Second on the ladder to go to Asia

[gweeds]

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

Clubs want league to lead them into Asia

By Michael ****erill

July 18, 2005

Sydney FC have joined the push for first-past-the-post positions to be the dominant factor in deciding who will represent Australia in the lucrative Asian Champions League.

Australia is likely to be given two places in the ACL from next year, and while the formula has yet to be officially decided Football Federation Australia has intimated that it is leaning towards those spots being given to the two grand finalists.

Most clubs accept that the grand final winner should qualify for the ACL, but believe the second position should be based on league placings.

For example if the grand final winner and the minor premier is the same club, the prevailing view is that the team which finishes second in the home-and-away rounds should be given the ACL spot ahead of the losing grand finalists.

With Australia leaving Oceania at the end of this year - and thereby severely reducing the chances of an Australian club qualifying for the Club World Championships in future - the ACL will become an enormously significant competition for local clubs, most of whom will struggle to turn a profit in the first five years of the A-League. These clubs believe the formula for deciding ACL places is a crucial decision.
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Sydney FC, who will represent Oceania in this year's CWC in Japan, share the common view that league placings must be recognised.

"The league season should count for something," Sydney FC chief executive Andy Harper said. "At the moment we haven't heard anything official from the FFA, and therefore we haven't taken a formal position. But speaking as an individual, football culture has always been that first-past-the-post is the true test of your season.

"In Australia, we put a lot of emphasis on the grand final, and there is nothing wrong with that tradition. But if you're going to give both grand finalists a place in the Champions League, what incentive do those clubs have on the day apart from local pride? You've already given them the prize."

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina also believes the FFA needs to listen to the views of the football community. "The grand final is important in Australia, but I'm a traditionalist," Kosmina said.

"First past the post should be recognised. The grand final should be an ancillary event that adds extra flavour. I mean you can finish fourth in the regular season and have a run of luck and get to the grand final. Does that make you the second best club in Australia? I don't think so.

"Most football people I know believe the runners-up in the league should go to the Champions League, because they've earned it."



I agree with this suggestion as it follows a tradition of football around the world. Australians codes have a tradition of 'finals', which is fine, but I think that knowing that arriving on top of the ladder, no matter what is the Grand Final result is something that all teams could strive for.

[Rob]

Australia is likely to be given two places in the ACL from next year

Fantastic.

[Grimmett]

I'm an Aussie Rules person with a love for football of all codes. I'm also a traditionalist in many ways when comes to those football codes. I think the playing of finals in Australian soccer is a great concept that embraces the traditions of Aussie Rules and Rugby League. I support the continuation of that process wholeheartedly. I also think that allowing the team that places second on the table at the end of the home and away season to progress to the Asian Champions' League would be a tremendous nod towards the traditional soccer system of deciding such matters. This would also allow for the A-League to ensure they got two strong teams into the Champions League as we all know it is possible for a team to strike hot form for a few weeks and maybe secure the title from lower than the top two. I would suggest this proposal should also be used to protect the team that finishes first. If they didn't make the GF or win it they would still go. Send the first two past the post into the ACL and still have our A-League Finals to decide the title winner. Make a hard and fast rule that if a team comes from lower than second to win the title they don not go into the ACL regardless.

[Michal]

i reckon 1 place for minor permiers and 1 place for champions, if this is the same team 1 place for the 2nd place team on the ladder

[Ady#1]

just goes to show how messed up our afl and football playoff system is. we wouldnt want to follow europe the most efficient and successful league around hey

[Ziggy]

just goes to show how messed up our afl and football playoff system is. we wouldnt want to follow europe the most efficient and successful league around hey

I can't believe Adelaide Crows won the GF from 6th in 19??. Being the best is being the most consistent team throughout the season.

Definately should not be decided on GF participation. Ist and 2nd at the end of H&A for me.

[Michal]

if u look at the AFL, its not a full home and away season. ie each time u play a team away you play em at home, the a league isnt this year either.

[BigV]

If the AFL did it Euro style, Port Adelaide would've won about 5 premierships! Can't have that now can we?

[Reg]

I'd agree with the 1 GF and 1 league idea, best of both worlds, rewarding the Grand Finalist in true Australian tradition, and rewarding the league winner in a mostly Euro tradition.