Sydney and Gold Coast are back in the top two positions on the Hyundai A-League table after 10 rounds after both had important wins over the weekend.
Results – Round 9
Melbourne Victory 0 SYDNEY FC 3
PERTH GLORY 1 Adelaide United 0
Central Coast Mariners 1 North Queensland 1
Brisbane Roar 0 GOLD COAST UNITED 1
Game Wraps
Sydney and Gold Coast are back in the top two positions on the Hyundai A-League table after 10 rounds after both had important wins over the weekend.
Sydney made a massive statement in its title charge by hammering Melbourne 3-0 in Friday’s round opener at Etihad Stadium
Melbourne’s 100th game turned into one to forget as Sydney scored three goals in the opening 20 minutes. The Sky Blues came into the game with a poor record against Melbourne having beaten it once in their past nine encounters. But the new-look Sydney side, considered defensive specialists before this match, put those concerns to bed when Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge (twice) scored in front of a season-record crowd of 30,668.
Gold Coast won the weekend’s final match, against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, thanks to a 31st-minute goal from Joel Porter, to move up to second on the table.
Brisbane went into the match without several first-choice players and coach frank Farina, who was suspended by the club.
T he win also maintains United’s early bragging rights over the Roar, having won the clubs’ maiden derby 3-1 in the opening round.
Porter’s winner came courtesy of a misdirected clearing header from Bob Malcolm in the 31st minute which fell fortuitously for an unmarked Porter at back post.
Perth is level with Gold Coast on 17 points after a late goal from Victor Sikora gave the Glory a 1-0 victory over Adelaide on Friday night. The Reds dominated much of the second half and Perth was only in the contest thanks to a brilliant performance by goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, who produced a string of magnificent saves.
But against the run of play, the Glory took the lead through Sikora 11 minutes from time, the Dutchman starting and finishing a sensational move.
In the other game, Central Coast and North Queensland shared the points at Bluetongue Stadium. The Mariners took the lead after just 15 seconds through Matt Simon, but Daniel McBreen responded in the second half to give the Fury their fifth draw of the season.
The remaining match between Wellington and Newcastle has been held over until November 4 with the New Zealand national side in action in World Cup qualification this weekend.
Weekend Goals Tally: 7
Attendances (total / average): 57075/14268
Goal of the Week – Matt Simon
There were a few candidates this week, but in terms of pure opportunism and quality finishing, Simon’s early effort against North Queensland takes the cake. With just 15 seconds elapsed, Simon pounced an ill-advised back pass, powered into the box and hit an angled shot into the top of the net. Top marks for quick reflexes.
Player of the Week – Simon Colosimo
Another excellent performance from Sydney’s main man in defence. While the 3-0 win over Melbourne showed Sydney’s strength in attack, the Sky Blues defence did a superb job, marshalled by Colosimo, who coach Vitezslav Lavicka describes as one of the most important members of his side.
One to Watch – Todd Howarth
Howarth had his first start for the season in Jacob Burns’ absence and performed admirably. He did a great job helping Perth keep control in the middle of the park, while he also pushed forward to create chances in the second half. He is living proof of the depth that the Glory boast this season.
Leading Goalscorers after Round 10
9 – Shane Smeltz
4 – Mark Bridge, Robbie Fowler, Carlos Hernandez, Branko Jelic, Archie Thompson, Sergio Van Dijk
3 – John Aloisi, Henrique, Lucas Pantelis, Reinaldo, Victor Sikora, Matt Simon, Mile Sterjovski
2 – Leo Bertos, Cassio, Steve Corica, Jason Culina, Chris Greenacre, Jason Hoffman, Paul Ifill, Daniel Mcbreen, Adriano Pellegrino, Joel Porter, Matt Simon, Jin-Hyung Song, Wayne Srhoj
1 – Danny Allsopp, Nigel Boogaard, Grant Brebner, Alex Brosque, Tim Brown, Dyron Daal, Kofi Danning, Travis Dodd, Ney Fabiano, Steven Fitzsimmons, Iain Fyfe, Brendan Gan, Royston Griffiths, Chris Grossman, Labinot Haliti, John Hutchinson, Matthew Leckie, Adrian Leijer, Michael Mcglinchey, Charlie Miller, Tahj Minniecon, Milson, Craig Moore, Kevin Muscat, Jason Naidovski, Mitch Nichols, Lloyd Owusu, Sean Rooney, Ben Sigmund, John Tambouras, Matt Thompson, Danny Tiatto, Nicky Travis, Nick Ward, Alex Wilkinson
