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.
Read on for all the biggest talking points from Round 18, thanks to Mitre.
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Wanderers remain outside the six after ‘throwing away’ points in the Derby
Western Sydney head coach Alen Stajcic admitted he was bitterly disappointed to see his side come away with just a point from the Sydney Derby.
A Rhyan Grant own goal coupled with a double from Zac Sapsford had the visitors leading 3-1 at the 88th minute mark before late goals from Adrian Segecic and Anthony Caceres helped the Sky Blues snatch a dramatic point.
“I thought we lost a little bit of momentum when (Gabriel) Cleur and (Brandon) Borrello came off,” said Stajcic in his post-game press conference.
“Unfortunately, they gave us a lot of energy and a lot of quality as well. Obviously Gab (Cleur) is coming back from a six or seven week layoff with a hamstring injury, and we had to be a bit, little bit precautionary with both of them who were coming back from injury. But yeah, I thought we lost a little bit of momentum when they came off.
“I thought we should have buried the game at 3-1 and made it 4-1 or 5-1, you know, a couple of calls that could have went either way. Could have went away and penalties and whatever, which could have, you know, helped the game in our favour.
“Very disappointed with the result. I thought we did enough to win the game and were the better team for probably better portions of the game, and created the better chances for better portions of the game against a top side at home who have a top record at home.
“I thought we were the team creating the big chances throughout the match and certainly looked a bigger threat throughout that whole first 70-75 minute period, more than what they did. So disappointing to throw away two points.”
That result means the Wanderers remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the top six; sat in eighth spot and now three points behind Melbourne Victory in sixth place.
“It was an excellent performance going forward. You know, (Brandon) Borrello was excellent. (Nicolas) Milanovic was excellent. Zac (Spasford) was as well. Boz (Bozhidar Kraev) was. All four of our front players, the way we popped it around at times and really cut them apart, both with some build up and some transitions. Was, was really good to see.
“To be fair, we probably could have scored four or five goals and even two or three in the second half at that 2-1, 3-1 period to really bury the game.
“So you know, you have to take those chances, because you never know what can come back to bite you.
“Unfortunately, two times in the last two or three weeks now, we’ve been punished by probably not taking our own chances when we had them.”
Next up for Stajcic and co is a local derby against Macarthur Bulls at CommBank Stadium on February 16.
‘We could see it coming’: Hard yards finally paying off for Aloisi’s Western
Western United moved into third on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder after securing a point in a four-goal thriller with Macarthur Bulls.
Goals from Noah Botic and Abel Walatee saw Western lead the Bulls 2-1 at the break before a 79th minute equaliser from Marin Jakolis ensured the spoils were shared at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
“I thought first half we controlled the game, I thought they were playing really well,” said Western United head coach John Aloisi in his post-match press conference.
MATCH REPORT: Bulls and Western play out four-goal thriller as young striker strengthens Socceroos claim
“We started the game well and deserved a one-nil lead. We were a bit disappointed the way we conceded their goal, but we still kept on playing our football, and just before half time, made it 2-1, which I thought that we deserved.
“We were in total control in that first half. Second half we lost a little bit of that control, and we didn’t have the ball as much as we would have liked. But they’ve got a good team, a lot of good players (but) we should have punished them.
“In that second half, we had five big, big chances, so that was a disappointing thing that we weren’t able to come away with the three points but the performance, away from home against a side that’s pushing to make top six as well – I can’t ask any more from the players.”
Sat in third position with 26 points from 16 games, it’s fair to say that Western United have proved plenty of people wrong so far this season.
After winning the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship in the 2021-22 campaign, Western went on to record 7th and then 11th placed finishes and only narrowly avoided the wooden spoon last year.
During the course of the last two seasons the club has seen several senior players leave for pastures new and as such, many believed that their new approach of blooding youngsters into the competition would see them struggle.
However, their blend of exciting young talent coupled with senior experienced pros has seen them stun many a side so far this season but it’s not been a surprise to their head coach.
“I think last year was big for us,” said Aloisi. “I know we didn’t get the results necessarily and we didn’t get where we want to be at the table, but playing those young players is giving them that experience and that belief that they can play at this level.
“We had a really good pre-season, and the players that we have brought in, they’ve added to that.
“Noah Botic is more experienced now. Like I said earlier, Rhys Bozinovski is more experienced. So we’ve got all these players that have been developing now for three, four seasons.
“As a club, we could see it coming. As a coach, I could see it coming.
He continued: “But at the end of the day, I can understand the rest of the public not knowing this because we’d know it because we work with them every day.
“So we’re pleased but we still know that there’s still a lot of football to be played.”
Newcastle boss reaps the reward after taking ‘big risk’
Newcastle head coach Rob Stanton finally celebrated a first home win of the season after the Jets defeated Melbourne Victory 3-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Having won a penalty in the 78th minute, Jets captain Kosta Grozos was then forced to wait for more than 15 minutes as the game being was halted due to a medical emergency in the crowd.
Despite the hiatus, the skipper duly converted the spot kick to make it 1-0 before goals from Clayton Taylor and Lachie Rose completed the rout late on.
MATCH REPORT: Newcastle Jets end hoodoo as 23yo emerges from the wilderness after 4 years
However, the big call before the game was the news Stanton had opted to bench regular goalkeeper Ryan Scott in favour of 23-year-old Noah James after the former had suffered a recent dip in form.
“I thought Noah James stepped up today and did a top job on his debut for the team,” said Stanton when discussing his decision to replace Scott.
“As I said, Scotty has been great. He’s played every game since I’ve been here. Sometimes, you can get a little bit, you know, off, and I just felt a change today.
“Big risk but you know, if you don’t take a risk, you’re not going to build depth for your squad.
He continued: “Now it’s up to Noah to say, ‘I want to hang on to it for a while’ and for Scotty to work hard. So yeah, both tremendous and if you have a look, Scotty is the first to congratulate him, which says a huge amount about the culture that we’re building.”
Furthermore, Stanton hinted that back-up keeper James is now set for a run in the team having impressed on his maiden outing.
“Well, I mean, for the goalkeepers it’s tough to just chuck them straight in. You take three or four games (to get going).
“But yeah we’ll just see how he pulls up. There’s a lot of work to do for a goalkeeper. There’s things like you’re the last man and decision making (etc) so it’s good that he’s got that under his belt.
“Regardless of what happened today, it wasn’t going to change my view on him. That’s the bottom line because he’s here because he’s earned his spot regardless what happened.
“So I kind of like threw him in there and he’s taken the big step. So again, risk and reward, but also belief from me and and his teammates and even Scotty as well backing him that he can do the job.”
Mariners ready to ‘race’ as top six battle heats up
Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson believes his side are well and truly in the race for a spot in the top six despite drawing their fourth game in a row.
A second-half strike from 16-year-old Haine Eames was enough to secure a point against Perth Glory in Round 18 although the defending Champions remain four points outside the top six.
“Yeah, that’s what we’re aiming for, now it’s a race for us to get into finals football,” said Jackson when speaking to the media after the draw in Perth.
MATCH REPORT: Teenage star shines again as reigning champions salvage point in Perth
“We’re clear on that as a group and (I’m) clear on that as a manager. That’s what we want, and that’s our target. So we have to go after the games and try and win games.
“Disappointed over the last few games, particularly the previous two games before, where we felt we could have won the games.
“But you know, it’s tough out here today. Conditions are tough with the travel and things like that. But listen, we prepared well, we just gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the first half.”
The Mariners found themselves 1-0 down after just eight minutes when Socceroo Adam Taggart fired the home side in front.
Some solid goalkeeping from Dylan Peraic-Cullen ensured Central Coast trailed by just one at the break before Eames’ equaliser arrived in the 61st minute, however Jackson revealed his frustrations post-game with regards to the way the team started.
“We spoke before the game about starting the game well (and) we didn’t, for various reasons, I’m not sure.
He continued: “It’s what we have to delve into, the mentality and what have you, and those are the questions we’ll be asking each other when we review the game.
“To make sure that we limit these things happening again. Because we need to be better as a team.”
Having set a new club record of four consecutive draws in the Isuzu UTE A-League, the Mariners will now be turning their attention to finishing off their ACL Elite campaign in a positive manner when they host Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim F.C on Tuesday night.
Goal machine Goodwin impresses once again as Adelaide close in on top spot
Archie Goodwin’s excellent goalscoring form continued in Round 18 of the Isuzu UTE A-League as he bagged his eighth goal of the season in Adelaide United’s 1-0 win over Melbourne City.
Starting his ninth game of the season, Goodwin got through 74 minutes at Coopers Stadium before being withdrawn by Carl Veart and the Reds boss was quick to praise the young striker after the game.
“Yeah look, I think it’s credit to Archie you know, he’s bounced back from last week,” said Veart when discussing Goodwin’s recent form.
MATCH REPORT: Goodwin gets Adelaide back to winning ways while extending 6-year streak against rivals
“You know, last week he could have had a couple of goals and wasn’t at his best. So he’s bounced back and, again, you know his movement in the box for that goal was excellent.
“He’s still very young and we’ve got to remember before he came into the club I think he only ever started four A-League games.
“So, look, he’s he’s doing exceptionally well and he’ll just keep improving with every game.”
Joining Adelaide in the off-season from boyhood club Newcastle Jets, Goodwin has gone from strength to strength under the tutelage of Veart, with the striker now seemingly showcasing his true abilities following a wretched run with injuries.
Debuting for the Jets in 2021, injuries meant the 20-year-old would play 46 league matches in total, making just six starts during that time, and scoring eight goals.
However, given a new lease of life in South Australia, Goodwin has already equalled that tally of goals in just 15 matches for the Reds leading to some suggestions he could now be on the radar of Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic.
“My goal for this season was to get to a 90-minute match (level) and play that consistently,” said Goodwin when asked by former Adelaide defender Robbie Cornthwaite if he feels he’s ready to compete at international level.
“This is a moment where I really have to step up and test my body and just play as much as I can.
He added: “Yeah definitely, it’s just pretty much building up and you saw today I got through 75 (minutes) and I feel like that’s a big step in where I’ve been and it’s just going to go up from there, so I’m on track.”
Up next for Adelaide United and Goodwin is a home clash against his old side Newcastle Jets in Round 19 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Brisbane boss praises returning star after latest goal: ‘We needed him’
Brisbane Roar head coach Ruben Zadkovich has praised the impact of Henry Hore following the forward’s return to the club.
Following an impressive season last year Hore joined K League 1 side Gangwon FC on a six-month loan deal with a view to the player potentially making the move a permanent one.
However, the 25-year-old returned to the Roar last month after making 13 appearances in South Korea and has immediately hit the ground running, scoring two goals in three games since returning to the Isuzu UTE A-League.
MATCH REPORT: Wellington held by last-placed Roar as penalty no-call causes Phoenix frustration
Having gone a goal down to the home side in the 61st minute, Hore equalised with a brilliantly taken solo effort 10 minutes later to secure a point for the Queenslanders.
“I said before when he left, you know, for us, he was our leading goal scorer last year, leading goal involvements, leading assists,” said Zadkovich.
“So on those metrics alone, you’d nearly go as far as saying he’s probably our best player.
“I think if you take Wellington’s best player like Kosta Barbarouses out of their team, I think it would be a massive dent. So for us to play, you know, the first 10 or 11 games without him, or even more, that hurt, to be honest, it really hurt.
“And a lot of them (were) tight games. We needed him. But again, some of those things are out of my control, and some of those financial constraints are the reality of the situation.
“But to have him back, a Queenslander, a top character, a top pro, who wants to learn, wants to get better. You know I think he’s going at a goal every two games since I’ve been at the club.
“So I think model wise, we’ve got a way of playing that definitely suits him so he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do. And we just need to bring in a few more quality ones around that can make all the difference.”
Leaving New Zealand with a point, the Roar now have the weekend off in Round 19 before facing Newcastle Jets away from home on February 21.
