These are the key talking points from Round 13 in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
There were goals and plenty of drama in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
After Macarthur FC returned to winning ways against Brisbane Roar, Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory provided plenty of entertainment in their top-of-the-table battle.
Perth Glory snapped a 15-month drought, Sydney FC showed no mercy against Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners got the better of Melbourne City in their Grand Final rematch.
SUNDAY WRAP: Mariners win wild Grand Final rematch
SATURDAY WRAP: Glory end 15-month drought
These are the key talking points from Round 13 in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
‘Nix score a penalty their coach didn’t see!
Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory played out an eventful 1-1 draw in their top-of-the-table Isuzu UTE A-League battle on Friday.
Victory hit the front through substitute Connor Chapman 11 minutes from time after Wellington’s Tim Payne had been sent off deep into first-half added time.
But the league-leading ‘Nix salvaged a point when Alex Rufer stepped up and converted a 95th-minute penalty. However, don’t ask head coach Giancarlo Italiano about it.
“It was good but I didn’t see it. I don’t watch penalties. I was in the corner just watching the crowd’s reaction,” Italiano told reporters.
“I didn’t even know Rufs took the penalty to be fair because I turned around as soon as the penalty was given.”
One reporter asked why Italiano doesn’t watch his side take penalties.
“I can’t handle them,” Italiano replied.
For Victory counterpart Tony Popovic, he was left frustrated at the end of the game.
Victory controlled proceedings, especially in the first half, which saw them have a goal ruled out after Nishan Velupillay’s goal was deemed offside due to Chris Ikonomidis – who was in front of Wellington goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
The result left Phoenix and Victory locked on 25 points apiece, though Wellington are top through 13 rounds thanks to games won.
“We came here and dominated a game of football,” Popovic said.
“And the last 10 minutes, we stopped passing, we stopped using the advantage of the extra player and we started defending the lead.
“It shows you we have a lot of growth. We have to improve that area because up until that point, we weren’t troubled for the entire game. It shows you how well we’re going but also the last 10 minutes show you how much improvement we have to make.”
Mariners match record in Grand Final rematch
Make that nine games unbeaten for Central Coast Mariners in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The defending champions vanquished three-time reigning premiers Melbourne City 2-1 in Sunday’s Grand Final rematch in Gosford.
In warm conditions that pushed back kick-off by an hour, Central Coast prevailed thanks to Angel Torres in the 88th minute after Christian Theoharous and Steven Ugarkovic traded goals.
Central Coast – fourth and four points off top spot – are undefeated in their last nine league matches (W6 D3) – equalling their nine-game unbeaten from March to November in 2013.
“We ask a lot from our players. In how we press and how we move together and stay together,” Mariners head coach Mark Jackson said in his post-match press conference.
“It’s hard to play in our team. But I have a group of players who give everything and we had that today.”
It was a heated showdown, aside from the weather on the coast as tempers boiled over in stoppage time.
Central Coast’s Storm Roux was sent off after both sets of teams came together.
For City, it was a second consecutive loss that left the club eighth in the standings and outside the top six on games won.
City boss Aurelio Vidmar told reporters: “I think at the end a draw would’ve been a fair result.
“It was touch-and-go in the first half but then I think we controlled a fair bit of the second half. We had some real nice momentum in the second half.
“A little bit unjust in my opinion.”
Glory end THAT hoodoo!
For the first time in 15 months, Perth Glory won an Isuzu UTE A-League away from home.
On Saturday, the Glory stunned high-flying Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 at CommBank Stadium.
Not since October 23, 2022 had Perth celebrated a win on their travels but David Williams’ late goal ensured second-bottom Glory ended their hoodoo.
“We’ve played well against Victory and Wellington in the last two weeks and they’re top of the table,” Glory boss Alen Stajcic said. “Those results could’ve gone either way very easily.
“Obviously I thought we weren’t’ far away but when you’re losing, you’re still in that rut and you’re in the mindset of it’s not enough.
“You know deep down you’re not far away but to get over the line and over the at hump is the most difficult part.
“To get that reward for effort, with amazing courage throughout the whole group dealing with a bit of adversity this week, to be able to come through that at the other end and put on that kind of display for the fans back home is the thing everyone should be proud of.”
Sky Blues already eyeing next season
Sydney FC are coming off a 4-0 win and are in the top six, but as Ufuk Talay says: “Football doesn’t stop”.
The Sky Blues showed no mercy in their rout of Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium on Saturday – Patrick Wood and Joe Lolley were on target before Max Burgess bagged a quick-fire brace.
Sydney have scored three or more goals in each of their last four games at Allianz Stadium (W3 L1) after being held goalless in three of their previous four games at the venue (W1 L3).
Sydney re-signed English star Lolley last week and while there isn’t expected to be any incomings during January’s transfer window, planning is well and truly underway for 2024-25.
“I don’t think anything will happen in January but at the end of the season, we’re working towards that,” said Talay, who replaced Steve Corica in November.
“We’re working towards that with the club and Alex Baumjohann, who looks after recruitment.
“We have an idea of how we want to play for next season. Football doesn’t stop, it continues. We’re on the right path at the moment of what we believe will look like for the squad next season without giving too much away.”
Bulls back to winning ways
After six matches without a win in the league, Macarthur FC snapped their drought with a 3-1 victory away to Brisbane Roar.
The Bulls had drawn their last three matches to go with three defeats but the Bulls had something to celebrate at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Goals from Ulises Davila, Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Jed Drew set the tone for Macarthur as Brisbane were put to the sword before Jonas Markovski pulled a goal back.
“Very pleased with the result and performance,” Sterjovski told reporters, with the Bulls fifth in the standings and four points off top spot.
“I thought the boys worked extremely hard, created a lot of chances and we could’ve even scored maybe another two or three goals.”
“I think every team goes through little patches where it gets difficult,” the former Socceroo added.
“We’ve gone through ours and I hope we continue to move forward now.”
