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Real_Random

League Profile: Hyundai A-League


With FMM 19 on its way, discussion has turned to what leagues should be added to the next iteration of FMM, I thought instead of discuss a potential new league, why not show off the best parts of what is considered an under valued league. I am of course referring to Australia's Hyundai A-League.

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History

The Hyundai A-League was founded in 2004, with its first season in 2005, to replace the National Soccer League and has gone from strength to strength. The first champions were Sydney FC, who pulled off the first major coup by signing Dwight Yorke for a season. Sydney FC then managed to better this by signing Italian World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero in 2013. With these household names and 10 fairly balanced clubs, the league can feel somewhat competitive at the start of any save. 13 clubs have graced the A-League, with Gold Coast United, North Queensland Fury and New Zealand Knights failing to last. In 2017, the FFA announced two new clubs will be joining for the 2019-20 season, so this will most likely be the last FMM with a 10 team A-League.

Players to Watch

Siem De Jong (on loan from Ajax)

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Dutch international De Jong brings the star quality that was lost by Sydney since last season. With a goal and assist in his first game, he will be hoping to replace the Polish international Adrian Mierzejewski.

Keisuke Honda  

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One of the biggest names to hit Australia in recent years,  Honda will hope to bring the class that got him signed to AC Milan. Honda is undoubtedly poised to be one of the better rated players in the league.

Ross McCormack

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After being frozen out by Steve Bruce at Aston Villa, McCormack was allowed to join Melbourne City on a 6 month loan and scored an incredible 13 goals in his short time in Australia. Buoyed by this, McCormack has joined the Central Coast Mariners on loan for the season.

Adam Le Fondre

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Not many strikers can claim to have scored 12 premier league goals in a season but Le Fondre can. The former Reading striker joins Sydney TC FC to replace Golden boot winner Bobo and a goal a debut should help allay fears.

Usain Bolt (maybe, only in February update)

 

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The biggest name to ever come down under, Usain Bolt came on trial to the Central Coast Mariners and shocked observers when he scored a brace on his first start for the club.

Interesting clubs to manage

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The clubs in the A-League are all fairly balanced thanks to the salary cap in place, although Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, with their incredible recruitment and the minor and major premierships they won last year are great options for dominating the league with. The Central Coast Mariners, as the lowest spending club in the league, naturally struggle but with signings like Tommy Oar and Ross McCormack, the offer an interesting option.

Thanks for reading and comments are appreciated.

Edited by Real_Random
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Honda is the appeal here 😛

I'll admit it's one of my least played leagues unfortunately, maybe 2019 will be the game to change that, nice guide mate. 

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Nice article mate, played with the Wellington Phoenix for a bit this year, the fact that they are a New Zealander club in the Aussie League really appealed to me.

Honda is a huge pulling factor.

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