The Newsroom reviews round two of 2015-16 A-League.
Wanderers score late to draw at Adelaide
Western Sydney Wanderer’s Spanish import Andreu scored a late equaliser to rescue a point for his side in a 1-1 draw after he gave Adelaide United the lead through an early own goal. Andreu made his starting debut for Wanderers in tragic fashion as Adelaide left-back Tarek Elrich crossed the ball into the area only for Andreu to nod the ball the wrong way. The defensive error came after Western Sydney’s defeat last week at the hands of Brisbane where they conceded two goals from set pieces and one from a defensive error. As the dying stages of the game approached, Andreu’s mistake looked to be enough to hand Adelaide their first win of the season, but again Elrich was involved in the lead up to another goal. The Socceroo attempted to clear a panicked ball but could only find the feet of Andreu, who skipped past Dylan McGowan’s challenge and fired the ball into the roof the net giving Wanderer’s their first point of the season.
Brosque hands Sydney late win
Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque gave his side their first win of the season after heading home in the 89th minute to defeat an extremely brave Newcastle Jets outfit at Hunter Stadium on Saturday. The game was dominated by Sydney who had 25 shots at goal to Newcastle’s four and dominated possession 60 to 40 per cent. The second half brought a nasty collision between Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti and Sydney forward Shane Smeltz. A searching through-ball into Newcastle’s penalty box was well received by Birighitti who got down low to receive it, but a slight loss of control gave Smeltz an opportunity to boot the ball home. However, a slight miscalculation forced Smeltz’s swinging right boot to connect with Birighitti’s face, the goalkeeper now faces surgery to replace several broken teeth. Sydney then capitalised on their dominance and skipper Alex Brosque headed home the winner giving his side the full three points, as well as an A-League record of 16 consecutive away games without defeat.
Victory take out thrilling Derby
Berisha was back to goalscoring form on Saturday night as he was able to tap in Connor Pain’s driving cross in the last minute of regular time, giving Victory a 3-2 win over rivals Melbourne City. The Albanian saved Victory’s blushes after his side let a two-goal lead slip at Docklands Stadium. Victory were strolling to success at 2-0 with more than an hour of game time gone, with Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s deflected first-half opener and Kosta Barbarouses heading home a Khalfallah cross to put the champions on course for their first win of the season. But City were able to set up a pulsating finale with two goals in three minutes, with the first coming from a stella individual effort by forward Bruno Fornaroli, before Aaron Mooy equalised to put City back on terms. Once again Victory hitman Berisha was not to be denied, as he tapped home a late winner, scoring his sixth goal in five games against Melbourne City to give Victory a first win of the new campaign.
Borrello brace gives Roar win
Brisbane move to the top of the A-League table following their 2-1 win over Mariners during Sunday’s A-League clash. Brandon Borrello scored both of Roar’s goals, the first coming in the 14th minute when Jamie Maclaren floated a high ball into Borrello’s path allowing the 20-year-old to bash his shot past Liam Reddy. Borrello fired home his second goal on the hour mark, completing a scintillating team counter-attack, again Borrello was assisted by Jamie Maclaren. Mariners were rewarded a goal for their effort three minutes from time when substitute Josh Bingham converted a Fabio Ferreira cutback, but Brisbane held on for the three points and sit comfortably on top of the A-League standings.
Phoenix comeback to defeat Perth
Perth opened the scoring through Gyorgy Sandor in the seventh minute when he perfectly connected to Mitchell Oxborrow’s corner. The Phoenix were able to respond just two minutes later through Roy Krishna and the match was locked 1-1 at half time. Glory’s Richard Garcia saw a second yellow in the 84th minute which allowed the visitors to take advantage of the extra man. Vince Lia scored the winner just five minutes later giving Wellington their first win of the season while Perth are yet to record any points and sit bottom of the A-League table. – Anthony Johnston
Top photo of Besart Berisha in action during the Melbourne Derby, from Melbourne Victory’s official Instagram account.
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Liverpool FC fanatic and a Collingwood Magpies tragic.
