So what did we learn from round two of the A League? The first thing is that Sydney FC took last week's seven minute brainfart where they conceded three goals against Melbourne Victory and turned it into a 90 minute feature losing 2-1 to everyone tip for the Wooden Koutala (spoon in Greek) (with hanks to Super JT for that one).
The second lesson we have not learnt is that some teams have recruited well providing their team with balance and depth. It’s only two rounds in but to me it looks like Perth Glory, North Queensland Fury, Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix can give themselves a pat on the back for providing opportunities to young players and seemingly getting the mixture between youth and experience right.
Poor Recruiting
For me Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory get a big fail in terms of their recruiting this season. If Sydney FC was a girl I’d call her performance against the Fury mingin. Is that Mark Bridge that good? Is Sydney FC really dumb for offloading Chris Payne, Adam Casey and to a lesser extent Iain Ramsey and not replacing them with anyone? The answer is yes to both. Especially after seeing Payne who had some harsh words in the lead up to the game set up the Fury’s two goals to give them an excellent first win of the season. Sydney FC must be banging their heads against a wall. They apparently have looked at 80 strikers when they had two in their squad already!
Let’s not even mention the perennial possession loser of the A League Hayden Foxe. I know he has had a wretched run of injuries but he looks like Benjamin Button and not the young version.
More Heart less Pun
What can you say about Melbourne Heart? That Dutch style is so great to watch, pass upon pass upon pass with no finished product. The A League’s new boys have more experienced professionals in their line up than a distinguished brothel and they still can’t score! Poor Josip Skoko is injured, Rutger Worm’s agent is a genius and Simon Colosimo and Michael Beauchamp look shaky at the back. I’m sure they will get better, their coach and the players in their squad are two good.
The Jets were on their way to well deserved 1-0 victory but unfortunately one of my favourite young players of the A League Ben Kantarovski scored a screamer of an own goal. I felt so sorry for the Jets they really deserved to win that game after being in control and creating the most chances. The Jets have an excellent blend of youth and experience in their squad. If they can stay fit the young players of the ilk of Marko Jesic, Ben Kantarovski, and Jeremy Brockie look like they have promising season ahead of them and with Michael Bridges and Ljubo Milicevic providing plenty of experience, I tip the Jets to be up near the top.
And special congratulations must go to the guys that dig up the Newcastle Jets pitch prior to every A League game; it really is excellent ground work. Not only does it make football almost impossible to play on but the sight of Rugby League sponsors painted over in that dodgy paint; it makes for a wonderful work of art. Groundsmen at Highbury and Old Trafford would be so jealous.
Monsoon Madness
Another match of note during round two was the first game played on Friday night between Wellington Phoenix and Gold Coast united. That they managed to produce a 3-3 all draw in monsoon conditions was a testament to the players. It was Wellington’s first game of the season after last week’s bye and don’t they look strong again this season?
I think the Nix are really growing as a club. Who can say they have an undefeated World Cup coach and players in their squad? Not many if any, hey bro! Paul Ifill again showed his class and I’m a big fan of Leo Bertos. Congrats on the World Cup players and the coach Ricki Herbert on staying, as I’m sure they fielded heaps offers after their World Cup Jaunt.
I’m being quiet on the Gold Coast and Mariners front this season, it’s not a boycott just that I’m finding the other teams more interesting.
So all in all well done to the North Queensland Fury and Newcastle Jets for having the balls to play young players and boooooo Sydney FC And Melbourne Heart for playing old farts and hopeless imports.
Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table
Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | |
1 | Perth Glory FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
2 | North Queensland Fury | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
3 | Central Coast Mariners FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
4 | Gold Coast United | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
5 | Adelaide United FC | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
6 | Newcastle Jets FC | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
7 | Wellington Phoenix FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
8 | Brisbane Roar FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
9 | Sydney FC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 1 |
10 | Melbourne Heart FC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
11 | Melbourne Victory FC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
P = played | W = wins | D = draws | L = losses | F = goals for | A = goals against | GD = Goal Difference | Pts = points
Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers
2 - Chris GREENACRE, Chris GROSSMAN, Shane SMELTZ, Mile STERJOVSKI
1 - Jeremy BROCKIE, Alex BROSQUE, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Shannon COLE, Jason CULINA, Dyron DAAL, Mate DUGANDZIC, Iain FYFE, Jamie HARNWELL, Paul IFILL, Scott JAMIESON, Branko JELIC,Terry MCFLYNN, Scott NEVILLE, Chris PAYNE, Matt SIMON, Alex WILKINSON, David WILLIAMS
(Please note: Goal error in Week 1 Review - Jacob Burns wrongly credited with goal - Branko Jelic was the actual goal scorer)
Week 3 Fixtures
Week 3 | FIXTURE | VENUE | LOCAL | AEST |
Fri, 20 Aug 2010 | Adelaide United vs. Melbourne Heart | Hindmarsh Stadium | 7:30pm | 8:00pm |
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 | Perth Glory vs. Newcastle Jets | nib Stadium | 3:15pm | 5:15pm |
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 | Brisbane Roar vs. Sydney FC | Suncorp Stadium | 7:30pm | 7:30pm |
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 | Wellington Phoenix vs. Central Coast Mariners | Westpac Stadium | 3:00pm | 1:00pm |
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 | Melbourne Victory vs. North Queensland Fury | AAMI Park | 3:00pm | 3:00pm |
Weekend Break | Gold Coast United |
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