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Am I watching the A-League? During the Central Coast Mariners Newcastle Jets game I knew I was. While the intensity was there the game was an example of poor quality shooting and crossing with more bricks flying around than when the Pyramids were built.
One thing you can be sure of this season is that the addition of two new teams is going to bring more goals. One team will score them (Gold Coast United) and one team will ship them (North QLD Fury).
Has Ian Ferguson let the unforgiving North Queensland heat affect him? He emptied the bench after 48 minutes and it was only 1-0. The Fury also received 5 yellow cards and under FFA laws it means a one thousand dollar fine. Will Clive Palmer offer to pay that fine as well?
Ex Sydney FC defender Beau Busch had an awful game and Robbie Fowler and most of his team mates were not far behind.
Miron Blieberg’s tactics is that he has no tactics and it is refreshing to watch. One moment defender Michael Thwaite is running around like a number 10. The next Jason Culina is playing as a sweeper, midfielder and striker all in the one move.
The Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar game was one of the best I have seen since the A-League began. Melbourne attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez is not your archetypal athlete. He looks like you and me but shoots like he has dynamite in his right leg.
I wonder what Pim Verbeek thinks about the A League. I bet he would be mean and say that the defence has been poor but I’m sure even the pragmatist is being put to the side and his inner party guy is enjoying the entertainment on show.
Wellington Phoenix upset win 2-1 over Perth Glory will have those in the west asking hard questions. What about that 35 yard bomb from Phoenix attacker Leo Bertos for the winner? I’m sure SBS analyst Craig Foster would call it word clarsh.
Mark Bridge’s creativity late in game against Adelaide was just reward for some excellent inventive play. That goal came right after an Adelaide fan was escorted out of the Cove.
A League Import Watch: Victory midfielder Carlos Hernandez led the way for the imports this round with two stunning goals. Pocket dynamite Henrique for Brisbane was excellent as well. Vignoroli and Song for the Jets had their moments. Ivory Coast under 23 international Adama Traore lit up Gold Coast as he cruised up and down the left all night. Wellington striker Paul Ifill produced an excellent finish. Dutch import Victor Sikora did well for Perth with a neat finish to open the scoring. Sydney imports Karol Kisel and Stephen Keller had decent games while left back Sung Hwan Byun is still a work in progress.
A League Socceroo Watch: Ljubo Milicevic did himself no harm with a leaders display for the Jets. Matt Simon was solid if unspectacular. Shane Stefannuto did not have the best debut for the Fury. Brisbane captain Craig Moore did better than last week. Jason Culina was all class as usual for the Gold Coast. Perth lost again so that raises question about their Socceroo threesome. Sydney FC pair John Aloisi and Simon Colisimo worked hard and Kofi Danning is my World Cup bolter if FIFA allow him to play for Australia.
A Football Story Hot spot: What about the quantity and quality of the goals again this round? An average of 3.4 goals a game for the second week in a row, its gravy time at the moment for the A League and it’s only round two.
A Football Story Odd Spot: Robbie Fowler petulant kick out at Gold Coast United substitute Anderson. Chill Robbie my question is, why so serious?
"We're happy to lend the money to the Roar if they can't afford it, we can afford the fine,'.
"The Roar got to keep the takings, they need it,
"They need to improve their players they need to buy a few more”
Top Goal Scorers: Smeltz (GCU) 5, Aloisi 2, (SYD) Hoffman 2 (NEW) Hernandez 2 (MELB), Sergio Van Dijk 2 (Bris).
A Football Story Team of the week:
————————Higgins(GCU)——————
(Jets)Elrich—Milicevic(Jets)—van den Brink(GCU)—Traore(GCU)
(SYD) Danning ——–Hernandez(Melb) Culina (GCU)———Henrique(Roar)
———————(GCU) Smeltz————Porter(GCU)
Hyundai A-League 2009/10 League Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Gold Coast United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| 2 | Sydney FC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Central Coast Mariners | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Newcastle Jets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Wellington Phoenix | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Adelaide United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 7 | Brisbane Roar | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| 8 | Melbourne Victory | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| 9 | Perth Glory | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 10 | North Queensland Fury | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -6 | 0 |
A Football Story Next round Predictions:
Gold Coast United 3-1
Sydney FC 2-1
Melbourne Victory 3-0
Brisbane Roar 2-0
Perth 1-0
ROUND 3 FIXTURE VENUE AEST Fri 21 Aug 2009 Adelaide United v Gold Coast United Hindmarsh Stadium 8.00PM Sat 22 Aug 2009 Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC Bluetongue Stadium 3.00PM Sat 22 Aug 2009 North Queensland Fury v Melbourne Victory Dairy Farmers Stadium 5.00PM Sun 23 Aug 2009 Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix Suncorp Stadium 3.00PM Sun 23 Aug 2009 Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets Members Equity Stadium 5.00PM
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