It is hard to know who were the bigger winners from another absorbing round of A-League action – a lucky Western Sydney Wanderers or their plucky counterparts Adelaide United.
The Wanderers played well in patches in their 2-1 win over Perth Glory at Pirtek Stadium, but there was an element of luck about substitute Brendon Santalab’s winner.
Western Sydney’s super sub might have had Fox Sports’ Robbie Slater waxing lyrical about his acrobatics, but Santalab’s high foot had Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe hopping mad come the full-time whistle.
“I don’t mind them getting it down, passing it through people, combination play, a great finish – but when someone’s sticks a foot six-foot in the air above the left-back’s head and they get a goal from it anywhere on the park, it’s a free-kick all day long,” Lowe thundered.
The Glory tactician had a point – we’ve seen free-kicks given for that kind of manoeuvre elsewhere on the pitch – although Wanderers fans might argue that on the balance of play, their team deserved to win.
Romeo Castelen’s 62nd-minute opener marked a belated return to form in front of goal for the dazzling Dutch winger, and the Wanderers certainly look like they have the depth to mount a serious title challenge.
They could find surprise package Adelaide United an unexpected obstacle, with the Reds continuing their 13-game unbeaten run in the league with a 3-0 thumping of Brisbane Roar.
Not only were the Reds vastly superior to a shell-shocked Roar outfit, but in livewire winger Bruce Kamau, Adelaide’s underrated coach Guillermo Amor contains a genuine x-factor.
As impressive as the hosts were in front of a healthy crowd at Coopers Stadium, questions must be asked of the Roar on the back of another insipid performance.
Having rested German playmaker Thomas Broich due to a neck complaint, the Roar looked all at sea against their clinical hosts – with Spanish midfielder Corona having gone off the boil, while compatriot Javier Hervas is not up to the task of replacing him.
John Aloisi reckons Broich will be back for the vital home clash with the Wanderers next week, and he’d better hope that goalkeeper Michael Theo finds some form and fast, with the veteran having conceded 11 goals in his last three starts.
Questionable goalkeeping has plagued plenty of sides this season and Sydney FC shot-stopper Vedran Janjetovic is unlikely to have endeared himself to Sky Blues fans after being beaten at his near post by Kosta Barbarouses in a bruising 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.
Victory bossed the Big Blue but were pegged back by an inspired David Carney, who turned back the clock to smash home a virtuoso solo goal.
Carney could well prove an inspired signing by Sydney coach Graham Arnold, but the same can hardly be said for Senegalese stopper Jacques Faty, who not for the first time cost his team dearly with a needless red card.
With Faty now suspended, Sydney will have their playing stocks severely tested over the coming weeks, not least if skipper Alex Brosque is ruled out for a prolonged period by a recurring hamstring injury.
With Perth Glory and a resurgent Newcastle Jets breathing down their necks, the Sky Blues can ill-afford any slip-ups in a difficult run home.
And with Melbourne City crashing to Wellington Phoenix across the Tasman to kick off the round, the question must be asked: is there a genuine favourite to win the Premiers’ Plate?
Next week’s round of matches could prove pivotal, with the Wanderers looking to maintain their lead at the top against a faltering Roar, while Melbourne City could land a hammer blow against a beleaguered Sydney FC side battling on two fronts.
And with Newcastle suddenly throwing themselves into the mix – and a word of congratulations must go to their horde of travellings fans in Gosford yesterday – the race for a finals spot is about to get very tight indeed.
Post hoc
Guest
As a Wanderers fan, Adelaide are the one team that most scare me
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Craig Goodwin is in with a shout, though i'd imagine Brad Smith hasn't done himself any harm in being selected and might get in before him.
Punter
Guest
2 nil now!!!!
AZ_RBB
Guest
2-1 Japan pull one back. Some poor defending there. It was the final play of the half but our luck ran out. Really need to tighten up in the back line. A lot of hospital passes and ball watching.
AZ_RBB
Guest
2-0!!!! Heyman with the second.
AZ_RBB
Guest
1-0 to the Matildas! De Vanna with the header into the top corner in the 25th minute. Cmon!!
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Of the teams with a chance, Perth have the easiest run in. They play CCM, Newc twice, Wellington and then MCity and SFC.In their last 6 games - they could finish with a possible 14 points or more. WSW have the easiest last 2 games against Wellington and CCM. Melb City have the worst run and play 5 of the top 6 in their remaining games.They have to be at their very best to win it. AU have CCM and NIx and then 4 of the top six, their last 2 away to MCity and SFC MV and SFC are not firing on all cylinders and have the added burden of midweek ACL games, injuries and suspensions. Assuming there are no Salary Cap violations and all going to form, the top 4 will be for me: 1. WSW 2. AU 3. Perth 4. Roar Perth v WSW grand final at ANZ Stadium. WSW win the double - great achievement after last season Popovic!
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Check TWG site for the right up on the Matildas vs Japan live telecast again..! I found it in 2 seconds flat. The article went up at 7:19 am Monday morning... You really need to stop telling lies about SBS... People like you are ruining the Friday night football on SBS2.
Paul
Guest
We might even match the Sydney derby for noise with a 7.30pm game on that Saturday night. I think this is the opening of the FIFA international window so it may be that there will be at least one player selected for the Socceroos games. That one player should be Galekovic. Not sure if Postecoglou will pick any others from Adelaide or WS Wanderers. Comments?
Paul
Guest
What will Socceroo selection do to Rounds 23, 24 and 25 Previously, Postecoglou has selected Melbourne City: Mooy, Wilkinson and Franjic Brisbane Roar: McKay, Tommy Oar Perth Glory: Josh Risdon Other bolsters? Jamie MacLaren and who else? Also, Fornaroli might be a chance of selection for Uruguay to meet up with Luis Suarez in the same window!
Batou
Guest
I second that AZ. I just got to the end now. No trolls from other codes and the associated code wars, very little about crowd or tv numbers and no stupid chest beating about which team is inherently better. Just wholesome football discussion! :) For what it's worth, I think it is too early for any team to be making any claim to the plate but if I had to pick one it would have to be Adelaide. I can't believe the turn around they've managed after the way they started the season.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Actually really enjoyed reading through all 80 comments. Great discussion. Good stuff, ALeague fans. Some exciting weeks of football ahead.
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/zela/article/2016/02/29/olympic-qualifier-preview-matildas-v-japan It had taken me 2 seconds to find the article on TWG site... Midfielder, your hatred for SBS borders on Xenophobia, no you are...
Kasey
Guest
We are yet to beat MBC this season so I'm definitely NOT writing them off. When we host them on the 11th of March in Friday night Football that will be the true indicator of our mettle and ability to close the Premiership deal. I don't think we'll still be on our unbeaten streak by then. I think if we are going into the finals it might add unneeded pressure /distraction when we really ought to be focused on winning the Plate then the Dunny Seat
Kaks
Roar Guru
"The match in 2 weeks at Parramatta Stadium could decide the title. Hope WSW fans get involved & turn up to that one." The fans have always been there when the team needed them the most, I'm sure Parramatta will be rocking
JB
Guest
Thanks, I didn't know it was on and will watch.
Post hoc
Guest
For me the key is Friday, if Wanderers dispose of Brisbane, then I think they will ne hard to catch, if they lose, then I think Adelaide will win the thing
FIUL
Guest
No doubt. Injuries, suspensions, national duty all make the Premiership trophy the hardest to win. AUFC & Perth are standout performers for me - 2 teams whose football I enjoy watching in recent weeks much more than MVFC. Their hunger & willingness to work for team mates sets them apart from the other 8 clubs. But, 6 matches to play; maybe things change. The match in 2 weeks at Parramatta Stadium could decide the title. Hope WSW fans get involved & turn up to that one.
Kasey
Guest
Don't forget in Season 1 we were one of the few ex-NSL clubs to get a gig in the A-League so our squad was already mostly bedded down at season kick off. IIRC we got off to a very good start and then faded (sounds like the AU we know and love) before bombing out in the Finals:(
Kasey
Guest
And not before time too. Pulling a Pol Pot and declaring 2005 as "Year zero" in Aus football was needlessly divisive, although I kind of understand the FFA trying to distance itself from SocAus, they could have made more of an effort to bring with them the old supporters of the NSL. as attempted to journey into the new land of mainstream acceptance.As far as I'm concerned If Perth were Champions of Australia twice, and they were, then that is an accomplishment worthy of recognition by football fans to this day. Same deal for any current NPL club that was an NSL Champion.