Round 1 of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season rolled on with three huge fixtures on Saturday, headlined by a sellout Sydney Derby and Auckland FC’s inaugural game in the competition.
Auckland’s Isuzu UTE A-League introduction was a memorable one at Go Media Stadium, as Steve Corica’s side beat Brisbane Roar 2-0 in front of nearly 25,000 home fans. Then, attention turned to Newcastle where Melbourne City downed the Jets 1-0 thanks to a second-minute Marco Tilio goal.
Then, the action wrapped up with Sydney FC’s 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, in which both Douglas Costa and Juan Mata debuted and Sky Blues striker Patryk Klimala emerged as the match-winner.
Read on as aleagues.com.au recaps the best of the action and the biggest talking points from all three matches.
Douglas Costa delivers promise to Sydney fans after marquee men debut in star-studded Derby
Sydney FC recruit Douglas Costa challenged his side to up the ante in the final third after debuting in his new club’s slender 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night.
The Sky Blues travelled into enemy territory and escaped with all three points thanks to goals from Joe Lolley and new signing Patryk Klimala on either side of an Aydan Hammond equaliser.
But victory over bitter rivals Western Sydney wasn’t enough to satisfy the star Brazilian on his league debut; Costa says to expect a more ruthless Sydney FC in front of goal as both he and his attacking teammates warm into the new campaign.
FULL MATCH REPORT: Clinical Klimala fires 10-man Sky Blues to victory in star-studded Sydney Derby
“What a special moment to win the first game, the derby,” Costa told Network 10 post-game.
“Of course, I have a lot of things to improve but for the first game, away, a big opponent as well, we did it really well.
“I (tried) to push the guys forward to score more goals. I promise you we’re going to score more. We (missed) a lot today, but by the way for the first game it was a fantastic impact.
“For the first game, it was a really nice game but the season is long. We have to improve a lot as well – and then you have to get in shape. T”here are still a lot of games to improve, we have a big trip now as well, we go to Japan (in the Asian Champions League) and come back to (play) Auckland. So we have to train hard and be like that for the whole season.
“It was amazing,” he added. “I hope we can celebrate every game, that’s what I’m working for. The atmosphere here today was amazing, all the fans, I just want to say thank you, thank you so much for being here and I’m really happy to thank our fans (for) their support.”
On the other side of the derby divide, Wanderers signing Juan Mata joined Costa in making his Isuzu UTE A-League debut – but while Costa played from the start, Mata was named as a substitute for Round 1, and came off the bench for a second-half cameo.
Post-game, the 2010 World Cup winner was asked about his first experience of the Isuzu UTE A-League and whether Wanderers fans could expect to see him in the starting lineup in the coming games.
“Let’s see,” he told Network 10. “I feel good, but of course, this is down to the coach. I have a great relationship and communication with him, and everyone in the club to be honest. So let’s see, hopefully, we can get the first three points next weekend.”
“We are top of the league!” – Auckland FC fans rejoice as Black Knights put Brisbane to the sword
Auckland FC opened their Isuzu UTE A-League account in style, defeating Brisbane Roar 2-0 on a memorable afternoon in Go Media Stadium.
In front of a packed out crowd of 24,492 people the Black Knights got off to a flyer; Japanese icon and newly installed club captain Hiroki Sakai drilling a dangerous ball across the box which was flicked into his own net by defender Harry Van Der Saag.
An own goal on debut, Van Der Saag unfortunately joins Ben Kantarovski in becoming a rival club’s inaugural goalscorer, after the former Newcastle Jet turned one into his own net to give Melbourne Heart their first ever goal back in 2010.
An already pumping Go Media Stadium then exploded in the 75th minute after forward Logan Rogerson became the first ever home goalscorer for the Black Knights, tapping in Francis De Vries’ cross at the far post to give the Black Knights a two-goal buffer.
‘We are top of the league!’ sang Auckland FC’s new active supporter group ‘The Port’ as Steve Corica’s men cruised to the full time whistle on what was a memorable afternoon at Go Media Stadium.
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Young keeper shines on debut as 10-man City edge Newcastle Jets
Winger Marco Tilio scored the only goal of the game as 10-man Melbourne City defeated Newcastle Jets 1-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Firing home inside two minutes after the Jets defence failed to clear their lines, City head back to Melbourne with all three points in part thanks to an impressive performance from debutant goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
A surprise selection before kick-off, the 21-year-old got the nod ahead of last season’s number one Jamie Young, with Network 10 reporter Daniel Garb revealing the City coaching staff were ‘desperate to give him a go’.
“We tried all our goalkeepers out in pre-season, we put them up against each other,” said Garb when revealing what City assistant Scott Jamieson said to him before the game.
“Jamie Young (is) still very sharp, but the way in which Beach is adept at playing with the ball at his feet and also his size and his shot-stopping ability – they were just desperate to give him a go, the case was overwhelming.”
City were then reduced to 10 players in the 70th minute after midfielder Jimmy Jeggo was shown a straight red card for raking his studs down the back of Newcastle’s Eli Adams but the away side held on to take all three points despite some late Jets pressure.
More to come…
Did you miss the Isuzu UTE A-League season opener on Friday night? Re-live all the action from Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory below!
MARINERS v VICTORY: History, debuts, drama & a red in Grand Final rematch
