What we’re talking about – Round Three: Valentino Yuel looks a story to watch. But, this season, he’ll have to prove he can maintain a sensational start to a campaign. This week’s column focuses on a few early trends – but they look awfully familiar.
If you think Valentino Yuel’s frightening early-season form looks familiar, that’s because it is; for the second Isuzu UTE A-League campaign in succession the Newcastle Jets striker is off to an absolute flyer.
Early in the 2020/21 campaign Yuel scored three goals in as many games, before taking his tally to four from his first seven appearances. This time around the Jets forward has looked just as, if not more potent in front of goal, netting three goals in two games to sit atop the Golden Boot standings after Round 3.
But those who marvelled at his early-season scoring escapades in 2020/21 may recall what was to follow: a further 17 appearances, and no more goals. His final total of four strikes saw the promise of a barnstorming start ebb away – and Jets fans will hope the flying finisher can buck that trend in the new campaign.
Yuel shot to the top of the scoring charts after netting a destructive brace against Sydney FC in Round 3, helping the Novocastrians come from two goals down to clinch a point on the road against the stuttering Sky Blues.
With just two points from three games to start the season and injuries taking their toll, Sky Blues boss Steve Corica is facing the biggest challenge of his tenure to date after three incredible seasons which garnered as many grand final appearances, one premiers plate and two championships.
MATCH REPORT: Yuel brace helps Jets wrench a point off Sky Blues
As Yuel aims to buck one trend, Melbourne City intend to see another continue into 2021/22.
A sluggish start to the Isuzu UTE A-League season, has seen the reigning premiers and champions collect four points from a possible nine thus far, just two points fewer than the six Patrick Kisnorbo’s side accrued through the first six rounds of the 2020/21 campaign.
As Yuel’s form dipped in Newcastle City surged, notching six wins on the bounce – a club record – setting up a charge to the premiers plate and beyond, clinching two trophies by the end of the season – the first two men’s domestic titles in the club’s history.
The team to stop that six game run last season was Western United at AAMI Park, and it was the same side dealing City damage over the weekend with a solid 1-0 win set up by a first-half Dylan Wenzel-Halls strike and consolidated by United’s magnificent defensive guard.
MATCH REPORT: Wenzel-Halls strikes again as Western United shock City
City’s much-hyped strike force of Andrew Nabbout, Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie went goalless for the second time in three games to start the season, but you’d be foolish to write them off at this early stage of the season.
As recent history suggests, this City side may take time click – and with a midweek clash against Perth Glory getting Round 4 underway on Wednesday night an opportunity presents for Kisnorbo’s side to move through the gears.
Perth return to AAMI Park to face City just three days after recording a stunning 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory at the same venue in Round 3. Antonee Burke-Gilroy was the star of the show, flying down Glory’s right-hand side to break the game apart with a stunning long-range finish to make it 1-0 before teeing up Ciaran Bramwell for the sealing second with an inch-perfect cross.
MATCH REPORT: Burke-Gilroy the hero as Glory down Victory
Elsewhere in Round 3, Macarthur FC moved to the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners, decided by an unfortunate own goal scored via deflection off captain Ole Bozanic.
Western Sydney Wanderers defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-0 on the road in the first three-point display of the season from Carl Robinson’s side, whilst Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United played out a goalless draw in Queensland.
