Catch up on the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.
The Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season continued with plenty of entertainment and drama over the weekend.
There were plenty of top performers to pick from this week but it was ultimately Melbourne Victory’s Nikos Vergos who racked up the most points after playing a key role in his side’s wins over Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory.
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*Editor’s Note: This week’s Team of the Week features matches played from Monday to Sunday, meaning several teams played multiple matches during the allotted window. Furthermore, points accumulated in Monday and Tuesday’s games between Macarthur/Auckland FC and Melbourne City/Brisbane Roar will be counted in next week’s Team of the Week.
Team of the Week
Joining Vergos in this week’s attack are Newcastle Jets forward Lachie Rose, who bagged a brace in the Jets’ thrilling 3-1 win over Auckland FC and Central Coast Mariners young gun Miguel Di Pizio, who helped himself to a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win over Adelaide.
There are two more players representing Melbourne Victory in midfield as Spanish star Juan Mata plays alongside winger Clerismario Santos – both of whom scored plenty of points during Victory’s last two matches, whilst Macarthur Bulls’ Liam Rose completes a three-man midfield.
Meanwhile Victory and Mariners players form the bulk of the defensive unit with Central Coast duo Lucas Mauragis and Brad Tapp joined by Victory defender Sebastian Esposito, while Socceroos defender and Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich slots in at left back.
Finally, Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares takes his spot in goal after making nine saves during the Sky Blues’ goalless draw Melbourne City.
Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).
Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points
The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.
Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.
Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.
