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| Gold Coast's impressive introduction to the A-League continued when a quick start to each half was good enough to get them a comfortable 2-0 win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh and remain at the top of the A-League ladder. On 12 minutes, Steve Fitzsimmons went for a run down the wing before a cross found Steve Pantelidis within range. The shot was brilliantly saved by Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic, but the ball rebounded to Shane Smeltz who, with Galekovic still out of position after the save, had the easiest of uncontested goals. The Reds struggled to get into the contest, and were lucky not to be a second goal behind on the half hour when Jason Culina found himself with room to move in front of goals but his shot went over the crossbar. It was 1-0 at the break, and just five minutes after the restart the Gold Coast lead doubled. Jason Culina from a corner found the ball rebounding off heads to the feet of Fitzsimmons who made no mistake with the shot. The Reds sprung into action in the closing stages of the match, threatening to score, but were unable to make any impact on the scoreboard. 2-0 to the Gold Coast, and the quest for an undefeated season on their debut appearance remains alive. Adelaide United 0 Gold Coast United 2 (S Smeltz 12, S Fitzsimmons 50). Adelaide - E Galekovic, R Cornthwaite, Alemao (I Shin 73), I Fyfe, D Mullen (L Owusu 59), L Pantelis (F Barbiero 78), Cristiano, A Hughes, T Dodd, S Jamieson, M Marrone. Sub not used - M Birrighiti. Gold Coast - S Higgins, S Pantelidis, M Thwaite, Z Caravella (Anderson 75), S Smeltz, J Culina, B Van den Brink, J Porter (T Minniecon 79), K Rees, A Traore, S Fitzsimmons (M Osman 72). Sub not used - R Bajic. Yellow Cards : Adelaide - T Dodd 16, E Galekovic 77, R Cornthwaite 86. Gold Coast - S Fitzsimmons 23, S Van den Brink 40, S Pantelidis 81. Red Cards - Nil. Referee - M Breeze. Crowd - 12,741 at Hindmarsh Stadium. A rare Saturday afternoon timeslot saw Central Coast host Sydney FC. The two clubs had played in the highest-scoring A-League match in the history of the league when Sydney FC won 5-4 two years ago, but in contrast this would be a battle of the defences that would result in a 0-0 draw. Both sides created opportunities in the first half, but they were few and far between as the defences of both sides held firm. After the break the game opened up, but the goals would not eventuate. At 76 minutes, John Aloisi had a shot from close range, but Danny Vukovic pulled off a spectacular save. But an even better save was to come a few minutes later, when Central Coast's Dylan Macallister powered a shot towards goal only to be denied by a brilliant aerobic effort from Clint Bolton. But the most important save was not to come till injury time. John Hutchinson was brought down in the box, and a penalty was awarded. Adam Kwasnik stepped forward to take the kick, which would give victory to the Mariners, but Clint Bolton again was equal to the task, his save ensuring the game would remain deadlocked. Central Coast Mariners 0 Sydney FC 0 Mariners - D Vukovic, P Bojic, B Porter, J Hutchinson, D Heffernan, M McGlinchey, N Boogaard, A Wilkinson, M Simon, A Elrich (D Macallister 64), A Kwasnik. Subs not used - A Redmayne, N Mrdja, N Travis. Sydney - C Bolton, S Keller, S Colosimo, K Kisel, J Aloisi, S Corica (M Bridge 59), K Danning (B Gan 74), S Cole, A Brosque, T McFlynn, Sung Hwan Byun. Subs not used - I Necevski, M Jurman. Yellow Cards : Mariners - J Hutchinson 77 Sydney - S-H Byun 29, K Kisel 78. Red Cards - Nil. Referee - S Delovski. Crowd - 10,029 at Bluetongue Stadium. |
| ROUND 4 Friday 28th August Adelaide v North Queensland (8:00pm) Perth v Melbourne (10:00pm) Friday 29th August Brisbane v Central Coast (3:00pm) Sunday 30th August Newcastle v Gold Coast (3:00pm) Sydney v Wellington (5:00pm) ROUND 5 Thursday 3rd September Melbourne v Newcastle (7:30pm) Friday 4th September Wellington v Adelaide (5:30pm) Central Coast v Perth (8:00pm) * Saturday 5th September Gold Coast v Sydney (5:00pm) North Queensland v Brisbane (7:00pm) * At Canberra Stadium All times shown are Sydney time. |
North Queensland Fury put in a display vastly improved from last week's capitulation to Gold Coast
United, but it wasn't good enough to defeat Melbourne Victory; with the defending champions
recording a 1-0 win.
The key moment in the game came shortly before half-time. A long ball from Adrian Leijer found
Archie Thompson in perfect position, and one out with the keeper found it an easy shot for goal.
Until that point the Fury had enjoyed the better of the contest but were unable to find anything
to exert scoreboard pressure. Robbie Fowler had a good chance after Leigh Broxham was
penalised for a handball, but the free kick sailed over the bar.
The goal on the stroke of half time dented the Fury, but they came out fighting in the second
half. Royston Griffiths found himself with a great chance, only for his header to go wide. Later in
the half, Daal had an opportunity when he had only the keeper to beat, but his shot went
straight into the arms of Victory keeper Glen Moss.
The best chance for an equaliser came in the final minute. Again Dyron Daal found himself one on
one with the keeper, but again Moss anticipated the play perfectly to pull off a spectacular save.
And so it would finish 1-0 to Melbourne; the Victory opening their account for 2009-10, while the
Fury, although beaten, were far from disgraced and made some steps to restoring the credibility
they lost with last week's shocker.
North Queensland Fury 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (A Thompson 45).
Fury - P Henderson, R Middleby (D Williams 46), C Tadrosse (D Daal 74),U Talay (P Kohler 65), S Stefanutto,
R Fowler, J Robinson, D McBreen, J Tambouras, K Dodd, R Griffiths. Sub not used - J Pasfield.
Victory - G Moss, S Sukha, L Broxham, D Allsopp, A Thompson, R Vargas, B Celeski, T Pondeljak (N Ward
70), C Hernandez (N Fabiano 80), E Berger (G Brebner 72), A Leijer. Sub not used - M Langerak.
Yellow Cards : Fury - P Kohler 68 Victory - S Sukha 28.
Red Cards - Nil.
Referee - P Green. Crowd - 6,514 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
A fine and warm Sunday afternoon saw Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix play out a 1-1 draw
at Suncorp Stadium. But the biggest talking point for the game, sadly, would be the crowd -
officially just over 7,000 but even that number looked inflated. Increased ticket prices may be a
factor behind the poor attendance, but it would be a matter of concern to the FFA.
The Roar quickly got on the board, a good run from Henrique seeing him make his way into the
box before a perfectly timed pass set up Sergio Van Dijk for the opening goal. Van Dijk, only early
in his second year at the club, equalled Reinaldo's record for the most goals scored for the Roar.
It was 1-0 at the break, but the Roar soon found themselves under the pump in the second half.
The Phoenix, with a glut of possession and a succession of corners, were piling the pressure onto
the Brisbane defenders. Not helping the Roar's cause was some indisciplined play, as they gave
away a string of possessions and a succession of yellow cards.
But, despite being under such intense pressure, the Roar held on grimly as the Phoenix struggled
to find an equaliser as the minutes were ticking by. But eventually the Roar resistance could last
no longer and the Phoenix got on the board; a cross from Daniel finding Chris Greenacre to head
home the goal that levelled the game.
Frustrations boiled over for the Roar in the closing stages. Tommy Oar was booked twice within 2
minutes and sent off. Roar coach Frank Farina protested the decision from the sidelines and was
then banished himself, forced to watch the final moments from the grandstand. 1-1 would be the
final score.
Brisbane Roar 1 (S Van Dijk 10)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (C Creenacre 85)
Roar - L Reddy, L DeVere, C Moore, S Van Dijk, C Miller (M Nicholls 61), M Mundy, Henrique (T Oar 70 -
Oar red card 88), M McKay, B Malcolm, D Tiatto (D Dodd 81), R Kruse. Sub not used - G McMaster.
Phoenix - M Paston, M Muscat, T Lochhead, J McKain, Diego (V Lia 69), L Bertos, P Ifill (T Hearfield 90+3),
C Greenacre, M Ferrante (Daniel 69), B Sigmund, A Durante. Sub not used - R Crowther.
Yellow Cards : Roar - D Tiatto 57, B Malcolm 61, C Moore 75, D Oar 86,88, M Nicholls 90, R Kruse 90+4.
Phoenix - M Muscat 45, M Ferrante 67.
Red Cards - T Oar 88.
Referee - C Beath. Crowd - 7,084 at Suncorp Stadium.
Perth Glory got their 2009-10 campaign under way, their first win for the new season coming with
a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday.
It was a bright opening by the home side, dominating possession and creating field position. On 23
minutes, Mile Sterjovski's cross found Wayne Srhoj and the opening goal went into the Newcastle
net as the rain started. Wet and slippery conditions throughout the remainder of the first half
made it difficult for both sides to control the football, and the score remained 1-0 to the Glory at
half time.
The Jets had a great chance to equalise on the hour when a header from Nicolai Topor-Stanley
set up Tarek Elrich, but Elrich's shot went wide. And on 73 minutes, the fate of the game was
sealed when Naum Sekolovski's cross found Adrian Pellegrino, his shot giving Newcastle keeper
Ben Kennedy no hope as it powered into the top corner of the net.
And so the Glory, after two losses to open their season, open their account; while the Jets have a
win, a loss and a draw from their first three matches.
Perth Glory 2 (W Srhoj 24, A Pellegrino 73)
Newcastle Jets 0
Glory - T Velaphi, A Todd, C Coyne, J Burns, V Sikora (A Jukic 90+2), W Srhoj, A Jelic (M Mayora 72), S
Neville, A Pellegrino (T Howarth 90), N Sekulovski, M Sterjovski. Sub not used - A Vrteski.
Jets - B Kennedy, N Topor-Stanley, L Milicevic, M Thompson, S Petrovski, Jin-Hyung Song (J Naidovski 76),
T Elrich, A D'Apuzzo, J Hoffman (A Costanzo 84), B Kantarovski (S Rooney 90), F Vignaroli.
Yellow Cards : Glory - A Pellegrino 48, N Sekulovski 53, J Burns 62. Jets - B Kantarovski 5, S Petrovski 23, F
Vignaroli 30, S Rooney 45+1, L Milicevic 45+1.
Red Cards - Nil.
Referee - C Zetter. Crowd - 9,398 at ME Bank Stadium.
United, but it wasn't good enough to defeat Melbourne Victory; with the defending champions
recording a 1-0 win.
The key moment in the game came shortly before half-time. A long ball from Adrian Leijer found
Archie Thompson in perfect position, and one out with the keeper found it an easy shot for goal.
Until that point the Fury had enjoyed the better of the contest but were unable to find anything
to exert scoreboard pressure. Robbie Fowler had a good chance after Leigh Broxham was
penalised for a handball, but the free kick sailed over the bar.
The goal on the stroke of half time dented the Fury, but they came out fighting in the second
half. Royston Griffiths found himself with a great chance, only for his header to go wide. Later in
the half, Daal had an opportunity when he had only the keeper to beat, but his shot went
straight into the arms of Victory keeper Glen Moss.
The best chance for an equaliser came in the final minute. Again Dyron Daal found himself one on
one with the keeper, but again Moss anticipated the play perfectly to pull off a spectacular save.
And so it would finish 1-0 to Melbourne; the Victory opening their account for 2009-10, while the
Fury, although beaten, were far from disgraced and made some steps to restoring the credibility
they lost with last week's shocker.
North Queensland Fury 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (A Thompson 45).
Fury - P Henderson, R Middleby (D Williams 46), C Tadrosse (D Daal 74),U Talay (P Kohler 65), S Stefanutto,
R Fowler, J Robinson, D McBreen, J Tambouras, K Dodd, R Griffiths. Sub not used - J Pasfield.
Victory - G Moss, S Sukha, L Broxham, D Allsopp, A Thompson, R Vargas, B Celeski, T Pondeljak (N Ward
70), C Hernandez (N Fabiano 80), E Berger (G Brebner 72), A Leijer. Sub not used - M Langerak.
Yellow Cards : Fury - P Kohler 68 Victory - S Sukha 28.
Red Cards - Nil.
Referee - P Green. Crowd - 6,514 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
A fine and warm Sunday afternoon saw Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix play out a 1-1 draw
at Suncorp Stadium. But the biggest talking point for the game, sadly, would be the crowd -
officially just over 7,000 but even that number looked inflated. Increased ticket prices may be a
factor behind the poor attendance, but it would be a matter of concern to the FFA.
The Roar quickly got on the board, a good run from Henrique seeing him make his way into the
box before a perfectly timed pass set up Sergio Van Dijk for the opening goal. Van Dijk, only early
in his second year at the club, equalled Reinaldo's record for the most goals scored for the Roar.
It was 1-0 at the break, but the Roar soon found themselves under the pump in the second half.
The Phoenix, with a glut of possession and a succession of corners, were piling the pressure onto
the Brisbane defenders. Not helping the Roar's cause was some indisciplined play, as they gave
away a string of possessions and a succession of yellow cards.
But, despite being under such intense pressure, the Roar held on grimly as the Phoenix struggled
to find an equaliser as the minutes were ticking by. But eventually the Roar resistance could last
no longer and the Phoenix got on the board; a cross from Daniel finding Chris Greenacre to head
home the goal that levelled the game.
Frustrations boiled over for the Roar in the closing stages. Tommy Oar was booked twice within 2
minutes and sent off. Roar coach Frank Farina protested the decision from the sidelines and was
then banished himself, forced to watch the final moments from the grandstand. 1-1 would be the
final score.
Brisbane Roar 1 (S Van Dijk 10)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (C Creenacre 85)
Roar - L Reddy, L DeVere, C Moore, S Van Dijk, C Miller (M Nicholls 61), M Mundy, Henrique (T Oar 70 -
Oar red card 88), M McKay, B Malcolm, D Tiatto (D Dodd 81), R Kruse. Sub not used - G McMaster.
Phoenix - M Paston, M Muscat, T Lochhead, J McKain, Diego (V Lia 69), L Bertos, P Ifill (T Hearfield 90+3),
C Greenacre, M Ferrante (Daniel 69), B Sigmund, A Durante. Sub not used - R Crowther.
Yellow Cards : Roar - D Tiatto 57, B Malcolm 61, C Moore 75, D Oar 86,88, M Nicholls 90, R Kruse 90+4.
Phoenix - M Muscat 45, M Ferrante 67.
Red Cards - T Oar 88.
Referee - C Beath. Crowd - 7,084 at Suncorp Stadium.
Perth Glory got their 2009-10 campaign under way, their first win for the new season coming with
a 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at ME Bank Stadium on Sunday.
It was a bright opening by the home side, dominating possession and creating field position. On 23
minutes, Mile Sterjovski's cross found Wayne Srhoj and the opening goal went into the Newcastle
net as the rain started. Wet and slippery conditions throughout the remainder of the first half
made it difficult for both sides to control the football, and the score remained 1-0 to the Glory at
half time.
The Jets had a great chance to equalise on the hour when a header from Nicolai Topor-Stanley
set up Tarek Elrich, but Elrich's shot went wide. And on 73 minutes, the fate of the game was
sealed when Naum Sekolovski's cross found Adrian Pellegrino, his shot giving Newcastle keeper
Ben Kennedy no hope as it powered into the top corner of the net.
And so the Glory, after two losses to open their season, open their account; while the Jets have a
win, a loss and a draw from their first three matches.
Perth Glory 2 (W Srhoj 24, A Pellegrino 73)
Newcastle Jets 0
Glory - T Velaphi, A Todd, C Coyne, J Burns, V Sikora (A Jukic 90+2), W Srhoj, A Jelic (M Mayora 72), S
Neville, A Pellegrino (T Howarth 90), N Sekulovski, M Sterjovski. Sub not used - A Vrteski.
Jets - B Kennedy, N Topor-Stanley, L Milicevic, M Thompson, S Petrovski, Jin-Hyung Song (J Naidovski 76),
T Elrich, A D'Apuzzo, J Hoffman (A Costanzo 84), B Kantarovski (S Rooney 90), F Vignaroli.
Yellow Cards : Glory - A Pellegrino 48, N Sekulovski 53, J Burns 62. Jets - B Kantarovski 5, S Petrovski 23, F
Vignaroli 30, S Rooney 45+1, L Milicevic 45+1.
Red Cards - Nil.
Referee - C Zetter. Crowd - 9,398 at ME Bank Stadium.
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