Australia World Cup News

Football Federation Australia will push the finale of the A-League season to its latest finish, with a May grand final bringing the competition into line with the European season - but potentially causing significant scheduling headaches with competing local winter codes.

Australia's Central Coast Mariners operate under a salary cap of $2.48 million, approximately a quarter of what Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande pays Argentine star Dario Conca.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says he's yet to be offered a new contract at Fulham but isn't worried about his future beyond this season.

Defender Jade North admits the Socceroos have their back against the wall as they eye a World Cup berth but says it's Asian heavyweights Japan who'll be fearful heading into their key clash next month.

HIS international career looked dead and buried, but Harry Kewell could be on the verge of miraculously ending his 12-month Socceroos exile.

Australia had several players involved in leagues around the world on Saturday and there were plenty of goals to be had.

Central Coast youngsters Mitchell Duke and Trent Sainsbury have earned spots in the Socceroos Australian-based training squad ahead of next month's FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

DEVONPORT'S forwards will be in the spotlight when they are pitted against one of Australia's most decorated soccer stars later this month.

THE next Socceroos coach, whether it's next month or after next year's World Cup, should be an Australian.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has urged Football Federation Australia and the A-League to time next season's domestic competition to finish in May to allow for the nation's locally based World Cup players to arrive in Brazil ready for action - should Australia qualify for its third consecutive World Cup.

Ian Rush smiles as he looks out on the vast expanse of the MCG and says with understatement: ''I don't think it'll be hard to persuade the lads to want to come and play on this.'' Rush is in town to promote Liverpool's historic visit to Australia, where it will play its first game in this country at the famous old stadium against Melbourne Victory ... (more)

THE nation's best goalkeeping coaches are calling Tasmania home this week as part of a Football Federation Australia Advanced Level Two coaching course.

The Central Coast Mariners recovered from their Grand Final celebrations and got a vital Champions League result as they defeated Suwon 1-0 in Korea on Tuesday night.

Australia's population surpassed 23 million on Tuesday. And as the country's numbers change, so does its image - you can forget Crocodile Dundee, for a start.

IF Western Sydney fans were disappointed the Wanderers missed out on winning the grand final, they certainly didn't show it.

On the back of unprecedented crowd figures and television ratings, Sunday night's A-League grand final was the most-watched A-League game of all time on Fox Sports, with 296,000 viewers.

The versatile 33-year-old has travelled the world in search of success and understands better than most the importance of making his chances count.

Forget taking up a TV punditry role or days spent out on the golf course, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could be preparing to get dirty on the farm when his football career ends.

SYDNEY: Just 10 months after they were formed, Western Sydney Wanderers and their star signing Shinji Ono can cap a fairytale debut season Sunday when they play Central Coast Mariners in Australia's A-League final.