There were goals, goals and more goals in an enthralling round in the Hyundai A-League.
From spectacular free-kicks to great finishes, and plenty of late drama, Round 17 was a memorable one as 23 goals were scored in five matches.
Only twice in Hyundai A-League history have more goals been scored in a single round, with 27 netted in Round 15, 2014/15 and 24 in the final round of 2017/18.
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Adelaide United produced an incredible comeback as seven goals were scored at Coopers Stadium, while Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne ensured one less was netted when he saved yet another penalty.
We take a look at all that and more thanks to Opta data.
Redmayne closes in on record as Sydney beat City again
Redmayne is proving hard to beat from the penalty spot.
The Sydney FC goalkeeper saved his third penalty of the season in his side’s 2-0 win over Melbourne City at Jubilee Stadium, denying Riley McGree.
Redmayne becomes just the third shot-stopper to achieve that feat in a season since Opta started keeping the stat in 2012/13, joining Perth Glory’s Liam Reddy (three in 2016/17) and Adelaide United’s Paul Izzo, who holds the record with four in 2017/18.
Luke Ivanovic scored his first goal and Adam le Fondre sealed Sydney’s seventh consecutive Hyundai A-League win over City.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5997899668001
Hoffman haunts Wanderers as Duke has instant impact
Jason Hoffman likes playing the Western Sydney Wanderers, and so do the Newcastle Jets.
Hoffman scored against the Wanderers for a fourth time – the most he has netted against any club – in the Jets’ 5-1 win.
Newcastle equalled their longest unbeaten run against Western Sydney, now sitting at five, as the Wanderers fell to a seventh straight loss at ANZ Stadium.
There was one positive for the Wanderers as Mitchell Duke had an immediate impact. The recruit needed just 21 seconds to score after coming on, which is the third quickest in the past seven Hyundai A-League seasons.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5997300622001
Reds roar past Brisbane in thriller
Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar delivered an absolute classic at Coopers Stadium.
The Reds became just the second team to overturn a 3-0 deficit in the Hyundai A-League, winning an incredible encounter that included three red cards 4-3.
Nikola Mileusnic was the hero with a 97th-minute header in just the third ever Hyundai A-League game to feature three red cards as Ken Ilso, Dane Ingham and Jamie Young were sent off.
Carlo Armiento delivered the cross for Mileusnic from the left and it was down that side that the Reds had plenty of joy in the second half.
With Craig Goodwin – who created six chances – playing a crucial part, Adelaide aimed 41.8% of their attacks down the left in the second half, up from 37.2 in the first.
Only one of the past 22 games between the Reds and Roar – who had Adam Taggart score his 50th Hyundai A-League goal – has ended in a draw, and this was yet another classic.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5997736655001
Victory extend Mariners run… just
Melbourne Victory continued their incredible record against the Central Coast Mariners, but only just.
Victory extended their unbeaten run against the Mariners to 17 games with a come-from-behind 3-2 win.
Andrew Hoole scored two spectacular free-kicks for Central Coast, marking just the second and third goals Victory have conceded from outside the box this season.
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But the Mariners’ second-half struggles continued. They have only scored five times in second halves this season and that trend continued as they gave up their lead after strikes from James Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses either side of Ben Kennedy’s own goal.
Victory attacked far more down the right in the second half (37.6% compared to 30.1 in the first) and it was down that side that their winner came as Troisi released Barbarouses.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5997715623001
Phoenix denied record as Perth trip proves too much again
Wellington Phoenix have enjoyed playing on the road recently, but their struggles in Perth continued.
The Phoenix’s five-game unbeaten run away from home – they were aiming to extend that to a club-record six – was ended after a fourth straight loss at HBF Park as Perth Glory ran out 3-0 winners.
Andy Keogh scored his 50th Hyundai A-League goal after Shane Lowry and Chris Ikonomidis had put Perth in control.
Lowry’s goal came in the 19th minute to continue Perth’s run of hot starts. Glory entered the round having scored more goals in the opening half-hour than any other team, and they netted for a 13th time in the first 30 minutes in a game this season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5997756431001
