There were 17 goals in six games in Round 11, with eight scored prior to the 23rd minute and nine after the 40th minute.
Five out of 12 teams kept a clean sheet. Despite that, four teams scored at least three goals.
Fun facts: Newcastle Jets are the first team in the A-League to have beaten Auckland FC twice this season.
Western Sydney Wanderers have picked up one point if their last five games.
Macarthur FC are now unbeaten in their last five A-League games.
Melbourne Victory have won four games in a row.
Wellington Phoenix kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Following four losses in a row, Central Coast Mariners had a 4-0 win against Adelaide United.
Son-of-a-gun Jai Rose, didn’t look out of place in his first A-League game for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Let us take a look at who made a difference for each team.
Auckland FC: Jesse Randall took a free kick that caught out Jets’ goalkeeper James Delianov; Randall struck the ball towards the near post, which made the score 1-1 in the 13th minute.
The 23-year-old was probably the only positive for Auckland FC to take from playing against a Jets outfit that was down to ten men in the 21st minute. Despite Auckland FC chasing the game, Randall was substituted off in the 54th minute.
Newcastle Jets: Lachlan Rose broke the deadlock early in the game, volleying a cross from Clayton Taylor into the back of the net. The attacker was rewarded for his hard work with a second goal, that resulted from him heading an Auckland FC corner into the path of Mark Natta, with Rose running the length of the field and receiving the ball back from Natta and scoring into an empty net, as Auckland FC goalkeeper Michael Woud ventured forward for the corner.
Western Sydney Wanderers: Angus Thurgate had a solid performance and can hold his head up high. The 25-year-old was unfortunate to hit the post late in the game.
Milestone man Lawrence Thomas ventured into their attacking area of the pitch for a Wanderers corner, in second half stoppage time, which left his team’s defence exposed, but Thurgate intercepted a pass from Bulls substitute Sime Grzan, that would’ve led to a goal for them.
Macarthur FC: Bernardo Oliveira offered something different, finding pockets of space, making clever runs and was in the thick of the action; Bernardo was fouled four times and put the ball on a plate for Luke Vickery in the 16th minute, who failed to hit the target.
The 21-year-old provided an assist for the only goal of the game, which was scored by Rafael Duran just before half time.
Paramount+ commentator Grace Gill summed up Bernardo’s performance near the midway point of the second half: “Bernardo has been everywhere.”
Melbourne Victory: Juan Mata put on a show: The playmaker was like a conductor of an orchestra, with great combination play and finding space, as his football intelligence was there for all to see. The playmaker provided two assists and had the ball on a string.
The goal that gave Victory a 2-1 lead came from a Mata corner, that resulted in Socceroo Nishan Velupillay’s first goal of the season.
Mata gave an interesting insight: “What pleased me the most was the three points. It was a tough game. I’m enjoying my football. We have a great squad. We are showing what we are capable of.”
Victory coach Arthur Diles was full of praise for the Spaniard: “He’s unbelievable. Nothing changes every day with him. He’s a top player and a top human being. He’s just so humble.”
Perth Glory: Khoa Ngo gave the Glory a glimmer of hope, with the substitute scoring a goal that made the deficit one goal in the 79th minute, thanks in part to an assist from fellow substitute Luke Amos. Grace Gill of Paramount+ summed up the impact he had: “Ngo has looked excellent coming off the bench.”
Brisbane Roar: Jay O’Shea created the most chances of any player in the game, with four. The Roar captain won five duels and made four tackles, in a lacklustre performance by his teammates.
Wellington Phoenix: Ifeanyi Eze pounced on an error made by defender Hosine Bility, that led to him scoring the first goal, which was well described by Paramount+ commentator Teo Pellizzeri: “He is a real specialist at chasing lost causes forcing mistakes and he did to a tee right there.”
The Nigerian created the second goal of the game with a good run that led to a goal for Kazuki Nagasawa.
Melbourne City: Aziz Behich showed his quality; the Socceroo made many a marauding run forward down Citys’ left-hand side, with purpose; the captain did everything in his power to get his team three points. The 35-year-old dragged his teammates with him, but no one could put the ball in the back of the net.
Sydney FC: Harrison Devenish-Meares helped his team claim a point, in a deplorable performance from the Sky Blues. The shot stopper made nine saves, looked solid and up for the fight. Paramount+ commentator Robbie Thomson summed up Devenish-Meares value to his team: “He was a wall standing between Melbourne City and the three points.”
The 29-year-old made an insightful comment: “I think we got away with one there.”
Adelaide United: Jonny Yull showed great endeavour; the 20-year-old had three shots on target and created two chances. Most notably, in the 18th minute he put it on a plate for Harry Crawford who failed to hit the target.
Central Coast Mariners: Haine Eames prevented a goal being scored by Reds captain, Craig Goodwin, with a header off the line, that gave the Mariners momentum, as they scored two goals in the following couple of minutes, which gave them what proved to be an unassailable three goal lead.
The 17-year-old won the ball in midfield, that led to the Mariners scoring through Miguel Di Pizio, in the 55th minute, which put the game beyond doubt.
www.theroar.com.au (Article Sourced Website)
#ALeague #difference #makers #Wanderers #shake #draws #Bulls #charge #Mariners #revive #season