A-League 2015/16 – Round 25 – Down To The Wire

MELBOURNE VICTORY 2 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 0

NEWCASTLE JETS 1 PERTH GLORY 2

BRISBANE ROAR 3 SYDNEY FC 2

ADELAIDE UNITED 4 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 2

MELBOURNE CITY 3 WELLINGTON PHOENIX 0

Brisbane Score A Goal From Kick Off To Snatch All Three Points

If you were to ask me what my favourite regular season Brisbane Roar game of all time is, it would be their 2-1 win against Sydney FC from January 2012.  The Roar trailed Sydney FC until stoppage time at which point Mohammed Adnan banged in a peach of free kick and then a minute later, Besart Berisha poked in a header and the Roar snatched all 3 points.  After the game there was a free for all as Berisha invited Pascal Boschaart into the parking lot for a brawl.  If you were there that night you would understand.  It was magic.

There’s something especially sweet about beating Sydney FC and this weekend it was satisfying in more ways than one.  Once again the Roar won the game in a houdini act as they conceded a late equalizer to Filip Holosko only to take the lead again after four passes from the kick off.  The win ensured that the Roar stayed in strong contention for the league title, it all but ended Sydney FC’s finals hopes and it must surely heap immense pressure on Graham Arnold who is now winless in ten.

The game was a milestone for Jamie Maclaren who netted his eighteenth goal in twenty one games making him the most prolific Australian goal scorer in a single season of the A-League.  Dimi Petratos also continued his rich vein of form as he scored his sixth goal of the campaign.  It’s an amazing comeback when you think back to Dimi’s poor form and shaky confidence last year.  He started this season with a goal against Liverpool FC and hasn’t looked back.

A quick tip of the hat to Steve Lustica.  Roar captain Matt McKay was unavailable for this game due to a Socceroos call up but Lustica was a fine replacement.  I don’t feel Lustica gets the praise he’s due with pundits that cover the A-League but he is a much loved and appreciated figure in Brisbane.

Sydney FC fans right now #BRIvSYD #aleague pic.twitter.com/Sjs0Mmasbh

— Ben Smith (@BenSmith94) March 26, 2016

News and Notes

• The Wanderers stumbled but Brisbane, City and Adelaide all won their games to ensure a finish that will go down to the wire.  City are the form team but have the toughest final two games (Adelaide and Perth).  The Wanderers have the shakiest form but have the easiest final two games (Mariners and Nix).  Not sure what to make of Brisbane’s run (Jets and Victory).  Newcastle are theoretically an inferior team but they are a bogey team for the Roar.  And who knows with Melbourne Victory.  They beat us four nil, we beat them five nil.
• It was a weekend for records.
• Bruno Fornaroli broke Besart Berisha’s record for the most goals in a single season as he was heavily involved in City’s 3-0 dismantling of Wellington Phoenix.  Ridiculously, after less than a single season he is also Melbourne City’s leading goal scorer in their entire history which says a lot about how much previous strikers have struggled at the club.  City also broke the competition record for most goals scored in a season.  They’re up to 61 with 2 rounds to go.
• Bruce Djite tied Travis Dodd’s record for most goals at Adelaide.  They’re both on 30.  It seems kinda low considering Adelaide have been two time grand finalists and have won the league before.
• Central Coast Mariners broke the league record for most goals conceded as they hit the sixty mark.  Goddamn.
• Perth Glory’s Andy Keogh tied Marc Janko’s record of most goals in consecutive matches:  7.
• Wellington Phoenix announced the signing of Melbourne Victory marksman Gui Finkler.

NEWS | Wellington Phoenix get a Brazilian as Gui Finkler signs from Melbourn… https://t.co/UAKhI5NzxY pic.twitter.com/4KnPhS1NDw

— Yellow Fever (@YellowFever_NZ) March 24, 2016

• The Socceroos played two World Cup qualifying games at home winning 7-0 against Tajikstan and 5-0 against Jordan.  The team look as strong as they’ve ever been under Ange Postecoglou and there is genuine competition for spots right across the park.  Tom Rogic is an exciting goal scoring proposition at an international level, Aaron Mooy is an amazing midfield general and the evergreen Timmy Cahill continues to score goals with his head.  He’s only two shy of fifty international goals.
• The Socceroos visit was also a sorry reminder of how far the Mariners have fallen.  Matt Ryan, Trent Sainsbury and Mile Jedinak are all quality players and all Mariners alumni.  The current crop of youngsters look all at sea by comparison.
• Sadly, the footballing world lost a giant of the game this week as Johan Cruyff passed away at 68.