Thursday, February 8, 2024

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Football Matters with Cyclops

Burdekin FC is now getting ready for the 2024 season. Pre-season training has already started, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30 pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00 pm for women. The Panthers first match of the season will be away to Estates in the Kappa Qld Cup this Saturday night in Townsville. Leighton Gallagher will be coaching the Premiers again this season.

The Juniors have an exciting year of football coming up, with regular matches plus games against out of town opponents. Registrations for Under 5 to Under 12 are now open! Go onto the Burdekin FC Facebook page for more information or email the club at burdekinfc@hotmail.com.  Registrations are due on Saturday the 10th of February, and players will be organised into teams.

A great new addition this year is a training shirt for every fully registered and paid up player! Compulsory pre-season games will be Saturday the 17th and 24th of February, with the season kicking off on the 2nd of March. We can't wait for the 2024 season to begin.

The Masters kicked off the 2024 season on Monday night. Usual time, usual place, 6.30 at International Park. New and old players all welcome. In fact, it doesn’t really matter if you can’t play. Treat it as an escape.

The Socceroos are out of the Asian Cup after losing 1-2 to South Korea in extra time. They had reached the quarter finals by beating Indonesia 4-0 in the Round of 16. In the Group matches Oz beat India 2-0, Syria 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan. The Asian Cup is now at the semi-final stage with Jordan playing South Korea and Qatar up against Iran. It looks like a South Korea v Iran final.

The Matildas have not played since losing twice to Canada in early December. Their next matches are Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan, home and away, in late February. In the FIFA World Rankings, Australia are currently ranked12th place with Uzbekistan at 47th.

In the A League, leaders Wellington could only draw away to Brisbane but stay two points clear of Central Coast and Melbourne Victory, who both won. Macarthur stay in fourth spot and Brisbane stays in ninth place.

In the A League Women competition, after 15 rounds Melbourne City is three points clear of Western Utd with Sydney FC in third place and Melbourne Victory fourth. Brisbane, who won at the weekend stay in tenth place.

The African Cup of Nations is now at the semi-final stage with Nigeria playing South Africa and Ivory Coast playing DR Congo. Both matches are on Thursday with the final to be played next Monday.

Read Football Matters with Cyclops on the Burdekin FC Facebook page.

Contributed by Richard Samwell

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