A-League All Angles: Sydney FC flex muscles; Newcastle Jets flying; Melbourne Victory struggling

WHAT went right and what went wrong for your A-League team in round eight, all the goals and what comes next as Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets continue to show the way

aleague all angles, soccer, review

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

SYDNEY FC

SCOREBOARD: 3-1 defeat of Brisbane Roar (Carney 7’, Mierzejewski 15’, Ryall 79’)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Even with some key figures missing from the starting XI, the Sky Blues were able to cruise to an almost routine win over Roar. Any concerns about fatigue from the FFA Cup final on Tuesday night were exorcised by establishing a 2-0 lead within 15 minutes, the first of which was ruthlessly constructed. David Carney gave a polished performance in place of Milos Ninkovic, and Matt Simon enjoyed himself immensely — until his red card. The win takes Sydney back to the top, with six points’ breathing space ahead of third-placed Melbourne City.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Until the 75th minute this might have been a taxing part of the column to fill in, so comfortable did Sydney look. But Matt Simon left a blemish on the evening by being sent off for retaliation, falling for the oldest trick in the book. Avram Papadopoulos’s spit towards the Sydney striker was a low act and obvious provocation that was clearly caught by the TV cameras. But Simon’s muscular response, grabbing Papadopoulous by the shirt, was physical enough to persuade the referee to send him off, too. It was harsh but as coach Graham Arnold said afterwards, the reaction opened up the possibility of a red card.

COMING UP: v Adelaide, Hindmarsh Stadium (Friday)

SELECTION TABLE

Sydney seem unlikely to appeal against Simon’s red card, so he will be out through suspension. Milos Ninkovic and Michael Zullo were both absentees on Saturday through injuries sustained in the FFA Cup final, but both are expected to come back in against Adelaide. Adrian Mierzejewski proved he is back to full fitness against Newcastle.

Sydney had plenty to celebrate in their win over Brisbane Roar.

— Tom Smithies

MELBOURNE CITY

SCOREBOARD: lost 3-1 loss to Perth Glory (McCormack 31)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Things were looking rosy when Ross McCormack curled a superb free-kick over the wall to equalise in the first half. There were some solid passages from City thereafter, but not enough to overcome the plucky visitors in a generally underwhelming home performance. City also lost that defensive discipline that had underpinned their opening month of the season — notwithstanding the VAR controversy.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

There was an eerie vibe at AAMI Park, with City’s fast start quickly forgotten amid the rumblings surrounding Tim Cahill’s future. City were disjointed and lacking intent. The subsequent exit of assistant coach Mike Valkanis, following on from the departure of fellow assistant Joe Montemurro early in the season, indicate off-field divisions. Coach Warren Joyce must now stand up and galvanise the squad after a tumultuous few weeks.

COMING UP: v Newcastle Jets, McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday night)

SELECTION TABLE

Osama Malik will be suspended after his second red card of the season, though he will feel stiff with referee Daniel Elder’s decision following the VAR call. Fernando Brandan is now fit and available, while it will be intriguing to see whether Tim Cahill comes into the XI.

— David Davutovic

Mitch Mallia grabbed Perth Glory’s third goal in the big win.

PERTH GLORY

SCOREBOARD: 3-1 win vs Melbourne City (Nichols 12, Torres pen 43, Mallia 83)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

It was far from a smash and grab win, with undermanned Glory coming to AAMI Park and bossing the first half against City before shrewdly shutting up shop in the second half. The emergence of 16-year-old Jacob Italiano was a highlight, with the zippy winger causing heartache for City’s defence. Otherwise the performance of lesser-lights Jeremy Walker, Brandon Wilson and Mitch Mallia would have pleased coach Kenny Lowe while Mitch Nichols had his best performance of the season.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

The injury to Andy Keogh was the only blight on an otherwise courageous performance. The Irishman limped off after 30 minutes, succumbing to a groin injury. Referee Daniel Elder’s decision to allow play to continue drew the ire of Lowe and also earnt him a booking — the first A-League coach to do so under the FFA’s new rules.

COMING UP: v Central Coast, Central Coast Stadium (Sunday)

SELECTION TABLE

Keogh joins a worryingly long list of soft tissue absentees, including Diego Castro Adam Taggart, Andreu and Scott Neville. None will be available for the trip to Central Coast, with Lowe having to rely on his youthful and unfancied batch of available players for the trip to Central Coast.

— David Davutovic

BRISBANE ROAR

SCOREBOARD: lost to Sydney FC 3-1 (Hingert 90 + 3’)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Hardly anything. Roar went two goals behind early and didn’t recover. Jack Hingert’s stoppage-time goal was at least some consolation while Ivan Franjic’s few minutes off the bench was his first appearance for Roar since rejoining the club earlier this month.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Plenty. Roar were second-best all night, with their final ball or cross often poor. Brisbane’s defending was also ordinary. Centre-back Avraam Papadopoulos also let himself and his team down when he spat at Sydney FC striker Matt Simon. He’s now facing a lengthy ban for the disgusting act.

COMING UP: Western Sydney Wanderers at ANZ Stadium (Saturday)

SELECTION TABLE:

With Papadopoulos out, Roar are hoping former Socceroos defender Jade North returns from a pubic bone injury that has sidelined him for three matches. Attacking weapon Peter Skapetis should also be back after being unable to fly to Sydney last Friday due to an ear infection.

— Marco Monteverde

Ryan Kitto was the two-goal hero against the Wanderers.

ADELAIDE UNITED

SCOREBOARD: 2-0 win over Western Sydney (Kitto 46m, 63m)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Adelaide bounced back from a gut wrenching FFA Cup extra time loss to Sydney FC in style.

United wore Josep Gombau’s Wanderers side down after they were caught short in discipline when skipper Robert Cornthwaite gave referee Chris Beath no choice other than to send him off for a second booking. Adelaide created chance after chance in the first half and displayed heaps of character.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

There were times when United did lose concentration to allow Wanderers chances, including once which saw Oriol Riera crash a header against the crossbar. Adelaide also rushed too many gilt-edged opportunities in front of goal, which luckily didn’t come back to haunt them.

Ben Garuccio’s needless second-half challenge on Roly Bonevacia may prove to be costly with the left back now out of action for an important clash against table-topping Sydney FC on Friday.

COMING UP: v Sydney FC, Coopers Stadium (Friday night)

SELECTION TABLE

Adelaide will be sweating on the availability of Michael Marrone who is certain to be grilled for the FFA Cup final’s ball boy gate. Marrone was sent off after the incident and was forced to miss the clash against the Wanderers. Adelaide can ill afford to have Marrone miss a second game now that Garuccio is suspended. The good news is the great Dane Johan Absalonsen — missing since the FFA Cup semi final win last month with a thigh problem — and Vinni Lia who has been out of action since round three with a knee injury should be up for selection against Sydney.

— Val Migliaccio

MELBOURNE VICTORY

SCOREBOARD : 1-4 loss to Newcastle (Barbarouses 5)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Kosta Barbarouses should get a bit of confidence from his cracking fifth-minute volley that opened the scoring at McDonald Jones Stadium. There was conjecture as to whether the New Zealand international would return straight to the starting line-up after completing All Whites duties given his start to the season has been less than bright. But he repaid the faith of coach Kevin Muscat in cracking style, even if he did fade out of the game as it went on.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Mark Milligan’s red card was utterly stupid. While there was debate as to whether or not it was an incident worthy of a straight red, someone of his experience should not be putting himself in that position to begin with. It’s not the first time this season Milligan has walked the refereeing tightrope — he should have been sent off against Western Sydney earlier this month — so it is an issue that needs dealing with. Rhys Williams’ injury only minutes earlier meant it was a double headache for Muscat early on on Thursday night. But even with those two factors combined it was still clear that Victory was second best by far in the Hunter Valley. Victory gave up 24 shots to two. That is a battering. The midfield is breaking down and any defence would struggle to keep that weight of chances at bay.

COMING UP: v Wellington, Westpac Stadium (Sunday)

SELECTION TABLE

Milligan will now miss Sunday’s trip to Wellington to play Phoenix after his red card. Matias Sanchez is all but certain to come in, but the Argentine is yet to assert himself on a contest so far this season, so improvement is needed. If Williams were to also out then Victory would really be up against it considering James Donachie (quad) remains on the long-term injury list. In theory, if Williams goes out, Leigh Broxham could deputise in the heart of defence with Stefan Nigro coming in at left back.

— Matt Windley

Dimitri Petratos has been in great form for the Jets.

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

SCOREBOARD: 4-1 win over Wellington Phoenix 4-1 (Kaluderovic 39’ OG, Da Silva 54’, Hoole 66’, Buhagiar 90’)

WHAT WENT RIGHT? Judging by the result, plenty. The Mariners completely outclassed the Phoenix away from home and, once the first goal went in towards the end of the first half, they were virtually unstoppable. Hoole scored a super goal, Da Silva is justifying the hype and if the Mariners can keep him fit and keep up this form, a top six finish should be the minimum aim.

Trent Buhagiar of the Central Coast Mariners slots home the final goal against Wellington Phoenix.

WHAT WENT WRONG? It seems unfair to criticise a team that scored four goals, but the Mariners actually could have had more if they finished off their chances in the first half. But let’s focus on the positives — the Mariners ended a five-year winless streak in Wellington with a convincing performance away from home.

COMING UP: v Perth Glory, Central Coast Stadium (Sunday)

SELECTION TABLE: Coach Paul Okon will boosted by the likely returns of Storm Roux and Josh Rose from injury

— Carly Adno

NEWCASTLE

SCOREBOARD: 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory (Georgievski 14, Nabbout 37, 83 Champness 75)

WHAT WENT RIGHT?

Boy, oh boy, the Jets are an impressive side to watch when they are on song. Ernie Merrick’s men just attack their opponents ruthlessly, never letting up. After conceding in the fifth minute to a Kosta Barbarouses wonder strike, Newcastle went on to compile 24 shots to two. Stats lie sometimes, but that was the truest of indications as to how dominant the hosts were. Andrew Nabbout would be rapt to have scored a brace against his one-time club, while even though Daniel Georgievski didn’t go over the top with celebrations for his goal, you could tell his strike — in what was his first game against his old club — meant a lot. And here’s one for you: is Dimitri Petratos the best player in the A-League at the moment? He is lighting it up every single week.

Andrew Nabbout scored twice against Victory.

Originally published as A-League All Angles: Sydney FC flex muscles; Newcastle Jets flying; Melbourne Victory struggling