Football

Major and Minor Semi Final (Double-Header), Sat 26 Feb, 6.30pm AEDT, LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2

The second weekend of finals action sees the top two sides from the regular season meet in the first match of a two-leg Major Semi Final series to determine who advances directly to the Hyundai A-League Grand Final. Then It’s do-or-die in the Minor Semi Final with the loser facing their end of their 2011 campaign.

Mon 21 Mar, 3am AEDT, EXCLUISVELY LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2

Chelsea has climbed back into premiership contention but there is still plenty of work ahead of the defending champions, who need to make up a 12-point deficit to the leaders Manchester United. This week the Blues can inch closer to the top when they host third-placed Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Week 1, kicks off Fri 18 Feb, 7.30pm AEDT, LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS

The Hyundai A-League builds towards an epic finale when the 2010/11 Finals Series kicks off this week on FOX SPORTS. Ange Postecoglou’s Brisbane Roar have all but secured the Premiers Plate as the standout team of the regular season, but that will count for little when battle to be crowned ultimate champions begins on February 18.

Only six clubs remain in the race for the 2010/11 Hyundai A-League title and that number will be reduced to four after an explosive opening round of finals action on FOX SPORTS this weekend.

The post-season begins when third-placed Adelaide United host Wellington Phoenix in the first Elimination Final on Friday night, before the top two sides, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners, face off in the first leg of the Major Semi Final on Saturday. The first week of finals action will conclude when Gold Coast United hosts Melbourne Victory in a do-or-die Elimination Final on Sunday.

While every match in the 2010/11 Hyundai A-League Finals Series will be available in High Definition on FOX SPORTS, fans will also benefit from additional camera angles which will be applied to each finals broadcast.

Soames Treffry, Director FOX SPORTS Channels, said fans are looking forward to an exciting climax to the 2010/11 season.

“The standard of play across the board this season has been at an all-time high for the A-League and with the finals now upon us, that bar is about to be risen again,” said Treffry.

“Last season we saw an epic finish with the Grand Final being decided on penalties and on the evidence of the quality of games this season, there’s a genuine anticipation of what these remaining six teams can produce during the finals series.”

FOX SPORTS will take an in-depth look at each of the finalists and break down the first week of fixtures in a special one-hour Hyundai A-League Finals Preview edition of FOX SPORTS FC tomorrow night. The panel will cross to Brisbane to speak with Roar skipper Matt McKay about his club’s watershed season, which culminated in their maiden premiership after Saturday’s final round defeat of rivals Gold Coast United.

Fans will have round-the-clock access to the latest news on their club throughout the Hyundai A-League Finals Series by tuning in to FOX SPORTS News and going online to Australia’s leading general sports website, www.foxsports.com.au. The FOX SPORTS website will deliver exclusive preview material featuring the key players and coaches from the finals teams, plus everything you’ll need to know in ‘The Ultimate Guide to the Finals’.

FOX SPORTS coverage of the Hyundai A-League Finals Series is available to FOXTEL and AUSTAR subscribers.

Sat 12 Feb, 11.40pm AEDT, EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2

The Manchester Derby crowns a blockbuster week of football from the Barclays Premier League. United remain unscathed and undefeated on top of the premiership, while City are breathing down the neck of their fierce rivals in third place.

2:50pm – Saturday, February 12 on ABC1

The third season of the women’s national football league – W-League – climaxes in style on Saturday, February 12th, with a live (AEDT) broadcast of the Grand Final at 2.50pm on ABC1.

After sweet victories in last weekend’s semi-finals, the W-League’s two best teams are ready to face each other in a bid to be named champions.

Both sides boast star-studded line-ups that have performed brilliantly all season and both teams can expect a tough battle.

While every player on the pitch will be giving their all to secure victory, the midfield in this clash will be a real key in deciding the game on Saturday.

ABC TV Sports’ Stephanie Brantz will host the Grand Final broadcast while commentary will be provided by broadcaster Peter Wilkins, with former Matilda, Alicia Ferguson on hand for some expert analysis.

Live AEDT

Defending champions Sydney FC are set for another showdown with arch rivals Brisbane Roar in the W League Grand Final on Saturday, February 12th at 2.50pm on ABC1.

Hosted by ABC TV Sport’s Stephanie Brantz, the championship decider at Campbelltown Stadium promises an electric atmosphere with ‘State of Origin’ rivalry on display for the second successive season.

Sydney FC swept aside Melbourne Victory 5-1 last weekend, while Brisbane Roar needed penalties against Canberra United, to secure a third successive grand final appearance.

Saturday’s (February 12th) grand final brings together the cream of Australia’s women’s football talent with both Sydney and Brisbane teams peppered with Matildas players.

Stephanie Brantz says national team friendships and alliances will be left on the sidelines as the two teams battle for not just the championship trophy but for the distinction of being two time winners.

“There’s not much these two sides don’t know about each other,” she says. “They have met twice already this season and boast a win apiece. Brisbane looked to have had the wood on the competition for most of the regular season but faltered in the last couple of weeks to relinquish both the premiership and a home grand final. Sydney’s sky blues on the other hand had a consistent season, finishing strongly to be first past the post, ensuring back-to-back premiership crowns.”

ABC TV Sport broadcaster Peter Wilkins says Sydney will go into the game as favourites based on their prolific ability to create and score goals.

“Sydney possess the W-League’s two leading scorers this year (Kyah Simon (12 goals) and Leena Khamis (8 goals)) and boasts a robust defence marshalled by national team lynchpin Servet Uzunlar, and a creative midfield controlled by the experienced Kylie Ledbrook.

“The effervescent Brisbane striker, Lisa De Vanna, represents the greatest threat to Sydney’s chances of lifting the trophy for the second successive year.”

Join the ABC team of Stephanie Brantz, Peter Wilkins, Alicia Ferguson and Amy Taylor on ABC 1 on Saturday at 2.50pm for all the action in the W-League decider.

Heart v Central Coast, Fri 4 Feb, 8pm AEDT, LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2

The Melbourne newcomers are clinging to faint hope of sneaking into the top four and this battle with the scorching hot Mariners could well be their last throw of the dice in an inconsistent maiden campaign. See attached for a full schedule of LIVE and EXCLUSIVE matches in the penultimate round of the Hyundai A-League regular season.

Wed 2 Feb, 6.30am AEDT, EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on FOX SPORTS 1HD & FOX SPORTS 1

Sun 6 Feb, 1.55am AEDT, EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2

Two crucial fixtures dominate the Barclays Premier League schedule this week, starting with surprising Sunderland’s battle with defending champions Chelsea. The Blues desperately need the win to remain in the hunt for back-to-back titles, while sixth-placed Sunderland are firmly in the race for a berth in Europe and will be looking to upstage the champs to increase the pressure on the teams above them.

Australia v Japan, Sun 30 Jan, 2am AEDT, LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 1HD & FOX SPORTS 1

After completing a 6-0 demolition of Uzbekistan in their semi final showdown, the Socceroos will start raging favourites for their first Asian Cup title when they face rivals Japan in the 2011 decider early Sunday morning.