Who wanted it more? Who could keep it up? Who learnt more? We certainly took a great deal from a fascinating weekend of football.
Who wanted it more? Who could keep it up? Who learnt more? We certainly took a great deal from a fascinating weekend of football.
Melbourne Heart v Brisbane Roar
Who wanted it more? It-s somewhat reductive to take a football match all the way down to players- passion, but clearly Melbourne Heart were up for it; they smashed the Roar and played like winners, while Rado Vidosic-s side looked uninspired and lacked the hunger to win.
The sullen look on the face of Thomas Broich said it all. Brisbane have been through patches like this before, however. Last season they lost a few on the trot – the difference is they weren-t languishing in last place at the time. The next few weeks will tell us all a lot about their resolve and ability to commit to a slightly altered style of play.
As for Melbourne heart, they have threatened to get their mojo back since the second half against the Wanderers and look to have found it. The task for John Aloisi is to keep it going… If he had 11 Josip Tadic-s on the pitch it would be no problem at all.
Wanderers FC v Newcastle Jets
We asked if the Wanderers could maintain their consistent start to life in the Hyundai A-League – the result might not have gone their way but it was another impressive performance from the new boys.
The Jets and the Wanderers did much to cancel each other out but it was perhaps Newcastle-s greater attacking threat – and Emile Heskey-s experience – that was the difference between the two.
The Wanderers remain a work in progress but Tony Popovic-s organised and disciplined side are more than a match for any other team in the competition. The trip to Western Australia this weekend should answer even more questions.
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Who-s learnt more in the last week? Surprisingly, it was Ian Crook. The likeable Englishman said he already had inkling that that Sydney job wasn-t for him but the heavy defeats to the Mariners and then Victory hammered the point home.
Sydney probably deserved to lose on Saturday night, although perhaps not in such damaging circumstances. Victory were more organised and moved the ball much better, again showing signs that Ange Postecoglou-s training is starting to take effect.
You can-t account for a wildcard like Andrew Nabbout but Sydney should certainly have defended their lead much better. Did we learn anything else? Sydney need a big man for the big chair, given the attention the club is now enjoying; and A-League beware – Melbourne Victory are on the rise…
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Could the Phoenix take it to the Mariners? The answer was a resounding no! Wellington were as flat as an ironing board in attack and aside from a few brief bursts of energy from Jeremy Brockie, Paul Ifill and Louis Fenton they appeared to be lost for ideas on how to break down the Mariners always resolute defence.
Trent Sainsbury, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Pedj Bojic and Josh Rose had little trouble shutting down the Nix and in the end Mat Ryan had a very quiet day in goals for the visitors.
All it took was a runaway goal to Daniel McBreen to break the Phoenix, who have now slumped to three losses in a row, conversely the Mariners have made it three wins in a row. Boring? Maybe? But who cares when you-re top of the league?
Adelaide Reds v Perth Glory
We threw out the physicality question on Friday, but the result in this match saw two teams battling for top spot play an attractive attacking style of football.
The result may have only been 1-1 but the football was flowing and aided by a referee in Peter O-Leary who didn-t see the need to blow the whistle at every possible opportunity. He used the advantage rule to perfection and only dished out a couple of cards when they were totally necessary.
Both sides came with different strategies; Adelaide attacking through the middle with the likes of Dario Vidosic and Marcello Currasca running the show, while Perth as is their wont broke to the wide areas and had Scott Jamieson, Dean Heffernan and Travis Dodd storming the wings.
A game of two halves, perhaps a draw was a fitting result, but both teams did indeed throw everything available at the two points.
