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.

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