Kewell yet to confirm Victory stay

Melbourne Victory face a new round of negotiations with Socceroo Harry Kewell as other A-League clubs circle for his signature.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Kewell has decided to take an opt-out clause in the incentive-based three-year contract he signed with Victory after the club’s dismal campaign last season meant his earnings did not match expectations.

Kewell’s manager James Erskine said the 33-year-old hoped to stay with Victory especially as the team is now managed by dual A-League championship-winning coach Ange Postecoglou, but the marquee player was hoping for a more standard contract.

“There’s no agreement as such at the moment, the last one was terminated so now it’s as if we’re starting again,” Erskine told the Daily Telegraph.

“We haven’t seriously gone out to speak to any other clubs for now, and Harry’s preference is to stay in Melbourne, but that all depends on what we can agree with Victory.”

Kewell is not the only big-name Socceroo without a contract ahead of Australia’s World Cup qualifiers with Oman and Japan as Aussie captain Lucas Neill will also find himself a free agent at the end of June when his contract with UAE Pro-League outfit Al-Jazira expires.

It has been reported that 34-year-old Neill is on the radar of the A-League’s new Western Sydney club, but the former Blackburn and West Ham defender intends to stay in Asia.

Neill’s management refused to comment on the speculation.

“My sole focus is on the Socceroos and getting off to a good start on the road to Brazil,” Neill said in a media statement also published in the Daily Telegraph.

“I will address my club situation at the end of June if and when my club contract expires.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/kewell-yet-to-confirm-victory-stay/95883/

AFC Champions League wrap: Lee stars for Ulsan

Lee Keun-Ho scored and set up another goal as Ulsan defeated Kashiwa Reysol 3-2 in the AFC Champions League round of 16.

Wednesday’s victory means Ulsan have advanced to the quarter-finals where they will be joined by Guangzhou Evergrande after the Chinese club defeated Tokyo 1-0.

After a scoreless first half, Ulsan sprang into life, with Lee setting up the opener 10 minutes after the break.

The 27-year-old attacker weaved his way through Kashiwa’s defence to the right-hand side of the penalty area and then chipped the ball to the top of the six-yard box where Kim Shin-Wook headed home.

Kashiwa equalised in the 68th minute when Leandro Domingues got his head to a long throw to nod the ball into the back of the net but four minutes later Ulsan were in front again when Japanese defender Naoya Kondo poked the ball into his own net.

In the 89th minute, Lee hit a brilliant third goal for Ulsan.

Lee controlled the ball on his chest on the edge of the area, before thumping it past keeper Takanori Sugeno to seemingly seal Ulsan’s place in the quarter-finals.

But in stoppage time Kashiwa reignited their chances of forcing exta-time when Junya Tanaka struck a brilliant left-foot shot across his body inside the far post.

Ulsan held on, however, ending Kashiwa’s involvement in the ACL.

Guangzhou’s 1-0 home win over Tokyo ensured that no J. League clubs will be involved in the ACL quarter-finals.

The Chinese Super League club moved into the last eight for the first time thanks to a 31st-minute goal from Cleo.

Cho Won-Hee cut in from the right wing and laid the ball off to Brazilian forward Muriqui before bursting into the box.

Muriqui expertly chipped Tokyo’s defence putting the ball in front of Cho, who centred for Cleo to finish.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/afc-champions-league-wrap-lee-stars-for-ulsan/95524/

Martinez favourite for Liverpool job

Roberto Martinez continues to lead the race to become Liverpool’s manager ahead of a reported second round of talks with the club.

The Wigan manager has already held preliminary discussions with the club, believed to be in Liverpool, on Sunday.

It came after Andre Villas-Boas, the other main candidate to take the spot left vacant by Kenny Dalglish, had a meeting with Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the club’s owners, in Boston at the end of last week.

Martinez is scheduled to hold a more formal round of discussions with Liverpool in the next few days.

He is expected to meet with chairman Tom Werner and Ed Weiss, FSG’s in-house lawyer.

Martinez, 38, is the favourite for the vacant position, with Villas-Boas his closest rival for the post.

Villas-Boas, who is available after being sacked by Chelsea in March, is believed to have made a favourable impression with FSG when he met them at their Boston base.

Despite his claim he is intent on choosing the ‘right project’ before committing himself, Villas-Boas is said to regard the Liverpool job as one of the most attractive in Europe.

Martinez was granted permission by Wigan to speak to Liverpool last Thursday after being sounded out about his interest in the post through third parties.

Liverpool have been rejected by several managers, including the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Frank de Boer and Juergen Klopp.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/martinez-favourite-for-liverpool-job/95091/