We take a look back at this weekend’s Round 23 of the Hyundai A-League.
We take a look back at this weekend’s Round 23 of the Hyundai A-League.
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar further consolidated their place atop of the Hyundai A-League ladder as they registered a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
Besart Berisha headed the visitors in front in the 23rd minute with the Albanian ace receiving a brilliant ball in from Thomas Broich. Berisha made no mistake as he calmly struck a superb header beyond Sydney shot stopper Vedran Janjetovic.
Sebastian Ryall marked his return from injury in fine fashion as he levelled the score for the Sky Blues just over 10 minutes later. An in-swinging corner from Nikola Petkovic found Ryall, who headed home the equaliser.
Goal scorer Berisha was given his marching orders just on the stroke of half time as after his tackle with Ryall.
However, Mike Mulvey-s men continued to control the tempo and had a few opportunities to take all three points in the dying stages.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United
Western Sydney Wanderers remain without a win in their last three games after sharing the points with Adelaide United in a scoreless draw at a sodden Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.
The match was delayed by half an hour due to a severe thunderstorm that hit Parramatta just before kick-off, which left parts of the pitch waterlogged.
Fabio Ferreira had a golden opportunity to put the Reds ahead after 11 minutes as he fired his effort high and wide after an inviting cross from Marcelo Carrusca.
The Argentine playmaker was back in the action shortly after as he tried his luck from range but failed to trouble Wanderers ‘keeper Ante Covic.
Western Sydney nearly opened their account in stoppage time as young gun Tomi Juric blasted a powerful effort on target.
Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets
Central Coast Mariners returned to winning ways in Australia-s top flight following their 3-1 victory against Newcastle Jets in the F3 Derby at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
Goals from Eddy Bosnar, Bernie Ibini and Glen Trifiro helped the hosts to their ninth win of the campaign and their 100th of all time in the Hyundai A-League.
It was a perfect start to the encounter for the Mariners with Bosnar finding the net within the first minute of play, before Ibini doubled the home team-s advantage five minutes later.
Newcastle opened their account via Joel Griffiths in the 23rd minute as he combined with Zenon Caravella to net his sixth career goal against the yellow and navy.
Central Coast rounded out the scoring as the clock wound down as substitute Trifiro grabbed his first goal in the Hyundai A-League.
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory have moved to second spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder after snatching all three points in their 2-1 win over Perth Glory at nib Stadium.
Melbourne captain Mark Milligan found the net for both sides in the opening half, after an own goal that gifted Perth the lead just before the half hour mark.
A header from Michael Thwaite deflected off Milligan and into the net before the fringe Socceroo coolly converted a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Archie Thompson gave his side the lead as he fired his strike home after a pinpoint pass from James Troisi.
Melbourne Heart v Wellington Phoenix
Melbourne Heart shared a point in a 2-2 draw with a 10-man Wellington Phoenix outfit at AAMI Park on Sunday.
It was a great start for the New Zealanders as Roy Krishna opened the scoring early on, however Jonatan Germano restored parity to the clash in the 33rd minute.
Only minutes later Ben Sigmund received two yellow cards for challenges on David Williams and the ‘Nix were reduced to 10 men.
Youngster Tyler Boyd gave Wellington a 2-1 lead after the break before Williams converted a penalty in the 62nd minute.
