There were plenty of upsets and no shortage of drama in Round 23 of the A-League. Goalkeeping heroics ensured Adelaide United and Melbourne City shared the points, table toppers Sydney FC were toppled by a buoyant Brisbane and a seven-goal thriller in Melbourne closed out an action-packed A-League round.
Here is my team of the week!
Paul Izzo – Adelaide United
Paul Izzo was between the sticks for Adelaide against Melbourne City and a clear game-changer. The 23-year old came up trumps saving Bruno Fornaroli’s second-half penalty to snap Adelaide’s two-game losing streak. Izzo is five games without a clean sheet, but got his side out of trouble yet again.
Jason Hoffman – Newcastle Jets
With the return of Pato Rodriguez from injury, Jason Hoffman retreated back into defensive duties but his attacking prowess continued. His fifth goal of the season earned the Jets three points in Auckland and closed the gap to five points behind league leaders Sydney FC.
Ersan Gulum – Adelaide United
The Turk was in great form in Adelaide largely in part to his effective tackling. Gulum won four key challenges and completed a team-leading 45 passes from central defence.
Jacob Pepper – Brisbane Roar
If you scored your first goal in six years, you’d hope you were in some sort of team of the week. Jacob Pepper has been a makeshift centre-back for Brisbane this season but was at home against none other than the league leaders. Pepper scored the match winner, ending Sydney’s almost two-year home win-streak.
Daniel Georgievski – Newcastle Jets
Against a sub-par Wellington side, Daniel Georgievski created chance after chance with some threatening attacking play as Tom Doyle couldn’t get near the right wing duo. A similar performance to his full-back counterpart Hoffman, the Macedonian earns the right back spot this week.
Thomas Kristensen – Brisbane Roar
A man of the match performance against the toughest midfield machine the league has ever seen, the great Dane did what few opponents have done this season and dislodged the well-oiled motor that is Sydney’s engine room. His consistent break-up of play allowed Brisbane to anchor deep and get a result.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Matt McKay – Brisbane Roar
Since the return of Kristensen, Matt McKay has finally been able to get back to his best. With Kristensen covering the back four with ease, McKay drifted forward in his trademark fashion and pulled the strings against Sydney FC with flawless passing accuracy.
Luke Brattan – Melbourne City
Brattan flies into this week’s midfield with the most completed tackles and passes against Adelaide United. We all know Brattan is capable of controlling matches. If he managed more consistent performances like this then City would definitely be challenging for titles.
Leroy George – Melbourne Victory
He just gets better and better. Another goal and assist against the Central Coast Mariners, George has tallied 19 contributions for the season, surpassing current Johnny Warren medalist Milos Ninkovic’s total of 18 last season.
Besart Berisha – Melbourne Victory
A hat-trick for the Kosovo international as he continued his extraordinary goal-scoring streak against the Mariners. Incredibly, Besart Berisha has scored 16 goals in 20 matches against Central Coast. With his 114th goal in the A-League, the Berisha we know began to show his colours again.
Johan Absalonsen – Adelaide United
Absalonsen’s fourth goal for Adelaide United and his seventh contribution in seven matches this season was only enough for a draw. After a good individual performance from the Danish winger, it appears Absalonsen is back to full fitness.
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