PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND – SYDNEY FC

Sydney once again were the dominant team this weekend. With Melbourne City being desperate to find points to help secure third position, Sydney were always going to find it hard to get a result but they did and they did it with clinical precision.

Despite their attacking prowess, City could only managed two goals on target all game, both of which were taken by Danny Vukovic. Up the other end, Sydney peppered the goal, putting in fourteen shots although their accuracy could have been better.

Sydney FC may have finished the first half 0-0 but they came into the second half with renewed effort and within 20 minutes, they were 2-0 up thanks to Alex Brosque and Bobo. Bobo found the finishing goal in the final minutes of the match to seal the victory.

They put Melbourne City under pressure with the Victorian side forced to clear their lines several times throughout the game as Sydney moved forward as confidently as they have done all season. They are just one win off the A-League points record (despite playing three games less) and 17 points off second spot, one of the most unbelievable achievements.

Graham Arnold may be in trouble with some for his “dirty” tactics, telling Joshua Brillante and Brandon O’Neill to pick up yellow cards so they will be suspended before the finals get underway. It will mean they go into next week with some key suspensions in an area of the park they have little coverage for.  

While it will be an interesting match next weekend, there’s no doubting their excellent performance this weekend.

PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND – JAMIE MACLAREN

In the past four games, Maclaren has unbelievably managed to score seven times and three of those were against Central Coast this weekend. It was a hat-trick made up of clinical goals rather than stunners but it was all the Roar needed.

Having fallen behind just after the second half, Jamie Maclaren was the man for Brisbane, pushing back and handing a lifeline to the Roar. Within eight minutes, he’d scored two more goals, completing a remarkable hat-trick.

Even by Jamie’s own admission, it wasn’t one of his best games but any game you can score three goals is a good game in anyone’s books. He may not have found the clinical touch in the first half but he more than made up for it in the second half.

His run of form has come at the perfect time for Brisbane who were able to establish themselves in 3rd spot, with second spot still mathematically possible.

Maclaren will be looking to score goals against Wellington and Perth in their next two games with Brisbane looking to cement third spot. Maclaren now sits equal first with Besart Berisha for goals this season with an incredible 18.

It was a great performance by Maclaren this season as there will surely be more to come this season.

GOAL OF THE WEEKEND – NICHOLAS D’AGOSTINO

Despite playing just 52 minutes in the A-League this season, Nicholas D’Agostino has scored twice and has the best minutes to goal ratio of any other player in the A-League.

He certainly made his goal count last night, netting a stunning goal just five minutes after coming onto the field.

A clearance from the edge of the box by Jade North found Thomas Broich who, hemmed in by two Mariners players released a beautiful back heel to Joe Caletti. Caletti played the ball forward to D’Agostino who found himself with the ball midway into the Mariners’ half.

With Brisbane players make runs left right and centre trying to get the ball, D’Agostino calmly moved the ball onto the edge of the box before releasing a stunning strike that cleared the cobwebs in the top right hand corner of the goal.

The composure and finish showed by the 19 year old was incredible and with 18 year old Joe Caletti providing the assist, it was a goal that will give Brisbane hope for the future.

An incredible goal from a young player to cap off a great win and surely a great A-League season.

FLOP OF THE WEEKEND – MELBOURNE VICTORY

Despite having their strongest side on the field, Melbourne flopped this week, big time. They showed no aggression in defence and they were completely fruitless in attack. Not only were they poor, they were poor at the ground they have made their fortress, AAMI Park.

Wellington exposed the side early with Roly Bonevacia able to score with some accurate but by no means powerful strikes, given all the space he needed to find the angle he needed. By 26 minutes, Wellington were 2-0 up and Victory showed very little desire to breakthrough.

Victory only managed two shots on goal against a team that has conceded over 40 this season. They failed to challenge the Wellington back line while their own back line often looked shaky, forcing Lawrence Thomas into action on numerous occasions.

Besart Berisha, Fahid Ben Khalfallah and James Troisi were unable to put a shot on target between them with Marco Rojas the only player to force a save out of Lewis Italiano.

Alan Baro’s red card in the 72nd minute only added to Victory’s woes as they were forced to play the final few minutes with just ten players. The pressure finally gave way when Shane Smeltz was able to slot a simple shot past Lawrence Thomas right at the end of the game.

With just one win in their past four games, they have shown themselves to be vulnerable and will be heading into the finals as one of the poorest form teams in the A-League.