Ballwatching: Highs and lows from Round 3 of the A-League
ANOTHER weekend of drama highlighted by a goalkeeping performance for the ages, a hostile grand final rematch and hot work in front of goal by Sydney FC’s new marksman. Don’t miss Round 3’s Ballwatching column.
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ANOTHER weekend of drama, highlighted by a goalkeeping save for the ages, a hostile grand final rematch and hot work in front of goal by Sydney FC’s new marksman. Don’t miss Round 3’s Ballwatching column.
The moment:
Brisbane Roar gloveman Jamie Young’s double save to deny Perth Glory skipper Andy Keogh at NIB Stadium on Saturday night is arguably the best piece of goalkeeping seen in A-League history. While his side’s 2-1 loss wasn’t what Young wanted, he showed why he is the competition’s reigning keeper of the year with his early heroics.
The drama:
There’s clearly still no love lost between Ernie Merrick and one-time Melbourne Victory protege-turned-combatant Kevin Muscat. Six months after holding separate pre-grand final press conferences, the pair accused each other of failing to shake hands during Victory’s 1-0 win over the Jets on Saturday night. “I walked over to the bench to shake hands as I did with the assistant coach, the goalkeeping coach, the fitness coach but Kevin sprinted in the opposite direction over to his fans and I wasn’t going to chase him,” Merrick said. “But that’s just the way he is.”
Muscat called the claim “a lie” and said he hadn’t seen Merrick. “I was also waiting for a handshake prior to the game and there was none, which normally happens when you’re the home team,” Muscat said.
Player of the week - Craig Goodwin
The Adelaide United winger has been on fire with five goals, a Mark Viduka Medal and an FFA Cup final win in three matches in nine days. Goodwin’s double brace, two headed goals and two trademark free kick goals surely cannot be ignored by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold who was in the stands during Adelaide’s 3-0 win over Central Coast on Sunday.
A round to remember for … Adam Le Fondre
The Sydney FC marksman continued his great start to his A-League career, netting twice in the Sky Blues’ 3-0 win over Melbourne City. He now has four in three A-League matches for his new club, and seven from six games in all competitions for the Steve Corica-coached team. So far he’s on target to better former Sydney striker Bobo’s Golden-Boot winner haul of last season.
A round to forget for … Melbourne City
Cashed-up City were woeful in losing at home 3-0 at Sydney FC. There was no excuse for that horrible performance against a team playing its third match in less than a week. It’s still early in the season, but City’s title credentials should already be questioned after their insipid display. There were second best all night and lucky the losing margin wasn’t more.
Talking Point 1: Has Perth Glory’s Chris Ikonomidis done enough to force his way into the Socceroos squad for this month’s games against South Korea and Lebanon?
Don’t get me wrong, he’s been playing well. But in all seriousness, the way Brisbane played last night we would have made either of the Baccus brothers looks like world beaters
— Conor (@conor993) November 4, 2018
No. Too early. He played very well yesterday, but we didn't see him against @gomvfc, even if he scored the winning goal. We have to be patient with him.
— Malouh 🇦🇺 (@VMalouh) November 4, 2018
With no Arzani I wouldn’t be opposed
— Ethan Bowman (@EthanBowmannn) November 4, 2018
Surely Goodwin deserves it more?
— Nathaniel Cisco (@nathaniel_cisco) November 4, 2018
Talking Point 2: Will Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre better last season’s A-League goalscoring feats of Bobo?
He is a more complete player than bobo it’s a yes from me
— Tullio Ena (@tullman27) November 3, 2018
He is suited to @SydneyFC attacking shape and will likely collect more goals when it is working; however he doesn't have Bobo's strength as a target man or in one on one chances. It will be interesting
— Tim Coghlan (@bohdia) November 3, 2018
Most surprising:
Wellington Phoenix’s 3-0 loss at home to a Western Sydney Wanderers side that had not been overly impressive in the two weeks prior. The Phoenix had impressed defensively a week earlier in keeping Brisbane Roar scoreless at Suncorp Stadium, and would have fancied their chances at Westpac Stadium against the Wanderers. While they would have never certainties to win, conceding three goals at home was totally unexpected.
Least surprising:
Keisuke Honda’s involvement in another Melbourne Victory goal to given Kevin Muscat’s men their first points. Even on a comparatively quiet night the Japanese star stepped up to assist Terry Antonis’ 1-0 winner against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium, the same venue where he scored for his country during the 2015 Asian Cup. Honda has been involved in every Victory goal so far and is sure to supply the defending champions with many more.
Under pressure:
Newcastle needed points in Saturday night’s grand-final rematch against Melbourne Victory but the Jets remain grounded, bottom of the table and with a single point after three games. What’s worrying is that Ernie Merrick’s side have only scored four goals and conceded two, reflecting the absence of suspended striker Roy O’Donovan and injured Joe Champness. Now last season’s grand finalists must host Sydney FC before hitting the road again for another two rounds.
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