THERE are people who see a glass half-full with flat beer and say thanks. They are called alcoholics. There are people who see a glass filled to its mid point with water and proclaim it's half-full. They are called optimists. And there are people who see a glass with the tiniest drop of moisture in the bottom who swear the drought is broken. They are called John Kosmina . While it is true that almost any team can make the A-League finals by a producing a stirring run three games out from the end of the season, Kossie's boys better get a wriggle on unless they want a new gaffer. For weeks, Kosmina has been able to blame the inevitable loss on a poor start. Sydney FC, in Kossie's loving eyes, always play all over their opponents. Only problem being they don't score as many goals. On Saturday night, with Melbourne recovering from a two-goal deficit to thump Sydney 3-2 in the big city match-up, Kosmina found the perfect excuse again. "We probably started too well," he pronounced, before assuring fans the finals weren't far away. Kosmina, who somehow manages to stay in physical contact with opponents even from the coach's bench, copped a shirt-front from Victory striker Danny Allsopp . Kosmina didn't mind a bit. "My back was a little bit out, he fixed it up for me." Given the itchy trigger-finger at Sydney FC's headquarters - they've had more coaches than John Aloisi has missed sitters in the sky blue colours - Kossie might care to keep Allsopp's number in his mobile. It's always good to have someone watching your back when you're coaching Sydney FC. Putting in the 'Ritz
A precursor of what was to come? As Mike Hussey stared at the sky hoping - forlornly - that the ball might rattle, with Brett Lee nursing a sore foot and the rest of the attack looking impaired, the Herald had a call from a man complaining that Nathan Hauritz had used a disabled parking space at the SCG the day he was picked to rejoin the Australian side. Predictions for 2009
Paul Roos , the human embodiment of the three wise monkeys in one, to blister with a tell-all autobiography. Some leave their sport with their fingers cocked at the world and a withering attack to settle all scores. Roos's only blister when he goes will be from signing autographs, but you'd have to wonder how much longer the passion will remain. When you've been to the top of the mountain only to slide back down the hill, strapping the crampons back on again must be a drag.
David Gallop has survived since 2002 as the boss at the NRL but, by the end of season 2008, he was looking more hang dog than Boss Hogg as the never-ending challenge of apologising for boys behaving badly, explaining why rugby league doesn't rule the known world and why the game's television deal doesn't pave stars' front driveways in gold began to drag. Sport's toughest gig - keeping News Ltd happy while pretending that's not what your job is while promising to put the game's interests first - may drain a good man's last reserves of perseverance.
Ricky Stuart . What price another apology? As a ball-playing half, the intensity of Stuart's passion was smothered a little by the glory of his talents, by the dummy, the step and the long ball onto his five-eighth's chest as the gap beckoned. In retirement, all that's left is the dummy and the spit. Even wrapped in an overcoat against the winter winds whipping in off Wanda Beach, Stuart wears his heart on his sleeve, his spittle on his tie. And if the volcano doesn't blow again, Stuart can at least send his apologies to Greg Bird's wedding of the year.
Jason Krejza is the proud owner of baggy green No.404 but you don't have to be Nostradamus to harbour strong suspicions that Cricket Australia have already measured NSW opener Phillip Hughes for his - a cap we're willing to bet will arrive well before the end of next year. Of course, there'll be a form slump and he'll be dropped and the odd drama along the way, but Hughes's head will still fit in the same cap when he retires, with a lot of runs to the good, at the end of a very hot summer in 2022. How many Tests he actually gets to play is a moot point, as cricket learns to play the sitar.
Katie Milligan and Greg Bird to roll the dice in Las Vegas. Fond farewells
Steve Waugh had the season of the red hanky, the summer of the endless goodbye. Dennis Lillee , Rod Marsh and Greg Chappell had a beer and laugh in the dressing room at the SCG; well, Greg probably looked aloof and drank carrot juice. Shane Warne , Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer bowed out in glory last January, their kids accompanying them on a valedictory march, having crunched the Poms one last time. Australian cricket is due for another clean-out, but don't expect all the departees to go quietly. WEEKEND WARRIOR: LEENA KHAMIS
Leena Khamis was back at work at Liverpool yesterday after starring for Sydney FC's W-League team on Saturday when they beat Adelaide United to make the semi-finals in the competition's first year.
I guess that's the reality of life for a female soccer player? Yeah, pretty much. We've got to work to make a living.
You bagged a goal early (after four minutes). That's obviously a good way to start? It was a good adrenalin rush because we needed to win to make the semis. All the girls got pumped after that and Kylie Ledbrook got a free kick as well so we did start well.
So now you're in the semis against Queensland. What are they like? They're a very strong, physical, technical team, probably the best team in the competition. But if everyone plays the way they did in the first half on the weekend, I think we can beat them.
Any tips for John Aloisi? Actually, I don't think that would go down very well. There's a lot of pressure on strikers to score - I know it's our job, but it [missing out] doesn't mean you're not necessarily playing well.