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It was a cracking round of football with 23 goals scored in six games and the two draws both had the score line of 2-2. The best was saved for the last, as Macarthur FC and Adelaide United played in a seven-goal thriller.
Let’s have a look at who stood out from each team in round six.
Nikola Mileusnic had a goal and an assist within two minutes, as he scored in the 13th minute and provided a pinpoint pass to Jack Hingert who scored in the 15th minute.
Mileusnic appears to be flourishing under the tutelage of Ross Alosi. When referring to the way in how he is finding Aloisi’s coaching style, Mileusnic summed it up: “it really suits my style, really enjoying it.”
Western Sydney Wanderers’ Nicolas Milanovic battles for possession. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Nicolas Milanovic helped Western Sydney Wanderers get back into the game as he scored a goal on his left foot in the 46th minute. They needed a reaction after offering little resistance to the Brisbane Roar in the first half, as they went into half time 2-0 down.
Milanovic provided a good synopsis: “credit to us, we fought back well. It was just good for the team. We just needed that early goal.”
Ben Garuccio put in a good shift for Western United; his work rate was great, he made many marauding runs forward with purpose, as both his shots were on target and he made 12 passes into the final third.
He passed the ball around accurately and it was unfortunate that Garuccio ended up on the losing team, given his solid display.
Kosta Barbarouses worked hard and made plenty of insightful runs; he wound back the clock. It was deserved that Barbarouses was involved in the only goal of the game that was scored with a fantastic pass that substitute Ben Old scored from.
Barbarouses explained the feeling around the group: “I feel great. Chiefy’s sort of given me a lot responsibility in the squad. We just have to keep our feet on the ground.”
Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano explained the value Barbarouses has to the squad: “in terms of leadership on and off the field he’s been great.”
Wellington’s Kosta Barbarouses. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Joe Lolley broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a quality finish. As per usual, Lolley was involved in plenty of the attacking forays; he had five shots on target, 15 touches in the opposition box, along with six passes into the final third.
The summation of the game from Lolley was spot on: “the main thing is we got the three points.”
Cameron Cook could well be one of the brightest young talents in the A-League as he made 11 saves, most of them top class. Once again he kept the scoreboard respectable and the final deficit to one goal.
There wasn’t anything Cook could’ve done with the three goals that he conceded. The world is his oyster, given the quality of saves that he has been producing since taking the number one spot off Oliver Sail.
Jacob Farrell was a standout for Central Coast Mariners as he dealt with the threats Melbourne Victory possessed on their right side; Farrell completely curtailed the influence of Daniel Arzani after Arzani was brought in to spark the game in the 69th minute.
Remarkably, Farrell continually made marauding runs down the Central Coast Mariners left-hand side and nearly scored an incredible winner in the 93rd minute.
Nishan Velupillay played a solid game and was rewarded with a goal that gave Melbourne Victory what should’ve been a win as he scored with a stunning strike in the 52nd minute.
He continually showed his class and why Victory need him fit and firing, as he continually makes insightful runs and is a classy player.
Brandon O’Neill continually endeavoured to give his team a foothold in a shambolic display by his team. In what was a disappointing performance from a team perspective, he was the only player that looked to lift the Jets out of the doldrums.
Marin Jakolis was involved in both goals that were scored by Melbourne City.
His class shone through when he provided the assist for the goal that broke that a deadlock, a pinpoint cross that nestled into the back of the net through A-League debutant Benjamin Mazzeo (who was probably the feel good story of round six).
The second goal scored by City won’t go down as an assist for Jakolis, but he won the ball back and passed for an easy finish to Jamie Maclaren in the 58th minute.
Ulises Dávila of Macarthur FC celebrates a goal. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Ulises Dávila wove his magic as per usual, making the Adelaide United defence look lacklustre. He provided an assist with an intelligent pass to Matthew Millar who put the ball in the back of the net, for a 2-1 Macarthur FC lead in the 24th minute.
Along with that, Dávila scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 84th minute. As per usual he was all class: “it was important to win today. Very happy for the boys, for the team tonight. Everyone is switched on. It’s a pleasure to be here.”
Zach Clough was all class, despite ending up in the losing team.
His general play was impressive and he was clinical in the final third as he scored a brace, with the goals coming in the 17th and 53rd minute.
He is a player that has been extremely consistent and the quality that he has was there for all to see.
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