We select the team of the week after a record-breaking opening round of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season.
We select the team of the week after a record-breaking opening round of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season.
Player of the week
It was more of the same from Alessandro Del Piero as his Sydney FC side capped off their season opener with a strong 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets. Del Piero’s skill in the box saw him bamboozle the Jets defenders and slide the ball past Mark Birighitti for the game’s opener. The classy Italian then set up Joel Chianese’s first of the season, breaking from the midfield before putting the young forward through on goal. Del Piero continues to set the standard in the league and will no doubt be giving defenders nightmares throughout the 2013/14 season.
Formation: 4-3-3
Forwards
Alongside Del Piero up front are Adelaide United’s Jeronimo Neumann and prolific Brisbane Roar goal-scorer Besart Berisha. Jeronimo ensured his manager Josep Gombau’s A-League debut was a successful one as he scored a decisive brace in his side’s 3-1 win over Perth Glory. Jeronimo got the match opener on nine minutes after turning and putting the ball in off the upright before again giving his side the lead when he slotted the ball home after Glory keeper Danny Vukovic parried a Fabio Ferriera shot.
2011/12 golden boot winner Berisha got his account underway in the Roar’s season opener to get his side back to 1-1 early in the second half against Wellington. The goal rewarded the Albanian who had appeared to have scored late in the first half before having his goal ruled out after he was adjudged to have been offside.
Midfielders
Thomas Broich was at his usual best in the Roar midfield pushing forward and eventually set up the match winner. The German hit the upright with a shot on goal allowing Ivan Franjic to follow up and bury a dramatic late winner to break the Phoenix’s hearts.
Carlos Hernandez made a strong return to the A-League after spending a season in India and will give Ernie Merrick’s Phoenix side some class in midfield. Hernandez looked dangerous as he moved forward and attacked Brisbane’s goal and will continue to get better as he forms a partnership with Costa Rican teammate Kenny Cunningham throughout the year.
Marcos Flores rounds out the midfield and like Broich and Hernandez has been a classy asset to the competition and claimed a Johnny Warren medal for the Hyundai A-League’s player of the year. Flores looked right at home in his new surroundings at the Central Coast Mariners and caused the Western Sydney Wanderers headaches throughout their 1-1 draw. The Argentine’s sublime skill opened up the Wanderers defence as he put Mitchell Duke through on goal who calmly converted to give the Mariners
the lead.
Defenders
Having returned from Europe to play in Josep Gombau’s new system at the Reds Michael Zullo looked right at home as his side swept to a 3-1 win against Perth Glory. An inspired run from the back saw Zullo layoff to teammate Daniel Bowles who crossed for Jeronimo to open proceedings. A pinpoint cross of his own later on found Fabio Ferreira who got the game’s final goal.
New Sydney FC signing Nikola Petkovic was a key part of Frank Farina’s revamped defensive line that is looking to improve on conceding a league worst 51 goals last season. The Serbian was solid at the back throughout and helped his side keep a clean sheet as they claimed a solid first up victory against the visiting Newcastle Jets.
John Aloisi has bought in a host of players to his Heart side this season and Patrick Kisnorbo showed his worth in his first Hyundai A-League match. In what was a scrappy Melbourne derby Kisnorbo was solid at the back as the Heart repelled a number of second-half Victory attacks on their goal.
Michael Boxall is looking to lock down his spot in the Phoenix’s defensive line and would have gone a long way to impressing Ernie Merrick despite not getting a result against the Roar. Boxall played Ben Sigmund’s cross down to set up Stein Huysegem’s opener and almost helped his side claim a deserved point at home.
Goalkeeper
In what was always going to be a tight clash between last season’s grand finalists Justin Pasfield put in a stellar performance to see out a number of the Wanderers chances. Pasfield’s quick-fire reflexes were on display for the whole competition to see and he’ll be looking to build on his strong opener when the Mariners take on Melbourne Heart in round two.
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