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.
It was a memorable Round 4, with a pair of incredible goals in Gosford and Sydney, a career-first hat-trick for a Socceroos hopeful and a controversial win for Adelaide United as Melbourne Victory stayed unbeaten – and there was so much more as season 2024-25 continued.
Read on for all the biggest talking points from Round 4, thanks to Mitre.
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‘Last minute decision’ works wonders as ‘Nix run riot against champions
Wellington Phoenix bounced back in style following their loss to Auckland FC, producing a dominant display at Industree Group Stadium to defeat Central Coast Mariners 3-0.
Veteran forward Kosta Barbarouses added a second on the approach to half time before defender Sam Sutton then rubber-stamped an emphatic victory early in the second half leaving head coach Giancarlo ‘Chiefy’ Italiano beaming with pride following his side’s display.
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“So we changed the pressing structure,” revealed Italiano when asked how his side were able to limit the Mariners to very few dangerous moments.
“It was a bit of a last minute decision, we decided a day-and-a-half ago. With limited training time we basically just walked through what I wanted.
“They took the information onboard, executed it to perfection. I thought Ishige was fantastic on the left side, blocking the passing lane to the wing back (as) it was something we identified.
“What Mariners do really well is bait with their sixes. So we tried not to step on their sixes and let them feel as though they could play in those areas and maybe overplay a little bit and maybe catch them a little bit.
“I thought we did that really well in the first half.”
With two assists in the game, Ishige now leads the assist table in the Isuzu UTE A-League with three overall and his head coach was quick to praise the Japanese star’s performance, especially his set-piece taking.
“If you watch him at training on (matchday) minus one, he bangs one every week!
“Honestly, I can’t recall the amount of direct free-kicks we’ve had in the last couple of years and we’ve had like three or four now in the last couple of weeks so it’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy almost.”
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Bulls boss’ ‘gut feeling’ that led to world-class goal
Macarthur Bulls head coach Mile Sterjovski said the decision to bring on Ariath Piol was one made purely on instinct.
Drifting between the two Sydney FC central defenders inside the box, Piol then connected with Ivan Vujica’s cross to perfection, unleashing a stunning bicycle kick which flew beyond goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne and into the back of the net.
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“He’s always got a special goal in him,” said Sterjovski when discussing the outstanding effort.
“I’m very pleased for him, he’s put in a lot of hard work to get himself in the mix and you know, I’m super proud of his goal.
“I think it’s going to be a highlight in his career for sure.”
When asked why he opted to introduce Piol to the game rather than fellow striker Harrison Sawyer, Sterjovski said it was a decision based purely on feeling, rather than being overly tactical.
“I just had, I suppose, a gut feeling of how I wanted to go about it,” said Sterjovski when asked why he opted to bring on Piol when he did.
“When Jake (Hollman) suffered the injury, Ari just came into my mind. I know what he’s capable of doing and I thought it would have suited him to come on.
“With his pace, he holds the ball up and links in quite well and I thought he did quite well for the time that he was on the pitch.”
Sydney FC’s Patrick Wood looked to have secured a point for the home side, who played more than 45 minutes with 10 men after young defender Hayden Matthews was sent off for two bookable offences in the first half.
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However winger Marin Jakolis continued his excellent early season form, firing home the winner in the 96th minute to seal the Bulls’ second win of the season and bring an end to their two-game losing run.
The off-season signing and former Melbourne City man has enjoyed a fruitful start to life with Macarthur, bagging four goals while registering two assists, and does hold an Australian passport, rendering him eligible to play for the national team.
“He’s been in great form this season,” said Sterjovski when asked if he feels his in-form winger deserved to be handed a call-up by Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“I’m not sure what’s going on there but (I’m) very pleased for him that he’s performing well and he’s been great for us this season.”
Wanderers coach hails something he’s never seen before
As Brandon Borrello prepares to enter camp with the Subway Socceroos, the Western Sydney Wanderers captain earned massive praise from his head coach.
Nicolas Milanovic was the inspiration behind Friday night’s 4-1 win over Newcastle Jets – the Socceroos hopeful scoring his maiden hat-trick.
MATCH REPORT: Hat-trick hero inspires Wanderers to drought-breaking home win
While Milanovic grabbed the headlines, veteran teammate Borrello continued his impressive run of form following an injury-interrupted 2023-24.
“Just resilience,” Wanderers head coach Alen Stajcic said of Borrello. “He had a couple of injuries last season and he’s worked so hard during pre-season.
“He’s become one of the leaders for the team. In the first four games, he’s been the captain and he’s led from the front.
“His work rate is amazing. He keeps improving game in, game out in terms of his decision making on the ball. He’s a threat every time he gets the ball.
‘HOPE I’M ON THE RADAR’: Wanderers star’s Socceroos message after hat-trick masterclass
“His work rate off the ball is something I haven’t seen before in an attacking-type player.
“He just leads from the front in terms of his actions, but also his words and his rapport with the group. He’s a tremendous person to have in our team.”
Western Sydney’s victory snapped their nine-match winless streak at home, a run dating back to January.
The clash against the Jets also saw Spanish superstar Juan Mata start on the bench, with the former Manchester United and Chelsea playmaker introduced six minutes from the end at CommBank Stadium.
It came after the 36-year-old started the 1-1 draw against Western United in Round 2 and 4-3 loss at home to Adelaide United in Round 3.
“It’s just the balance of the team at the moment. We had five subs who all came on and contributed in different ways,” Stajcic replied when quizzed on Mata’s position on the bench.
“It’s not individual, it’s whatever is needed for the team. We didn’t know what was going to be required before the match.
“We’re still working out, in some respects, who is going to fit where at different times. We trialled that during the week and it worked out well, Juan playing in that role. It was good to see him come on in that position and add a little bit of extra value in that holding midfield role.”
‘Even the opposition players said they can’t believe it’
Western United head coach John Aloisi struggled to comprehend the penalty that wasn’t in his side’s controversial 2-1 defeat away to Adelaide United on Saturday night.
MATCH REPORT: Adelaide United’s unbeaten season continues in controversial win over Western
Western substitute Abel Walatee went down under a challenge from Ryan Kitto approaching the hour mark at Coopers Stadium, however appeals were turned away while VAR deemed no foul was committed.
Following that incident, Adelaide went on to score the winning goal 19 minutes from the end through Zach Clough.
‘I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND’: John Aloisi’s view on ‘blatant’ incident
In his post-match press conference, Aloisi was asked if he had received an explanation for the non-penalty decision.
“Yes, the referee said he didn’t think it was a penalty,” said Aloisi, whose Western have two points from their four matches heading into the international break.
“Now, that’s his opinion. I haven’t seen anything as clear that isn’t awarded a penalty. I’m disappointed he didn’t see it then I’m disappointed VAR didn’t see it – Alex King and Adam Kersey were in VAR, they’re top referees and didn’t’ see it.
“I don’t get it, I don’t understand. It’s really disappointing and it hurts us as a team but also our players who are left frustrated because it was so clear and obvious.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to have said the same thing, even the opposition players said they can’t believe it wasn’t a penalty.
“I don’t know why they missed it but they did. Maybe when it goes 2-1 then it’s a different game altogether.”
Kisnorbo curbs hype amid Victory recruit’s silky start to the season
Is this the season of Reno Piscopo? Well, Melbourne Victory head coach Patrick Kisnorbo is playing it down.
After Piscopo’s stunning long-range winner against Macarthur in Round 3, the new signing followed that up with an incredible assist for Nishan Velupillay as high-flying Victory defeated Brisbane Roar 2-0 at AAMI Park on Saturday evening.
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With club legends Besart Berisha and Carl Valeri watching in the crowd, in-form winger Piscopo stood up his defender, skipped by him towards the by-line before serving the ball on a platter for Velupillay to finish in the 37th minute.
A former Inter youth player, Piscopo is back home in Melbourne following 13 years away, including stints at Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets and his performances have kept Daniel Arzani on the bench.
However, Kisnorbo attempted to play down the 26-year-old’s exploits post-game.
“Reno had a couple of early chances to score or assist but a bit too slow,” Kisnorbo told reporters after Victory beat Brisbane for the first time in three years.
“He did a great dribble and Nish was in the areas we want him to be.”
Kisnorbo: “He’s going okay. There’s still so much more he can do and needs to do.
“We know when he came in, we had to sort of rebuild him to the way we want to mould him. So far he’s going okay but he has a lot of improvement to do.”
Velupillay was not the only Socceroo on the scoresheet ahead of Thursday night’s blockbuster FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park.
Jason Geria completed the scoring late on against the Roar – his first goal of the season and first since scoring in May’s Grand Final loss to Central Coast Mariners.
“Jason did well. Jason keeps improving,” Kisnorbo said in his press conference. “He has been great and I think that’s through confidence with playing with the national team to be honest with you.
“He shows he can compete at any level. When I spoke to him, he understands he needs to keep going if he wants to be a top, top player.
“It’s great to have him. He’s a great player, always willing to learn, very humble, very coachable and we’re very fortunate to have him at this club.”
First A-Leagues goal for academy graduate
It was an unforgettable evening for Melbourne City teenager Medin Memeti, who scored his first Isuzu UTE A-League goal.
It was a late goal made in City’s academy as Kavian Rahmani and Memeti – both 17 – combined to seal the rout, a result inspired by Steven Ugarkovic’s double.
“We desperately need those guys in the team but that also gives opportunities to guys like Memeti, Kavian came on and made the assist, Benny Dunbar also came on and put himself about,” City boss Aurelio Vidmar said.
“They’re still learning. They’re still kids. They’re still getting used to the intensity of training. I think the pleasing thing for us – throughout pre-season we’ve integrated them within the playing style and game model, so it’s not foreign to them.
“They might be at times, a little bit late to make decisions but in time with more experience, they have a lot of growth.”
Memeti continued his rise this season, having made his first Isuzu UTE A-League appearance in Round 3.
The teenager joined City’s academy in 2022 and he has progressed rapidly through the ranks, making his senior debut as a substitute in the Australia Cup last year, while he was also in the matchday squad for two AFC Champions League fixtures.
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Memeti teenager, who arrived from Dandenong Thunder in 2022 as one of the first South East based talents to join City, scored a hat-trick on his NPL debut as a 15-year-old in May last year.
He came off the bench 10 minutes into the second half with City trailing Brunswick City 2-0 last season and scored in the 70th, 86th and 89th minutes to inspire a wild comeback.
In September, Memeti made his senior debut as a late substitute in City’s Australia Cup clash against MetroStars while he was on the bench in two AFC Champions League matches in 2023-24.
This year, he scored nine goals in 15 appearances for City in VPL1 – the second tier of Victorian football – including a memorable double against Western United recently.
