Who stood head and shoulders above the rest in Hyundai A-League Round 13?
We’ve assessed the candidates and opted for a 3-4-3 formation for this Round’s Team of the Week.
Did we get our starting XI right for Round 13?
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Goalkeeper
Jamie Young (Brisbane Roar)
We’re running out of superlatives for Jamie Young.
Brisbane’s shot stopper has continually saved the day for Roar this season and although he couldn’t prevent a 1-0 loss to Melbourne City on Friday, Young was at his cat-like best.
He made five saves in total on the night, including this fine acrobatic effort from Scott Jamieson.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988295604001
Defenders
Jacob Tratt (Sydney FC)
Tratt is a centre back by trade but you wouldn’t know it on the basis of his barnstorming display from fullback in Sydney FC’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United.
The former Sutherland Sharks prospect notched a crashing header in the second half – a move becoming something of a Tratt trademark following an eerily similar effort in the Sydney Derby – to help the Sky Blues to an important three points.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988899152001
Bart Schenkeveld (Melbourne City)
City are near-impregnable at AAMI Park, having kept six clean sheets in their last nine matches at the venue, and the formidable presence of Schenkeveld is a huge factor in their stubborn resistance.
The Dutch centre back won six out of his six duels and kept in-form Roar forward Adam Taggart quiet as City ground out a vital 1-0 triumph.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988317279001
Liberato Cacece (Wellington Phoenix)
Phoenix’s teenage wing-back continues to grow in importance and stature, and that was evident in his side’s 3-2 comeback win over Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Cacace amassed an enormous 111 touches of the ball for Wellington and won eight of his 11 duels on the left flank, an area of the field in which he is quickly becoming one of the competition’s most lethal.
Midfielders
Ivan Franjic (Perth Glory)
Franjic looked uncomfortable at best playing as Perth’s left-wing back in the first half of their clash with Western Sydney Wanderers.
But the Glory man showed his resilient side in the second half, scoring the 79th minute header which ignited Perth’s comeback and supplying Andy Keogh with an equaliser minutes later.
Kearyn Baccus (Melbourne City)
Baccus signed a permanent deal with Melbourne City late last week, and it’s no surprise why Warren Joyce is so keen to keep the midfielder around.
The former Wanderer has played a crucial role in shielding City’s league-best defence, and he was once again tidy and efficient against the Roar, winning 11 duels out of 14, completing two of five tackles and tallying two clearances and interceptions apiece.
James Troisi (Melbourne Victory)
If Melbourne Victory go on to win silverware this season, James Troisi’s match-winner against Newcastle Jets might be remembered as a crucial moment.
In the absence of Ola Toivonen and Keisuke Honda, it was Troisi who seized authority for Kevin Muscat’s side.
Troisi played a part in Terry Antonis’ opener with a lovely scooped pass before blasting in an 84th minute winner to break Newcastle hearts.
READ: Late Troisi effort breaks Newcastle hearts
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988718807001
Siem de Jong (Sydney FC)
De Jong has flown under the radar for the Sky Blues but this season but he – like Sydney FC fans – will hope his majestic free kick against Adelaide United will pave way for great things to come.
The Dutchman’s prowess from the dead ball has already booked space on Sydney’s end of season highlights reel, but de Jong looked a player returning to his sharpest and most clinical in a 2-1 win for the reigning Premiers – a worrying thought for the rest of the competition.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988888512001
Forwards
Ritchie De Laet (Melbourne City)
Just like City boss Joyce, we’ve installed Ritchie De Laet in an unfamiliar front-line role for this round’s Team of the Week.
De Laet led the line for Joyce and City in the continued absence of Bruno Fornaroli on Friday night, but silenced any doubters with a smooth 51st minute winner in Melbourne’s 1-0 win against Roar.
The Belgian has four goals to lead City outright in scoring, and has now scored more goals for Melbourne than any other club in his career.
ANALYSIS: City match-winner De Laet the symbol of Joyce’s unconventional Premiership bid
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988297854001
Roy Krishna (Wellington Phoenix)
It was meant to be a day in tribute to Hyundai A-League triple centurion Andrew Durante, but Roy Krishna stole all the headlines.
Phoenix’s forward inspired a remarkable comeback for his side, winning and dispatching two penalties and picking up the assist for David William’s match winner.
Five years to the date of his Hyundai A-League debut, it was a performance that might one day be renowned as Krishna’s crowning moment as a Wellington Phoenix legend.
READ: Krishna leaves Phoenix legends trailing in his wake on Wellington’s historic night
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988684722001
Kwame Yeboah (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Such was the magnitude of Perth’s 4-3 comeback win over the Wanderers, the sensational performance of Kwame Yeboah has been swept aside amid the drama.
But as the Red and Black ponder their shell-shocking defeat to the Glory, they will surely find encouragement in Yeboah’s excellent all-around centre forward display.
Yeboah opened the scoring in scrappy fashion but provided two classy assists for Roly Bonevacia and Abraham Majok before Glory fired in four goals in sixteen minutes.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988924665001