Two Championships, three Premierships, an FFA Cup and a host of club records to his name – there isn’t much Alex Brosque hasn’t achieved in his Hyundai A-League career.
But now, the Sydney FC attacker can finally add the match ball into his renowned footballing CV.
That prize had for so long evaded the inaugural Golden Boot winner, who despite his standing as a Hyundai A-League great had not registered a hat-trick in 11 seasons.
That was until the 35-year-old’s brilliant treble inspired Sydney FC’s 5-2 win over Central Coast Mariners on Friday night, becoming the fifth oldest player in Hyundai A-League history to notch three in a single match.
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Brosque cancelled out Connor Pain’s first half opener with a 49th minute backheel, clinically dispatched a second just short of the hour mark and completed the hat-trick with a fantastic lob to ensure Sydney FC’s fourth straight win.
That the feat was accomplished in the space of 15 second half minutes made the evergreen forward’s maiden Hyundai A-League hat-trick all the more remarkable.
Brosque, who traded the Harbour City for J-League and United Arab Emirates life at the turn of the decade, has enjoyed a fine resurgence and has started every league match this campaign.
The three-time Sydney FC Player of the Season revealed he had decided to retire at the end of 2017/18, only to have his mind changed by new boss Steve Corica.
“It is difficult to be fair to try and keep it going because my mind was set on retiring at the end of last season,” Brosque told The Herald.
“With Bimbi [Corica] coming in, it allowed a fresh change and a fresh mindset going into this season.
“I have enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed playing under him and the new boys that have come in as well. This is a good group of guys.”
WATCH BROSQUE’S HISTORIC HAT-TRICK IN THE VIDEO BELOW
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5985914721001
Hyundai A-League history broken for rapid-fire Le Fondre
Brosque may have left it until the Autumn of his Hyundai A-League career to bag a treble, but you’d be a brave man to suggest a similar fate is in store for Adam Le Fondre.
The prolific Englishman continued his stellar run in Sky Blue with a coolly dispatched penalty in Sydney’s win, making Le Fondre the quickest player to reach 10 goals in Hyundai A-League history.
Le Fondre ousts the likes of former Sydney FC front man Marc Janko and Bruno Fornaroli en route to that claim.
The 32-year-old is also on course to equalling Bruno Fornaroli’s record of hitting 20 Hyundai A-League goals in 22 appearances back in 2016.
Five-star Toivonen guides Victory again
While we’re on record-breaking forwards, Ola Toivonen also wrote his name into the history books when he became the first Melbourne Victory player to score in five consecutive Hyundai A-League matches.
The big Swede notched goals late in each half to help Victory to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
With Keisuke Honda absent for Victory, Toivonen is growing in importance and stature by the week.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986274339001
‘Get this man a statue’: Broxham heroics save Victory
Although Toivonen’s goals proved decisive for Victory the score-line won’t reflect Leigh Broxham’s heroic goal line clearance.
The veteran midfielder, playing in defence at ANZ Stadium, prevented the Wanderers’ Nick Fitzgerald from taking the lead with a fine goal-line clearance late in the piece.
That intervention that would ultimately inspire Victory to take all three points through Toivonen minutes later.
Does this count as him playing as Gk?
If so we just need a game of him at striker before we can say he has played literally every position on the pitch?
Get this man a statue @LeighBroxham @AAMIPark
— Justin Sternfeld (@JustinSternfeld) January 5, 2019
@LeighBroxham could clear a nuclear missile headed to his goal nets
— Leigh Broxham Facts (@TheBroxFacts) January 6, 2019
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986268582001
Son of former Rugby League star impresses on Hyundai A-League debut
19-year-old Western Sydney Wanderers defender Tate Russell faced an order of considerable magnitude on his Hyundai A-League debut.
Melbourne Victory came to town unbeaten in eight matches, boasting some of the competition’s finest attacking players.
But Russell – son of former Illawarra Steelers hardman Ian – offered a fantastic display of his credentials with his father in the ANZ Stadium stands.
Special moment for @wswanderersfc debutant @Tate_Russell being congratulated by family , including dad former Steelers and @nthqldcowboys Ian Russell. pic.twitter.com/SrzvcqDaN8
— Shannon Byrne (@shannonbyrne23) January 5, 2019
Tate Russell has done very well.
— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) January 5, 2019
Some silver lining tonight for the Wanderers in the form of 19 year old Tate Russell. Immense on debut. Risdon has some competition at right back. #WSWvMVC
— Joshua Thomas (@Joshua_Thomas97) January 5, 2019
“Now he is seven months with me and he has improved a lot,” Wanderers’ boss Markus Babbel told The Australian following the match.
“Now was the time to bring him in because I was not happy with some players in the last game.
“It was time for the youngsters… I was hoping for this (type of performance).”
Kilkenny’s nerves of steel inspire Glory
Kilkenny was a mere passenger in Brisbane Roar’s first half rout of Perth Glory.
But there’s no doubting just how crucial the midfielder’s pair of penalties may prove in guiding Perth’s quest for Hyundai A-League silverware.
The midfield veteran kept his cool from 12 yards not once but twice to rouse his Glory teammates on to victory and continue his tremendous season in Western Australia.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5986453595001
