Will your team be keen to carry on their current form or turn over a new leaf in 2014? Recap how all the teams went in the first round of the New Year.
Will your team be keen to carry on their current form or turn over a new leaf in 2014? Recap how all the teams went in the first round of the New Year.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 – 3 Wellington Phoenix
Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix kicked off the New Year in a game that saw second take on second-last.
While Wanderers have built Pirtek Stadium into a fortress in their short history, the Phoenix toppled Tony Popovic-s men 3-1 in front of 14,000 stunned fans.
Despite conceding the opening goal, the Phoenix showed great resilience in defence to stay in the match. They were rewarded for their effort when they were able to conjure three goals in 15 minutes to notch their third-straight win.
Belgian striker Stein Huysegems was the hero for Wellington, netting a second half brace after Tyler Boyd had levelled Mark Bridge-s third goal of the season.
Adelaide United 2 – 2 Sydney FC
A depleted Adelaide United maintained their unbeaten run, while Sydney FC avoided their third-straight loss as the teams settled for a point each at Coopers Stadium.
The Reds suffered two first-half injuries, while the Sky Blues had Nick Carle sent-off for a second yellow card in the second half.
Sydney FC-s Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic opened the scoring, but Fabio Ferreira equalised and Jake Barker-Daish put the hosts ahead from the spot.
Substitute Corey Gameiro rescued a point for his side when he headed home his first goal for Sydney FC in the 82nd minute and that-s how the teams would finish.
Newcastle Jets 0 – 1 Perth Glory
An under-strength Perth Glory got their year off to the best possible start when they walked away from Hunter Stadium with all three points.
The Glory were outplayed for large parts of the contest but made it count on the scoreboard. The Jets were punished for not converting any of their several clear-cut chances.
Chris Harold scored the decisive goal after he pounced on an errant back pass and held his nerve in front of goal to slot the ball past Mark Birighitti.
The Jets were left to rue a chance that was contentiously cleared off the line, as Glory moved to with two points of their opposition and a top-six berth.
Melbourne Victory 0 – 3 Brisbane Roar
The Roar broke their Melbourne hoodoo in empathic fashion, producing a clinical display to depose of one of their title rivals, Victory 3-0 at AAMI Park.
Brisbane produced one of their finest performances of the season with Miller, McKay and Petratos all applying lethal finishes to give the league leaders their first win in Melbourne in eight matches.
The Victory created a few early chances but Roar gradually asserted a stranglehold on the match.
There was no coming back for Kevin Muscat-s men after Adrian Leijer picked up his second red card of the season.
The Roar have extended their lead at the summit to seven points while the Victory will be looking to bounce back against the Jets.
Central Coast Mariners 0 – 0 Melbourne Heart
Melbourne Heart are still searching for their first win of the season but picked up a rare point in Gosford following their goalless draw against the Mariners.
In what was John van-t Schip-s first match back in charge, Heart created the better chances throughout the contest but could not find a finish to end their 18-game winless run.
Michael McGlinchey was denied a final start at Bluetongue Stadium before he jets off to Japan after he was withdrew on the morning of the match suffering from a virus.
The Mariners moved into outright third with the point but it was a disappointing showing from the Champions, while the Heart showed they can mix it with any team on their day and an elusive win is surely not far away.
