How your team fared and who made the headlines from a split Round 15 in the Hyundai A-League.
Adelaide United
The Reds resumed where they let off before the break, crushing a totally hapless Jets 7-0 at Coopers Stadium. A brace to playmaker Marcelo Carrusca in the first half saw them race to a 4-0 lead by the break and they didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half. Midfielder Isaias scored an absolute stunner in stoppage time to seal the rout. The victory equaled the club’s record for biggest ever win, the previous one an 8-1 drubbing of North Queensland Fury in 2011. Josep Gombau’s side will be chasing more goals when travel to Central Coast to play the Mariners – and former winger Fabio Ferreira – this Saturday.
VIDEO: Reds run riot over Jets
Newcastle JetsÂ
Woeful, shocking, chaotic, shambolic, disappointing. All words to describe a forgettable 90 minutes for the Jets. Phil Stubbins side went behind inside the first minute and it just got worse from there. What will have been of most concern to coach Phil Stubbins was once they went a couple of goals behind, they seemed to lack the fight to try and stem the tide. How will they regroup for this week’s home clash against Brisbane Roar FC after the most tumultuous two weeks in the club’s history.Â
See Phil Stubbins’ press conference
Central Coast Mariners
Phil Moss’ side were unable to build on their win just before the Asian Cup break, slumping to a 5-1 defeat to arch-rivals Sydney FC on home soil. The Mariners were 3-0 down by half-time and while improving after the break it was too little, too late. Given their recent improvement it was an uncharacteristically flat performance, although a first Hyundai A-League goal for Travis Major is a positive. Will need to regain their defensive strength in time for the visit of the free-scoring Adelaide on Saturday.
VIDEO: Sky Blues put five past Mariners
Sydney FC
It was a happy return to Gosford for Graham Arnold, whose new side blew the Mariners out of the water early on. After going more six hours without a goal, the Sky Blues rediscovered their mojo in incredible fashion. Marquee man Mark Janko grabbed a brace while ex-Mariners winger Bernie Ibini also found the back of the net against his old club. While the win would have given Arnold huge satisfaction, the debuts of new signings Jacques Faty and Mikael Taveres also augurs well for the remainder of the campaign.Â
See Graham Arnold’s press conference
Perth Glory
Glory showed all their fighting qualities and character to storm home and snatch a 3-3 draw with fellow high-flyers Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium. Kenny Lowe’s troops trailed 3-1 with just 11 minutes left but late goals to Rostyn Griffiths and super-sup Jamie MacLaren ensured a share of the spoils. Andy Keogh continued his goal-scoring form with the opener for the home side from the penalty spot – though an ankle injury to flyer Chris Harold put a dampener on their impressive fight-back. Host Sydney FC next on Saturday night.
VIDEO: Glory and Victory in six-goal thriller
Melbourne VictoryÂ
Victory boss Kevin Muscat will be wondering how his side didn’t take all three points after producing one of their best away performances of the season in the first hour. Goals to Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Besart Berisha and Kosta Barbarouses should have been enough to seen them through until their late collapse. Not only did they miss the chance to close the gap on Glory at the top but they also allowed Adelaide to leapfrog them on the ladder. Muscat will hope they have ironed out their defensive lapses in time for Saturday night’s blockbuster local derby against the City boys.
See Kevin Muscat’s press conference
Melbourne City FC
Despite a slow start – going behind inside six minutes – City showed they are a genuine top six outfit with a strong comeback to beat Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2-1 at AAMI Park. Power midfielder Jacob Melling bagged his first Hyundai A-League goal with a super header while Aaron Mooy got one over his former club with a fantastic winner in the second half. Iain Ramsay had a contender for miss of the season midway through the second half but luckily for the winger Mooy pounced soon after to save his blushes. With Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy likely to make his debut off the bench in Saturday night’s derby, City is building nicely towards the finals.
VIDEO:Â City overcome slow start to down Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers FCÂ
The Wanderers winless run for the season has extended to a 13 th  match with another narrow defeat. It was the same old story for Tony Popovic’s side, a strong start and some encouraging moments but just not for long enough periods, with City eventually finishing over the top of the ACL champions. New recruit Yojiro Takahagi scored on debut and showed he has the talent to be a huge hit for the remainder of the campaign. But they are now massive 15 points behind sixth-placed City and must start winning now, beginning with a home clash against Wellington in Penrith on Sunday.
See Tony Popovic’s press conference
Brisbane Roar FC
Frans Thijssen’s men breathed new life into their top six hopes with a thrilling 3-2 win over in-form Wellington at Suncorp Stadium on Monday night. Despite going behind early in the second half, Roar responded with goals from James Donachie and Brandon Borrello, before Jean Carlos Solorzano grabbed a winner at the death. The result not only snapped a three-game winless streak for Brisbane but kept them in touch with sixth-placed Melbourne City. Skipper Matt McKay did well to back-up just 48 hours after his exploits for the Socceroos in the Asian Cup final while new signing Jerome Polenz was solid and set up Solorzano’s winner. The Orange Army have just three day’s rest before an away trip to the wounded Jets.
VIDEO: Â Â Roar leave it late to stun Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix
Phoenix missed the chance to close the gap on league-leaders Perth by surrendering at least a point with Solorzano’s late goal. Despite trailing 2-1, Phoenix looked like they would take something from the game when Kenny Cunningham equalized but a late defensive lapse meant it’s another match (now 12) without a win in Brisbane. The defeat sees Ernie Merrick’s side drop to fourth on the Hyundai A-League ladder ahead of a clash with bottom club Western Sydney on Sunday afternoon.
See Ernie Merrick’s press conference
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