In A-League of Its Own (28)

Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League

With just a couple of gameweeks to play, desperation is showing in teams who have a lot to play for. An example of this, is when after Miron Bleiberg’s Gold Coast team unleashed at Melbourne Victory, after his team were clearly outmuscled by the finals contenders. His main point was at Grant Brebner, after he injured the in form Bas Van Den Brink. Brebner went in for quite a difficult challenge, but he executed it, in my opinion, quite well. He smashed the ball cleanly first, and then clattered into the Gold Coast player due to where he was coming from. Maybe it was the hot weather, but I think Bleiberg needs to calm down, and have someone tell him that his team was clearly outplayed by the Victory. It was the returning in form Danny Allsopp who bagged both goals of the game, to all but confirm the Victory’s place in the finals.

That leaves one less place for Melbourne Heart, who are currently 2 points and a game behind Wellington Phoenix. Heart lost to Brisbane Roar in Brisbane in the weekend at the recently flood ravaged Suncorp Stadium. The hosts took the lead early on, through Jean Carlos Solorzano, and doubled their advantage soon after the half-time break, when James Meyer proved Brisbane’s depth by scoring for the third time in his first four games. Gerald Sibon made sure Michael Theoklitos didn’t keep  a clean sheet with a goal of his own 15 minutes from time.

Newcastle are that other team vying for the last finals spot, and faced another team going for that spot, Wellington. Being at the Cake Tin, it was always going to be an uphill task for the visitors, and Wellington scored the only goal of the game 20 minutes in, when Dylan Macallister hit the back of the net. Newcastle did their best to get a point from the game, which included an Adam Griffiths bicycle kick that was kept out by a fantastic Danny Vikovic save. Wellington sit in the six, and have played 27 and are on 35 points. Newcastle have work to do, having played 26 and have just 31 points to their name.

Brisbane’s two main title rivals Adelaide and Central Coast faced each other on Saturday at Hindmarsh, and the visitors came out on top, winning well in a 2-1 scoreline. While Travis Dodd scored the host’s only goal in injury time, Patricio Perez continued his run of form, scoring the opener just 11 minutes in to the clash. Full back Josh Rose showed again why he’s been a revelation for the Mariners this year, by scoring at the half-hour mark.

Perth Glory have had a terrible season. Since the first 5 games, where they sat comfortably in the top four, everything has gone flying downhill, with the team dropping 8 places, ownership changing hands and many other internal issues, Perth have had the season from hell. Sydney FC have also had a nightmare season. After their second ever title last season, expectations were high in the Harbour City, but all has gone pear-shaped and the defending champions have missed out on the six. They did win though on the weekend, defeating Perth over there. Bruno Cazarine and Nicky Carle combined brilliantly for the first goal, Carle finishing with a very deliberate looping header over Glory keeper Tando Velaphi. Revelation Dimitri Petratos scored another goal to make the final score 2-0, and he has proved to be a handy pick-up for Sydney and my Fantasy team.

This week’s Melbourne game, comes to us from AAMI Park, and has the Heart needing to win to have a good chance of getting into the finals against Central Coast. The game starts at 8.00pm, so be sure to get down there and join what should be a healthy crowd for one of their last games of the season at AAMI Park.

About Tom Riordan

Tom Riordan is in his second year of a Bachelor of Journalism at Swinburne University. He loves all sports, and plays for Brunswick Cricket Club. He supports the Western Bulldogs and can be found on weekends among half a dozen others in Q38 on the top level of the MCC.

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