With the A-League coming up, the best of Australia’s football talent are once again set to compete for the top footballing spot in the country. Going into 2021, a post-pandemic environment has only increased the anticipation and excitement that surrounds the 2020/21 A-League season.
With fans more than ready to put the long wait for the soccer season behind them, as well as the new addition of Macarthur FC, the atmosphere and intensity will likely reach new heights. While this might be their A-League debut, many believe that Macarthur FC have the potential to fuel Australia’s love for the underdog and take the win.
How the A-League Works
Representing the highest level of professional men’s soccer in Australia, the A-league is the biggest football competition in the country. It has been around since it was first established in 2004, and today comprises twelve teams.
2021 will see 161 matches played across a 23-week time frame in the lead up to a grand final in June, where the top performers of the season (including the premiers, or winners of the season) will compete for the title of champion.
Currently, the premiers and champions of the league are Sydney FC – to date, they have four premierships (a record equalled by two other teams), and five championships (a record that competitors are yet to beat). Including Sydney FC, a total of seven teams have been crowned premiers of the A-League, while six have been given the title of champion.
Macarthur FC Make Their Debut
In their inaugural season, Macarthur FC are making their A-League debut in 2021. The club was founded in 2017, and in 2018 were accepted into the A-League. Managed by former international football player Ante Milicic, the team has a number of notable players, and on paper, look set to cause some trouble amongst the competition.
The club is captained by Mark Milligan – as a defender and midfielder, he has played with numerous teams in Australia and across the world, with known success playing for Australia’s national team as well as Sydney FC.
While the team are yet to play together in the league, their strong lineup, experienced management and overall optimism have them set for what many believe will be a successful 2021 season. As newcomers to the league, they are set to play their first game on the 27th of December, although recent COVID-19 developments may impact the A-League schedule.
The 2020/21 A-League Season
With the upcoming season beginning in December of 2020, fans will have plenty of opportunities to get amongst the action, whether they are at home with family or in the stadium. Not to mention, great weather forecasts and excitement amongst the teams are only adding to the hype.
In Australia, you’ll be able to watch A-League matches live on a range of platforms that include:
– Kayo
– Fox Sports
– My Football Live App
When it comes to matchups to look out for, there are a few teams that are set to dominate the season (if previous years are anything to go by). For example, the aforementioned Sydney FC have previously performed at a cut above the rest, but a clash with historic rivals Melbourne Victory would prove to be one of the most exciting games of the season. The two clubs are known to get physical, in a Sydney and Melbourne rivalry that has been ongoing for over a century in many regards.
Unfortunately, despite month-long periods of zero COVID-19 transmission across NSW and Victoria, a new cluster of the virus in Sydney is putting the league at risk of delays, with restrictions once again announced across Australia (and more particularly NSW, where six A-League teams are currently located). While anticipation is at an all-time high, Football Australia’s head of leagues Greg O’Rourke has indicated that the competition is prepared to postpone if necessary. Not to mention, it is likely that what many had hoped to be a full capacity stadium attendance will be limited as coronavirus figures continue to be monitored. Ultimately, the league and its organisers have indicated that they will ensure all A-League games are played out, and fans across Australia and worldwide are ready for the best season of A-League football yet.
Author: Jamie Mitchell
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Explanation: player statistics (a/b c)
a - games played this season
b - goals scored
c - team position (d - defender, m - midfielder, f - forward, g - goalkeeper).
