Young excellence, promotion battles, and a happy farewell: The Australian team of the week from players around the globe
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
John Aloisi reckons Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold is worried a maroon-clad Brisbane Roar will end their unbeaten A-League run on Saturday.
Arnold attempted to play down the significance of Brisbane’s State of Origin-inspired maroon jerseys, which they will wear as a one-off instead of their usual orange strip at Suncorp Stadium in an attempt to pump up the rivalry between the two sides.
But Aloisi believes that’s only because he knows they’ll have an effect.
“He’s probably a little bit worried about us getting up for it so much. I don’t even need to play it up with our players,” Aloisi said on Friday.
“We saw last year when we went down there and beat them, we saw when we beat them here.
“Our players don’t know how to roll over – they’ll go to the end. Of course he’s going to play it down.”
Arnold shrugged off the Roar’s kit change on Thursday, saying “it’s not rugby league, it’s football”, and even suggested it might bring them bad luck because they’ve never worn it before.
However, Aloisi pointed out Queensland’s junior representative teams in football have long worn maroon at national titles.
“When you talk to Matty McKay or Jade North or Daniel Bowles or Luke DeVere, all these players are excited. They feel like they’re representing their state again,” Aloisi said.
“He’s right in what he says about it doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change (that) we’re very strong at Suncorp.
“I played for Sydney FC, I know what it’s like to play against Brisbane Roar – somehow Brisbane Roar always find that extra bit of energy.
“Maybe Sydney don’t feel it, but I know everyone up here does.”
Sydney can match the best ever start to an A-League season by any side with a win over the third-placed Roar, who are unbeaten in their last four outings.
Striker Jamie Maclaren will return from international duty but Brisbane have lost winger Brandon Borrello for the next two weeks because of a hamstring injury, while the Sky Blues are at full strength.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
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 loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
Round 19 was an interesting weekend of football with no draws, 19 goals in six matches, two five-goal games on Sunday and for the…
One of the biggest games on the Australian sporting calendar took place in front of a huge crowd on Saturday night – and it…