HARBOURSPORT |
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A-LEAGUE |
The late arrivals for the Wellington v Central Coast match would have missed the only score of the game. In just the second minute, Leo Bertos made a break before crossing to Shane Smeltz, who headed the ball past Vukovic into the corner of the Mariners' net. The Phoenix had got off to a flying start, and a few minutes later went close to adding another. Making all the front running, with a string of early corners, it looked only a matter of time before the Phoenix would double their lead. But the second goal was not to be forthcoming, and instead the Mariners slowly worked their way back into the contest. It was still 1-0 at the break, but the Mariners had the better of the second half. Chance after chance presented themselves, but a succession of fine saves from Glen Moss and some wasteful finishing in front of goals prevented the Mariners from obtaining the equaliser that for so much of the half seemed inevitable. Wellington Phoenix 1 (S Smeltz 2) Central Coast Mariners 0 Yellow Cards : Phoenix - S Smeltz 62, A Durante 90, T Brown 90. Mariners - A Caceres 45, B Porter 49, D Macallister 52. Referee - C Beath. Crowd - 6,722 at Westpac Stadium. Newcastle's season had threatened to unravel, but for one night the Jets climbed off the canvas and refreshed memories of last season's glories when they recorded a 4-2 win over Melbourne Victory at Energy Australia Stadium. A hat-trick from Matt Thompson caused the damage. The first on 16 minutes came after being on the end of a precision pass from D'Apuzzo. On the stroke of half-time, a pass from Jesic deflected off the Victory defenders into the path of Thompson. And just minutes after the restart, it was Ben Kantarovski who set up Thompson for the hat-trick. On the hour, a one-two play from Jin-Hyung Song and Joel Griffiths saw the Korean add a fourth goal to complete the demolition. And although the Victory got two goals back through Danny Allsopp and Ney Fabiano, it was Newcastle's night; and a golden opportunity for the Victory to regain top spot on the ladder had gone begging. Newcastle Jets 4 (M Thompson 16,45,49, J Song 59) Melbourne Victory 2 (D Allsopp 66, N Fabiano 87). Yellow Cards : Jets - B Kantarovski 58. Victory - E Berger 22, N Ward 62. Referee - C Zetter. Crowd - 6,268 at Energy Australia Stadium. |
ROUND 17 FIXTURES Friday 26th December Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners (Energy Australia Stadum, 8:00pm) Perth Glory v Adelaide United (Members Equity Stadium, 10:00pm) Saturday 27th December Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC (Telstra Dome, 7:00pm) Sunday 28th December Queensland Roar v Wellington Phoenix (Suncorp Stadium, 7:00pm) ROUND 18 FIXTURES Wednesday 31st December Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory (Bluetongue Stadium, 6:00pm) Friday 2nd January Melbourne Victory v Queensland Roar (Telstra Dome, 8:00pm) Saturday 3rd January Adelaide United v Sydney FC (Adelaide Oval, 8:00pm) Sunday 4th January Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets (Westpac Stadium, 5:00pm) ROUND 15 CATCH-UP FIXTURE Tuesday 6th January Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United (Telstra Dome, 7:30pm) All times shown are Sydney time |
Sydney FC plunged into crisis after a disastrous 4-1 loss to Perth Glory at the Sydney Football Stadium. The crowd left no doubt of their displeasure, spraying coach John Kosmina, marquee striker John Aloisi and other players with boos and abuse before thousands were seen heading for the exits well before the match was completed. It wasn't hard to see why the Sydney FC supporters were upset, as the team's play could only be described as inept and incompetent. From the 11th minute, when Adriano Pellegrino was left unmarked for the Glory to score their first goal, this was a constant tale of woe for Sydney FC. Two own goals, a succession of bungled clearances and some wasteful finishing ensured this would be a day that Sydney would have rather never happened. Shortly before half-time, a cross found John Aloisi unmarked a metre away from an unattended goal, but Aloisi failed to make contact with the ball when even the slightest touch would have resulted in a certain goal. Perth Glory played well and deserved their win, but the manner of Sydney's loss puts both the finals chances of the club and the security of coach John Kosmina's job in jeopardy. Click here to see Harboursport's photo gallery from this match. Sydney FC 1 (S Musialik 60) Perth Glory 4 (A Pellegrino 11, A Golek 35og, W Srhoj 48, R Middleby 69og). Yellow Cards : Sydney - Nil. Glory - A Pellegrino 53. Referee - B Williams. Crowd - 12,165 at Sydney Football Stadium. Adelaide United v Queensland Roar - Postponed due to Adelaide's participation in the World Club Championships. |