Hyundai A-League Weekend Wrap
It was a tight round 9 of the Hyundai A-League, with the top teams certainly putting a healthy gap on those at the bottom of the table.
Results Newcastle Jets 1 drew Queensland Roar 1 Sydney FC 0 lost ADELAIDE UNITED 1 Wellington Phoenix 1 lost CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 2 MELBOURNE VICTORY 2 beat Perth Glory 1
Game Wraps Queensland Roar missed a golden opportunity to go into the top four, after Craig Moore failed to convert a second half penalty that would have given his side a 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets. Ante Covic was the Jets hero, saving Moore-s penalty attempt with just under 25 minute remaining. The match got off to a sensational start, when Roar-s Robbie Kruse scored after just 34 seconds, after being set up by close friend Michael Zullo. Newcastle however fought their way back into the game and had several good chances to equalise in the first half. However a minute into the second half a surging run by Troy Hearfield, saw him brought down in the penalty box by Zullo and Joel Griffiths made no mistake with his spot kick.
Adelaide United won its first game against Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium, with a Lucas Pantelis strike seven minutes after the break, settling the contest. In what was a horror night for the home side, they ended the match with only 10-men after first Adam Casey and then his replacement Terry McFlynn were stretchered off. Casey is likely to be out for the season with broken tibia. Sydney went close in the first half, with Patrick hitting a cracking shot against the crossbar. Pantelis- goal came via captain Travis Dodd who burst past the defence and cut his cross back to Pantelis, who finished neatly past Clint Bolton.
Central Coast Mariners extended their lead at the top of the table to three points, after Sasho Petrovski scored an injury time goal to give them a 2-1 win over a luckless Wellington Phoenix. In what was a highly entertaining game at Westpac Stadium, the Mariners took the lead in the 16th minute, when Petrovski bustled Steven O-Dor off the ball and laid off to Dean Heffernan, whose first time shot, was too powerful for Glen Moss. Phoenix though hit back quickly and with what will surely be a contender for goal of the year by recent marquee signing Ahmed Elrich, with his superb strike into the top corner that gave Danny Vukovic no chance. Petrovski had several chances to win it for the Mariners in the second half, including a second half penalty miss, but with only a minute remaining in injury time, he pounced on a poor attempted back pass by Jeremy Christie to round Moss and slide his shot into the empty net.
Melbourne Victory fought off a determined Perth Glory in the second half to come away with a 2-1 win. An inspiring first half by Victory set up the win, with Carlos Hernandez getting his first goal for the club after playing a terrific one-two twice with Archie Thompson. Hernandez 25th minute strike was quickly followed by a second goal seven minutes later, when a corner was headed goalwards by Rod Vargas and deflected home by Thompson. While outplayed for the most part, Perth grabbed a lifeline at the end of the half, when Nikolai Topor-Stanley crossed for Jamie Harnwell, who headed home. It was a different game in the second half, with the tactical changes employed by Ron Smith seeing Perth dominate, but they were unable to get the better of Michael Theoklitos who was in superb form.
Highlights & Lowlights Ahmed Elrich-s strike was world class and in his first start for Phoenix, will have given the home fans a glimpse of what is to come for the rest of the season, especially as he improves his fitness levels.
Goals Tally: 9
Card Count: 17 yellows - 0 reds
Attendance/Average: 61,408 / 15,352
Goal of the Week Several good team goals this week, but the standout goal of the weekend was Ahmed Elrich-s first half strike. Picking the ball up with his back to the goal and just outside the box, Elrich turned to his left and without looking up, curled a glorious right foot shot in to the top corner that left Vukovic diving at thin air.
Player of the Week Not much has been going right for Perth Glory this season, but if the rest of the team follows the example set by former captain Jamie Harnwell then they will cause problems for teams in the remainder of the season. The fearless defender-come-striker, was at his battling best against Victory and was no surprise and no more deserved that he got his name on the scoresheet to get his team back in the contest. In the second half, he threw himself into every contest, with no thought of self preservation and with an ounce of luck may have added a second goal as Perth looked valiantly for an equaliser, which alas did not arrive.
One to Watch Several weeks ago, he was eclipsed by his good mate Michael Zullo, despite playing well in his debut and scoring a goal. But Robbie Kruse has shown that he is a player in the making, with another terrific performance for Queensland Roar. Scored after just 30-odd seconds against Newcastle and was the Roar-s most lively player in attack throughout. Two goals in three appearances for the 19-year-old is not a bad way to start your senior professional career.