Miss any of Sunday’s Isuzu UTE A-League action? We look at:
- How Newcastle Jets let a 1-0 lead slip against 10-man Macarthur.
- The blossoming of Sydney FC’s Cortnee Vine.
- How Sydney FC bounced back, living up to Steve Corica’s promise.
- Why was Lachie Rose not sent off?
The Jets are a team plenty of people want to watch this season, but their opponents on Sunday are a team people will need to start respecting, if they are not already.
Macarthur, top of the table, are proving an extraordinarily difficult side to beat. In fact, Beka Mikeltadze’s scorching first-half free-kick, which put Newcastle 1-0 up, was just the second goal Macarthur have conceded in the opening five matches.
One, was a penalty in round one. The other was that direct rocket on Sunday.
REPORT: ‘I hadn’t seen them since Wednesday‘
Despite going down to 10 men with 72 minutes to play at Campbelltown, they are still yet to concede a goal from open play this term.
The moment Filip Kurto saw red, Milicic’s side knew exactly what to do – even more remarkable given the extent to which COVID impacted their preparation for the week, with the Bulls boss revealing he hadn’t seen the group since Wednesday.
“The team showed real heart and resilience,” beamed match winner Danny De Silva, who scored a sumptuous goal and set up James Meredith’s winner.
“We fought our heart out and I think we deserved the three points tonight.”
Arthur Papas will have different feelings, however, seeing his side struggle against 10 men this week after sparkling in a thrashing over Wellington last weekend.
“They were in cruise mode, playing beautiful football considering the pitch wasn’t the best – you were figuring out how many goals (they would score),” mused pundit Daniel Georgievski on Paramount+.
“They were confident – too confident – and they let Macarthur into the (contest).”
A reality check?
“There were similar issue against Western Sydney Wanderers (in a recent 2-2 draw) … they’re letting Macarthur come back into the game,” he observed.
Maybe they have to realise the game won’t be won just on their quality.
‘A new look player’
Wellington Phoenix produced their most mature display of the Liberty A-League campaign – but unfortunately for them, they were up against a powerhouse Sydney FC unit, who prevailed 3-0 despite not being near their best.
The win was ignited by an opportunistic near-post strike from Cortnee Vine, a 23-year-old who might not have scored that goal earlier in her career.
Paramount+ expert Georgia Yeoman-Dale enthused: “She plays with such freedom, loves to take players on, and she’s scoring goals –and that’s really picked up.”
Former Matildas star Amy Duggan added: “She’s come out of her shell and (now has) the confidence to do something like that (gesturing to her teammates to get into position).
“‘If you’re not going to be there for me I am going to have a shot at goal.’
“It has been really lovely to see her grow over the last 18 months.”
‘They smothered Wellington’
Steve Corica promised that his Sydney FC side would hit back following criticism after a winless start to their Isuzu UTE A-League campaign and for “80 minutes (against Wellington Phoenix) they were in cruise control”.
REPORT: Sydney FC finally open their season account
The Sky Blues punished some insipid Wellington defending to take a first-half lead via Elvis Kamsoba, while Adam Le Fondre doubled the advantage just before the hour mark.
Ben Waine made it an interesting climax, pinching a goal with seven minutes to play, but according to Paramount+ expert Daniel McBreen, Sydney FC just made life tricky for themselves in the final exchanges with that “lapse of concentration”. Otherwise, they delivered on their pre-match promise, although they faced a below par Phoenix, especially in the opening stanza.
“That reaction was good with the ball, and without it – they smothered Wellington,” he assessed.
“And if they did look like they were going to break, Sydney got back, got bodies around the ball, Wellington couldn’t find an answer.”
Searching for a change in fortune, Corica unleashed man of the match Kamsoba up top with Le Fondre, while Anthony Caceres and Max Burgess were charged with creative duties, also supporting 19-year-old Patrick Yazbek, deployed in the middle of the park alongside Paulo Retre.
Kamsoba’s energy was a nice point of difference for the Sky Blues after recent lethargy, but Georgievski, who raved about his performance, challenged him to produce that week in, week out as he looks to live up to his potential, which he did not do at Melbourne Victory.
“Consistency (is what) Sydney FC are looking for, and I hope he will have that,” he said.
McBreen explained: “He’s busy, always in and around causing problems – they’re busy together (him and Le Fondre) … yeah, we talk about his consistency but he’s always a thorn in their side.”
He continued: “He’s always a threat, always looking to run in behind, still looking I think to get that understanding with his teammates … and that comes with time.”
Does he have nine lives?
When Lachlan Rose’s late challenge scythed Matt Jurman high up his leg late in the Macarthur’s win over Newcastle, co-commentator Georgievski was adamant Milicic’s side would be down to nine men.
In commentary, he declared “it is a clear red” while waiting for the VAR, before referee Alex King issued him a yellow.
“Lachy Rose might have nine lives,” he quipped.
Jurman said: “He got me high, at the end of the day (it is) what the ref gives.”
