aleagues.com.au wraps up all the pre-weekend media activity across the Isuzu UTE A-League as Marko Rudan tips his Dutch import to take the league by storm while Brisbane Roar laugh off a historical comparison.
Popovic’s plan to cool jet-heeled Irankunda
The Isuzu UTE A-League’s two top-scoring teams face off on Saturday night as Melbourne Victory host Adelaide United in the Original Rivalry.
Both sides head into the game at AAMI Park in scintillating form with Victory putting five past Newcastle Jets last week while a vibrant young Adelaide side hit reigning premiers Melbourne City for six.
Among the many to star for the Reds against City was explosive young winger Nestory Irankunda, who’s performance has drawn praise from Victory coach Tony Popovic.
“He looks a lot physically stronger, so he’s had a very good pre-season,” Popovic said in his pre-match press conference. “He’s had two starts, he’s had a real impact on the game, he’s scored and he’s a very exciting talent.”
However, while Irankunda’s early season form has highlighted why the likes of Bayern Munich are reportedly eager to obtain his signature, Popovic also believes he knows how to nullify the electric 17-year-old.
“We’re very aware of him, I’m actually excited he’ll be here and he can show his qualities,” continued Popovic.
“I think we have to think about ourselves first. We have to believe that if we can play our game we’ll make his job much harder. The harder it is for him the less effective he can be in attack.”
Victory haven’t beaten Adelaide in the league at AAMI Park since a 2-1 win back in 2018 and will be hoping the Reds don’t make club history this weekend, given they’ve never won three-straight to open an A-League campaign.
The first part of what is set to be a brilliant double-header at AAMI Park get’s underway at 5:00pm AEDT on Saturday night as Melbourne Victory face Adelaide United in the Liberty A-League.
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Saturday, November 4 2023
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+, 10 Bold
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Glory go in search of first win as under-fire keeper receives coach’s backing
They may be without a win in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season but Perth Glory boss Alen Stajcic says his side’s performances indicate a maiden victory isn’t far away.
Glory threw away a late lead against Newcastle in Round One before falling to Wellington Phoenix last time out, but Stajcic remains upbeat over Perth’s start to the campaign.
“I always knew it would be a bumpy start,” said Stajcic. “Everyone’s still positive. We know there’s been one-and-a-half good performances so far. To know that we can create as many chances as we have throughout both matches shows that we do belong towards the top.”
One player enduring a bumpy start to the season with his new club is goalkeeper Oli Sail, however his manager has come out in defence of his number one.
“He’s like everyone in our team, everyone’s a little bit down,” remarked Stajcic when asked about Sail’s recent performances.
“We put a little bit too much emotion into a result rather than the performance. Every individual will have ups and downs throughout a year and Oli is just included in that.”
Sail’s return to former club Wellington was one to forget last week with the 27-year-old making a high-profile error which led to the Phoenix’s opening goal, however Stajcic insists he’s not the sort of coach to drop a player based on one game.
“We’ll make every decision based on merit, every week,” said Stajcic. “I’m not going to go into who’s in or out based on one game. It just doesn’t work like that and I don’t work like that.”
Whether Sail starts or not against the Mariners remains to be seen but Stajcic will certainly be hoping for a defensive improvement from his side, given they’ve now conceded two or more goals in 13 of their last 15 league matches.
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, November 4 2023
HBF Park
Kick-off: 9:45pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+
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Aloisi shrugs off Championship season comparisons as confident Roar head to Wellington
With four points to their name already, Brisbane Roar are certainly full of confidence heading into this weekend’s away clash with Wellington Phoenix.
In fact, should Ross Aloisi’s side avoid defeat against the ‘Nix they’d have gone three games unbeaten at the start of a season for the first time since 2011 – the year Ange Postecoglou guided them to their second successive Championship.
“That’s a good stat!” laughed Aloisi. “But our focus is on going there, playing good football and being the best that we can be.
“We always want to win a game but to win that game it’s got to be what we do in that game. We’ve got to be on top of our game defensively and also in possession. I keep repeating myself but the outcome will take care of itself.”
The Queenslanders brushed Sydney FC aside last week with 18-year-old forward Thomas Waddingham amongst those who impressed at Suncorp Stadium.
“He needs to fit into our playing style and he’s doing that really well,” said Aloisi. “He’s 18, he’s growing in every single game, he’s been scoring goals, he’s been a part of setting up goals.”
But Waddingham isn’t the only young player who’s been afforded the chance to shine this season by Aloisi, with 16-year-old Rylan Bownlie and 15-year-old Quinn MacNicol both featuring in what is a new-look Roar.
“I have no fear in playing young players that are at a level.” said Aloisi when discussing his young squad.
“I explained to the players from the very beginning. If you play hard and train hard and do the right things you’ll get your opportunities.”
Brisbane will certainly face a stern test against an unbeaten Wellington side when they meet this weekend and will need to tame ‘Nix striker Oskar Zawada, who has scored six goals in his last seven games at Sky Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, November 4 2023
Sky Stadium
Kick-off: 3:30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+
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Rudan tips Dutch import to take A-League by storm
Western Sydney Head Coach Marko Rudan has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the Isuzu UTE A-League, claiming Dutch signing Jorrit Hendrix isn’t anywhere near his top level yet.
The midfielder has slotted seamlessly into a Wanderers side which is yet to concede and bristling with confidence after putting five goals past Western United in Round Two.
“At 28, you know, with his pedigree, it’s fantastic to have him here. Not just at our football club but in the league in general,” said Rudan of the former PSV Eindhoven star.
“He needs to build in his general fitness, I don’t think he’s anywhere near what he can do. Once he starts to get more match minutes and builds his fitness up I think you’ll see a much better Hendrix.”
Meanwhile veteran midfielder Milos Ninkovic has been included in the matchday squad for this weekend’s trip to Newcastle, with Rudan admitting the club has been careful not to rush the 38-year-old back.
“We’re taking our time with Milos,” said Rudan. “If he’s deemed fit he gets straight into the squad, that’s what I think of Milos. He’s so important to this club and this squad as well but it’s his call.”
The Wanderers hit the road for the first time this season when they face Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday, November 5 2023
Sky Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+, 10 Bold
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Macarthur’s young bulls are buying into Sterjovski’s blueprint
It may only be early days but Macarthur FC boss Mile Sterjovski believes the club’s start to the campaign proves his squad are on the right track under his leadership.
The Bulls are unbeaten so far, having drawn with Brisbane and beaten the Mariners away from home, and Sterjovski says the playing group is now in a much better state mentally than it was at the end of last season.
“It’s just about making the players believe,” said Sterjovski ahead of this weekend’s game with Western United. “The results speak for themselves and I think the players have bought in and they’re willing to do anything to get the results.
“It’s still a work in progress, we know we’re not there yet. It’s still early but we want to build something special at this club and so far it’s been a decent start.”
Last weekend’s 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners came off the back of a gruelling trip to Cambodia where Sterjovski’s side lost 3-0 to Phnom Penh in the AFC Cup.
They face the Cambodian side again next week at home but before that they welcome a Western United side to Campbelltown fresh from their 5-0 shellacking at the hands of Western Sydney.
“I don’t look at the scoreline because we watched their game and I thought they were a strong team,” said Sterjovski. “Regardless of the scoreline they did some great things, they’re a good team and they’re well coached.”
While this fixture may not have been around for too long it’s Western who hold the historical upper hand and they’re currently unbeaten against in the Bulls in the last four meetings.
Macarthur FC v Western United
Saturday, November 4 2023
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Paramount+
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