In summary
Sydney FC cemented their status as A-League favourites as a brace for Bobô proved the difference, after Wellington fought hard to give the defending champions several scares.
Graham Arnold’s reigning champions will now prepare for what promises to be an enthralling Sydney derby versus the Wanderers next Saturday evening. Wellington, meanwhile, continue their stint across the Tasman with an encounter against Melbourne City.
That’s all from me for now – thanks for following along. Until next time.
Updated
Lots of controversy over on Twitter after a late (incorrect) offside call against Wellington Phoenix as they surged forward with an ominous attack while searching for the equaliser.
Someone call the Sydney police.. Wellington have been robbed 🙈 #SYDvWEL
— Umair Ashfaque (@umairash11) October 15, 2017
It was closer than they might have hoped, but reigning champions Sydney FC are all cheers after defeating Wellington Phoenix thanks in large part to their Brazilian striker Bobô.
Full-time: Sydney FC 3-2 Wellington Phoenix
90 (+4) min: Peeep! Referee Kurt Ams brings an end to an entertaining Sunday evening clash at Allianz Arena in Sydney.
90 (+2) min: Matt Simon almost puts the game beyond doubt as he is through on goal, but his ultimate effort is weak and Wellington keeper Keegan Smith has no difficulties.
90 min: Sydney make a final substitute to chew up some time - Paulo Retre on for brace-scorer Bobô.
89 min: The Phoenix are searching for an equaliser here. They win a corner, but it comes to nothing following a Michael Zullo clearance.
87 min: Wellington with a long throw from their own territory looking to move the ball forward. Adam Parkhouse then plays a beautiful switch ball for Ali Abas, who is called offside but it appears to be a poor decision.
Updated
Speaking of this afternoon’s Newcastle v Perth clash, which saw the Glory secure a late equaliser in injury time, are Wellington going to imitate those efforts and find a goal as the clock ticks towards full-time?
That’s the question on our mind too, Katie.
First home game of the season, and the reigning champs can't draw a bigger crowd than Newcastle Jets? Huh? #SYDvWEL
— Katie Lambeski (@katielambeski) October 15, 2017
Nice action shot of Sydney FC’s third goal.
80 min: Sydney create a nice attacking opportunity but it is ruled offside, although there’s some contention given it came off a Wellington player. The first offside of the game, apparently.
The question we’re all asking, via a relevantly named Twitter account.
Why is there a spaceship outside the stadium? #SYDvWEL
— Dalek Kalezic (@DarijeNix) October 15, 2017
78 min: Wellington’s Krishna is getting fired up. Following his booking, he missed a good opportunity and then exchanged pleasantries with the linesman. Settle, Roy.
76 min: Wellington striker Roy Krishna bundles over Michael Zullo, and earns a yellow card.
Here’s Michael Zullo’s goal from earlier. Nice strike.
A first @SydneyFC goal for @MichaelZullo5 ! 2nd half live on @FOXSportsAUS or see the match centre https://t.co/ZekZhjwkCp #SydneyIsSkyBlue pic.twitter.com/Foshm8mcCX
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) October 15, 2017
73 min: Sydney defender Jordy Buijs wins a corner with a nice driving strike at Wellington custodian Keegan Smith. Buijs steps up to take the corner himself. And again, after his first one is bundled out.
One of the better tweets from tonight.
Left backs, left backs everywhere...#SYDvWEL pic.twitter.com/XEXNb7UClv
— Jacob Spoonley (@JacobSpoonley) October 15, 2017
While us Australians are focused on the Socceroos’ forthcoming World Cup qualifying tie with Honduras, we shouldn’t forget that our friends across the Tasman have their own qualifier to fret about. The New Zealand All Whites, who famously went undefeated during the 2010 World Cup, face the tough task of Peru next month. Wouldn’t an Australia v NZ clash at the World Cup in Russia be wonderful?
68 min: Sydney gaffer Graham Arnold swaps Alex Brosque for Matt Simon, to mix up his attacking line-up.
Bobô celebrates his brace earlier.
Hehe...
Hey @Foxtel the irony of this being displayed non-stop during live play is not lost on us ! #SYDvWEL pic.twitter.com/jjaJLPQrPU
— Mark Shaw (@sinbaddylad) October 15, 2017
64 min: That’s the second time I have all but written off Wellington tonight, and the second time they have almost immediately hit back. This could get interesting. Sydney FC then charge down the other end and Bobô should have done better in the box, but Wellington recover.
Sydney FC 3-2 Wellington Phoenix
60 min: And the Phoenix are rising! Dario Vidosic adds his name to the scoresheet - his eight goal in 13 games against Sydney FC. #Isiton?
60 min: Wellington have battled valiantly tonight, but Sydney FC are beginning to tighten their grip on this encounter. To mix things up, Darije Kalezić makes a double substitution: Daniel Mullen replaced by former Sydney hero Ali Abbas and Adam Parkhouse on for Matthew Ridenton.
How do you like them apples? Andrija Kaluderovic taunts the Sydney crowd after his first-half goal.
54 min: It’s David Carney who has come on for Sydney FC, a man whose defending in extra-time of the 2011 Asian Cup final still gives me nightmares. Andrew Durante of Wellington then finds himself in the referee’s notepad with a booking after a tackle on Alex Brosque.
51 min: Sydney FC with another opportunity on the counter-attack, and it’s Michael Zullo again in position. The Sky Blues’ Polish midfielder Adrian Mierzejewski pulls up sore, and finds himself substituted - Graham Arnold probably has a keen eye on the Sydney Derby next week.
Sydney FC 3-1 Wellington Phoenix
48 min: Goal! Sydney FC add to their tally. A beautiful cross from new recruit Luke Wilkshire finds Bobô, who powers home with the header.
Updated
48 min: Michael Zullo almost finds an unlikely brace! But Wellington’s defence make a late effort to prevent the shot.
Here’s the footage of Sydney FC’s first goal earlier in the first-half:
Bobo finished a brilliant team move to give @SydneyFC the lead.
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 15, 2017
📺 #SYDvWEL is live on @FOXFOOTBALL 501. #ALeague pic.twitter.com/o2B7mLZ0Ee
Second-half begins
45 min: We’re underway again at Allianz Stadium. Will Sydney FC add to their goal tally? Will the Phoenix battle back? Let me know - in the comments, via email or Twitter.
Updated
HarryofOz adds his two cents in the comments: “Disappointing to concede that goal just before half-time, but overall a better than good first half performance.” Agreed, Harry. This is still Sydney FC’s game to lose, but Wellington have shown today that they are no walkovers away from home.
Across town at the Qudos Bank Arena, the Sydney Kings collected their first victory of the season earlier today with a 103-87 triumph against Illawarra in the National Basketball League. But the victory was bittersweet, with Kings captain Kevin Lisch sustaining a calf injury.
Sydney FC custodian Andrew Redmayne looking decidedly pleased with the situation earlier.
Half-time: Sydney FC 2-1 Wellington Phoenix
45 (+2) min: Referee Kurt Ams brings an end to the first-half. A late strike for Wellington Phoenix brought the excitment back to the encounter, after two goals around the 30 minute mark looked to have set up Sydney for a comfortable victory.
Updated
43' | GOAL! Great ball into the area from #Nix Durante which is picked up and finished off by Kaludjerovic #SYDvWEL (2-1) pic.twitter.com/SGBQR4ZEmi
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) October 15, 2017
Sydney FC 2-1 Wellington Phoenix
43 min: Beautiful movement from Wellington, with a long-ball into the top of the box finding Andrija Kaluderovic, who hammers it home. The referee stops play for VAR to check a potential handball, but the goal is ultimately given. Well, the Phoenix have answered my question - they’re not falling over just yet. That was a crucial goal on the stroke of half-time.
Updated
Not the ideal situation, is it?
Not sure how to interpret the Champions (and Brisbane) not having a major shirt sponsor into Round 2. #SYDvWEL
— Stephen Price (@sjp046) October 15, 2017
40 min: And there are two footballs on the pitch! I sometimes think that both coaches should be permitted a short multi-ball option each game. Once that situation is sorted, Sydney create a dangerous opportunity but its snuffed out by the Phoenix defence. Half-time is almost here - we will see another goal before the break?
Yes, well, that’s one way to look at it after Zullo’s strike. This could get ugly for the Phoenix, but they have looked good despite the scoreline. Will they battle back, or collapse?
Game over. #SYDvWEL #FoxFootball
— Glenn Dwyer (@glenndwyer) October 15, 2017
36 min: Disappointing stuff for Wellington, who were the better team for the first quarter of the game. But two goals to the A-League reigning champions in quick succession and it is now an uphill task for the Phoenix to get anything out of their trip across the Tasman. Wellington have a half-chance but Sydney FC keeper Andrew Redmayne ensures nothing comes of a ball into the box.
Sydney FC 2-0 Wellington Phoenix
33 min: And Michael Zullo makes it two. A stunning long-range strikes cannons towards the net, and even a deflection from Daniel Mullen won’t prevent the goal.
Updated
Here’s a nice snap from earlier.
Sydney FC 1-0 Wellington Phoenix
28 min: But it doesn’t matter! After Alex Brosque failed to convert the opportunity Bobô created, moments later the Brazilian striker takes matters in his own hands and gives Sydney the advantage.
Updated
27 min: Ahhhhh. Alex Brosque misses a sitter - through on goals from an excellent Bobô pass and hits wide. That should have been 1-0 to Sydney.
26 min: Another chance for Wellington - Matthew Ridenton curls one wide. Sydney FC were heavy favourites heading into this game, but the Phoenix have been the better team so far.
23 min: Wellington’s Scott Galloway creates a chance for Serbian forward Andrija Kaluderovic in the box, but the former Brisbane Roar player can’t convert.
While we wait for some notable action in this final A-League game of round two, I would be eager to hear your thoughts on the Socceroos’ final World Cup qualification tie against Honduras. TheThirdMan in the comments made an interesting observation about Australia’s advantage with the travel - Australian players will be far more accustomed to the long trip, and will have several players remaining in Australia for the second leg. Could that be the difference?
18 min: Bobô finds Luke Wilkshire in an acre of space on the right, and the former Socceroos defender sends in a cross, but Wellington goalkeeper Smith intervenes.
Some of the Twitterati engaging on this attendance debate.
Sunday Night #ALeague would want to be a ratings winner for @FOXSports because the attendance at #SYDvWEL tonight is horrendous!
— Punting Stars (@puntingstars) October 15, 2017
And I wouldn’t normally link to a betting company’s Twitter feed, but this is quite funny.
Great to see the Cove now doubling up as the official club statisticians for Sydney FC #SYDvWEL pic.twitter.com/4XkxPHouZN
— Ladbrokes.com.au (@ladbrokescomau) October 15, 2017
15 min: It’s been a fairly even first quarter hour. Wellington almost create an opportunity with a dangerous through-ball, but Sydney FC regather, launch a counter-attack, and then decide to send the ball backwards instead. Adrian Mierzejewski ends up with possession on the right-hand flank for Sydney, but can’t make anything of it.
11 min: He might be 18, but Smith has looked composed so far - good distribution and a calm set of hands. New Zealand’s Gianluigi Donnarumma?
First time watching Keegan Smith, the lad looks quality, certainly more assured than an 18 year old perhaps should #SYDvWEL
— Josh Cooper (@Sandgroper81) October 15, 2017
Updated
8 min: Lull in the action, so the Fox Sports commentators are discussing Wellington goalkeeper Keegan Smith’s upcoming high school exams. Allianz Stadium looks quarter-full at best - perhaps the 7pm Sunday kick-off isn’t Football Federation Australia’s greatest idea?
5 min: Wellington started strongly, but Sydney FC has taken back control. Fijian striker Roy Krishna is one the Phoenix’s key threats, and has been active early.
Updated
These Sydney FC fans have clearly had a fun afternoon with the paint...
First-half underway
1 min: Peeepppp! Referee Kurt Ams commences proceedings. Straight away Wellington have an opportunity, and Sydney FC custodian Andrew Redmayne is called into action. Could an upset be on the cards?
Updated
Here are tonight’s line-ups:
TEAM SHEET | Here's a look at how tonight's opposition shape up! What's your predictions? #SydneyIsSkyBlue #SYDvWEL pic.twitter.com/vv5rNdsFf9
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) October 15, 2017
Preview: Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix
Evening all – Kieran Pender here taking the wheel of HMAS Sunday Sportswatch for the final A-League game of the round, as reigning champions Sydney FC host Wellington Phoenix. A big thanks to my insightful colleague Jonathan Howcroft for his coverage of Newcastle v Perth, which saw the Glory grab a late equaliser against the Jets.
On paper this should be an easy victory for Sydney FC, who beat rivals Melbourne Victory in last week’s 2016/17 grand final rematch. The Phoenix, meanwhile, could only manage a draw with Adelaide United in Wellington during round one. But, as my old lower division state league coach used to chide, football matches are not played on paper.
What more can be said about this superlative Sydney FC side, which won the A-League double last season and look even better ahead this campaign? Recent additions Luke Wilkshire and Adrian Mierzejewski both start tonight for the Sky Blues, strengthening an already potent line-up.
For Wellington, the most exciting off-season addition was in the coaching box. Bosnian-Swiss manager Darije Kalezić brings plenty of experience to the A-League’s New Zealand team, although his on-field signings were underwhelming. Occasional Socceroo Dario Vidosic switched from South Korea to Wellington, and could threaten Sydney’s defence at Allianz Stadium tonight.
Do send me your thoughts through the match, via email or Twitter. For anyone who neglected to undertake their A-League research ahead of the season, Jonathan’s previews of Sydney and Wellington have you covered.
Summary
That is two points dropped for Ernie Merrick’s Newcastle who were the better side for long periods. For all their possession and territorial advantage they didn’t create many goalscoring opportunities and always left themselves open to a Glory burst. Perth only had a handful of chances all game but Taggart was clinical with two of them, his second a supreme header to nick a point.
Not the greatest game of the season but one with a dramatic finish that will take the wind out of the Jets’ sails and give Glory hope they can still pick up points while they deal with this injury crisis.
Now, straight over to Kieran Pender and Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix.
Updated
Newcastle Jets 2-2 Perth Glory
Somehow, despite Newcastle’s dominance, this game ends all square.
90+4 min: Newcastle’s turn to up the urgency but a long ball into the box that Boogaard wins is smuggled clear.
GOAL! Jets 2-2 Glory (Taggart, 90+2 min)
Into five minutes of added time and it begins with yet another Glory midfielder robbed in possession as a transitional movement occurred too slowly. It matters little as Champness becomes the latest Jet into the book for a clumsy challenge.
Glory only go down the other end and equalise! What on earth!? Harold finds a crossing opportunity down the right, he sends in a decent ball that Taggart turns into an inch-perfect assist with a sublime header beyond Duncan. The value of a quality finisher on display tonight. Perth out of this game for so long, suddenly steal a point with a brilliant strike.
89 min: More Newcastle attacking down the left ends with a corner that Boogaard almost connects with. Perth clear and build a composed attack that threatens to turn interesting when Harold goes down on the edge of the box but Shaun Evans dishes out yellow card to the forward for simulation. Excellent officiating from the man in green.
In five, ten years time, we'll look back at Perth Glory squandering the Diego Castro years with sadness #NEWvPER
— Ben Smith (@BenSmith94) October 15, 2017
87 min: Torres’ move into defence has given Perth greater vision with their long balls forward but they have rarely come off. Meanwhile Castro is hunting the ball all over the park and trying the Hollywood pass on the rare occasions he finds it.
Newcastle find a free-kick over towards their left attacking corner to milk more time off the clock.
85 min: Newcastle grinding the clock down now, taking advantage of every stoppage. Perth are playing with increased urgency but not much cohesion and any ‘into the mixer’ stuff is meat and drink to Topor-Stanley and Boogarrd.
83 min: Lovely move from Newcastle with Petratos linking a couple of times to turn defence into a smooth attack, one that ends with a corner. There’s no rush to take it but the delivery is straight into Reddy’s gloves and Perth clear.
81 min: Glory continue to probe, their best few minutes of the half, but a couple of blocked and overhit crosses prevent any further shooting chances.
Jackson comes on for Vujica to freshen up Newcastle’s defence.
78 min: Jinx! No sooner had I pasted Perth and Taggart again forces a blinding save from Duncan. Glory worked space down the right and the cross enabled Taggart to contest with a pack of Jets defenders and steer a header towards goal that Duncan has to work hard to dive and palm behind.
Warning for Newcastle.
16,633 is also the biggest home crowd for the Jets for a game against the Glory (Previous best was 16,212 in Rnd 21 2007/08) #NEWvPER
— Justin Tickner (@justintickner) October 15, 2017
76 min: Perth don’t really look to have much of a coherent strategy any more. The Jets are allowing them possession in defence but as soon as the ball moves forward they’re smothering Glory’s midfield and dominating any long balls towards Keogh, Taggart and Castro.
Nabbout is replaced by Champness for Newcastle.
74 min: Newcastle again win cheap possession from sloppy play from the Glory but they can’t fashion a shooting opportunity. The Jets are worth more than their one goal lead but Perth are clinging on for now.
71 min: Vargas, who has been excellent, succumbs to his cramp and makes way for Brown. Merrick has found another latin superstar playmaker.
70 min: The Jets again force a turnover in the Perth half and fashion a counterattacking shooting opportunity from it but it’s weak from Nabbout and easily claimed by Reddy.
Cramp for Vargas after just 70 minutes in a mid-tempo match played in cool conditions.
ATTENDANCE: 16,633
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 15, 2017
Bravo, Newy! 👏#NEWvPER #ALeague
67 min: Interesting substitution for Glory with Brimmer replacing Poscoliero. Perth with now no recognised centre-halves on the field. Torres has shifted into the back four.
Out of nowhere Harold finds himself through on goal, legging it beyond Vujica, but Duncan does superbly to stand tall and repel the one-on-one. Vujica’s dedication made sure it wasn’t a straightforward chance but Perth should probably be level very much against the run of play.
65 min: Glory are so disjointed. The defence looks shaky, the midfield lacks drive and the dangerous front men are isolated. Castro, lively in the first half has hardly seen the ball since the break.
62 min: Newcastle are all over Perth like a cheap suit. Vargas shows his class down the right and his pullback to Petratos is met with a fierce drive that Reddy does well to parry away.
GOAL! Jets 2-1 Glory (Kantarovski, 60)
Excellent play from O’Donovan who picks Wilson’s pocket in midfield and tears off towards goal, resulting in the Glory man fouling the Jet on the corner of the penalty area.
From the set piece Glory make an almighty hash of the clearance with the ball pinging around the area before it’s bundled across the line by Kantarovski. It wasn’t pretty but the Jets take a deserved lead.
Updated
58 min: Vujica’s strong challenge creates a fast transitinoal opportunity for Newcastle. Space opens up for Nabbout who carries the ball forward and shoots from the edge of the box but he drags his effort well wide.
All Newcastle since half-time.
56 min: Pressure continuing to build on the Glory defence with clearances only delaying the next Newcastle attack. A Corner leads to a free-kick in a dangerous area for the Jets but the set-piece bobbles its way into Reddy’s gloves.
54 min: Perth’s clearances are now being met with more measured play by the Jets, which means it’s phase after phase of home attack. There’s little penetration but Newcastle are on top.
Finally a pacier attack leads to a chance. O’Donovan nipping in behind the Glory defence pulls the ball back to Nabbout but he smashes his snapshot over the bar.
51 min: Perth waste a promising free-kick opportunity just outside the Newcastle box, a rare moment for Glory in what has been a good start to the second half for the Jets.
49 min: The problem the Jets have moving the ball around is the distance between the two midfield screens and the front four. Newcastle’s defenders and defensive midfielders are seeing plenty of possession but there’s often no obvious outlet, hence the early pass.
When they do establish a pattern they look dangerous, as when Petratos and Georgievski establish space down the right but the ball into the box just passes over the bar.
46 min: Second half underway.
One sub to note with Harold replacing Mallia for Perth.
Not the most thrilling half of football you’re ever going to see and 1-1 is probably a fair scoreline.
When the Jets get the ball down and play they look dangerous - especially when Vargas gets the ball, but so often they’re looking for the early pass and there’s nobody delivering it with enough quality.
The Glory are sitting back waiting to counterattack but only Castro looks threatening so far - aside from Taggart’s clinical early finish.
More from me after I put the kettle on.
STATS | An even half according to the @HarveyNormanAU match stats.
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 15, 2017
Full stats: https://t.co/Ay9DiepPGN pic.twitter.com/yNrb1RxWAR
Updated
Half Time: Jets 1-1 Glory
45+3 min: Three minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Time for Petratos to get into a good crossing position down the right only for Neville to head behind for a corner.
Shortly afterwards the Jets should be 2-1 up after neat build up down the left ends with a terrific Vujica cross to the far post that the onrushing Georgievski skies over the bar on the half-volley when you’d have fancied a more convincing finisher to find the back of the net.
Updated
45 min: Both sides threaten attacks but a lack of composure stymies them all. It’s not been a great half of football.
42 min: Yet another corner for Perth, and it’s a poor one that doesn’t beat the first man. It leads - of course - to a corner, that again can’t beat the nearest defender. For all his magic Castro’s dead balls have been poor in this first half.
40 min: Newcastle have a tendency - whether by design or instinct - to go forward early and long. It hasn’t worked so far today and undermines a lot of the interplay among the front four and the qualities of Vargas in midfield. The Jets could do with an Isaias type at the base of midfield to ping the ball around, rather than relying on the centre halves.
Second booking of the day goes to Georgievski, and again it’s well earned. HE could have received one a while ago for a late challenge on Mills, and he floors the same player again as he broke free down the left.
37 min: More promising play from Vargas doesn’t lead to an opportunity but reveals the Venezuelan’s ability to find time and space. The Jets maintain attacking territory and for the first time in the match looked to be squeezing the Glory.
33 min: Two more corners for the Glory - bringing the total to 21-0 for corner kicks against the Jets this season. Jack Duncan does well on the second to punch clear. A short pause while Mills receives treatment after some rough play from Georgievski.
That equaliser was well executed but required only moderately paced passing and movement to cut through the Glory defence. The final cross from Nabbout was excellent mind you.
GOAL! Jets 1-1 Glory (O'Donovan, 30)
The Jets finally string some passes together from defence, through midfield, and into the final third - Vargas linking them all. His pass finds Nabbout wide on the left and his first-time cross is perfectly placed behind Glory’s defence but in front of Reddy, ideal for O’Donovan to nip in at the far post and stab home the equaliser.
27 min: Perth can’t capitalise on a series of Castro corners - they’ve had six already today. The Spaniard is the star attraction in the first-half so far though.
25 min: Better build-up play for the Jets, working the ball around the field, exploiting Georgievski overlapping on the right but his pass to Ugarkovic found a man unsure what to do in the penalty area and the attack fizzles out.
Glory go the other way in a rapid counter that ends with Castro just about in behind the Jets defence but Boogaard does brilliantly to hook a leg out and deny the Spaniard what seemed a certain goal.
22 min: Oh dear, that was ugly from O’Donovan. The Irishman hassled Reddy into a rushed clearance but in the striker’s desperation he dived two-footed, taking out the keeper in his clearance. First yellow card of the day well deserved.
So far this match hasn’t been played at the pace of last week’s F3 derby, which hasn’t suited the Jets. Nor has the more compact nature of play, leaving less space for the font four to exploit. Plenty for Merrick to ponder.
19 min: First sighter for O’Donovan who drifts away from his marker at the far post but he can’t redirect Vargas’ sumptuous left-footed cross beyond Reddy. Second decent chance of the game for the home side.
In general play Newcastle are yet to establish ascendancy in midfield and the brief moments it arrives possession is laboured. Perth by contrast have Castro who is always looking for the forward pass and usually finds it.
16 min: Castro is roaming in midfield, looking to play 20-30m passes to runners in space. He finds Mallia from one and his shot is deflected in the air and dealt with poorly by the Jets defence and sliced nervously behind for a corner.
Castro’s set piece isn’t handled convincingly by the home side but a series of blocks and clearances eventually do the trick.
13 mins: Since that early chance to Vargas Newcastle have probed without looking overly threatening. The Glory defence doesn’t look watertight, typified by a high ball bouncing a couple of times in the Perth box before it’s cleared. Nobody really looks to be in command of that back four.
Some prime Tassie stats for you:
Tas-born Walker(PG) v Duncan(NJ) - 1st Tas-born confrontation since 1992 Ibro Cahut (Bris Strikers) v Dominic Longo (Newc Breakers) #NEWvPER
— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) October 15, 2017
11 min: That goal has set the cat among the pigeons. Glory were always likely to play on the counterattack and now they can focus all their energy on the defensive side of that equation. Can Newcastle overcome the early setback?
Not immediately with another Glory attack leading to a corner. Again the initial delivery is dealt with in the air, and this time so is the follow up.
GOAL! Jets 0-1 Glory (Taggart, 8)
First corner of the day goes to Glory, courtesy of Castro’s vision, switching play from left to right. The Spaniard takes the dead ball but it’s dealt with superbly in the air by Boogaard.
Castro picks up the pieces out wide and swings in a far more dangerous cross that Taggart honours with a beautiful guided finish with his right foot on the volley.
Out of nowhere, Perth are in front!
6 min: Despite some more neat touches from the Jets forwards, this is yet to blossom into a compelling football match. Lots of misplaced passes, interceptions, and all at a pretty pedestrian pace.
4 min: First chance of the match goes to the Jets as a neat move dow their right ends with Vargas being fed in behind the Glory defence by O’Donovan but Reddy is out smartly to smother the shot almost off the boot. Lovely move, excellent goalkeeping. First warning to the visitors.
2 min: A typically scrappy opening is spent largely down the Glory right, which means plenty of exposure to the pair of recent signings Walker and Mallia.
Peeeeeeeeppp!
Underway in the first of two A-League fixtures this Sunday afternoon.
It is gorgeous in Newcastle - 22C, a moderate westerly breeze and bright sunshine that’s casting a shadow over half the McDonald Jones Stadium pitch.
Newcastle are in their new home strip which is all blue. Perth are in a very natty all-white away uniform.
As the teams step out onto the pristine turf, everyone’s backing the Jets, right? Despite the Opta stats below showing Perth don’t lose to Newcastle, especially in the Hunter. The Glory injury list and the home side’s form last week has to lead to three points to Ernie Merrick’s men.
3-1 Newcastle for mine.
Community regular TheThirdMan has some excellent World Cup qualifier insight:
The play off dates for the Honduras game are a big advantage for us. Best part of a week for our team to acclimatise somewhere close to Honduras.
Hopefully we can get a decent result over there then a quick turnaround back to Sydney - I doubt the Honduran players will have previous experience of travelling so far and for so long. It is unlikely they will arrive in Australia much before Monday morning (at the very earliest Sunday night).
Latin American friends of mine tell me the Hondurans will not have a real appreciation of the debilitating effects of the flight and time difference whereas our boys are well used to it - and of course Leckie and Milligan and maybe one or two others will not even go to Honduras.
Great news for a club with plenty to offer the A-League with a bit of momentum.
Long queue across the car park to get in. Am I at a @NewcastleJetsFC game? ☺ #NEWvPER pic.twitter.com/kDnt4U8lEX
— Craig Eardley (@eardleyc) October 15, 2017
Kenny Lowe’s just been on the panel with the host broadcaster. He is consistently entertaining, and among the gags and patter there’s plenty of football nous too. It’s such an advantage in the PR battle to have that outgoing nature.
Pleased for 16 yo Jacob Italiano in the @PerthGloryFC squad, big few weeks with U20 @Socceroos selection and school exams #CREATEDESTINY
— Peter Filopoulos (@peterfilopoulos) October 15, 2017
Some stats for you, courtesy of the fine number crunchers at Opta.
• Perth Glory have won 13 of the last 16 meetings between these teams (D2, L1), though the spoils were split at one draw and one win apiece in 2016/17.
• Perth Glory are undefeated from their last eight excursions to McDonald Jones Stadium to face the Jets (W5, D3), last losing at the venue in November 2011.
• Newcastle Jets have lost their last two games at home, the last time they lost more was a five-game drought in 2015.
• Perth Glory have won five of their last seven A-League games against Ernie Merrick-coached outfits.
• Victory for the Jets would be their 100th in their A-League history, though they endure an historical win rate of just 19% against the Glory.
• Only the Wanderers (86%) enjoyed a better passing accuracy in Round 1 than Perth (82%).
• Roy O’Donovan has scored five goals in five games against Perth Glory, including three in his last two meetings against them.
Ready to go at @MJStadium 👊👊 #NEWvPER #CREATEDESTINY pic.twitter.com/ljH7nbx94G
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) October 15, 2017
Glory XI
Three changes to the Glory starting line-up from last week’s defeat in Wanderland with Shane Lowry, Jake Brimmer and Chris Harold making way for Brandon Wilson and two debutants: right-back Jeremy Walker and right-winger Mitch Mallia. Chris Harold and Jake Brimmer drop to the bench. Scott Neville shuffles to centre-half in what looks an unconvincing backline on paper, especially against such a formidable Jets attack.
Alex Grant, Lowry and Andreu all have one-week injuries.
Mallia and Walker are set to make their Glory debuts as Glory scholarship player Jacob Italiano is on the bench. #NEWvPER #CREATEDESTINY pic.twitter.com/C2Y6oqSroL
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) October 15, 2017
Jets XI
Ernie’s army is unchanged, and why wouldn’t it be after last week’s awesome opening?
The front four of Vargas, Petratos, Nabbout and hat-trick hero O’Donovan hogged the headlines but it was also a quietly efficient start for the new lynchpin pairing in the centre of defence. Plenty to build on for the Jets.
How your Jets will take the field for their clash with @PerthGloryFC! Ernie Merrick has gone with an unchanged line-up from Round 1 #NEWvPER pic.twitter.com/mnQ56oYiKN
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) October 15, 2017
Last week also witnessed the launch of a new 24-hour radio station dedicated to football - Football Nation Radio. Im interested to know if anybody has tuned in and how they’ve found the listening experience. Full disclosure, I am a guest on the network on Wednesday mornings 8-9am.
Now, what do we make of the Ange Postecoglou situation?
To begin with it’s terribly sad that such a dedicated contributor to Australian football seems set to exit stage left, most likely without enjoying the fruits of his labour at a World Cup finals.
Until the circumstances are made clear though it’s all speculation. On that subject, there are suggestions Postecoglou may be speaking to the ABC soon to give some insight. Hopefully he expands on the many theories, including perceived media criticism, his relationship with FFA HQ, and the possibility for taking a club role early in the new year.
Tactically, Postecoglou has challenged us as a footballing nation and he’s done so largely while achieving results. We may not realise what he had until it’s gone.
Tuesday night witnessed a typically Australian nerve-wracking World Cup qualifying playoff against Syria. The result went the way home fans hoped, but it took 120 minutes to secure and contained plenty of jittery moments along the way.
The outcome is a two-legged playoff with Honduras following the climax of the CONCACAF route that ended in extraordinary circumstances and the failure of the USA to reach Russia 2018. The fixtures for the Honduras match have been announced today with the first left taking place in Central America on Friday 10 November, kick-off TBC (this is likely to be around Saturday lunchtime AET). The return leg will be at ANZ Stadium Sydney on Wednesday 15 November at 8pm.
Let the genius Squires transport you back to Tuesday night and the brilliance of Tim Cahill.
Where shall we kick off?
The governance crisis rumbles on in the background (when it probably should be in the foreground, considering its significance) but that’s the way of the world, what with it being so laborious to decipher and competing with far sexier subjects for very limited attention.
Last week the FFA announced an EGM to begin the process of ratifying the expansion of its congress. The A-League clubs and the players’ union are ropable. The next few weeks (possibly months or even years) could be utter chaos.
I should have a column on this issue on the site tomorrow, your homework is to read this primer from August.
Updated
A week is a long time in Australian football
Good afternoon everybody and welcome to the latest instalment in the crazy world of Australian football. Never mind the governance crisis, the World Cup qualifying heart attacks or the ruckus over the future of the national team coach, it’s time for a hearty dish of piping hot home cooked A-League fare.
First up it’s the super soaraway Jets, fresh from their 5-1 routing of the Mariners, hosting the always entertaining Glory at Hunter Stadium. I’ll be taking you through that one from 5pm and I’m expecting a good ‘un. We saw how committed to attacking football Ernie Merrick’s Newcastle were last week and Kenny Lowe’s freestyle jazz forward line is as potent as they come.
From 7pm Kieran Pender will take the reins and steer you through Sydney FC’s battle with Wellington Phoenix. Surely the biggest home banker since the CBA?
As always please feel free to get in touch. Email and Twitter are at the top of the page and the comments section should be open too. There’s plenty of time before we’re on minute-by-minute duty in NSW, so we can take that time to discuss whatever you like in the world of Australian sport, with a lean towards football.
Jonathan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what how yesterday’s sporting action in Australia went down:
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