It was a weekend of big battles in the Hyundai A-League, with plenty on the line and some high-profile casualties.
It was a weekend of big battles in the Hyundai A-League, with plenty on the line and some high-profile casualties.
Melbourne Heart v Brisbane Roar
Two sides under immense pressure and, somewhat surprisingly, it was the champions that buckled. How did Heart give Roar such a beating?
Possession: Heart: 41% / Roar 59%
Total shots: Heart: 20 / Roar: 13; on target: 11 / 2
Completed passes: Heart: 192 / Roar: 427; accuracy: 74% / 86%
Crosses: Heart: 9 / Roar: 21
Goalkeeper saves: Heart: 1 / Roar: 6
These numbers paint a pretty strange picture of the Friday night game. Brisbane domination possession and made more than double the number of passes than Melbourne, as we-ve all come to expect by now.
But where was the end result? Rado Vidosic-s side had just 13 shots to Heart-s 20, and only two of those were actually on target. It looks even odder when you consider the number of crosses Roar put in and the number of saves Clint Bolton had to make.
This seems to be a pattern for Roar this season: they continue to monopolise possession yet they are unable to convert that into a sustained threat on the opposition goal.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
Another solid display for the Wanderers but that won-t make up for losing at home after going in front.
Possession: Wanderers: 49% / Jets 51%
Total shots: Wanderers: 11 / Jets: 6; on target: 5 / 4
Tackles: Wanderers: 14 / Jets: 14; efficiency: 74% / 74%
Yellow cards: Wanderers 0 / Jets 6
Completed passes: Wanderers: 234 / Jets: 255
Yet again, you can see how close the Wanderers push their opponents. In almost all their games this season, their numbers have been almost identical to whoever they-re playing. It-s difficult to draw much from these other than the discipline and will to compete Tony Popovic has instilled in his team.
It-s also interesting to note the greater number of shots from the Wanderers; the more they play together, the better they-re getting on the attack, although converting those opportunities clearly remains an issue.
And there were six yellow cards for Newcastle to Western Sydney-s nil. This is becoming a recurring theme for Gary van Egmond-s side, who have the worst disciplinary record in the competition (19 yellows, two reds).
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
What a game this was, a dramatic result that could yet have a big impact on the rest of the season for both clubs.
Possession: Sydney: 50% / Victory 50%
Total shots: Sydney: 5 / Victory: 19; on target: 4 / 7
Completed passes: Sydney: 209 / Victory: 441; accuracy: 77% / 87%
Tackles: Sydney: 34 / Victory: 22
Crosses: Sydney: 11 / Victory: 29; corners: 2 / 15
Well, Sydney somehow managed to keep hold of the ball as much as the visitors but that-s pretty much the only bright spot.
Victory had almost four times as many shots as Sydney, nearly triple the number of crosses and absolutely dominated at corners. Given these numbers it-s no wonder Sydney conceded three goals in the last 15 minutes – they were getting utterly bombarded.
And check the difference in passes – Ange is clearly getting Victory playing as he wants – and the number of tackles Sydney had to make to try and break up Victory-s play. Melbourne were obviously more organised and tactically aware, leaving Sydney to chase their opponents and the game.
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
We expected a close game in Wellington and this gamer didn-t spring many surprises.
Possession: Phoenix: 54% / Mariners 46%
Total shots: Phoenix: 6 / Mariners: 8; on target: 0 / 4
Completed passes: Phoenix: 387 / Mariners: 288; accuracy: 77% / 72%
Tackles: Phoenix: 19 / Mariners: 20
Crosses: Phoenix: 18 / Mariners: 9
Goalkeeper saves: Phoenix: 3 / Mariners: 0
It wasn-t one for the highlights reel, with only four shots on target – from the visitors, at that – leaving home fans going hungry.
Wellington had more of the ball and put plenty of crosses in yet Mark Paston was the busier of the goalkeepers. Let-s be brief: the Mariners defence had the Phoenix attack in a bag, and the visitors created more clear-cut chances.
They might not be the entertainers of the league (the freak result against Sydney FC aside) but if consistency is they key to winning the A-League, the Mariners must currently be very strong contenders to retain their premiership.
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Another very even game between two of the competition-s for sides. A draw was a fair result.
Possession: United: 50% / Glory 50%
Total shots: United: 14 / Glory: 10; on target: 7 / 3
Completed passes: United: 330 / Glory: 293; accuracy: 84% / 80%
Tackles: United: 19 / Glory: 25; efficiency: 66% / 74%
Crosses: United: 16 / Glory: 22
Goalkeeper saves: United: 2 / Glory: 6
Looking at these numbers alone, you could make an argument that Adelaide were slightly unfortunate not to get all three points on the day.
The Reds had more shots and more on target, they outpassed Perth and forced Glory keeper Danny Vukovic to make more saves.
Glory, for their part, were more effective tacklers and got four yellow cards for their pleasure, which perhaps shows just how hard they had to work to get a draw at Hindmarsh Stadium.
