Post by QPR Report on Feb 17, 2010 8:21:45 GMT
Sydney Morning Herald
Remorseful McFlynn never intended to hurt Melbourne striker SEBASTIAN HASSETT
With much of Victoria preparing to call for his blood at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night, Sydney FC midfielder Terry McFlynn has told of how he personally apologised for the tackle that ended the season of Melbourne Victory striker Robbie Kruse.
Usually one to keep a relatively low profile, McFlynn has been flung into the headlines for his late challenge on Kruse during Sunday's 2-0 win over Melbourne, a result that secured the minor premiership for the Sky Blues.
Kruse was cleared of a broken bone yesterday, but the injury is still likely to keep him out for the entire finals series.
''The good news is there's no break to the bone, which is terrific, the bad news is there's an awful lot of damage to tissue in his ankle, an awful lot of blood in there at the moment, he can't put his foot to the ground,'' said Victory football manager Gary Cole. ''At this stage … he's likely to miss the finals series.''
Melbourne players and officials have been furious with McFlynn and at how he's escaped punishment.
However, with the two sides set to play off over two legs in the major semi-final, the Northern Irishman was moved to call Kruse on Monday to explain his version of the events.
''I spoke to a few of the Melbourne Victory players [post-game] and then contacted Robbie yesterday and I apologised unreservedly for the injury,'' McFlynn said yesterday. ''It was never my intention to hurt the boy. I'd never try to injure a fellow professional.
''He was actually at the doctors getting the X-rays done when I contacted him. He's fine. We talked about it, I tried to stop play when we got tangled up and he's hurt his leg.''
McFlynn said he understood why Melbourne manager Ernie Merrick refused to shake his hand after the game. ''I totally understand his position, he's protecting his players,'' he said. ''He's shown he's a good coach over the five years of the A-League. He's won two premierships, two grand finals and was named coach of the year. He's done the right thing by his players and I've got no problem with Ernie Merrick whatsoever.''
Asked about his intention going into the challenge, McFlynn admitted that he was looking to bring down Kruse but not to cause injury.
''The ball was played to Robbie on the attacking side of halfway for us, he's obviously a quick player and it was late in the game, he got away from me and I just tried to trip him, to stop play,'' McFlynn said.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that 34-year old Sydney FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton will sign for Melbourne Heart on a ''long-term deal'' from next season.
While Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka was more than a ''little bit surprised'' at the timing of the announcement, he was confident Bolton would be able to keep his mind on the job for the remainder of the finals series.
In other news, Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole is in line for a surprise recall to the national team when coach Pim Verbeek reveals his squad for March's Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Brisbane today. While the bulk of the squad will be formed from A-League players, Wellington captain Andrew Durante and Perth striker Daniel McBreen could make their international debuts.
www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/remorseful-mcflynn-never-intended-to-hurt-melbourne-striker-20100216-o90m.html
Remorseful McFlynn never intended to hurt Melbourne striker SEBASTIAN HASSETT
With much of Victoria preparing to call for his blood at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night, Sydney FC midfielder Terry McFlynn has told of how he personally apologised for the tackle that ended the season of Melbourne Victory striker Robbie Kruse.
Usually one to keep a relatively low profile, McFlynn has been flung into the headlines for his late challenge on Kruse during Sunday's 2-0 win over Melbourne, a result that secured the minor premiership for the Sky Blues.
Kruse was cleared of a broken bone yesterday, but the injury is still likely to keep him out for the entire finals series.
''The good news is there's no break to the bone, which is terrific, the bad news is there's an awful lot of damage to tissue in his ankle, an awful lot of blood in there at the moment, he can't put his foot to the ground,'' said Victory football manager Gary Cole. ''At this stage … he's likely to miss the finals series.''
Melbourne players and officials have been furious with McFlynn and at how he's escaped punishment.
However, with the two sides set to play off over two legs in the major semi-final, the Northern Irishman was moved to call Kruse on Monday to explain his version of the events.
''I spoke to a few of the Melbourne Victory players [post-game] and then contacted Robbie yesterday and I apologised unreservedly for the injury,'' McFlynn said yesterday. ''It was never my intention to hurt the boy. I'd never try to injure a fellow professional.
''He was actually at the doctors getting the X-rays done when I contacted him. He's fine. We talked about it, I tried to stop play when we got tangled up and he's hurt his leg.''
McFlynn said he understood why Melbourne manager Ernie Merrick refused to shake his hand after the game. ''I totally understand his position, he's protecting his players,'' he said. ''He's shown he's a good coach over the five years of the A-League. He's won two premierships, two grand finals and was named coach of the year. He's done the right thing by his players and I've got no problem with Ernie Merrick whatsoever.''
Asked about his intention going into the challenge, McFlynn admitted that he was looking to bring down Kruse but not to cause injury.
''The ball was played to Robbie on the attacking side of halfway for us, he's obviously a quick player and it was late in the game, he got away from me and I just tried to trip him, to stop play,'' McFlynn said.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that 34-year old Sydney FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton will sign for Melbourne Heart on a ''long-term deal'' from next season.
While Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka was more than a ''little bit surprised'' at the timing of the announcement, he was confident Bolton would be able to keep his mind on the job for the remainder of the finals series.
In other news, Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole is in line for a surprise recall to the national team when coach Pim Verbeek reveals his squad for March's Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia in Brisbane today. While the bulk of the squad will be formed from A-League players, Wellington captain Andrew Durante and Perth striker Daniel McBreen could make their international debuts.
www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/remorseful-mcflynn-never-intended-to-hurt-melbourne-striker-20100216-o90m.html
