The Hyundai A-League is back for another exciting season of football with the action set to start on Thursday night.
SYDNEY
3 August 2010
The Hyundai A-League is back for another exciting season of football with the action set to start on Thursday night.
This year sees the introduction of the Hyundai A-League-s newest team Melbourne Heart who will open season six proceedings with their match against Central Coast Mariners in Australia-s newest football venue AAMI Park.
Since the nail biting Hyundai A-League 2010 Grand Final between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory in March, Australia has witnessed the Westfield Matildas win the AFC Women-s Asian Cup and qualify for the World Cup in Germany next year, the Qantas Socceroos compete courageously in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and once again see our competition expand in both number of teams and fixtures.
“Nowhere in the game is this constant state of motion as evident as it is in season six of the Hyundai A-League, said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
“For season six the Hyundai A-League does not stand still as we see the introduction of a new team, new players, new coaches, new rules, a new purpose built venue and an expanded format and new time slots.”
Season six of the Hyundai A-League not only expands from 10 to 11 teams but also sees the competition expand in matches and introduces a series of midweek fixtures commencing on September 15 when Melbourne Victory host Wellington Phoenix.
“This season sees an extra 30 games with an increase from 135 to 165 matches,” continued Buckley.
“We also see the introduction of regular midweek matches which will test the resolve of players endurance, our Coaches- ability to manage more matches in essentially the same period of time, our medical and conditioning teams and of course our fans- nerves and anxiety levels as they ride the highs and lows of a season.
“And while the players and coaches and clubs are the ones that make the spotlight each week let us not forget the passion and commitment that we see week in and week out from our fans.
“There are no other fans in Australia that are as passionate, inspiring, organized and as dedicated.
Significant Hyundai A-League information for 2010/11:
-FIFA World Cup, Australia-s FIFA World Cup Bid and submission of Australia-s bid to -host the 2015 AFC Asian Cup
-Eleven (11) team League / thirty (30) games per Club
-League Commences: 5 August 2010 / Grand Final: 11-13 March 2011
-Total League games increased from 135 to 165 (22% on 2009/10)
-Maximum Player Payments (Salary Cap) increases from $2.25M – $2.35M
-Introduction of Australian Marquee Regulation
-Up to three (3) NYL players are able to be signed to Standard Player Contracts
-Significant increase in midweek football
-First ever Hyundai A-League double header at the SFS in Week 12
-The introduction of the Weekend Break (due to format of 11 team league)
-Hyundai A-League will continue through the 2011 AFC Asian Cup
-Hyundai A-League Finals Series will maintain a Top 6 format
The Hyundai A-League kicks-off with:
-Thursday, 5 August, Melbourne Heart v Central Coast Mariners, AAMI Park, 7.30pm AEST
-Friday, 6 August, Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets, Hindmarsh Stadium, 8.00pm AEST
-Friday, 6 August, Perth Glory v North Queensland Fury, nib Stadium, 10.00pm AEST
-Saturday, 7 August, Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory, Sydney Football Stadium, 7.30pm AEST
-Sunday, 8 August, Gold Coast United v Brisbane Roar, Skilled Park, 3.00pm AEST
-Weekend Break: Wellington Phoenix
The home and away series ends on Sunday, 13 February, with the Hyundai A-League 2011 Grand Final closing out the season on the weekend of 11-13 March 2011.
Click Here to view this season’s draw.
