Wonder goals, tifos, celebrations and savage insults highlighted a weekend of intriguing moments across Round 2 of the Hyundai A-League.
Amongst the tight scorelines and intense tussles we’ve uncovered some of the lighter action which went down in this Round 2 edition of moments you may have missed.
‘Useless d***heads’ – Merrick drops a bomb on unsuspecting FOX crew
In the lead up to the F3 Derby on Saturday, Jets boss Ernie Merrick was asked on FOX Sports how his side would fare this season.
And considering how FOX have predicted the Jets to perform over the last two seasons, Merrick wasn’t having a bar of it.
“I'm glad you guys tipped us down the bottom you d***heads”
Newcastle coach tells Boz what he really thinks!!
WATCH #Aleague 📺 LIVE on Fox Sports 505 pic.twitter.com/jhWsYbxwJi
— Fox Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) October 19, 2019
REPORT: Mariners, Jets share the spoils in entertaining F3 Derby
REACTION: Birighitti laments penalty call as retake denies Mariners in F3 Derby
Mombaerts mania
Melbourne City played their first home game under Erick Mombaerts on Sunday afternoon and the fans who got in early were treated to a special gift.
Along with the new style of football Mombaerts brought to City this season the Frenchman also brought his quirky sense of style defined by his thick, shaded glasses.
😎😎😎 #MCYvADL #ForeverCity pic.twitter.com/ZaFfFAeybF
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) October 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/mrjamesmoore/status/1185763996244119553?s=20
The first 1,000 City fans through the doors on Sunday afternoon received a free pair of Mombaerts-style shades from the club, and even the FOX crew were getting in on the act.
Ready to call #MCYvADL in the Erick Mombaerts glasses… available for the first 1000 fans to @AAMIPark too! @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/glBrh7CQ9g
— Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) October 20, 2019
Not bhed @Michael_Zappone 😎 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/uWJElE0myr
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) October 20, 2019
With every man and his dog rocking his now rocking his look, will the Frenchman seek for a stylistic shake-up?
REPORT: Maclaren double helps City see off resurgent Adelaide
REACTION: City cannot afford to lose control again says Mombaerts
Maclaren’s bags double, breaks out Lewandoski celebration
Polish striker Robert Lewandoski is one of the best poachers on the planet.
And in scoring two goals in four minutes against Adelaide United Jamie Maclaren decided to pay homage to the Bayern Munich star by using his trademark celebration.
Two goals in four minutes? Nice try, Jamie, but Lewandoski has a new challenge for you: try five goals in nine minutes next time.
5️⃣ in 9️⃣ 😱
A world record that will surely never be broken 🔥
Relive the full 9 minutes of @lewy_official magic 🎥#FCBWOB pic.twitter.com/KB80P6ZVnb
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) March 9, 2019
ANALYSIS: Slater – Maclaren’s belief reminds me of Premier League great
ROUND 2: Hyundai A-League Team of the Week
The Cove set new precedent with stunning tifo
Active support groups around the land have been set the unenviable challenge of competing with The Cove’s latest tifo unveiled before Sydney FC’s clash with Wellington at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.
‘Which of you is next?’ That was the question The Cove asked the Sky Blues squad as they unveiled images of former legends of the club with a blank canvas in the middle, to be filled by a current member of the side.
With two wins in their first two matches the Champions look set for another big year, so will we see another legend born in Sky Blue this season?
REPORT: Grant the hero as Sydney FC weather Phoenix storm
LIVE AND FREE: How to watch Hyundai A-League Round 3
Leichhardt Oval goes off
There’s just something about suburban football grounds.
Every home game Sydney FC play at Leichhardt Oval brings a festival of colour, lights and noise to the fore, creating an atmosphere well worth soaking up.
The Sky Blues served up a win in front of their home crowd on Sunday afternoon on a picture-perfect day.
REPORT: Meier off the mark as Wanderers snap Victory hoodoo with thrilling win
REACTION: Meier’s maiden goal a good sign for unbeaten Wanderers
‘Fussball gott!’ Meier announces himself to the Hyundai A-League
Alexander Meier scored his first goal for the Wanderers on Friday night, and what a goal it was.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6095829195001
So good in fact, it had his former club Eintracht Frankfurt singing his praises.
🦅💪
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) October 18, 2019
Meier won the Bundesliga Golden Boot and the German Cup with Eintracht, and the club shared their appreciation for their former striker to all their followers after his superb long-range strike won the Wanderers the game against Melbourne Victory.
And post-match, teammate Dylan McGowan was also keen to share the love.
"FUSSBALL GOTT! FUSSBALL GOTT!"
@DylanMcGowan91 🤣🤣 #WSW #MVCvWSW #AMFG pic.twitter.com/9dgJbOenPn
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) October 18, 2019
That’s ‘football god’, by the way, for those of you not savvy with Google translate.
ANALYSIS: Babbel explains how Wanderers’ formation switch brought the best from Meier
MADE IN THE WEST: A goal imagined by Western Sydney – Baccus strike repays years of faith
Berisha signing session takes unusual turn
Besart Berisha is a popular man at Western United.
So much so, this young fan walked away from United’s inaugural home game with his signature adorning his forehead.
Berisha has all the love for the fans 💚 #WUFC pic.twitter.com/ceUDx37v45
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) October 19, 2019
Disregard the United scarf draped around his neck begging to be signed, this bloke saw his chance and went for it, getting a signature from one of the Hyundai A-League’s greatest marksmen which is sure to almost double the resale value of his head.
‘BEST IN AUSTRALIA’: Inside Western United’s philosophy with head coach Mark Rudan
ANALYSIS: Rudan insists Western United were in control against Perth Glory
Brillante saves face finding lost tooth
Josh Brillante played just half an hour for City on the weekend, but it was enough time for one of his teeth to be dislodged from his mouth in a collision with Adelaide ‘keeper Paul Izzo.
Not to worry, however, as the midfielder returned to the scene of the crime post-match to discover his pearly white dug into the turf.
How good is this 😂 Brillante loses tooth and finds it‼️#ALeague pic.twitter.com/RC6xdaeEhL
— Fox Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) October 20, 2019
REPORT: Super sub Popovic saves Perth, Kone cracker in Western United’s first home game
TRANSFER NEWS: Every signing for Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season
Diamanti’s brutal jab at teammate Kone
After scoring Western United’s first ever home goal – a long range stunner might I add – Panagiotis Kone was well within his rights to feel a little chuffed with himself.
But not in the eyes of teammate Alessandro Diamanti, however, who had some choice words for his teammate post-match…
Diamanti gets a solid 8/10 for banter 😂 pic.twitter.com/D5mlIxnzEZ
— Fox Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) October 19, 2019
ANALYSIS: Stajcic bemoans another missed opportunity for Mariners
24 HOURS, NO SLEEPING: Jets fans will walk to F3 derby for mate’s expenses
