Round 2 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season produced late goals, late drama and some superb individual performances.
Here are the big stories from the weekend…
MEMORABLE MELBOURNE DERBY
The cross-town rivals went toe-to-toe in a feisty, fast and furious football battle on Saturday night.
Over 35-000 fans were on hand to see Victory and City slug it out, with Bruce Kamau’s third goal in two games eventually settling an enthralling contest.
City are top of the league after two wins from two, while Kevin Muscat’s Victory are still seeking their first points of the new season.
Who would have picked that?
IS ADAM TAGGART BACK?
Having last featured for the Caltex Socceroos over three years ago, Adam Taggart is staking a claim for an international recall.
The Perth Glory striker neatly tucked home the opening goal against Newcastle and then supplied a superb equaliser late in the contest to earn his side a share of the points.
Are you watching, Ange?
DAZZLING DANNY
Danny De Silva has arrived back in Australia with a big reputation and a clear desire to show Australian fans how much he’s developed overseas.
The 20-year-old put on a masterclass for the Mariners, capping a sublime performance with his first goal for Central Coast to help earn them a 2-2 draw away at Western Sydney.
De Silva’s quick feet and wonderful close control have already caught the eye and there’s much more to come from one of Australian football’s hottest prospects, who learnt his trade at Perth Glory.
PHOENIX RISING?
They may have come away empty-handed from Allianz Stadium, but there was no disgrace in the way Wellington competed with Sydney FC.
Darije Kalezic has instilled a new-found professionalism in the kiwi side and with Dario Vidosic scoring a second excellent headed goal in as many weeks, the Phoenix pushed the Sky Blues all the way.
Are the Nix a smokey for the top six?
REDS THE REAL DEAL?
Behind to a Massimo Maccarone goal and with time running out at Suncorp, Marco Kurz’s side staged a remarkable comeback to claim their first win of the season.
Substitute Ryan Kitto squared things up with two minutes remaining before Danish attacker Johan Absalonsen smashed home an injury-time winner from a tight angle to deny Brisbane any points for the second straight week.
It took Adelaide United nine rounds to chalk up a win last season; in 2017/18 they’re well and truly up and running.
JETS FANS ARE BACK
Off the back of their 5-1 mauling of the Mariners in the F3 derby, Jets fans turned up in their droves to watch their side’s first home game of the new campaign.
Nearly 15-000 fans packed into McDonald Jones Stadium to watch Newcastle do battle with Perth and but for Taggart’s late equaliser, they’d be sitting pretty at the top of the Hyundai A-League this morning.
Roy O’Donovan is already well on the way to cult hero status, leading the Golden Boot race with four goals in his first two games in Jets colours.
