As players for Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC respectively, encounters between Kevin Muscat and Mark Rudan were spicy affairs.
Still, no one would have expected the same of matches between Muscat’s Victory and Rudan’s Wellington Phoenix when the fixtures were released this season.
In fact, the only notable feature of clashes between the two would have seemed that they had inexplicably been drawn to play each other at AAMI Park twice in the space of a month.
And while scheduling could be thrown in with the salary cap, the VAR, and the fact that the Central Coast Mariners can be described as ‘in-form’ after one win in 12 months as one of the many flaws with the A-League I could have kicked off this new Roar column with, the six-goal thriller at AAMI Park deserves its moment in the spotlight.
For 90 minutes of pure bliss, football took centre stage in a contest that ebbed and flowed from end to end, with minimal controversy and drama, sublime skill, a touch of chaotic defending and late drama.
In many ways, it was the perfect match for the neutral observer and somehow improved on the exciting 1-1 draw the two sides played out less than a month ago. The coaching and styles of Muscat and Rudan have been crucial to the development of their respective teams and the standard of matches they have played against one another.
Both Muscat and his Phoenix counterpart Rudan have impressed in their respective roles.
Since replacing the seemingly irreplaceable Ange Postecoglou at the helm of the league’s biggest club, Muscat has impressed with a willingness to play fast, attractive football – somewhat in contrast to his reputation as a nasty, old-school defender.
His two A-League championships are a testament to his ability to plan for success and execute with exhilarating efficiency.
At the heart of his success have been Victory mainstays like the brilliant trio of Carl Valeri, Kosta Barbarouses and James Troisi, as well as stand-out utilities like Leigh Broxham.
Savvy recruitment has played its part too and this season’s list of imports, comprising Keisuke Honda, Ola Toivonen, Raul Baena and Georg Niedermeier, has been among the best in the A-League’s history.
Ola Toivonen has been one of many successful imports for the Victory. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Backed up by the league’s best football department and overall structure and governance, Muscat has truly excelled and proven himself as one of the league’s best man-managers and tacticians.
The manner in which he changed the game at half-time facing a 3-1 deficit at home against the Phoenix on Sunday was remarkable and in the end, his side grabbed their deserved share of a thrilling encounter.
For Rudan, the late heroics of Barbarouses may have felt like a punch in the guts after a hugely impressive first half.
Rudan may be a much newer face to the A-League coaching circles than Muscat, but his start to life across the ditch will leave many wondering why it took so long for his opportunity to arise.
Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan. (AAP Image/David Crosling)
As one of many stand-out performers in the National Premier Leagues structure with his hometown club Sydney United 58 FC, as well as his work as an analyst with Fox Sports, Rudan has been linked with A-League jobs for years.
It took a Wellington Phoenix franchise with its A-League license hanging by a thread to give the former Sydney FC captain his chance and they are reaping huge dividends since affording him the opportunity.
Rudan has demonstrated a keen eye for talent and an ability to recruit the right players for the right system.
The development of young gun Sarpreet Singh under his guidance, as well as the rebirth of David Williams, a player who promised much but perhaps failed to deliver consistently for other A-League sides, have played a vital role in the revitalisation of this struggling club.
His offensive, high-octane brand of football does not leave the Phoenix much margin for error defensively, yet maximises their chances of winning games.
The Nix have scored nine goals in their last three games, taking seven out of nine points.
Despite a slow start under Rudan, Wellington are unrecognisable from the rabble of last season, and the nature of their new style of play means that clashes with Muscat’s Victory will always have show-stopping potential.
With their latest thriller in the books, A-League fans across the country will be waiting for the next instalment of this battle between two of Australia’s most promising coaches.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
No doubt. The intelligent deefender sees all, s/he has a box seat to the whole show, will know how to establish and make a back four work, but will also understand what works and doesn't work up the other end, and on the way through. On top of that, the great onfield leaders like Muskie and Rudan will work overtime to impart their special qualities, the indefinables you aren't going to get from the specialist coaches: the will to win, the take no prisoners attitude, the determination to want to win every game, or to come back from hopeless situations, to never give in, to stay focused for the whole game.
Eamon Stocker
Roar Rookie
each to their own
jupiter53
Roar Pro
Phoenix have been great to watch this season, and it seems obvious that Rudan has to take a lot of credit for their success. I thought Muscat was a total thug as a player However, if I dissociate my judgment of his coaching from his appalling playing history, I will accept that he is making a pretty good fist of running the top quality squad he has. However, what about some credit for Steve Corica? Sydney were eviscerated by Phoenix at Kogarah in round 7, but last night Corica had them sitting back further to to nullify the devastating runs behind the defence that Phoenix had made in that first game, and really the Nix never looked like scoring. Let's see if he can come up with something as effective against Victory [despite yet further injury problems limiting his options].
Kangas
Roar Rookie
He was an extremely dangerous player Put so many people out for many months through terrible tackling.
Kdog
Guest
Not one, many, there is a reason his rated internationally the dirtiest player to have played the game. Do you understand what those tackles do to joints. You say you dont condone these tackles, but he's paid the price ($600k actually), i say he hasnt paid anything, he was a grubby player that when it was time to pay the piper for the pain he inflicted through those horrendous challenges and go to the stands, he go a job on the side line. How do you say that this is right and proper, it would be laughable, if it wasnt so serious. He will never get the socceroos job, the crowds would leave in their droves.
RF
Roar Rookie
So it would seem, MF. As a former defender myself, I would also suggest that defenders can offer particularly useful insights into crafting the attacking side of the game.
Eamon Stocker
Roar Rookie
I never condoned dangerous behaviour, but he was punished every time. I'm not in any way defending any tackles he made, I'm saying you shouldn't judge his character because of that. To my knowledge he played a part in 1 retirement and because of his actions paid out 750 000 pounds to the victim. To me it's quite clear you make a judgement on his character because of mistakes he made on the playing field - there's no way he intended to severely injure anyone or he'd be in jail.
Kdog
Guest
The fact you are trying to defend his playing career shows you were never present for it, the only reason he wasnt rubbed out from the game completely after the zahra tackle was because he was signed up for a job before it. And what of the careers he ended, they dont come back after 8 weeks on the bench. Thats a livelihood ruined. His a grub because how he acts on the field, if that is the spirit that you want to see the game played in your already lost
Eamon Stocker
Roar Rookie
You've called him a "grub". How could that possibly not be interpreted as calling him a bad person? Nobody in football has intent to end careers because that never benefits anyone. I don't deny in any way he was aggressive, but I can't stand when people make harsh judgements based off of that. Red cards and suspensions are the penalties for such actions, and to my knowledge he served all of them.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Muskie and Rudan share a few common traits: - both defenders, - both had a take no prisoners approach to the game, - both were influential, on-field leaders for successful teams. Good basis for transitioning to coaching.
scouser4life
Roar Rookie
Yes Muscat was definitely a thug. He was also a pretty good player and I think he has done well as a coach. I don't think his record as a player will mean he never progresses in coaching - i think his record in coaching will determine how far he progresses.
Mark
Guest
Ange still has a job at Yokohama. Why, after the disastrous season they had, who knows, but he won’t be at City any time soon.
Mono
Guest
Correct. Aloisi started his first season at the Roar farily well too, we all know how that well.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Fox provided the $, two-thirds of it at least, but didn't FFA choose, or approve rather, the player? I'm not sure anyone other than MV is getting any value for the $.
AusSokkah
Guest
The coaches you mention all have a strong and distinctive playing side, have recruited for their purposes rather than trying to plug square pegs into round holes and have put their players through rigorous pre-seasons with expectations that players raise the level of professionalism. Take Glory for example, every year under Kenny we were unfit and the playing style was a mess, there were rumours of a drinking culture amongst some players. All of a sudden we have a clear system, all the players are fitter than they've ever been (even Keogh looks like a half decent player), his demands for professionalism has eradicated many of the off field issues. He knows what he wants from players and how he wants the team to play and I suspect that this is in stark contrast to a lot of the coaches that are struggling to get results from otherwise good squads.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Spot on Kdog
Kdog
Guest
I can slate the bloke based upon his public perception. Im not calling him a bad person, just a grub of a player, his lack of sportsmanship is unparalleled to this day. He showed intent to end careers. He is not a hardman, hardmen are people like jedinak who showed true passion by playing tough fair football, he was a thug.
Eamon Stocker
Roar Rookie
How is it fair that you make a judgement on a person never having met them? I hear plenty of people who are willing to slate him but few can come up with any good reason for it. It's ridiculous to suggest he's in any way a bad person for being passionate. By the way, the FFA aren't paying for Honda, fox sports are - and only contribute around half of his salary at that.
Matthew Galea
Expert
Fair points, but I think if we look at the way the Phoenix started the season versus current form, it's been clear that Rudan has been very successful in driving improvement from individuals and the collective. He also enjoyed pretty consistent success at an NPL level with Sydney United. Thanks for reading and commenting, Waz.
Matthew Galea
Expert
No denying he was a nasty player. One would argue he's not particularly nicer as a coach, be it to the media, opponents or anyone else, but as you admit, Kdog, he knows his football and for the most part, his players seem to like playing for him. He's perhaps been lucky in that he's always had a very good squad at his disposal, but I've been impressed with his style of football and overall squad management nonetheless. Thanks for reading and commenting, guys!