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.