A-League All Angles: every team wrapped, what went right, wrong and what’s ahead?
THE battle at the back-end of the A-League top six takes on a congested feel but there’s no such drama at the top of the table. Our reporters round up all the A-League action and look ahead to next week.
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THE battle for finals positions heats up as Brisbane continued their resurgence and Perth ended a long losing sequence.
But it’s still Sydney leading the pack after beating Melbourne Victory for the sixth successive match..
Our A-League reporters take a look at the round just gone, and look ahead, in the most comprehensive wrap around.
SYDNEY FC
SCOREBOARD: def Melbourne Victory 3-1 (Bobo 60, 78 pen, Carney 84)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
You could say the same most weeks, but Sydney FC once again proved that it is going to take something ultra special to stop them from lifting the title again this season. The Victory game was a serious test of their credentials and, after being second-fiddle for the first 15 minutes, it was another test they passed with flying colours. Adrian Mierzejewski was dominant in attack, although he may have been lucky to escape a second yellow card on the night for a stray elbow on Rhys Williams. Luke Wilkshire and Michael Zullo were fantastic on the flanks.
WHAT WENT WRONG
For the fouth time in their last six games against Victory, Sydney fell behind. But considering they have gone on to win each of those games it’s not a huge problem, is it? That said, one of these days they’ll be made to pay. You’d hope for Sydney’s sake it’s not in a big final.
COMING UP: v Wellington, Allianz Stadium (Friday night)
SELECTION TABLE
Brandon O’Neill’s fifth yellow card of the season means he is suspended for next Friday’s visit of Wellington. Does that open the door for Paulo Retre, who Arnold brought on in O’Neill’s place late in the piece? Milos Ninkovic copped a knock to the knee from an errant Jason Geria tackle but played on and should be fine.
- Matt Windley
MELBOURNE VICTORY
SCOREBOARD: lost 1-3 to Sydney FC (Berisha 58 pen)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
The first 10-15 minutes was some of Melbourne Victory’s best football of the season. Kevin Muscat’s men were all over Sydney FC and didn’t give them a sniff, dominating possession with a high-tempo passing game that created five shots on goal. Lawrence Thomas, back from two weeks out through injury, made two stunning saves to deny Adrian Mierzejewski midway through the second half. James Donachie brought a smile to Victory fans’ faces when he came on midway through the second half, his first minutes back after tearing his quad of the bone in round two.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Victory has now lost six games in a row to Sydney FC. More than that, in four of those games Victory scored the first goal and then has gone on to lose. You can talk as much as you want about the past not being important but that is a relevant stat that highlights the psychological hold Sydney now has over Victory - and that is a big worry coming into the finals. Jason Geria’s red card means he’ll be suspended for the clash with Newcastle next week. Rhys Williams picked up a seventh card of the season and is on the verge of another suspension.
COMING UP: v Newcastle, McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday)
SELECTION TABLE
Leroy George was a late scratching against Sydney with a hamstring complaint, but with eight days between games he is considered every chance of resuming against the high-flying Jets. Interestingly, Leigh Broxham played central defence and Thomas Deng left back against Sydney, with Stefan Nigro out of the squad all together. With Geria out, either Nigro or Mr Fixit Broxham could fill the right back role, with Deng potentially then to also slot back into the middle. Muscat stopped short of declaring Donachie ready to start given how long the central defender has been out. Troisi’s form continues to draw the ire of Victory fans. And with Terry Antonis having played so well in an advanced midfield role the week before against Western Sydney, the pressure will start to come on Muscat to make the switch permanent.
- Matt Windley
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
SCOREBOARD: lost 1-0 to Adelaide United
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Phoenix looked good early, kept their shape and prodded Adelaide sideways to find openings without really testing Paul Izzo for the first 31 minutes. Striker Andrija Kaludjerovic had the Reds on their toes early as Nathan Burns’ darting runs from his usual outside left to run inside United’s defenders had the visitors on edge. But too many of his team-mates failed to read what Burns had in mind. Phoenix’s compact game also had United struggling to get their rhythm going but it all changed once Adelaide took a lead against the run of play.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Kaludjerovic succumbing to what appeared to be a heel injury was a huge blow to the home side in the 58th minute. Hitting the crossbar twice also didn’t help the cause as Wellington were continually frustrated by Adelaide’s last line of defence, having just two shots on target after forcing 12 corners to seven.
COMING UP: v Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium (Friday)
SELECTION TABLE
Losing Roy Krishna to a hamstring strain before kick-off was a major blow for Phoenix, especially after Daniel Mullen was also ruled out due to an injury he picked up during the training week. Marco Rossi is up for selection after serving a one-game ban. Wellington coach Darije Kalezic is hoping Mullen and Krishna will be ready for the Sydney clash along with Kaludjerovic.
- Val Migliaccio
ADELAIDE UNITED
SCOREBOARD: def Wellington Phoenix 1-0 (Blackwood 31)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Coach Marco Kurz reintroduced his Olyroos, Paul Izzo, Ben Garuccio and George Blackwood, from the start for the first time since a 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at Hindmarsh on December 30. And the trio added much needed stability to a line up which has been decimated by long-term injuries to Baba Diawara and Johan Absalonsen and the huge absence of suspended skipper Isaias in Wellington. Daniel Adlung played like he was covering two positions in a brilliant 90-minute display. Adelaide never lost their shape and remained compact for much of the match.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Adelaide’s inability to score a second goal when they had pace to burn in counter attacks almost proved costly. The Reds did a lot of good things to get inside Wellington’s box but poor decision making when at the very least a shot on target was required had hearts in mouths.
COMING UP: v Perth Glory, Coopers Stadium (Saturday night)
SELECTION TABLE
Isaias returning to the side from suspension is sure to give Kurz much needed mental stability and more options in the advanced midfield roles. Absalonsen is destined to be ready for selection again after he was named in the extended squad but didn’t travel to Wellington. Baba’s injury is a major concern as Vinni Lia continues to show good progress, fighting his way back from a second strained knee ligament injury this season.
- Val Migliaccio
MELBOURNE CITY
SCOREBOARD: drew 2-2 with Newcastle Jets (Arzani pen 43, Vidosic 82)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
City assumed control of the match with another cohesive, attacking display and were unlucky not to win it in the end as Ross McCormack’s late lob was cleared off the line by a desperate Steven Ugarkovic. Daniel Arzani scored his first A-League goal, with an ice cool finish from the penalty spot, while Dario Vidosic’s late header capped off a brilliant passage.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Conceding in the third minute was a dagger blow, headlined by a concentration lapse and poor marking, while Newcastle Jets sliced through the City defence too easily for the second as Jason Hoffman capitalised when the stoppers got dragged out of position.
COMING UP: v Brisbane Roar, Suncorp Stadium (Sunday)
SELECTION TABLE
Ross McCormack returned to the UK on Friday with his future in limbo. Bruce Kamau is pushing for selection after making his return off the bench last week while defender Bart Schenkeveld returns from suspension. Bruno Fornaroli is edging closer to a return, but this week may come too soon.
- David Davutovic
NEWCASTLE JETS
SCOREBOARD: drew 2-2 with Melbourne City (Topor-Stanley 3, Hoffman 70)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
The confident Jets played a superb counter-attacking game with Argentine Patricio Rodriguez playing a big role as they soaked up the pressure against a confident City. They continue to be economical and clinical in attack, and would take the draw considering gun Dimi Petratos was a late omission. Ernie Merrick also nailed his substitutions with debutant Riley McGree playing a key role in the Jets’ second.
WHAT WENT WRONG
The Jets were unable to weather the storm, with Daniel Arzani causing them issues in the first half before the introduction of Ross McCormack swinging the momentum City’s way. Daniel Georgievski’s rash challenge led to the first equaliser, as he lunged in and brought down Stefan Mauk.
COMING UP: v Melbourne Victory, McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday)
SELECTION TABLE
Prolific striker Roy O’Donovan could return against Victory along with Petratos, who returns to the side after he rushed back home to be by his wife’s side as she gave birth on the day of the game, while McGree will be pushing for selection after his penetrating runs gave the Jets an added dimension. The Jets have been boosted with the news that Ronald Vargas could return in a month.
- David Davutovic
WESTERN SYDNEY
SCOREBOARD: lost 3-1 to Perth Glory (Riera 17)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
While it feels a little like straw-clutching, there were some positives from the Wanderers’ trip out west. The goal, or at least the build-up to being awarded a penalty, was well constructed thanks to a clever run from deep and a fine pass. Vedran Janjetovic made some good saves, and could hardly be blamed for the three goals he conceded.
WHAT WENT WRONG
How long have you got? Facing a side without a point in five games, Western Sydney were the most accommodating of visitors and barely put up a fight. The dismissal of Keanu Baccus in the fourth minute seemed to leave them shellshocked, for all they snatched an equaliser. All three of Perth’s goals involved some form of defensive error, from a team that has now conceded six in two games and the third highest number overall.
COMING UP: v Central Coast Mariners, Central Coast Stadium (Sunday)
SELECTION TABLE
Given his penchant for weekly selection jiggles, Josep Gombau may well ring the changes again from a squad largely fully fit. Alvaro Cejudo is the major absentee, having not played with a calf strain since January 1, while Keanu Baccus will be suspended for a week for his red card.
- Tom Smithies
PERTH GLORY
SCOREBOARD: beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 (Castro 7, 40, Keogh 43)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Despite coming into the back with five consecutive defeats behind them, Perth hardly looked like a team under pressure. It may have had something to do with an unconvincing performance from the Wanderers, who barely troubled the home side. The acquisition of Neil Kilkenny from Melbourne City looks a good one after he was the architect of the Glory’s third goal.
WHAT WENT WRONG
While it was all too easy for Perth, all three of their goals were handed to them by defensive errors. Still, for a team without a win in their last five games it’s hard to find any fault with a performance good enough to get back to winning ways.
COMING UP: v Adelaide United, Coopers Stadium (Saturday night)
SELECTION TABLE
Coach Kenny Lowe is unlikely to make any changes to a team that easily put the pressure of their last five performances behind them. Diego Castro was back to his best against the Wanderers, while Kilkenny adds quality to the midfield.
- Carly Adno
BRISBANE ROAR
SCOREBOARD: beat Central Coast Mariners 2-1 (Holman 23, McKay 54)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Firstly, Brisbane’s jersey numbers didn’t peel off! But seriously, the Roar’s response to their embarrassing AFC Champions League playoff loss a few days earlier was admirable. While it wasn’t a perfect performance, it was a gritty display. The Roar were clinical in punishing the Mariners for their mistakes. Brett Holman again showed how much he was missed while out with a calf problem.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Key midfielder Thomas Kristensen was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes with another hamstring problem. It continues a frustrating run of injuries for the Roar and in particular Kristensen. When he’s out, Brisbane’s engine room doesn’t have the same bite.
COMING UP: v Melbourne City, Suncorp Stadium, Sunday
SELECTION TABLE
The Roar will be sweating on the fitness of Kristensen. But in positive news attacking weapon Fahid Ben Khalfallah returns from suspension while utility Ivan Franjic is back after missing the win over the Mariners for personal reasons.
- Marco Monteverde
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
SCOREBOARD: lost to Brisbane Roar 2-1 (Powell 63)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Blake Powell’s goal was classy, but that was about it on disappointing night for the Mariners.
WHAT WENT WRONG
The Mariners gifted the Roar two goals by giving up possession easily in trying to be too cute in their defensive third of the park. Central Coast also lacked penetration in attack while their Dutch midfielder Wout Brama needs to take a long, hard look at himself after a shocking tackle the could have broken the leg of Roar substitute Corey Gameiro.
COMING UP: v Western Sydney Wanderers, Central Coast Stadium, Sunday
SELECTION TABLE
Andrew Hoole’s exclusion from the Mariners’ match-day squad on Saturday was a surprise, and it’s hard to not see the attacking weapon returning this weekend as Central Coast seek to end their long spell of games without a win. They will also be without the suspended Brama after his horrible tackle on Gameiro.
- Marco Monteverde
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