Official A-League Match Reviews (2007/2008)

[SiN]

I wanted to bring this place back to life, so im starting to get back into the A-League, i will post my reviews about the matches here. I know i might have missed some early matches but here it goes!

[SiN]

Saturday 15th Sep 2007
Newcastle Jets vs Adeliade United
Energy Stadium

Newcastle Jets has defeated Adelaide United 1-0 at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Mario Jardel's debut match for the home side.

The Brazilian ace played the final 20 minutes and showed glimpses of his ability to excite the 13,627 fans but it was Olyroos forward Mark Bridge that won the game for the Jets.

His 81st minute goal was the difference as both sides struggled to create many goalscoring chances.

Joel Griffiths found Bridge inside the box after a sweeping cross field move and he calmly cut in from the left before firing his shot past Reds keeper Robert Blajic at the near post.

The only other highlight was the A-League debut of Newcastle's marquee signing Jardel.

Playing without their injured striker Nathan Burns, Adelaide side took the game to the Jets in the opening 20 minutes, pressing hard and moving the ball swiftly through midfield.

Despite their territorial advantage and dominance of possession though, the Reds were indecisive and wasteful in front of goal failing to push Jets keeper Ante Covic at any stage.

[SiN]

Sunday 16th Sep 2007
Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners
Telstra Dome

Champions Melbourne Victory remain winless in season three following a 0-0 stalemate against table toppers Central Coast Mariners at the Telstra Dome.

The match did not live up to the thrilling 3-3 draw the two sides played out last season but there were plenty of chances, however the game was marred by an injury to Melbourne striker who has suspected broken ribs and Mariners forward Sasho Petrovski who suffered a first half ankle injury.

The tempo was good earlier on with Adam Kwasnik looking dangerous for the Mariners with Adrian Caceres, Allsopp and Thompson making several surging runs for the home side.

In the tenth minute Allsopp forced a corner for the Victory after a neat pass from strike partner Thompson found the Socceroo with Allsopp firing a shot at Vukovic in the Mariners goal.

Kwasnik stepped up after the loss of Petrovski who had several chances only for the crossbar to deny the Mariners forward.

Victory looked most dangerous from its corners with defender Roddy Vargas and skipper Kevin Muscat missing headers.

The second-half injury time dismissal for Mariners skipper Tony Vidmar made for a nervous finish but the Victory were unable to capitalise and the score remained 0-0 at the full-time whistle.

[SiN]

Also i went and watched Perth Glory vs Queensland Roar just then and the Roar beat Perth 2-1 at Members Equity Stadium tonight. My review on that soon!

[SiN]

Sunday 16th Sep 2007
Perth Glory vs Queensland Roar
Members Equity Stadium

A late Matt McKay strike has given Queensland Roar their first win of the A-League season and left Perth Glory still looking for theirs after the Roar came from behind for a 2-1 win at Members Equity Stadium.

After withstanding an early battering, it was former Glory skipper Jamie Harnwell who scored his side's first of the season, after 15 minutes of the game and 285 minutes of playing time in total.

But the shock of scoring appeared to unsettle the Glory defence, who conceded a soft equaliser to Josh McCloughan from a McKay corner five minutes later.

Despite chances at both ends, the lighting of a scarlet flare among the Glory fans looked set to be the main talking point of the second half.

But with a fourth successive draw looking likely for the home side, McKay pounced on defensive laxity to drill past Tommi Tomich and send Queensland to third on the A-League ladder.

With no wins between them before the match, both teams were playing for third spot and that prize appeared to have fired up the visitors more.

They wasted two gilt-edged chances within the first five minutes, first Danny Tiatto then Ante Milicic forcing smart saves from Tomich.

With no goals all year, and no chances, Glory looked in trouble until Harnwell - not deemed worthy of a first-team spot by Ron Smith so far - proved his coach wrong.

A neat exchange between Simon Colosimo and Anthony Danze allowed Harnwell to control on his thigh before slotting full stretch past Liam Reddy, sparking celebrations which were heartfelt but not long lasting.

Although all 11 Glory players were defending a Roar corner, McKay's delivery found Marcinho too easily and his flick-on gave McCloughan a tap in, despite the goal-line efforts of Naum Sekulovski.

Soon after the break, Tiatto threatened more damage, with a long-range effort rattling the post within five minutes of the restart.

On the hour Reddy's reactions smothered a Danze effort from point-blank range, with his counterpart Tomich palming away a powerful drive from Reinaldo soon after to keep the scores level.

But the Glory keeper, having conceded none before the match, was left helpless with full-time beckoning, with McKay pouncing on the right-hand side to pouch the winner and send Glory second bottom.