SNAPSHOT OF ROUND TWO OF THE A-LEAGUE MEN

THEY SAID IT: "I'm the coach of Melbourne City - I'm not the national team coach" - Patrick Kisnorbo tells Paramount Plus giving Marco Tilio match minutes in his pursuit of a Socceroos World Cup berth won't come ahead of what he thinks is best for City.

MAN OF THE WEEK: Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren scored a double and reminded Socceroos coach Graham Arnold of his class as a finisher in the 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar. A slick back-heel and a well taken penalty were both high quality, and Maclaren went close on several other occasions. It was a timely performance with the World Cup just a month away. He has three goals in two games.

BEAT THAT: Towering Wanderers centre-back Tomislav Mrcela's winner against Victory was sublime. Mrcela dispossessed Cadete and went on an unlikely barnstorming run through the centre of the pitch before slipping the ball to Brandon Borrello. The winger cut the ball back for Mrcela, and while the defender's initial attempt was cleared by Roderick Miranda, it fell right back into his path, where he coolly lifted it into the back of the net.

STAT ATTACK: Adelaide had three goals disallowed in their 2-0 loss to Macarthur - two for offside and one for a foul. Hiroshi Ibusuki was twice denied. Fortunately, none of those calls were contentious.

TALKING POINT: If coach Dwight Yorke felt Daniel Arzani "wasn't particularly at the races" in an opening round stalemate against Brisbane, the fringe Socceroo led all comers against Adelaide in round two. Looming as a World Cup bolter for a second time running, Arzani scored a lovely goal and delivered an assist in the 2-0 win. The Iranian-born winger was yellow-carded for celebrating his goal by lifting his shirt to reveal a reference to Mahsa Amini, the woman whose death in custody in Iran last month sparked widespread protests.

UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane were hapless against City and even with a one-player advantage rarely looked like causing them genuine strife. They are winless after two games and are facing the in-form Wanderers next. Meanwhile, reigning champions Western United are 0-2 in their title defence.

INJURIES: Macarthur star Ulises Davila was forced off early against Adelaide with a hamstring injury.

UP NEXT: United will attempt to avoid going 0-3 when Macarthur come to town on Friday night. The real blockbuster is on Saturday night, when Melbourne Victory host City in the Melbourne derby. Elsewhere, Newcastle host Wellington, Western Sydney face Brisbane and Sydney take on Adelaide.