Sydney FC sealed the A-League Premiers’ Plate with a record points haul thanks to a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets.
The Sky Blues have been dominant throughout the campaign and finished the regular season with 66 points from 27 games, one more than the previous record held by Brisbane Roar in the 2010-11 season, when the club from Queensland were helmed by current Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.
“We don’t compare ourselves to Brisbane Roar,” coach Graham Arnold told Fox Sports. “They were a fantastic team and Ange did a wonderful job. We clearly know that’s one trophy. The bigger one is coming and we’ll focus on that.”
Paulinho warned for betting ad
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho has been asked by Chinese football authorities to end his involvement with an overseas betting company, urging all players in the Chinese Super League to “be strict with their public image”.
Paulinho, who currently plays for CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande, featured in the advert for a Philippines-based gambling company alongside Tsukasa Aoi, an actress and model who has appeared in adult films in Japan.
Gambling and pornography are illegal in China and the Chinese FA warned Paulinho about his future behaviour.
Panama international shot dead
Panama international Amilcar Henriquez has been shot and killed in the country’s Colon province, police officials say.
The killing on Saturday was confirmed by Didacio Camargo, press chief for Panama’s National Police.
Authorities say the 33-year-old midfielder was leaving his home when a gunman shot him several times. Another two people were wounded. Henriquez was taken to a nearby public hospital, where he died.
Henriquez was a second half substitute for Panama in their World Cup qualifier against the United States last month, a 1-1 draw.
Borini reveals dressing room woes
A lack of team unity and “problems within the dressing room” have contributed to Sunderland’s woes, striker Fabio Borini said.
The striker made the observations after scoring a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw against West Ham which saw Sunderland slip ever closer to relegation.
“It’s harder than previous times I think,” Borini said.
“We have not been at our level and we have not been a united group as previous seasons. That’s what has been the problem.
“(Our struggles are) a little bit because of problems within the dressing room but that’s for us to deal with it.”
Mueller rues Bayern profligacy
Thomas Muller admitted wasteful finishing was responsible for Bayern Munich’s goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the Bay Arena.
The champions saw their lead at the top of the Bundesliga cut to eight points after resolute defending from Leverkusen.
“Our performance and attitude were good, but our use of the chances was fatal,” Muller told the club’s official website.
“You can’t win if you don’t score. We had three, four, five clear-cut chances. “I had a really good opportunity myself but made the wrong decision, so we’re annoyed at ourselves.”
Hearn admits Orient mistake
Former Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn concedes he made a mistake in selling the stricken club to Francesco Becchetti and has called on the Italian to sell up.
The O’s endure a torrid season of managerial departures, imminent relegation from the Football League, an adjourned winding up order and unpaid players.
Hearn said: “Sadly, I sold to the wrong person.
“Everybody, including myself, thought it was wonderful, hoping to go to the next level with the investment these billionaires bring.
“What nobody could have envisaged or foreseen was the inordinately terrible management decisions and involvement Mr Becchetti has had. Ten managers in three seasons is unthinkable.”