How your team fared, who made the headlines and the best from social media.
How your team fared, who made the headlines and the best from social media.
Newcastle Jets: Did their best to make one last push for a finals berth with a hard-earned 2-0 win over Adelaide on Friday night. Sadly, it wasn-t quite enough. Adam Taggart put the finishing touches on the golden boot with his 16th goal of the campaign and his 12th in front of the home fans at Hunter Stadium. It was also a great way for club favourite Michael Bridges to bow out of the game, with an assist for Taggart’s match-sealer at the death.
Adelaide United: Blew the opportunity to secure a home final by going down to the Jets 2-0. While coach Josep Gombau was pleased with the performance, a host of missed chances will be a concern ahead of the finals. It wasn’t the way skipper Eugene Galekovic will want to remember his 200th game for the club but he was superb to keep the score down, producing a sublime double-save in the second half.
Wellington Phoenix: The Kiwi side’s largely disappointing season ended on a low in a limp 4-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory. The only highlight was Jeremy Brockie’s superb volley for Phoenix’s late consolation goal. Coach Ernie Merrick has some big decisions to make if he is to get Phoenix moving up the ladder next season and has already started the cull, with Leo Bertos and Steyn Huysegems told they won’t be re-signed for 2014/15.
Melbourne Victory: Were momentarily in second spot after their best performance in weeks. In the end Kevin Muscat’s troops had to settle for fourth after away wins for Western Sydney and Central Coast. But Victory goes into the finals with plenty of confidence after mauling the Phoenix. James Troisi continued his superb season with a goal and an assist while Gui Finkler’s strike just before the break is a contender for team goal of the season, coming at the end of a 20-pass movement
Melbourne Heart: Conceded twice inside the last 10 minutes to go down 3-2 to Western Sydney and spoil skipper Harry Kewell’s farewell party. The result consigns John van ‘t Schip’s men to the wooden spoon. Marquee man Orlando Engelaar added another thunderbolt to his collection of screamers this season with his 30-metre rocket to level the scores in the first half. Heart fans will be hoping the Dutchman hangs around next season and can stay fit if they are to be more competitive next campaign.
Western Sydney Wanderers: Left it late but did enough to secure second spot – and home semi-final – thanks to late goals from Brendon Santalab and Youssouf Hersi. More importantly it gives Wanderers a week off, which could be crucial with a trip to Korea for an AFC Champions League clash this week. While coach Tony Popovic will be encouraged by his sides improvement in the front third, a few uncharacteristic lapses at the back will need to be fixed up before the finals.
Brisbane Roar: Had their six-match unbeaten run snapped in a shock 2-0 home defeat to Central Coast. Coach Mike Mulvey had been worried all week his side had taken their foot off the gas with their finals spot secured and his fears were realised in a particularly flat performance from the Premiers’ plate winners. Have two weeks now to rediscover their focus before a home semi-final.
Central Coast Mariners: Sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition after upsetting runaway leaders Brisbane. While Nick Fitzgerald and Anthony Caceres got the goals, it was a brilliant defensive performance from the likes of Zac Anderson, Eddy Bosnar, Storm Roux and Josh Rose that set up the victory. Showing all the signs they don’t intend to give up their title without a fight.
Sydney FC: The Sky Blues knew they could afford a one-goal loss and still qualify for the finals but did more than was required by locking in fifth spot with a 2-1 draw win over Perth Glory on Sunday. As the fans paid tribute to retiring former skipper Terry McFlynn, it was his heir apparent and namesake Antonis that shone brightest for the home side with a superb goal and another assured performance in the middle of the park. Richard Garcia then wrapped up all three points with the last kick of the game after Rostyn Griffiths’ equaliser. A leg injury to in-form defender Sebastian Ryall is the only concern for Frank Farina ahead of next weekend’s away finals clash with Melbourne Victory.
Perth Glory: Came to Sydney trying to spoil their finals hopes but never truly threatened to win by two clear goals as soon as Antonis opened the scoring in the first half. It was a rather tame end to a disappointing season for Glory, who could have a very different look next year. While skipper Jacob Burns is one name already heading for the exit, he could be joined by a host of other names with the likes of William Gallas, Steven McGarry, Adrian Zahra and Darvydas Sernas who are all rumoured to be leaving the club.
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**Finals puzzle sorted. The final round started with so many permutations but the finals fixtures are now locked in after a fantastic weekend of twists, turns and riveting matches. Premiers Brisbane and second-placed Western Sydney get the weekend off for finishing in the top two while Central Coast host Adelaide United on Saturday afternoon and Sydney FC travel to Melbourne to play Victory on Friday night.
**With Newcastle and Perth now done for the season, both club’s will now step-up their search for new head coaches for next season. Interim bosses Clayton Zane and Kenny Lowe have done admirable jobs since coming in mid-season but it may not be enough to earn the full-time job. Former Central Coast boss Graham Arnold is sure to be in hot demand, so it promises to be an interesting couple of weeks in the hunter and over in the west.
**Surface tension at Hunter Stadium. There’s been a lot of talk about the poor surface in Newcastle with Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper describing it as “crap” in Friday night’s coverage. Let’s hope the ground staff can get things right for next season, especially with the Asian Cup coming to town next January.
**Thanks for the memories Harry. Heart skipper Harry Kewell pulled down the curtain on an illustrious career against his hometown club on Saturday night. While it wasn’t quite the result he was after it was still a fitting farewell for one of Australia’s most gifted players ever produced.
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