Aussie soccer chaos resumes
AN outbreak of Covid-19 at the Western Sydney Wanderers has created even more of a headache for organisers of the decimated A-Leagues.
Not since round four, nearly six weeks ago, has a week of the A-League Men’s competition gone uninterrupted by Covid-19 postponements.
The A-Leagues confirmed on Sunday that yet another match would need to be scrapped for the time being: Wednesday’s clash between the Wanderers and Adelaide United.
The A-League Men has scheduled a new match for the same evening, to be contested by Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe.
The news will come as a relief to Roar coach Warren Moon, who lamented the state of the league after his side’s draw with Sydney FC on Saturday night.
“I’m a Covid coach, that’s all I am,” Moon joked.
“Right now, we make subs not based on the game … they were made purely on who could go further and who couldn’t. Some have put their hands up to play under real adversity.
“From the 24th of December to the 2nd of January, not one of our players kicked a ball. We were all in isolation. I’m really proud of this group because there were players out there tonight who had one or two training sessions.”
The most recent postponement likely won’t have gone down well at Adelaide United.
After Saturday night’s 2-2 draw with Melbourne City, Reds coach Carl Veart said he was determined to push through the Covid chaos.
“I have said all along we don’t want to postpone our games, we want to keep playing our games, it’s a tough enough season as it is,” he said.
The Wanderers have had just as much reason to be frustrated.
News that Wednesday’s game won’t go ahead takes their tally of postponed matches to five since Christmas.
In that time, the men from western Sydney have played just one game – a 3-3 draw with Melbourne City last Sunday.
The A-Leagues nevertheless remain bullish that postponing fixtures is the only feasible response to their Covid woes.
“Protocols put in place by the A-Leagues continue to be effective for screening and subsequent RAT or PCR testing in detecting the virus and ensuring immediate isolation,” a statement read.
“We continue to work closely with each government health department to implement the relevant state health directives in clubs where Covid cases are present.
“Our primary concern is for the health, wellbeing and safety of all players, staff and their families. We will continue to work with all clubs to confirm a new schedule for all postponed matches as soon as possible.”