Brisbane Roar tried, but there was no taking Central Coast Mariners off top spot at the conclusion of an entertaining Matchweek 6.
The Roar jumped to the top of the A-League table after a 3-1 win over Adelaide United before the Mariners claimed their place back, losing 2-1 to Wellington Phoenix before sealing a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind victory in their second game of the Matchweek against Melbourne City.
That result ended a forgettable Matchweek for City, who fell to successive defeats to the Mariners and Perth Glory, who continued to excite under Richard Garcia with a 3-1 win over City at AAMI Park.
The Battle of the Bridge ended 0-0 between Western United and Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers played out a 1-1, and a ten-man Macarthur FC fell 3-0 to Sydney FC as the games came thick and fast in Matchweek 6.
Read on to see who made the Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.
READ: Why the Leagues are on a digital watch
MORE: A-League 2020/21 Fixture Updates: Matchweek 7 – 10
Goalkeeper
Stefan Marinovic – Wellington Phoenix
The Kiwi gloveman was the joint leader of the round in total saves, recording five alonside Adelaide’s James Delianov, but it was the quality of Marinovic’s stops that earn his Team of the Week honours.
The 25-cap international parried away Jack Clisby’s stinging long-range effort before half-time and, With Wellington desperately hanging in the game at Central Coast Stadium, Marinovic made a pair of outstanding full-stretch saves to deny Oliver Bozanic in the closing stages.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227748641001
Defenders
Jack Hingert – Brisbane Roar
Top of the table Brisbane Roar are thriving under Warren Moon’s new defensive system and Jack Hingert continues to step up for the Queensland side.
Stationed as the right wing-back in Roar’s back five, Hingert is relishing a licence to roam which saw him create three big chances in Roar’s 3-1 win over Adelaide and tee up Dylan Wenzel-Halls for the opener.
Hingert also led the Roar in tackles (four) and duels (12).
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227612298001
Ziggy Gordon – Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney’s defensive warrior wins his second Team of the Week nod of the season for his committed display against Newcastle Jets in opening fixture of Matchweek 6.
Gordon led the Wanderers in touches (79) and passes (58) on the night, winning five of seven duels, tackling with a 100% success rate, making six clearances and two interceptions.
The Scottish defender made his most significant impact on the contest with a dedicated sliding block to deny Roy O’Donovan a genuine chance on goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227290626001
Ryan Shotton – Melbourne Victory
The former Stoke City unit has settled quickly to life in the A-League and managed to dominate a rough and tumble battle with Besart Berisha, winning five of his seven duels.
Shotton’s positioning was excellent, making four clearances and two interceptions, while he showed his comfort on the ball, completing 92% of his 45 passes as the Navy Blue played out from the back through Western United’s press.
Adama Traore – Melbourne Victory
The flying left-back constantly gave Western United troubles on the counter attack, taking two shots, putting in five crosses, and creating three chances, one of which was headed a fraction wide by Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio.
Traore was tenacious in his defensive work, winning three of five tackles, six of 10 duels and made two clearance and an interception. His all-action, end-to-end performance was enough to edge out opposition wing-back Connor Pain, Mariner Jack Clisby, Glory’s Dane Ingham and Sky Blue Joel King in a stellar round for left-backs.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227596589001
REPORT: Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Newcastle Jets
REACTION: O’Donovan buoyed by improving Jets performances
Midfielders
Milos Ninkovic – Sydney FC
Milos Ninkovic was at his magnificent best against ten-man Macarthur FC in Matchweek 6.
The Serbian’s second-half solo run and finish was just reward for an evening’s work which included a 100% tackle rate (2/2), nine of 11 duels won, five shots and three chances created.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227606858001
Jay O’Shea – Brisbane Roar
Irishman Jay O’Shea regularly flies under the radar for Brisbane but the midfielder looks set for a huge campaign for Roar following his latest sensational exploit against the Reds.
Roar never looked uncomfortable against Adelaide such was O’Shea’s mastery of the ball in midfield, as 60 passes (88.3% accuracy) and 81 touches suggest. He created three chances and scored a wonderful long-range goal which earned O’Shea Goal of Matchweek 6.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6228930270001
Neil Kilkenny – Perth Glory
Kilkenny proved to be the deciding factor in the Glory’s superb 3-1 win at Melbourne City, producing a pair of perfectly-flighted free-kick deliveries to assist goals for Dane Ingham and substitute Nick D’Agostino.
And the midfield general’s all-round play was worthy of note on Sunday night. After spending Saturday evening as FOX Sports’ sideline reporter, Kilkenny pulled on the boots to lead the Glory in touches (64) while putting in six crosses and creating three chances. He added three clearances and two interceptions in Perth’s solid defensive effort.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227759255001
Daniel De Silva – Central Coast Mariners
A match-winning goal against Melbourne City capped off Daniel De Silva’s stellar performances across two fixtures in Matchweek 6.
De Silva created three scoring chances against Wellington including an assist for Alou Kuol’s equaliser before turning out against City in the final game of the Matchweek and putting on a show.
The 23-year-old excited with neat passing and inventive trickery, playing his part in a scintillating team move for the Mariners first goal of the game before striking from distance to win his side three points, after trailing 2-0 early in the contest.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6228638678001
Attackers
Dylan Wenzel-Halls – Brisbane Roar
If he is not already, the ex-NPL Queensland man Wenzel-Halls is quickly becoming Brisbane’s most influential and effective player.
Wenzel-Halls opened the scoring with a well-executed near-post header and sealed the three points for Roar with a dipping strike late on that ensured Moon’s side finish the weekend action on top of the pile.
The menacing, high-energy striker kept Adelaide on high-alert with every touch and with more decisiveness he would have added to his brace.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227618784001
Matt Simon – Central Coast Mariners
Matt Simon’s 200th A-League game came against City in Matchweek 6, and the 35-year-old produced a performance to match the occasion.
Simon won and converted the penalty which drew the Mariners level at 2-2 after trailing City by two goals in the first half after contributing heavily to the delightful team move which resulted in Jaden Casella’s first-half strike.
Simon’s tenacious, relentless performance up top for the Mariners helped bind a team effort together and ultimately assist in his side winning all three points on a memorable night in Gosford.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6228632629001
