Hyundai A-League Weekend Wrap
We take a quick look at Round 6 of the Hyundai A-League
Results MELBOURNE VICTORY 2 beat Queensland Roar 0 SYDNEY FC 1 beat Newcastle Jets 0 WELLINGTON PHOENIX 4 beat Perth Glory 1 ADELAIDE UNITED 2 beat Central Coast Mariners 1
Game Wraps Two brilliant pieces of Archie Thompson magic inspired Melbourne Victory to its first win of the season, although it was hardly convincing with Queensland-s general play again unrewarded in front of goals. It was Queensland that made most of the running in the match, but once again poor execution in front of goals meant they were always ready for the taking. And that-s exactly what Thompson did after 68 minutes when he was given an inch too much space near the edge of the area and sent a curling shot against the crossbar. The ball rebounded to Leandro Love who was subsequently brought down as he was about to pull the trigger and a penalty was given. As per usual Kevin Muscat made no mistake from the spot. Thompson then made sure of the win, when he raced onto a neat flick by Love and from an acute angle drilled his shot past Liam Reddy.
Alex Brosque made it two wins on the trot for a resurgent Sydney FC, capitalising on a magnificent pass from Brazilian Juninho to give Sydney a 1-0 win over Newcastle. The Jets never recovered from the setback before the game, where Joel Griffiths was forced to withdraw from the match after suffering a groin injury in the warm up and without its most destructive go forward man never really tested the Sydney defence. Not even a start for Brazilian Mario Jardel could ignite the Jets, as Sydney, buoyed by the return of Juninho looked the most likely. In the 36th minute, Juninho showed his importance to the team, with a terrific through ball for Brosque, who shaped to shoot with his right, before cutting back to his trusty left foot and slid his shot past Ante Covic.
It was a miserable day in ‘windy- Wellington, but the 10,000+ fans who braved the cold and wet conditions, went home extremely happy after their side recorded its first home win of the season, with a terrific 4-1 win over Perth. But it didn-t always look that way, after Billy Celeski opened the scoring for the visitors after 10 minutes. However within three minutes parity was restored, when Phoenix captain slotted home from a corner. Wellington striker Shane Smeltz then grabbed the initiative for the home side with a goal three minutes before half time. The sending off of Perth defender Dino Djublic in the 54th minute only added to Perth-s misery and when Vaughan Coveny scored just two minutes later, there was only going to be one result. Tony Lochhead made it 4-1 late in the match to seal a terrific win.
Bruce Djite scored three; only two counted, but alas it was to prove enough as Adelaide won its first match of the season with a 2-1 win over the previously unbeaten Central Coast at Hindmarsh Stadium. In a pulsating match that produced some exciting free-flowing football by both sides, it was Djite who was the home hero with two well-taken goals. He opened the scoring in the 19th minute, with an elegantly placed shot past Danny Vukovic, the first goal conceded by the Mariners this season. Sasho Petrovski leveled it up prior to half time, following a scramble in the box. After having a goal disallowed after referee Matthew Breeze had already blown for a free kick, Djite then made sure of the three points for his side in the dying minutes, with a terrific headed finish, that Vukovic almost saved but could only push onto the post and in. On a bad night for the Mariners, former local boy Tony Vidmar, received his marching orders in his second straight game after incurring a second yellow card, nine minutes before Djite-s winner.
Highlights & Lowlights The fact that all four home teams won is fairly significant and means most fans went home happy and feeling very good about their team.
Weekend Goals Tally: 11
Card Count: 20 yellows - 2 reds
Attendance/Average: 60,523 / 15,131
Goal of the Week Several quality finishes this week, though the lead up play and then subsequent finish by Alex Brosque gets the nod this week. The lead up play was provided by Juninho, who looked like he was going to pass one way, only to play it perfectly into the path of Brosque. Brosque then showed what he can do if given some space in the penalty box and neatly faked to shoot with his right, cut back onto his left and then perfectly his shot past Ante Covic for the match winner.
Player of the Week Adelaide has not experienced the best start to the season, with four draws from its opening five games. However Bruce Djite is showing all the signs of being a striker of the future and confirmed that with a magnificent display against the Mariners. His two goals were both well taken, he may well have had a couple more with a bit of luck and his strength and composure on the ball is getting better with every game he plays.
One to Watch There have been a few question marks over several of the Brazilians that have come to the Hyundai A-League this season and in fairness many are taking their time adjusting to the different playing style they are used to. Melbourne-s Leandro Love has big shoes to fill after the achievements of several of his countrymen last season and on Friday night showed glimpses of his talent. Had a hand in both goals and while still adjusting to the pace is starting to develop a good understanding with Archie Thompson.