ads25 Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Weekend Wrap The top four is a little nearer to being sorted out, with the Central Coast Mariners bowing out of the race after its 0-0 draw with the resurgent New Zealand Knights. Queensland Roar stayed in the hunt with a dramatic late winner from Dario Vidosic against Melbourne Victory, while the dramatic finishes continued onto Sunday matches with Adelaide’s Fernando credited with the goal that earned his side second spot ahead of Sydney, while Joel Griffiths grabbed a vital point for Newcastle, with two injury time goals against Perth Glory. Results Central Coast Mariners 0 drew New Zealand Knights 0 Melbourne Victory 1 lost QUEENSLAND ROAR 2 ADELAIDE UNITED 1 beat Sydney FC 0 Perth Glory 3 drew Newcastle Jets 3 Game Wraps The Central Coast Mariners wasted a good opportunity to keep their finals aspirations alive, after they were held to a 0-0 draw by a well-organised and confident New Zealand Knights. It was the one that got away from the Mariners, who proceeded to miss a number of excellent opportunities in the match, especially in the first half. The closest they came to scoring was when Mile Jedinak hit a superb volley on the turn, which beat Mark Paston but not the crossbar and then a controversial goalline clearance by Richard Johnson kept out a goalbound Stewart Petrie shot. A last minute goal by youth international Dario Vidosic has kept Queensland Roar’s finals hopes well and truly alive. Vidosic’s winner capped an impressive performance by the Roar against league leaders Melbourne Victory, who had all their stars return for the match. Damian Mori finally scored his first goal for the Roar to give his side the lead and they looked comfortable until Archie Thompson leveled it up with just over 10 minutes to go, with an opportunist strike. But Vidosic capitalized on a neat flick by Ante Milicic to react quickest and poke home the winner. Second spot was on line between Adelaide and Sydney FC at Hindmarsh Stadium and it was Adelaide that came out on top, with a goal made in Brazil. The 89th winner scored by Fernando after the ball ricoheted off him into the net, after new Brazilian counterpart Diego headed Bobby Petta’s free kick back into the goalmouth. Up until then the match looked headed for a draw, with neither side really looking to take too many chances in the match. Sydney dominated the opening half and did have the ball in the back of the net through Robbie Middleby, but he was ruled offside. Adelaide is now secured in the four, while Sydney now faces as last round dogfight with Queensland, just to keep its place in the top four. Joel Griffiths scored two injury time goals, to rescue what could be a valuable point for Newcastle Jets in a six-goal thriller at Members Equity Stadium. Perth looked set to give retiring striker Bobby Despotovski the perfect send off when it went to a 3-1 lead in the 81st minute, but Griffiths two late strikes kept them within striking distance of the top four. Jets captain Nick Carle had given his side the lead after just 12 minutes, but Perth got a deserved equalizer through a Simon Colosimo penalty just before half time. Perth took control after the break and when Jamie Harnwell and Josip Magdic scored within three minutes of each other, Perth looked on its way to a terrific victory only for Griffiths to spoil the dream ending for Despotovski. Highlights The number of goals scored late in the weekend matches, just shows the determination and luck that teams need at this stage of the season and also gives fans excitement right to the final whistle. Weekend Goals Tally: 10 Card Count: 14 yellows – 0 reds Attendance/Average: 62,182 / 15,546 Goal of the Week When your season is on the line and just minutes to go there is no better feeling then to grab a late goal and keep that dream alive. It wasn’t pretty, but in terms of importance, Dario Vidosic might not score a more important goal in his career. His toe-poke finish from close range, not kept Queensland’s finals hopes alive, but gives the team a shot at finishing in second place, if other results go their way in the final round. Player of the Week He might not have scored as many goals as he would have liked this season, but like Vidosic above, Joel Griffiths picked the right time to grab two goals and keep his teams finals hopes in the balance. His two injury time strikes, just shows that a game is never over until the final whistle sounds. His and Newcastle’s perseverance in grabbing a point at the death, could be the catalyst for a finals spot that didn’t look possible after seven rounds. Player to Watch Every young player dreams of making a debut to remember and youth international keeper Tando Velaphi had one of those moments on Friday night. Thrown in the deep end as a last minute inclusion to the Queensland Roar side after the suspension to Liam Reddy. Velaphi was magnificent in preventing a string of Melbourne Victory goalbound shots with some acrobatic saves. Rated highly by many good judges, Velaphi on this evidence is ready to live up to those expectations and is sure to earn a contract in the Hyundai A-League next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ads25 Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beejayville Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats Last week of League fixtures next week Round 21 Friday 19 Jan Newcastle Jets Vs Melbourne Victory 8.00PM EnergyAustralia Stadium Saturday 20 Jan Queensland Roar Vs Sydney FC 7.00PM Suncorp Stadium Sunday 21 Jan New Zealand Knights Vs Perth Glory 7.00PM North Harbour Stadium Central Coast Mariners Vs Adelaide United 7.00PM Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beejayville Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats Scenarios Melbourne are sweet on top Adelaide cannot go out as Sydney play Queensland who are both 2 points behind Adelaide. If Adelaide lose they could slip to third depending on result of Sydney V Queensland game. Sydney Win: Go through to finals Draw: Go through to finals Lose: Will miss finals if newcastle beat Melbourne Queensland Win: Go through to finals Draw: Will go through if Newcastle lose or draw to Melbourne Lose: Will miss out if Newcastle beat Melbourne Newcastle: Win: Go through to finals at expense of Sydney or Queensland Draw: Can go through to finals if Queensland lose Lose: Goodnight nurse Mariners, Perth and the Knights are saying goodnight nurse next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ads25 Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats Pretty much all comes down to the Newcastle vs Melbourne game friday night which opens the round. If Newcastle dont win the finals will be decided. However if Newcastle can get the win, it will come down to the Sydney vs Queensland match on Saturday and wont that be an epic! Would be great to see Newcastle win and make the Syd-Qld a finals like match :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouch Potato Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats Seeing as most of us here are quite interested in the NBL (Thanks to Ads), I thought it'd be worth mentioning that Sportingbet are currently offering premiership doubles on the A-League and NBL winner. http://www.sportingbet.com.au/uipub/sport.aspx?l1id=36&l2id=511963&l3id=460270 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ads25 Posted January 17, 2007 Author Share Posted January 17, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats Very interesting mate, id be looking at perhaps the all Melbourne double of Victory & Tigers at odds of $7.25 Melb should win the A-League one would imagine, and its either out of Melbourne & Brisbane for the NBL title Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouch Potato Posted January 17, 2007 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats I am actually looking at a Brisbane-Roar double @ $23. A victorian double of Tigers and Victory well worth a look too. Knowing my luck it'd probably be one of each, but the state doubles do appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SydCityKid Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Re: Australian A League Round 20 Wash Up & Stats TYSONS TIPS FOR THE AUSSIE WEEKEND NEWCASTLE vs MELBOURNE ,A-LEAGUE, ROUND 21, 2007 Now with everything on the line for NEWCASTLE JETS they can take there finals hopes into there own hands. Everytime NEWCASTLE have had something to play for this season they have failed miserbly, only vs Sydney were they came from 2-0 behind did they look like a team that would go to the finals. Last week they got oh so lucky to draw with a helpless and undermaned PERTH GLORY squad. MELBOURNE have proved all season that they are a level above this a-league and i think if they played a melbourne A and a melbourne B side they would be sitting at 1 and 2 on the table. I expect NEWCASTLE to get nervous infront of a sold out energy australia stadium and MELBOURNE TO BURY THERE FINALS HOPES at a juicy 3.30........... My TIP IS FOR MELBOURNE TO WIN AT 3.30 AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS: 19/1/07 RODDICK vs SAFIN My TIP RODDICK TO WIN AT 1.50. AUSTRALIA vs ENGLAND ,ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL 19/1/07 My TIP AUSTRALIA HIGHEST OPENING PARTNERSHIP AT 1.60 LIVERPOOL vs CHELSEA ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE 20/1/07 My TIP CHELSEA TO WIN AT 2.50 DO YOURSELFS A FAVOUR AND GET ON THESE LEGS PEOPLE. GOODLUCK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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