The Hyundai A-League is unique because of the large distances teams often travel across this huge continent and New Zealand – this fact highlights the challenge for Australian clubs when hitting the road.
But for teams with bigger ambitions, winning matches in hostile territory is a vital ingredient for success. So, who is the best away from their own patch?Â
Opta Data takes a look.
All conquering Sky Blues
It’s perhaps no surprise that Graham Arnold’s runaway leaders are the A-League’s best performing team on the road.
Sydney FC have won a staggering 75% (9 wins from 12 ) of their games away from home, which makes them the only team to have won more than half of their road fixtures.
Cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City are the next best performing teams, winning 46% (5 wins from 11) and 36% (4 wins from 11) of their games respectively on the road.
Away day blues
Gui Amor’s struggling Reds, perhaps unsurprisingly, are the worst performing team on the road, with Adelaide failing to win a single game away from Coopers Stadium.
Adelaide have also scored a paltry six goals in 11 games outside of South Australia this season.
Furthest ends of the A-League compass
Perth and Wellington are located at the furthest ends of the A-League compass. As such, Phoenix and Glory are regularly forced to travel big distances for away fixtures, while their head-to-head fixture dubbed the “distance derby” is one of the longest road trips in world football.
This season, both have struggled on the road. Phoenix have won two from 10 games away from home, while Glory have won two from 12 away.Â
Interestingly, Glory’s 21 goals on the road the second most in the competition behind Sydney FC.
Marksmen on the road
Golden Boot leader Besart Berisha has netted exactly half of his 18 goals away from home, while Roar striker Jamie Maclaren has also netted nine goals on the road.
Interestingly, Maclaren performs better away from Suncorp Stadium with the attacker having scored almost 70% of his 13 goals in front of opposition fans.
Wanderers super-sub Brendon Santalab is another to enjoy playing on the road, with the striker netting seven of his nine goals away from home.
