident of Hernandez, Kewell and Thompson, the former Ajax winger changed Heart's formation, and from then were in the ascendant. This match superbly illustrated the superiority of a collective 'system' over reliance on individual 'star power' in building a team. 

Melbourne Derby Preview

Bring on the blood and the thunder, for the Derby is at hand. This Friday, what has quickly become one of the most anticipated fixtures of Australian sport will play out at AAMI Park, when the Red and Whites host the Navy Blues.
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Brisbane 1-2 Heart: Match Analysis

A clash of the titans. The two most innovative sides in the A-League era, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Heart, fought for supremacy at Suncorp Stadium; if not quite a title deciding event, it will certainly be looked back upon, with far greater reverence, as a turning point in the evolution and growing sophistication of Australian football. The reigning champions Brisbane, reeling from the unexpected end of their record-setting 36-games unbeaten streak, were keen to demonstrate they are more than just a Thomas-Broich-and-Friends ensemble. Heart on the other hand, have been one of the most tactically fascinating teams in the the A-League. This was their chance to lay down a marker to the other clubs in the league, that they have finally realised their potential. 

Heart 1-0 Wellington: Match Analysis

This match was an open and exciting encounter between two clubs with very contrasting styles; Heart, with their 'total voetball' sensibilities  and Wellington, with a counter-attacking brief that emphasises speed and power. The first half was dominated by the hosts, who were able to create a handful of outright chances, without closing the deal. The Nix fought back in the second period, with renewed energy and aggressive substitutions. Credit to both managers for a game that served as a laudable example of and to Australian football. 

Central Coast 3-1 Heart: Match Analysis

A genuinely exhilarating tactical encounter was decided, undeservedly perhaps, by a foul on a keeper resulting in a stunning overhead kick and a mis-judged handball. Melbourne and the Central Coast have shaped up this season as genuine title contenders; the Red and Whites and the Mariners will be tussling for the silver and bronze medals come the business end of the season. John van't Schip and Graham Arnold renewed their reputations as among the finest tacticians in Australia.

Gold Coast 1-2 Heart: Match Analysis

This match was an intriguing tactical proposition and a prime example of why pure 4-4-2's, in its attacking incarnation, have become obsolete, and why striker-less 4-6-0's are the future. Gold Coast were completely overwhelmed in midfield, the classy Dutch pair of Beekmans and Jungschlager were overrun by Heart, who were able to deploy four players in central midfield, yet still field two wingers, by ditching a central striker. 

The pattern of play was established early, after Thompson pilfered an early goal. Heart dominated the rest of the first period, monopolising possession and chances. Gold Coast retained a threat through the predatory Rigters, whose direct and aggressive running very nearly undid Madaschi on the counter-attack, as well as dangerous deliveries by Jungschlager at set pieces. Bleiburg's tactical changes after the break allowed Gold Coast to get back into the contest, but their equaliser was then cancelled out by Germano's late goal. 

12 points on Heart 3-0 Newcastle

Here are 12 tactical points on Heart's three-nil victory against Newcastle. 

Adelaide 1-1 Heart: Match Analysis

There are multiple prisms through which to perceive this match; a 'relegation' scrap for one, a grudge match between former colleagues (on the pitch and in the dugouts) another, a Double Dutch affair, perhaps even a fight between the two highest paid and most 'underperforming' managers in the league. Thanks to the audacity of John van't Schip however, PM is going to treat this match as a fascinating tactical exhibition. Kind of obvious really, given the word 'tactics' is in the URL.

The first half was a see-sawing affair. Heart dominated play initially, thanks to their monopoly of possession. But Adelaide battled through, unsettling the Heart and conjuring threatening periods of play. What set this fixture alight however, was the late sending off of Colosimo, and Adelaide's equaliser from the resultant free kick. Both sides really battled in the closing minutes; Slory came close to twice creating open net situations, while Hoffman actually tapped in a shot from close range, only to be called off-side.

Heart 1-1 Sydney: Match Analysis

A vintage Arsenal Heart performance. Control of possession, impatience in constructing attacks, lack of a clear final ball and defensive frailty. A classic North London Red and White recipe. Sydney showed a measure of resilience, and could certainly take encouragement away from the improved performance by Brett Emerton, and the continued excellent form of Nick Carle in concert with Karol Kisel. In truth, Heart controlled the second half; it was theirs to win or lose, and a failure to kill the game after their late goal cost them dearly. Fate is exacting a heavy toll on Heart's mistakes so far this season; all they can do is hope that Karma will shine on them in the weeks to come.

Victory 0-0 Heart: Match Analysis

Saturday's Melbourne Derby was an open and exciting affair, as well as an entertaining spectacle thanks to the fantastic atmosphere created by the Blue and White Brigade and the travelling Yarraside. Though it ended in a draw, Heart were conclusively the more dominant side throughout, but were unable to translate that into goals. PM have made the comparison before of Heart to Arsenal, and on the weekend the Red and Whites of Melbourne displayed that most evident failing endemic to the Red and Whites of North London; hesitancy up-front. At times, Heart seemed intent on walking the ball into the net, with Covic undoubtedly the home side hero, with only his snap reflexes keeping the Navy Blues in the game. There wasn't an overt tactical 'battle' during this match as there was between Postecoglou and Arnold. Nonetheless, Durakovic's starting XI was short on invention, and his substitutions worsened Victory's situation in midfield, while van't Schip's line-up was positive, aggressive and his substitutions were daring.

The football media have definitely not given enough attention, or more likely haven't even noticed the fact that Melbourne Heart and Brisbane have been trying to implement False Nines. The False Nine is a tactic that only the greatest Champions League sides have dared to attempt; Van Persie at Arsenal, Totti at Roma, Rooney at Manchester United and of course Messi at Barcelona. To that illustrious list we can now add Alex Terra of Melbourne Heart and Thomas Broich of Brisbane. Bravo Ange Postecoglou and John van't Schip, the two greatest innovators of Australian football.

Melbourne Derby Preview

Arise, arise ye sons and daughters of Melbourne, for the Derby is at hand.

This Saturday will see the two Victorian rivals take the field at Aami Park Etihad Stadium to determine, for good and all (or at least for the next few weeks), which club holds sway over the city of Melbourne - Victory or Heart.

Heart 1-2 Perth: Match Analysis

The majority of this match was largley disjointed. Neither side was able to establish a rhythm, and the first half played out like an aerial bombardment. Ferguson kept faith with the side that beat Adelaide, while Heart were compelled to replace Jason Hoffman. Heart ultimately fell victim to a degree of defensive naiveity and are justified in feeling unlucky to have yet to post points on the table.

Newcastle 3-2 Heart: Match Analysis

This was an electric and energetic affair between two clubs who were devoted to committing players forward in the attack. Newcastle started the brightest, pressing Heart intensely to prevent their build-up play. Heart eventially grew into the contest as Newcastle's fitness faded, and although it was a fairly even game, on the balance of play, Heart did not deserve to lose; the three goals scored against them were the result of a superb Griffiths free kick from a silly foul by Germano, a mistaken pass by rookie defender Good, and a deflection off Marrone from a Byun shot that wrong-footed the keeper. Conversely, Heart's two goals were absolute marvels; rapid passing while running at pace, clever positional interchange and lethal finishing by Dugandzic.

Melbourne Heart 2011-12 Season Preview

2010 witnessed the birth of what could grow to become one of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport, with the inception of Melbourne Heart to the A-League. The inaugural Melbourne Derby saw the unfancied Heart emerge triumphant against the more established Victory, and the baptism of fire of fierce young fullback, Aziz Behich. The latest meeting between the two clubs heralded an ignominious end to the illustrious career of Victory captain Kevin Muscat, with his horrifying mauling of electric Heart winger, Adrian Zahra.

A-League Pre-Season Form Guide

FourFourTwo AU put together a useful guide to the club's results in offseason. These results should probably be taken with a grain of salt; obviously clubs were still making signings, players were still coming back from injury, and managers were giving some youngsters experience - so it's unlikely that clubs consistently sent out their strongest available line-up, or even played in their preferred style.

Nevertheless, there's still utility in seeing how many games clubs lost, how many goals were conceded, and who has scoring form going into the regular season. It should be noted how notoriously unrealiable pre-season results are as predicators of regular season success; in the 4 seasons in which the A-League held a Pre-Season Cup, only one of the Cup winners went on to become Premiers or Champions. Quick summary below.