Hyundai A-League Weekend Wrap
It was a wet and wild weekend in the Hyundai A-League, with three matches effected by poor weather conditions. Melbourne Victory moved to sole outright lead of the competition after its 3-0 win away in New Zealand, with Queensland Roar only managing a draw in the slush against Central Coast.
Results ADELAIDE UNITED 5 bt Newcastle Jets 1 Central Coast Mariners 0 drew Queensland Roar 0 New Zealand Knights 0 lt MELBOURNE VICTORY 3 Perth Glory 1 drew Sydney FC 1
Game Wraps Adelaide United put a poor start to the season behind them in emphatic fashion with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium. The rot set in early for the Jets with Fernando scoring after just eight minutes. Robert Cornthwaite-s looping heading made it 2-0 after 19 minutes and it was 3-0 when Shengqing Qu blasted a free kick past Ben Kennedy before 30 minutes had even elapsed. After the break, the Jets pulled a goal back early through Mark Bridge and the thoughts of a comeback were a distinctly possible. However a terrible mix-up resulted in Jets defender Andrew Durante putting the ball into his own net, just as Kennedy was about gather Qu-s shot. New signing Bobby Petta then showed his quality by setting up Fernando for his second goal to complete the scoring.
Torrential rain and a very wet Bluetongue Stadium greeted the brave souls who turned up to watch Central Coast and league leaders Queensland Roar. The conditions made for some comical play at times, although both sides did well considering and created some excellent chances in the match. The Mariners Tom Pondeljak went closest to scoring with two shots that hit the crossbar, while Simon Lynch had two good opportunities in the second half, being the best for the Roar.
Melbourne Victory made it three wins on the trot, with a clinical display against New Zealand Knights at a wet and windy North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Three first half goals sealed the win, with Danny Allsopp opening the scoring after nine minutes. Archie Thompson scored a superb goal from a near impossible angle to make it 2-0 after 22 minutes and then Kevin Muscat made it three goals in three games with a header from Kristian Sarkies free kick in the 35th minute.
Perth Glory came from a goal down to earn a point with defending champions Sydney FC. A fast start to the match, which saw chances fall to both sides, the match settled down and it was Sydney who grabbed the initiative with a goal to Saso Petrovski in the 38th minute. Only minutes earlier he had rattled the crossbar with a powerful header. However a tactical change at the break saw Perth come back into the game and continually put pressure on the Sydney defence, which finally cracked with Sydney keeper Clint Bolton misjudging a cross and Jamie Coyne heading into the empty net. Steve Corica thought he had scored a late winner for Sydney, but was ruled out for offside.
Highlights Adelaide-s return to form takes the prize this week and showed the rest of the league that they shouldn-t be written off just yet. They showed Newcastle how to make the most of your opportunities and in Fernando and Qu, Adelaide has two proven match winners. Adelaide fans also got a first look at Bobby Petta and they would have liked what they saw.
Weekend Goals Tally: 11
Card Count: 12 yellows - 0 reds
Attendance/Average: 23,588 / 5,897
Goal of the Week It-s been a tough start to the season for Qantas Socceroo and Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson, but he showed just why he is regarded as the best in the country. Having set up the first for Danny Allsopp, Thompson then produced a good turn of speed to reach an Allsopp through ball, which took him past Danny Milosevic. The ball looking as if it would go out, Thompson from the narrowest of angles somehow squeezed his shot into the goal. A very classy finish from a classy striker.
Player of the Week If Adelaide was going to get out of its slow start to the season, it needed one of its senior players to step up to the plate and that-s what Fernando did. He scored twice, the first an excellently taken goal on the half volley, and was always a constant menace for the Newcastle defence.
One to Watch Another Adelaide player, with young Jason Spagnuolo again looking the goods. Coming in at the end of last season after the injury to Lucas Pantelis, Spagnuolo hasn-t looked out of place and has played in all the Adelaide games so far this season. Has got speed and a willingness to take players on. Set up the first goal for Rech with a terrific cross from free kick.