Opinion
Round 11 had everything from Wellington Phoenix being down to nine men and hanging on to defeat Sydney FC 1-0, to three penalty kicks in total, all of which failed to hit the back of the net.
There were no draws in the six games that took place. All six teams that claimed three points kept a clean sheet. There were three 1-0 score lines, two games that finished 4-0, with the only Sunday game finishing with a with a 2-0 win to Macarthur FC over Newcastle Jets.
Despite half the teams in the A-League keeping a clean sheet, the other six teams managed to score 13 goals. Here is who made the team of the week.
Goalkeeper: Jordan Holmes (Brisbane Roar)
Jordan Holmes put on a flawless display for the Brisbane Roar in a game where he had six saves to make. He also controlled his penalty area unbelievably well and made his job look easy, as he didn’t wait to distribute the ball and he got rid of it effectively.
Right-back: Thomas Aquilina (Central Coast Mariners)
Thomas Aquilina was handed a start ahead of Storm Roux and he vindicated the tough decision that Central Coast Mariners coach Nick Montgomery made with an outstanding display. Aquilina continually made marauding runs down the right hand side creating havoc for the Adelaide United defence.
Centre-back: Scott Wooton (Wellington Phoenix)
Scott Wooton performed admirably as he curtailed plenty of attacks from Sydney FC. He formed a fantastic partnership with Tim Payne in the centre of defence. He made the art of defending look easy, through clearing crosses into the box and he negated the Sydney FC attacking options.
Centre-back: Jonathan Aspropotamitis (Macarthur FC)
Jonathan Aspropotamitis put in a good shift at the heart of the Macarthur FC defence. He had the most clearances for the game with ten. Along with that he had four interceptions and two final third entries.
The fact that he conceded two corners within the space of a minute showed how important he was to the team; the corners were conceded in the 13th and 14th minute.
Left-back: Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners)
Jacob Farrell goes about his business quietly, as there is a case to be made that he is the best left back in the A-League when he performs the way he did in Round 11.
He made forward runs and defended tenaciously. He combined well with Samuel Silvera on the Central Coast Mariners left hand side.
Right Midfield: Marco Tilio (Melbourne City)
Marco Tilio displayed why he should’ve played at the World Cup and that he is a phenomenal talent. He scored the opening goal of the game running from the middle of the park with the ball at his feet and slotting the ball into the back of the net.
It was remarkable that he scored in the ninth minute as it was the first attacking foray of note that Melbourne City made. He also provided the assist for a goal scored by Jamie Maclaren in the 24th minute, that gave Melbourne City a 3-nil lead.
In his post-match interview, he summed everything up well: “It’s all about performing and just keeping my spot. It comes down to hard work and the camaraderie we have for each other.”
Centre Midfield: Mustafa Amini (Perth Glory)
Mustafa Amini led from the front in a game that the Perth Glory needed to win. He was everywhere; his work rate and leadership were there for all to see. In a post-match interview, he spoke about staying, “humble.” He led by example, with and without the ball.
Centre Midfield: Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)
Jay O’Shea took to being captain of the Brisbane Roar in the absence of injured captain Tom Aldred, like a duck to water.
He was central to a lot of the good work that the Brisbane Roar did. He worked hard and broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute, which was the only shot on target that the Brisbane Roar had all game.
Attacking Midfield: Ulises Davila (Macarthur FC)
Ulises Davila was instrumental in a lot of the attacking forays forward for Macarthur FC. On another day he would’ve had a hat-trick as he hit the post in the 20th and 52nd minute and was finally rewarded with a goal in the 78th minute. He was the arguably the difference between the two teams in a 2-0 win for Macarthur FC against the Newcastle Jets.
Left Midfield: Matthew Leckie (Melbourne City)
Matthew Leckie played a game that was of an extremely high standard. He showed that he has the technical ability that matches his work rate; that’s what so great about him.
He always keeps on working and looking to create opportunities and help Melbourne City control the game. The way he played showed why he was so pivotal to the Socceroos in the World Cup.
Melbourne City’s Mat Leckie. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Forward: Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)
Jamie Maclaren made incisive runs as he tried to sniff out a goal. There’s no doubt that he is clinical in the final third as he made it his tenth game in a row that he scored at least one goal in an A-League game. He scored the all important third goal of the game in the 24th minute that effectively gave the Melbourne City an unassailable three goal lead.
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