Opinion
Round 25 was entertaining, with 25 goals scored in six games and only two out of 12 teams managing to keep a clean sheet. In two out of five matches, where a team claimed three points, the winning team had less possession than their opponents.
What about the classic game between Perth Glory and Adelaide United? The game ended 4-4 with three goals scored in second-half stoppage time!
Here’s who made the cut in Round 25.
Formation: 4-4-2
Kurto played a remarkable game for Macarthur FC; he made eight saves, with most of them top draw. He kept his team in the game up until the end. They had no right to be in it against a Melbourne Victory team that dominated the game and would’ve won by more than one goal had Kurto not been their goalkeeper. It was cruel that Kurto conceded his second goal of the game in the 94th minute.
Simmons made the most of playing against a lacklustre Wellington Phoenix team. He never stopped making marauding runs down the right hand side and was rewarded with the third goal of the game in the 65th minute. His passing of the ball was crisp and accurate. It was a performance that if he can reproduce on a regular basis can help him move onto bigger and better things.
Rodwell played a solid game. He worked hard as he made 10 clearances, eight headed clearances and had five interceptions. His work with the ball and was impressive as he passed accurately and was a pivotal part of Sydney FC winning the game against Brisbane Roar.
Uskok played well for Macarthur FC and even popped up in the final third to make the score 1-1 in the 66th minute. He had three tackles, five blocks and six clearances. He passed the ball well and proved that he is an aerial threat on goal and led from the front.
Kitto did most of his good work in the opponents’ final third. He provided the assist for a goal that made the score 1-1 for Luka Jovanovic, the goal came from sheer determination from Kitto in the opposition box. He also scored a goal that made the score 3-2 in favour of Adelaide United. He made 13 passes into the final third.
Silvera was prolific. He scored a brace through hard work and superb execution of the skills that he possesses. The credit has to go to Nick Montgomery for developing Silvera’s talent and helping him endeavour to reach his potential. He did do a lot of his work on the left hand side, but was listed on the team sheet as a right-midfield so for the purpose of this exercise I’ve selected him there.
Nieuwenhof had a solid game for Western Sydney Wanderers. His passing of the ball was exquisite and he made eight passes into the final third. He scored the second of four goals that Wanderers scored in the 31st minute. He worked hard defensively as he made four tackles and had two clearances.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Leckie was a substitute in his first game back from injury, but you wouldn’t have known he was injured. He was brought on in the 64th minute and made an instant impact as he provided an assist for Jamie Maclaren in the 66th minute, that gave Melbourne City a 2-1 lead.
He played a big part in the third goal for City and Maclaren as the header from Leckie was saved by Western United goalkeeper Jamie Young and Maclaren scored from the rebound.
Goodwin was involved as per usual in many successful forays forward for Adelaide United. He provided the cross that led to Luka Jovanovic making the score 1-1. The goal that gave Adelaide United a 2-1 lead over the Perth Glory in the 51st minute was scored by Goodwin.
He then hit the post with a shot that resulted in a goal to Kitto. There was no questioning his leadership and his will to win, despite the game ending as a 4-4 draw.
Taggart displayed why Perth Glory recruited him to the club, as he scored a brace with two world-class goals. The first goal he scored made the score 2-2 with a stunning header that was too good for Joe Gauci. His second goal was even better when he ran down the field with teammates around him, but chose to shoot from outside the box, with a remarkable goal in the 96th minute.
I’m sure he won’t mind the yellow card for taking his shirt off, as the finish was exquisite. Post-match he was measured as the game finished 4-4: “Obviously very disappointed. It’s been the story of our season,” he said.
Maclaren had a game fitting of a player who broke the all-time scoring record in the A-League, which was previously held by Besart Berisha. Maclaren did it in style by scoring a hat-trick, with three poacher’s goals. He makes the art of scoring a goal look easy.
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