Eight fixtures, 27 goals and a plethora of talking points came from Matchweek 7 of the 2020/21 A-League campaign.
The dramatic action was relentless as game after game of high-octane football passed. Perth Glory lit the fuse with a gritty win over Adelaide United before Brisbane Roar pumped Melbourne Victory 5-2 at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers proceeded to engage in one of the most entertaining draws you’re likely to see this season, while Newcastle Jets held steadfast to defeat Melbourne City 1-0.
Central Coast Mariners sensation Alous Kuol stole the show with a two-goal cameo off the bench to sink Western United, Sydney FC forward Kosta Barbarouses regained his form with a brace of his own in a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix, before 2-0 wins to both Macarthur FC and Western Sydney against the Roar and Victory respectively rounded out the engaging Matchweek.
Read on to see who made the Team of the Week, presented by Bunnings Warehouse.
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Goalkeeper
Adam Federici – Macarthur FC
11 saves across two fixtures kept Macarthur FC shot-stopper Adam Federici very busy in Matchweek 7.
The Socceroos custodian played a key role in that manic goal-mouth scramble when Macarthur hosted Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening, before going on to save all eight of the shots fired in his direction by Brisbane Roar as the Bulls collected three points at Dolphin Stadium on Tuesday night.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229701102001
Defenders
Nikolai Topor-Stanley – Newcastle Jets
100% tackles won (2/2), 100% duels won (6/6), six clearances and three interceptions for Nikolai Topor-Stanley in an unbeatable showing in the heart of Newcastle’s defence against City on Saturday afternoon.
The usually rampant Jamie Maclaren had an early chance before feeding on scraps for the remainder of the game as Topor-Stanley and Jets captain Nigel Boogaard repelled the danger and contributed to the Jets keeping a well-earned clean sheet.
Mark Milligan – Macarthur FC
Macarthur’s captain missed his side’s draw with the Wanderers as he served a one-match suspension for a red card accrued during the Bulls’ Matchweek 6 clash with Sydney FC.
But Milligan returned to the heart of Macarthur’s defence to face Brisbane at Dolphin Stadium, and produced a complete performance as his side notched just their second clean sheet of the season.
Milligan led all players on the park in touches (104) and passes (87), distributing the ball at an equal game-high accuracy of 93.1%. The former Socceroos captain created one chance, won six of 11 duels and made seven clearances in his impressive return to action.
MATCHWEEK 7 REPORT: Genreau and Derbyshire bring Roar back down to earth
REACTION: Macarthur have the squad depth to be an A-League force says Milicic
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Ziggy Gordon – Western Sydney Wanderers
Another typically steely performance from Ziggy Gordon helped the Wanderers secure a clean sheet against Melbourne Victory in Matchweek 7.
Gordon played his 68 passes against Wanderers at an accuracy of 94.1% – the highest of all outfield starters in the game. He won six of 13 duels, two of three tackles, made two clearances and one interception as the Red and Black held firm in defence to claim three points against Victory.
Earlier in the Matchweek Gordon shaped up against the Bulls and kept Macarthur striker Matt Derbyshire at bay, making two key blocks early in the piece to deny the Englishman two close-range strikes on goal.
Midfielders
Denis Genreau – Macarthur FC
A maiden A-League goal for Denis Genreau came from a productive Matchweek 7, which earned the 21-year-old Player of the Game honours against the Roar.
Genreau created two chances against the Wanderers before showing out against Brisbane, committing himself to 25 duels, laying one key pass and three crosses to go with a brilliantly-taken volley to put Macarthur on the road to victory at Dolphin Stadium.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6230362971001
Graham Dorrans – Western Sydney Wanderers
Two goals in two Matchweek 7 fixtures got Graham Dorrans well and truly up and running in the A-League as the Scottish midfielder played a key part in both of the Wanderers’ Matchweek 7 fixtures.
A lung-busting solo run and sumptuous lobbed finish for a first A-League goal made Dorrans’ night out in Campbelltown one to remember.
The midfielder’s sensational goal was just one of the highlights produced in a mesmeric contest between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC, which Dorrans consolidated with a second strike in as many games when the Wanderers beat Melbourne Victory 2-0 in the last game of Matchweek 7.
MATCH REPORT: Dorrans, Yeboah strike late as Wanderers break stubborn Victory
REACTION: Brebner laments Gestede’s decision-making after defensive brain fade costs Victory
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229700568001
Neil Kilkenny – Perth Glory
Kilkenny was engaged in a heated battle with Reds captain Stefan Mauk, and the Perth veteran had the final word by setting up the equaliser for Bruno Fornaroli to spark the Glory comeback.
The 35-year-old now has a league-high five assists this season, and led the game in touches (112) and passes (102), completing 86% of them. He also created a match-high five chances and won all five of his duels.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229398925001
Riku Danzaki – Brisbane Roar
The Japanese import excited the Dolphin Stadium crowd and petrified the Victory defence during a breakout performance in Redcliffe. Danzaki provided the assist for Dylan Wenzel-Halls’ opener with a deft flick, pounced from close range to net the third, and doubled his tally after half-time to make it 5-2.
The Consadole Sapporo loanee created four chances, fired in three shots on goal and completed 91% of his passes, as Victory struggled to contain the lively 20-year-old, who is settling quickly to life in Queensland.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229688349001
Forwards
Scott McDonald – Brisbane Roar
The 37-year-old rolled back the years in a vintage display, and could have scored three or four while leading Brisbane to a dominant 5-2 triumph against Melbourne Victory.
McDonald created two chances and scored twice from his seven shots, one of them a stunning long-range effort. A constant threat to the Victory defence, the ex-Socceroos forward also showed his strength and football smarts, winning nine of his 15 duels and earning four free-kicks.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229688445001
Alou Kuol – Central Coast Mariners
A second-half brace scored in a half-hour appearance helped Alou Kuol become the hero in Gosford once again.
The 19-year-old is enjoying a trailblazing 2020/21 A-League campaign, bursting onto the scene with a series of show-stopping performances, both on the field and in post-match interviews.
Two headed goals turned defeat into victory for Central Coast Mariners, who trailed Western United 2-1 before Kuol emerged from the bench to tear the game apart.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6229847607001
Kosta Barbarouses – Sydney FC
A sparkling return to form by Kosta Barbarouses helped the New Zealand international sink his former side Wellington Phoenix on Monday night.
Barbarouses had scored just one goal in 14 A-League fixtures leading into Sydney’s clash with Wellington at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium, but a goal on either side of half-time helped the Sky Blues forward recapture his best form and clinch three points for the reigning Champions.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6230038031001
REPORT: Ruthless Roar rip Victory to shreds in first-half mauling
REACTION: Kilkenny tears into Mauk after fiery war of words between ex-teammates
