Hyundai A-League Team of the Week – Round 4

What a sensational weekend of Hyundai A-League action with cracking goals, epic upsets and a new leader of the competition.

But which players stood out from the rest of the league in Round 4?

Unfortunately we just couldn’t fit everyone into our XI and we’ve gone with an attack-minded 3-4-3 formation for the weekend’s best team

Do you agree with our selections? Let us know!

EXPANSION: ‘Noisy neighbours’ Macarthur FC set to arrive to the clanging of cowbells
NEWS: 21 Hyundai A-League players in Young Socceroos squad for AFC U19 Championship qualifiers

Watch Hyundai A-League Live and Free on ABC and iView

Goalkeeper

Daniel Lopar (Western Sydney Wanderers)

So permanent a fixture in the Hyundai A-League’s Team of the Week is Daniel Lopar that the Swiss custodian may be forced to be paying rent soon.

On a night where the outfield teammates in front of him struggled for effectiveness, there was no shortage of that from the Wanderers goalkeeper, who made six saves to repel Brisbane and preserve consecutive clean sheets for Western Sydney.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099935578001

Defenders

Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)

Is there a more consistent player in the Hyundai A-League right now?

Grant was at his marauding best against the Jets, bombing down the right wing and involved in so many Sydney FC attacks.

The Caltex Socceroos capped a man-of-the-match display with an assist for Adam Le Fondre’s goal just before half-time.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099690182001

Josh Brillante (Melbourne City)

Brillante really stood out in his side’s win over Wellington Phoenix…and not just because of his eye-catching handlebar mo.

A defensive shortage saw the 26-year-old play at centre-back and he hardly put a foot wrong.

Had the best passing accuracy (92.1%) of any City starting player from his 76 passes, while he won all five of his duels and made four clearances.

Josh Brillante on the ball against Wellington

Dylan Fox (Central Coast Mariners)

The unheralded central defender appears to be blossoming under the tutelage of Alen Stajcic.

Fox made a game-high eight clearances over the 90 minutes and was pivotal in keeping the likes of Bruno Fornaroli and Diego Castro quiet.

While he had a lot of excellent performances around him, Fox was superb and the Mariners are certainly getting the best out of the 25-year-old Northern Ireland-born defender.

Dylan Fox kept Bruno Fornaroli quiet throughout the Mariners' shock win

Midfielders

Connor Metcalfe (Melbourne City)

There’s been plenty of hype on the 19-year-old midfielder since the start of the season and he’s certainly been living up to it.

Metcalfe played another fantastic all-round game in his side’s 3-2 win over Wellington, including a vital equalising goal in the first half.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6100075744001

Milos Ninkovic (Sydney FC)

Continued his sensational start to the campaign with another masterful display in the Sky Blues’ big win over the Jets on Friday night.

Ninkovic started the scoring with an assured finish inside six minutes, taking his tally against the Jets six goals in 12 games, at least double the amount he has scored against any other opponent.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099681063001

Where heroes are made

Panagiotis Kone (Western United)

The Greek international turned on a performance of complete class to help drag Western United back from the brink in Saturday’s stunning 3-2 win over Victory. 

There is simply no midfield challenge Kone will not yield to. His discipline without the ball is matched by a coolness in possession and drive that set Scott McDonald up for the winner.

Pana Kone

Jay O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)

Brisbane Roar were left wondering how they walked away from Bankwest Stadium on Saturday without three points. Jay O’Shea – arguably the best on ground during his side’s 0-0 draw with the Wanderers – will feel particularly hard done by.

The Irishman orchestrated the best of his side’s opportunities on the night, creating five chances in total. If Robbie Fowler’s side find their finishing boots O’Shea is destined for a huge campaign.

Jay O'Shea

Forwards

Ola Toivonen (Melbourne Victory)

He was battered, bruised and ultimately defeated, but Ola Toivonen was nonetheless still one of the best on the park during Victory’s defeat to Western.

Toivonen starred in his side’s ruthless opening – bending a delightful opener past Filip Kurto from outside the box before teeing up Kristijan Dobras – and was the source of danger in Victory’s second-half hunt for an equaliser. He is becoming increasingly invaluable to the Victory cause.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099950996001

Scott McDonald (Western United)

A performance for the ages from the 36-year-old veteran, so outrageously good in Western United’s five-goal thriller against Victory that it was he, not strike partner Besart Berisha, who stole the headlines. 

McDonald scored his first goal in the Hyundai A-League to give Rudan’s side the win, and it was his lovely clipped pass to the back post that saw James Donachie turn past his own net for Western’s equaliser. 

Moreover, it was the Australian’s doggedness – winning fouls, stretching the Victory defence and pushing his body to its limit – that characterised the finest night in the new club’s history so far.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6099956349001

Sam Silvera (Central Coast Mariners)

A first Hyundai A-League start for the 19-year-old attacker…and didn’t he make the most of it.

Silvera’s combination with Danny De Silva caused Glory all sorts of problems, while his piercing strike before the break turned out to be the winner in their shock success in Perth.

Already looks to be a real gem for the Gosford club.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6100086036001

create_football_account_aleague