After a week of speculation and scrutiny, the pressure on Sydney as they travelled to Suncorp was immense - but Roar's home game hoodoo came to their rescue.

Now though the focus may turn instead on Ernie Merrick at Melbourne Victory. Five games into the season and this time last year, the champs were running away with the title.

This year though, they've still to find that vital opening win - and while they remain unbeaten, and incredibly in third place on the ladder, the fans will want something to celebrate soon.

No such problems for Central Coast Mariners though. They managed to find their fourth win from five games...and have still to concede a single goal this season. It wasn't their best performance of the season, but it was still good enough.

Glory tried their best to end the Mariners' record cleansheet but just couldn't score a goal and now find themselves propping up the ladder. It really doesn't look good for the west coasters.

Meanwhile Adelaide and Wellington played out a thrilling 2-2 draw - but somehow end up perched just above Perth Glory, despite Adelaide having just as many points as third-placed Victory, and Phoenix just one point behind.

It's that tight in the A-League this season - blink once and you can drop out of finals contention just like that.

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Newcastle Jets must have though they'd done everything they needed to win this match - but Melbourne Victory weren't about to be defeated for the first time this season.

The Jets apparently had the game in the bag after just 20 minutes against a poor Victory side - but two flashes of brilliance in the second half were enough to get a share of the points for the reigning champions.




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Wellington Phoenix wanted to reward their new army of fans with a win at home and the fabulous Felipe looked like he might just have done it for them.

Adelaide United weren't to be dismissed so easily and turned the game around to take a 2-1 lead but Shane Smeltz saved the home side's blushes with a great late equaliser.




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In a weekend of supersubs swinging games, none was greater than Patrick's entry into the match for Sydney. His first touch was enough to give his side their crucial first competitive victory in six months.

For Roar, the curse of Suncorp struck again. Maybe they should just get on a return flight to Auckland before the next home game and just pretend it's an away match.




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Central Coast Mariners played the worst they have all season - and still walked away with a win and a four point cushion at the top of the table.

For Perth Glory, there was little good to take away from another disappointing performance. They played better attacking football but still can't find the finishing touch they need - even with Jamie Harnwell starting the game.