Who made the cut? A-League team of the week: Round 14

Round 14 was an entertaining one that had everything, from goals galore, to three 2-2 draws, on Saturday and two red cards.

The football was great to watch, with 25 goals scored in six games! The Newcastle Jets were the only team to keep a clean sheet.

Find out who warranted a place in the team in Round 14.

Formation 4-5-1

Goalkeeper: Jack Duncan (Newcastle Jets)

Duncan made four saves and was the only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet. His command of the penalty area was good. He was fortunate that there weren’t any other good performances of note from the other 11 goalkeepers, which made him the obvious choice.

Right-back: Javi Lopez (Adelaide United)

Lopez played an incredible game; we are lucky to have him in the A-League. Melbourne City would’ve scored more than three goals as he prevented plenty of attacks on the right hand side of the Adelaide United defence.

He was also a threat in the Melbourne City penalty box as he provided an assist for the goal scored by Ryan Kitto that gave Adelaide United a 2-1 lead in the 17th minute.

Centre-back: Tomislav Uskok (Macarthur FC)

Uskok put in a good shift, as he helped limit Western United to three shots on target, even though Macarthur FC were down to ten men for the majority of the second half.

He negated the amount of clear cut chances that Western United had and warranted why him and Jonathan Aspropotamitis have been the preferred pairing in the centre of defence so far this season.

Centre-back: Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners)

Kaltak had a decent game as he prevented the opposition from scoring on a few occasions, which helped the Central Coast Mariners claim a point in a 2-all draw with Western Sydney Wanderers. He prevented Brandon Borrello from creating chances on a couple of occasions late in the game and continued his rich vein of form.

Left-back: Josh Risdon (Western United)

Risdon took to his new role of playing as a left back like a duck to water. He was involved in plenty of attacking forays forward for Western United.

Despite playing in an unfamiliar role, he flourished; he had seven final third entries and four touches in the opposition box. He gave an honest appraisal: “I should’ve scored first half. We went up 1-nil and took the foot of the peddle.”

Right midfield: Joe Lolley (Sydney FC)

Joe Lolley put in a typical Joe Lolley performance. He showed why he was on the books of Nottingham Forest and why he is so highly regarded.

He provided the assist for what proved to be the winning goal for Sydney FC; he threaded a ball through to Adam Le Fondre that Le Fondre put in the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

That goal meant Sydney FC won the ‘Big Blue’ 2-1, after they trailed 1-nil in the 26th minute. He summed the significance of the win up: “It’s a lot to build on.”

Centre midfield: Max Burgess (Sydney FC)

Burgess put in a performance that will mean that he should stay in the Sydney FC starting 11 for the time being. He is starting to deliver on the talent that he possesses.

He was involved in a moment that got Sydney FC back into the game when he scored a great goal, which made the score 1-all in the 32nd minute, against Melbourne Victory. Sydney FC won the game, partly thanks to that piece of brilliance from him.

Centre midfield: Angus Thurgate (Newcastle Jets)

Thurgate played a key role in the Newcastle Jets going into the sheds at half time with the score nil-all. He curtailed an attack for the Brisbane Roar and providing good passes in the attacking third.

The way he played for the game in its entirety proves that he has a bright future. He turns 23 in February, but is a player that plies his trade beyond his years.

Attacking midfield: Reno Piscopo (Newcastle Jets)

Piscopo played the best game that he has played as far as I can remember! He made marauding runs forward dribbling passed opposition defenders at will.

He provided one of the best assists that you will see for the goal scorer Jaushua Sotirio, that helped the Newcastle Jets break the deadlock in the 52nd minute. He also provided the assist for the second goal of the game scored by Trent Buhagiar in the 72nd minute.

Hopefully, the manner in which Piscopo played in Round 14 isn’t an aberration, as he has plenty of potential, as long as he keeps his feet on the ground.

Reno Piscopo  (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Left midfield: Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United)

Craig Goodwin put in a good shift as he provided the cross from the corner that led to Ryan Kitto scoring a goal with a header in the 17th minute to give Adelaide United a 2-1 lead. He scored a goal that was simple, which gave Adelaide United a 3-1 lead in the 43rd minute.

He doesn’t need to have to do much to influence the result of a game as his delivery from set pieces is exemplary and he is a great leader.

Forward: Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Borrello was at the centre of most of the Western Sydney Wanderers forays forward. He played in a position that’s foreign to him, as he played up front.

You wouldn’t have known ithe was a constant threat in the final third and his endeavour never wavered. He was rewarded with a goal that gave the Western Sydney Wanderers a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute.

It was the catalyst for him to lift his work rate, as he didn’t rest on his laurels as he continued to try and get another goal and assure his team claimed the three points.

Despite the game finishing 2-all he was upbeat: “We have the belief we can beat anyone on our day.”