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 on Sunday.
The Sunday Agenda
Wellington Phoenix 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
MATCH REPORT: Wellington nick WSW to three points
Adelaide United 2-0 Perth Glory
REACTION
Latest stunner no surprise for Reds teen Irankunda
Nestory Irankunda is fasting becoming a walking highlight reel.
The teenage sensation was at it again as Adelaide United saw off bottom side Perth Glory 2-0 at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
The 16-year-old came off the bench and sealed the victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time via a thunderous strike from an acute angle.
“I just seen the ball go into the net,” Irankunda told Paramount+ post-game.
“I was surprised. Not one of my great performances but I’m really happy to score.
“I guess it’s a lucky shot but I have a lot of power in my shots. For me it’s normal to score goals like that.”
It clinched a third successive victory for Adelaide, who returned to fourth position in the Isuzu UTE A-League standings, ahead of Wellington Phoenix.
Reddy sees nothing but positives despite Glory’s woes
Perth are in a hole, battling injury and personnel issues as well as a major form slump.
The depleted Glory huffed and puffed and almost snatched an equaliser before Irankunda’s individual brilliance inflicted a 2-0 defeat on visiting Perth.
With the result, basement boys Perth take home the wooden spoon for the first time in their storied history.
They are in the midst of a 15-game winless run to go with a six-game losing streak.
But veteran goalkeeper Liam Reddy sees nothing but positives.
“There’s always hope,” Reddy said as he looked ahead to 2022-23. “We’re a club moving forward in the right direction.
“We have [interim head coach] Ruben [Zadkovich] in charge who’s putting the club in the right direction. All the players are behind him, the club are behind him.
“I see nothing but positive things coming out of the club going forward.”
Perth have only won three of their 24 games this season as they languish eight points adrift at the foot of the table.
With the likes of star recruit Daniel Sturridge sidelined, the Glory have turned to youth during the closing stages of the season.
Reddy said he is excited about Perth’s future after watching the club struggle to reach the lofty heights set by former boss Tony Popovic, who delivered a Premiers Plate in 2018-19.
For the younger boys, it’s a steep learning curve. It’s something the club needed to do. We haven’t recovered post-Popovic era,” Reddy said.
“This is the shot in the arm we needed. These younger boys have come in and done well. We’re really looking forward to next season.”
On the match against Adelaide, Reddy added: “We hung in really well tonight. We gave two more boys their starting debuts. Another off the bench.
“A lot of positives. We hung in there. It’s a good learning curve. We had a chance to snatch a point.”
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: ADELAIDE UNITED 2-0 PERTH GLORY
Full-time: Adelaide overcome stubborn Glory
It was a nervy night for Adelaide, who needed a stunning stoppage-time goal to finally put away a Perth side that pushed the Reds throughout.
Goals from Bernardo and Nestory Irankunda ensured Adelaide moved back into the top four with back-to-back wins over Perth for the first time since 2018.
Winless in 15 games amid a six-game losing streak, the Glory were condemned to a wooden spoon for the first time in their history.
95′ Goal 2-0: Irankunda stunner seals points
Just as the Glory went within a whisker of equalising in stoppage time, Nestory Irankunda scored with an absolute rocket to seal the points for Adelaide.
The 16-year-old added another stunning goal to his growing his of strikes, this time capping a fine counter-attacking move.
Sit back and enjoy.
74′ Glory score but it’s ruled offside
It’s been a pedestrian performance from Adelaide in the second half and they’re punished with 16 minutes remaining.
Oh wait, they’re not.
Joshua Anasmo curls the ball into the top corner of the net, however the flag is up and despite a VAR review, the call stands.
Unfortunate for the luckless Glory.
61′ Hiroshi thwarted by Reddy… again
Fans are growing restless in South Australia, with Adelaide still only leading 1-0.
Hiroshi continues to be a threat up top but the towering Japanese forward can’t find a way past Reddy.
Like the end of the first half, he is denied by Reddy.
Half-time: Bernardo the difference at Coopers
It’s a goal that made his famous father proud in the stands and Bernardo’s strike is all that separates Adelaide and Perth.
The Reds have been in control and could be leading by more, if not for Reddy.
Adelaide are on track for back-to-back wins over Perth for the first time since 2018.
46′ Reddy keeping Perth in the contest
Reddy has been kept busy but the Glory veteran has also kept Perth in this match.
On the cusp of half-time, Reddy comes up big to keep out Hiroshi Ibusuki’s header in additional time.
Where would the Glory be without Reddy?
25′ Goal 1-0: Bernardo breaks Perth’s resistance
Liam Reddy has been kept busy by Adelaide and it’s not long before the Perth goalkeeper is forced to collect the ball from the back of his net.
Ryan Kitto’s brilliant solo run leaves two defenders in his wake as he slides a ball into the six-yard box.
It makes its way to Bernardo Oliveira – the son of Reds legend Cassio – and the 18-year-old makes no mistake from close range.
14′ Perth making life difficult for the hosts
The Glory are without a host of stars as they face the prospect of their first wooden spoon today, but for all their problems, Perth have made a decent start.
While Adelaide have engineered some threatening openings, the depleted Glory look structured at Coopers Stadium.
Amid a 14-match winless run and five consecutive defeats, Perth have their work cut out but in a structural sense at least, they look promising.
ANZAC ceremony prior to kick-off
Before a ball is kicked between Adelaide United and Perth Glory, the focus is on remembering those who lost their lives in the war.
A nice pre-game ANZAC ceremony is held to pay respect to the fallen soldiers.
ADF top Adelaide legends
Before the main event, Adelaide Legends went up against the Australian Defence Force Football Team on ANZAC weekend.
The legends squad featured Marcos Flores, Travis Dodd, Kelsey Zafridis, Rachel Quigley and Marcelo Carrusca.
In warm conditions, the exhibition finished 2-2 at the end of normal time, before the ADF prevailed 4-3 on penalties at Coopers Stadium.
Opta insight
- Adelaide United defeated Perth Glory 2-1 in their most recent A-League Men meeting (March 6 2022), snapping a four-match winless run against them (D1, L3); they will be aiming for back-to-back wins against the Glory for the first time since February 2018.
- Perth have won their last three ALM matches against Adelaide at Coopers Stadium, conceding just a single goal across that span; it’s their longest winning run against the Reds at the venue in the history of the competition and as many as they won across their 13 such fixtures prior (W3, D3, L7).
- Overall, Perth have posted a negative expected goals difference of -19.8 this season, by allowing their opponents a higher xG (41.6) than they have managed themselves (21.9).
- The Glory have allowed their opponents to score with 11.0% of 362 shots in the competition this season, which is greater than the ALM average (10.6%).
- Over their previous 10 games in the competition, Adelaide (16 points – W5 D1 L4) have won more points than their opponents Perth (two points – W0 D2 L8). During these 10 matches, Adelaide have both been more prolific in front of goal (12 v 5) and conceded fewer goals (15 v 26) than the Glory.
- Adelaide have been handed 60 yellow cards this season – the most in the competition. They’ve been given three red cards in the competition this season by referees across their 23 fixtures, which is the joint-second most in the ALM.
- Perth have a season xG of 22 this term, 20.6 lower than the xG tallied against them this season; no other team has trailed their opponents xG by more than nine this campaign.
- Adelaide star Craig Goodwin has been directly involved in eight goals in his last seven ALM games (3 goals, 5 assists); however, his career tally of two goals from 18 games against Perth is his joint-fewest against any team he’s faced at least five times in the competition (also two against Melbourne City).
- Darryl Lachman of the Glory has made 91 clearances throughout the 2021-22 ALM season, the second-most of any player in the competition behind only the Central Coast Mariners’ Kye Rowles (99); Lachman has won three of his five games against Adelaide in the A-League Men, his best win rate (60%) against any club.
Reds out to reclaim fourth spot
Perth Glory’s season from hell continues on Sunday evening, with Ruben Zadkovich’s side travelling to Coopers Stadium to face Adelaide United.
The Reds are well rested, last featuring in the A-League Men’s on April 12 when Craig Goodwin orchestrated a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Sydney FC.
With Wellington winning, Adelaide will be seeking to reclaim fourth position.
Line-ups
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WELLINGTON PHOENIX 1-0 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
REACTION
Sail savours ‘electric’ atmosphere at the Garden of Eden
Oli Sail and Wellington Phoenix were desperate for a response on Sunday. It’s only natural after their New Zealand homecoming was spoiled by party-poopers Central Coast Mariners in a 4-0 rout in Wellington.
Auckland was the location for the Phoenix’s second consecutive home fixture and first game back at Eden Park since May last year.
Ufuk Talay’s Phoenix had to dig deep but they withstood a Western Sydney Wanderers onslaught to prevail 1-0 in front of more than 15,000 spectators in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Ben Waine’s first-half goal sent Wellington to fourth in the standings and Phoenix goalkeeper Sail revelled in the result, which sealed a fourth straight victory against the Wanderers.
“It was fantastic, mate,” Sail told Sky Sports New Zealand. “The atmosphere was electric. We love this place. Beautiful surface, brilliant stadium. We continue the unbeaten run at the Garden of Eden.”
Sail added: “It’s awesome. We can’t thank them [fans] enough. Some occasion coming home when it’s not very often and to have atmospheres like that, especially when it’s a tense game, 1-0 and you’re hanging on. The atmosphere was fantastic.”
The 10th-placed Wanderers huffed and puffed but left Auckland with their finals hopes all but over.
Steven Ugarkovic missed a penalty as he slipped, while the visiting Wanderers hit the crossbar twice in the second half.
Wellington somehow managed to hold on in tricky conditions, with sunny periods quickly switching to downpour.
“That’s Ufuk’s teams,” Sail, who has been linked with a move to Europe, said of repelling Western Sydney. “That’s our bread and butter and we’ve gone away from that in the past few weeks.
“That’s what we’re so good at. You saw it against Western United and Perth, and thankfully we got it right tonight.”
Sail was in the thick of a late skirmish between both sets of players as the Wanderers appealed for a penalty.
For Sail, it was a calculated tactic.
“That’s just my way of re-focusing myself. I knew we had a big set-piece coming up, so picking a little fight gets me in the zone,” he said.
“I heard Shane Warne say it once, so it’s my way of getting in the zone and ready for the next set-piece.”
Waine’s world as Wellington withstand Wanderers rally
The hero wasn’t David Ball, Jaushua Sotirio or Gael Sandoval. It was Ben Waine.
Waine popped up at the perfect moment, getting on the end of Ball’s scuffed shot across the six-yard box to put Wellington ahead in the 22nd minute.
The result was just what the doctored ordered for Wellington in their New Zealand homecoming.
“I can’t tell you what it means to us,” said Waine. “We all felt really disappointed that we couldn’t put on a show last week, so glad we gave something back to the fans today.”
Wellington are yet to lose this season when taking the lead.
“I think we’re a young side but always scoring first gives you a boost of confidence and energy. But with the fans we had today, regardless – 0-0, 1-0 down, you have that energy,” he said.
It was a nervous finish for Wellington, who were made to sweat it out for three points at home to Mark Rudan’s Wanderers.
Western Sydney completely dominated the second half but had nothing to show for it.
“I was sitting there thinking I don’t know how Ufuk does this. I was sitting there with 10-15 minutes to go just stressing out,” Waine said, having watched on nervously from the sidelines.
“But we got the result in the end, so that’s all that matters.”
Nick Pennington conceded the first-half penalty for handball inside the area, but fortunately for him and the Phoenix, Steven Ugarkovic slipped while attempting the 39th-minute spot-kick.
“It was a huge three points. It puts us up there to compete for the first four places, which is where we want to be,” said Pennington.
“To play another game in New Zealand, play another home game in Wellington would be amazing.”
Next up for Wellington is a blockbuster showdown with high-flying Melbourne Victory, who are unbeaten in 12 matches – a club record.
AAMI Park is the venue on Friday.
“Definitely,” Sotirio said when asked if Wellington are confident heading into the fixture. “We have momentum now.
“We have three games left and have to get the win. See how far we can go. Hopefully we can get as high as we can and another home game for the finals.”
’10 players behind the ball’: Baccus frustrated to lose again ‘Nix
Wellington were left counting their lucky stars after holding for maximum points in Auckland.
For Western Sydney, it was a bitter pill to swallow, having bossed the second 45 minutes at Eden Park.
After watching Steven Ugarkovic slip and miss his 39th-minute penalty, the Wanderers rattled the crossbar twice in the second half as they had the Phoenix holding on for dear life.
Wanderers midfielder Keanu Baccus said: “I felt like we were on top. They were sitting back, camped in their box.
“Probably not enough shots we would’ve liked but we should’ve scored in the end.”
Baccus added: “They had 10 players behind the ball, then the goalkeeper. It’s hard to break down at times but I feel like we did alright in patches.
“We needed more shots and clinical chances which we didn’t create. We have to work on that.”
Full-time: Phoenix crack top four
What a difference a week makes for Phoenix. After being routed 4-0 by Central Coast Mariners, Wellington bounce back with a 1-0 win over Western Sydney.
The Wanderers pressed and pressed, missing a penalty and hitting the crossbar twice but they leave Eden Park emptyhanded.
With the win, Wellington move into the top four and they could stay there, depending on the result between Adelaide United and Perth Glory.
90′ Rudan the villain is sent off
There is no love lost between Rudan and former club Wellington.
The Phoenix fans savour Rudan’s late red card on the sidelines and the Wanderers boss laps it up as he heads down the tunnel.
80′ Crossbar denies Wanderers… again
It’s been one-way traffic in the second 45 minutes – Western Sydney dominating the proceedings.
But Rudan’s men have nothing to show for it.
Standing in Western Sydney’s way – the crossbar twice in the second half.
This time Najjarine is thwarted by the woodwork.
71′ ‘Nix holding on for dear life!
Western Sydney are huffing and puffing, but the ball won’t go in the net.
First, John Koutroumbis’ deflected shot from outside the penalty area rattles off the crossbar.
Then, Jack Rodwell slides a pass to Ramy Najjarine, who is somehow denied by Phoenix goalkeeper Oli Sail on the goalline, though the flag is up for offside.
Incredible passage of play.
60′ Wanderers piling on pressure
Mark Rudan looked animated at half-time and whatever the Wanderers head coach said during the break has worked, spurring Western Sydney into action.
Western Sydney are piling on intense pressure as Wellington are pushed deeper and deeper into their own area.
Important period of play coming up for both sides.
50′ Waine almost doubles the lead
Eden Park is now bathed in sunshine for the second half and Waine goes close to making it 2-0 for the ‘Nix.
En route to goal, the ball bounces for Waine, who takes a shot from an acute angle and it bounces just wide of the far post.
Let-off for Western Sydney.
Half-time: Waine’s Wellington lead
Waine’s fourth goal of the ALM season has the Phoenix leading at the interval.
Western Sydney could’ve been on level terms, had Urgakovic converted his penalty before half-time.
As it stands, Wellington are in the top four.
39′ Ugarkovic in penalty horror!
Wanderers midfielder Steven Urgakovic did his best John Terry impersonation.
Western Sydney are awarded a penalty for handball against Nicholas Pennington and Urgakovic steps up to convert the spot-kick.
However, Ugarkovic slips as he takes the penalty – the shot bouncing wide of the post.
Had he not slipped, Ugarkovic would’ve scored against ever club in the competition.
It’s been four seasons in an hour with rain creating wet conditions, before the glaring sun reappears.
22′ Goal 1-0: Champagne football breaks deadlock
Auckland erupts as Wellington take the lead and it’s a fabulous team goal that carves open Western Sydney.
Ball is the architect, playing a neat one-two with Reno Piscopo. He charges into the box and slides a ball across the six-yard box.
Ben Waine is on hand to tuck the ball into an empty net on his return to the starting XI.
14′ Baccus fortunate to escape with a yellow
It’s a scene that would infuriate Central Coast Mariners fans – Keanu Baccus escapes a red card for a nasty challenge on David Ball.
The Western Sydney midfielder’s studs catch Ball’s ankle as the yellow card comes out, a similar challenge that saw Central Coast’s Lewis Miller sent off recently.
VAR reviews the incident but it stays a yellow, to the relief of the Wanderers.
10′ Lively start at Eden Park
The crowd is right into in Auckland, where the Phoenix have started on the front foot.
There’s plenty of space for Wellington, with holes in Western Sydney’s midfield.
The Wanderers’ defence are going to have a busy afternoon at this rate.
Opta insight
- Western Sydney Wanderers have lost only one of their last five A-League Men matches against Wellington Phoenix (W3, D1), a 2-1 defeat in May 2021; although, the Wanderers have not led at half-time on the day across that span.
- Wellington have won their last three ALM matches against Western Sydney in New Zealand, their longest winning run against them on home soil and as many as they won in all their 10 such meetings prior (W3, D3, L4).
- Across their last 10 fixtures in the competition, the Phoenix (15 points – W5 D0 L5) have picked up more points than their opponents the Wanderers (13 points – W3 D4 L3). During these 10 matches, Wellington have scored 14 goals and conceded 25 compared to a total of 14 goals scored and 14 conceded by Western Sydney.
- Western Sydney will be looking to pick up back-to-back wins in the ALM for the first time since May 2021 after holding on for a 3-2 win over Newcastle Jets in their last game (20 April 2022).
- The Phoenix have an average passing sequence time of 11 seconds this season, the highest of any team in the competition and have made more passing sequences of 10 or more passes per game (14) than any other club.
- Western Sydney have conceded 15 fouls per game in the 2021-22 campaign, the most of any team in the competition and four per game more than the Phoenix (11).
- Wellington’s Finn Surman has a passing accuracy of 94% from his 535 attempts this season, the highest of any player to have made at least 150 passes this campaign.
- Wanderers forward Tomer Hemed is on the cusp of just his third ALM appearance in New Zealand; he has scored a goal in each of his previous two games in the country, one at Eden Park and one at Sky Stadium.
‘Nix return to Auckland
The emotional homecoming continues for the Phoenix in Auckland on Sunday afternoon – but after a 4-0 trouncing in Wellington one week prior, Ufuk Talay’s side will hope to put on a better performance in their second of two home games for the season.
In 2020-21, Wellington played once at Eden Park, drawing 2-2 with Perth Glory. Former Wellington captain Ulises Davila missed a penalty in the 90th minute on that day in May, 2021 – the ‘Nix went on to miss out on the finals by just one point.
Wellington are sixth in the standings but a win against 10th-placed Western Sydney would send them fourth and above Adelaide United, if the Reds fail to claim maximum points on Sunday.
