Thrilling finishes, goalie heroics and a Sky Blue derby: The A-League players who were the difference in Round 24
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The A-League’s two in-form teams face up this afternoon when Western Sydney Wanderers host Central Coast Mariners at Parramatta Stadium. We’ll have live scores from 6.00pm AEDT.
Melbourne Victory’s 2-0 win over Wellington last night means Tony Popovic’s side slip back one position into fourth, but a win over the league leaders here would see them back into third and put seven points between themselves and fifth-placed Perth.
They’ll do so this afternoon with key midfielder Aaron Mooy returning into the side, complimenting the wizardry of Shinji Ono, who has taken his game to another level in recent weeks after taking time to adjust to the A-League in the early rounds.
Western Sydney have now gone their past five matches unbeaten, including the 6-1 Christmas gift they gave to the home faithful on December 21 when they dismantled Adelaide.
After two average performances over the Christmas period, Central Coast rebounded on New Year’s Eve with a typically workmanlike performance at home to Perth.
They’re still without Tom Rogic due to suspension, but Daniel McBreen and John Hutchinson both return from their respective bans while Patrick Zwaanswijk could also return from injury.
Unlike many A-League sides, who seem to oscillate between promising and pitiful on a weekly basis, these two sides always seem to turn up to play and it shapes as a fascinating contest to finish off round 15 of the A-League.
The Wanderers have been fantastic to watch over the last month as they make the transition from possible top-six team to title contender.
It doesn’t come any harder than Graham Arnold’s Mariners but if they can get a result, it will be a massive, massive statement to the rest of the competition.