It was a barnstorming day in the Isuzu UTE A-League with three games of immense quality producing some truly world-class moments.
Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix kicked things off at 4pm (AEDT) and it was the away side who sealed an emphatic victory on the road against the two-time reigning champions.
An outrageous free-kick from Hideki Ishige got the ‘Nix off and running before strikes from Kosta Barbarouses and Sam Sutton sealed a stunning win for the 2023-24 Semi-Finalists at Industree Group Stadium, a result which leaves the Mariners winless after four games.
Sydney FC and Macarthur Bulls then played out a thriller at Allianz Stadium with Marin Jakolis scoring a dramatic late winner deep into stoppage time to defeat the 10-man Sky Blues, who had clawed themselves back level after Ariath Piol had opened the scoring with an outrageous bicycle kick.
Finally, in the last match of the day Melbourne City put on an electric display, scoring five goals against Perth Glory at HBF Park to move themselves up into second on the ladder with three wins from their opening four matches.
SATURDAY SUMMARY: Melbourne Victory end three-year Isuzu UTE A-League drought as Socceroos pair shine
Japanese star steals the show as Phoenix thrash the Champions
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For the first time since January 2021 Wellington Phoenix have walked away from Gosford with maximum points and it all came about care of a scorching free-kick from Japanese import Hideki Ishige.
Giancarlo Italiano’s side then bagged their second goal of the game on the approach to half time as Kosta Barbarouses converted from inside the box before Sam Sutton then completed the rout early in the second half.
“They’re great lads and they work their socks off like the rest of us,” said Barbarouses at full time when asked for his take on the performances of Ishige and fellow Japanese import Kazuki Nagasawa.
“I think they can only get better which is probably a bit scary for other teams.
He added: “So we’re just here to support them as team mates and like I said, I’m sure this is just the start for them.”
NINJA A-LEAGUE WRAP: Heyman’s 100th Canberra goal, Adelaide’s outrageous ‘Olimpico’ and Perth seal 5-goal thriller
20-year-old’s ‘world class’ moment inspires Bulls to victory as Isuzu UTE A-League’s fieriest new derby delivers again
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“Put that on the register for goal of the season!”
Those were the words of Network 10 commentator Simon Hill after Macarthur Bulls’ forward Ariath Piol scored one the league’s great goals.
Boasting a man advantage, Macarthur still found themselves on the back foot against Sydney FC before Piol’s moment of magic broke the game wide open in the 73rd minute.
“That is unbelievable. A bicycle kick that is absolutely world class from Ariath Piol,” said Hill as the wonder strike nestled into the back of the net.
“That’s just the foreword to what is a great story,” added co-commentator Andy Harper.
“A bicicleta of remarkable proportions. Andrew Redmayne rooted to the spot, Ariath Piol flies and lets rip… as spectacular as they come.”
The jaw-dropping moment eventually came after Sydney FC defender Hayden Matthews was brought back down to earth earlier in the contest, receiving the first red card of his blossoming career.
Called up to the Socceroos squad for the first time on Friday, the 20-year-old was given his marching orders in first half stoppage time for a second bookable offence, meaning this fixture has now seen NINE red cards in 11 meetings.
Patrick Wood thought he’d snatched a point for the home side only to then see Jakolis snatch a dramatic late winner with seconds left on the clock.
Perth’s problems worsen as City put on five-star performance
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Just when it looked as though Perth Glory’s defensive woes had gone, Melbourne City came to town and gave them a footballing lesson.
A first half double from Steven Ugarkovic, including a stunning strike from outside the area, had them on their way before a defensive mix-up just one minute into the second half set the tone for what was to come in the second half.
“Look at this for defending from Perth Glory,” said Network 10 commentator Phil Moss after forward Yonatan Cohen scored Melbourne City’s fourth goal of the game.
“This is symptomatic of their night, always on the back foot, backing away from the ball. You have to defend those situations on the front foot and put pressure on the ball carrier, get their head down and close their angle.
He added: “But they open it up for Cohen and he says ‘thank you very much, I’ll notch my team’s fourth of the night.”
Cohen’s first league goal since December 2023 came shortly before young talent Medin Memeti found the back of the net for the first time in the Isuzu UTE A-League to round off what was an electric display from City and desperately poor one for the home side.
