‘Yengi will learn: There are times to do it all’
It was fiery, furious, and at times the football played second fiddle in the Original Rivalry as Melbourne Victory edged out Adelaide United in a 2-1 triumph.
The first-half alone saw five yellow cards and two penalty shouts, one of which saw Adelaide flyer Kusini Yengi carded for simulation in the box under pressure from Roderick Miranda and Matthew Spiranovic.
The Reds’ brains trust, Carl Veart and Ross Aloisi, were incensed. But speaking on Channel 10, Bruce Djite, Mark Milligan and Archie Thompson all dished out tough love for the Reds talent, not just for the dive, but his decision making in the lead up.
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“I don’t think it should’ve got to the point where he was in a position to dive or get tackled,” Milligan mused.
“He (had a teammate flying down the left and he) should’ve got played in a lot earlier … I think they will be a little disappointed. These chances are not coming that often (you have to cash in).”
Milligan concluded: “He felt he had to get himself out of a hole (for not passing, gets a) slight touch, he made the most of it.”
Thompson added: “When you’re younger, excited, you want to do it all yourself.
“Goodwin makes that run outside of him and the quicker you can be aware of what’s going on around you, you become the complete player. There are times and places to do the individual stuff. I feel like the more he has those opportunities … Veart (will tell him) look around you.”
Reds legend Djite added: “There are moments to do the individual stuff … also a time you have to be more aware of where your runners are.
“He monstered the defender, broken through the line, might’ve slipped in Goodwin, (Ben) Halloran, maybe did too much.
“You don’t want to take it out of his game but there are a few more tools or weapons he can use to be more efficient in his game.”
Like they did against City, the Reds clawed back a deficit to set up a grand stand finish.
But they were undone by a fairy tale goal for Nishan Velupillay, a lifelong Victory club member, which came on the end of classic work from Robbie Kruse down the left as the Victory pressed hard in midfield.
Although Victory keeper Ivan Kelava made a monster second-half save, Tony Popovic will have wondered how his men were not clear by half-time given some of their chances.
He will also be wondering what his experienced defender Jason Davidson was doing when he flew in and received a second yellow, leaving his side to hang on in the final moments.
“That’s an experienced player,” Victory legend Thompson fumed.
“To put your team at risk of conceding, to go a man down. It is stupid defending from Davidsona and I reckon Popa will have a word to him.”
‘They will become a dangerous team’
John Aloisi’s return to life in the Isuzu UTE A-League dugout has got off to a great start, with Western United top of the table after a month of action.
Despite dominating Brisbane Roar, Western did it the hard way, needing a sharp Connor Pain volley to break the deadlock against a Roar side that scrambled admirably, but failed to show the same conviction further up the park.
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“Western United always seemed to have a bit more time in the wide areas. Roar were second to everything and that far behind getting to players,” assessed A-Leagues legend Alex Brosque on Paramount+, who labelled Roar “disorganised and disjointed” in attack.
The goal summed it up. Too much time to pass, too much time to get his head up … summed up Brisbane’s issues at the moment.
While describing Roar as “off the pace”, former Socceroos star Luke Wilkshere says Aloisi’s side are developing the hallmarks of a side to watch.
“Once they start to become more clinical they will become a more dangerous team,” he assessed.
The win makes it three straight clean sheets for Aloisi’s side.
Brosque said: “That is down to Johnny, and what he has done with the defensive line, and the two men in front (Steve Lustica and Neil Kilkenny).”
He added: “They move the ball well … play good football, you’ve got Alessandro Diamanti pulling the strings.”
Pressure mounts on Robinson as Macarthur go top
Jaded with their third game in a week, Macarthur were more conservative than usual in their Western Sydney Derby against the Wanderers, but still did enough to win 2-0.
Carl Robinson’s side dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge. Although it is only their first loss of the campaign, and they were missing Tomer Hemed and Jack Rodwell, expectations are high at Wonderland and the pressure is mounting.
“There’s no excuses, he’s got a deep squad,” Wilkshire mused on Paramount+
MORE: Macarthur go top as pressure mounts on Robinson
Brosque added: “Effort isn’t enough, they need a win.”
He continued: “They can’t rely solely on Hemed. If he’s not there someone else needs to step up. This is their first loss but that is the pressure Carl Robinson and the Wanderers are under.”
The energy of the likes of goal scorer 20-year-old Jake Hollman helped Macarthur’s resolute game plan in the second stanza – although both Brosque and Wilkshire hope the style, given the squad’s depth, was a bit of pragmatism given the tough week, and not something we’ll see regularly from Ante Milicic’s side given its talent on paper.
That includes the selection of Tommy Oar at No.6.
“He’s worked tirelessly, but it doesn’t look natural,” Wilkshire mused.
“He’s been caught a few times. Doesn’t look completely comfortable for me.”
Brosque added: “You lose what a proper No.6 brings to that position.”
