All the action from Round 9 summed up.
Melbourne City 0, Perth Glory 3
City were confident of making it back-to-back wins in the opening game of the round against the struggling Glory. It was the visitors who struck the first blow through former City striker Bruno Fornaroli, who headed home in the 27th minute with his side taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
Things then went from bad to worse as Harrison Delbridge scored an own goal in the 47th minute, doubling the Glory’s advantage. Tomislav Mrcela put the surprise result beyond doubt with his header courtesy of a Neil Kilkenny cross, putting his side 3-0 up and giving his team all three points, with the Glory now off the bottom of the table.
Player of the game: Tomislav Mrcela
Mrcela was a brick wall in defence for the Glory, and also pushed up forward to get on the scoresheet.
Wellington Phoenix 2, Western Sydney Wanderers 1
The Phoenix hosted the Wanderers in search of their third consecutive win. Both sides failed to break the deadlock in the first half, but it wouldn’t take much time in the second to break the ice. Josh Sotirio scored for the home side in the 48th minute with a clever lob over Daniel Lopar.
The Wanderers responded through Nicolai Müller in the 64th minute after being the recipient of a clever through ball from Daniel Georgievski. At the death the Phoenix were awarded a penalty and Ulises Davila made no mistake from the spot, giving his side the victory in the 89th minute. The win puts Phoenix inside the top six.
Player of the game: Stefan Marinovic
Marinovic played his best game of the season, making important saves to ensure his side took all three points.
Sydney FC 5, Brisbane Roar 1
Sydney had taken maximum points from the last four games and were looking to continue that form when they hosted the Roar. It wouldn’t take long before the first goal was scored, the in-form Adam Le Fondre breaking the ice in the seventh minute. Milos Ninkovic was set up by Kosta Barbarouses for the second, putting the hosts 2-0 in front before the half-hour mark.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Barbarouses was involved again setting up Le Fondre’s second, putting the Sky Blues 3-0 up at the break. Trent Buhagiar joined in the fun, making it 4-0 in the 86th minute. Adam Le Fondre completing the hat trick in the 89th minute, putting his side 5-0 up. The Roar would score a consolation prize courtesy of a penalty in the 90th minute and will look to put this game behind them, suffering one of their heaviest defeats in club history.
Player of the game: Adam Le Fondre
He scored a hat trick to set the tone.
Western United 3, Melbourne Victory 1
United were keen on defeating their local rivals for the second time this season, but it was the Victory who scored first in the 14th minute through Andrew Nabbout. The home side would respond almost immediately through familiar face Besart Berisha. Panagiotis Kone reversed the deficit in the 24th minute, putting his side 2-1 up.
Berisha bobbed up again before the break putting his side 3-1 ahead in the 43rd minute, the game looking over before half time. Both sides failed to add to their tallies in the second half with United winning their first game since Round 5.
Player of the game: Besart Berisha
Making a statement against his former side, Berisha ended his goalless drought with two goals.
Adelaide United 2, Newcastle Jets 1
United hosted the Jets hoping to make up for their home defeat against the Phoenix last week. They looked to make amends early, scoring the opening goal of the game in the 30th minute through George Blackwood after being set up by Al Hassan Toure. The Jets responded on the return from the half with Dimitri Petratos assisting for Matthew Millar in the 48th minute to level the scores at 1-1. James Troisi made something out of nothing to put the home side 2-1 ahead in the 83rd minute. United held on for the win, solidifying a spot inside the top six.
Player of the game: James Troisi
Troisi was an attacking threat all game for United, scoring the late winner to give his side all three points.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
I hope not. He has a history of club loyalty so maybe not.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
We haven’t had a striker capable of hitting double figures since the days of Van Dijk. Its been the same old story with us for several years, however were always in the title picture each year like the other 5 teams who make the 6 lol i can only dream of the day we can get one of those 10 goals + a seasons striker, unfortunately we haven’t got the finances to afford that sort of player. In saying that im very happy with toure and opseth
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Of course it’s a subjective and debatable point on who is the best player. The jets create lots of scoring opportunities as do Adelaide and a few other teams, now if the jets or Adelaide had Le Fondre to finish the chances , I’d speculate they would be in first place, not Sydney. Of course this is subjective , some people think defenders are the best players.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
what in you opinion makes alfie the best player in the league? the fact hes scores a bag full of goals? The player wearing the #10 behind him has been the best player in the league for the last few years and they’ll be losing him to Macarthur next season
Fadida
Roar Rookie
We did pick it before a ball was kicked Redondo
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Goal scorers are always the best players, or the most valuable players is a more accurate way of putting it . No Le Fondre no goals to reward good play for sfc , Kosta or lokingjoy ( does he still play) isn’t going to bag you 25-30 a season . If Le Fondre played for the jets , they would be sitting very pretty .
Redondo
Roar Rookie
No way is Le Fondre the best player in the comp. He's a good striker - high quality for the A-League - but he's playing in front of one of the best attacking combinations I've seen in the A-League. I think even he would say that.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Fadida - currently that looks like an understatement
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I think Fowler directed the signings, including ROD, but of course we really don't know.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Holloway looked impressive in the first few games when he came on for last 10-15 minutes. He also looked good pre-season but was rebuilding fitness. He started against Phoenix in NZ two rounds back and looked lost, like he didn't travel well, and was subbed off at half-time (thereabouts), then missed a game and came on late (50+ mins) last Saturday against Sydney, sub for DWH. He's a mystery to me. ROD hasn't scored many - was it three against MCY but two were pens. DWH is still developing, but he brings the energy our team needs. Marco Montevarde in the Courier Mail wrote that Robbie Fowler read the riot act to the team big time. Presumably that means he's willing to show non-performers the door.
Simon Kelly
Roar Pro
Oh the frustrations of being a Newcastle fan. Chance after chance and an inspired performance from Adelaide keeper Izzy. Now we hear that Arroya May well be out for 6 to 8 weeks, not 4 as originally reported. Kaine Sheppard is back though with a point to prove I’m sure. All said and done we will beat City on Sunday and I’m confident we’ll make the six.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
How many league 2 players do roar have ? About 3 or 4 .. Every club has to have squad filler because of the salary cap ... unless you manage it well over 5 years like Sydney have done ( see my post yetsterdsy ) the roar big signing was O’Donovan and was this already done before Fowler . Anyhow, does Fowler have the funds to sign a English championship or Spanish equivalent type player? That’s the level that makes a difference The best player in the comp is Le Fondre , he is the biggest difference between Sydney and the rest . Now he was an ageing mid tier championship player( ex bottom epl briefly ) in England and now is light years above 95 percent of A league players . I don’t think this makes the a league look any better or worse then we thought .
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Never doubted your loyalty LH. Interesting point on ROD. He adds nothing to open play but is scoring regularly, with a number of late goals and pens. I'd like to see Holloway and DWH together. Love it actually. Holloway looks the best of them, but gets the least time of all
Fadida
Roar Rookie
WSW started well, with Sullivan central.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
not at all Fadida. Pre-season they looked pretty good, but have dropped in the League. I didn’t like Fowler’s appointment but said I would get behind him once the decision had been announced. I’m a supporter, not a fair weather fan. I’m comfortable with Tom Aldred, not Gillesphy who lacks effort too often. The midfielders are a big disappointment, especially Inman and O’Shea. McGing and Neville ought to be put on their bikes and directed south. Up front, I have no idea how O’Donovan won golden boot. He looks pretty average on anything but the simplest of chances. A couple of changes would make a big difference. Urgently need a playmaker in midfield and more speed at the back. The pundits are always saying it takes a foreigner a year to adjust. We have a lot of adjustees. I’ll hang in for a year and expect changes. Fowler’s already shown a willingness to adapt and change.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Yep - I don’t think he has a plan B really. His plan A originally involved Meiir but pinging high and long balls to big centre forwards Is a thing of the past nd despite Babbel talking of his work rate in other areas of the park, he is not mobile and needs the ball at his feet or head. He then realised that Kamau has something although once defences work him out he is quickly nullified. Now I feel he is bereft of ideas and he isn’t giving opportunities to the one player that might unlock a defence in Sullivan - possibly too raw and inexperienced. So he procrastinates and leaves it too long for someone to get on and make a difference. I love coaches who can see what is wrong and make some bold decisions and give players time to make a difference. Even if they still lose, you can see that they tried to make a difference even though there is a distinct possibility that the side just isn’t good enough.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Answers the question about where the league sits in relation to the English leagues. The lower league English players look sub A-league level overall. As do the tactics.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
"Low quality ring ins" I remember saying that pre season and being slaughtered LH. That pie is getting cold!
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Babbel sat on his hands as the game slipped away. He had subs, especially Meier, that could has been turned the tide, but he chose to sit and hope. Rightfully punished
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Agree. Nix have been impressive