The coaching staff at Sydney FC have always had big wraps and high hopes for teenager Marco Tilio as he came through the youth ranks at the club.
And it took just 75 seconds for the 18-year-old to show his talent to the Hyundai A-League with a memorable debut in the Sky Blues’ 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.
With almost his first touch of the ball, Tilio coolly slotted past Mark Birighitti after excellent lead-up play from fellow youngster Harry Van der Saag.
In scoring just 1 minute 15 seconds after coming on for his debut, Tilio, who scored twice in Sydney FC’s NYL Grand Final win earlier this year, set a new Hyundai A-League record.
His classy strike is the quickest a player has every scored a goal on debut in the competition and the second fastest in Australian National League history behind Brisbane Lions’ Brad Kearton (50 seconds) in 1983.
Marco Tilio's goal 1 minute 15 seconds after coming on in his debut appears to be the 2nd fastest Aus national league career goal of all time, after Brad Kearton scored 50 seconds into his debut for Brisbane Lions in 1983 #CCMvSYD #ALeaguehttps://t.co/AOqp81ICf3
— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) February 23, 2020
That wasn’t the only streak Tilio broke in his short cameo in Gosford.
At 18yrs and 184 days old, Tilio is Sydney FC’s youngest goalscorer since Dimitri Petratos netted against Gold Coast United in January 2011 at (18 years and 59 days).
Now that’s how you make an immediate impression!
ROUND 20: Who made the Hyundai A-League Team of the Week?
READ: Future bright for Sydney FC as young guns Tilio and van der Saag make their mark
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6135107030001
Goals flow in record time at Wanderland
Anyone who switched on late to Friday night’s clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United on Friday night missed something special.
The two sides put on an attacking masterclass in the first-half, with six goals scored before half-time for just the fourth time in Hyundai A-League history.
All six goals came inside the first 38 minutes, which is the equal third quickest time to six goals in a match Australian National League history.
Fastest first 6 goals in an Aus national league game:
30' Parramatta Melita v St George 25-Apr-90
36' Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United 28-Oct-11
38' #WSWvADL
38' Perth Glory v Bris Roar 20-Feb-16
38' Northern Spirit v Perth Glory 19-Oct-03— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) February 21, 2020
The Wanderers scored four of those six goals and added another after the break to record an impressive – and much-needed – 5-2 win over the Reds.
It was the third time in their history they have scored five or more goals in a Hyundai A-League match and the first time since April 2016.
Wanderers skipper Mitch Duke finished with a brace for the home side, taking his tally against Adelaide United to four goals, his joint-most against a single club.
REPORT: Wanderers ignite finals hopes in seven-goal thriller with Reds
WANDERERS: Be brave, take risks, score goals: de Marigny brings joy to Wanderland
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134563486001
Robinson’s Jets passing the test
He’s only been at the helm a couple of weeks but new Newcastle Jets boss Carl Robinson’s influence is already plain to see.
In the first half of their 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, the Jets attempted 324 passes as they dominated possession and played with a swagger.
That’s the most passes the Jets have ever attempted in the first half of a match since Opta started recording passing stats in the 2012-13 Season.
324 – The number of passes @NewcastleJetsFC attempted in the first half against @gomvfc. The most the Jets have attempted since Opta starting recording passing stats in 2012-13. Share. #NEWvMVC #MadeOfNewcastle #ALeague
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) February 22, 2020
While they were unable to keep up the tempo after the break, they have stretched their uneaten run to four games.
Victory are still searching for their first win under new coach Carlos Salvachua and have won just one of their last nine away games in the Hyundai A-League.
Toivonen’s goal, his 10th of the campaign, was his first-ever against the Jets, meaning he has now scored against every club in the competition.
TALKING POINTS: Robinson’s selection dilemma at Newcastle – who misses out?
READ: ‘I’m sick of the beach, I want to play’: Hoolahan’s joy at long-awaited debut
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134936853001
Marinovic making a mark at both ends
Goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic has been one of Ufuk Talay’s key signings at Wellington Phoenix as they moved into a share of second spot with their 2-0 win over Western United FC on Friday.
Not only did Marinovic keep another clean sheet in Phoenix’s impressive display but he also was credited for a rare assist for David Ball’s last-minute goal.
Ball ran on to Marinovic’s booming ball forward, racing clear and cheekily flicking the ball over ex-Phoenix shot-stopper Filip Kurto to ice the result.
We say ‘rare’ assist as it’s the first time a goalkeeper has provided one in a Hyundai A-League game since Vedran Janjetovic did it for Sydney FC (against the Phoenix) back on April 26, 2015.
1 – @WgtnPhoenixFC goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic is the first goalkeeper to provide an assist in the @ALeague since Vedran Janjetovic in April 2015. Magnificent. pic.twitter.com/AqJ9nQaT3O
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) February 21, 2020
The win stretched Phoenix’s unbeaten home run to eight matches, one short of their previous best of nine games from October 2014 to March 2015.
Things aren’t as rosy for United, who have now gone their last four games without a win, their longest-ever run in the competition.
READ: Phoenix were in ‘total control’ against Western United says Talay
REPORT: Cacace and Ball send Phoenix third as Western United crumble
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134520524001
Bruno eyeing top of the scoring charts
Given his prowess in front of goal, it was only going to be a matter of time before Bruno Fornaroli began scoring regularly for Perth Glory.
And the Uruguayan’s goal in his side’s 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar on Saturday made it eight goals in his last eight Hyundai A-League matches.
It’s taken his tally to 11 for the campaign and third in the race for the Golden Boot behind Adam Le Fondre (15) and Jamie Maclaren (14).
It looms as a thrilling race to the end of the regular season for three of the competition’s premier sharpshooters.
In the same match, Roar midfielder Aiden O’Neill gained possession 10 times for his side, which was a team high.
His 10th possession gained of the match was his 100th of the season, with only Jay O’Shea (116) gaining more possessions for Roar this season.
READ: Another late rally shows Roar are ‘willing to give everything’ says Fowler
REPORT: Late Gillesphey goal hands Roar a hard-earned point against Perth
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6134907649001