Round 13 was a cracking weekend of football with 16 goals scored in five games and with Sydney FC the only team to keep a clean sheet. Incredibly for the second week in a row only one team kept a clean sheet and three out of four teams that claimed three points had less possession than their opposition.
After Melbourne City defeated Western United 2-1 in Round 11, Aurelio Vidmar uttered prophetic words about the A-League: “Anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” and Perth Glory proved that with an upset win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
There were only 10 teams to dissect in Round 13 as Adelaide and Western United didn’t play. Take a look who made a difference.
Brisbane Roar
Jonas Markovski breathed some life into the Roar team, scoring a goal, which made the deficit for them two goals in the 62nd minute.
The 24-year-old substitute also created three chances and gave his team a chance to get back into the game, which, unfortunately didn’t occur.
Macarthur FC
Jed Drew played a part in all three goals scored by the Bulls.
The 20-year-old provided an assist for the opening goal scored by Ulises Davila. Along with that, Drew played a pass to Valere Germain, who provided the assist for the second goal scored by Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Drew scored the third goal.
The young winger also worked tirelessly, making many a marauding run forward down the right-hand side that exposed the Roar defensively.
Wellington Phoenix
Alex Rufer led well defensively and took the bull by the horns when he grabbed the ball to take the penalty for Phoenix, in second-half stoppage time, which salvaged a point for his team who played with 10 men for the entirety of the second half.
(Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
The 27-year-old Phoenix captain said post-match: “Look, I was confident. That was a moment I wanted to take. Really, really happy and we’ll take the point.”
Melbourne Victory
Daniel Arzani was dangerous in the final third as he created a couple of clear-cut chances.
The Victory playmaker was at his best, particularly in the first half and showed why he’s a player who can have an impact when needed, as he has the capability of creating something out of nothing.
Victory coach Tony Popovic looks to be getting the most out of Arzani, even though in the game against the Phoenix he succumbed to cramp and couldn’t last the 90 minutes.
Sydney FC
Max Burgess was outstanding for the Sky Blues, as he provided an assist for the opening goal scored with an exquisite pass to Patrick Wood.
The 29-year-old later scored a brace with three minutes between the two goals that he scored.
In his first start under Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay, Burgess showed why he’s a prodigious talent and will be a contributor for Sydney should he stay injury-free.
Burgess’ post-match comments were interesting: “I seemed to get a second wind in the second half. We press high and we take risks.”
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Newcastle Jets
No one.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Marcelo displayed great leadership with two shots cleared off the line. Most notably, the Wanderers captain cleared a shot from Adam Taggart off the line in the 38th minute, just four minutes after Stefan Colakovski of the Glory broke the deadlock.
The 36-year-old Brazilian centre-back won all seven aerial duels and his header led to the Wanderers’ only goal of the game, albeit in the 96th minute. There’s not much more Marcelo could’ve done.
Perth Glory
Adam Taggart put in a good shift. Early on, it appeared as if the star striker had a calf injury, but thankfully it was nothing to worry about.
The Socceroo provided the assist with a one-touch pass that Colakovski put into the back of the net, which meant once again Glory scored the opening goal.
The captain displayed great leadership and was a constant threat, despite failing to score.
Post-match his comments were fascinating: “Obviously that’s a massive win for us. Everyone worked their socks off and in the end got the reward. We work a lot on transitioning in training. As much as I love scoring goals, I want to win the game more.”
Central Coast Mariners
Josh Nisbet was put in a great shift for the Mariners as the consummate professional worked hard both in the attacking half and helped out defensively when needed.
The 24-year-old was a joy to watch as he never stopped working and was rewarded with the assist for the goal scored by Christian Theoharous, which broke the deadlock in the 50th minute.
During second-half stoppage time, fireworks erupted as both benches got involved, which saw Storm Roux receive a red card and five other players shown a yellow card. The mayhem was well summed up by Nisbet: “You can see the passion of the game.”
Melbourne City
Andrew Nabbout did exactly what you want an impact player to do, which is to influence the game.
The 31-year-old did his utmost to get City a result, but unfortunately, he was on the losing side. Whenever Nabbout got the ball it looked like something was going to happen and it’s no surprise his cross created chaos in the box and led to City’s only goal of the game through Steven Ugarkovic.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Buhargiar has had some great games this year.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I agree with all those lads, and Grozos has his days too. Trouble is that a pattern has established itself. Newy gets new young players, they start to excel, and bang clubs like Sydney, Wanderers etc come in and buy the kids up from under our noses because we don't have the cash to compete. The lads just need some time, I believe Stanton can give them the discipline and education they need, we just need some seniors to take the lead, steer the ship and even up the playing field a tad.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Oh yes, on the football :happy: , a shout out to Nisbet and Farrell, luv them both. Not only are they skilful on the ball but they have football nous, being able to see the play and picking out good passes :thumbup: Shout out to Stefan Colakovski, started out in Melbourne and was a fan of Heart, then played for City and now at Perth. He always looked very capable and is flourishing in the West - good luck to him.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Football should be above that rubbish. It was a bad look that wasn’t needed. And players not involved need to stay not involved. The referee and VAR will sort the situation out and if they don’t then the club fired in a protest.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Great post. I think if Cahn can put an experienced Striker along with Markovski and Waddingham he’ll have 3 players for 2 spots - and every one should win. I think defensively the answer is to ride out the latest injury crisis. No quick fix there sadly.
NickA
Roar Rookie
I want nizzy out of this league!! He's too good for it.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Who are you liking from the Jets? Taylor & Stama have been standouts for me so far, but Natta, Cancar, Goodwin, Mauragis, Stynes have had their moments. They’re a young team so it’s going to be hot and cold – just a lot more cold at the moment
Brendan
Roar Pro
Farrell is a man on a mission – not afraid to put his body on the line, either. I’d love him to stay at the Mariners, but honestly, he’d carve up the competition in Scotland. I’m sure Monty would love Faz at Hibs. As for Nisbet. Yes, he’s brilliant – a cult hero at Gosford. Very strong, hard-working & logical. I can see Nizzy at either Sydney FC or Victory, being offered the the big bucks. Heck, even Auckland would be wise to buy Nizzy.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Fornaroli 100%. You’re correct - he commands respect, you can see it in his eyes. With Bruno gone, Victory have taken their foot off the peddle.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Waz, I am taking your lead and talking football. Brisbane - Markovski looks to be a much needed breath of fresh air at Roar, and it's brilliant to see some young talent getting a shot. Guess it helps that he played under Cahn at Melbourne Knights. Macarthur - honestly if Jed Drew and young Hollman are not in the Olyroos squad for Paris this year, it will be a dead set crime. The lads are playing the house down. Wellington - Wow!!! You gotta hand it to those lads, 10 men and they still gave Victory a hard time. The Nix lads ran themselves into the ground, they frustrated Victory, and to be honest, Victory were lucky to get the goal they got. Totally impressed with young Ben Old. The lad's a worker. And they had nearly 10,000 in the stands. My wife suggested a trip to Wellington before the end of the season, god bless her!! And you're right, Arzani is finally getting his mojo on. Good on him!! Sydney - Well it's hard not to look good against Newy these days. The Jets faithful are praying this ownership deal goes through as soon as possible. It annoys me that the commentators, the fans, every man and his dog puts the boot in to Newy. They're rubbish, they're not stepping up, they are not delivering, but our team comprises of some lads they saw playing NPL at Eden Oval, the young A-League players that nobody else wants and whoever else was vaguely good enough. Meanwhile Sydney have their ex-premier league players, their Brazilians and the list goes on. Give the lads a break, they are fighting for all they are worth. Perth - good on those lads, they out-played Wanderers and hopefully their situation turns around.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Answer me this Grem, how does young Farrell gob on, and by giving a mouthful to Antonis, when it was not warranted, it sparks a full blown melee, and yet the kid walks away scot-free. The post match Theoharous is into Young, almost sparks a second melee and the referees walk past and ignore it. There are two things that need to happen - 1. That Mariners Gaffer needs to tell the gobby lads playing for him to zip it. You watch those lads and every week they are gobbing, shooting their mouths off. Not time for it and it's nothing short of ordinary, the whole thing reeks of Matt Simon. 2. Someone needs to explain to me why the optics suggest there are one set of rules for everyone else and one set of rules for the Mariners. They get away with blue murder thanks to the referees.
NickA
Roar Rookie
How long before Farrell, Nisbet (and to a lesser extent Ballard) go overseas? You just know that wherever Nisbet goes he's going to do well. Just needs a club to take a chance on him. Ballard has been good too, but not Nisbet level good. I still can't get over how consistent Farrell is. Constantly an 8/10. Similar to Cacace before he left.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Arzani's set pieces have suprised me, as he has developed that part of his game.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I agree with you Waz, playing Waddingham up front isn't working. They are missing Hore, Berenguer and last but not least Neville.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I think that Stajcic has been phenominal, as he can’t make any new signings and lost Khelifi who I rate highly. What’s so impressive is he varies his substitutions and plays an entertaining, attacking brand of football. It was a brave move to bring Sail back into the team; he performed well, apart from his dsitribution and an unfortunate own goal.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think you should have at least picked Archie Goodwin for Newcastle, he had little in the way of opportunities but he did beat some players and put a shot on goal . Glory Wanderers match I disagree with both choices. Marcelo he won headers but what about the organisation at the back it was woeful all game getting constantly caught out, Perth should have won that match a lot easier, Taggart should have scored from his many chances, he would have been the culprit if not for the last minute goal. I would give it to David Williams for Perth he came on late had one shot at it and succeeded. Margush for Western Sydney kept them in the match with some good saves.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think Popovic has made Arzani shoot a lot less but his passing and crossing has been exceptional and his shooting was poor earlier, but he always starts Arzani. I dont know about pecking order unless your talking about free kicks. I would like to see Arzani tried centrally with Macach up front with his size. Popovic is fixed in his ways Ikonomidis for some he will use him as a striker but no one else. What I have noticed about Victory is Machach and Vellipulay dont put the same effort in without Fornaroli there, the intensity has dropped off since Fornaroli went. Maybe they are less scared of Popovic than they are Fornaroli.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Arzani‘’s got huge potential, but there’s a pecking order at Victory, & I feel coach Popovic doesn’t trust Daniel enough. Hence, Tony only allows him to set up goals through repeated crosses.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Waddingham playing solo is not working out. Doesn’t matter if it’s Cahn’s 4-3-3 or RA’s 4-2-3-1, Waddo lacks the experience to know when to run, how to run, and when to drop. I agree Markovski was the half time change Roar needed. And even after shipping 3 goals for a while we looked like getting back in to the game. The red card killed any attempt at a comeback. Hopefully Cahn changes formation to something ending in a “2” with Waddo & Markovski both accommodated.
Grem
Roar Rookie
No one- that was mean! Clayton Taylor was going OK until he couldn’t play anymore. Burgess has a lot of ability, so it was good to see him have such an influential game. With the injuries Sydney have, he’ll need to keep reproducing those games. I hope Arzani continues to improve, gain fitness and play consistently well. The Socceroos could do with a firing Arzani. It was a great weekend of football - I think my favourite game of the week was the Mariners v City. The Mariner’s coach needs a special mention as he is certainly getting the best out of his squad. Nice to read actual football articles on the Roar.