Opinion
Round 5 was full of outstanding performances where there were some difficult choices to be made.
There were 26 goals scored in six games, which made it an entertaining Round of football, with some outstanding strikes and two penalty saves!
The A-League team of the week for Round 5 was full of phenomenal players that made the final 11.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Joe Gauci (Adelaide United)- Joe Gauci had a good game for Adelaide United as he made some crucial saves. He made a fantastic save from a penalty taken by Lachlan Wales of Western United, which ensured Adelaide United would win the game, as they led 4-1 in the 83rd minute. Gauci finished the game with seven saves!
Right Back: Thomas Aquilina (Central Coast Mariners)- Thomas Aquilina played an outstanding game, especially in the first half. He worked hard defensively to curtail the impact of the Western Sydney Wanderers attacks and made many marauding runs forward.
Centre Back: Scott Neville (Brisbane Roar)- Scott Neville played a key role in limiting Sydney FC to two shots on target. In his post-match interview when informed he was player of the match he said: “Player of the match, I don’t know about that.”
Centre Back: Nectarios Triantis (Central Coast Mariners)- Nectarios Triantis helped restrict the Western Sydney Wanderers to no shots on target. He also had an impact on the game when he had possession of the ball, passing the ball around seamlessly, in particular a long pass that Jason Cummings should’ve scored from.
Left Back: Sam Sutton (Wellington Phoenix)- Sam Sutton curtailed the influence that Craig Noone of Macarthur FC had on the game. The icing on the cake was that Sutton provided an assist for Ben Waine in the 67th minute, which gave the Wellington Phoenix a 3-1 lead.
Right Midfield: Marco Tilio (Melbourne City)- Marco Tilio put his case forward to play for the Socceroos; it was as if he had a point to prove and he delivered in spades. He finished with an assist and a goal on his right foot. In his post-match interview when asked about a possible Socceroos call up, he said: “It’s out of my hands. Hopefully I just keep growing as a player.”
Centre Midfield: Jake Brimmer (Melbourne Victory)- Jake Brimmer played extremely well. His passing was majestic as his quality shone through. He put his case forward to be in the Socceroos squad as he was the best player on the park in the 4-nil win for Melbourne Victory over Newcastle Jets.
Attacking Midfield: Matthew Leckie (Melbourne City)- Matthew Leckie worked extremely hard and he was involved in plenty of the attacks as he passed the ball around accurately. He helped Melbourne City control the tempo of the game. In his post-match interview when asked when asked about being in the Socceroos squad he said: “The most important thing is to stay fit and healthy.”
Left Midfield: Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United)- Craig Goodwin had a fantastic first half as he played a role in the opening two goals of the game, with an assist from a corner and a goal on his right foot, both taking place in the opening 22 minutes. He made 15 passes in the final third for the match. In his post-match interview when asked about the Socceroos squad selection he said: “I focus at what the job is at hand. What will be will be.”
Forward: Michael Ruhs (Central Coast Mariners)- Michael Ruhs was brought on as a substitute in the 63rd minute and made an impact on the game, as he scored a brace. He helped give the Central Coast Mariners a cutting edge in the final third. In his post-match interview, he said: “It was good to get that reward of coming on and scoring that double.”
Forward: Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners)- Garang Kuol proved that he must be in the Socceroos squad as an impact player. In his post-match interview, he said: “Happy to get two goals quickly and after I think the game was dead.” He played a role in the Central Coast Mariners first two goals, providing an assist for both.
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