The Reds and Roar sit 10 and seven points clear of third respectively and have played the best football all season.

Brisbane’s style has been lauded some of the best the league has seen in its short history while the fast, counter attacking and often free-flowing Adelaide have displayed their depth of talent.

If there has been a worry about either, it’s Roar’s inability to capitalize on the creation of an avalanche of chances.

The man who switched clubs, Sergio van Dijk, currently leads the race for the Golden Boot and could be the difference for the Reds as the season progresses.

Elsewhere in week 11, Sydney FC finally broke its winless run with a comprehensive thrashing of the struggling Perth Glory.

Gold Coast United brought its low-scoring game to AAMI Park where it held on for a draw against a dominant Melbourne Heart side.

But the A-League’s top two appears to be head and shoulders above the rest and could be heading neck and neck to the line.


Adelaide United 3 (Sergio van Dijk 71’, Marcos Flores 72’, Travis Dodd 77’)
Wellington Phoenix 0
Crowd: 11,026 @ Hindmarsh Stadium

Adelaide broke the A-League record for consecutive games undefeated thanks to a seven-minute blitz that saw the Reds score three times against Wellington.

Phoenix had their chances but were made to pay and go home with only one point in six road trips this season.

Young striker Mirjan Pavlovic squandered a couple of chances, including a potential one-on-one with Eugene Galekovic when his touch let him down and the Reds punished Wellington.

It was a case of same old, same old for Adelaide – a Lucas Pantelis assist, a Sergio van Dijk header and a fine Marcos Flores goal.

Travis Dodd got on the scoresheet and set up while Galekovic rounded off his superb performance in goal with an assist too.

Dodd came off with an Achilles injury late on and will miss the crunch game against Melbourne Victory.

Wellington need to sort their issues on the road if they are to be a serious threat to contenders like Adelaide.

Adelaide United:
1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2. Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4. Iain FYFE, 5. Daniel MULLEN, 6. CASSIO, 7. Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8. Adam HUGHES, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Marcos FLORES (18. Fabian BARBIERO 79’), 12. Paul REID (16. Inseob SHIN 86’), 17. Iain RAMSAY (13. Travis DODD 53’)
Unused sub: 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
Yellow cards: Cornthwaite 47’, Dodd 77’, Hughes 81’
Red cards: None

Wellington Phoenix:
1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL (11. DANIEL 74’), 9. Chris GREENACRE, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC (4. Nick WARD 71’), 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c)
Unused subs: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 15. Jade NORTH
Yellow cards: Brown 30’
Red cards: None

  Adelaide United
1. Eugene GALEKOVIC – 7
2. Robert CORNTHWAITE – 7
4. Iain FYFE – 7
5. Daniel MULLEN - 7
6. CASSIO – 7
7. Lucas PANTELIS – 8
8. Adam HUGHES – 6
9. Sergio VAN DIJK – 8
10. Marcos FLORES – 8
12. Paul REID – 8
17. Iain RAMSAY – 6
13. Travis DODD – 9
18. Fabian BARBIERO – 6
 Wellington Phoenix
1. Mark PASTON – 7
2. Manny MUSCAT – 7
6. Tim BROWN - 6
7. Leo BERTOS – 7
8. Paul IFILL – 6
9. Chris GREENACRE – 6
13. Troy HEARFIELD – 6
14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC – 6
17. Vince LIA – 6
18. Ben SIGMUND – 6
22. Andrew DURANTE – 6
4. Nick WARD – 7
11. DANIEL – 6

Man of the Match – Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd was the man who made the difference for the reds, scoring a goal and assisting another in a sparkling attacking spell.

Weakest Player – No player was particularly poor for either side as it took a brilliant ten minute burst for Adelaide to break open the Wellington Phoenix. Ratings by Matt Dorman
 

Melbourne Heart 0
Gold Coast United 0
Crowd: 6150 @ AAMI Park

Gold Coast United extended their undefeated streak to seven but they brought their low scoring game to AAMI Park where Melbourne Heart were unable to capitalize on their chances.

Heart had 13 corners and numerous more set pieces but couldn’t find the net because of some desperate defending and excellent goal keeping from Glen Moss.

Heart captain Simon Colosimo was surprisingly dropped to the bench in a tactical move while the club’s youngsters, particularly Aziz Behich, continue to show improvement.

United struggled to create in the attacking third with Bruce Djite, Joel Porter and Jason Culina not having an impact.

But Miron Bleiberg will be pleased his side took home a point on the road and moved to third on the league ladder.

Melbourne Heart:
1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 5. Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6. Matt THOMPSON (c), 7. Rutger WORM, 10. Wayne SRHOJ (4. Simon COLOSIMO 71’), 19. Eli BABALJ, 20. Josip SKOKO, 22. Nick KALMAR (21. Kliment TASESKI 84’), 24. Aziz BEHICH, 25. Adrian ZAHRA (17. Jason HOFFMAN 67’)
Unused sub: 12. Peter ZOIS (gk)
Yellow cards: Srhoj 52’, Worm 74’
Red cards: None

Gold Coast United:
1. Glen MOSS (gk), 3. Michael THWAITE, 5. ROBSON (18. James BROWN 46’), 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Zenon CARAVELLA, 10. Jason CULINA (c), 11. Bruce DJITE, 13. Bas VAN DEN BRINK (2. Steve PANTELIDIS 46’), 14. Joel PORTER (21. Golgol MEBRAHTU 78’), 22. Adama TRAORE, 24. John CURTIS
Unused sub: 20. Scott HIGGINS (gk)
Yellow cards: van den Brink 35’, Curtis 88’, Brown 90
Red cards: None

Melbourne Heart
1. Clint Bolton (gk) – 6/10
2. Michael Marrone – 7/10
5. Michael Beauchamp – 6/10
6. Matt Thompson (c) – 6/10
7. Rutger Worm – 8/10
10. Wayne Srhoj – 7/10
19. Eli Babalj – 8/10
20. Josip Skoko – 7/10
22. Nick Kalmar – 8/10
24. Aziz Behich – 8/10
25. Adrian Zahara – 7/10
4. Simon Colosimo – 7/10
17. Jason Hoffman – 6/10

 Gold Coast United
1. Glen Moss (gk) – 6/10
3. Michael Thwaite – 7/10
5. Robson – 6/10
6. Dino Djulbic – 8/10
7. Zenon Caravella – 7/10
10. Jason Culina (c) – 7/10
11. Bruce Djite - 6/10
13. Bas van den Brink – 6/10
14. Joel Porter – 7/10
22. Adama Traore – 6/10
24. John Curtis – 7/10
2. Steve Pantelidis – 7/10
18. James Brown – 6/10
21. Golgol Mebrahtu – 6/10

Man of the match: It was a fantastic game for Melbourne Heart’s midfielders, especially Rutger Worm. They completely dominated, particularly up the left hand side of the pitch.

Weakest Player: Melbourne Heart’s finishing left much to be desired – they had enough chances to win the game by a few goals but their profligacy in front of goals meant they had to settle for a draw.  Ratings by Arabella Vaughan.


Brisbane Roar 2 (Mitch Nichols 26’, Jean Carlos Solorzano 77’)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Robbie Kruse 48’)
Crowd: 9425 @ Suncorp Stadium

In an absorbing encounter, Brisbane Roar underlined their title credentials with a 2-1 win over the Melbourne Victory.

The football on show from Roar is being touted as the best in the league and it continued on Saturday night.

Mitch Nichols found the net after an Erik Paartalu flick on from a corner before former Roar front man Robbie Kruse struck for Melbourne.

Costa Rican Jean Carlos Solorzano found the net for his new club for the first time after picking up the scraps from a fine Luke DeVere run.

Brisbane continue to show they are more than capable of winning the title in season six, particularly if Solorzano can be a decisive front man.

Victory are thereabouts but they, like the other clubs in the league, are a fair way off the top two.

Mark November 6 in your diary as Adelaide United travel to Suncorp Stadium for the second time this season.

Brisbane Roar:
1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 11. REINALDO (7. Kosta BARBAROUSES 64’), 12. Matt MUNDY, 15. Matt MCKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS (9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 64’), 22. Thomas BROICH (14. Rocky VISCONTE 83’)
Unused sub: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

Melbourne Victory:
1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC (6. Leigh BROXHAM 31’), 8. Grant BREBNER (11. Marvin ANGULO 81’), 9. RICARDINHO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK (27. Geoff KELLAWAY 81’), 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER
Unused sub: 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk)
Yellow cards: Kruse 28’, Petkovic 83’
Red cards: None

Brisbane Roar
1. Michael Theoklitos (gk) – 7/10
2. Matthew Smith – 7/10
3. Luke DeVere – 9/10
5. Ivan Franjic – 7/10
6. Erik Paartalu – 7/10
8. Massimo Murdocca - 7/10
11. Reinaldo – 7/10
12. Matt Mundy – 7/10
15. Matt McKay (c) – 9/10
17. Mitch Nichols – 7/10
22. Thomas Broich – 8/10
7. Kosta Barbarouses – 6/10
9. Jean Carlos Solorzano – 7/10
 Melbourne Victory
1. Michael Petkovic (gk) – 6/10
2. Kevin Muscat (c) – 8/10
3. Mate Dugandzic – 6/10
8. Grant Brebner – 7/10
9. Ricardinho – 7/10
12. Rodrigo Vargas – 6/10
14. Billy Celeski – 7/10
15. Tom Pondeljak – 7/10
16. Carlos Hernandez – 6/10
21. Robbie Kruse – 7/10
23. Adrian Leijer – 7/10
6. Leigh Broxham – 7/10

Man of the match: There were a number of stand out performances, but I’m going to go with Brisbane Roar’s Luke DeVere. He played another exceptional game and his performance is sure to have attracted the attention of Socceroos boss Holger Osieck.

Weakest Player: Melbourne Victory’s Mate Dugandzic was disappointing before being withdrawn in the 31st minute. He was almost absent and had very little influence on the game. - AV


Perth Glory 0
Sydney FC 3 (Bruno Cazarine 25’82’, Alex Brosque 53’)
Crowd: 8870 @ nib Stadium

Sydney FC came out 3-0 winners over Perth Glory in a huge game for both clubs - but only one turned up and the Sky Blues registered their first win of the season.

It was a different Sydney outfit to the one seen all season with a cleansheet to their credit and a killer instinct in the attacking third.

Bruno Cazarine continued to have an impact as his brace took his goal tally to four while keeper Ivan Necevski kept a clean sheet.

Glory were completely outplayed and new coach Ian Ferguson must make changes on the back of six-straight losses.

It doesn’t get any easier for Perth with a trip to play Central Coast Mariners in a Sydney Football Stadium double header on Saturday.

Perth Glory:
20. Aleks VRTESKI (gk), 3. Jamie COYNE, 5. Jamie HARNWELL, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 9. Robbie FOWLER, 10. Michael BAIRD (21. Mile STERJOVSKI 53’), 11. Branko JELIC (22. Anthony SKORICH 73’), 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven MCGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO (25. Ryan PEARSON 55’), 17. Todd HOWARTH
Unused sub: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk)
Yellow cards: Pellegrino 23’, Harnwell 32’, Burns 44’, Baird 53’, Sterjovski 90+3’
Red cards: None

Sydney FC:
20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU (2. Sebastian RYALL 83’), 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE (19. Mark BRIDGE 63’), 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN (21. Scott JAMIESON 83’), 23. Rhyan GRANT
Unused sub: 1. Liam REDDY (gk)
Yellow cards: Byun 13’, Carle 33’
Red cards: None

Perth Glory
20. Aleks VRTESKI – 6
3. Jamie COYNE - 5
5. Jamie HARNWELL – 5
7. Jacob BURNS - 6
9. Robbie FOWLER – 6
10. Michael BAIRD – 6
11. Branko JELIC – 6
12. Scott NEVILLE – 7
14. Steven MCGARRY – 6
16. Adriano PELLEGRINO – 6
17. Todd HOWARTH – 6
21. Mile STERJOVSKI – 7
25. Ryan PEARSON – 7
22. Anthony SKORICH – 6
 Sydney FC
20. Ivan NECEVSKI – 7
3. Stephan KELLER – 7
5. Hayden FOXE – 8
6. Hirofumi MORIYASU – 7
9. Bruno CAZARINE – 9
10. Nick CARLE – 6
12. Shannon COLE – 6
14. Alex BROSQUE – 7
15. Terry MCFLYNN – 8
22. Sung Hwan BYUN – 7
23. Rhyan GRANT – 7
19. Mark BRIDGE – 7

Man of the Match – Bruno Cazarine has been just about Sydney FC’s best player in their early season slump and will look to profit from any potential turnaround. The Brazilian was outstanding once again - just edging out teammate Terry McFlynn – as his presence proved to be a consistent nuisance for the Perth defence.

Weakest Player – Perth Glory’s centre-defensive pairing of Jamie Coyne and Jamie Harnwell quite often found themselves either dominated aerially by Cazarine or caught in behind by Alex Brosque in what was a forgettable afternoon. - MD

Weekend Break: Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets, North Queensland Fury
Mid-week: Newcastle Jets v North Queensland Fury @ EnergyAustralia Stadium


Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Adelaide United 11 7 4 0 20 9 11 25
2 Brisbane Roar 11 6 4 1 14 7 7 22
3 Gold Coast United 10 3 6 1 9 6 3 15
4 Central Coast Mariners 9 4 3 2 9 8 1 15
5 Melbourne Victory 12 3 5 4 14 13 1 14
6 Melbourne Heart 11 3 4 4 12 16 -4 13
7 Wellington Phoenix 11 3 3 5 14 18 -4 12
8 Perth Glory 11 3 2 6 12 18 -6 11
9 North Queensland Fury 10 2 4 4 15 17 -2 10
10 Newcastle Jets 9 1 5 3 5 6 -1 8
11 Sydney FC 11 1 4 6 13 19 -6 7


Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers

5 – Sergio VAN DIJK

4 – Bruno CAZARINE, Chris GREENACRE, Paul IFILL, Robbie KRUSE, Mathew LECKIE, David WILLIAMS

3 – John ALOISI, Leo BERTOS, Alex BROSQUE, Bruce DJITE, Marcos FLORES, Chris PAYNE, Iain RAMSAY, REINALDO, Mile STERJOVSKI

2 – Kosta BARBAROUSES, Thomas BROICH, Shannon COLE, Jason CULINA, Robbie FOWLER, Chris GROSSMAN, Branko JELIC, Nick KALMAR, Daniel MCBREEN, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Mitch NICHOLS, Patricio PEREZ, Matt SIMON, Shane SMELTZ, Alex TERRA

1 – Eli BABALJ, Michael BAIRD, Grant BREBNER, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, James BROWN, Tim BROWN, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, John CURTIS, Dyron DAAL, Travis DODD, Mate DUGANDZIC, Ivan FRANJIC, Iain FYFE, Rhyan GRANT, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Labinot HALITI, Jamie HARNWELL, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Mark HUGHES, Scott JAMIESON, Stephan KELLER, Terry MCFLYNN, Matt MCKAY, Daniel MULLEN, Erik PAARTALU, Tom PONDELJAK, RICARDINHO, Sean ROONEY, Gerald SIBON, Ben SIGMUND, Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Rodrigo VARGAS, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK