IT appears unlikely the Newcastle Jets will sign midfielder Ahmad Elrich after the former Socceroo rejected their final offer yesterday.
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Elrich was Wellington Phoenix's marquee player last season but indicated interest in joining younger brother Tarek in Newcastle after parting ways with the New Zealand side at the end of the season.
The Jets have been in talks with the 26-year-old former Fulham midfielder since the middle of last month. The club demanded an answer yesterday.
But Jets chief executive John Tsatsimas said last night: "It appeared as if the deal might be falling over."
Newcastle have lost grand final heroes Andrew Durante, Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik since delivering the city its first national league soccer championship with a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Central Coast in the decider on February 24.
The Jets have released Paul Kohler and Denni, and Steve Eagleton has retired.
But Tarek Elrich and Adam D'Apuzzo will extend their stays in Newcastle after agreeing in principle to two-year deals, and the Jets have recruited their Olyroos teammate Ruben Zadkovich.
Zadkovich has also agreed in principle to a two-year deal and will sit down with the club on his return from Olyroos duty overseas.
Meanwhile, Matildas captain Cheryl Salisbury scored a second-half double as Australia came from behind to beat New Zealand 4-2 in the third and final match of their series yesterday on the Sunshine Coast.
The win extended Australia's remarkable winning streak against the Kiwis to 14 matches dating back to 1994.
AAP reports: Football officials have released details of a national youth competition linked to the A-League which they hope will be the next step in Australia's emergence as a power in the sport.
Each of Australia's seven A-League teams will field a side in the National Youth League for 16- to 21-year-olds as Football Federation Australia overhauls the game's structure and seeks to continue to capitalise on the Socceroos' 2006 World Cup success.
The league will comprise 21 rounds 18 games and three byes and will kick off with the A-League in August.
Matches will played as curtain-raisers or on the day after first-team games. Four over-age players will be allowed to play in each match.
Cahill apologises, Page 64
