What a cracking and unpredictable week of A-League football that was. There were many stars, yet for me, these were the men who made the difference to their teams.
Have I missed anyone or been a little too kind to others?
1. Lawrence Thomas (Melbourne Victory)
It was another brave display from the Victory custodian, although it didn’t start out that way with a few shaky moments early on.
However, it did not take long for one of the best in the business to find his mojo and repel a City team that had numerous chances on goal in the first half.
Melbourne Victory’s Lawrence Thomas (AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
His goal was breached in added time when Dario Vidosic found a deserved equaliser for City yet without Thomas’ presence, that strike may have given City all three points rather than the commendable one that both sides took from the match.
2. Tom Doyle (Wellington Phoenix)
If ever there was a case of a player flying somewhat under the radar thanks to his location, Doyle might just be the one.
It was another supreme display from the tireless defender and dangerous attacking weapon down the left. Deceptively quick on the flank, Doyle makes space for himself and others with incisive runs and the quality of his crosses is impressive.
On a field day for the Phoenix, Doyle cashed in with another wonderful performance.
3. Bart Schenkeveld (Melbourne City)
He is, without doubt, the cream of the crop when it comes to A-League defenders. Faced with the explosive attacking threats of Victory, even without Keisuke Honda, the German was sure to enjoy a busy night at AAMI Park.
It proved to be the case and only a momentary lapse at the back post that saw Ola Toivonen ghost in for a simple goal, blighted the defensive effort of City. They were as brave and committed as they have been all season and Schenkeveld led with aplomb, inspiring those around him.
4. Josh Risdon (Western Sydney Wanderers)
It appears Risdon has become one of Graham Arnold’s favourites and will play a key role in Australia’s Asian Cup defence. The performance he produced against the Reds in Adelaide was be a perfect example of just why.
His defensive work was solid yet his ability to link with Bruce Kamau down the right flank was clear and the threat he opposes to defences should never be underestimated. It was a pulsating display from one of Australia’s most recently capped Socceroos.
5. Matt Millar (Central Coast Mariners)
Making his first appearance in the team of the week is a footballing journeyman whose has worked his way back to A-League play after some time with South Melbourne. It was a polished performance from Millar; defensively sound and one in which he provided one of the only consistent attacking threats for the Mariners with his runs down the flank.
Still just 22, Millar looks like a little nugget of gold that the Mariners have cleverly unearthed and is a great story of persistence and resilience.
6. Ronald Vargas (Newcastle Jets)
Tucked in behind Roy O’Donovan and providing for both the Irishman and Jair on the left, Vargas played one of his best games in Newcastle colours.
After being lauded as one of the most talented foreigners in the league and having had last season destroyed by a shocking leg injury, Vargas is finally showing everyone exactly to what Ernie Merrick has been alluding for so long. His goal was superb, sealed the match for the Jets and was an example of exquisite control and poise in the box.
7. Sarpreet Singh (Wellington)
Footballers sometime have a day out at the expense of hapless defenders. Such was Singh’s day against Brisbane. He picked the ball up at his feet and charged at defenders, slid passes through tight spaces and topped off one of the best individual performances in the A-league season with a goal of his own late in the match.
If Singh was a wily old veteran, people would have labelled his performance a masterclass.
8. Milos Ninkovic (Sydney FC)
Despite recent wobbles, Sydney bounced back to some better form on Friday night against the ladder leading Glory in the west. Ninkovic played strongly and needed to do so after a lack of creativity from midfield had hampered the Sky Blues in recent weeks. It was a polished performance from the Serb and one rounded off by a sublime touch to assist Daniel De Silva for Sydney’s second goal.
Ninkovic’s versatility highlights how Sydney FC’s multi-faceted approach brought them success. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
9. Ola Toivonen (Melbourne Victory)
Excuse me if I struggle to find a new set of superlatives and synonyms to describe another sparkling performance from the Swede.
Whilst City might have had the better of things in the first half and the final result not going the way Kevin Muscat’s men had hoped, the main man up front was outstanding.
His ability to pick up the ball in attack and without adjustment, find avenues to wide running players on the flanks is remarkable. His body position rarely changes, just the angle of the instep or the outside of the slipper and defenders are constantly caught a step or two behind the action.
10. James Troisi (Melbourne Victory)
Immediately bouncing back after true disappointment is one of the attributes possessed by the mentally strong and resilient.
Troisi was shattered to discover that he would not be a part of the Socceroo squad that will head to the UAE to defend their Asian Cup title. As the Victory wiped the floor with the Roar and put four goals past John Aloisi’s defensive unit, the 30 year-old was brilliant and creative.
Playing more direct than he has for much of this season, Troisi’s touch was excellent and he took on the role and space left vacant by the late withdrawal of Keisuke Honda.
Vince Lia of Adelaide United and James Troisi of the Victory (AAP Image/George Salpigtidis)
11. Bruce Kamau (Western Sydney Wanderers)
In a to and fro match where momentum appeared to shift dramatically in the second half, Kamau was the consistent attacking force in the Wanderers arsenal. Josh Risdon was a constant source of supply and provided the pass to Kamau that led to his goal, yet it was more the consistency of his attacking forays that led to his inclusion in the team of the week for Round 9.
Time after time Kamau was free down the right and whipping balls into the box. If the Wanderers can get that happening more frequently, they look a far more dangerous proposition.
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