In A-League of its Own 6 (2011/12)

 

Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League

Here’s the situation. Melbourne Victory is up 2 goals against a 10-man Perth Glory at their usual fortress that is Etihad Stadium 65 minutes in. But the following 25 minutes could turn out to be the 25 minutes that change the club forever. Andrezinho and Shane Smeltz managed to score in those 25 minutes for the visitors, to get a point from a seemingly lost cause away from home. While Andrezinho’s goal was a spectacular free-kick, Shane Smeltz’s was a free header at the back post. The mentality of the Victory was all wrong throughout that last 25 minutes, and could lead to some sackings by the board in the coming weeks. Francis Awaritefe has resigned from his role as Director of Football, although many feel that he was guided out the door. While Mehmet Durakovic hasn’t looked as though he’s had all of the authority over the team, it’s been assistant Kevin Muscat who has been doing much of the managerial roles behind the scenes, and even on matchday. This has also led players to question who really is in charge. I believe one or both have got to go. This weekend the Victory are back at AAMI Park for a Sunday evening against the Gold Coast. It’s a winnable game, but the way things are going for the Victory, who knows what will happen.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne heart have been going about their business nicely, racking up the points to put themselves in a good position for a shot at the finals. Heart got a very handy away victory at Robina on the weekend against the Gold Coast. Matty Thompson got the visitors off to a dream start with a goal on the break just 5 minutes in. After a relatively dour next 40 minutes, the home team returned from the sheds with much more intent in the second half, and the Gold Coast’s good work paid off on the hour mark. Mitch Bevan laid the ball off to Peter Jungschlarger from a free-kick, and Jungschlarger drove the ball low and hard into the onion bag from 22 yards. Gold Coast’s elation was short-lived though, as the Heart hit back just 5 minutes after Matt Thompson played through Jonathan Germano, who could do no wrong, chipping Glen Moss for the winner.

Elsewhere, a Brett Emerton-inspired Sydney FC fightback wasn’t enough to see them get the 3 points off a determined Central Coast at the SFS. Brisbane Roar kept their unbelievable run of games undefeated going with a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Newcastle. And Adelaide United could only manage a point against Wellington, after Nigel Boogaard’s own goal cancelled out Bruce Djite’s first half strike.

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.

Comments

  1. Did Emerton dive?

  2. Neil Belford says

    Great story – my less polite view is that Heart are the business, in every respect – up there with Brisbane, Wellington, Mariners, Adelaide, and Glory as a club worth having in the league while Victory are a bunch of thugs forged in old school English football culture both on and off the field. With the administration they have and Muscat as their spiritual leader, they belong in an episode of Life on Mars.

    Shane Smeltz is the best striker in the A league – dont know the first thing about him but he has scored some amazing goals this year.

  3. whack!
    I’d feel better if Victory lost Muscat.
    Smeltz is challenging Archie as the A-League’s highest ever goal scorer. German born Kiwi journeyman who has found his level to excel.

  4. Tom – Diplomatic assessment of the last 25 minutes.

    Keep the faith and the good work. Will you be heading off to the Bubble on Sunday?

    MCR

  5. Cheers for the whole-hearted feedback Neil. I’d love to know why you feel so strongly about the Victory, considering their successful history in the competition. Mic, I think I will be going this Sunday to hopefully catch us get the 3 points.

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