World-class goals, top displays laced with great drama: those were the highlights of two weekends of split round football. Here’s the Team of the Week for Hyundai A-League Round 20.
KEEPER
Jack Duncan (Jets)
Made a superb save to keep out Josh Risdon in the final minutes, and was again in fabulous form in the Jets’ 2-2 draw at Spotless against WSW. Couldn’t fault him for the two penalty goals conceded.
DEFENDERS
Michael Zullo (Sydney FC)
Performance of the round? When you help keep a clean sheet away from home and help provide three assists in a 4-0 win over a finals contender, hard to argue with that. “Zulls” was absolute class against his former club. He even got on top of Arzani by the second half.
Alex Wilkinson (Sydney FC)
Is there a more reliable central defender in this league? “Wilko” was at his best again in the 4-0 thumping of City (one of his former clubs).
Jordan Elsey (Reds)
Scored a brilliant headed goal to get the Reds back in the contest and bossed the under-man backline of the Reds who played for most of the 2-2 with Mariners with ten men.
MIDFIELDERS
Thomas Kristensen (Roar)
Ran the show in midfield and held back Victory in the second half. The Dane, like Holman, was a crucial part of a big win for the Brisbane side.
Brett Holman (Roar)
A timely reminder of what “Golman” can do. Roar stunned Victory with two goals in the first half, the second a superb strike by Holman. His combinations with Massimo Maccarone bode well for the remainder of the season.
FORWARDS
Diego Castro (Glory)
Let’s not talk about that Panenka… let’s talk about everything else he did. The Spanish maestro was a huge influence on this game, scoring, scheming and creating for his teammates.
Bobo (Sydney FC)
At his clinical best racking up goals 19 and 20 of the season. The Brazilian could well register the best goals tally for any striker in a season after becoming the fastest to 20 goals in one season.
Chris Ikonomidis (WSW)
The Caltex Socceroo – on loan from Lazio – has speedily found his groove and is combining beautifully with ‘Cello Carrusca. Had a goal chalked off for offside but was a constant outlet in the 2-2 draw with Jets.
Dimi Petratos (Jets)
A lovely taken goal and the cheekiest of assists for Andrew Nabbout – Dimi did his Socceroos chances no harm with another eye-catcher at Spotless.
Andrew Hoole (CCM)
On a poor pitch, “Hooley” was at his electric best. A classy opener, a brilliant assist for Buhagiar that resulted in a red card for Reds and another assist for the second goal in the 2-2 draw in Adelaide.
Manager of the Round: Marco Kurz (Reds)
Wore his heart on his sleeve but engineered a thrilling 2-2 comeback draw with the Mariners.