A-League All Angles: VAR controversies; Sydney see off challenger; Jets win again; Victory impress

WHAT went right and what went wrong for your A-League team in round 11, all the goals and what comes next as VAR problems persist, Sydney win again and Newcastle Jets look the real deal.

A-League All Angles: Round 11 wrap

A-LEAGUE All Angles: What went right and what went wrong for your A-League team in round 11.

Sydney FC extended their lead on top of the A-League ladder against Melbourne City

SYDNEY FC

SCOREBOARD: def Melbourne City 3-1 (Mierzejewski 44, Bobo 45, Brosque 90)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Three goals, nine-point buffer on third place, and Milos Ninkovic gently re-assimilated after injury… in many ways it was a satisfying night for the Sky Blues, and one that reaffirmed yet again their absolute self-belief even when they fall behind. Adrian Mierzejewski’s innate quality shone through once more with a brilliantly taken freekick, while goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne made a game-changing save for the second match in a row.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

For all the good headlines, Sydney were fitful and unconvincing in the face of a highly disciplined structure from City. Mierzejewski was swamped every time he got the ball, and the visiting defence avoided giving away pockets of space for the Sky Blues forward line to operate in. Sydney were also penetrated more than once – for the goal, obviously (or not so obviously, needing the VAR’s intervention) but also for Ross McCormack and Stefan Mauk’s glorious chances that were squandered. Had either gone in, the result could have been very different.

COMING UP: v Wellington Phoenix, Westpac Stadium (Saturday)

SELECTION TABLE

Milos Ninkovic came off the bench for his first minutes since the FFA Cup final, but it’s unlikely he’ll be rushed back into the starting line-up for the trip to Wellington given David Carney’s form as his understudy. At the time of writing there are questions over whether the match review panel can penalize Bobo for an off the ball incident with Manny Muscat.

- Tom Smithies

Dimitri Petratos scored a late penalty to help the Jets down Adelaide United

NEWCASTLE JETS

SCOREBOARD: beat Adelaide United 2-1 (Nabbout 55, Petratos 88) at McDonald Jones Stadium

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

The Jets announced themselves as a bona fide top three side after playing well below their capabilities but still managing to jag all three points - albeit from a gifted penalty.

The growing importance of Dimitri Petratos and Andrew Nabbout’s ability to make the most out of limited opportunities was paramount to the result.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

The Jets continually allowed United to penetrate every line from defence to attack throughout the clash as Adelaide managed to rotate the ball easily.

Luckily United failed in front of goal for most of the match except when George Blackwood scored.

COMING UP: v Western Sydney, McDonald Jones Stadium, Friday

SELECTION TABLE

With key marksman Roy O’Donovan out for three months with a groin injury the Jets may have some great news this weekend.

Nick Cowburn and Daniel Georgievski who both suffered from knee injuries will hopefully be ready for Ernie Merrick’s side against Wanderers.

- Val Migliaccio

George Blackwood scored Adelaide’s lone goal against Newcastle

ADELAIDE UNITED

SCOREBOARD: lost to Newcastle Jets 2-1 (Blackwood 67)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Despite being heavily depleted with the loss of suspended pair Daniel Adlung and Ben Garuccio, and a hip flexor injury to Baba Diawara two days before the clash, Marco Kurz’s side hardly skipped a beat. Young defender Ryan Strain is proving to be the revelation of the season after he played at left back.

He was very solid in defence while adding numbers to attacking forays after playing his first three A-League games at right back. Also the Reds relentless ability to swing the Jets from side to side with precision ball movement was impressive as they prodded for openings.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Despite doing everything mostly right from defending in numbers, keeping all the lines compact and penetrating in wide areas United is still lacking a true goal machine when opportunities presented themselves. That lack of goalscoring prowess came back to bite Adelaide when the referee made a horrible penalty call late in the match.

COMING UP: v Central Coast, Coopers Stadium, Boxing Day

SELECTION TABLE

Garuccio and Adlung return for selection after serving bans, while Ersan Gulum must serve a suspension after picking up his fifth caution of the season. Taylor Regan should be ready to start his first match since having ankle surgery after round one. But Johan Absalonsen’s thigh injury is still a worry so too is Baba’s recent hip problem.

- David Davutovic

Manny Muscat was sent-off in Melbourne City’s loss to Sydney FC

MELBOURNE CITY

SCOREBOARD: Lost 3-1 to Sydney FC (Brattan 37)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

A strong start away to the champions was underlined by a solid defensive structure that stymied Sydney FC’s passing game. City looked more fluid in attack than usual, stringing together good passing combinations and deserved to hit the lead via Luke Brattan’s rasping strike.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

The good work was quickly undone with a sensational capitulation at the end of the first half. The usually disciplined City completely lost their heads, as Adrian Mierzejwski and Bobo scored in the final four minutes of the half to put Sydney ahead. Once the Sky Blues are up they’re tough to catch.

COMING UP: v Melbourne Victory, AAMI Park (Saturday night)

SELECTION TABLE

Ross McCormack (knee) has escaped serious injury but he will almost certainly miss the derby though he still awaits the final diagnosis. Manny Muscat is suspended after his VAR red card. With Bruno Fornaroli (ankle) still recovering, City will have to adopt a makeshift striker or pick inexperienced Braedyn Crowley, who’s yet to score an A-League goal in 12 outings.

- David Davutovic

Perth Glory secured a vital win against Wellington

PERTH

SCOREBOARD: beat Wellington Phoenix 1-0 (Castro 59)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Glory secured a first win in three games via Diego Castro, who made his goalscoring chance look ridiculously easy, as if pressing the slow motion button. Glory’s attacking variation, including the run and skill of teenager Jacob Italiano – who looks set to sign for a German Bundesliga club this week – is ominous with a host of stars still to return.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

It wasn’t pretty or convincing, and Wellington carved enough goalscoring chances to nick something from the game. But a clean sheet is important psychologically for a Glory side that has conceded goals for fun at stages.

COMING UP: Brisbane Roar, Suncorp Stadium (Thursday night)

SELECTION TABLE

Italiano will miss Thursday’s visit to Brisbane Roar as he jets off to Germany to conclude a multi-year deal that will keep him at Glory until the end of the 2018-19 season. Unused sub Riley Warland could debut in Brisbane and break Teeboy Kamara’s (15 years and 212 days) record as the A-League’s youngest debutant. Warland will be 15 years and 171 days on Thursday.

- David Davutovic

Brendon Santalab celebrates Alvaro Cejudo’s goal against the Mariners

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

SCOREBOARD: beat Central Coast Mariners 2-0 (Santalab 27’, Cejudo 50’)

WHAT WENT RIGHT? They won. Pressure had been mounting on the Wanderers, so to get that first win under Josep Gombau will be a massive confidence boost for them. It will also provide the players with more belief in Gombau’s change of playing style. Brendon Santalab made his first start of the season and his presence was immense - scoring the opening goal and setting up the second.

WHAT WENT WRONG? It will still take time for the players to fully grasp the new system and there were times during the match when the Mariners got in behind them. It was largely thanks to Vedran Janjetovic that they kept a clean sheet.

COMING UP: v Newcastle Jets, McDonald Jones Stadium, Friday

SELECTION TABLE: We thought Gombau picked the wrong Baccus brother when Keanu got the nod over Kearyn, but the 19-year-old surely did enough to keep his older brother out of the team. And after Santalab’s performance, the veteran striker should be a certainty in the starting lineup again.

- Carly Adno

A shattered Daniel De Silva during the Mariners’ loss to the Wanderers

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

SCOREBOARD: lost 2-0 to the Western Sydney Wanderers

WHAT WENT RIGHT? The Mariners created some excellent chances and were, at times, terrific going forward. Daniel Da Silva looked a threat and Jake McGing put in some super crosses.

WHAT WENT WRONG? Their defending let them down - there was a lot more they could have done to prevent both goals. But the Mariners were also let down by the VAR; because of it they had two players sent off and finished the game with nine men. It wasn’t exactly a fair contest for the last 20 minutes of the game.

COMING UP: Adelaide United, Coopers Stadium, Boxing Day

SELECTION TABLE: The red cards to Wout Brama and Jake McGing mean they will both be suspended for the next game. It’s an unfair headache for Mariners coach Paul Okon, though the return of Storm Roux, who will slot in for McGing, is at least a straightforward swap.

- Carly Adno

Besart Berisha celebrates a goal that was later disallowed

MELBOURNE VICTORY

SCOREBOARD: def Brisbane 2-1 (Williams 12, Barbarouses 19)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

There’s been a bit made of Victory’s recruiting this season, chiefly the “back to the future” element with the likes of Mark Milligan and Kosta Barbarouses returning. But Kevin Muscat and co have utterly nailed the signings of Leroy George and Rhys Williams this season, both of whom were among their side’s best at Suncorp Stadium yet again. George laid off the assists for both first half goals while Williams scored the first with a bullet header from a corner and then was instrumental in keeping Victory safe as houses at the back. Victory’s enterprising first half was as good as it has played this season.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

So then it’s not so much a case of what went wrong as much as why can’t Victory get it right like this every week? The yo-yo effect is making Victory fans dizzy at the moment and back-to-back wins are essential to be truly confident that Victory is back on track. There are no excuses not to be up for the fight in the derby this week. Leigh Broxham’s substitution at half time with a migraine was a setback to Muscat’s plans, but Stefan Nigro came on and did well.

COMING UP: v Melbourne City, AAMI Park (Saturday night)

SELECTION TABLE

All eyes will be on Mark Milligan this week to see if the 2014-15 championship winning captain will be fit to take on City. Milligan hurt his hamstring against Adelaide in Round 10 and would be considered exceptionally unlikely to come up just 15 days later, but the midfielder has not yet been ruled out by the club. Broxham should be fine for Saturday night, then it just comes down to who Muscat prefers out of he and Nigro as there has been some chopping and changing in that position of late.

- Matt Windley

Brisbane Roar’s tough season continued with a loss against Melbourne Victory

BRISBANE ROAR

SCOREBOARD: lost 2-1 to Melbourne Victory (Maccarone 56’)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Roar’s second-half performance was encouraging, and Maccarone showed class and composure in scoring his fifth goal of the season. Goalkeeper Jamie Young had a strong game despite conceding two goals. He made a host of saves that kept his side in the contest. The enthusiasm off the bench of teenagers Rahmat Akbari and Daniel Leck was a good sign the Roar’s future.

WHAT WENT WRONG

A poor first half cost Brisbane the game, with the opening 20 minutes particularly disappointing. The Roar had no answers to the Victory’s early onslaught. Brisbane’s first-half attack lacked penetration and creativity. The sights of Ivan Franjic and Peter Skapetis limping off in the second half weren’t pleasant considering Brisbane’s already extensive injury list.

COMING UP: v Perth Glory, Suncorp Stadium, Thursday night

SELECTION TABLE

Left back Corey Brown is contention to start ahead of Connor O’ Toole, while Nick D’Agostino (ankle) and Corey Gameiro (gastro) should be available for selection after missing the loss to the Victory. Danish enforced Thomas Kristensen got much needed game-time in his legs on Sunday, and is perhaps an outside chance to play from the opening whistle against the Glory.

- Marco Monteverde

Injuries cruelled Wellington in their loss to Perth

WELLINGTON PHOENIX

SCOREBOARD: lost to Perth Glory 1-0

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic had nothing but praise for the way his side responded in the wake of crippling injuries before and during Saturday’s game. Without Michael McGlinchey, Roy Krishna and Andrew Durante from the starting XI, Wellington then saw Dario Vidosic and Marco Rossi limp off. In that context the performance was sprightly, and had Matthew Ridenton’s shot gone in rather than come back off the post, the outcome could have been different.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Statistics of recent weeks tend to be damning for Phoenix, who are guaranteed to be bottom at Christmas. The loss to Glory was the fourth successive away game in which the Phoenix haven’t scored, and they still have only one win this season. The injury to Vidosic looked alarming considering he had meniscus surgery in the offseason, and limped off holding the same knee..

COMING UP: v Sydney FC, Westpac Stadium (Saturday)

SELECTION TABLE

Rossi and Vidosic will be assessed during the week, with Vidosic in particular likely to need a scan to check whether any further damage to his knee has occurred. Krishna and Durante are expected to be fit to take on Sydney, but McGlinchey is only an outside chance to make it.

- Tom Smithies