Thus far into the season, the three teams tipped to take the top positions on the ladder come season's end - Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart - have failed to fire. In Round 3, this trend continued as the big guns couldn't seem to fire. Gold Coast had the bye this week.
Adelaide United 3 - 2 Melbourne Heart
The greasy pitch at Hindmarsh Stadium seemed to suit Adelaide's quick strike force of Matthew Leckie and Iain Ramsey, the latter of which was a late replacement for Sergio van Dijk. Leckie turned his Heart opponent within the first two minutes to calmly finish through the legs of Clint Bolton. The game then settled as both teams found their passing radars, without really penetrating the final thrid. Heart were rewarded just before half time as dutch import Rutger Worm's sublime header finished in the back of the net thanks to a whipping Dean Heffernan cross. Ramsey opened his account just after the break only for Babalj to slot home the equaliser. Michael Marrone continued to cause trouble for the Reds defence down the right hand side. Just as it looked like the spoils would be shared, a fair result considering the even contest, Ramsey played a clever one-two with Reds no.10 Marcos Flores and finished, again through the legs of Bolton.
Scorers: Adl (Leckie 2', Ramsey 52', 88') Melb (Worm 42', Babalj 74') Crowd: 7,370 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Perth Glory 1 - 0 Newcastle Jets
A goal to first half substitute Branko Jelic was enough to seal victory for Perth, who are now the form team of the competition. A Todd Howarth volley was parried by Jets keeper Ben Kennedy stright into the shoulder of Jelic, which then ricocheted into the net. The Glory striker was an early substitue for former socceroo Mile Sterjovski who had injured himself. The game itself was fairly lacklustre, with both coaches echoing those sentiments after the game. Jets coach Branko Culina felt only some of his players turned up to play, while Glory coach Dave Mitchell admitted 'we've not played the best today'.
Scorers: Per (Jelic 45') Crowd: 12,031 at Members Equity Stadium
Brisbane Roar 1 - 0 Sydney FC
Another impressive performance by Ange Postecoglou's men who have been the surprise packet of the season thus far. If anything, the scoreline was flattering for the sky blues who were dominated in all aspects of the game, especially possession where the Roar led 60 per cent to 40. Brisbane skipper Matt McKay finished off a lovely passing sequence in the 53rd minute and this was enough to seal the three points. Sydney were playing without main men Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge but coach Vitezslav Lavicka did not search for excuses. 'The Roar played very well. Full credit to the home team, they created a lot of chances', he said.
Scorers: Bri (McKay 53') Crowd: 10,339 at Suncorp Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix 2 - 0 Central Coast Mariners
The Caketin again played host to another Phoenix win, with the usual suspects chipping in for the victory. Manny Muscat kicked off proceedings with a clever build up and subsequent cut back that found Leo Bertos in point blank region. The Mariner's one chance in the first half fell to last week's goal scorer Matt Simon who headed wide. Paul Ifill then sealed the game on the hour mark. On the outside of his left foot, Ifill sent the ball screeching past Jess Vanstrattan and ensured goal of the round honours.
Scorers: Well (Bertos 10', Ifill 61') Crowd: 9,500 at Westpac Stadium.
Melbourne Victory 2 - 2 North Queensland Fury
By far and away the match of the round, North Queensland again showed fighting spirit to hold on for a valuable draw. They did it the hard way, with two straight red cards ensuring they finished the game with nine men. The Fury took the lead through Ugandan striker Eugene SSeppuya but suffered a costly one-two punch when Chris Grossman brought down Robbie Kruse in the box which not only gifted Victory a penalty, which Muscat converted, but also left them with 10 men after Grossman was sent off. The game was locked at one-all at half time, but it was after the break that the game really kicked into life. Melbourne were doing all the attcking and, after several penalty shouts were turned down, finally gained their second for the match when newly signed Welsh winger Geoff Kellaway was brought down just inside the area. Again, Muscat converted the ensuing penalty. However, in another twist, the referee awarded North Queensland a penalty 10 minutes from time after some seemingly harmless push and shove whilst waiting for a Fury corner. Former Sydney man Chris Payne stepped up to the plate and, like Muscat's first, slammed it down the middle to beat Petkovic. In amongst this, Akoto had been sent off for a push on Muscat and had to be restrained by his teammates and coach. Despite a flurry of corners and subsequent shots on goal, the Victory were unable to snatch the winner in the dying minutes.
Scorers: Melb (Muscat 30'p, 75'p) NQF (Sseppuya 15', Payne 82') Crowd: 13,318 at AAMI Park.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Round 2
Another exciting round with the third 3-all draw of the season as well as comprehensive performances by Perth Glory and North Queensland Fury. Queensland Roar had the bye for round 2:
Wellington Phoenix 3 - 3 Gold Coast United
The first game of the season from our friends across the ditch was eagerly anticipated, especially after the success of the All Whites at the world cup. However, the mood for the match was somewhat dampened due to the driving rain in Wellington before and during the match. From the beginning passing was difficult and players struggled to keep their feet. Nevertheless, the Phoenix got off to the perfect start as fan favourite Paul Ifill slotted home within six minutes. New Zealand world cup hero Shane Smeltz then equalised for Gold Coast before Chris Greenacre took the lead back for the hosts just before the break. Greenacre completed his brace after half-time scoring an impressive volley. The match looked headed for a win for the hosts until Smeltz also scored his double 74 minutes in. Wellington looked keen to sit back and soak up the pressure and were on their way to their first win of the season until Gold Coast skipper Jason Culina's glancing header only minutes from time ensured the spoils would be shared. The Phoenix would be kicking themselves with their concentration lapses late in the game.
Scorers: Well (Ifill 6', Greenacre 37', 55') GCU (Smeltz 36', 74', Culina 87') Crowd: 8,300 at Westpac Stadium.
Newcastle Jets 1 - 1 Melbourne Heart
Both teams were looking for their first win of the season and the match started in a lively manner as chances at goal were not taken by either side. Newcastle started to dominate the match and Heart continually gave the ball away in the centre of the park. This gave the Jets the opportunity to break and in turn, expose their opponents down the flanks. Their persistence paid off as Jeremy Brockie scored on the hour mark, cutting inside from the right wing after receiving a long, diagonal ball that cut the Heart defence in two. Newcastle were well on their way to the three points and continued to create chances. That was, until a hopeful long ball from Melbourne fell at the feet of Jets youngster Ben Kantarovski who coolly chipped the keeper, except it was into his own net. Thus, Heart's first ever A-League goal was an own goal. The final whistle saw the game tied at one-all and the Branko Culina's side could certainly count themselves unlucky to not have walked away with a win.
Scorers: New (Brockie 60') Melb Ht (Kantarovski own-goal 79') Crowd: 8,735 at Energy Australia Stadium.
North Queensland Fury 2 - 1 Sydney FC
This game was by far the upset of the round as North Queensland snatched a late winner. Much has been made of the Fury's instability off the pitch but this performance against the reigning champs will silence critics. Former sky-blue Chris Payne caused troubles all day and after turning Stephan Keller inside out on the byline, set up Chris Grossman for the opener. Scott Jamieson headed home the equaliser 10 minutes from time yet within two minutes of that goal, Fury striker Dyron Daal finished off a neat one-two to seal the game.
Scorers: NQ (Grossman 64', Daal 83') Syd (Jamieson 82') Crowd: 5,177 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Melbourne Victory 0- 2 Perth Glory
Perth Glory clinched their first ever A-League win in Melbourne after eight attempts. While displaying clear dominance in terms of possession, Ernie Merrick lamented the lack of fire power and creativity in the final third. In the game itself Robbie Fowler's whipping corner kick in the 23rd minute was put in by veteran Jamie Harnwell whose nous for goal ensured he got the final touch. Perth seemed relatively comfortable throughout the match and came out firing in the second half. This attacking intent paid off as former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski latched on to the ball in the box to finish on his left foot. Besides long range efforts from Hernandez and Ferreira, Glory's gloveman Tando Velaphi was hardly worried in the second half.
Scorers: Per (Harnwell 23', Sterjovski 49') Crowd: 20,358 at AAMI Park.
Central Coast Mariners 1 - 1 Adelaide United
A late goal by Mariners talisman Matt Simon made sure Graham Arnold's team didn't walk away empty handed at Blue Tongue Stadium. The first half saw neither side assert their authority on the game and looked to be headed to nil-all at the break. However a Lucas Pantelis free kick found united defender Iain Fyfe free on the front post as his deft touch left new Mariners goalie Jess Vanstrattan with no chance. Central Coast came out the more lively of the two after half-time and continued to press for the equaliser. That finally came when, four minutes from time, Simon was free on the back post and slotted his 19th Hyundai A-League goal.
Scorers: Adl (Fyfe 45+2') CCM (Simon 86') Crowd: 8,447 at Blue Tongue Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix 3 - 3 Gold Coast United
The first game of the season from our friends across the ditch was eagerly anticipated, especially after the success of the All Whites at the world cup. However, the mood for the match was somewhat dampened due to the driving rain in Wellington before and during the match. From the beginning passing was difficult and players struggled to keep their feet. Nevertheless, the Phoenix got off to the perfect start as fan favourite Paul Ifill slotted home within six minutes. New Zealand world cup hero Shane Smeltz then equalised for Gold Coast before Chris Greenacre took the lead back for the hosts just before the break. Greenacre completed his brace after half-time scoring an impressive volley. The match looked headed for a win for the hosts until Smeltz also scored his double 74 minutes in. Wellington looked keen to sit back and soak up the pressure and were on their way to their first win of the season until Gold Coast skipper Jason Culina's glancing header only minutes from time ensured the spoils would be shared. The Phoenix would be kicking themselves with their concentration lapses late in the game.
Scorers: Well (Ifill 6', Greenacre 37', 55') GCU (Smeltz 36', 74', Culina 87') Crowd: 8,300 at Westpac Stadium.
Newcastle Jets 1 - 1 Melbourne Heart
Both teams were looking for their first win of the season and the match started in a lively manner as chances at goal were not taken by either side. Newcastle started to dominate the match and Heart continually gave the ball away in the centre of the park. This gave the Jets the opportunity to break and in turn, expose their opponents down the flanks. Their persistence paid off as Jeremy Brockie scored on the hour mark, cutting inside from the right wing after receiving a long, diagonal ball that cut the Heart defence in two. Newcastle were well on their way to the three points and continued to create chances. That was, until a hopeful long ball from Melbourne fell at the feet of Jets youngster Ben Kantarovski who coolly chipped the keeper, except it was into his own net. Thus, Heart's first ever A-League goal was an own goal. The final whistle saw the game tied at one-all and the Branko Culina's side could certainly count themselves unlucky to not have walked away with a win.
Scorers: New (Brockie 60') Melb Ht (Kantarovski own-goal 79') Crowd: 8,735 at Energy Australia Stadium.
North Queensland Fury 2 - 1 Sydney FC
This game was by far the upset of the round as North Queensland snatched a late winner. Much has been made of the Fury's instability off the pitch but this performance against the reigning champs will silence critics. Former sky-blue Chris Payne caused troubles all day and after turning Stephan Keller inside out on the byline, set up Chris Grossman for the opener. Scott Jamieson headed home the equaliser 10 minutes from time yet within two minutes of that goal, Fury striker Dyron Daal finished off a neat one-two to seal the game.
Scorers: NQ (Grossman 64', Daal 83') Syd (Jamieson 82') Crowd: 5,177 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Melbourne Victory 0- 2 Perth Glory
Perth Glory clinched their first ever A-League win in Melbourne after eight attempts. While displaying clear dominance in terms of possession, Ernie Merrick lamented the lack of fire power and creativity in the final third. In the game itself Robbie Fowler's whipping corner kick in the 23rd minute was put in by veteran Jamie Harnwell whose nous for goal ensured he got the final touch. Perth seemed relatively comfortable throughout the match and came out firing in the second half. This attacking intent paid off as former Socceroo Mile Sterjovski latched on to the ball in the box to finish on his left foot. Besides long range efforts from Hernandez and Ferreira, Glory's gloveman Tando Velaphi was hardly worried in the second half.
Scorers: Per (Harnwell 23', Sterjovski 49') Crowd: 20,358 at AAMI Park.
Central Coast Mariners 1 - 1 Adelaide United
A late goal by Mariners talisman Matt Simon made sure Graham Arnold's team didn't walk away empty handed at Blue Tongue Stadium. The first half saw neither side assert their authority on the game and looked to be headed to nil-all at the break. However a Lucas Pantelis free kick found united defender Iain Fyfe free on the front post as his deft touch left new Mariners goalie Jess Vanstrattan with no chance. Central Coast came out the more lively of the two after half-time and continued to press for the equaliser. That finally came when, four minutes from time, Simon was free on the back post and slotted his 19th Hyundai A-League goal.
Scorers: Adl (Fyfe 45+2') CCM (Simon 86') Crowd: 8,447 at Blue Tongue Stadium.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Round 1
The kick off to the 2010/11 Hyundai A-league season saw some promising crowds and a good standard of football. While only one team out of 10 walked away with the three points, two six-goal thrillers ensured it was anything but a dire round. The introduction of an 11th team (Melb Heart) ensures one team will have a bye each week. This week Wellington Phoenix sat out. Here are the results:
Melbourne Heart 0 - 1 Central Coast Mariners
The heavily awaited arrival of the new Melbourne franchise had finally come and foundation coach John van't Schip admitted the players were feeling anxious in the week leading up to the game at AAMI Park. For Central Coast it was Graham Arnold's first game in charge and marked his return to club football. The game itself saw both sides start in a circumspect manner. In the 16th minute, mariners defender Alex Wilkinson headed a deep, outswinging corner into the bottom corner of Clint Bolton's goal. The Mariners then started to look all the more comfortable as they effectively stopped of the presence of Heart's marquee signing Josip Skoko in the middle of the park. The second half saw neither side assert their authority on the match as the match finished 1-nil to the boys from Gosford. Brazilian signing Alex Terra was promising for the Heart and van't Schip's side will be happy the first game is out of the way.
Scorers: CCM (Alex Wilkinson 16') Crowd: 11,050 at AAMI Park.
Adelaide United 0 - 0 Newcastle Jets
A relatively dour affair in dutchman Rini Coolen's first game in charge of the Reds. Having had limited time to prepare his side, Coolen was also missing captain Travis Dodd, fellow midfielder Fabian Barbiero and striker Lloyd Owusu. In addition, creative no. 10 Marcos Flores pulled up sore from training, forcing stand in skipper Lucas Pantelis to fill his role. The visitors started the more brightly and created some chances, although none clear cut. The game started to get heated as yellow cards were dished out before the break. The second half saw both team's defences looking comfortable and aside from Daniel Mullen's disallowed goal in the 68th minute, the match finished as a stalemate.
Crowd: 8,479 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Perth Glory 3 - 3 North Queensland Fury
Perth fans packed out their home ground for the first time in the A-League as many came excited at the prospect of Robbie Fowler lining up in the Perth colours. Fowler's former club North Queensland have endured a tumultuous break off the pitch as Fowler, coach Ian Ferguson as well as half the playing roster walked out on the financially ridden club. Ferguson himself has joined Fowler as an assistant coach with the Glory. The Fury are now surviving only with help of the FFA. In the game itself the home team hit the lead five minutes in. The Fury reponded with an equaliser 10 minutes before the break and then took the lead in the 64th minute. In a change of fortune the Glory then scored two goals in the space of six minutes and look set to take the three points. That was until the 91st minute when Chris Grossman headed home a Fury free-kick, sparking wild celebrations and ensuring the spoils would be shared.
Scorers: PG (Jelic 5', Neville 73', Sterjovski 79') NQF (Payne 35', Williams 64', Grossman 90+1') Crowd: 16,019 at NIB Stadium.
Sydney FC 3 - 3 Melbourne Victory
The grand final replay failed to dissapoint as the spoils were shared in another epic encounter between the A-League's two most successful clubs. Victory started out behind the eight-ball as Thompson and Kruse's absence meant a distinct lack of fire power up front. Yet Victory's young brigade, namely former Melbourne Knights player Mate Dugandzic, stepped up and showed experience beyond their years. Title holders Sydney started the better of the two and by the 53rd minute had a 2-nil buffer over their rivals. Yet an amazing 10 minute spell saw the victory snatched three goals to take a 3-2 lead. However, a well worked Shannon Cole free kick with five minutes to go ensure the match finished a deserved 3-3 draw. The match leaves fans excited at the prospect of several more encounters during the season. On a more dour note, the crowd of 12,106 left a lot to be desired.
Scorers: SFC (Brosque 36', McFlynn 53', Cole 85') MVFC (Broxham 66', Dugandzic 68', Celeski 73') Crowd: 12,106 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Gold Coast United 0 - 0 Brisbane Roar
The final match of the round was the Queensland derby. Ange Postecoglou's side arguably had the better of the game, especially the first 45, and were unlucky to not take the three points. In saying this, both keepers, Glen Moss and Michael Theoklitos, were kept very busy throughout the match and the former victory shot stoppers were probably the best for their respective sides. The Roar's dominant display gives hope to their fans, who of late have had to be patient to say the least.
Crowd: 6,394 at Skilled Park.
Melbourne Heart 0 - 1 Central Coast Mariners
The heavily awaited arrival of the new Melbourne franchise had finally come and foundation coach John van't Schip admitted the players were feeling anxious in the week leading up to the game at AAMI Park. For Central Coast it was Graham Arnold's first game in charge and marked his return to club football. The game itself saw both sides start in a circumspect manner. In the 16th minute, mariners defender Alex Wilkinson headed a deep, outswinging corner into the bottom corner of Clint Bolton's goal. The Mariners then started to look all the more comfortable as they effectively stopped of the presence of Heart's marquee signing Josip Skoko in the middle of the park. The second half saw neither side assert their authority on the match as the match finished 1-nil to the boys from Gosford. Brazilian signing Alex Terra was promising for the Heart and van't Schip's side will be happy the first game is out of the way.
Scorers: CCM (Alex Wilkinson 16') Crowd: 11,050 at AAMI Park.
Adelaide United 0 - 0 Newcastle Jets
A relatively dour affair in dutchman Rini Coolen's first game in charge of the Reds. Having had limited time to prepare his side, Coolen was also missing captain Travis Dodd, fellow midfielder Fabian Barbiero and striker Lloyd Owusu. In addition, creative no. 10 Marcos Flores pulled up sore from training, forcing stand in skipper Lucas Pantelis to fill his role. The visitors started the more brightly and created some chances, although none clear cut. The game started to get heated as yellow cards were dished out before the break. The second half saw both team's defences looking comfortable and aside from Daniel Mullen's disallowed goal in the 68th minute, the match finished as a stalemate.
Crowd: 8,479 at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Perth Glory 3 - 3 North Queensland Fury
Perth fans packed out their home ground for the first time in the A-League as many came excited at the prospect of Robbie Fowler lining up in the Perth colours. Fowler's former club North Queensland have endured a tumultuous break off the pitch as Fowler, coach Ian Ferguson as well as half the playing roster walked out on the financially ridden club. Ferguson himself has joined Fowler as an assistant coach with the Glory. The Fury are now surviving only with help of the FFA. In the game itself the home team hit the lead five minutes in. The Fury reponded with an equaliser 10 minutes before the break and then took the lead in the 64th minute. In a change of fortune the Glory then scored two goals in the space of six minutes and look set to take the three points. That was until the 91st minute when Chris Grossman headed home a Fury free-kick, sparking wild celebrations and ensuring the spoils would be shared.
Scorers: PG (Jelic 5', Neville 73', Sterjovski 79') NQF (Payne 35', Williams 64', Grossman 90+1') Crowd: 16,019 at NIB Stadium.
Sydney FC 3 - 3 Melbourne Victory
The grand final replay failed to dissapoint as the spoils were shared in another epic encounter between the A-League's two most successful clubs. Victory started out behind the eight-ball as Thompson and Kruse's absence meant a distinct lack of fire power up front. Yet Victory's young brigade, namely former Melbourne Knights player Mate Dugandzic, stepped up and showed experience beyond their years. Title holders Sydney started the better of the two and by the 53rd minute had a 2-nil buffer over their rivals. Yet an amazing 10 minute spell saw the victory snatched three goals to take a 3-2 lead. However, a well worked Shannon Cole free kick with five minutes to go ensure the match finished a deserved 3-3 draw. The match leaves fans excited at the prospect of several more encounters during the season. On a more dour note, the crowd of 12,106 left a lot to be desired.
Scorers: SFC (Brosque 36', McFlynn 53', Cole 85') MVFC (Broxham 66', Dugandzic 68', Celeski 73') Crowd: 12,106 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Gold Coast United 0 - 0 Brisbane Roar
The final match of the round was the Queensland derby. Ange Postecoglou's side arguably had the better of the game, especially the first 45, and were unlucky to not take the three points. In saying this, both keepers, Glen Moss and Michael Theoklitos, were kept very busy throughout the match and the former victory shot stoppers were probably the best for their respective sides. The Roar's dominant display gives hope to their fans, who of late have had to be patient to say the least.
Crowd: 6,394 at Skilled Park.
Starting out...
I'm a journalism student and a self prescribed football nut. I wanted to create a blog dedicated to the wrapping up the weekend Australian football (yes, not soccer) action. It may suit those whose raging social lives got in the way of their football appetite OR those who have had enough of 'Fox Sports' coverage, especially Robbie and Boza taking the piss out of each other at any given time. Whatever the case, if you want a brief report of the weekend's games and results, this is the place to be.
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