KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from a breath-taking night of Isuzu UTE A-League football.
Marco Rojas rolled back the years with a magical first-half brace in an incredible Melbourne Derby, and it only amplified calls for the Melbourne Victory star to return to New Zealand’s international setup.
Rojas was the star of the show in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Isuzu UTE A-League champions and leaders Melbourne City at AAMI Park, where he scored two stunning goals to fuel Victory to their first Derby success since 2019.
It was a man-of-the-match performance from Rojas, which Network 10 analyst Bruce Djite labelled “world class” post-game.
Rojas has not featured for the All Whites since 2019 but Network 10 co-commentator Andy Harper is leading calls for the ‘Kiwi Messi’ to return to the international fold ahead of New Zealand’s World Cup play-off against Costa Rica in June.
“He never seems to grow up. He drunk from the enteral spring of youth,” Harper said of the 31-year-old attacker.
“Over the intervening years when left as a Johnny Warren Medallist into Germany and then Switzerland and Holland. Life teaches you lessons, it hurts you, makes you grow. You had times when you’re really jubilant about everything and times when it’s a real struggle.
“That’s sort of this year as well for Rojas. He had to endure the punishment of last season and getting hammered by Melbourne City in these Derby matches. Then had to overcome his own injuries this season.
“It’s a World Cup year. He didn’t get picked because he hasn’t played much in the Kiwis’ qualification. But if he isn’t in that squad for the June match against Costa Rica to get into the Qatar World Cup, I’d be very surprised.
“Talk about winding back the clock. He is such a delightful individual as well. Such a gentle spirit but an executioner on the field when he’s going well and he was flying tonight.”
What a breath-taking night of football in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
First, Wellington Phoenix humbled Western United 4-1 and then Daniel Margush’s later howler cost Western Sydney Wanderers in a 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar.
In the main event, Marco Rojas scored a stunning double to lead Melbourne Victory past league leaders Melbourne City 3-0 in the Derby as Adam Le Fondre’s hat-trick fuelled Sydney FC’s 5-0 rout of Central Coast Mariners.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from the Isuzu UTE A-League.
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Western United 1-4 Wellington Phoenix
Match Report: Nix deal blow to Western’s Premiership hopes
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Brisbane Roar
Match Report: Margush meltdown costs Wanderers
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Melbourne Victory 3-0 Melbourne City
Match Report: Victory end Derby drought as Rojas stars
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Central Coast Mariners 0-5 Sydney FC
Match report: Hat-trick hero Le Fondre fuels rout
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: MELBOURNE VICTORY 3-0 MELBOURNE CITY
REACTION
‘Special’ win for Victory – Rojas
It had been a long time coming for Rojas and Victory.
Victory’s Derby drought spanned almost three years but the club snapped their skid courtesy of Rojas’ performance under the AAMI Park lights in Melbourne.
Rojas scored two absolute crackers against City in a breath-taking first half. It helped to banish the demons of past derbies – 7-0 and 6-0 humblings last year.
“I’ve had a few special ones [Derby games],” Rojas said as he ranked Saturday night’s Derby display. “I have to talk about the Christmas one way back. [Archie Thompson] He chipped the winner.
“We’ve had a couple of other ones… but this was special. Just after the period of time we haven’t been able to compete, like last season.
“This season we weren’t able to get on top of them so to get the win is really good for the fans and the club more than anything.”
With four games in hand as City prepare to fly out for the AFC Champions League, Victory could move top of the table if they win their matches.
Rojas was unstoppable for Victory, who opened the scoring via Brimmer’s early penalty.
“It’s going well. I’m only just part of the team cog that’s functioning really well.
“I think we’ve played some good football, just as good as today but haven’t been able to capitalise on it. So really happy we’ve been able to score a few goals and put them away quite early.”
Rojas added: “We’re very confident team. We’ve been building slowly. We’ve played really good football in the past… we’re feeling going but we have to keep going.”
Popa savours Derby delight
Melbourne Victory had two draws to show from their previous two meetings with Melbourne City heading into tonight.
And you’d have to go back to 2019 for Victory’s last win over their city rivals.
But the Marco Rojas show and Jake Brimmer’s early penalty gave Victory bragging rights and their biggest win over City since 2015.
It also kept Victory’s hopes alive of winning the Premiership – Tony Popovic’s side are 12 points off the pace but with four games in hand on A-League Men leaders City.
“It was a wonderful performance from start to finish,” Popovic told Network 10 post-match. “We’ve been building in the two games we’ve played against Melbourne City and today was thoroughly deserved.
“From the start we were very aggressive in our defending and in our play. We were dangerous throughout. In the end I’m pleased we kept a clean sheet once you’re 3-0 up. We could’ve had a couple more goals but overall we’re delighted with the three points.”
Confidence is rising at Victory during the business end of the season, with Popovic’s men unbeaten in nine ALM matches.
“They’re unique games, derbies,” Popovic added. “We haven’t had a lot of luck in recent times. We’ve had two draws prior to this. Today, okay, we were the better team, we take the three points.
“We’ll enjoy tonight but we go again against Brisbane.”
Full-time: Victory paint the town navy blue
For the first time since 2019, Victory celebrated a Derby win and it’s thanks to their two-goal hero Marco Rojas.
Victory’s three-goal first half set the tone and it proved a bridge too far for City, who were outplayed throughout.
It was City’s biggest Derby defeat since 2015 as Victory moved within four points of second-placed Western 12 of City with four games in hand.
63′ Rojas chasing that hat-trick
The ‘Kiwi Messi’ is in the mood tonight and he has eyeing the matchball.
On the right flank, Rojas cuts inside and then drifts back out before firing a shot on goal, which is kept out by Glover.
As City push numbers forward, they’re leaving space for Victory.
Half-time: Rojas rolls back the clock for irresistible Victory
City simply had no answer to that Victory display in the opening half.
Victory came out all guns blazing and have a commanding 3-0 advantage to show for it against the defending champions.
ALM leaders City have a long road back.
37′ City dealt Berenguer blow as Victory wreak havoc
Already trailing 3-0, this is not what City need, especially ahead of their maiden AFC Champions League campaign.
City star Florin Berenguer hobbles off with a hamstring injury.
It’s been a nightmare night for City, who’ve been completely outplayed by Victory.
“They’ve been blitzed. And lets go to the Northern hemisphere and invoke former Victory coach Ange Postecoglou,” Harper said.
“This is a bit like Celtic hammering Rangers. The first half of that defining Old Firm match just a couple of months ago. 3-0 at half-time. Sort of what we’re seeing here in the Melbourne Derby. City have no answer.”
27′ Goal 3-0: Victory tearing City to shreds
It’s that man again – Rojas.
Rojas has his second and it’s another memorable strike, leaving Glover with no chance.
It’s a seventh Derby goal for red-hot Rojas.
Network 10 co-commentator Andy Harper said: “Marco Rojas has treated us over many years to some fine football but I don’t know if he’s been in a better touch of form.
“This is just pure touch, instinct, confidence. He is so deadly when he’s like this.”
City have it all to do now.
14′ Goal 2-0: Rojas stunner has City reeling
Not many would have predicted this start.
Marco Rojas scores a spectacular long-range strike to double Victory’s lead.
He now has four goals in his last eight league games as talks of a New Zealand re-call grow louder.
8′ Goal 1-0: Dream start for Victory
Victory wanted to make a fast start and they get it from the penalty spot.
Nick D’Agostino is bundled over by City goalkeeper Thomas Glover. Andy Harper labelled it a “clear penalty” but the moment still undergoes a VAR review.
The referee eventually points to the spot and Jake Brimmer converts to spark wild scenes.
Victory’s ALM champions honoured pre-game
Great scenes pre-game at AAMI Park, where Victory Women’s team celebrate with their fans after winning back-to-back Liberty A-League Championships.
Opta insight
- Six of the last 10 A-League Men games between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City have ended in a draw, including their last three consecutive encounters; only five of all their 26 meetings prior ended in a draw.
- City are unbeaten in their last five ALM games against Victory at AAMI Park (W2, D3); their last loss in such a fixture came in December 2019 (2-1).
- Victory are unbeaten in their last eight ALM games (W4, D4) and have won their last two on the bounce; the last time they won more in succession was a six-game stretch from November to December 2018.
- City are undefeated in their last 11 games (W8, D3), their longest unbeaten run in the history of the competition; they have won their last four games on the bounce by a combined score of 13-1.
- Victory (48%) have scored a higher proportion of their goals within first halves of any team this season, while no team has conceded fewer goals in the first halves of games than Victory (two).
- City have converted 50% of their big scoring chances into goals this season, the joint-highest rate of any team in the competition; Victory (38%) have the third-lowest rate of any team.
- Victory’s Jake Brimmer has made two assists in his last three ALM games, including one in his last game at AAMI Park (27 March 2022); however, he has only ever been directly involved in one goal in his 14 games against City in the competition (one assist).
- Jamie Maclaren has scored eight goals in his last five ALM games against Victory and nine total in his career for City; a 10th goal against them would make him the outright most prolific goal scorer in A-League Men games between City and Victory, eclipsing Besart Berisha (9).
Bragging rights on the line in blockbuster
It’s this season’s third instalment of the Melbourne Derby as Victory and City collide at AAMI Park. There’s been nothing to split these two great rivals this season in two draws to date; it’s been a much improved showing from Victory in 2021-22 after losing two Derby fixtures by a combined score of 13-0 last season.
A clash which promises drama of the highest order and a bumper crowd at AAMI Park has delivered on two occasions in 2021-22 – if either side manages to emerge on top on Saturday night, ultimate bragging rights will be theirs for the regular season.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 0-5 SYDNEY FC
REACTION
Le Fondre ‘owed’ Sydney hat-trick
When it comes to the Mariners, Adam Le Fondre had gone three consecutive matches without finding the back of the net against Central Coast.
But Le Fondre ended his drought and kick-started his season with his second A-League Men hat-trick.
It was a welcomed return to form for the star Englishman, who has struggled for form and fitness.
“I probably owed the team this,” Le Fondre told Paramount+.
“Coming back from injury, I had a pretty lengthy spell out, and I’ve really struggled for form and fitness since coming back.
“I had niggles off the back of that as well. But I feel like after the Wanderers game, it’s been a bit of a springboard for me obviously scoring against them. It gives me a little more confidence.
“When chances come my way, I’m going to put them away. I’ve probably been a little bit starved of good chances but tonight I definitely got them and put them away. Hopefully that’s a formula for us going forward.”
It was the perfect response by Steve Corica’s Sydney, who were humbled 4-0 by City last time out.
Sydney are now fourth in the standings but only two points inside the top six as they prepare to embark on their AFC Champions League campaign in Asia.
“You see the performance tonight shows it. To come back off a resounding defeat. We were awful [against City],” Le Fondre said.
“We needed to put on a show and give ourselves our confidence back and we really did that tonight. We were really on.”
Full-time: Five-star Sydney put Mariners to the sword
It was only 1-0 at half-time but the Sky Blues completely blew Central Coast away in the second period.
The Mariners had no answer to Le Fondre and Sydney, who are now fourth in the ALM as Central Coast sit four points outside the top six.
94′ Goal 5-0: Bobo bags a fifth for Sydney
Bobo comes off the bench and inflicts further misery on the Mariners with a stoppage-time header.
Central Coast completely collapsed in the second half.
59′ Goal 4-0: Mariners sinking without a trace
What a collapse it’s been before the hour-mark.
It’s that man again Le Fondre, who completes his hat-trick – his first for the Sky Blues since 2019.
To think Sydney lost 4-0 last time out and the Mariners crushed Wellington 5-0.
58′ Goal 3-0: Le Fondre at the double
Before tonight, Le Fondre had gone three matches without a goal against the Mariners.
But he now has a brace as the Mariners fade fast against the red-hot Sky Blues.
What a start to the second half.
53′ Goal 2-0: Caceres gets in on the action
Whatever Nick Montgomery said at half-time went swiftly out the window as the Mariners conceded within eight minutes of the restart.
Anthony Caceres gets ahead of his defender and bundles the ball over the line.
It’s all uphill for the Mariners now.
Half-time: Sydney the team to beat
Coming off a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of City, Sydney hold a 1-0 half-time lead in Gosford.
The Mariners have come close but they have nothing to show for their efforts at the break.
This would be a huge result in the finals race.
35′ Woodwork thwarts Mariners
We almost had another worldie in the A-Leagues tonight.
Chasing an equaliser, Beni N’Kololo unleashes a curling effort from long range but it rattles the woodwork.
What a goal that would’ve been!
28′ Goal 1-0: Le Fondre gives Sky Blues the lead
Adam Le Fondre does it all himself to break the deadlock on the road.
The Englishman controls the ball well as he sets himself up in the box and slides a shot past Birighitti.
It snaps a three-game drought against the Mariners.
4′ Sydney threatening in Gosford
The Sky Blues are in need of a win and they’ve started strongly away to the Mariners.
In what appears to be a routine corner, Central Coast fail to clear their lines and the ball makes its way to Ben Warland but he is unable to get a touch as it bounces into the hands of Mark Birighitti.
Big let-off for the Mariners.
Opta insight
Central Coast Mariners have scored exactly two goals in each of their last four ALM games against Sydney, picking up two wins in that period (D1, L1).
- The Mariners picked up a 2-0 win in their last ALM game against Sydney at Central Coast Stadium (12 December 2021) and will now search for back-to-back wins in such fixtures for the first time since a three-game stretch from November 2012 to March 2014.
- Central Coast are set to play their 450th game in the ALM and will be looking for their 150th win in the competition; it will be the 50th time that they have faced Sydney in the competition.
- Sydney have conceded exactly two goals in each of their last five ALM games against New South Wales opposition, winning only twice in that period (D1, L2).
- The Mariners (54%) have the highest shooting accuracy of any team in the 2021-22 A-League Men season, while Sydney (42%) have the third-lowest rate of any team.
- Sydney have made 29 shots and scored four goals from forcing high turnovers this season, the second highest in both categories of any team in the competition behind only Melbourne City (35 shots, six goals).
- Mariners goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has saved three penalties in the 2021-22 A-League Men season, more than any other player; only twice in the last decade has any goalkeeper saved more penalties in a single season (Paul Izzo – four in 2017-18; Ante Covic – four in 2012-13).
- Sydney’s Adam Le Fondre has not scored a goal in any of his last three A-League Men games against the Mariners after finding the back of the net once in each of his first three games against them in the competition.
Streaking Mariners looking to stay hot
The Mariners are charging toward the top six – and return to Central Coast Stadium just days after romping the Phoenix by five goals to nil. Amongst the scorers on Tuesday night was 17-year-old Garang Kuol, brother of Alou whose exploits in the 2020-21 season earned a European move to German side Stuttgart.
With another Kuol on the rise, and Marco Urena and Jason Cummings scoring for fun, the Mariners are one of the hottest tickets in town – Sydney will need to be at their best on their travels to Gosford, or risk being chased down by the Mariners in the battle for finals football.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 1-1 BRISBANE ROAR
REACTION
Russell feeling like a ‘broken record’ at Wanderers
It was hard for Tate Russell to hide his frustration after Western Sydney Wanderers gifted Brisbane Roar a point in their 1-1 draw on Saturday night.
Desperate for victory in their fight to reach the finals, Wanderers goalkeeper Daniel Margush was sent off for denying Brisbane a clear goal-scoring opportunity, having butchered a backpass in stoppage time.
Jay O’Shea converted the late penalty to cancel out Jack Hingert’s first-half own goal, and the result left both teams eight points outside the top six.
“Frustrating,” Man-of-the-match Russell told Paramount+. “I feel like a broken record at this time, especially in a match in which we could’ve had more control going forward and in defence.
“And in a match we definitely felt we could’ve done that. It’s frustrating to come off the back of what could’ve been a win.”
Russell added: “I feel like a broken record. We just have to dig deep, dig our heels in, keep pushing. It’s the best we can do.”
Western Sydney have gone four matches without a win following last week’s Derby loss to Sydney FC.
“I think it’s just in terms of the way the boss wants us to play, sometimes it’s coming off for us, sometimes it’s not,” said Russell.
“Maybe some boys are on the same page with others in terms of next passes. For our goal, you can see when it works it works.”
Full-time: Stunning finish sees points shared
Talk about a match coming to life, this fixture went from 0 to 100 real quick.
Just as the Wanderers looked set to claim maximum points, Margush gifted Brisbane chance to equalise in stoppage time.
O’Shea converted his penalty and the points are split.
It’s not the result neither side needed in their push for the finals – both Western Sydney and Brisbane are stuck on 21 points, eight points adrift of the top six.
92′ Goal 1-1: Moment of madness helps draw Roar level
Absolute scenes in stoppage time as Western Sydney goalkeeper Daniel Margush has a meltdown.
The Wanderers goalkeeper receives a backpass but completely loses his feet, making a meal of the situation as Parsons wins possession and runs through to an open goal before being brought down rugby style.
Margush sees red and Jay O’Shea makes no mistake from the penalty against substitute keeper Tomas Mejias.
86′ Roar score but it’s offside
Brisbane finally put the ball in the back of the net.
However, the flag is up and it’s offside against Alex Parsons.
So close.
69′ Roar down to 10 men!
Well, Brisbane’s task has become just that much harder.
Roar centre-back Tom Aldred is sent off for a second yellow card – his first red card since 2017 – after bringing down Rodwell.
It forces Warren Moon and the Roar to alter their tactics for the final 20 minutes.
63′ Roar playing their way back into the contest
Brisbane needed a spark after a sluggish end to the first half and the visitors engineer an opening just past the hour-mark.
Some neat passing inside the penalty area presents an opening for Luke Ivanovic but his effort his blocked away for a corner.
Another example of what the Roar are capable of, though they need to make the most of their chances.
Half-time: Wanderers finish strongly
For large periods, Brisbane looked like the better team and the more likely to score.
But the Wanderers held on and eventually scored against the run of play in Western Sydney.
“It is a little bit scrappy,” Rodwell told Paramount+. “We’ve tried to dig in. It was a scrappy game, we tried to play the ball a little bit.
“It’s not really working but we managed to get the ball at the end of the half. We almost scored another as well so need to keep pushing now.”
A big 45 minutes coming up.
46′ Did the ball cross the line?
It’s a chaotic ending to the first half as the Wanderers think they’ve doubled the lead.
Keanu Baccus’ header from a corner appears to catch out Holmes, who scrambles desperately to keep the ball out of the net.
Western Sydney are convinced the ball crossed the line in first-half stoppage time, but after a VAR check, Brisbane survive.
41′ Goal 1-0: Western Sydney break the deadlock
Up until this point, the match lacked the quality and action.
But through Jack Rodwell’s creativity, the Wanderers take the lead four minutes before half-time.
Rodwell plays a ball across the six-yard box, towards Bernie Ibini and it ends up in the back of the net.
Ibini didn’t wheel away in celebration as it went in off Jack Hingert.
18′ Wanderers remind Roar what they’re capable of
It’s been a slow start if you’re a fan of the Wanderers but just like that, Western Sydney nearly take the lead.
Western Sydney pass their way through Brisbane’s defence for the first time and it tees up James Troisi.
Troisi manages to get a shot on target, forcing a save from Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes.
15′ Roar looking the more likely
The Wanderers, coming off a Sydney Derby defeat, have struggled to get going on home soil.
It’s been all Brisbane, who’ve looked comfortable in possession and threatening in attack.
The link-up play in attack, around Dehmie, has troubled Western Sydney inside the opening 15 minutes.
1′ Dangerous Dehmie with a Wanderers warning
Talk about coming within a whisker of taking the lead.
Roar teenager Cyrus Dehmie gets in behind Western Sydney’s defence and slides his shot agonisingly wide of the post.
Mark Rudan can breathe a sigh of relief!
Opta insight
- Brisbane have won four of their last six A-League Men games against Western Sydney (D1, L1), including a 3-0 win in their last meeting (January 2022); they had won only three of their 12 encounters prior to that period (D5, L4).
- Western Sydney logged a 2-0 win in their last game against Brisbane at CommBank Stadium (May 2021) after picking up just a single competition point from their three previous meetings at the venue (D1, L2).
- The Wanderers are unbeaten in their last three ALM games at CommBank Stadium (W2, D1); the last and only time they went longer without a loss at the venue was a four-game stretch from February to July in 2020 (W2, D2).
- Brisbane picked up a 4-1 win over Perth Glory in their last ALM game outside Queensland (19 March 2022), snapping a nine-game winless run outside their home state (D1, L8); the last time they won back-to-back games outside Queensland was a three-game streak in April 2021.
- Western Sydney have a shot conversion rate of just six percent and have scored only eight goals when playing at home in the 2021-22 ALM season; only Perth (4%, five goals) rank below them in either category.
- The Roar have made six shots on target per game this season, the most of any team in the competition while Western Sydney (four) have made the second fewest of any team.
- Western Sydney’s Tomer Hemed has scored one goal in three of his last four ALM games when he has been in the starting XI on the day; although, he has not scored in either of his last two starts against Brisbane in the competition.
- Jay O’Shea of the Roar has been directly involved in seven goals in his last five A-League Men games (2 goals, 5 assists); he also made one assist in his last game against Western Sydney (January 2022).
Fading finals hopes on the line
Three games without a win have sent Mark Rudan’s Western Sydney below Brisbane Roar in the A-League Men’s table; the two sides meet with their respectively slim hopes of a finals foray alive – but only just.
Brisbane snapped a three-game losing streak last time out, with young forwards Henry Hore and Luke Ivanovic amongst the goals in a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets. Hore is now joint top scorer at the club (five goals) as the 22-year-old looks to lead Brisbane along an unlikely pathway to the finals.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WESTERN UNITED 1-4 WELLINGTON PHOENIX
REACTION
Sotirio shows his importance
Wellington needed a win to keep their finals hopes alive and the return of Sotirio to the starting XI was just the tonic.
Making his first start since March 18, Sotirio bagged a double to inspire the visiting Phoenix.
After shaking off a niggling hamstring injury, Sotirio told Paramount+: “It was very exciting. It was tough to be off the field and very rewarding to score a double tonight and get a win for the team was massive.
“We came off two games that we got dominated, so it was good to get the win.”
Sotirio and Piscopo put on a show away from home and the former added: “I think it’s instinctive. We know the way we play.
“I know where he will be and he knows where I’ll be. That’s why we get the friendship on and off the field and it’s handy come game time.”
Heading into this fixture, Wellington had shipped 11 goals without scoring. However, Ufuk Talay never lost faith as the Phoenix dealt with injuries and COVID-19 issues.
“We had a review after we lost to the [Central Coast] Mariners. He [Talay] told us and he was very honest,” Sotirio said. “He told us we weren’t good enough. We had a review on what we can improve on
“He has belief in the all players and the team. Individually we have the belief as well. He told us just to be positive and take our chances and that’s what we did.”
Full-time: Nix put Western to the sword
After such a strong start to the season, Western’s hopes of winning the Premiership have faded fast.
Western have only managed one win in their last six appearances.
Wellington were coming off two huge defeats – 6-0 and 5-0 – but the Phoenix bounced back in Ballarat, moving up to fifth in the finals race.
The return of Jaushua Sotirio and Reno Piscopo was key in Wellington’s return to form.
