Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Round 4

Brisbane Roar 1 - 0 Wellington Phoenix
In this highly entertaining game the Roar maintained their early season purple patch to run out victors over a resolute Wellington. Brisbane dominated most of the play in the first half but failed to turn possession into goals while the Phoenix, who were in the most part chasing shadows, did have some good chances as well. The second half was much of the same as Ange Postecoglou's side continued the pressure, but the Phoenix proved they were up to the challenge. That was, until the 73rd minute when former kiwi Costas Barbarouses finished what was the best team goal of the season so far. Wellington weren't done yet as man of the match Michael Theoklitos was called on to deny good chances to the Phoenix. Yet the Roar were able to hang on for a confidence boosting win.
Scorers: Bri (Barbarouses 73')  Crowd: 7,339 at Suncorp Stadium.

North Queensland Fury 2 - 3 Adelaide United
Adelaide came back from an early scare to win this tight fixture, although not without a late scare. After only seven minutes gone, Isaka Cernak rose above the reds defence to head home and take an early lead. However, a Marcos Flores stunner literally stunned the crowd at Dairy Farmer's after volleying with his back to goal. After the break it was all Adelaide as the Fury's Brett Studman slid in for an own goal just after the break. Six minutes later Daniel Mullen headed home another and Adelaide looked home and hosed. But an 86th minute strike by David Williams kept the home fans on the edge of their seat. It was not to be as United ran out deserved winners.
Scorers: NQF (Cernak 7', Williams 86')  Adl (Flores 22', Studman (og) 50', Mullen 56')  Crowd: 6, 130 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Sydney FC 1 - 1 Central Coast Mariners
Sydney are still winless in season 2010/11 as a contenious penalty given by veteren referee Matthew Breeze gave Central Coast a late equaliser. The sky blues were the dominate team in the first half and, if not for the woodwork would have been two nil up at the break. Two minutes after the interval Sydney equalised as a low, driven cross was fumbled by detutant Mariner's goalkeeper Matt Ryan as Sydney youngster Rhyan Grant was there for the follow up. Graham Arnold responded with a master stroke substitution, bringing on Argentinian no.10 Patricio Perez who made immediate impact. Perez gained a penalty from a suspected foul by Sydney's Liam Reddy although replays confirm Perez was hardly touched. Perez converted the ensuing penalty. To make matters worse for the sky blues, Reddy was given a straight red as Vitezslav Lavicka had to reshuffle his line up. Sydney looked flustered and were given four yellows in a 10 minute period but managed to hold on for a point.
Scorers: Sydney (Grant 47') CCM (Perez 73' pen)  Crowd: 10,147 at Sydney Football Stadium.

Gold Coast United 0 - 1 Melbourne Victory
Last season's revelation Robbie Kruse opened this year's account that would prove the difference in a game that was exciting on the pitch but dull in the stands. Gold Coast's decision to open only one side of the ground to cut security costs has dissillusioned many fans. On the pitch Victory broke the dead-lock as Kruse skipped around to keeper to finish what had started from a sublime pass by Carlos Hernandez.  Gold Coast then had some quality chances but failed to finish. The second half was business like by the Victory as they gained their first three points for the season. Miron Bleiberg admitted afterwards his inexperienced front line could not match it with Muscat and co. 'We struggled up front, yes we did,' he said, adding that 'their experience at the back was too much for our youth up front.'
Scorers: Mel (Kruse 20')  Crowd: 3,624 at Skilled Park.

Melbourne Heart 2 - 2 Perth Glory
After round four Melbourne Heart languish at the bottom of the Hyundai A-League ladder, although they would count themselves unlucky not to have come away with the win. Impressive dutch import Gerald Sibon got the Heart off to a perfect start when he converted a penalty inside the first 10 minutes. Perth then equalised from an unlucky own goal to Michael Marrone who has arguably been their best player thus far into the season. A superb finish by former Oakleigh Cannons midfielder Nick Kalmar gave the heart a handy one goal buffer just before the break. Heart were content to sit back and absorb much of the pressure the Glory put on them in the second half and, with Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton leading the spine, were set to get their first ever win. That was, until Michael Baird's contender for the gold logie fooled first time referee Kurt Ams into pointing to the spot. Robbie Fowler cooly finished the subsequent spot kick and the spoils were again shared for Melbourne.
Scorers: Mel (Sibon 5', Kalmar 36') Per (Marrone (og) 19', Fowler 90' pen)  Crowd: 5,878 at AAMI Park.

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