Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup

[Beejayville]

Weekend Wrap Over 60,000 fans watched live an enthralling weekend of Hyundai A-League action, with Melbourne and Queensland continuing on their winning ways and opening up significant gap on the rest of the teams. Adelaide showed it’s back to its best with another good home win, while Colombian Milton Rodriguez marked his arrival to the Hyundai A-League with a double in Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Sydney. Results QUEENSLAND ROAR 5 bt New Zealand Knights 0 ADELAIDE UNITED 3 bt Perth Glory 0 Sydney FC 2 drew with Newcastle Jets 2 MELBOURNE VICTORY 1 bt Central Coast Mariners 0 Game Wraps Queensland Roar once again showed it’s newly found ruthless streak with an emphatic 5-0 demolition of New Zealand Knights at Suncorp Stadium. After taking an early lead thanks to a good finish by Matt McKay, the Roar was tested by the Knights for the remainder of the first half. But it was all one-way traffic in the second half, with Reinaldo winning and converting a penalty, Simon Lynch, Ante Milicic and then McKay again adding further goals in the rout. It was a slick and at times scintillating performance by the Roar and beyond doubt, proved they will be a force this season. The match also marked the debut of former Chinese international Yuning Zhang, who was instrumental in the goals for Milicic and McKay’s second. Adelaide continued its resurgence with a comfortable 3-0 win over Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium. Leading the way again was Brazilian striker Fernando, who grabbed the first goal with a smart finish from 10 metres. Travis Dodd made it 2-0 with a piledriver that gave young Perth keeper Aleks Vrteski no chance. The match was sealed early in the second half, when a Fernando shot took a wicked deflection off Jamie Coyne and Vrteski was well beaten. The win moved Adelaide up into third position. Newcastle grabbed its second point of the season, coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Sydney FC at Aussie Stadium. Sydney took the lead in the 33rd minute, with Steve Corica coolly slotting home from the penalty spot. Five minutes later David Zdrilic made it 2-0 after he capitalised on hesitant defending by the Jets. The pivotal point of the match came just seconds before half time, when a sweeping move saw Rodriguez score for the Jets. The match was all level just after the hour when a quick free kick caught the Sydney defence napping and Rodriguez from an acute angle, shot powerfully, with the ball squeezing underneath Clint Bolton’s body at the near post. Corica was sent off shortly after for dissent and in the dying minutes Newcastle’s Matt Thompson came closest to a winner, striking the corner frame of the goalmouth. Melbourne Victory made it four wins on the trot to maintain its two point lead of the competition table, with an Archie Thompson goal proving to be good enough for the points against Central Coast Mariners. The Mariners barren spell in front of goal continues, but they had chances in the match, although Victory fully deserved their win, with a good performance. Melbourne dominated the first half, but the best chance of the half fell to Jamie McMaster, who was one-on-one with Michael Theoklitos, with the Victory keeper blocking the Mariners midfielders shot. The breakthrough came when Danny Allsopp capitalised on a mis-kicked clearance by Paul O’Grady, nodding the ball over Danny Vukovic and Thompson was on hand to make sure it went in from just centimetres out. Highlights More strong attendance figures is a good indication that the Hyundai A-league is obviously providing football fans with good entertainment, which on the evidence of this weekend’s games, must be rating at a high level. Queensland’s win came courtesy of some terrific attacking football, with Miron Bleiberg’s team once again setting the standards in terms of entertaining football. This year though there is a difference, they have more players capable of taking their chances and getting the results their football deserves. Goal of the Week Tough choice this week with several high quality team goals. But in terms of pure strikes, it’s hard to go past the goal by Travis Dodd, whose rocket from 20 metres had Perth keeper Aleks Vrteski flapping at thin air, such was the power and speed of his shot. Player of the Week Making your debut is never easy, especially after you have only just arrived in the country, can’t speak the language and haven’t played a competitive game since May. But Milton Rodriguez has given Australian fans a glimpse of what is to come, after coming off the bench to inspire a comeback by the Newcastle Jets after they fell two goals down after 30 minutes. His goal right on half time, was a classy finish and while his second goal had a helping hand from Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton, it nonetheless showed, if given a chance he will generally take it. One to Watch Obviously Milton Rodriguez is one to watch out for in the coming months, but up north at high-flying Queensland, one of the unsung heroes in the early rounds has been rugged defender Sash Ognenovski. There was some surprise when Miron Bleiberg took on the 27-year-old Victorian defender, but he has proven a tough, solid and very intelligent signing, who will also cause problems at set pieces in attack.

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Central Coast Mariners dealt a huge blow! Central Coast is likely to be without star midfielder Andre Gumprecht for six weeks after he suffered a grade two tear of his medial ligament in the Mariners' 1-0 defeat to Melbourne on Sunday night. Gumprecht was injured early in the Olympic Park clash after a tackle from Adrian Leijer. While he returned to the pitch, he was eventually substituted for Jamie McMaster, and is likely to miss at least the next month. He's out for at least six weeks, it's a grade two tear and Andre's a big part of the Mariner's midfield. The loss of Gumprecht is a major blow for the Mariners, who have picked up just one point so far in the 2006-07 Hyundai A-League season, and are yet to score a goal.

[ads25]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup

Central Coast Mariners dealt a huge blow! Central Coast is likely to be without star midfielder Andre Gumprecht for six weeks after he suffered a grade two tear of his medial ligament in the Mariners' 1-0 defeat to Melbourne on Sunday night. Gumprecht was injured early in the Olympic Park clash after a tackle from Adrian Leijer. While he returned to the pitch, he was eventually substituted for Jamie McMaster, and is likely to miss at least the next month. He's out for at least six weeks, it's a grade two tear and Andre's a big part of the Mariner's midfield. The loss of Gumprecht is a major blow for the Mariners, who have picked up just one point so far in the 2006-07 Hyundai A-League season, and are yet to score a goal.

They are gone the Mariners, they can barely score as it is, let alone without Gumprecht providing the passes forward to assist in goals. Huge loss and they will be in big trouble now.

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Upcoming games for next week

Round 5
Thursday 21 Sep	New Zealand Knights	Vs Sydney	8.00 PM
Friday 22 Sep	Queensland Roar	Vs Adelaide United	8.00 PM
Saturday 23 Sep	Centl Coast Mariners	Vs Newcastle Jets	7.00 PM
Sunday 24 Sep	Perth Glory	Vs Melbourne Vict	3.00 PM

[miguel_hamburglar]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup I was at the Melbourne V Central Coast game and I have to say it will be a long season for CCM if they do not change their structure, they generate no run from the flat back 4 that they are playing and the majority of their chances to score were from square balls from out wide, no movement thru the middle. Look out for changes to the CCM line-up, if they are going to win it will be by playing more assertive wing backs and a creative midfielder. Melbourne really cut them up in the first 25 min running straight up the middle. I see value in Adelaide, maybe +.5, this week, Under 2.5 for Melbourne V Perth (Melbourne look awesome with Theo in goals and Pria/Vargas controlling the back line) and Melbourne to win straight out, CCM V Newcastle over 2.5 (Newcastle's poor backline should play the CCM forwards into form) and Sydney to smash the Knights. More thoughts when the odds/teams are announced!

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Great to hear from you again Miguel :ok Newcastle's backline was anything but poor this weekend against Sydney, they straightened up and Sydney found it hard to penetrate compared to their previous defending efforts...I was hoping for a defensive blunder in the second half lol, but it never came...I think Rodriguez was the difference as he gave great drive and took his chances when they came...Jets hit the crossbar in last few minutes and probably should have won, so beating Syndey wouldn't have been bad form going into a game against a team that can't score and who has lost thoer main playmaker in Gumbrecht. I won't be backing Sydney again in a hurry, especially away in New Zealand this week, they were insipid for mine. Hey Miguel is it possible to rock up to the gate late at Olympic park and get a ticket to the game?...Or early for that matter lol...I live an hour away from Melbourne and was just wondering best way to get in cos stadium only holds so many, tho it looked there was some empty seats yesterday. Do you buy pre booked tickets or buy them at gate?

[miguel_hamburglar]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup It's worth pre-purchasing your ticket if you don't want to get their early, like an hour before, and don't want to pay $50 for you ticket, the problem is Melbourne have 10,000 members atm and only 18,000 capacity, so the GA sells very quickly. This week there were still seats but they are the $50 ones, so not really worth it, also if you get GA it is standing on the terraces which has a bit more atmosphere, and it's cheap as chips. I am a member so no tickets for me, if Melbourne keep winning then it fills out quick but it is a bit 'fair weather supporter' driven, so if we drop a couple or Archie is out of the side then it clears out quick.

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup I have been keeping track of some Rateform figures for the A League with the intention of finding out the better performed teams to use as a guide. Basically, the teams started off with a figure around 1000+ which were generated from last season's form. The Home team gives 5% and the Away team gives 7% of their score before each round and the winner takes the total points and it is added to their score. If it is a draw then the teams share the points. The loser has his points deducted from their score. Rateform Table after Round 4

Melbourne Victory	1436
Queensland Roar	1409
Sydney FC	1125
Adelaide United	1124
Perth Glory	996
Newcastle Jets	929
NZ Knights	899
CC Mariners	763

[miguel_hamburglar]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup baaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah http://www.melbournevictory.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17617&page=2 Mark Milligan = GOLD!!!

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Sydney name squad to travel to Auckland Terry Butcher's Sydney FC side will arrive in Auckland later today minus two of its more experienced players but still with a squad high on quality to take on the Knights on Thursday night. Terry Butcher has left out Alvin Ceccoli for disciplinary reasons following the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on the weekend and will also be missing midfielder Steve Corica after he was sent off in the same match. Knights Manager Paul Nevin will name his squad closer to the match with a number of selection options open to him and minor injury concerns to check before the vital home clash with the defending A-League champions.

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Victory pays tribute to 10,000 members Monday, 18 September, 2006 - 4:14PM Melbourne Victory has become the first club in Australian domestic football history to sign-up 10,000 members after breaking the mark before Sunday's 1-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners. Melbourne, who is currently on top of the Hyundai A-League ladder with four wins from as many matches, has praised its members for creating the electric atmosphere at Victory’s opening three home games this season. Sunday's match against the Mariners was declared a sell-out as 17,617 people packed Olympic Park Stadium to see a goal from Archie Thompson seal the win for the home side. The match was Melbourne’s first at home since the 3-2 win over Sydney FC in front of 39,730 at Telstra Dome earlier this month.

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup TABLE after Round 4

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1. Melbourne Victory FC	4	4	0	0	9	2	7	12
2. Queensland Roar FC	4	3	1	0	11	2	9	10
3. Adelaide United FC	4	2	0	2	8	4	4	6
4. Sydney FC	4	1	2	1	6	6	0	5
5. Perth Glory FC	4	1	1	2	3	7	-4	4
6. New Zealand Knights FC	4	1	1	2	1	8	-7	4
7. Newcastle Jets FC	4	0	2	2	5	10	-5	2
8. CC Mariners FC	4	0	1	3	0	4	-4	1

Team review after Round 4 Melbourne Victory FC :ok On top and unbeaten, creating many chances and looking the goods Queensland Roar FC :ok Flying at the moment and averaging almost 4 a game, big test this week Adelaide United FC :clap Took 3 rounds to score and now have 8 goals, on the way back now Sydney FC :loon Havn't won a game since Yorke departed, missing Carney, need to improve Perth Glory FC :eek If Lazaridis is out then they will struggle, play ok at home, only battling New Zealand Knights FC :loon Great start to season beating Adelaide, two 3 goals and 5 goal beltngs last two Newcastle Jets FC :wall Inconsistent and first 3 games their defence was like Stevie Wonder on crack but this week they were able to have a draw with Sydney and defence much improved Central Coast Mariners FC :hope Unable to score in first 4 rounds but have had there chances, looking as if they are improving but will need to actually score to win a game

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Round 5 Upcoming Matches and early thoughts Thursday 21 Sep New Zealand Knights Vs Sydney One would think an easy Sydney win but the Knights are a little better this season and Sydney missing a couple of vital players in Corica and Carney and wouldnt be suprised if this ended in a draw Friday 22 Sep Queensland Roar Vs Adelaide United Should be a great game and although I favour the Queensland Roar at home at this stage, it is there first test against one of the better sides and will be interesting to see how they go...Adelaide are on the up and the match could go either way really. Saturday 23 Sep Centl Coast Mariners Vs Newcastle Jets Interesting game as the Mariners are yet to score and the Jets have let the most goals in, quite the contrast...Jets were much improved last week against Sydney, as were the Mariners against Melbourne, and not sure which way this will go yet Sunday 24 Sep Perth Glory Vs Melbourne Victory Melbourne still undefeated and no reason to get off this winning team yet against a Perth side who has had two 3-0 defeats in the first 4 rounds...The Victory are playing superb football and will take a big effort from Perth to even get close, and we still don't know if Lazaridis is back in yet or not for the Glory.

[Beejayville]

Re: Austrailan A League - Round 4 Washup Sydney FC players not happy with Manager Terry Butcher It was reported on local radio SEN1116 today that terry Butcher is out of favour at Sydney with the players not happy with him. This came to light on the weekend after defender Alvin Ceccoli told Butcher to "fcuk off " during the game. Ceccoli has been left out of this weeks game for disciplinary reasons. This may have an impact on the way SYdney play this week when they travel over to New Zealand for their match against the Knights.