Dejan Kalinic

6 years ago

Stats review: Honda’s form an ominous sign for Hyundai A-League contenders

Keisuke Honda is yet to completely hit top gear for Melbourne Victory.

But with the Japanese great providing another assist on the weekend and topping some impressive stat categories for Victory, the prospect of Honda firing on all cylinders should be a daunting one for the rest of the Hyundai A-League.

The 32-year-old isn’t the only midfield maestro currently pulling the strings for his side and in Round 3’s Grand Final rematch he might have met his creative match.

That’s because Newcastle Jets’ Ronald Vargas racked up a tremendous statistical figure in their 1-0 defeat to Victory – one that puts him on a pedestal with one of the Hyundai A-League’s greatest ever play-makers.

Thanks to Opta data, let’s put the spotlight on some of the Hyundai A-League’s most impressive early performers and review Round 3!

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Honda’s critical importance laid bare in history-making win

Keisuke Honda was at it again when Victory made it back-to-back wins against the Jets in Newcastle for the first time in their history on Saturday.

The Japanese star teed up another long-range strike for Antonis – who was making his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance – to record a vital 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Their triumph mirrored May’s Grand Final success, and despite not yet reaching his peak level, Honda is thriving for Kevin Muscat’s side.

The 32-year-old has had a hand in all four Victory goals this season, scoring once and providing three assists. He’s also laid on two big chances and supplied 13 shot assists – the second most in the league.

Moreover, he’s among the league’s statistical leaders in areas you would not normally expect him to excel. Honda attempted a game-high five tackles in Victory’s win over the Jets and has overall completed a league high tackles so far this season with 13 – highlighting his leadership ability, and willingness to roll up his sleeves for the Victory cause.

How can I assist you?

The creativity of Thomas Broich is a part of Hyundai A-League folklore.

But on Saturday night, Newcastle’s Ronald Vargas turned in a performance to rival the former Brisbane Roar player’s midfield mastery.

The Venezuelan attacker created a total of nine scoring chances for the Jets – the most of any player in a single Hyundai A-League game since Broich racked up 10 against Perth in 2013.

He’s now tallied 14 created chances for the season – one ahead of Honda.

Le Fondre on target, Sydney FC supreme against City again

Star import Adam Le Fondre cannot stop scoring for Sydney FC.

The Englishman delivered a brace in a 3-0 win over Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Friday to maintain his sensational record of scoring in every game he’s played in for the Sky Blues.

Le Fondre has now netted in each of his first six competitive games for the Sky Blues, boosting his haul to seven goals. His total in the Hyundai A-League stands at four goals in three matches.

Paulo Retre had earlier opened the scoring for Steve Corica’s men as Sydney continued their dominance over City, recording a sixth straight Hyundai A-League win over the Melburnians.

The reigning Premiers’ dominance over City has been so emphatic that it was the fifth time Sydney had racked up at least a three goal total against their opponents during that winning streak.

Goodwin the goal-scoring talisman Adelaide have missed

Outstanding so far this season, Craig Goodwin netted another brace as Adelaide United eased past the Central Coast Mariners 3-0 in Gosford.

The winger took his tally to eight goals in seven competitive games since his return to the Reds to continue building his case for a Caltex Socceroos recall.

In the process, Goodwin became the first Adelaide player since Bruce Djite in April 2016 to score at least two goals and provide an assist in a Hyundai A-League game.

The comfortable win continued Adelaide’s fine record against the Mariners, making it eight victories from the past 11 meetings between the clubs.

Craig Goodwin and Isaias

Roar’s Perth hoodoo continues despite another Taggart strike

Perth Glory continued their good start to the season – and prolonged a miserable run for Brisbane Roar in Western Australia – with a 2-1 win over John Aloisi’s side at nib Stadium.

Andy Keogh’s strike and a Connor O’Toole own goal saw Glory improve their recent home record against the Roar, who have failed to win on seven of their past eight trips to Perth.

Adam Taggart scored a penalty against his former club as the forward moved onto two Hyundai A-League goals to start the season.

Taggart has netted both of Brisbane’s goals this campaign and now has four in his past three games at his former home ground, but it came too late to salvage Matt McKay’s 250th Hyundai A-League appearance.

Adam Taggart

Wanderers celebrate treble to spoil Durante’s milestone

Western Sydney Wanderers made it three straight wins over Wellington Phoenix for the first time in their history with their 3-0 victory at Westpac Stadium.

Goals from Alexander Baumjohann, Oriol Riera and Jordan O’Doherty saw the Wanderers make it six wins from their past eight meetings with the Phoenix, who were unable to celebrate club great Andrew Durante’s 250th Hyundai A-League game for Wellington with a win.

It also continued the hosts’ somewhat mixed recent record in front of their own fans, with the New Zealanders having lost three of their past nine home games, winning four and drawing two.

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