It was an unforgettable Big Blue and stellar Luis Nani debut on Saturday night, which provided the perfect subject matter to kick off the A-Leagues’ new and innovative documentary series in style.
The first episode of A-Leagues All Access airs Thursday 7.30pm AEDT on Paramount+, 10 Play and KEEPUP, following the star Melbourne Victory marquee’s move Down Under, and first taste of Isuzu UTE A-League action in Saturday’s Big Blue.
Produced by KEEPUP Studios and JAMTV, the show will premiere each Thursday at 7:30pm AEDT on 10 Play, KEEPUP.COM.AU, the KEEPUP app and KEEPUP on YouTube. It will be available on Australia’s fastest growing streaming service, Paramount+, and will then be broadcast on 10 Bold at 2:00pm AEDT on Saturday afternoons as an appetiser for the evening’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men game on the same channel.
READ MORE ON A-LEAGUES ALL ACCESS
The former Portuguese international and Manchester United winger is the featured star in the first of 30 weekly episodes taking fans behind the scenes of the A-Leagues.
His game-breaking assist to Chris Ikonomidis’ second-half strike put Victory on the path to a classic 3-2 comeback win over their bitter rivals at Allianz Stadium. The moment of magic will be one of the key events of the highly-anticipated first AAA episode going live on Thursday night.
Nani reflected on his first outing in navy blue as a good performance in tough conditions as Victory got off to a solid start in 2022-23.
“It was amazing,” Nani told Paramount+ after his debut performance. “A great night for us.
“It was a tough game. The opponent was every tough in the beginning of the game.”
Nani’s interview was then interrupted by two young fans who had hopped the fence at Allianz Stadium to embrace the Portuguese. It’s the type of scene football fans aren’t used to seeing on Australian shores – and an indication of the magnitude of his arrival Down Under.
Nani then continued his post-match reflection: “Actually, it was a little bit hard. The field was a little bit heavy, it was raining all day. But congratulation to both teams, we managed to make a good spectacle for the fans. It was a good start to the season.
“I hope we continue to produce games like that. We deserved to win, we did our best.”
In attendance at Allianz Stadium were Paramount+ analysts and former Victory and Sydney greats respectively Archie Thompson and Alex Brosque, who took turns praising Nani’s debut as the start of what could be a very special stint in Australia.
Brosque was quick to point out there were only flashes of his true potential on the night: “We didn’t see him at his brilliant best tonight, it will take a bit of time for him to come into his own.
“The run he made (for the assist), it was coming short and then quickly checks to go in behind. Those little moments, once the teammates start to understand that a lot more, you’ll see a lot more from Nani.
“Tonight he was excellent – he assisted the goal and generally was good in possession.”
Thompson added: “He was phenomenal… that’s why you pay him the big bucks, because that changes the game. Just those little moments in games, it’s brilliant.”
Lolley: Sky Blues ‘by far the better team’ before late fadeout
Despite leaving Allianz Stadium empty-handed, Sydney FC fans will look back on Saturday night’s Big Blue feeling cautiously optimistic about what’s to come from off-season recruits Joe Lolley and Robert Mak in the final third.
The latter will go down in history as the first A-Leagues scorer at Sydney FC’s brand-new home, showing a clinical touch to score the opening goal of the night and ending his maiden league appearance having created two chances and passing at 93.1% accuracy.
Lolley, meanwhile, was a key contributor in attack and unlucky not to score himself, operating off the right flank and taking three shots, hitting the post and creating one chance.
Club legend Brosque is eager to see more from the two wide players who in one game appear to have revitalised Sydney’s attack.
“(Mak) did very well… a great start for him,” Brosque said post-match. “Both wingers for Sydney, all eyes were on them to see how they’d come into this side and both did extremely well.
“The fans will be very impressed and optimistic with what they’ve seen tonight from Sydney – but it is ultimately disappointing. It just shows how good Melbourne Victory are.”
Lolley reflected Brosque’s summary of the game post-match. “Yeah, to be honest I’m disappointed we conceded three goals,” he told Paramount+.
“I thought at the start of the second half, up until their goal we were brilliant. We were by far the better team. Just couldn’t seem to fall for us, then obviously we conceded and they got back into the game.
“A bit of a bitter blow. It was a great atmosphere and good entertainment I’m sure for the fans and people watching, but disappointing for us.”
Lolley added: “(Mak) did brilliant for his goal and was unlucky as well (not to score more). I was unlucky as well not to score. Hopefully I can start finding the net soon.”
SATURDAY RECAP
Sydney FC 2-3 Melbourne Victory
MATCH REPORT: VICTORY EDGE FIVE-GOAL THRILLER AS IKONOMIDIS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE OFF THE BENCH
Brisbane Roar 0-0 Macarthur FC
MATCH REPORT: ROAR, MACARTHUR IN SUNCORP STADIUM STALEMATE
Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets
POSTPONED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER
