Review- Feb 16-17, 2018 (Hyundai A-League)
The weekend of A-League matches was entertaining with at least three goals per game. The tempo played was of a high level. Every game was a close one, which made it intriguing for the neutral spectator.
Wanderers v Jets Review
Carrusca played a sublime pass that was clinically finished by Ikonomidis, unfortunately the goal was ruled no goal due to Ikonomidis being judged to be offside. Shortly after Carrusca was fouled in the penalty area, Riera took the resultant penalty, putting the ball into the back of the net. Down the other end of the ground Boogaard managed to hit the bar with a good header. Janjetovic made a few quality saves in the First Half, keeping the Wanderers in the lead. Early in the Second half Rodriguez payed a clever pass that was brilliantly put into the back of the net by Petratos. Topor-Stanley was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. Riera took the penalty and made it a brace, scoring two penalties. From the kick off the Jets managed to equalize yet again with an unbelievable finish from Nabbout. Shortly after Hoffman had a goal disallowed as was adjudged to have fouled Janjetovic. At the other end of the ground Risdon was brilliantly saved by Duncan. The game was an enthralling one that finished two-all. Both teams played with an attacking flavour.
Phoenix v Glory Review
Singh finished with a cracking goal in just the third minute of play for Phoenix. Ridenton had a couple of good shots well saved by Reddy. Castro blazed over the bar with a wayward shot on goal. He made up for it when he scored the equalizer in the thirty-sixth minute. Ljujic was saved by Reddy. In the Second Half, Velaphi thwarted a good attack from Chiianese. Burns and Kaluderovic wasted opportunities. Galloway was adjudicated to have fouled Castro in the eighteen yard box. Castro took the penalty kick, he tried to take a tricky penalty, but Velaphi was awake to Castro’s trickery and easily saved the penalty kick. Substitute Mcglinchey played a good cross that went into the back of the net thanks to an own goal from Lowry. The game ended two-one in favour of the Phoenix.
Reds v Mariners Review
Hoole had a sublime free kick go in the back of the net in just the seventh minute. Gulum was sent off for a foul on Buhagiar in the eighteenth minute. Mileusnic missed a golden opportunity. Izzo made a number of saves, keeping the Reds in the contest. Early in the Second Half Hoole played an intelligent cross that was put into the back of the net by Strain, for an own goal! In the sixty-first minute Garuccio played a sublime cross that was put into the back of the net by Elsey to put the Reds back into the game. Adlung played an exquisite pass that was finished off by Blackwood to make it two-all! New import and substitute Cavusevic made an immediate impact off the bench, being a focal point for the Reds and nearly managed to score the winner, but his shot on goal was well saved by Kennedy. The game finished at two-all, with the Reds ten men unlucky not to claim the three points on offer. The Reds were brilliantly coached by Kurz. This was a game that the Mariners threw away, with the Reds down to just ten men!