Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse – Matchweek 5

A mammoth Matchweek 5 came to an end on Tuesday night with 18 goals scored across five entertaining A-League fixtures.

Central Coast Mariners kicked the Matchweek off in style with an impressive 2-0 win over Sydney FC, before chaos reigned in Western United’s 5-4 victory over Perth Glory.

Adelaide United edged Melbourne Victory 1-0 on Saturday afternoon before Roy O’Donovan’s 50th A-League goal helped Newcastle Jets to a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.

Both the Victory and Glory returned to action in the last game of Matchweek 5, when former Perth midfielder Jake Brimmer scored a remarkable brace in the dying embers of the contest to see Victory snatch a 2-1 win at AAMI Park.

Read on to see who features in our Team of the Week for Matchweek 5, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.

REPORT: Brimmer’s late double sinks old club Glory and earns Victory’s first win
REACTION: ‘Never stop fighting’ – Brimmer hails Victory’s belief in dramatic late comeback

Goalkeeper

Mark Birighitti – Central Coast Mariners

Birighitti has proved to be one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the competition so far and the 29-year-old did not put a foot wrong while shutting out the Premiers to keep his third clean sheet in four games.

While he was only forced to make four saves – the highlight being a late block from substitute Jordi Swibel – Birighitti dominated his penalty area, fending off cross after cross and racing of his line to smother a number of through balls. 

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225188967001

Defenders

Ruon Tongyik – Central Coast Mariners

The Mariners centre-back could not have been more dominant in stifling Sydney FC in their own back yard, making a match-high six interceptions and winning all five of his duels. 

The 24-year-old even made his presence felt going forward, heading a chance narrowly off target and launching the counter attack that led to Central Coast’s second as Alou Kuol clinched the win.

Ruon Tongyik shares an embrace with centre-back partner Kye Rowles after the Mariners keep their third clean sheet in four games.

Michael Jakobsen – Adelaide United

Having shipped five goals away to Perth Glory last Wednesday, a better defensive effort from Adelaide was required for the visit of Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

Reds skipper Jakobsen ensured there would be no repeat of Adelaide’s bombastic display in WA. The Dane reigned supreme on a night both teams lacked invention in the final third, making five clearances and two interceptions.

Nigel Boogaard – Newcastle Jets

A big performance from the Newcastle veteran, who made nine clearances and two interceptions to lead his side’s repelling of Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

Boogaard also came close to scoring a true collectors item – a bicycle kick that was magnificently palmed away by Phoenix goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic.

A-League

Midfielders

Jake Brimmer – Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory looked down and out as they trailed Perth Glory by one goal to nil with just four minutes of time left on the clock, before midfielder Jake Brimmer stepped forward to send the Victory faithful out of the gloom into a state of unbridled joy.

Two goals to the former Glory midfielder – one from a well taken header, the other from the penalty spot – helped Victory snatch three points in the unlikeliest of circumstances; Brimmer may have left his best work until the last knockings of the contest, but when he stepped into the action his match-winning impact was truly remarkable.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6226186023001

Steven Ugarkovic – Newcastle Jets

Newcastle’s iron-man was the standout performer in the middle of the park as the Jets hit Wellington with two sucker-punches before hanging on to their maiden victory this season.

Ugarkovic was his usual industrious self: relentlessly closing down Phoenix attackers, chasing runners, and artfully escaping markers to relieve pressure. He also picked up a telling assist for Roy O’Donovan’s effort that would ultimately prove the match winner. 

Gianni Stensness – Central Coast Mariners

The relentless midfield general made life extremely difficult for Sydney FC to break through the Mariners lines, winning seven of his 10 duels and making three interceptions and four clearances.

Stensness showed his strength and energy off the ball, while also completing a solid 83% of his passes and creating two chances as Alen Stajcic’s team punished the Premiers on the counter-attack. 

Gianni Stensness 220121

Connor Pain – Western United

Western United caused Perth Glory no end of problems in their nine-goal thriller and speedster Connor Pain’s pace was a regular feature, with the left wing-back getting the third highest touches for his team (63).

The 27-year-old created three chances for his teammates, including an early assist for Victor Sanchez’s opening strike, while adding five winning duels, a clearance and an interception during an end-to-end encounter.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225524106001

Forwards

Dylan Pierias – Western United 

Incredibly, Pierias’ stunning four-minute cameo will be regarded as a mere footnote to Western United’s 5-4 win over Perth Glory last Saturday night.

Before madness consumed affairs at Geelong, the former Melbourne City youngster – and nominal right back – replaced Besart Berisha on the hour mark and took just four minutes to score two beautifully taken goals and restore Western United’s advantage. 

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225532610001

Roy O’Donovan – Newcastle Jets

A very welcome return to form from the Irish marksman, one of the heroes as Newcastle kickstarted their campaign with a 2-1 win over Wellington on Sunday.

O’Donovan teed up Valentino Yuel’s opener with a wonderful turn and release on half way, before turning finisher as he raced on to Steven Ugarkovic’s defence-splitting pass before rolling the ball past a stranded Stefan Marinovic.

That was the Irishman’s 50th A-League goal.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225725521001

Carlo Armiento – Perth Glory

It has taken just three appearances for the former Adelaide youth to impress heads at the WA club. Having scored against his former employers last week, Armiento found the back of the net twice against Western United on Saturday.

Both finishes were struck with deadly accuracy, as was a delicious cross for Bruno Fornaroli to flick in his second goal of the campaign. Armiento further enhanced his growing reputation in Glory colours with a neatly-placed assist for Fornaroli once again in Perth’s second game of the Matchweek against Victory.

Opposition defences will need to be more vigilant of Armiento’s absolute weapon of a left foot.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6225533185001

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