Welcome to Made With Mitre Moments, where aleagues.com.au brings you all the biggest talking points from each round of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
An action-packed Round 2 saw Melbourne Victory record a statement win over City in the Melbourne Derby while Newcastle Jets sprung a surprise at the expense of Macarthur Bulls on the road.
Elsewhere, Auckland FC joined an exclusive club with their statement victory over Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix took down Perth Glory, Juan Mata visited Tarneit and Adelaide United kicked off their season against the two-time reigning champions.
Read on for all the Made With Mitre Moments from Round 2.
1st v 2nd: Get ready for the first ever Kiwi Derby!
This week’s blockbuster derby between newcomers Auckland FC and New Zealand rivals Wellington Phoenix is perfectly poised.
Auckland are just the second team in A-Leagues history to win their first two matches as they sit top of the standings through two rounds.
Wellington – last season’s Semi-Finalists – are second having collected four points from two matches.
Saturday’s blockbuster showdown at Sky Stadium is box office. Especially after a cheeky message from Phoenix fans.
During Auckland’s 1-0 win over Sydney FC, a plane was spotted circling ahead with a banner which read : “NZ is Yellow – see you next week!”
‘We’ve put a high bar on him’ – Kisnorbo to keep pushing new Socceroo
Melbourne Victory boss Patrick Kisnorbo said he is pleased with the progress being made by new Subway Socceroos winger Nishan Velupillay but has warned the 23-year-old the hard work has just begun.
After scoring on his Subway Socceroos debut against China and finishing this season’s Australia Cup campaign as top scorer, Velupillay continued his strong start to the new Isuzu UTE A-League season by opening the scoring in the 3-1 win against Melbourne City on Saturday evening.
MATCH REPORT: Victory’s delight, City’s despair: Kisnorbo reigns supreme in Melbourne Derby reunion
Latching onto Nikos Vergos’ through ball, Velupillay showcased his pace and then power to brush off the challenge of Aziz Behich before firing the ball into the far corner – a move Kisnorbo believes showcases the improvements made by his winger.
“With Nish, one of the things I wanted to work on in the (off-season) was improving that end product,” said Kisnorbo when asked about Velupillay’s performance.
“He needs to work a lot more to get better but so far he’s done great. Obviously he’s got himself into the Socceroos squad; what happens next window, I don’t know.
“But he’s been continuing to work hard and he needs to do that, to keep rising to challenges, but we’ve put a high bar on him and a high expectation for him.
“So it’s great what he’s doing and he’s getting rewarded for his hard work but also he needs to do more.”
‘HORRENDOUS, HORRENDOUS’: Aurelio Vidmar’s honest assessment of Melbourne City’s derby defeat
After playing a hand in the opener, new Greek striker Vergos then opened his account for the season by volleying home his side’s second in just the 13th minute.
An off-season recruit from Greek side Atromitos, Vergos found himself on the bench in the opening game of the season with veteran forward Bruno Fornaroli preferred against Central Coast Mariners.
However the 28-year-old was given the nod for the Melbourne Derby and repaid the faith shown in him by Kisnorbo, who later said the selection was about creating competitive tension within his squad.
“I’m not hiding away from competition. There is competition in this team. If you want to get in the team, like a lot of other teams, you have to train hard every day.
“I think it’s healthy competition, that’s what I like. It’s healthy competition for players to try and play and get in the team.”
Among those now competing for a spot in the Victory starting XI is Socceroos winger Daniel Arzani.
RECORD: Melbourne Victory make history in rampant start to Melbourne Derby
Having been left out of the Australia Cup Final squad altogether, Arzani then played no part in Round One of the new campaign owing to a one-game suspension carrying over from last season.
Introduced as a second-half substitute, Arzani got just over 20 minutes of game time as Victory closed out the win over their rivals.
“On Daniel, he was suspended so just because he’s coming back into selection doesn’t mean he’s an automatic selection. That’s with everyone, not just with Daniel.”
Veart’s big hope for Adelaide young gun: ’15-20 goal a season striker’
There were a pair of debuts in Adelaide United’s season opener against two-time reigning champions Central Coast Mariners on Saturday evening.
After their Round One bye, Adelaide kicked off their 2024-25 campaign with a 1-1 draw at Coopers Stadium.
Luka Jovanovic’s opener was cancelled out by Mariners substitute Sabit Ngor in Adelaide, where young gun Archie Goodwin made his Reds bow.
MATCH REPORT: Amazing A-Leagues story spoils Adelaide’s season opener in a result not seen in 6 years
Goodwin swapped Newcastle Jets for Adelaide in the off-season, and the 19-year-old forward came off the bench in a 16-minute cameo against the visiting Mariners.
Adelaide head coach Carl Veart has big hopes for the highly-rated attacker, who has been dealing with fitness issues in recent seasons.
“He is someone we’re being very careful with,” Veart told reporters post-match.
“We will slowly build his minutes because we see Archie as a 15 to 20 goal-a-year striker for us, so we will take our time with him.”
There was also an A-Leagues debut for Ryan White.
A product of the club’s academy, the exciting 19-year-old signed a five-year contract with the Reds during the week. On Saturday, he played his first Isuzu UTE A-League match having debuted in the Australia Cup.
“He is a box-to-box midfielder. He has great movement, pressing attributes. He is a very clever player and takes up very good positions,” Veart said.
“He’s done a lot of work with Airton (Andrioli) in our NPL side. He’s had a couple of good seasons in the NPL.
“I think you’ll see a lot more from him this season.”
Zdrilic’s ‘jigsaw puzzle’ in Perth
It is not panic stations yet for David Zdrilic as the Perth Glory head coach discussed how he plans to unlock star captain and reigning Golden Boot winner Adam Taggart.
Perth suffered their second straight loss to begin the season following Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat at home to Wellington Phoenix at HBF Park, after the club’s 6-1 humbling away to Macarthur Bulls.
A disciple of the Red Bull philosophy through his work with Ralf Rangnick and Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig, Zdrilic is at the helm of new-look Glory in his first senior coaching role at professional level.
MATCH REPORT: Wellington Phoenix extend streak to 4 years with Glory triumph after a 931-day drought ends
The highly-rated former Australia international earned praise for his work as assistant at Sydney FC and he spoke about his start to life in Perth.
“I’ve been through these moments in various forms in the roles I’ve had. I know things can change very quickly,” Zdrilic said.
“This was a much different performance than last week. The guys understood that too. You can lose a couple of games any time in the season and obviously at the start, it’s highlighted more.
“I think coming from our pre-season and that first half last season, this was a big step for us in terms of the game management and the fitness of the game as a whole. But big improvements still to come.”
Taggart brought up a milestone over the weekend after making his 150th Isuzu UTE A-League appearance.
The two-time Golden Boot winner and Subway Socceroos forward, though, is yet to score through two rounds in 2024-25.
Asked about Perth’s goalscoring problems, having managed just one shot on target against the Phoenix, Zdrilic said: “I think we’ve change the front third a couple of times already.
“You saw last week (against Macarthur Bulls) with Taggs, he still grabbed a couple of goals even though they were offside.
“We have to get him in those areas. Today was a difficult one. Against Wellington, no one creates. They are a good side so it’s difficult to create chances.
“Today is one I expected to be difficult. With the field position, especially in the first half with Abdul (Faisal) and Ayo (Hiroaki Aoyama), weren’t able to get them up higher to support Taggs, so he was very isolated.
“We definitely don’t want that. We scored a lot of goals in pre-season. We need to bring that mindset back into it, to the level of the A-League.
“I think Taggs, in both of the games, has been excellent. We need to get the service to him and the right formula around him. It’s that jigsaw puzzle we’re working on to get a stable and fit line-up.”
Western’s duo tipped to be ‘hard to stop’; it’s the ‘tip of the iceberg’ for a Wanderer
Hiroshi Ibusuki and Noah Botic are the combination that Western United head coach John Aloisi believes will cause problems for their rivals.
Ibusuki scored his first goal for Western in the team’s 1-1 draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers at Ironbark Fields on Sunday afternoon as Spanish legend Juan Mata made his full A-Leagues debut.
An off-season arrival from Adelaide, the Japanese star equalised for Western United while young gun Noah Botic came off the bench as he continues to build his fitness following an injury-interrupted 2023-24.
MATCH REPORT: Western United’s unbeaten start continues after Juan Mata comes to town
The 22-year-old has scored 11 goals since joining the Tarneit club in 2021-22.
“I said from the start, Hiroshi will definitely help Noah,” Aloisi said in his post-match press conference.
“He came on a lot last season in terms of maturity because at the start he went through a bit of a barren spell in terms of scoring goals. Right before he got injured, he was leading the line really well and scoring goals.
“Now with Hiro helping him, they’re going to be hard to stop because whenever the ball gets in and round the box, they’re there. their moment is good, they move off each other.”
There was also a starting debut for 17-year-old Western United defender Dylan Leonard.
After becoming the club’s youngest Isuzu UTE A-League debutant in Round 1, Leonard partnered Tomoki Imai in the centre of defence following an injury to James Donachie.
“Great for Dylan. He has shown now, he played our NPL season and we were really impressed with the way he improved in that period, and in pre-season for us,” Aloisi said.
“Three weeks before the start of the season we started him against City, and he showed enough to know he can match it against any A-League striker, and have confidence.
“He did that today. He defended well and on the ball, he makes good decisions. Maturity for a 17-year-old, he is only going to get better. He knows he will have to keep working to keep improving as a player, which I’m sure he will.”
As for the visiting Wanderers, Brandon Borrello opened his 2024-25 account after giving Western Sydney the lead in Tarneit.
The Subway Socceroos forward endured an injury-hit campaign last season and head coach Alen Stajcic told reporters: “He is obviously trying to rebuild his confidence.
“He is such an amazing weapon for us. It’s not easy to get that belief back into yourself and body. But he had a really good pre-season.
“He’s working so hard for the team. He’s a tremendous leader in our group. We know what we’re going to get with (Borrello). He works extremely hard for everyone and a great person to have on our team.
“It’s good when he gets a little reward like that. It’s just the tip of the iceberg for him.”
Spanish superstar Mata made his first start for the Wanderers, following his cameo in the Round 1 Sydney Derby.
“He was good,” Stajcic said. “He was influential. He created four or five chances. We know his quality. It’s not rocket science to know how good a footballer he is.
“He has a presence on the pitch. Decision-making of his is at an elevated level. Get that team chemistry going. It’s his first start for us in any kind of game. That takes time.
“It’s not easy to just throw someone in and all of a sudden the combinations work, regardless how good the players are. I thought he had a pleasing performance.”
Sydney FC face nervous wait over injuries as Talay bemoans VAR call
Sydney FC boss Ufuk Talay vented his frustration at full time following their dramatic late loss to Auckland FC, stating his belief that the Black Knights’ winner shouldn’t have stood.
After seeing Hayden Matthews’ 83rd minute opener eventually chalked off due to offside following a lengthy VAR call, the Sky Blues then succumbed to Nando Pijnaker’s winner in the last minute of stoppage time.
However, while replays seemed to suggest that the ball may have struck the hand of the Auckland defender before he subsequently back-heeled it through the legs of Andrew Redmayne, the VAR ruled the ball had hit Pijnaker on the thigh, much to the frustration of Talay.
“We just didn’t capitalise on the moments that we created but overall, to concede the way that we did, with a set-piece at the end… I believe it’s a handball which leads to the goal,” said Talay.
“We had one last year similar where Jordy (Courtney-Perkins) scored against Wellington where it hit his arm and then he finished it and it was disallowed.
“So I don’t know how VAR missed that and even before that I think it’s a foul on Popovic with a shove in the back. That’s my opinion.
“I just feel that when both goals were scored it took a lot of time to look at how to disallow a goal when we scored and they went through it very quickly to allow the goal on the other side, so disappointing in the end to lose one-nil.”
MATCH REPORT: DRAMA IN AUCKLAND! Black Knights stun Sydney FC with 97th minute winner
To make matters worse for Talay, the Sky Blues are now anxiously waiting to determine the extent of the injury suffered by star winger Joe Lolley.
The Englishman went down in the 32nd minute of the clash at Go Media Stadium with what looked to be a groin injury and he now looks set to become the latest big player to be sidelined following news Douglas Costa has also picked up a knock.
“He felt tight in his hamstring so we sent him home yesterday (Saturday) to get him scanned today (Sunday) so we have a better picture of what it looks like for him moving forward,” said Talay, providing an update on Costa.
“Joey (Lolley) felt his groin, couldn’t continue. Corey (Hollman) rolled his ankle, couldn’t continue. So we had to make some changes and I thought that the boys that came on actually did well.
“That was Woody’s (Patrick Wood) first game in over six months so he worked as hard as he could, I pushed him as far as he could and then we made some changes again.
LOLLEY INJURY: Sydney FC face anxious wait after star winger limps off with injury in loss
“So, look. Overall disappointed that we lost the game but I thought the boys did what they could to try and get the outcome.”
After travelling straight from their midweek ACL Two clash against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan to Auckland, the Sky Blues now have another quick turnaround before round three.
Away to Brisbane Roar on Friday night, Sydney are then in action again in the ACL Two before they finally host Macarthur Bulls in what will be their first home league game of the season on November 10.
Stanton’s Jets warning as two-goal hero repays the faith: ‘I’m not surprised’
Newcastle Jets head coach Rob Stanton has a message to the rest of the competition: “We’re going to be a problem team for everyone”.
It came after the Jets upstaged Australia Cup champions Macarthur Bulls 2-1 in Campbelltown on Friday night.
There was drama under lights after Eli Adams’ quick-fire double ensured the Jets soared after Maris Jakolis’ first-half opener, while Newcastle goalkeeper Ryan Scott also saved a stoppage-time penalty.
MATCH REPORT: Youngster’s three-minute brace & a 91st-minute penalty save inspire Jets’ dramatic win over Bulls
It was Newcastle’s first win of the season following their 1-0 loss to Melbourne City.
“They’re a young team and people will try and bully them. We’ve worked hard to become mentally tough,” Stanton said after a heated post-match scuffle between the Jets and Newcastle.
“It showed today. They’re just standing up for themselves. They’re not going to take any backwards step. We’ve worked hard to be on the front foot and be aggressive.
“We don’t want to be a pushover. I know people think we won’t do much but we’ve worked hard in our pre-season. I think there’s evidence to suggest we’re going to be a problem team for everyone.
“We’re going to have our good days and days.”
Stanton also heaped praise on Jets recruit Adams following his match-winning display.
The 22-year-old moved to Newcastle from Melbourne Victory, where he scored one goal in just 196 minutes of A-Leagues action across two seasons.
‘THE JETS HAVE LIFT-OFF’: ‘Proud’ coach highlights Newcastle’s green shoots after stirring win’
“I think players improve when they play. At the end of the day when you look at Eli, there’s talent there,” said Stanton.
“I saw talent and I believe when he was at Victory, he had a lot of competition and some really good players ahead of him. Those players generally have a little bit extra in other areas of their game. I’ve just spoken about other areas, not his talent – if he can bring it out in his game, he will shine.
“I thought he did a terrific job defending from the front, I thought he was aggressive, he got into challenges. It’s not really part of his game and I said it will lay the foundations for the good stuff you’re capable of doing, but you have to do the hard work.
“I don’t think he completed 90 minutes. I’m not sure the last time he completed 90. It’s very hard to be a good player if you’re not consistent in playing. I just believe in him and gave him his shot. I’m not surprised because I see those actions in training.”
As for Bulls head coach Mile Sterjovski, he told reporters: “It’s a lesson in preparation for a match.
“I spoke to the boys last week about a good performance but lets not get carried away with it. I thought we were a bit complement. I take responsibility for that. Maybe I should have prepared them a bit more mentally for this match.
“The first half I felt like we didn’t’ get into the game. I felt Newcastle were hungrier than us.
“… Last week was one of the best performances I’ve seen at this club. Maybe they thought it would come easy but they need to realise to get consistency you need to work hard.
“It might be a good wake-up call.”
