Welcome to Best of the Press, where aleagues.com.au brings you everything you need to know from coach press conferences after the weekend’s matches.
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Adelaide United 2-1 Sydney FC
MATCH REPORT: Adelaide see off Sydney FC in pulsating season opener
Airton Andrioli
Adelaide United kicked off the Airton Andrioli era with a 2-1 win over Sydney FC on Friday night. The Brazilian praised an unheralded Adelaide midfielder, while he lauded Ethan Alagich and discussing Craig Goodwin’s role against the Sky Blues.
Hear everything Adelaide United head coach Andrioli had to say after the win below.
Ufuk Talay
Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay reflected on the club’s loss in South Australia and the debuts of an international trio, including a first game in seven months for a former Fenerbahce defender.
Hear everything Sydney FC head coach Talay had to say after the loss below.
Brisbane Roar 1-0 Macarthur Bulls
MATCH REPORT: 10-man Brisbane end opening day hoodoo with valiant win over Macarthur
Michael Valkanis
“Anytime, anywhere, anyone, find a way.” That was the message from Brisbane Roar head coach Michael Valkanis after his side “rolled up their sleeves” in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Macarthur Bulls.
Hear everything Brisbane Roar head coach Valkanis had to say after the win below.
Mile Sterjovski
Macarthur Bulls head coach Mile Sterjovski questioned the style of Brisbane Roar’s football following the club’s narrow defeat at Suncorp Stadium in Round 1.
Hear everything Macarthur Bulls head coach Sterjovski had to say after the loss below.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Melbourne City
MATCH REPORT: City expose 117-second Wanderers lapse and extend unusual six-year streak
Alen Stajcic
Alen Stajcic spoke about Western Sydney Wanderers’ “united” front and how he is helping to improve the culture at CommBank Stadium, where they held defending champions Melbourne City to a 1-1 draw.
Hear everything Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Stajcic had to say after the draw below.
Aurelio Vidmar
Melbourne City head coach Aurelio Vidmar heaped praise on new signing and Kosovo international Elbasan Rashani, who made his Isuzu UTE A-League debut in the draw away to Western Sydney Wanderers.
Hear everything City head coach Vidmar had to say after the draw below.
Melbourne Victory 0-0 Auckland FC
MATCH REPORT: Mata debuts as the spoils are shared in heated instalment of a new A-Leagues rivalry
Arthur Diles
Arthur Diles said Melbourne Victory “showed growth” in their season-opening 0-0 draw with reigning premiers Auckland FC on Saturday night, highlighting the team’s improved focus and discipline after last season’s Grand Final defeat.
Hear everything Victory head coach Diles had to say after the draw below.
Steve Corica
Auckland head coach Steve Corica said winger Logan Rogerson must fight for his spot in the Black Knights’ attack with off-season signing Lachlan Brook now ahead of him in the pecking order.
Hear everything Auckland head coach Corica had to say after the draw below.
Perth Glory 2-2 Wellington Phoenix
MATCH REPORT: Distance Derby carnage in the West: ‘Only football can dish this up!’
David Zdrilic
Perth Glory head coach David Zdrilic spoke about the “freak” injury suffered by goalkeeper Cameron Cook just prior to Saturday night’s 2-2 draw against Wellington Phoenix.
Hear everything Glory head coach Zdrilic had to say after the draw below.
Giancarlo Italiano
Giancarlo Italiano praised “one of the most promising signings I’ve ever made” after Wellington Phoenix rallied to earn a 2-2 draw against Perth Glory in the Distance Derby, while also highlighting the performance of another debutant.
Hear everything Phoenix head coach Italiano had to say after the draw below.
Central Coast Mariners 3-2 Newcastle Jets
MATCH REPORT: Socceroo’s epic moment 15 years in the making leads to wild 98th-min F3 Derby ‘hail-Mary’
Warren Moon
Warren Moon spoke about A-Leagues great Andrew Redmayne’s penalty heroics before Central Coast Mariners’ incredible 98th-minute winner against F3 rivals Newcastle Jets on Sunday – a moment 15 year in the making in Gosford.
Hear everything interim Mariners head coach Moon had to say after the win below.
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan spoke about Newcastle Jets star Eli Adams stepping up to take a 97th-minute penalty in the F3 Derby and why he was impressed in the absence of captain Kosta Grozos.
Hear everything Jets head coach Milligan had to say after the win below.
