On this week’s episode of Total A-Leagues, Sydney Morning Herald reporter Vince Rugari and retired Socceroo Tommy Oar discussed a Western Sydney Wanderers gun and Auckland FC’s form.
Anthony Pantazopoulos is earning plenty of plaudits in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season.
So much so that the Western Sydney Wanderers centre-back has been compared to a Socceroos fan favourite.
Pantazopoulos has emerged as one of the most talented centre-backs in the competition amid his breakout season with high-flying Western Sydney Wanderers, who are enjoying their best run of form – nine games undefeated – in a decade.
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The 21-year-old first made the move to Wanderland from NPLM VIC outfit Oakleigh Cannons in 2023 but he has come into his own this season under Alen Stajcic. The Young Socceroo has made a career-high 19 A-Leagues appearances, while scoring his first professional goal.
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Speaking on this week’s episode of Total A-Leagues, host and Sydney Morning Herald reporter Vince Rugari likened the Victorian to 22-time Australia international Sasa Ognenovski, who was also lured from Victoria’s state leagues by Brisbane Roar in 2006.
The renowned centre-back also played for Adelaide United prior to being crowned the 2010 AFC Asian Footballer of the Year while winning the AFC Champions League with Seongnam.
“I think the other bloke who’s helped stiffen them up at the back is Anthony Pantazopoulos,” Rugari said. “Big on the celebration, defensive celebrations.
“I know you don’t feel too good about that sort of stuff, but he’s a good story, man. 21 years old. They signed him a couple years ago from Oakleigh Cannons in NPL Victoria.
“When I think about players who have been signed directly from Victorian State league as a centre-back, my head goes to Sasha Ognenovski, Adelaide United legend, yeah, should have played more games with Socceroos. An absolute beast. He was.
“Pantazopoulos is a potential beast.”
Retired Socceroo Tommy Oar added: “He is still so young. I think that was the thing that surprised me, is when I heard how young he was.
“I think he’s made a huge difference. His physicality, nobody wants to play against players like that.”
Tommy Oar tackles Auckland FC’s ‘issues’
Auckland FC are on the cusp of the Premiership in their inaugural season but there are still question marks over the high-flying newcomers as former A-Leagues star Oar highlighted.
The Black Knights are four points clear atop the table and in the midst of a 12-game unbeaten streak, dating back to their shock 1-0 loss away to lowly Perth Glory on January 11.
However, Auckland have only won one of their past six matches (D5) after last week’s 2-2 draw away to Sydney FC.
“There’s two ways to look at it,” Oar said.
“Because Steve Corica said in his press conference after the game as well, obviously they’re showing a lot of resilience to not lose games, but I think that, particularly with the ball, they’re not being as emphatic as they were earlier in the season.
“They’re probably having to defend for larger periods of the game. If you’re defending for larger periods of the game, and you’re more likely to concede goals, I think that their issues largely stem with the ball. I think that they’re not being as proactive, maybe a little bit more negative, with their mindset.
“If you’re winning the league, but by some distance, I think it’s a little bit of pressure too. I think you’re starting to see that.
“But I think that they have dropped a gear from what we’ve seen at their best. If they can’t find their best form, it could be a difficult month or two ahead for Auckland.”
Off-contract A-Leagues XI
While there is plenty of football to be played in the Isuzu UTE A-League with the Finals Series looming, planning for next season will be well and truly underway.
There are a number of stars coming off contract, though many are expected to re-sign at their current clubs.
Oar and Rugari put together their respective soon-to-be free agent XIs, both headlined by Western United star Noah Botic and Sydney FC’s Adrian Segecic – who are vying for Golden Boot honours.
Tommy Oar’s ‘Soon-to-be free agent XI’
Goalkeeper: Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC)
Defence: Gabriel Cleur (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Defence: Alex Grant (Sydney FC)
Defence: Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners)
Defence: Sam Sutton (Wellington Phoenix)
Midfield: Jake Hollman (Macarthur Bulls)
Midfield: Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC)
Forward: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory)
Forward: Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC)
Forward: Marin Jakolis (Macarthur Bulls)
Forward: Noah Botic (Western United)
Vince Rugari’s ‘Soon-to-be free agent XI’
Goalkeeper: Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC)
Defence: Gabriel Cluer (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Defence: Alex Grant (Sydney FC)
Defence: Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners)
Defence: Ben Garuccio (Western United)
Midfield: Luke Brattan (Macarthur Bulls)
Midfield: Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC)
Forward: Jake Hollman (Macarthur Bulls)
Forward: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory)
Forward: Adrian Segecic (Sydney FC)
Forward: Noah Botic (Western United)
