FM11: Hyundai A-League Thread

The Hyundai A-League is a 11 team competition containing 10 teams from Australia and one from New Zealand.

Adelaide United

Brisbane Roar

Central Coast Mariners

Gold Coast United

Melbourne Heart

Melbourne Victory

Newcastle Jets

North Queensland Fury

Perth Glory

Sydney FC

Wellington Phoenix (NZ)

Regular season

The regular season runs mainly during the Australian summer, from early August to February of the following year. The competition consists of 30 home-and-away rounds, with each team playing each other team three times – twice at one team's home stadium and once at the other's. The teams which are allotted two home matches against an opponent in one season are allotted one home match against that opponent in the following season. Each match sees the winning team awarded three competition points, or in the case of a draw, the teams receive one point each. At the end of the season, the teams are ranked firstly in terms of competition points accumulated, then goal difference, total goals scored, head-to-head records between tying teams and finally the number of cards each team has received. The club at the top of this ladder is crowned A-League Premiers, and as of the 2006–07 season, will be entered into the AFC Champions League.

At the completion of the regular season teams are ranked from one through ten with the top six teams progressing to the finals series. The position of each team is determined by the highest number of points accumulated during the Regular Season. If two or more teams are level on points accumulated, the following criteria are applied, in order, until one of the teams can be determined as the higher ranked:

1. Highest goal difference;

2. Highest number of goals scored;

3. Highest number of points accumulated in matches between the teams concerned;

4. Highest goal difference in matches between the teams concerned;

5. Highest number of goals scored in matches between the teams concerned;

6. Lowest number of red cards accumulated;

7. Lowest number of yellow cards accumulated;

8. Toss of a coin.

Finals series

The top-six-ranked teams at the end of the regular season are entered into a finals series, where the top two ranked teams in the regular season compete over two legs (with ties decided by the away goals rule, including extra time), the winner progressing straight to and hosting the Grand Final.

On the same weekend, the third and sixth-ranked teams play against each other; the same for the fourth and fifth-ranked teams. The winner of each of these matches plays against each other, the winner of which goes ahead to play in a Preliminary Final against the loser of the two-legged match between the top two teams. The winner of this match progresses to the Grand Final. As of the 2006–07 season, this team will also contest the AFC Champions League, although if the team that wins the Premiership goes through to the Grand Final then the other Grand Final competitor will be awarded the second spot in the competition, win or lose. In previous seasons, the finals format was a of four teams, they extended this to allow for the extended comp.

Squad and salary cap

The minimum number of players on each squad is 20. From the 2010-11 season, each club will have a salary cap of AU$2.35 million on top of Additional Services Agreements (ASA's) that can be worth up to AU$275,000 for a maximum 21 players (Excluding Marquee players) – much less than the millions of dollars a year that individual star players (including some Australians) earn in Europe's top football leagues. Maximum number of players in a squad is capped at 23, and thus, the 22nd and 23rd players are exempt from the salary cap, and therefore can be paid an unlimited salary (see Marquee Player below). The squad must also include at least three under-20 players. Clubs may also only have a maximum of five players from outside Australia and New Zealand in their squad, and may now have one additional player from the Asian Football Confederation.

how did you get these Squads good job, btw CARN THE VICTORY!!!

how did you get these Squads good job, btw CARN THE VICTORY!!!

Australian quickstart for FM2011 demo http://www.filefront.com/17419379/australia.qfm/

You covered up Tommy Amphlett

Also, could be argued that Scott Neville is a hot prospect?

Otherwise, great job!

You covered up Tommy Amphlett

Also, could be argued that Scott Neville is a hot prospect?

Otherwise, great job!

I can't see Scott Neville there.

Hopefully it's my error or a quickstart problem.

Scott Neville keeps getting put in the youth team, im the researcher for Glory, so any questions, throw my way

Tis a completely different experience this time around since you can buy players from other a-league teams now. Havent yet seen how this works out in practice though.

Hard to dig up aussies overseas as well, although this is probably mostly since the quickstart has such a limited database. But most of the obvious candidates in previous versions have already come home (are there any aussies kicking around in Romania still?). Finding a quality keeper if you lack one is tough work...have no suggestions on that one yet (so good luck if you play the jets...). Might have to keep a foreign player spot free for it. Otherwise guys like the Griffiths, milligan, Santalab, Oganovski, Bosnar and so on might be worth a look in the full version.

How are the star ratings calculated as the star ratings for the Phoenix players seem far off.

Diego is probably 5th or 6th choice CM at the moment, hardly played last year and hasn't made the bench this year (has had some injuries but still). Durante's best position is D (L)!? He hasn't played there at all in more than 2 seasons for the Phoenix and is right footed and he is a far better defender than North who has just been benched behind Sigmund. Cornejo (Toto) has the same star ratings as Ifill and only has made one or two brief appearances off the bench in the dying minutes of games. I also can't believe that Manny is rated so lowly. He is probably one of the first names on the team sheet.

You look at that list and would you pick the same starting 11 that has started most of the games this season and last IRL? Probably not.

Nicely done mate.

@ Bullion: The star ratings are based on the opinion of the Assistant Manager

@ Purefun: Thanks a lot

Great setup William, i might have to give the A League a start at some point considering Sydney are doing so poorly!

Have been trawling through the lower leagues, there seems to be a bit of talent there if you are looking to bulk out the squad. Have they been updated in this release?

Trent Rixon at Northcote City seems a good prospect, dunno how much he might cost though.

Tis a completely different experience this time around since you can buy players from other a-league teams now. Havent yet seen how this works out in practice though.

Not really happy with this to be honest. It is still against league rules but has made it into the game

against league rules untill next year potentially

How long for players to gain nationality, I will be playing as Wellington Phoenix not sure if Australia and New Zealand are the same.

Hey guys of the A-league. Career updates to follow as Brisbane Roar, but first a question: I have young New Zealand winger Kosta Barbarouses, who is playing for New Zealand, but is listed as a foreign player when i register my squad. Is this Normal?

Ok anyone know how you set a marquee player ? i have the best squad ever going into season two because i got confused between my salary cap and the leauges one DOH ! well trying to register a squad but am way over however it says that i only have one marquee player ...... i should be able to have 2 but cant see ho i can set this as it would help alot any ideas ?? (i have got raid of archie and hernandez btw)

Matthew Leckie, not sure how long he will be at Adelaide or the A-League for that matter. A sensational talent, probably the best talent since Harry Kewell. He would have been gone, if not for his knee injury occurred against Melbourne Victory.

Have been trawling through the lower leagues, there seems to be a bit of talent there if you are looking to bulk out the squad. Have they been updated in this release?

Trent Rixon at Northcote City seems a good prospect, dunno how much he might cost though.

Yeah Trent goes alright as my backup TM. I think I got him for around 50K ($AUD) or something like that, but wait till August to buy him as state league players values plummet then for some reason. Great for depth purposes but probably not quite good enough to be a starting XI striker.

A few cheapies (or freebies) that I found for my MVFC save:

Alesandar Jovanovic - Young Aussie DC (20 yrs old) playing overseas, has excellent aerial ability but needs training in strength and anticpation. Starts off costing 300K but value plummets to 35K or something by August, so buy him then. Give him 1 season to develop, he will get stronger and have better mental attributes.

Jean Marie-Sylla - A Guinean with secondary Australian nationality so he doesn't count as a foreigner. He plays as a left winger or wingback, has decent (12 - 13) skills in dribbling, crossing and pace. Great for a backup winger or even 1st teamer depending on your squads current wingers. I got him on a free transfer.

Arnold Bruggink - The ultimate free MC/AMC for an A-League club IMO. Very impressive technically, is just as good as Jason Culina if not better IMO. This guy is seriously too good for the A-League, he has highish wage demands (but not ridiculous) and makes a good foreign marquee. He's 33 so not a youngin, but his stats haven't dropped after Season 1 so I assume he has a high professionalism stat and can be good for at least 2 seasons, maybe even 3.

Pedro Henrique - Free Brazilian TM striker with great stats for A-League standard. Dominates in the air, is very strong and is a decent finisher too, with good composure and mental attributes. Lead the goal scoring charts in his first season, is the perfect player if you play a TM / fast striker system.

Olivier Kapo - Uncontracted French left winger (can also play in the middle or on the right), some of you may remember him from previous CMs. Anyway he never lived up to the massive hype surrounding him in the CM days but he is still a solid winger for A-League levels. Wage demands aren't too excessive which is a bonus.

Diego Barcena - Uruguayan GK with Aus as secondary nationality. Is good enough to be a starting keeper at many clubs, or an excellent backup keeper. Has a bit of improvement left in him too as he is still pretty young at 24. I currently play him in a rotating role with Petkovic to give him game time to improve as Petkovic isn't getting any younger. I got him for peanuts, 30K I think!

Michael Turnbull - Great backup goalkeeper, almost as good as Barcena, would have full confidence in him between the sticks were my other keepers to go down. You can get him for quite cheap from August onwards (most state league players halve at this time).

MVFC's Marvin Angulo, who starts off the game on loan, is available on a Bosman in December... he has great potential as a right winger or attacking rightback/wingback. Worth 3M+ once you sign him up!

Also Jason Culina doesn't seem to renew his contract at GC (at least not on my save). Wait til his contract runs out and is released or you won't be able to afford his wages. Would form a dream midfield combination with Bruggink for my tilt at ACL glory!

Others I've brought into the team include Adrian Madaschi as a DC (~$200K) and Spase Dilevsk (MC/DMC) (~$150K) who aren't quite as good value as the players listed above but still decent players for the A-League. The foreigner cap of the A-League as well as the ACL definitely makes things interesting and prevents you from just going all out getting foreign players. You actually have to find good Aussie talent and its a different way to play FM for sure.

Oh and I almost forgot about loan signings. There are a few promising Aussie kids available for loan if you are running short on squad depth, have a look at Dylan McGowan (MC/DC), Brent Mcgrath (ST) and Bailey Wright (DC).

Ok anyone know how you set a marquee player ? i have the best squad ever going into season two because i got confused between my salary cap and the leauges one DOH ! well trying to register a squad but am way over however it says that i only have one marquee player ...... i should be able to have 2 but cant see ho i can set this as it would help alot any ideas ?? (i have got raid of archie and hernandez btw)

The game sets it automatically for you. You are allowed 1 Foreign Marquee and 1 Australian Marquee. You can see this when you include the highest earners in squad registration, the top foreigner and Aussie player don't count towards the salary cap.

Oh, and just a small tip to reduce your wage bill - when negotiating contracts, offer a big signing on / agent fee, they will accept much lower weekly wages this way. Sure it costs you a fair bit in the short them but you also save in the long term and is the best way to get a big squad of talented players who all want decent money.

After a considerable long time I have started my Sydney FC save, and what a start it has been. Unlike the real teams failure this season, I have managed to have a great start. Beginning, in June 2010 I was appointed manager of a team coming into the new season as Minor & Major Premiers. As the team had lost a lot of great players with Melbourne Heart joining the competition.

I knew that the team needed so re-inforcements. From Backroom staff to Current Playing squad, it was given an overhaul. First things first was getting a tactic that wouldn't be complicated as the talent in the A-league is nowhere near as good as the top league over europe.

I developed a lovely tactic for my Man Utd save which has turned out to be a great tactic for my Sydney Fc team. Its a Flat 4-4-2, in a Fluid Attacking System, Direct passing, default creativity to ensure the players use their own instict, sticking to their position to keep the shape with a high line, good width & quick tempo. I'll explain player roles a little further on.

Once i had figured out what style of tactic i was going to use, I dipped into the Squad budget and hit the transfer market. I was also getting my only scout to seek players who would be offered to the team that were looking for a club or out of contract.

(All money paid & received is australian dollar as I live in australia and easiest for me to understand).

I sold Terry Mcflynn to Bristol City for $200k, this was my only transfer out. Watching him live this season to me even though he was the team captain I have found him the weak link of the team. Slow attributes and not a high creativity getting on in age, it was the right thing to do.

This gave me about $700k in the kitty to go spending.

I needed good wingplay and a player with high determination, influence & Team Play so I went looking for players i thought would gel into the team immediately.

I was offered Fernando Rickson, Position D/WB/DM/M/RC, from Holland & at 33 was my first signing on a free transfer, doesn't look capable of lasting more then 2 years but the experience would fill a first team spot, with 16 aggression, 15 Bravery(A-league considerably a tough league), 16 determination & 15 Teamwork. I knew he could cover a lot of decent positions if I got into an injury crisis. Currently is Average rating has been 6.89 from 12 games, doesnt sound great but i have made him my captain when my regular captain has been out of the team.

Next a loan signing of Jason Spagnuolo, position M/AM/RL, my left side of midfield seemed week so he was brought in to cover that role. I'm not sure whether I will sign him permanantly, doesnt look like his attribute are improving but has had an average rathing of 7.09, provided 6 assists in 12 games so far.

My major signing was for the right side of my midfield, Adriano Pellegrino was bought from Perth Glory for $275k, so far only 5 starts as he got injured early on, but has an average rating of 7.06. Playing at the MR position has covered my right side really well.

I also signed a young brazilian goalkeeper called Raul Gomes signed on a free transfer from Fortaleza (2nd Div Brazilian League) I've used him in all 12 games but hasnt really set the world on fire. Conceeding 16 goals in 12 games. Does boast a 4 game clean sheet though.

I have also signed Robbie Kruse as his contract was expiring, he joins next season and looks a bright prospect to Team up with Alex Brosque.

I also revamped my training coaches, Massimo Bonini & Tosh Farrell joined the coaching staff, with the board rejecting my question of asking for more specialist coaches so I have to make do for now with a small coaching team. Michael Zach has been great as my Ass Man, Im glad he didn't decide to leave when I took over from Vitezslav Lavicka.

Now to my strongest starting Line Up for season that I have been using, and the player roles.

GK: Gomes (Keeper Defend)

DR: Fernando Rickson (Wingback, Defend)

DCR: Sebastian Ryall (Limited Def, Defend)

DCL: Anthony Golec rotating with Stephane Kellar (Limited Def, Stopper)

DL: Scott Jamieson (Wing Back Defend)

MR: Adriano Pellegrino (Winger Attack Cuts Inside)

MCR: Nick Carle (Central Mid Support)

MCL: Stuart Musialik (BtB Mid Support)

ML: Jason Spagnuolo (Winger Attack)

STR: Bruno Cazarine(Deep Lying FW Support)

STL: Alex Brosque(Advance Forward Attack)

Major Stats so far, I am upto 7th November 2011

I'm currently 2nd on the table 13 games 9 wins 1 draw & 3 losses 30goals for and 17 against, 28points, Brisbane are 1st playing 14 games for 10 wins 3 draws and 1 loss.

Biggest win was 6-2 against Gold Coast

Biggest defeat was 3-0 against Adelaide

Leading Goal Scorer is Alex Brosque 15 goals with an average rating of 7.79 with 6 man of match performances.

Star players in the Team are: Seb Ryall, Alex Brosque and Nick Carle.

I'm hoping the form holds up and the rest of the season is successful. I will update again when the season is completed.

Playing as central coast and am nearing the end of season 1 - have a 6 point lead over Perth with 3 games left so barring a keegan/newcastle style collapse should hopefully secure. didn't bring too many players in just Karl Dodd on a free to cover DC & DM positions and a couple of young brazilians to put in the youth team and develop. sold chris doig to raith in scotland for $100K - he was just too slow. I use a 4231 - more out of necessity than anything because ccm are so light on for strikers. first eleven looks like this.....

van strattan (tutoring ryan) - keeper defend

bojic - full back defend

zwannswijk - central defender - cover

wilkinson - central defender - stopper

Josh rose - wing back - support (tutoring marc warren who i give about every 3rd game to develop him)

dodd/marco antonio (my brazilian signing) - DM - defend

porter - DM - support

AM - Hutchison - Attacking midfielder (am looking to develop amini to make this more of an advanced playmaker position but he has killed it in the youth team but struggled in the first team)

AMR - Kwasnik (had to be retrained - needed inverted wingers) Inside forward support

Matt Simon - complete forward support

AML - McGlinchey/bozanic Inside Forward support

The system has worked well with Kwasnik scoring a dozen goals and Hutchison 8. Simon went through a bit of a goal drought and lost confidence but in this system he is asked to drop deep a lot so it was to be expected I guess. I am on a very tight budget both in terms of wages and transfer fees so I have concentrated on bringing guys into the youth team and signing guys on bosmans for the next season. I wasn't able to offer McGlinchey more tha $A2300 a week so he is gone for next season but I have picked up kruse, monterosso and spagnuoulo for next season. Which actually brings me to the complaint I have had about the a-league in FM - the AI management of the teams in the transfer market is VERY passive. Melbourne let me sign kruse without even offering him a competing deal and no other side in the league even made him an offer. I know the a-league is not a wealthy competition but these are out of contract players and often you just bid against yourself.

Anyway - have enjoyed this first season and now the job of enhancing the squad to tackle the ACL begins as i think the team will get crushed in its current state.

I know perez is quality irl but he rarely delivered in the game (maybe taking time to adapt?) so I use him as a supersub across any of the AM positions

Hey guys of the A-league. Career updates to follow as Brisbane Roar, but first a question: I have young New Zealand winger Kosta Barbarouses, who is playing for New Zealand, but is listed as a foreign player when i register my squad. Is this Normal?

Very much normal. New Zealand isnt a part of Australia...yet...

MilanBoy. Selling McFlynn and buying Kruse! My anger knows no bounds, have you no pride?

Very much normal. New Zealand isnt a part of Australia...yet...

MilanBoy. Selling McFlynn and buying Kruse! My anger knows no bounds, have you no pride?

I sold Mcflynn for very good reasons, personally i think the team is better off without him. I didnt purchase Kruse, I signed him on a free transfer.

Im into the second season now, I have a fair decent squad, I'll do an update over the weekend.

Very much normal. New Zealand isnt a part of Australia...yet...

MilanBoy. Selling McFlynn and buying Kruse! My anger knows no bounds, have you no pride?

An A-League squad must have between 20 and 23 players, with a maximum of 5 players from outside Australia and New Zealand

Sorry, whats that you smug ****?

That was the rule in season one, before the Aussie teams were playing in the ACL. Once admitted to the ACL NZ players were regarded as internationals.

cheers for clearing that up properly.

Just Finished my first season with the REDS finished first in both the regular season and the finals series after a mediocre start...

Somehow I managed to sign some absolute gems of players and I feel that I will have to throw matches to lose!

My signings are

Marco Pappa free (sold 4 months later for $5M) he played 10 games scoring 5 goals and 2 assists off the left wing

Scott Chipperfield free (Legend)

RIVALDO who goes without description

Nicolas Medina free who is possibly the best player in the league atm hes awesome as a holding midfielder or as a playmaker

I think the major challenge over the next few years will be ballancing the books and the inevitable loss of Mathew Leckie and the retirements of Rivaldo and chipperfield

Sounds like a solid season! I would sell Perez if he is not performing as you will cash in on a large sum of cash and you will be able to find someone as good for free...

potential replacement if he has not renewed his contract at seasons end is Eidur Gudjohnson! who is willing to sign for A leage teams

Also Look out for Scott chipperfield on a free he will really add quality and versatility to an already good squad...

A few Aussie freebies to look for during/after season 1:

Dario Vidosic (MR/AMC/ST) - you can get him on a free after Jul 1 2011, best used as a winger or fast striker, great for A-League level and is young with room to improve too!

Robert Stambolziev (ST) - you can sign him on a bosman as early as Jan 1 2011 as his contract runs down at Panathanaikos. A great young prospect who plays best as a fast striker and has plenty of scope for improvement.

Mathew Leckie (ST) - for some reason in my save Adelaide don't renew his contract and I signed him on a bosman! His stats seem a bit underrated in FM but he has massive potential ability so with some first team action can become a real force in a few years. I loaned him out to Sydney FC as he isn't quite ready for my 1st team, hopefully the loan spell will do him good!

Btw has anybody been able to sign Cassio or Sergio Van Dijk? Cassio gains citizenship after season 1 but refuses to come to my all conquering MVFC team! The same goes for Van Dijk... is there some kind of hidden hatred code from Adelaide players towards MVFC? LOL

A few Aussie freebies to look for during/after season 1:

Btw has anybody been able to sign Cassio or Sergio Van Dijk? Cassio gains citizenship after season 1 but refuses to come to my all conquering MVFC team! The same goes for Van Dijk... is there some kind of hidden hatred code from Adelaide players towards MVFC? LOL

If they are anything like the rest of Australia... Yes Yes there is

If cassio or leckie or van dijk ever went to the victory i would stop watching the a league!

Will be interested to see if there are any data changes to players in the A-League. Marco Rojas should have an increased CA/PA, very exciting prospect.

I am also having a go with Victory. How are you going getting Kruse to score? I am struggling to get him to score at his current levels. What settings do you have him on?

I'd put him as an Advanced Forward or Poacher, he is relatively quick so with a good CM should get onto a few through balls.

In all honesty though, in the game Dugandzic is the better prospect as a quick forward. I sold Kruse after the first season.

Just a small point to this - I am unable to sign players that are in the same division - playing as Sydney FC. How come most of you have signed players from other Australian franchises?

Just a small point to this - I am unable to sign players that are in the same division - playing as Sydney FC. How come most of you have signed players from other Australian franchises?

The rule changes on July 1 2010. You get an email notification that you can buy/loan players from the same division.

Just wanted to mention a couple of interesting points about 11.3 - the dominance of the Brisbane Roar has certainly been noted by FM. I started a new one with the patch just to see how things panned out and after 25 games I have won 20 lost 1 and drawn 4 with the mariners...... and I'm in second place!!!!!!! Brisbane haven't lost a game all year and have only drawn 3 (2 to me).

Also wanted to make mention that half way through my first season on 11.3 bling fc fired lavicka and hired....ROY KEANE!!!!!

Just wanted to mention a couple of interesting points about 11.3 - the dominance of the Brisbane Roar has certainly been noted by FM. I started a new one with the patch just to see how things panned out and after 25 games I have won 20 lost 1 and drawn 4 with the mariners...... and I'm in second place!!!!!!! Brisbane haven't lost a game all year and have only drawn 3 (2 to me).

Also wanted to make mention that half way through my first season on 11.3 bling fc fired lavicka and hired....ROY KEANE!!!!!

Obviouslu their reputation is a bit too high lol to have roy keane interested. Sydney have always done crap in FM for some reason even though their squad aint bad.

In my wolves game, Sydney hired Sam Allardyce halfway through the season. Still only bout 10 games into my own sydney fc game