Week 2 of the A-League saw a host of players take centre stage and exert their influence on the competition. Two men appear for the second time in the Roar’s team of the week, while the remainder make their debut appearances.
The team is selected with four defenders, three midfielders and a trio of attacking players, as well as the best shot stopper of the week.
Did I miss someone or perhaps overstate the performance of a few included in this team?
1. Paul Izzo (Adelaide United)
It is highly likely that the Adelaide custodian will sneak his way into this team every now and again, such is his talent and my personal approval of his play.
There is still the odd mental error in Izzo’s play at times yet he remained solid, focused and intense throughout the compelling draw against the Jets on Friday night.
Still only 23 – so young for a keeper – there is a chance that this man will wear the national colours one day, such is his athleticism and skill. More matches like Friday night will strengthen his claims and make that dream a reality.
(AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
2. Kye Rowles (Central Coast Mariners)
Probably not a man many expected to see in a team of the week piece, Rowles was superb in defence on Saturday against Melbourne City.
I must admit to have only seen him play a handful of times at A-League level with both Brisbane and the Mariners, however, what I have seen has impressed me greatly. Kalifa Cisse ran the show for the home side yet the 20-year-old Rowles was superb in shutting down dangerous moments with his speed and athleticism.
He seems to read the play well and is developing the skill to anticipate rather than play a reactionary role in defence; a quality possessed by some of the best defenders in the game.
3. Kalifa Cisse (Central Coast Mariners)
For the second week running, the Mali international finds his way into the team of the week. In another stellar display where he both swept and stopped depending on the circumstances, it was only something of a fortunate goal mouth scramble that saw Melbourne City snatch a point late in the contest and deny the Mariners a brave victory.
I’m sure Cisse will be hoping for some more potency in attack to ease his burden at the back, yet as things stand right now, his defence is elite and his pressure a luxury for new manager Mike Mulvey.
4. Steven Taylor (Wellington Phoenix)
Irrespective of his horrendous miss from point-blank range early in the first half, Taylor was the rock that allowed the Phoenix to deny the Roar at home and steal a point from the sunshine state.
After two excellent performances in the A-League, Taylor has provided exactly what coach Mark Rudan had hoped. The Phoenix have a steel in defence that they have not enjoyed in recent times and the Englishman looks to be one of the buys of the season.
5. Tom Doyle (Wellington Phoenix)
On the basis of what we have seen so far in season 2018-19, there will be a number of Wellington players featuring in this team throughout the season. Rudan appears to have implemented a cultural change and his players look to have responded to his message.
Tom Doyle has always been a serviceable back yet his performance against the Roar was exemplary. Doyle threw himself selflessly into the path of dangerous balls and threatening attackers and even created the best chance of the game for the Phoenix, only to watch Steven Taylor muff the chance from point blank range.
6. Josh Brillante (Sydney FC)
Brillante is, in essence, a brute. Sitting in the hole and repelling attacks with force and authority is what he does. An added bonus for Steve Corica is his ability to play quality outlet balls that swing his side into attack.
Derbies always bring out the best in defensively minded players and it was no different on Saturday as Brillante and his ‘bash brother’ Brandon O’Neill kept the Wanderers scoreless.
Irrespective of the VAR controversy that unfortunately took some of the gloss of the quality performance of Sydney FC, Brillante was influential and will earn another Socceroo call-up before too long.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
7. Riley McGree (Melbourne City)
Freakish goals aside, McGree is a future Socceroo and one of the shining young talents that we still have the privilege of watching on home shores.
With so many of our stars overseas, McGree continues to cut his teeth in the domestic competition and Saturday was one of his most polished and consistent performances.
Blessed with astonishing talent capable of producing the remarkable, it was the consistency of his effort against the Mariners where he asked numerous question over an extended period that impressed the most.
8. Alex Lopez (Brisbane Roar)
I must admit to having another player in midfield in the team of the week; until I blogged the 0-0 draw between the Roar and Wellington at Suncorp on Sunday afternoon.
The Spaniard was sublime. Brilliant touches and tireless effort through midfield saw him play the most influential role for the Roar on the day.
There appears plenty of improvement in his play as the new combinations at the Roar begin to gel and that is a scary proposition for opposition teams in the A-League.
9. Adam le Fondre (Sydney FC)
It only took two weeks for le Fondre to stamp his class on the league and with goals in each of his first two appearances, it is now clear the quality Sydney have purchased up front. As impressive as his work with the ball was, the tireless running off the ball was just as important.
He darted in behind endlessly and opened up pockets of space for Alex Brosque in which to work. It is clear now that Sydney will be a different beast this season without Bobo as a focus. There will be less hold up play and more dexterity and speed in their attack with le Fondre the man most likely to benefit.
10. Alex Brosque (Sydney FC)
Old man Brosque ran and bustled like a 19-year-old rookie on Saturday night and, for all those who remember him as a young man, it was a treat to watch.
His partner in crime, le Fondre, opened up space that the Sydney veteran hasn’t experienced for some time and with what looks like a good fitness base on which to build, his season looms as something far better than the injury-riddled 2017-18.
When Brosque finds the net, his form is obvious and the precision with which he slotted home Sydney’s second goal showed the excellent touch he has.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
11. Eric Bautheac (Brisbane Roar)
For the second week running, Bautheac makes this team thanks to a wonderful performance, where, if his men in the box had been a little more alert and polished, he was the matchwinner. The Frenchman somewhat light-heartedly commented that his performance in week one was perhaps the only game he had ever played fully fit.
If that fitness level continues to improve in the coming weeks, his brilliant opening fortnight could turn into a sensational season. An early favourite for the Johnny Warren Medal?
Definitely.
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