Hyundai A-League Weekend Wrap

Over 60,000 fans witnessed four very highly exciting games in the opening round round of the 2006-07 Hyundai A-League season last weekend. Sydney FC started their title defence with a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners at Aussie Stadium, but other results showed that Sydney will have to be at its best if it's to defend its title.

For the only the second time in a regular season round of the Hyundai A-League, all home teams went through undefeated, with Melbourne, Queensland and Sydney all getting off to a winning start, while the New Zealand Knights had to be content with a draw with Newcastle. Good crowds marked the start of the season again and most would have been happy with what they saw.

Results MELBOURNE VICTORY 2 bt Adelaide United 0 QUEENSLAND ROAR 3 bt Perth Glory 0 New Zealand Knights 0 drew with Newcastle Jets 0 SYDNEY FC 1 bt Central Coast Mariners 0

Game Wraps Melbourne Victory kicked off the season with a solid 2-0 win over last season-s Premiers Adelaide United. Victory-s new overseas imports played a significant role in the win with Alessandro winning the penalty for the first goal with some good skill, Claudinho coming off the bench to score the second goal, Fred playing well throughout and Grant Brebner also outstanding. Kevin Muscat scored the opening goal of the season with his customary coolness from the spot, while Claudinho made sure of the win after latching onto a rebound following a Daniel Allsopp shot.

Queensland started the season in sensational style with a three-goal, five-minute blitz to beat Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium. The game was neck and neck for almost 80 minutes until young Roar substitute Dario Vidosic came on to inspire his side to victory. He played an important part in Simon Lynch-s opener in the 79th minute and then started and finished the second goal three minutes later. Two minutes later another substitute Stuart McClaren scored the third against the visibly tiring Glory defence.

New Zealand Knights and the Newcastle Jets picked up a point each at North Harbour Stadium, in a match they was fairly even throughout. Given that both sides were significantly different in terms of playing squad, it was always going to be a tough struggle, with the best opportunity coming early from the Knights Jonti Richter who crashed a shot against the crossbar.

Defender Iain Fyfe scored his first Hyundai A-League goal with a thunderous striker to give Sydney a winning start to their title defence. Significantly it was the same scoreline as last year-s grand final, although they had Clint Bolton to thank for securing the three points against an unlucky Central Coast Mariners. Bolton produced two magnificent reflex saves to deny Adam Kwasnik, while the young Mariners striker also missed a straight forward header in the second half.

Highlights Queensland-s blitz against Perth was reminiscent of the Socceroos blitz against Japan at the World Cup, while the three new Brazilian imports at Melbourne were value for money and showed enough to suggest they will have a big say in Victory-s fortunes this season. Clint Bolton-s magnificent saves can not go without mention, as they proved crucial to the end result.

Weekend Goals Tally: 6

Card Count: 11 yellows - 0 red

Attendance/Average: 62,965 / 15,741

Goal of the Week Several good goals this week, but Iain Fyfe will remember he first goal in the Hyundai A-League that settled the grand final replay. When he scores it usually with his head at set pieces, but on this occasion he met Sasho Petrovski-s knock down 5 metres in from the top right corner of the penalty box and smashed a thunderous low shot inside the near post that gave Danny Vukovic no chance. It was worthy of any winning goal and more importantly from Sydney-s perspective, got their title defence off to a winning start.

Player of the Week Hard choice this week with many contributing for their teams. However if choosing a player because his contribution directly attributed to the result of the game, then Sydney FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton gets it for this week. He was at his brilliant best on the weekend, making two world class saves and was always commanding and confident in his area.

One to Watch Youngster Dario Vidosic came on and sparked the Queensland attack and played a major role in the team-s win. For the first goal he brilliantly chested down the ball, which Milicic did well to win and Simon Lynch finished off neatly, while he combined well with Lynch to score the second himself. He was always lively and he will no doubt be a player that Qantas Young Socceroos Ange Postecoglou will be keeping close tabs on for the upcoming Asian U/20 Championships in October/November.