These are the key talking points from Round 21 in the Isuzu UTE A-League, including a drought-ending win in Western Australia, a reunion between two coaches and talk around a star’s Socceroos inclusion.
How Wanderers regrouped as Rudan explains absence
Saturday night not only saw the end of a decade-long drought, but it was a return to the winners list for beleaguered Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Wanderers made the trip to Western Australia on the back of three consecutive defeats, headlined by a 7-0 humbling at the hands of three-time reigning premiers Melbourne City at AAMI Park having been upstaged by lowly Western United 3-1 and swept aside 4-1 by cross-town rivals Sydney FC at the start of the month.
Western Sydney also hadn’t won an Isuzu UTE A-League match away against Perth Glory since February 2014, but that changed under the lights of HBF Park, where the Wanderers bounced back thanks to goals from Brandon Borrello and Lachlan Brook.
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After the match, head coach Marko Rudan revealed how the Wanderers regrouped after the club’s heaviest defeat – against City – just four days prior to facing the Glory.
“The most important thing was the group and how we managed them the last three days. It was all about releasing the pressure valve and making sure they enjoyed themselves,” he explained to reporters.
“We went out when we got into Perth, all together for dinner and a few drinks. We just had a laugh and tried to ease them and keep them relaxed. It was my job to make sure they saw a coach who was relaxed and a staff who were quite happy. That relaxed them a lot more as well.
“It’s a tough thing for young footballers in particular with so many issues they go through mentally, anxiety and everything else like that.
“It was no different for myself but we didn’t have processes of people who could help us deal with that. But times changed thankfully and we have the ability to create a safe environment for them and let them be at their best.”
Rudan also addressed his no-show after failing to attend the post-match presser after Western Sydney’s forgettable night against City in Melbourne.
Over the weekend, Rudan said: “I apologise for not fronting the media. I understand I have a responsibility as head coach of this football club.
“But without going into too much detail, there’s been a bit going on with me personally and in my personal life. There’s probably things a little bit more important for me as far as I’m concerned.
“It’s no different to tonight but it has nothing to do with me. I’ve fronted up to bigger losses or just as big losses in the past. Even though it was a tough few days for me personally in terms of what is going, I should’ve been better in that moment.”
Chiefy’s pre-season advice for ‘Nix star: ‘He is proving a lot of people wrong’
This is the season of Kosta Barbarouses, who guided Wellington Phoenix past Sydney FC 2-1 and back to the top of the table on Saturday afternoon with Central Coast Mariners out of action this weekend due to their AFC Cup commitments.
Barbarouses settled the contest in front of 18,000 fans at Eden Park in Auckland, where the veteran netted the winning goal 21 minutes from the end.
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The 34-year-old became the fifth-highest goalscorer in Isuzu UTE A-League history, with his 91st goal helping him past former Melbourne Victory teammate Archie Thompson on 90.
He has also bagged 11 goals in 21 appearances this season, having managed just two in 24 last term.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano was asked about how the four-time champion has silenced doubters in 2023-24.
“That’s something we spoke about at the beginning of the year,” Italiano said. “I always remind him how nice social media is about his performances.
“The best thing you can do is not talk and harp on about your record, it’s actually about performing.
“For me, I put him I think in the right spot where he can shine. He does the rest. It’s not me, but he had something to prove and now he is proving a lot of people wrong.”
Barbarouses is out of contract at the end of the season and Italiano – who joked about playing video games Pro Evo and Fortnite during the international break – added: “I’d love to keep him.
“We’re talking to him at the moment and if there’s a possibility of us doing it, he will be here next year.”
Bulls boss hails young gun
Youngsters continue to shine under Mile Sterjovski at Macarthur FC, including Raphael Borges Rodrigues.
The 20-year-old swapped Melbourne City for Macarthur at the start of the season and he has not looked back – scoring the winner as the third-placed Bulls came from behind to beat Brisbane Roar 2-1 on the road on Saturday.
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The son of former Adelaide United striker Cristiano, Borges Rodrigues has scored a career-high four goals this season having only managed one A-Leagues goal during his time with City in Melbourne.
“I think Raph has been great for us this season. He has the confidence to do those kind of things,” Sterjovski told reporters.
“He is a player who has a very bright future.
“Very pleased for him and with the way he took his goal.”
Stanton addresses transfer speculation in Newcastle
Could we see Newcastle Jets cash in on some talented prospects from clubs abroad?
Jets head coach Rob Stanton was asked about transfer speculation around some of his players, including Clayton Taylor, following Friday night’s 1-0 loss at home to Adelaide United.
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“There may be international interest which might happen,” Stanton said his post-match media conference.
“It might be the case that we have to sell players which is something that we need to do to generate income. If that happens, that’s fine if the money can be re-invested or keep the club in better share or help the club grow. It’s not a bad plan.
“You don’t want to lose your best players but the bigger picture is the club and we should always the club should come first. I’m only an employee of the club and I should always do the right thing for the club and fans, and I try to do that.
“I don’t want to lose them but at the same time, if they’re doing well enough and the price is right, and it works for player and club it might happen. Hopefully that can encourage people to come in and say it’s going well, it’s a good club and buy the club.”
Meanwhile, Adelaide counterpart Carl Veart spoke glowingly of teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda.
Bayern Munich-bound Irankunda made his first start since Round 15 and completed 86 minutes to help Adelaide snap a seven-match winless streak.
“It’s a balancing act with Nestor,” Veart said. “He is still a young player. It would be unfair to expect him to play 90 minutes every week. It’s just a matter of doing what’s right for him.
“I thought last week when he came on for 45 minutes, he was excellent and he got a reward for doing that work.
“He was dangerous. I get excited every time he gets the ball and I’m sure everyone else does. He is a very dangerous player. If he had a little bit of luck tonight, he might have had one goal himself.
“When he works hard and does the right things, he is a very good player for our team.”
Popa’s response to Socceroos question
Golden Boot leader Bruno Fornaroli will be involved in a pair of 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers against Lebanon after retaining his spot in the Socceroos squad following the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
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When asked about Fornaroli’s inclusion amid some surprise following Thursday night’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Western United, Victory head coach Tony Popovic said: “If you ask does he deserve to be there? Well, he’s the leading scorer of the league.
“Regardless of his age, the head coach only knows what his plans are short-term, medium and long term in terms how he wants to blood in players. But on form alone, he deserves to be there.”
Pressed on the matter, Popovic added: “On form alone, Bruno should be there.
“Now whether a player is 18 or 36, if that’s his decision on form, then Bruno should be there. If he has other ideas, well then that’s for him to discuss with you.”
Ben Garuccio rescued a point for Western United at AAMI Park, where the full-back struck in the 90th minute to extend the team’s unbeaten run to four matches.
Western had led before conceding twice in the space of nine second-half minutes.
It came after Western conceded two goals in stoppage time to lose to Victory a couple of weeks ago, but there was frustration within the squad on Thursday night.
“Normally it would feel like a great result and everyone would be exciting about scoring a 90th-minute equaliser but the boys are down in there because they know we were by far the better team for large periods of that game,” John Aloisi said.
“We felt we let them back in the game because for long, long periods we controlled the game with and without the ball. We were creating chances. Scored a great goal. Then we had that penalty we should’ve converted.
“… To show the character was something great. We believe we can beat anyone and be better than anyone. Tonight we were the better team.”
