After Round 3 of the A-League season, here’s my take on what was hot and what was cold in this weekend of fooball.
Hot
Lawrence Thomas
One of Victory’s more consistent players this season, he led a solid defence that allowed Victory to escape with the win at Suncorp Stadium against Brisbane. Making four saves, he was a brick wall at the back and was never fazed by the offensive pressure of Brisbane Roar.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/Getty Images)
Riley McGree
McGree’s brace guided Adelaide United to their first win of the season. Scoring goals that reverses his side’s deficit, McGree was there when the game needed to be won. His second goal from a corner kick is an early goal of the year contender. McGree recovered the ball six times during the game with his shifts in defence proving he can play both ways of the ground.
Daniel Lopar
Sydney FC’s offensive pressure broke down the Wanderers’ defence multiple times. But despite dominating play and putting 20 shots past the defence, Lopar remained a brick wall between the sticks. Making four saves and three clearances, Lopar did everything to ensure he kept a clean sheet, allowing his side to take all three points.
Bruno Fornaroli
Scoring one and setting up the Chris Ikonomidis goal, Fornaroli was heavily involved in Perth Glory’s attack in their 2-1 win at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Fornaroli put in a vintage performance as he looks to recapture his form after being iced out of the Melbourne City side last season.
Jamie Maclaren
Maclaren has been all class this season and his inspiring effort starred in the 2-1 win over Western United in Geelong. Maclaren stepped up when the game was there to be won, scoring the opener and the late winner while his side was down to ten men. Both goals were two of three shots which he had in the box, with his ability to get in the right positions a key factor.
(Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Cold
Kenny Athiu
Victory’s attacking depth doesn’t allow Athiu to get many opportunities. So when the manager gives you a chance, you need to perform. Athiu managed only one shot for the game, which looked a certain goal until it was cleared off the line. He lost four out of five aerial duels – with his physical presence, those are unacceptable numbers. He’s struggling to adapt to A-League, and it’s only a matter of time before the fans and the club lose patience.
VAR
VAR has not been welcomed into the A-League. The technology has been confusing, and decisions have been contentious. On the weekend Sydney FC’s Kosta Barbarouses was the latest victim – his finish was disallowed because the whole ball was not deemed to have crossed the line. The use of VAR being implemented over goal-line technology due to cost is not acceptable for a top-tier professional football competition.
Adam Le Fondre
Le Fondre put in easily his most disappointing performance since his arrival at Sydney FC last season. Le Fondre has been prolific during his time in the A-League but went missing in the Sydney derby. Playing in a team that dominated the offence, Le Fondre had a limited impacted as he managed three shots for the match, but none were impactful. He will look to bounce back next week.
Wellington Phoenix
Without a point after three games, Wellington have struggled throughout the season. Manager Ufuk Talay has struggled to get his team playing consistent football and the only highlights have come from new arrival Ulises Dávila, and the emergence of youngster Reno Piscopo. The club’s rebuild so far has not been smooth and it’s setting out to be a long and arduous season for Wellington.
Harrison Delbridge
Melbourne City may have only been 1-0 up but were in control of their clash with their new local rival Western United. However, the game took a turn after Delbridge’s reckless challenge gave away penalty and resulted in a sending off. Jeopardising the result by gifting Western United a way back into the game, Delbridge will be looking to forget his performance.
TK
Guest
That tap in to win it for city was pretty impressive!
TK
Guest
Couldn't agree more. I watched Inman in the FFA cup game vs CCM and he was brilliant. Since then he'd been a disappointment. Put Wenzel up front with ROD and the young fella can score them while ROD watches. I saw ROD blaze over the bar in exactly the same way against CCM in the cup as he did vs victory. Put Inman back in midfield with O'Shea and O'Mauk and you've got 2 outright strikers that should complement each other and a midfield engine that should play through rather than over the opposition. Oh and bring Jamie..our shot stopper back. Rather that than some who kicks over halfway but stands rooted to the line when faced by and advancing one on one.
Waz
Roar Rookie
@ Sideline Eye At first glance your comment seems sensible but then think about it a bit deeper re Fowler: 1/ He’s got O’Donnovan there who’s track record is a goal every second game in the HAL. So he’s got something to work with even if not as good as Maccers. 2/ Alongside ROD he’s playing a midfielder out of position while he leaves two actual strikers, DWS and Holloway, on the bench. So if he’s not getting the goal return he wants, rather than wish for a different striker how about he just uses what he’s got??
Waz
Roar Rookie
MacLaren literally feeds off long balls and tap ins so your comment makes no sense ...
Fadida
Roar Rookie
When your main route to goal is a stream of crosses and diagonal balls into the box McLaren isn't much use to you
Sideline Eye
Guest
Roar could do with Maclaren up front. they've scored 1 goal in over 3 hours of football. Must be frustrating for a legendary goalscorer such as Fowler to see at first hand the wasted opportunities.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Roar have had Possession over the first two games averaging 61% and chances created of 32 vs opponents 18 - these are stats that say they should be winning games not drawing and losing - Fowler needs to work quickly.
Nemesis
Guest
And, I expect SMFC gets way more than 300 to their home games. I've been to NPL Div 2 away matches to watch Melbourne Victory and I'd estimate the crowds to be over 1,000 at some venues. But, MV home games in the NPL Div 2 when I've attended we'd be lucky to get more than 100.. and that's mainly the u20 team and family and friends.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
We'd get way more then that.
Nemesis
Guest
Probably the same reason Perth Glory would only get around 300 to their games if they get relegated to the WA NPL.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
How come South Melbourne only get around 350 people to their games then?
con
Guest
HA HA don't want too say I told you so but how pathetic are the crowds at western united a derby with melb city and only 7000 fans turned up HA HA HA suffer ,So you did n't want south Melbourne in, where they would have had a full house and even more what a bunch of fools the FFA are . No mater what they do western united and melb city will never be strong very sad, no chemistry ,sad for soccer, very sad they just cant get it right, let the second division in and teams win promotion on merit let the people TALK we are over plastic manufactured teams ,stop telling us who to support and what to believe let it happen naturally
Buddy
Roar Rookie
VAR - has improved tremendously this season but we still collectively don’t fully understand when and how it is to be employed it seems. The KB header may or may not have crossed the line. The referee couldn’t tell and nor could his assistant and so a goal was not awarded. VAR reviewed to see if there was a clear and obvious error. There wasn’t as there was no better angle of view and so the decision stood. That is not a problem with VAR though. We still hear arguments relating to Geoff Hurst’s World Cup final goal and that was over 50 years ago - only goal line technology could solve those moments of controversy and the only leagues in the world that have coughed up the money have been Germany, Italy, Spain and England and only in the highest division except in England that uses it in the championship as well. So, we are all left with something to ponder which makes it far more fun.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
I don't recall Thomas making as save of note. Toivenen hot Jets cold. Athiu freezing. He looks at best NPL quality. Roar cold - very poor performance MV cold - despite their win. I don't recall seeing a worse MV side