WELCOME to the business end of the season - and it can't get any tighter or more cut-throat in the A-League. Just one goal decided every game - and cost one coach his job.
It was a tale of two cities this week. For one, it was the best of times and for the other it was the worst of times...and ended in the decapitation of head coach Ron Smith from Perth Glory.
John Kosmina continued his winning streak at Sydney thanks to an inspired piece of brilliance from loan striker Michael Bridges against Newcastle Jets. Sorry, Branko WHO?
Just a fortnight ago they looked destined to prop up the ladder, but for 24 hours this weekend, they were just one win away from the top.
Kosmina's getting the plaudits for turning around Sydney's fortunes but he's not daft enough to take all the credit for the two wins so far.
He knows the arrival of a new coach kicks players into action - especially those playing for a new contract next season - and the real proof of his ability will only show up later in the season.
So what has he done so far?
Kosmina took Juninho out the match at half-time when it was clear his injury was denying the team a better option in Ruben Zadkovich. Branko had said the same thing - just before he lost his job.
Kossie also adopted Branko's flawed flat four defence this week too - despite the obvious and well-known lack of an experienced leftback.
Finally, this week's match was won by Michael Bridges who, although only having played under Kosmina, was actually Branko's signing, his last gift to the club.
Throw in Kosmina's touchline ban, effectively killing his match-time influence, and it appears he has brought little apart from being a new suit barking orders at training and controlling contract renewals.
Like Culina, he also talks a great game, despite insisting he hates talking to the media.
The difference, however, is his willingness to take the tough decisions.
He left Juninho in the dressing room at half-time on Saturday.
He admitted he'd made a mistake with the defence and switched to a more sensible back three after just half an hour against the Jets.
Branko talked, but Kossie acted.
They were the gambles of a man who has the full backing of the board - which Branko never really enjoyed - and a man who, even if he would never actually use them, would have had ready-made excuses for any loss (Branko's signings, touchline ban, injured marquee, new striker, need more time etc etc...)
There are still no guarantees for Sydney's future though. The players may get lazy again, they're about to lose players to the Olyroos once more...and then there's always the looming injury crisis hanging over Sydney.
Juninho looks in trouble, Patrick's out for at least a month after knee surgery, and Timpano and McFlynn have knacked themselves again...
Even the clearly-gifted Bridges can't be relied on to be Sydney's saviour.
The fact that Bridges is an excellent hitman shouldn't come as any surprise - he once commanded a $12million English Premier League price tag and is still just 29.
It wasn't a lack of talent in front of goal that led him to be wasting away on the sidelines of Hull - it was his Harry Kewell-like ability to get injured.
He's only been here three weeks. He's only played two games. He's yet to face Kevin Muscat's, erm, robust form of footy...and Sydney don't have the best record for training ground injuries.
He could well be Sydney's saviour - and the less intense schedule of the A-League will certainly be in his favour - but only if he stays injury-free.
If he does though, he could rip through the A-League and become Sydney's own Fred-style legend.
And how Victory could use Fred's genius. Finally though, his direct replacement, Carlos Hernandez, has found consistent form, but the rest of the team have lost last season's killer touch in front of goal.
They knocked on the door of the Mariners' goal so many times on Sunday the neighbours were ready to call the cops until Hernandez finally found a way through.
Even being a man down, they battled to what looked like a late win but the Mariners showed real grit to snatch a surprise triumph.
The Official Socceroo Icon(TM) (John Aloisi) has yet to open his account for his new club but Mariners stay three points clear at the top despite playing poorly, even if they have now cornered the market in sensational strikes from distance.
Victory would have been equal top on points if they had held their one goal lead...but instead slipped all the way down to sixth.
A-League football is fast becoming a game of snakes and ladders - one false move and down you go.
Meanwhile Adelaide blew their chance to take the lead, losing at home to Roar, and Phoenix got a long-deserved win, albeit against Perth Glory.
Glory's loss was finally enough to cost Ron Smith his job after 18 games and almost a year without a win.
Smith tried to play good football latterly but his personal feud with Jamie Harnwell must have been unsettling for the rest of the team...and denied Glory a chance to get off to a winning start, destroying the team's self belief and wrecking their season before it even began.
They also got rid of striker flop Mate Dragicevic, hopefully without paying out the rest of his contract so they can bring in a talented replacement under the salary cap to get Glory's season back on track. Perth deserve better.
And ref Mark Shield got card happy once again. Joe Keenan's red simply galvanised Victory on to look for a win against the odds, but his and Roddy Vargas's late red will have far-reaching effects.
With Pantelidis already banned for another two matches, Vargas and Keenan banned for at least one (and possibly more if the FFA act) and no Seb Ryall, coach Ernie Merrick has limited options in his backline for the showdown against Sydney.
It could even see the unlikely centre-back pairing of Milicevic and Muscat...which could be good for a laugh (and a bit of biffo) for everyone except Melbourne fans.
As we enter the final half of the season, there's still everything to play for and a few more chapters to write in a blockbuster A-League.
versus 
Adelaide United 0
Queensland Roar 1
(Reinaldo 63’)
Friday 2 November 2007
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referees: Matthew Cream & Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Craig Zetter
Crowd: 10,705
Is the much-maligned Reinaldo finally coming good for Roar? Maybe not, but Roar are now living up to their potential with the help of their youngsters and forced their way into the top four at last.
Adelaide were flat and lacked the spark which has shown so much promise in recent games, robbing them of the chance to potentially move into a commanding league lead.
And will Robert Bajic ever come back?
Adelaide United
50.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 3.Milan SUSAK, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 10.Nathan BURNS, 13.Travis DODD (Captain)(14.Shaun ONTONG 72’), 15.Jonas SALLEY (8.Kristian SARKIES 68’), 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 23.Dez GIRALDI
Substitutes Not Used: 24.Tomi MILARDOVIC, 60.Julian TORRESAN (gk)
Yellow cards: Jonas Salley 24’, Cassio 45+1’, Robert Cornthwaite 90+2’
Red cards: Nil
Queensland Roar
1.Liam REDDY (gk), 4.Craig MOORE (Captain), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6.Stuart McLAREN, 7.Michael ZULLO (9.Simon LYNCH 82’), 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (17.Mitch NICHOLS 71’), 11.REINALDO, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22.Robbie KRUSE
Substitutes Not Used: 2.Andrew PACKER, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk)
Yellow cards: Craig Moore 37’, Reinaldo 90+1’
Red cards: Nil
versus 
Perth Glory 0
Wellington Phoenix 1
(Daniel 51’)
Friday 2 November 2007
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Referee: Simon Przydacz
Assistant Referees: Joe Fusari & Mathew Cheeseman
Fourth Official: Steven Gregory
Crowd: 7,105
They might not have thrown away a two goal lead but...oh wait a minute, this is no better at all, is it? Perth: As skipper Simon Colosimo repeatedly says - crap.
Glory's owners had a look at last season's champs Victory, this season's league leaders Mariners and realised what they needed was a Scot in charge. Luckily they had one ready and waiting. Will being a Jock be enough for Dave Mitchell though?
Phoenix finally got a win, and they couldn't have cut it much finer, but it gives them a lift, their defence finally kept a clean sheet and they have something to build on. That defence still needs work though...
Perth Glory
30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Anthony DANZE (15.Mitchell PRENTICE 73’), 8.David MICEVSKI (13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA 59’), 10.Billy CELESKI, 14.Jamie COYNE, 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 21.James ROBINSON (24.Jordan SIMPSON 75’).
Substitutes Not Used: 50.Tommi TOMICH (gk)
Yellow cards: Simon Colosimo 11’, Nikolai Topor-Stanley 68’
Red cards: Nil
Wellington Phoenix
20.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3.Tony LOCHHEAD, 5.Karl DODD, 6.Tim BROWN (captain), 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.DANIEL (8.Vaughan COVENY 80’), 12.Richard JOHNSON, 14.Steven O’DOR (13.Steven OLD 80’), 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ahmad ELRICH (22.Royce BROWNLIE 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Jacob SPOONLEY (gk)
Yellow cards: Vince Lia 13’, Richard Johnson 78’, Jeremy Christie 85’, Daniel 74’
Red cards: Nil
versus 
Newcastle Jets 0
Sydney FC 1
(Michael Bridges 69’)
Saturday, 3 November 2007
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant Referees: Ben Wilson & Murray Wilson
Fourth Official: Ben Williams
Crowd: 16,433
Newcastle Jets were another team who could feasibly have gone top of the league by Monday morning but they blew their chance by simply failing to find the back of the net despite chances.
Loan danger Michael Bridges saw his chance for Sydney - and he took it in style, placing the ball beautifully into the top corner while Jets keeper Ante Covic could only stand and watch. The harbour city revival continues.
Newcastle Jets
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 3.Jade NORTH (captain), 6.Andrew DURANTE, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.DENNI (15.Scott TUNBRIDGE 43'), 11.Tarek ELRICH, 13.Adam D'APUZZO, 17.Troy HEARFIELD (21.Mario JARDEL 73'), 18.Noel SPENCER (12.Paul KOHLER 73'), 19.Mark BRIDGE
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk)
Yellow cards: Denni 25', Adam Griffiths 26', Ante Covic 84'
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC
1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (captain), 7.Robbie MIDDLEBY (11.Brendon SANTALAB 90+3'), 10.Steve CORICA (9.David ZDRILIC 90+2'), 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Mark MILLIGAN, 22.JUNINHO (8.Ruben ZADKOVICH 46'), 23.Ufuk TALAY, 28.Michael BRIDGES
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)
Yellow cards: Mark Milligan 22', Ruben Zadkovich 47', Michael Bridges 86'
Red cards: Nil
versus 
Central Coast Mariners 2
(Sasho Petrovski 83’, Tom Pondeljak 88’)
Melbourne Victory 1
(Carlos Hernandez 78’)
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Mark Shield
Assistant Referees: Nathan Gibson & Alex Glasgow
Fourth Official: Strebre Delovski
Crowd: 11,354
This was three points lost by Victory despite everything on paper saying they should have been destroyed by the Mariners. They were a man down for 70 minutes of the game - but still dominated most of the match.
They took a late lead but a surprise last gasp fightback saw Mariners sneak the win and two more red cards added even more drama to a sensational finish. Gosh. The morale-crushing defeat sent Victory backwards down the league while the Mariners returned to the top - even without Aloisi getting on a scoresheet yet.
Central Coast Mariners
20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 7.John HUTCHINSON, 10.Tom PONDELJAK, 12.Greg OWENS (, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT 66’), 13.Tony VIDMAR, 15.Andrew CLARK (2.Matt SIMON 73’), 16.Nigel BOOGAARD (5.Bradley PORTER 79’), 18.Alex WILKINSON, 19.Adam KWASNIK, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 25.John ALOISI
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Matthew TROTT (gk)
Yellow cards: John Hutchinson 60’, Sasho Petrovski 73’/90+1’
Red cards: Sasho Petrovski 90+1’
Melbourne Victory
1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 7.Matthew KEMP, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON (14.Adrian CACERES 83’), 11.Joseph KEENAN, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 15.Leandro LOVE (17.Daniel VASILEVSKI 23’), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ (13.Kaz PATAFTA 87’), 18.Leigh BROXHAM, 24.Steven PACE
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Joseph Keenan 22’, Rodrigo Vargas 90+1’
Top Goalscorers After Round 11
6 - Alex Brosque (SFC)
5 - Sasho Petrovski (CCM), Shane Smeltz (WP)
4 - Joel Griffiths (NJ), Jamie Harnwell (PG), Archie Thompson (MV), Bruce Djite (AU)
3 - Daniel (WP), Travis Dodd (AU), Nathan Burns (AU), Lucas Pantelis (AU)
2 - Adam Kwasnik (CCM), Carlos Hernandez (MV), Danny Allsopp (MV), Felipe (WP), Adam Griffiths (NJ), John Hutchinson (CCM), Josh McCloughan (QR), Kevin Muscat (MV), Mark Bridge (NJ), Matt McKay (QR), Nik Mrdja (CCM), Patrick (SFC), Reinaldo (QR), Robbie Kruse (QR), Simon Lynch (QR), Tom Pondeljak (CCM)
1 - Adam Casey (SFC), Adrian Caceres (MV), Ahmad Elrich (WP), Billy Celeski (PG), Dean Heffernan (CCM), Dez Giraldi (AU), Diego (AU), James Robinson (PG), Jamie Coyne (PG), Jason Spagnuolo (AU), Marcinho (QR), Matt Thompson (NJ), Michael Bridges (SFC), Michael Zullo (QR), Mitchell Prentice (PG), Richie Alagich (AU), Rodrigo Vargas (MV), Ross Aloisi (WP), Sasa Ognenovski (QR), Steven Old (WP), Stuart Musialik (NJ), Tony Lochhead (WP), Tony Popovic (SFC), Ufuk Talay (SFC), Vaughan Coveny (WP)
A-League Ladder After Round 11
A-League Crowds After Round 11
John Kosmina continued his winning streak at Sydney thanks to an inspired piece of brilliance from loan striker Michael Bridges against Newcastle Jets. Sorry, Branko WHO?
Just a fortnight ago they looked destined to prop up the ladder, but for 24 hours this weekend, they were just one win away from the top.
Kosmina's getting the plaudits for turning around Sydney's fortunes but he's not daft enough to take all the credit for the two wins so far.
He knows the arrival of a new coach kicks players into action - especially those playing for a new contract next season - and the real proof of his ability will only show up later in the season.
So what has he done so far?
Kosmina took Juninho out the match at half-time when it was clear his injury was denying the team a better option in Ruben Zadkovich. Branko had said the same thing - just before he lost his job.
Kossie also adopted Branko's flawed flat four defence this week too - despite the obvious and well-known lack of an experienced leftback.
Finally, this week's match was won by Michael Bridges who, although only having played under Kosmina, was actually Branko's signing, his last gift to the club.
Throw in Kosmina's touchline ban, effectively killing his match-time influence, and it appears he has brought little apart from being a new suit barking orders at training and controlling contract renewals.
Like Culina, he also talks a great game, despite insisting he hates talking to the media.
The difference, however, is his willingness to take the tough decisions.
He left Juninho in the dressing room at half-time on Saturday.
He admitted he'd made a mistake with the defence and switched to a more sensible back three after just half an hour against the Jets.
Branko talked, but Kossie acted.
They were the gambles of a man who has the full backing of the board - which Branko never really enjoyed - and a man who, even if he would never actually use them, would have had ready-made excuses for any loss (Branko's signings, touchline ban, injured marquee, new striker, need more time etc etc...)
There are still no guarantees for Sydney's future though. The players may get lazy again, they're about to lose players to the Olyroos once more...and then there's always the looming injury crisis hanging over Sydney.
Juninho looks in trouble, Patrick's out for at least a month after knee surgery, and Timpano and McFlynn have knacked themselves again...
Even the clearly-gifted Bridges can't be relied on to be Sydney's saviour.
The fact that Bridges is an excellent hitman shouldn't come as any surprise - he once commanded a $12million English Premier League price tag and is still just 29.
It wasn't a lack of talent in front of goal that led him to be wasting away on the sidelines of Hull - it was his Harry Kewell-like ability to get injured.
He's only been here three weeks. He's only played two games. He's yet to face Kevin Muscat's, erm, robust form of footy...and Sydney don't have the best record for training ground injuries.
He could well be Sydney's saviour - and the less intense schedule of the A-League will certainly be in his favour - but only if he stays injury-free.
If he does though, he could rip through the A-League and become Sydney's own Fred-style legend.
And how Victory could use Fred's genius. Finally though, his direct replacement, Carlos Hernandez, has found consistent form, but the rest of the team have lost last season's killer touch in front of goal.
They knocked on the door of the Mariners' goal so many times on Sunday the neighbours were ready to call the cops until Hernandez finally found a way through.
Even being a man down, they battled to what looked like a late win but the Mariners showed real grit to snatch a surprise triumph.
The Official Socceroo Icon(TM) (John Aloisi) has yet to open his account for his new club but Mariners stay three points clear at the top despite playing poorly, even if they have now cornered the market in sensational strikes from distance.
Victory would have been equal top on points if they had held their one goal lead...but instead slipped all the way down to sixth.
A-League football is fast becoming a game of snakes and ladders - one false move and down you go.
Meanwhile Adelaide blew their chance to take the lead, losing at home to Roar, and Phoenix got a long-deserved win, albeit against Perth Glory.
Glory's loss was finally enough to cost Ron Smith his job after 18 games and almost a year without a win.
Smith tried to play good football latterly but his personal feud with Jamie Harnwell must have been unsettling for the rest of the team...and denied Glory a chance to get off to a winning start, destroying the team's self belief and wrecking their season before it even began.
They also got rid of striker flop Mate Dragicevic, hopefully without paying out the rest of his contract so they can bring in a talented replacement under the salary cap to get Glory's season back on track. Perth deserve better.
And ref Mark Shield got card happy once again. Joe Keenan's red simply galvanised Victory on to look for a win against the odds, but his and Roddy Vargas's late red will have far-reaching effects.
With Pantelidis already banned for another two matches, Vargas and Keenan banned for at least one (and possibly more if the FFA act) and no Seb Ryall, coach Ernie Merrick has limited options in his backline for the showdown against Sydney.
It could even see the unlikely centre-back pairing of Milicevic and Muscat...which could be good for a laugh (and a bit of biffo) for everyone except Melbourne fans.
As we enter the final half of the season, there's still everything to play for and a few more chapters to write in a blockbuster A-League.
versus Adelaide United 0
Queensland Roar 1
(Reinaldo 63’)
Friday 2 November 2007
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referees: Matthew Cream & Paul Cetrangolo
Fourth Official: Craig Zetter
Crowd: 10,705
Is the much-maligned Reinaldo finally coming good for Roar? Maybe not, but Roar are now living up to their potential with the help of their youngsters and forced their way into the top four at last.
Adelaide were flat and lacked the spark which has shown so much promise in recent games, robbing them of the chance to potentially move into a commanding league lead.
And will Robert Bajic ever come back?
Adelaide United
50.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Richie ALAGICH, 3.Milan SUSAK, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 10.Nathan BURNS, 13.Travis DODD (Captain)(14.Shaun ONTONG 72’), 15.Jonas SALLEY (8.Kristian SARKIES 68’), 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 21.Jason SPAGNUOLO, 23.Dez GIRALDI
Substitutes Not Used: 24.Tomi MILARDOVIC, 60.Julian TORRESAN (gk)
Yellow cards: Jonas Salley 24’, Cassio 45+1’, Robert Cornthwaite 90+2’
Red cards: Nil
Queensland Roar
1.Liam REDDY (gk), 4.Craig MOORE (Captain), 5.Josh McCLOUGHAN, 6.Stuart McLAREN, 7.Michael ZULLO (9.Simon LYNCH 82’), 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (17.Mitch NICHOLS 71’), 11.REINALDO, 15.Matt McKAY, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 22.Robbie KRUSE
Substitutes Not Used: 2.Andrew PACKER, 30.Griffin McMASTER (gk)
Yellow cards: Craig Moore 37’, Reinaldo 90+1’
Red cards: Nil
versus Perth Glory 0
Wellington Phoenix 1
(Daniel 51’)
Friday 2 November 2007
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Referee: Simon Przydacz
Assistant Referees: Joe Fusari & Mathew Cheeseman
Fourth Official: Steven Gregory
Crowd: 7,105
They might not have thrown away a two goal lead but...oh wait a minute, this is no better at all, is it? Perth: As skipper Simon Colosimo repeatedly says - crap.
Glory's owners had a look at last season's champs Victory, this season's league leaders Mariners and realised what they needed was a Scot in charge. Luckily they had one ready and waiting. Will being a Jock be enough for Dave Mitchell though?
Phoenix finally got a win, and they couldn't have cut it much finer, but it gives them a lift, their defence finally kept a clean sheet and they have something to build on. That defence still needs work though...
Perth Glory
30.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Anthony DANZE (15.Mitchell PRENTICE 73’), 8.David MICEVSKI (13.Nikita RUKAVYTSYA 59’), 10.Billy CELESKI, 14.Jamie COYNE, 17.Jimmy DOWNEY, 21.James ROBINSON (24.Jordan SIMPSON 75’).
Substitutes Not Used: 50.Tommi TOMICH (gk)
Yellow cards: Simon Colosimo 11’, Nikolai Topor-Stanley 68’
Red cards: Nil
Wellington Phoenix
20.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3.Tony LOCHHEAD, 5.Karl DODD, 6.Tim BROWN (captain), 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.DANIEL (8.Vaughan COVENY 80’), 12.Richard JOHNSON, 14.Steven O’DOR (13.Steven OLD 80’), 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ahmad ELRICH (22.Royce BROWNLIE 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Jacob SPOONLEY (gk)
Yellow cards: Vince Lia 13’, Richard Johnson 78’, Jeremy Christie 85’, Daniel 74’
Red cards: Nil
versus Newcastle Jets 0
Sydney FC 1
(Michael Bridges 69’)
Saturday, 3 November 2007
EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant Referees: Ben Wilson & Murray Wilson
Fourth Official: Ben Williams
Crowd: 16,433
Newcastle Jets were another team who could feasibly have gone top of the league by Monday morning but they blew their chance by simply failing to find the back of the net despite chances.
Loan danger Michael Bridges saw his chance for Sydney - and he took it in style, placing the ball beautifully into the top corner while Jets keeper Ante Covic could only stand and watch. The harbour city revival continues.
Newcastle Jets
1.Ante COVIC (gk), 2.Adam GRIFFITHS, 3.Jade NORTH (captain), 6.Andrew DURANTE, 9.Joel GRIFFITHS, 10.DENNI (15.Scott TUNBRIDGE 43'), 11.Tarek ELRICH, 13.Adam D'APUZZO, 17.Troy HEARFIELD (21.Mario JARDEL 73'), 18.Noel SPENCER (12.Paul KOHLER 73'), 19.Mark BRIDGE
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk)
Yellow cards: Denni 25', Adam Griffiths 26', Ante Covic 84'
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC
1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (captain), 7.Robbie MIDDLEBY (11.Brendon SANTALAB 90+3'), 10.Steve CORICA (9.David ZDRILIC 90+2'), 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Mark MILLIGAN, 22.JUNINHO (8.Ruben ZADKOVICH 46'), 23.Ufuk TALAY, 28.Michael BRIDGES
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)
Yellow cards: Mark Milligan 22', Ruben Zadkovich 47', Michael Bridges 86'
Red cards: Nil
versus Central Coast Mariners 2
(Sasho Petrovski 83’, Tom Pondeljak 88’)
Melbourne Victory 1
(Carlos Hernandez 78’)
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Mark Shield
Assistant Referees: Nathan Gibson & Alex Glasgow
Fourth Official: Strebre Delovski
Crowd: 11,354
This was three points lost by Victory despite everything on paper saying they should have been destroyed by the Mariners. They were a man down for 70 minutes of the game - but still dominated most of the match.
They took a late lead but a surprise last gasp fightback saw Mariners sneak the win and two more red cards added even more drama to a sensational finish. Gosh. The morale-crushing defeat sent Victory backwards down the league while the Mariners returned to the top - even without Aloisi getting on a scoresheet yet.
Central Coast Mariners
20.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 7.John HUTCHINSON, 10.Tom PONDELJAK, 12.Greg OWENS (, 6.Andre GUMPRECHT 66’), 13.Tony VIDMAR, 15.Andrew CLARK (2.Matt SIMON 73’), 16.Nigel BOOGAARD (5.Bradley PORTER 79’), 18.Alex WILKINSON, 19.Adam KWASNIK, 22.Sasho PETROVSKI, 25.John ALOISI
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Matthew TROTT (gk)
Yellow cards: John Hutchinson 60’, Sasho Petrovski 73’/90+1’
Red cards: Sasho Petrovski 90+1’
Melbourne Victory
1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 7.Matthew KEMP, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON (14.Adrian CACERES 83’), 11.Joseph KEENAN, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 15.Leandro LOVE (17.Daniel VASILEVSKI 23’), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ (13.Kaz PATAFTA 87’), 18.Leigh BROXHAM, 24.Steven PACE
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Joseph Keenan 22’, Rodrigo Vargas 90+1’
Top Goalscorers After Round 11
6 - Alex Brosque (SFC)
5 - Sasho Petrovski (CCM), Shane Smeltz (WP)
4 - Joel Griffiths (NJ), Jamie Harnwell (PG), Archie Thompson (MV), Bruce Djite (AU)
3 - Daniel (WP), Travis Dodd (AU), Nathan Burns (AU), Lucas Pantelis (AU)
2 - Adam Kwasnik (CCM), Carlos Hernandez (MV), Danny Allsopp (MV), Felipe (WP), Adam Griffiths (NJ), John Hutchinson (CCM), Josh McCloughan (QR), Kevin Muscat (MV), Mark Bridge (NJ), Matt McKay (QR), Nik Mrdja (CCM), Patrick (SFC), Reinaldo (QR), Robbie Kruse (QR), Simon Lynch (QR), Tom Pondeljak (CCM)
1 - Adam Casey (SFC), Adrian Caceres (MV), Ahmad Elrich (WP), Billy Celeski (PG), Dean Heffernan (CCM), Dez Giraldi (AU), Diego (AU), James Robinson (PG), Jamie Coyne (PG), Jason Spagnuolo (AU), Marcinho (QR), Matt Thompson (NJ), Michael Bridges (SFC), Michael Zullo (QR), Mitchell Prentice (PG), Richie Alagich (AU), Rodrigo Vargas (MV), Ross Aloisi (WP), Sasa Ognenovski (QR), Steven Old (WP), Stuart Musialik (NJ), Tony Lochhead (WP), Tony Popovic (SFC), Ufuk Talay (SFC), Vaughan Coveny (WP)
A-League Ladder After Round 11
A-League Crowds After Round 11
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