The Isuzu UTE A-League picked up right where it left off on the weekend, following up the 25-goal tally notched across six games in Round 14 with 24 more in Round 15.
A highly rated local product came to the rescue for Newcastle Jets on the road, a 16-year-old sensation reminded the league of his devastating right boot in a match-winning display for Adelaide United, Melbourne City tore Macarthur FC apart in a fearsome display, and the form of both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers whet the appetite for what’s to come in Round 16: a high-stakes Sydney Derby to savour.
There was also a Jake Brimmer golazo at AAMI Park.
With a lot to dissect, here are the talking points from Round 15 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
What else does Archie have to do?!
Talk about making an impact in limited minutes. Look no further than Archie Goodwin.
The local Newcastle product is highly rated in the Hunter region, where the third-youngest scorer in A-Leagues history signed a new contract in the off-season. Fans have been calling for the 18-year-old to play more minutes.
He was Newcastle’s saviour away to Perth Glory on Saturday night – coming off the bench to equalise in the 88th minute in a 2-2 draw at Macedonia Park.
Goodwin had only been on the pitch for six minutes before bagging his second goal in as many weeks.
In the 4-0 rout of Brisbane Roar, he was introduced in the 85th minute and capped the demolition with a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Goodwin has now scored two goals in just 80 minutes of Isuzu UTE A-League action this season – surpassing his two goals in 169 minutes last season. All seven of his cameo appearances this term have come from the bench.
He’s had to be patient behind Georgian star Beka Mikeltadze, Jaushua Sotirio and Trent Buhagiar but he is causing Arthur Papas a headache when it comes to selection.
For the first time in two years, an ‘exciting proposition’ presents ahead of Sydney Derby
Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Marko Rudan spared reporters the old cliché when looking ahead to Saturday night’s Sydney Derby.
“It’s not just another game,” Rudan said. “It’s a big game for our club.”
And with a resurgent Sydney FC travelling to Commbank Stadium off the back of consecutive wins (a season-first), to take on the second-placed Wanderers buoyed by a win over the reigning champions, the build-up to this instalment of one of the A-League Men’s most storied rivalries feels that little bit different to derbies of late.
It’s been more than two years since both clubs have approached a Sydney Derby off the back of respective wins (Round 4 of the 2020-21 season, January, 2021).
The two in-form sides meet with different objectives, as the Wanderers look to stay in the hunt for the Premiers Plate, whilst the Sky Blues aim to further entrench themselves in the top-six conversation.
What was shaping to be a bleak season for Steve Corica’s side early doors, successive wins has helped turn momentum with the Sky Blues ending Round 15 in sixth place and within four points of second-placed Wanderers.
“I’m really excited,” said Wanderers midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof after defeating Western United on Sunday afternoon.
“I think everyone’s looking forward to the Sydney Derby. It’s obviously such a big game. We’re both coming off the back of wins now, the league is so tight at the moment so every game means so much. Especially a derby. It’s going to be massive, I can’t wait.”
Irankunda is the present and the future
Nestory Irankunda. If you don’t know, now you know.
The 16-year-old added another bomb of a goal to his collection, helping Adelaide United overcome Brisbane Roar 2-1 at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.
READ MORE: IRANKUNDA’S INCREDIBLE INTERVIEW SHOWS WHY THE ADELAIDE TEENAGER IS SO SPECIAL
Irankunda’s 12-minute cameo yielded a goal within four minutes of his introduction as he provided another reminder of his immense talent.
“That strike, it hit the net before the goalkeeper could even react,” former Reds striker Bruce Djite said on Paramount+. “He makes it look so easy!”
“He hits it so hard but I don’t even know what the keeper can do,” A-Leagues legend Archie Thompson added.
Are the Sky Blues back?
Not once this season had Sydney FC celebrated back-to-back wins in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
However, that changed at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening as the Sky Blues overcame second-placed Central Coast Mariners 3-2.
Veteran forward Adam Le Fondre bagged a double and Joe Lolley was also on target to help Sydney come from behind to conquer the Mariners, who were fuelled by a Jason Cummings double.
In a match that saw both teams reduced to 10 men in the first half – Brian Kaltak sent off after Rhyan Grant’s red card for bundling over Marco Tulio, the Sky Blues had the final say as Central Coast’s winless run extended to three matches.
READ MORE: GET YOUR TICKETS! STAGE SET FOR MOUTH-WATERING DERBY AS SYDNEY’S RESURGENCE CONTINUES
Sydney also scored their 750th goal in the competition – only Melbourne Victory have managed more goals.
“Fantastic spirit, fantastic character from the boys. They played really well, especially In the second half they really dominated,” head coach Steve Corica said.
“I think the last two weeks have shown the fighting spirit they’ve got to come back In both games, they can only get more confidence from this game.”
Van der Venne and City show no mercy
Macarthur FC would have loved to have thrown in the white towel on Saturday evening.
Mile Sterjovski’s Bulls trailed 3-0 at half-time, but it only got worse in the second period at AAMI Park, where league-leading Melbourne City ran rampant.
Richard van der Venne’s first top-flight hat-trick guided City to a 6-1 demolition, snapping a run of three consecutive draws in the process.
Jamie Maclaren, who had a penalty saved, took his season tally to a league-best 16 goals via a brace.
Reigning premiers City are now eight points clear atop the standings, with Macarthur heading in the opposite direction.
READ MORE: THE PAIN FUELLING MELBOURNE CITY’S CHAMPIONSHIP QUEST
“We were outclassed, outmuscled,” said Sterjovski, who has one point from his first two games in charge since replacing Dwight Yorke.
“Melbourne City showed a lot of desire and they had a lot of quality. It’s a good lesson to learn coming into coaching.
“City was just too good today. They were on. And when they’re on, they’re very dangerous.”
Victory a turning point for Popa & Co?
Finally, Melbourne Victory ended their drought.
Bottom of the table, Victory had gone six matches without a win in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
That was before they took down Wellington Phoenix 3-1 at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Victory came from behind to celebrate a much-needed win behind Bruno Fornaroli’s equaliser, Jake Brimmer’s stunner and Tomi Juric’s sealer.
“Wins always help but it’s still only one game,” Victory head coach Tony Popovic said.
“I never got too down in this room when we lost and I won’t get too high now that we’ve won one game.
“But, there are things to build on and a lot more to improve. But it’s a good step in the right direction.”
