A-League avoids total embarrassment after broadcast partner goes belly up
UPDATED: The A-Leagues' organisers are reeling again with their broadcast partner going into administration. Former broadcasters NEP stepped in to bail out the A-Leagues…
Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan shined in Valencia’s 3-1 win over Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League group stage qualification.
It only took Valencia three minutes to open the scoring, coming from a cross which allowed Sofiane Feghouli to head the ball back to Rodrigo who fired a shot into an open net.
A brilliant fingertip save from Mat Ryan in the 32nd minute saw Bernardo Sliva’s shot deflect onto the post.
Yet Monaco equalised when Anthony Martial’s 49th minute cross aimed at Ivan Cavaleiro was poorly cleared by Ruben Vezo. The ball fell perfectly for Mario Pasalic to score.
Moments later, Ryan parried away another shot from the visiting side, denying any more away goals.
Daniel Parejo put the home side back in front midway through the second half thanks to an excellent assist from Argentinian winger Pablo Piatti, who volleyed back to Parejo who saw his deflected shot nestle into the back of the net.
Ryan then made another crucial save, parrying away Pasalic’s header, to deny him a second time in the match.
Feghouli’s vital strike in the 86th minute sealed the deal for the home side, giving them a two-goal buffer into the next leg.
Mat Ryan seems to be settled in his new home in Spain. If he keeps putting in performances like that, he could be Valencia’s new number one keeper.
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.
UPDATED: The A-Leagues' organisers are reeling again with their broadcast partner going into administration. Former broadcasters NEP stepped in to bail out the A-Leagues…
After a brief hiatus, the A-League Men is back with eight matches across six days in what looks to be a pivotal period for…
Fans spilled onto the field and players were overcome with emotion as Georgia knocked out Greece to qualify for their first-ever major tournament.
The emotions hit the 24-year-old all at once after scoring his first international goal against Lebanon.
Mostafa Matar went to ground a few times in the Socceroos' 5-0 WCQ win over Lebanon. He stopped play after an innocuous incident and…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…