A-League Round 8 Washup & Stats

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Weekend Wrap

Adelaide has inflicted the first defeat upon Melbourne this season, although a sideline incident is sure to make most of the headlines from this clash, which was absorbing from start to finish. Queensland closed the gap at the top to six points, with a come from behind win over in the west, to spoil Perth Glory’s 10th birthday celebrations. Damian Mori rolled back the years with two superb finishes, as Central Coast Mariners won 3-1 against Sydney FC, while Newcastle Jets left it late, but scored three goals to win their first game of the season and climb off the bottom of the table, which is now the position of their opponent New Zealand Knights.

Results
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 3 bt Sydney FC 1
NEWCASTLE JETS 3 bt New Zealand Knights 0
Melbourne Victory 0 lost ADELAIDE UNITED 1
Perth Glory 1 lost QUEENSLAND ROAR 2

Game Wraps
Central Coast Mariners returned to the winner’s circle, with a hard fought 3-1 win over near neighbour Sydney FC. The Mariners were forced to come from behind to register just their second win of the season, after Benito Carbone scored with a brilliantly taken free kick in the 12th minute. However the Mariners, playing with renewed confidence got a deserved equaliser before the break with Paul O’Grady heading home from a corner. The second half saw the best penalty area predator in Australian football rise to the occasion, with Damian Mori adding a double, the first seven minutes into the second half when he stroked home a Stewart Petrie cross and the same two combined in injury time, with Mori powerfully heading Petrie’s cross past Clint Bolton.

Newcastle Jets ended a tumultuous week on a positive note, recording its first win of the season against New Zealand Knights. Newcastle dominated for large parts, but struggled to make any impression on the scoreboard until the 72nd minute, when Jade North headed home a corner. The rot set in for the Knights, with Stuart Musialik’s shot from outside of the penalty area, proving too hot for Michael Turnbull and then Milton Rodriguez made it three in injury time, with his shot from acute angle somehow finding its way in at the near post. The win saw the team’s swap positions on the table, with the Jets moving off the bottom.

Over 32,000 fans witnessed another absorbing clash at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne, but most would have left slightly disappointed with Adelaide grabbing the points. Greg Owen’s 83rd minute goal, capped an absorbing match, which also saw a sideline incident involving Victory captain Kevin Muscat and Adelaide coach John Kosmina. The match was a terrific contest from start to finish, with Melbourne having the better of the chances, before Owens ultimate match winner. A quick break from a corner saw Qantas Young Socceroo Nathan Burns win possession near half way, race forward and slip the perfect ball to Owens, who clipped his shot over the advancing keeper for a wonderful goal.

Queensland Roar closed the gap on Melbourne at the top of the table to six points, after coming back from a terrible start to record a 2-1 win over Perth Glory. Perth was celebrating its 10th birthday and couldn’t have started any better with Stuart Young scoring after just 37 seconds, pouncing on error by Roar keeper Tom Willis, who failed to hold Bobby Despotovski’s shot. Roar though quickly regrouped and was level after 14 minutes thanks to a wonderful goal by Ante Milicic. The score remained level until the 53rd minute, with Glory keeper Jason Petkovic unable to keep out Qantas Young Socceroo Dario Vidosic’s shot from close range, after he raced onto a Reinaldo cross.

Highlights
The Qantas Young Socceroos are off to play in the AFC Youth Championships in a week’s time and will have two players in Nathan Burns and Dario Vidosic, who are setting the Hyundai A-League alight. Burns has been superb for Adelaide since getting his chance; so much so that when he is away he will be a big loss for them. Vidosic again showed his promise with another goal and overall good performance for Roar. They highlight the talent that we do have in this country and are a good example of what these players can do if given the right opportunities. We can also not forget another magnificent turnout by the Melbourne football fraternity of over 32,000 fans on Sunday.

Weekend Goals Tally: 11

Card Count: 12 yellows – 0 reds

Attendance/Average: 59, 638 / 14,910

Goal of the Week
A few contenders this week, with Ante Milicic from Queensland just pipping Benito Carbone’s well taken free kick. Milicic showed all the composure and skill that he is renowned for, cutting back superbly to beat his marker inside the left side of the penalty box and then superbly curled his shot inside the far post.

Player of the Week
Two players this week, who are literally so far apart in terms of where their careers are at. Nathan Burns continues to impress at this level, despite having started just his third match for Adelaide. Shrugged off a heavy challenge to win the ball and then set sail for goal and picked the perfect time to release Owens who duly finished off with a goal. The other is Damian Mori, who is only on a short-term contract with Central Coast, but has already scored three goals, including two on Friday night against Sydney. Australia’s most prolific goal scorer, continues to show he is still one of the most lethal marksmen in Australia, despite his 36-years of age.

One to Watch
It’s been a rough start to life in the Hyundai A-League for young Newcastle keeper Ben Kennedy. The goalkeeping situation at the Jets has been fairly farcical and the 19-year-old has been forced to carry the entire load for the club. At the same time, he has had to endure difficult times on the pitch and he has conceded 16 goals in his opening 7 games, but Round 8 saw him keep a clean sheet; the Jets won and he also has a back-up keeper now. Let’s hope he can now show the promise that many in Newcastle know he is capable of.

[rohkis]

He Ads

Is it true that Carbone has left Sydney FC today, i heard that they couldnt agree on a contract ?

This will be quite a blow for Sydney

Cheers

rohkis

[Beejayville]

Carbone's stay over

Sydney FC guest striker Benito Carbone has played his last game for the Hyundai A-League champions after the two parties could not come to terms for a long-term deal.

The Italian maestro was initially signed on a four-week short-term contract but made it clear he was interested in extending his stay with Sydney FC.

However, Carbone suffered a grade-two tear to his hamstring in Friday night's 1-3 loss to the Central Coast Mariners and will be sidelined for up to six weeks. In addition, he also wanted to return to Italy to spend Christmas with his family.

In effect, this would mean the marquee player would only be available for six games out of the remaining 13 A-League rounds and, therefore, Sydney FC indicated that signing the 35-year-old to a long-term deal would be financially irresponsible.

"We entered into negotiations with Benito's management to keep him for the season and put to them what we thought was a very attractive offer to keep him at the club until the end of the season as our marquee player but we are miles apart," said Sydney FC CEO George Perry.

"Even before Benito suffered the injury it was apparent we wouldn't be able to come to financial terms but the extra time he will spend off the pitch has made it difficult to justify the deal."

"It is unfortunate that we can't come to a deal because the coaching staff was happy with his contribution and he would have been an asset to the team but we won't be financially irresponsible."

"Sydney FC believes in the concept of a marquee player but not at the financial peril of the club."

Carbone scored two goals in his three-match stint for Sydney FC, including a set-play cracker against the Mariners at the weekend as well as orchestrating a victory over Adelaide United on debut.