This is the World Game with Stephan Mark. Thanks to Football Essay bringing South Australian communities together.

This is the World Game with Stephan Mark. Thanks to Football Essay bringing South Australian communities together.

Great to have you with us. It's six point thirty and it's Thursday nine and it's time to get all things soccer on the table for the next half hour. A double two to three double O double oh is the number to call the World Game with the one and only Adelaide United Zone in five double A zone. Stephan Mook, Happy New Year to you, mate, Welcome back.

Great to have you with us. It's six point thirty and it's Thursday nine and it's time to get all things soccer on the table for the next half hour. A double two to three double O double oh is the number to call the World Game with the one and only Adelaide United Zone in five double A zone. Stephan Mook, Happy New Year to you, mate, Welcome back.

Yeah, happy year. It feels like it's been quite a long time since I've been in this seat, so I'm very happy to be back and sitting here with you.

Yeah, happy year. It feels like it's been quite a long time since I've been in this seat, so I'm very happy to be back and sitting here with you.

Well, winners of grinners kind of because you yet to be beaten this year. You've only lost one game for the season. So Adelaide United in full flight at the moment and last night's game is a hot topic, so we'll get into that and we love your calls as well, So if you want to join in the show you can. For the next half hour. Stephan Mark's here. You can chat all things Reds, you can talk things World Game, if you want to talk about the Premier League or Champions League and anything else that's happening around the place. Eight double two to three, double o double oh was the number and thanks to City Discount Tires Port Adelaide, there's a couple of Reds tickets up for grabs as well for the next home game. So lots coming up on the show, Lots to discuss. But as I say, winners of grinners. It was almost a grinning moment last night until very late a draw to all against Auckland. So what was the feeling like last night because it felt like it would have been a euphoric finish until it in it's our Yeah, it was.

Well, winners of grinners kind of because you yet to be beaten this year. You've only lost one game for the season. So Adelaide United in full flight at the moment and last night's game is a hot topic, so we'll get into that and we love your calls as well, So if you want to join in the show you can. For the next half hour. Stephan Mark's here. You can chat all things Reds, you can talk things World Game, if you want to talk about the Premier League or Champions League and anything else that's happening around the place. Eight double two to three, double o double oh was the number and thanks to City Discount Tires Port Adelaide, there's a couple of Reds tickets up for grabs as well for the next home game. So lots coming up on the show, Lots to discuss. But as I say, winners of grinners. It was almost a grinning moment last night until very late a draw to all against Auckland. So what was the feeling like last night because it felt like it would have been a euphoric finish until it in it's our Yeah, it was.

I was on the bench at I hate obviously, I hate coming off. Every player hates coming up, but I think, to be honest, the worst thing is you can't do anything. You're just then like every other fan watching the game. And we scored the first to go one all, when I thought, all right, we're on here. Scored the second and I was just speaking. I think it was Benny Falami next to me. I was like, something, this is something special happening, Like we didn't not that we didn't deserve to be in front, but it just kind of came out of nowhere. The two goals and that's that's a good side to be honest, to be able to do that. And I thought, you know, four points clear, here we're flying, let's hold on. And you know, it was just unfortunate. Obviously, in every single goal you can see you can say this person made a mistake, this person made a missake. There's constant mistakes, and there's obviously brilliance from the other side to score the goal in. You know, I just think it was a top ball in the corner. Was great. Could we have defended at better, yes, one hundred percent, but it was a great delivery. And overall, as much as I hate to say, I think a draw was probably a fair result. There've been the toughest team we've played, I reckon defensively. They were just so ferocious in their attack on the ball, and we knew that coming into the game they were going to be physical. We matched that. I thought, well, we tried to play the way we wanted to play and they made it difficult. We you know, we didn't create as many chances as normal, but we still scored two goals and it was just disappointing to I guess, yeah, cap off the four or five days beating victory on Saturday night something that was unbelievable or packed house there three to two, and then to come into this one to win two to one would have been, you know, unbelievable. To come away with six points from from two games against these two big clubs and to go four points clear was obviously what everyone was expecting. I'm sure a couple of people left early to be honest, as they always do, because they think I'll miss the traffic and then you missed that disappointment. But we're we're still top of the table, undefeated obviously, as you said, this season only once, also only lost once this season, undefeated this year, and it just gives us more confidence as a playing group. We've played every team besides Melbourne City and you know what, there's no team that we're fearful of.

I was on the bench at I hate obviously, I hate coming off. Every player hates coming up, but I think, to be honest, the worst thing is you can't do anything. You're just then like every other fan watching the game. And we scored the first to go one all, when I thought, all right, we're on here. Scored the second and I was just speaking. I think it was Benny Falami next to me. I was like, something, this is something special happening, Like we didn't not that we didn't deserve to be in front, but it just kind of came out of nowhere. The two goals and that's that's a good side to be honest, to be able to do that. And I thought, you know, four points clear, here we're flying, let's hold on. And you know, it was just unfortunate. Obviously, in every single goal you can see you can say this person made a mistake, this person made a missake. There's constant mistakes, and there's obviously brilliance from the other side to score the goal in. You know, I just think it was a top ball in the corner. Was great. Could we have defended at better, yes, one hundred percent, but it was a great delivery. And overall, as much as I hate to say, I think a draw was probably a fair result. There've been the toughest team we've played, I reckon defensively. They were just so ferocious in their attack on the ball, and we knew that coming into the game they were going to be physical. We matched that. I thought, well, we tried to play the way we wanted to play and they made it difficult. We you know, we didn't create as many chances as normal, but we still scored two goals and it was just disappointing to I guess, yeah, cap off the four or five days beating victory on Saturday night something that was unbelievable or packed house there three to two, and then to come into this one to win two to one would have been, you know, unbelievable. To come away with six points from from two games against these two big clubs and to go four points clear was obviously what everyone was expecting. I'm sure a couple of people left early to be honest, as they always do, because they think I'll miss the traffic and then you missed that disappointment. But we're we're still top of the table, undefeated obviously, as you said, this season only once, also only lost once this season, undefeated this year, and it just gives us more confidence as a playing group. We've played every team besides Melbourne City and you know what, there's no team that we're fearful of.

That's what I love to hear. That's a group with real belief at the moment. Some players who deserve some credit are anctually good. When last night I kicked the two goals, which I want to sort of start there. He come off the bench and just injecting himself when the team needs a little boost. He has done that a few times this season. I absolutely love how he's going about it.

That's what I love to hear. That's a group with real belief at the moment. Some players who deserve some credit are anctually good. When last night I kicked the two goals, which I want to sort of start there. He come off the bench and just injecting himself when the team needs a little boost. He has done that a few times this season. I absolutely love how he's going about it.

Yeah, no, he's been unbelievable. He's come across from Newcastle. He's always been a big talent, I guess, but he couldn't get his body right over in Newcastle. Not sure what it was. Maybe he was not getting the right care, the training. Who knows. Sometimes it's just a young player needing to, you know, get out of their home state or city and kind of just starting afresh. And you know, he missed a lot of preseason. He kept getting these small nickel injuries and it was frustrating because when he was playing, you were like, Okay, he's got he's got something special. But he couldn't couldn't stay on the field. And as soon as you know, the week week before the first game, he was all good. I don't know if he was just joking around and he didn't want to do preseason, but his body's been fine since then, and you know, he started on the bench a few games. Luca Ivanovitch has started quite a few games as well, and those two have been fighting it out and both scoring, which is what you want. And Archie this game short turnaround, they decided to play Luca up top who did great for the first sixty minutes. Archie's come on the last thirty and the two goals we were proper striker, you know, poacher goals in the right spot six yards out. You still got to be there and you've got to finish it. And I think he showed his pace to especially the second goal, to keep up with Dylan Pereus who's quick to get that tap in. He burnt the center backs and he deserves applaud. It's that he's getting. He needs to obviously keep his feet on the ground and keep working because at the end of the day, we're thirteen games into you know, a twenty six game season plus finals, so you know, it's exciting because he's gone seven goals. I think he can go to another level. And same with Lucas so where we're very happy with our strikers and you know the players that you know, when they do get put on the bench, they know they need to come on and make an impact, and he certainly did that last night.

Yeah, no, he's been unbelievable. He's come across from Newcastle. He's always been a big talent, I guess, but he couldn't get his body right over in Newcastle. Not sure what it was. Maybe he was not getting the right care, the training. Who knows. Sometimes it's just a young player needing to, you know, get out of their home state or city and kind of just starting afresh. And you know, he missed a lot of preseason. He kept getting these small nickel injuries and it was frustrating because when he was playing, you were like, Okay, he's got he's got something special. But he couldn't couldn't stay on the field. And as soon as you know, the week week before the first game, he was all good. I don't know if he was just joking around and he didn't want to do preseason, but his body's been fine since then, and you know, he started on the bench a few games. Luca Ivanovitch has started quite a few games as well, and those two have been fighting it out and both scoring, which is what you want. And Archie this game short turnaround, they decided to play Luca up top who did great for the first sixty minutes. Archie's come on the last thirty and the two goals we were proper striker, you know, poacher goals in the right spot six yards out. You still got to be there and you've got to finish it. And I think he showed his pace to especially the second goal, to keep up with Dylan Pereus who's quick to get that tap in. He burnt the center backs and he deserves applaud. It's that he's getting. He needs to obviously keep his feet on the ground and keep working because at the end of the day, we're thirteen games into you know, a twenty six game season plus finals, so you know, it's exciting because he's gone seven goals. I think he can go to another level. And same with Lucas so where we're very happy with our strikers and you know the players that you know, when they do get put on the bench, they know they need to come on and make an impact, and he certainly did that last night.

Done a very good job of summating all of that. Speaking of people trying to score and shooting for goal, you had a crack last night. It was almost like a footy kick. It just came flush off the lacers, didn't it, But it went straight into the crossbar.

Done a very good job of summating all of that. Speaking of people trying to score and shooting for goal, you had a crack last night. It was almost like a footy kick. It just came flush off the lacers, didn't it, But it went straight into the crossbar.

He were that close, Yeah, I know, I was, Yeah, I was. I thought it was going in, to be honest, It's kind of just there was. They're such big boys, so I was getting marked on the corners by Devrez, who's the left back, and this guy's massive. I'm obviously not big, So I was thinking, you know, every time I try and run past this guy, he's just blocking me. I'm never going to win a header against him. So I kind of just started pretend to run, peeling off, hoping something was coming to the back post, and it did. I've chested it down, vollied it, and yeah, I hit it so sweetly. The angle was tight, beat the keeper and you know, probably sending me the lower. It hits the crossbar and goes in. And the funny thing was, I had a mate, good friend that actually messaged me and said, listen, he used to do it with a friend of his when he was younger. He said, I'll give you two dollars for every goal you scoring, Junius, And he said to me, messaged me during the game before the game, said I'll give you one hundred dollars for every goal, and if you run over to the outdoor living area, I'll give you five hundred dollars. So I was thinking, as I've hit this is I'm six hundred bucks rich here and it didn't go in. So that was that was probably the most disappointing thing for me. It wasn't the goal. I love that.

He were that close, Yeah, I know, I was, Yeah, I was. I thought it was going in, to be honest, It's kind of just there was. They're such big boys, so I was getting marked on the corners by Devrez, who's the left back, and this guy's massive. I'm obviously not big, So I was thinking, you know, every time I try and run past this guy, he's just blocking me. I'm never going to win a header against him. So I kind of just started pretend to run, peeling off, hoping something was coming to the back post, and it did. I've chested it down, vollied it, and yeah, I hit it so sweetly. The angle was tight, beat the keeper and you know, probably sending me the lower. It hits the crossbar and goes in. And the funny thing was, I had a mate, good friend that actually messaged me and said, listen, he used to do it with a friend of his when he was younger. He said, I'll give you two dollars for every goal you scoring, Junius, And he said to me, messaged me during the game before the game, said I'll give you one hundred dollars for every goal, and if you run over to the outdoor living area, I'll give you five hundred dollars. So I was thinking, as I've hit this is I'm six hundred bucks rich here and it didn't go in. So that was that was probably the most disappointing thing for me. It wasn't the goal. I love that.

It was interesting though, and we probably should crack into it because in terms of game breakdown, I think the final moment was kind of where it all sat at the end. It was the final defensive play from a corner, and you would have if you've seen the pictures since carved on the sidelines absolutely fuming he's out, all played out in the hundredth minutes.

It was interesting though, and we probably should crack into it because in terms of game breakdown, I think the final moment was kind of where it all sat at the end. It was the final defensive play from a corner, and you would have if you've seen the pictures since carved on the sidelines absolutely fuming he's out, all played out in the hundredth minutes.

Did Steve Kurr joy that this.

Did Steve Kurr joy that this.

Is why we look at the emotions going absolutely and us the two managers on the sideline, We're going It was the complete polar opposite reaction. But I just I wanted to sort of go into the defensive situation for you guys, because, as you said, you're on the sideline, you're just watching. But is there a set play and set defensive positioning. I suppose for everybody did you execute it right?

Is why we look at the emotions going absolutely and us the two managers on the sideline, We're going It was the complete polar opposite reaction. But I just I wanted to sort of go into the defensive situation for you guys, because, as you said, you're on the sideline, you're just watching. But is there a set play and set defensive positioning. I suppose for everybody did you execute it right?

Did it just go wrong?

Did it just go wrong?

How did it all work out in that final minute.

How did it all work out in that final minute.

Well, we definitely do have set plays obviously in terms of positioning of where we need to be defensively going forward as well. And it's probably we have conceded a few set pieces, you know. Sydney FC was another one where we conceded late this one. So we need to get better at it. Obviously. That's something that we need to become stronger at because it's it's costing us games, you know. And it was a great delivery. As I said, we looked at Auckland, we kind of spoke about what they are going to try and do. There has great delivery and sometimes when they put a good ball in it it's quite difficult. And the guy that was on Ethan Cox, the goalkeeper that scored, we leave him to be free because you know, it gives Coxy or the goalkeeper del ing of normally more space. If you kind of put a player on top of him, he crowds his space out. He's the one that's kind of gone off a front. Two players who was Archie Goodwin and I think Havey Lopez. They've kind of anticipated because the players run in front of them, so they've taken a step forward instead, they've misjudged the flight of the ball wh's just gone over the head bart Vreens, who was behind them couldn't quite get there. So you know, there's multiple things that goes wrong, obviously, and we looked at it today and it's not blaming those individual players. There's a lot, you know, that you can do wrong and sometimes they don't score. But in those moments, if you want to be you know, champions, you want to be the team that's finishing on top of you, you need to get better at those moments. And as I said earlier, I think a draw probably is a fair result, but it's just disappointing because you know, we did so well to come back into the game, to go to one up in the ninety fifth minute. I think it was obviously the crowd was going crazy. I'm sure everyone's celebrating, and for us as players, we feel it just as much as the fans. And it's deflating because, yeah, you kind of feel like that was two points lost, where if it stayed at one, oh, you're like, well we gained a point here where you go to one up and I just hope the crowd will still come out for that next game. I'm sure they will, but you know, feeling the energy that they bring these last two games at Cooper Stadium has been probably the best I've felt since the championship winning year when I was there. Great. It was unbelievable. Victory was completely sold out sixteen and last night was twelve OD which for a Wednesday night. People had work. I know that school holidays, but if you're at work all day, you know you've got to get home, get ready. I have something between get to Cooper Statum. It's not easy. It's much simpler to just put on the TV, put Paramount on and watch it there. But people want to come, and that's what I think. You know we've brought this season. Even if we're not getting the results all the time, it's exciting. We're playing good football, we're scoring goals. Yes we're conceding a few as well, but it's exciting and I think, you know, where the best team in the league to watch. We've got the best stadium to play football at and fans are turning up for it. A lot of ESA boys playing, So I hope you know in this next home game against Melbourne City. It's another sold out crowd because you know, the players that are playing we deserve it, I think, and the fans we definitely feel you on the fielter to help us get that result.

Well, we definitely do have set plays obviously in terms of positioning of where we need to be defensively going forward as well. And it's probably we have conceded a few set pieces, you know. Sydney FC was another one where we conceded late this one. So we need to get better at it. Obviously. That's something that we need to become stronger at because it's it's costing us games, you know. And it was a great delivery. As I said, we looked at Auckland, we kind of spoke about what they are going to try and do. There has great delivery and sometimes when they put a good ball in it it's quite difficult. And the guy that was on Ethan Cox, the goalkeeper that scored, we leave him to be free because you know, it gives Coxy or the goalkeeper del ing of normally more space. If you kind of put a player on top of him, he crowds his space out. He's the one that's kind of gone off a front. Two players who was Archie Goodwin and I think Havey Lopez. They've kind of anticipated because the players run in front of them, so they've taken a step forward instead, they've misjudged the flight of the ball wh's just gone over the head bart Vreens, who was behind them couldn't quite get there. So you know, there's multiple things that goes wrong, obviously, and we looked at it today and it's not blaming those individual players. There's a lot, you know, that you can do wrong and sometimes they don't score. But in those moments, if you want to be you know, champions, you want to be the team that's finishing on top of you, you need to get better at those moments. And as I said earlier, I think a draw probably is a fair result, but it's just disappointing because you know, we did so well to come back into the game, to go to one up in the ninety fifth minute. I think it was obviously the crowd was going crazy. I'm sure everyone's celebrating, and for us as players, we feel it just as much as the fans. And it's deflating because, yeah, you kind of feel like that was two points lost, where if it stayed at one, oh, you're like, well we gained a point here where you go to one up and I just hope the crowd will still come out for that next game. I'm sure they will, but you know, feeling the energy that they bring these last two games at Cooper Stadium has been probably the best I've felt since the championship winning year when I was there. Great. It was unbelievable. Victory was completely sold out sixteen and last night was twelve OD which for a Wednesday night. People had work. I know that school holidays, but if you're at work all day, you know you've got to get home, get ready. I have something between get to Cooper Statum. It's not easy. It's much simpler to just put on the TV, put Paramount on and watch it there. But people want to come, and that's what I think. You know we've brought this season. Even if we're not getting the results all the time, it's exciting. We're playing good football, we're scoring goals. Yes we're conceding a few as well, but it's exciting and I think, you know, where the best team in the league to watch. We've got the best stadium to play football at and fans are turning up for it. A lot of ESA boys playing, So I hope you know in this next home game against Melbourne City. It's another sold out crowd because you know, the players that are playing we deserve it, I think, and the fans we definitely feel you on the fielter to help us get that result.

So your next game is away next Saturday, so you take on Sydney FCDN, as you've mentioned before. But is the scheduling a little bit odd that it is a two games so close to each other as a MIDWEK Wednesday night. Thankfully, the crowd's right behind you with a minute, so you've still got a decent atmosphere to play in front of on a midweek, but you now sort of have like a bit of a bye weekend in a way because of the amount of time in between the games. Does every team get this? Is this sort of how generally structures up or is this a bit strange?

So your next game is away next Saturday, so you take on Sydney FCDN, as you've mentioned before. But is the scheduling a little bit odd that it is a two games so close to each other as a MIDWEK Wednesday night. Thankfully, the crowd's right behind you with a minute, so you've still got a decent atmosphere to play in front of on a midweek, but you now sort of have like a bit of a bye weekend in a way because of the amount of time in between the games. Does every team get this? Is this sort of how generally structures up or is this a bit strange?

It's I think it's with the scheduling from APL They've wanted to get a certain amount of games in January, obviously knowing you have school holidays. It's the summer football frenzy or whatever they call it. I've just made that up. That could be right, could be wrong, but they can use it if they want. And yeah, they've tried to get as many games, so obviously each team's played different midweek games. We've actually been quite fortunate. This is our first one, and in hindsight, we're actually luckily we don't have to play again this Saturday, because otherwise you're probably playing three games in seven days. It's a lot tougher to kind of handle that where other teams have had to do that. So as much as you want to play again, it's not a bad time. We get a few days off over the weekend. It would have been better if we walked away with six points from the two games, but four is okay, and I think this is the last. Maybe next week they've got another Wednesday game potentially and that will be the last one before you go into the traditional weekend fixtures. So it's yeah, it's okay. It is what it is. Obviously for us, we get the ten days and we get to prepare for Sydney FC, so we get to watch them this weekend and everybody will be fit and raring to go. Absolutely well.

It's I think it's with the scheduling from APL They've wanted to get a certain amount of games in January, obviously knowing you have school holidays. It's the summer football frenzy or whatever they call it. I've just made that up. That could be right, could be wrong, but they can use it if they want. And yeah, they've tried to get as many games, so obviously each team's played different midweek games. We've actually been quite fortunate. This is our first one, and in hindsight, we're actually luckily we don't have to play again this Saturday, because otherwise you're probably playing three games in seven days. It's a lot tougher to kind of handle that where other teams have had to do that. So as much as you want to play again, it's not a bad time. We get a few days off over the weekend. It would have been better if we walked away with six points from the two games, but four is okay, and I think this is the last. Maybe next week they've got another Wednesday game potentially and that will be the last one before you go into the traditional weekend fixtures. So it's yeah, it's okay. It is what it is. Obviously for us, we get the ten days and we get to prepare for Sydney FC, so we get to watch them this weekend and everybody will be fit and raring to go. Absolutely well.

I'm already looking forward to the next matchup you have again Stalkham Lift, so especially because I think you two are going to have a really great season up against each other when you collide just around the ground, So in the A League outside of your own bubble in Adelaide, who else was tracking and anything else is caught your eye?

I'm already looking forward to the next matchup you have again Stalkham Lift, so especially because I think you two are going to have a really great season up against each other when you collide just around the ground, So in the A League outside of your own bubble in Adelaide, who else was tracking and anything else is caught your eye?

Well, as you said, Auckland are the team obviously that are probably matching it with us. They played Melbourne City on the weekend back in Auckland and that was kind of you know, us Melbourne City and Auckland with the three teams that were kind of at the top, and Auckland smashed them three nil quite convincingly. And Melbourne City hadn't conceded many goals for the season. So for Auckland to win three nil, even though it was at home, I think showed you know, they're a serious team in Melbourne City. I've been really surprised with them. They've got alreally a vid Max Adelaide United coach Adelaide United legend. The Vidmars Standers is named after him, so obviously he's a hero here. But he's done so well with a young squad because they've got injuries to you know, six or seven of their key players. Matt Lecky, who's a SOCCERU James Jego has been out injured, Tileo Naboo Quain and Colin the two foreign boys. They've had a lot of players out injured, so they've had their Academy players essentially, I haven't even known a lot of their players that have been playing most of the weeks. Shows that Academy is working really well, and it shows that Aurelia is doing a fantastic job there for them. So that's a big game. That's us at home, not next Saturday, but the one after. We've got them, so hopefully they don't have too many of those players back, but they might do by then. So I would say us three other teams that have been doing the best, and then just after them, another Adelaide legend in John Alowissi with Western United. They probably have been a bit of a dark horse as well, where everyone at the start of the season was riding them off. They didn't sign too many players besides Ibusuki who was from Adelaide United. They didn't make many signings a lot of young players, but their young players have been extremely, extremely consistent, which is probably not something you normally associate with young players, but they've done really well and I'm excited to see I've got my best mate there, Ben Grucco as well, so I'm happy to see him doing well. It's much easier to talk to him when they've won games rather than when they've lost and he's upset and doesn't answer my calls, so.

Well, as you said, Auckland are the team obviously that are probably matching it with us. They played Melbourne City on the weekend back in Auckland and that was kind of you know, us Melbourne City and Auckland with the three teams that were kind of at the top, and Auckland smashed them three nil quite convincingly. And Melbourne City hadn't conceded many goals for the season. So for Auckland to win three nil, even though it was at home, I think showed you know, they're a serious team in Melbourne City. I've been really surprised with them. They've got alreally a vid Max Adelaide United coach Adelaide United legend. The Vidmars Standers is named after him, so obviously he's a hero here. But he's done so well with a young squad because they've got injuries to you know, six or seven of their key players. Matt Lecky, who's a SOCCERU James Jego has been out injured, Tileo Naboo Quain and Colin the two foreign boys. They've had a lot of players out injured, so they've had their Academy players essentially, I haven't even known a lot of their players that have been playing most of the weeks. Shows that Academy is working really well, and it shows that Aurelia is doing a fantastic job there for them. So that's a big game. That's us at home, not next Saturday, but the one after. We've got them, so hopefully they don't have too many of those players back, but they might do by then. So I would say us three other teams that have been doing the best, and then just after them, another Adelaide legend in John Alowissi with Western United. They probably have been a bit of a dark horse as well, where everyone at the start of the season was riding them off. They didn't sign too many players besides Ibusuki who was from Adelaide United. They didn't make many signings a lot of young players, but their young players have been extremely, extremely consistent, which is probably not something you normally associate with young players, but they've done really well and I'm excited to see I've got my best mate there, Ben Grucco as well, so I'm happy to see him doing well. It's much easier to talk to him when they've won games rather than when they've lost and he's upset and doesn't answer my calls, so.

Absolutely all right. Well, we've covered off the A League pretty comprehensively. If you want to join in with us eight double two to three double O double o's the number and we'll take your calls in the next fifteen minutes before we're out. Stephan Mark with us here on the world game, of course, we are brought to you all things to Cherry, which are a fantastic great partners with us and you can receive up to a two thousand dollars gift card with a vehicle purchase if you go to Southern Cherry and they've got their twenty twenty four plate clear and sale on right now, So great partners. We're going to take a quick break. On the other side, lost to talk about outside of Australia, the global game, of course, it is we have a bit of pressure on Tottenham and Ene Poster Cogli, which has been a hot talking point during the week. Champions League back in action, Premier League in full swing as well, so lots to discuss the number eight double two to three double O double Oh.

Absolutely all right. Well, we've covered off the A League pretty comprehensively. If you want to join in with us eight double two to three double O double o's the number and we'll take your calls in the next fifteen minutes before we're out. Stephan Mark with us here on the world game, of course, we are brought to you all things to Cherry, which are a fantastic great partners with us and you can receive up to a two thousand dollars gift card with a vehicle purchase if you go to Southern Cherry and they've got their twenty twenty four plate clear and sale on right now, So great partners. We're going to take a quick break. On the other side, lost to talk about outside of Australia, the global game, of course, it is we have a bit of pressure on Tottenham and Ene Poster Cogli, which has been a hot talking point during the week. Champions League back in action, Premier League in full swing as well, so lots to discuss the number eight double two to three double O double Oh.

The World Game with Stephan mork on five double A.

The World Game with Stephan mork on five double A.

Great to have your company eleven minutes to seven Lee Forrest coming up after seven o'clock tonight. Love your calls eight double two to three double O double o's. But we're talking all things of the World Game. We'll get onto the Champions League and the EPL in a moment as well. But if you'd like to head along to these blockbuster bumper crowns that we're getting at Cooper Stadium at the next home game, Adelaide United, we have your tickets all thanks to City Discount Tires right now. If you first caller through on the competition line eight double two to three double double five you can get these tickets. Always get the best advice and price on tires and mechanical at City Discount Tires Port Adelaide. Let's start with the Champions League which has got back underway this week. Stephan, A couple of games this.

Great to have your company eleven minutes to seven Lee Forrest coming up after seven o'clock tonight. Love your calls eight double two to three double O double o's. But we're talking all things of the World Game. We'll get onto the Champions League and the EPL in a moment as well. But if you'd like to head along to these blockbuster bumper crowns that we're getting at Cooper Stadium at the next home game, Adelaide United, we have your tickets all thanks to City Discount Tires right now. If you first caller through on the competition line eight double two to three double double five you can get these tickets. Always get the best advice and price on tires and mechanical at City Discount Tires Port Adelaide. Let's start with the Champions League which has got back underway this week. Stephan, A couple of games this.

Morning, Yeah, some big results. Really. I guess this is the new format which is kind of being spoken about as to whether it's good or whether it's not so good. Are you enjoying it? I personally am. I think you know the old format where it was, you know, the eight groups of four teams you played home. In a way, to be honest, by the time you got to the last two games, it was kind of dead rubbers because the top team was already through. The second team you kind of knew who was going through, so it was just maybe who was going first, who was going second. On the odd group, you had the second and the third who were going for it. But it was just, yeah, it was boring, to be honest, because I did kind of switch off from that and you just waited for the knockout stages, which was great. You know, you get them in the round of sixteen, quarter final, semifinals, brilliant. But this one you're playing different teams each week home and away. Obviously you're playing, but you're not playing the same teams home and away. So you're going in now to the last game week of the Champions League, and probably halfway through, some of the pundits and some of the people were saying, this is a waste. You know, it's not exciting because the group stage, you know, the group ladder, sorry, you're looking at it and you're like, well, teams are all over the place, everyone's kind of on similar points. But now it's like, okay, these last games mean everything. In Manchester City, they played this morning massive game away to PSG Paris Saint Jermaine. They were too nil up. You were thinking, all right, if they win this then they're going through. Here. Instead they've ended up losing the game four to two and they're at risk of actually not going through. So to give people a recap of how it actually works, you've got your top eight teams that go directly through to the round of sixteen, and that currently is Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Athletico Madrid, Asi Milan, Atalante and Bayer Leverkusen. So those eight teams, let's say if they stayed the same, they're going through the next eighteen or so. The next sixteen teams from eight to twenty four are going to playoff against each other to decide who obviously gets through to play against those top eight teams. And you've got some massive names, but it's not just that. You literally have from ninth position, which is Austin Villa, Joe Gauci's team all the way through to twenty sixth and twenty fifth. Manchester City Dino Moozogreb are on eight points, so it's five points separating ninth to twenty sixth and going into this last round of games, it's Manchester City who are playing at home to Club Bruges and Club brus are on eleven points, so Manchester City need to win that game to go through. If they draw it, they've got zero chance in going through. They need to win that game. Club Bruges know they can draw that game and probably go through, So I'm anticipating it's going to be ten men behind the ball barking the bus, and that's what I think makes it quite exciting because big name teams Manchester City, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, even Celtic Juventus, that they're not guaranteed that they're actually going to be obviously in the top eight. They're going to be playing off and I'm a fan. I think it's the first year they've done it and they've probably made the right decision because yeah, it's made it more interesting. I hope for Joe Gauci's sake, they can win their next game and hopefully gets through into the top eight because it goes on a ranking system as well, so I think if you finish ninth, you play the twenty fourth ranked team, So Ustin Villa could potentially be playing a Manchester City or a PSG, which is not really what you want when it's meant to be an advantage. But that's how tight this group is of teams. And yeah, I think it's thrown a different kind of dilemma with the way they've set it up this season, and yeah, I'm all for it.

Morning, Yeah, some big results. Really. I guess this is the new format which is kind of being spoken about as to whether it's good or whether it's not so good. Are you enjoying it? I personally am. I think you know the old format where it was, you know, the eight groups of four teams you played home. In a way, to be honest, by the time you got to the last two games, it was kind of dead rubbers because the top team was already through. The second team you kind of knew who was going through, so it was just maybe who was going first, who was going second. On the odd group, you had the second and the third who were going for it. But it was just, yeah, it was boring, to be honest, because I did kind of switch off from that and you just waited for the knockout stages, which was great. You know, you get them in the round of sixteen, quarter final, semifinals, brilliant. But this one you're playing different teams each week home and away. Obviously you're playing, but you're not playing the same teams home and away. So you're going in now to the last game week of the Champions League, and probably halfway through, some of the pundits and some of the people were saying, this is a waste. You know, it's not exciting because the group stage, you know, the group ladder, sorry, you're looking at it and you're like, well, teams are all over the place, everyone's kind of on similar points. But now it's like, okay, these last games mean everything. In Manchester City, they played this morning massive game away to PSG Paris Saint Jermaine. They were too nil up. You were thinking, all right, if they win this then they're going through. Here. Instead they've ended up losing the game four to two and they're at risk of actually not going through. So to give people a recap of how it actually works, you've got your top eight teams that go directly through to the round of sixteen, and that currently is Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Athletico Madrid, Asi Milan, Atalante and Bayer Leverkusen. So those eight teams, let's say if they stayed the same, they're going through the next eighteen or so. The next sixteen teams from eight to twenty four are going to playoff against each other to decide who obviously gets through to play against those top eight teams. And you've got some massive names, but it's not just that. You literally have from ninth position, which is Austin Villa, Joe Gauci's team all the way through to twenty sixth and twenty fifth. Manchester City Dino Moozogreb are on eight points, so it's five points separating ninth to twenty sixth and going into this last round of games, it's Manchester City who are playing at home to Club Bruges and Club brus are on eleven points, so Manchester City need to win that game to go through. If they draw it, they've got zero chance in going through. They need to win that game. Club Bruges know they can draw that game and probably go through, So I'm anticipating it's going to be ten men behind the ball barking the bus, and that's what I think makes it quite exciting because big name teams Manchester City, PSG, Sporting Lisbon, even Celtic Juventus, that they're not guaranteed that they're actually going to be obviously in the top eight. They're going to be playing off and I'm a fan. I think it's the first year they've done it and they've probably made the right decision because yeah, it's made it more interesting. I hope for Joe Gauci's sake, they can win their next game and hopefully gets through into the top eight because it goes on a ranking system as well, so I think if you finish ninth, you play the twenty fourth ranked team, So Ustin Villa could potentially be playing a Manchester City or a PSG, which is not really what you want when it's meant to be an advantage. But that's how tight this group is of teams. And yeah, I think it's thrown a different kind of dilemma with the way they've set it up this season, and yeah, I'm all for it.

It's amazing and it's crazy looking at the thirty six team ladder like it's actually next level. There's so much going on before we finish up tonight though Premier League action. And I probably should ask you about Ange Pasta Coogla. I feel like he's the hot topic out of this year in Australia at least right now.

It's amazing and it's crazy looking at the thirty six team ladder like it's actually next level. There's so much going on before we finish up tonight though Premier League action. And I probably should ask you about Ange Pasta Coogla. I feel like he's the hot topic out of this year in Australia at least right now.

Can he is it?

Can he is it?

How much longer has he got and and can he hang on in this job for further than maybe a week or two?

How much longer has he got and and can he hang on in this job for further than maybe a week or two?

Yeah, I think it's they've got Lester this week. Who if you ever want no offense to any less fans listening, but if you ever want a win, it's probably against a Lester or an ibswitch. Could that break him if they don't yet that, yeah, it's probably is one of those games where you're playing at home, you've just lost a way to Everton, you're three nil down. As well against Everton you come back and lost three two. But still I think this game here, I reckon they'll back him no way, no matter what, to be honest, because they've had so many injuries. They've got seven or eight of their starting eleven not available and then another four or five players that are injured. So you're playing players that you know, a young eighteen year old who's a center midfield, you're playing him at center back. But at the same time, it's a results driven business. And I think the one thing that normally is Andre's biggest asset. He's great in the media. He can, you know, talk a good game, he can joke around, but when things go pair shaped, he can get very prickly. And I think the media are jumping on that because he's so I'm gonna say, arrogant, but in a good way. He believes in himself, in his style. He doesn't care. He's not going to change the way he plays, and they're feeding off that because when it was working. I was like, oh this is this is something different. Now it's not working, and they can hammer because they're saying, well, you're saying you're going to keep playing the same way. It's not working, So how bad are you now? It's not working? It really isn't working. And maybe he could have, you know, swallowed a bit of pride and changed a few things just to get a few results around this period, but he hasn't. And I still like that way of thinking. But if he doesn't have the backing from the board, from you know, the CEO, the chairman, it can come, you know, very quickly around the other way where they turn and think, you know what, we need to throw the manager under the bus because otherwise if they don't, if they don't sack the manager, the fans start coming at them. So I'm really interested to see what they do because I think they need to give him time. They need to give him another couple of windows. He needs reinforcements. So January window is here. We've been open for you know, close to a month. No one's really come into to any teams, to be honest, So my boys Arsenal need to bring in some players as well. With our injuries and we haven't brought in anyone, so I think it's going to be a you know, a lot of last minute sales, panic buys and and for Ander's sake, being you know, a fellow Australian, we want him to be succeeding there. They're in the cup semi final in the Caraba Cup and they won the first leg against Liverpool, so that's probably also the other thing that's maybe giving him that leeway because the club hasn't won a trophy in forever. Yeah, so if he can you know, somehow win that second leg and get through to a final, that's probably the thing that it's holding onto. But as we said, Leicester this weekend, we need him to get some points in that game and you can't draw that at home. You need to be winning that and probably convincingly as well. So fingers crossed he gets through other big game this weekend. Probably you've got Manchester City and Chelsea who man City have finally come back from their drop off of form. They're back scoring goals besides this morning obviously in the Champions League. But that's going to be an absolute ripper of a game, So tune into op to sport and watch those ones because it's going to get exciting as the season gets close to the end.

Yeah, I think it's they've got Lester this week. Who if you ever want no offense to any less fans listening, but if you ever want a win, it's probably against a Lester or an ibswitch. Could that break him if they don't yet that, yeah, it's probably is one of those games where you're playing at home, you've just lost a way to Everton, you're three nil down. As well against Everton you come back and lost three two. But still I think this game here, I reckon they'll back him no way, no matter what, to be honest, because they've had so many injuries. They've got seven or eight of their starting eleven not available and then another four or five players that are injured. So you're playing players that you know, a young eighteen year old who's a center midfield, you're playing him at center back. But at the same time, it's a results driven business. And I think the one thing that normally is Andre's biggest asset. He's great in the media. He can, you know, talk a good game, he can joke around, but when things go pair shaped, he can get very prickly. And I think the media are jumping on that because he's so I'm gonna say, arrogant, but in a good way. He believes in himself, in his style. He doesn't care. He's not going to change the way he plays, and they're feeding off that because when it was working. I was like, oh this is this is something different. Now it's not working, and they can hammer because they're saying, well, you're saying you're going to keep playing the same way. It's not working, So how bad are you now? It's not working? It really isn't working. And maybe he could have, you know, swallowed a bit of pride and changed a few things just to get a few results around this period, but he hasn't. And I still like that way of thinking. But if he doesn't have the backing from the board, from you know, the CEO, the chairman, it can come, you know, very quickly around the other way where they turn and think, you know what, we need to throw the manager under the bus because otherwise if they don't, if they don't sack the manager, the fans start coming at them. So I'm really interested to see what they do because I think they need to give him time. They need to give him another couple of windows. He needs reinforcements. So January window is here. We've been open for you know, close to a month. No one's really come into to any teams, to be honest, So my boys Arsenal need to bring in some players as well. With our injuries and we haven't brought in anyone, so I think it's going to be a you know, a lot of last minute sales, panic buys and and for Ander's sake, being you know, a fellow Australian, we want him to be succeeding there. They're in the cup semi final in the Caraba Cup and they won the first leg against Liverpool, so that's probably also the other thing that's maybe giving him that leeway because the club hasn't won a trophy in forever. Yeah, so if he can you know, somehow win that second leg and get through to a final, that's probably the thing that it's holding onto. But as we said, Leicester this weekend, we need him to get some points in that game and you can't draw that at home. You need to be winning that and probably convincingly as well. So fingers crossed he gets through other big game this weekend. Probably you've got Manchester City and Chelsea who man City have finally come back from their drop off of form. They're back scoring goals besides this morning obviously in the Champions League. But that's going to be an absolute ripper of a game, So tune into op to sport and watch those ones because it's going to get exciting as the season gets close to the end.

Wolves for your mob this week Arsenal, so you should get that done pretty surely.

Wolves for your mob this week Arsenal, so you should get that done pretty surely.

Be easy. But to be honest, we've been struggling to score. We scored three this morning against Innnimazagreb in the Champions League, but we're struggling. This seems like there's a lot of injuries, and I think it's just the fixtures. You know, they play sixty odd games over there, and you know they're not robots, doesn't matter how much you pay them, what the facilities are, like the recovery.

Be easy. But to be honest, we've been struggling to score. We scored three this morning against Innnimazagreb in the Champions League, but we're struggling. This seems like there's a lot of injuries, and I think it's just the fixtures. You know, they play sixty odd games over there, and you know they're not robots, doesn't matter how much you pay them, what the facilities are, like the recovery.

Now do you hold up for sixty game?

Now do you hold up for sixty game?

We played forty I think forty two in Japan. My body was wrecked. And it's not just forty two. Obviously Japan the scrutiny's there, but over there the media is ridiculous. It's the mental strain in the Premier League. You know they're expected to win. If you're at the top teams, Oh, it would be tough, and that's why they are paid the big money. But it doesn't mean that their bodies aren't going to break down every now and again. And it's showing that some players are so it's survival of the fittest and that's why Liverpool are top because somehow they seem to keep on winning and you know they're keeping their best players on the field, so that's the secret source. It really is.

We played forty I think forty two in Japan. My body was wrecked. And it's not just forty two. Obviously Japan the scrutiny's there, but over there the media is ridiculous. It's the mental strain in the Premier League. You know they're expected to win. If you're at the top teams, Oh, it would be tough, and that's why they are paid the big money. But it doesn't mean that their bodies aren't going to break down every now and again. And it's showing that some players are so it's survival of the fittest and that's why Liverpool are top because somehow they seem to keep on winning and you know they're keeping their best players on the field, so that's the secret source. It really is.

Received up to two thousand dollars gift card when a vehicle is purchased at Southern Cherry's twenty twenty four plate clearance sale, So get down there if you can, Stiff, and you've done an excellent job to return to play mate. But that's a very quick first show back for twenty twenty five in great form, as is your soccer format, so mate, you're just flying everywhere. Thank you for joining us once again for the World Game.

Received up to two thousand dollars gift card when a vehicle is purchased at Southern Cherry's twenty twenty four plate clearance sale, So get down there if you can, Stiff, and you've done an excellent job to return to play mate. But that's a very quick first show back for twenty twenty five in great form, as is your soccer format, so mate, you're just flying everywhere. Thank you for joining us once again for the World Game.

We'll be back next Thursday night.

We'll be back next Thursday night.