Round 3 was another challenging one to select the team of the week from. Nevertheless, there were some great games, with players who made their mark.
The A-League team of the week for Round 3 was full of quality players throughout the pitch.
Goalkeeper: Michael Weier (Newcastle Jets)- Michael Weier made some quality saves and his distribution was once again flawless. Despite the Wellington Phoenix having eight shots on target, compared to the Newcastle Jets four, the Jets won the game by two goals partly due to him making seven saves.
Right Back: Josh Risdon (Western United)- Josh Risdon provided an assist for the equaliser scored by Lachlan Wales, which meant that Western United claimed their first point of the season. He made many marauding runs forward and touched the ball 90 times.
He showed that he is a potential Socceroo starting right back, as defensively he negated the influence of Daniel Arzani, who played left midfield for Macarthur FC.
Centre Back: Mark Natta (Newcastle Jets)- Mark Natta had a good game in the centre of defence. He defended well and passed the ball accurately when in possession. It was difficult to find a flaw in his game. Hopefully, his performance was not an aberration and is a sign of things to come.
Centre Back: Curtis Good (Melbourne City)- Curtis Good was composed when on the ball and played a key role in the centre of defence, as he played a part in curtailing the influence of the Melbourne Victory attacking players. He put in a display which means he should be an option to start for the Socceroos in the World Cup, if selected.
Left Back: James McGarry (Newcastle Jets)- James McGarry opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the game with a stunning strike. The goal appeared to give the Newcastle Jets impetus to go on with it and they did as they scored three goals for the game, all of which came in the first half. Defensively, McGarry was solid and he was good on the ball.
Centre Midfield: Matthew Leckie (Melbourne City)- Matthew Leckie put in a great shift in a position that is foreign to him. He moved the ball around seamlessly. It was a great display and there is no doubt that based on his current form he should be in the starting line-up for the Socceroos in the upcoming World Cup.
Attacking Midfield: Lachlan Wales (Western United)- Lachlan Wales worked hard throughout the game, as he had 24 passes in the final third. He was rewarded; scoring the equaliser against Macarthur FC in the 69th minute. His combination play was impressive.
Attacking Midfield: Craig Noone (Macarthur FC)- Craig Noone captained the team in the absence of Ulises Dávila through injury. He provided the assist for the opening goal of the game scored by Matthew Millar in the 24th minute. It was reward for effort for Noone as he toiled hard and was the main outlet for the forays for Macarthur FC.
Attacking Midfield: Reno Piscopo (Newcastle Jets)- Reno Piscopo had 34 passes in the 76 minutes that he was involved in the game. He provided the assist for the second goal of the game, that was scored by Beka Dartsmelia with some good combination play. When he was interviewed at half time, he felt like there was work to be done despite the Jets leading 3-1; “Keep scoring goals. We got a little bit too comfortable and relaxed.”
Forward: Beka Dartsmelia (Newcastle Jets)- Beka Dartsmelia finished the game with one goal and one assist. He played a part in both of the first two goals of the game, as he provided the assist for James McGarry who broke the deadlock and Dartsmelia scored the second goal with an outstanding strike.
Forward: Joe Lolley (Sydney FC)- Joe Lolley provided a lot of good crosses and put in a good shift. He scored an equaliser in the 48th minute against Adelaide United. Despite, Adelaide United playing with ten men for more than half the game, but the game ended in a draw; post-match he said he felt; “just frustration,” which shows that he is a competitor
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Didn't you know football is only played in Melbourne and sydney. :laughing: Absolute joke of an XI chosen again
Marcel
Guest
For the round just completed all games were played in NSW and Victoria :stoked:
Frank from Geebung
Roar Rookie
If I had just landed in Australia, I’d be thinking the A League is only played in NSW and Victoria.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
to the edtior why you havent got A leauge table?????/
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Good to get your opinion!
Mark
Guest
In regard to the Melbourne Derby, I think Lam was the better CB than Good, but considering it was Good's first game back from injury and he was meant to have started on the bench (Jamieson injured himself prior to the game staring) it was a good effort. I'm not sure why you thought both Talbot and Bos did not have good games, Bos beat Nani on his wing and Talbot had Ikonomidis taken off him and also gave Folami nothing when he came on. I think from City's POV they would be pretty upset with the finishing of Tilio (this may end up costing him a World Cup trip) and Maclaren and maybe less so with Bos's great run which ended with a pretty lame shot. In regards to keeper's Izzo played quite a decent game.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Should read Good not Goodwin.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Weier apart from the one on one, where he coralled the player and smothered the shot, did he actually make a decent save. I haven;t watched every minute of the match I can admit but then why isnt it on the highlights if there was a good save, and certainly Phoenix best chance was an ordinary shot, most of the shots on target were hit as well as back passes. The other issue the Phoenix goal was well hit but on the near post, not sure how well he reacted. Cant think of any great goal keeping performances this week either. Risdon in terms of getting up the field and attacking he was there heaps and Arzani wasnt tracking him certainly. If you have endless opportunities and produce one assist in a draw and muff shots and crosses against an absent defence is it a good performance. His one good cross the header was decent and saved, but he ignored a completely free player he could have passed to instead. Goodwin I cant say his performance was great, Victory got in a lot of early opportunities before being reduced to 10 men and then still got look in. I suppose the difference is the fullbacks Talbot and Bos both had shockers in this game, versus games with Jameison . Neither Natta or Weier quite stopped Phoenix there poor shooting was the biggest factor. Jurman is the best passert at the back. For my money Uskok was the best center half and will be the busiest center half of the season with how bad Macarthur fullbacks are and how their midfielders dont track back. The best fullback/wingback was Khellifi for my money Perth was good both ends. Noone I think your being generous on working hard, while he did put in a good effort considering he is probably a bit underdone and into the starting line up through injuries, he and other midfielders left a lot to be desired tracking back. Leckie I dont think he had as good as game as previous weeks, the penalty he didnt earn either, when the opposition goes down to 10 you have to take that into account as well and say he should have done more. Colli for Perth he put in a decent effort for the 90 minutes as well as scoring a goal. Sammy Silvera another good game .powerful strike that was well placed so didnt need that full power, he is also hard working, than the rest of the front four for the Mariners. Wales is like Risdon, you dont say someone has been good for doing one thing in a draw when they had so many other chances. Knowles his move beating two players and setting up the goal should get the nod. Ikonomidis had a good game but got nothing.