These are the key talking points from Round 1 in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
A new cult figure arrived in the A-Leagues, putting together a stunning debut under lights at Allianz Stadium.
The kids stood out in Adelaide and the Central Coast Mariners were left to count the cost of defeat.
Two stars stood out in their league club debuts and a 17-year-old impressed on his first league showing, capping off a brilliant six month rise.
With a lot to dissect, here are the key talking points from Round 1 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
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17-year-old Glory attacker continues amazing rise
It’s been an incredible six months for Perth Glory’s Daniel Bennie.
The 17-year-old was handed his A-Leagues debut by new Glory boss Alen Stajcic on Sunday night, playing almost the entirety of their 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets.
He won plenty of praise from Stajcic post-game, after slotting in the attack alongside Adam Taggart, Jarrod Carluccio, Luka Ivanovic, and then substitutes Stefan Colakovski and David Williams.
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“Played 80-82 minutes in a debut as a 17-year-old. That’s pretty special,” he said.
“Definitely didn’t show any signs of nerves or immaturity. A wonderful debut for Daniel.
“I told him yesterday (that he was going to start), but he’s been starting a lot of our games in pre-season so I don’t think that really came as a shock.
“Certainly at training, he proves himself day in day out that he’s capable at this level. That was the message to him yesterday: you’re getting selected on your ability, the way you’ve trained and the way you’ve managed yourself over the last few months; there’s no reason to do anything differently tonight.
“He didn’t. He had a big hand in the first goal, there were a couple of moments there where he caused them a lot of problems.”
His debut comes after an impressive off-season both for his country and club.
Bennie represented the Joeys at the U-17 Asian Cup and scored against Tajikistan in the group stage, before only weeks later finding the net in a pre-season friendly with Glory against West Ham in his first senior game.
He also signed his first A-Leagues contract this off-season, penning a scholarship deal in July.
Zi-Zou set to lead new-look Victory frontline
Melbourne Victory fans, get excited.
Tony Popovic’s side kicked off their 2023-24 season with an impressive 2-0 win over rivals Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. It was the exact start Victory needed after a dismal campaign last season, where they fell to an 11th-placed finish.
But the highlight was their new-look frontline, headlined by an incredible debut from Frenchman and former Napoli midfielder Zinedine Machach.
You would be mistaken for thinking Machach was playing for the Sydney Roosters, given the way he bustled his way past Sydney FC defender Jake Girdwood-Reich, worked his way past a few more opponents, before slamming it past Andrew Redmayne.
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The compression shorts, low socks and no-fuss attitude has already made him a fan favourite.
Bruno Fornaroli also joined a distinguished club on Saturday evening, as his opener took his A-Leagues goal tally to 90 goals, which is equal with club legend Archie Thompson on the all-time rankings.
Nishan Velupillay and Daniel Arzani also had chances in the first-half to open the scoring, with the former particularly impressing on the left-flank. Arzani wasn’t at his blistering best in his club debut, but patience will be afforded to him as he embeds himself in a new system.
Meanwhile, Jake Brimmer returned to the side after a long-term injury, coming off the bench late in the contest.
How Popovic looks to fit the 2022 Johnny Warren Medallist in this side over the coming weeks presents a welcome headache, especially after Machach’s performance as a No. 10 and debutant Ryan Teague’s outing a bit further back.
Nonetheless, things are looking on the up for Victory.
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The next generation has truly arrived in Adelaide
We had seen glimpses of Adelaide United’s next generation throughout the last two seasons, but now it looks as if the kids well and truly have the keys to the kingdom.
Carl Veart handed starts to young trio Nestory Irankunda, Jonny Yull and Panashe Madanha in their 3-0 victory over Central Coast Mariners, with all three impressing enormously at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Irankunda was given his first A-Leagues start for the club, filling the left-wing spot vacated by former captain Craig Goodwin, while Yull and Madanha slotted in central midfield and right-back respectively.
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Fellow youngsters Musa Toure and Bernardo Oliveira also came on in the second-half, as did Luke Duzel.
With Adelaide having a quiet off-season on the arrival front, the club has been forced to look internally to replace some of their departures. The kids had been given opportunities over the last few seasons – but mainly as substitutes – especially in the case of Irankunda.
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Yull, fellow young midfielder Ethan Alagich and recently departed Louis D’Arrigo spent much of last season behind Juande in the pecking order, who was the nominal partner next to fellow veteran Isaias in the middle of the park for much of the campaign, before his serious knee injury.
Veart brought in Englishman Ryan Tunnicliffe to essentially replace one of the slots vacated by Juande and D’Arrigo in the squad, but on the basis of Yull’s performance last night, there’s no guarantee the former Manchester United academy product takes his place in the starting lineup – after debuting off the bench on Friday.
Meanwhile, Madanha impressed at full-back ahead of Javi Lopez, who was a notable absentee on Friday evening.
The battle of the No. 10s
If Round 1 is anything to go by, then A-Leagues fans are going to be the big winners this season when Daniel Penha and Tolgay Arslan take the field.
The Melbourne City and Western United attacking midfielders put on a show in their A-Leagues club debuts at AAMI Park. At times during the contest on Saturday evening, it felt as if the duo engaged in their own battle within the match of – whatever you can do, I can do better.
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Penha reminded the A-Leagues of just how deadly his final ball can be, playing through Lachie Wales with an inch-perfect pass from deep en route to the latter opening the scoring.
Only two seasons ago, he led the league in assists with 11 while at the Newcastle Jets and that moment was a timely reminder of his abilities.
Minutes later, Arslan decided to have a Kodak moment of his own.
The new City midfielder picked the ball up from deep, played a brilliant one-two with Jamie Maclaren, before holding off a few Western defenders and popping it past Thomas Heward-Belle for the equaliser.
It was quite simply breathtaking.
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Performances like this from Arslan are going to be all the more important, especially as City are still missing Mathew Leckie. Coach Rado Vidosic confirmed post-game he is “still a little bit away” from returning, as well.
Penha – on the other hand – is only set to go from strength to strength as he continues to build his match fitness following an ACL injury.
And although Western came away with the win, the 10,000 plus in attendance were the true victors on Saturday, having watched what may be the beginning of two special individual seasons.
Wanderers youngster’s bold declaration after opening round stalemate
Western Sydney Wanderers’ season got off to a slow start when they were hold to a 0-0 draw by Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
Nicolas Milanovic, was one of the players denied by Paulsen and post-game he made a bold declaration about the Wanderers’ chances this season if they can start converting their chances in-front of goal.
“We just need goals. If we get goals we’re going to be unstoppable this year,” he told Network 10.
Wanderers coach Marko Rudan echoed similar sentiments post-game, saying it was a “frustrating” outing despite a relatively solid performance.
“I didn’t think we ever looked like losing,” he said. “It was quite a solid play considering the week we had leading into the game, and some outs through the week as well. I thought the boys did exactly what we (were doing) on the training pitch.
“We knew they were going to try and frustrate us, they clearly just game to sit back and play a long ball and try and get us on the counter.
“The game could’ve been different had Milanovic scored early on, that opens the game up, you go up 1-0 and they’ve got to chase the game – but it wasn’t to be. All in all for the first game of the season it was solid – but frustrating.”
Jackson faces headache going into busy week
It was a tough evening at the office for the Central Coast Mariners.
The reigning Isuzu UTE A-League champions fell to a 3-0 defeat in their season opener against Adelaide United, but also lost a trio of important players going into a busy week of action.
Brian Kaltak and Alou Kuol both went down with injuries in the first-half, before Jacob Farrell was sent off late in the contest, adding to their woes.
He specified that Kaltak had “a tweak in his knee”, while it was a similar scenario for Kuol.
It creates an enormous headache for Jackson should they miss time and Jackson may be forced to tinker his squad going into a busy week of action. The Mariners face Bali United on Thursday night (AEDT) in the AFC Cup, before backing up on Sunday in the league vs Macarthur at home.
Farrell will be available for the clash against Bali, meaning Jackson may only have to make two changes on Thursday.
The former slotted in at centre-back when Kaltak came off injured, and Noah Smith filled in at left-back in his place, while both Dan Hall and Cameron Windust will certainly be in the mix for a call-up.
Either could be called upon against the Bulls, should Farrell and Kaltak miss, but in good news for the Mariners, according to aleagues.com.au’s James Dodd, Kaltak is still a chance to feature at some point this week.
Meanwhile, Dylan Wenzel-Halls could start ahead of Kuol, after coming on for the latter in the first-half. Wenzel-Halls provided plenty of energy up front against the Reds and scored two against Stallion Laguna in the AFC Cup back in early October.
Why Brisbane sharpshooter’s A-Leagues debut was put on hold
There was a notable absentee on Brisbane Roar’s team sheet on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas Waddingham missed Roar’s season opener against Macarthur FC, after only just returning from international duty with the Young Socceroos in the days leading up to their clash at Campbelltown Stadium.
The 18-year-old striker – who scored four goals in five Australia Cup matches – was named in the extended squad by coach Ross Aloisi but just fell short of making his league debut.
It meant Brisbane had to play without a designated number nine, as Waddingham is the only out-and-out striker in the squad at the moment.
“He arrived yesterday morning from Spain after a 36 hour flight and just coming here, he slept all day yesterday by accident, instead of doing recovery,” Aloisi explained post-game.
“We just made the decision, coming into the game that there was no point in risking him because it is a risk, Especially when they fly 36 hours in economy.
“We spoke to Football Australia, our club tried to get him, I’m pretty sure, a business class seat.
“I think he’s the only player in that squad that’s a first XI player in the A-League, but there were no seats available and unfortunately, he was going to be in the squad.
“We just decided it myself and the head of high performance that it was a big risk for a young lad. It’s the first game of the season, and we had to play differently.”
Roar are set regain him for their Australia Cup Final rematch against Sydney FC on Friday night.
Potential ghost goal in Campbelltown, youngster impresses after off-season switch
Macarthur FC were only inches away from an opening round win on Saturday afternoon against Brisbane Roar.
Kearyn Baccus had not one, but two chances on goal in the opening 80 seconds – with both of his efforts cleared off the goal-line by Roar keeper Macklin Freke and defender Jack Hingert.
VAR checked to see if the ball crossed the line, but didn’t overturn the on-field decision.
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Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski, however, believes it should have been goal, which ultimately he believes cost them a victory – with the scoreline reading 1-1 at the full-time whistle.
“I haven’t seen the replay yet but from a few people that have spoken to me, they said it’s definitely a goal,” he said.
“[I’m] disappointed that they got it wrong. Obviously these kinds of things are costly and I would have loved to have the three points today.
“I just don’t understand how you’ve got time to review and see… it’s there to make the right decisions and it’s cost us today which is disappointing.”
