aleagues.com.au wraps up all the pre-weekend media activity across the Isuzu UTE A-League as Mark Jackson eyes off ‘silverware’ while Alen Stajcic looks to cure Perth’s away day woes.
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Roommates become rivals as Sydney Derby takes centre stage
They may be close friends away from the pitch but Ufuk Talay and Marko Rudan will put aside all pleasantries this weekend for what will be the first Sydney Derby of the season.
“Well we were roommates for three years,” laughed Rudan when speaking at Thursday’s official Sydney Derby press conference. “I know Uffie quite well, (he’s) a really close friend of mine as well, really happy to see him at a club like this.
In fact, Rudan and Talay’s footballing careers crossed paths on numerous occasions with the duo playing together for the Young Socceroos, Sydney FC and finally at Sydney United in the NPL.
“We’ve always spoken,” continued Rudan, “when we were teammates here at Sydney FC, about coaching and how we’re going to coach together…and it almost happened in 2017!
“They’re going to be well drilled, well organised,” continued Rudan. “We know it’s going to be a really tough game.
“The negative is that he’s had two weeks to prepare them even better!”
For Sydney FC, they head into the game having secured their first win of the season in what was Talay’s first game in charge and the Sky Blues’ boss believes the break has served them well.
“It’s a derby and I think it keeps the players focused leading into this game,” said Talay. “We came off a good win, had a little two-week international window to work on certain things with the players and I think it’s a great way to restart the season.”
The head-to-head stats between the two makes for fascinating reading heading into this contest, with Talay only suffering one loss in the 10 games he’s coached against Rudan.
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, November 25 2023
Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+, 10 Bold
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Jackson relishing chance to kickstart season with ‘unusual’ trophy win
Central Coast Mariners will be hoping to finally secure their first points of the season this weekend when they face Newcastle Jets in an F3 Derby.
Initially scheduled to take place at McDonald Jones Stadium, the game was subsequently moved to the Central Coast over concerns about the playing surface in Newcastle.
“When it first came about that the game may be in doubt we panicked a little bit,” said Mariners Head Coach Mark Jackson.
“We’ve had a long space of time now without a game and we want to play. We’re really looking forward to it and it’s a real bonus that it’s at home as well.”
“As players, coaches, fans, everybody connected to the club – there’s nothing better than a derby.”
With four defeats from their opening four games the Mariners have now equalled the record for worst start to a season by a defending champion, however Jackson says it’s not all doom and gloom.
“I say all the time that results mask things,” said Jackson ahead of the F3 Derby.
“When you win games it can hide things that are going wrong but also when you lose games everybody looks at the negatives.”
Despite their poor start to the season the Mariners have flourished under Jackson in their AFC Cup campaign, currently sat top of Group G with three wins from four, and the Englishman is already eyeing up another trophy for the cabinet, even if this one might not exactly fit.
“I know there’s a trophy up for grabs during this game,” said Jackson when discussing the unique F3 Derby trophy. “which is unusual because that’s not known in England.
“The fact that it’s there and it’s something for the players to go after, ultimately we want those three points and that’s what we’ll be giving everything for during the game.”
The Mariners will welcome back exciting forward Angel Torres for the game at Industree Group Stadium after serving his one-game suspension however they will be without midfielder Harrison Steele after he was red-carded during their recent 2-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar.
Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets
Sunday, November 25 2023
Industree Group Stadium
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+, 10 Bold
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Irankunda ‘farewell tour’ to get underway as Adelaide look to bounce back from heavy loss
Adelaide United Head Coach Carl Veart will welcome back teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda to his squad for this weekend’s clash with Western United.
The 17-year-old, who recently put pen-to-paper on a lucrative deal with German giants Bayern Munich, missed the Reds’ Round Four loss to Sydney FC due to suspension but is back in contention to start against Western in what is being billed as the start of the Nestory Irankunda ‘Farewell Tour.’
“He’s a very exciting player,” said Veart when discussing Irankunda. “I don’t think you get to see too many players play in Australia that can do what he can do.
“It’s important that you get out, especially when we play at home, and come out and see him because he is a very rare talent.”
Irankunda has so far started three games for the Reds this season, scoring one goal, but despite the fanfare surrounding his 17-year-old starlet Veart says it’s vital the club don’t rush his development.
“It’s something we’ll work over the whole course of the season,” said Veart. “Nestor won’t start every game that he’s available for. It’s a matter of us doing what’s right for his development. We’ve always said that we’re going to put our young player’s development first.”
While the return of Irankunda will be a big boost for Adelaide the Reds have been dealt an injury blow, with news young defender Panashe Madanha will be out for at least 10 weeks after undergoing surgery to correct an ankle issue.
As for Sunday’s opponents, Western United Head Coach John Aloisi says he’s well aware of the damage young Irankunda can do should he feature in the clash at Mars Stadium.
“He is such a talent,” said Aloisi. “It’s great for Australian football and the A-Leagues that he is here until the end of the season. He is exciting to watch, he is exciting for any neutral fan to come and watch him.
“We know his strengths. We know he is a player we have to make sure we don’t give him too much space because if you give him space, he will hurt you.”
Western head into the game having lost their last three matches without scoring a single goal in the process but Aloisi says they’ve used the international break to try and rectify a few minor issues.
“We know that we’re getting into good areas,” said Aloisi. “Sometimes our final ball can be a little bit better, our decision making in the final third can be a little bit better so we’ve worked a lot on that.”
Aloisi will be hoping young striker Noah Botic will be the player to fire them out of their current losing streak, with the 21-year old expected to start on Sunday despite recently returning from Olyroos duty where he scored two in their 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia.
Western United v Adelaide United
Sunday, November 26 2023
Mars Stadium
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+,
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The ‘hotter the better’ for Stajcic as Perth prepare for Roar clash
We may not have officially hit summer just yet but Perth Glory boss Alen Stajcic believes his side will certainly benefit from some intense training sessions in the WA sunshine.
“I love it,” quipped Stajcic when asked about training in the heat.
“The hotter the better. I think it’s a massive advantage for us to be able to train in the heat and acclimatise to the heat and be ready.
“Obviously it gives you an advantage aerobically throughout the whole game so the hotter it is the better it is for me.”
That aerobic advantage could well come in handy this weekend when Perth travel to Queensland to face Brisbane Roar, in what is the second of three-straight away fixtures.
“They’ve got a lot of key principles that Ross (Aloisi) has put in place,” said Stajcic when asked about Brisbane’s start to the season. “I think they’ve been a dangerous team in every game so far and I think they will be for the rest of the year.”
The stats don’t read too well for the Western Australian side on their recent travels though, with Perth failing to record a victory in their last 12 matches away from WA.
As for Brisbane Roar, Ross Aloisi’s side went into the recent international break having secured their second win of the season in what was a hard-fought 2-1 away win against the Mariners.
“It was a really good performance, a never say die attitude,” said Aloisi.
“We went down to 10-men and (they were) fighting for their first points of the season. I think we pressed really well. We pushed the ball around really well”.
Sunday’s clash with the Glory will make up one half of what is a doubleheader at Suncorp Stadium, with the Roar’s Liberty A-League side hosting Adelaide United later that afternoon.
“To be back at Suncorp Stadium and to have both teams playing at the one stadium is great,” said Aloisi when discussing the doubleheader.
“We’re staying behind to watch the women’s team play as well so I think it’s a great occasion for the club.”
Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory
Sunday, November 26 2023
Suncorp Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+, 10 Bold
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