Wrap: Busting The Hoodoos

The Reds were the highlight against a disappointing Victory outfit, running out 4-1 winners for their first win against their bitter rival since October 2007.

A brace from Sergio van Dijk extended his lead atop the scoring charts to three while two South Americans put in good shifts.

Marcos Flores continued his fine season while debutant Francisco Usucar showed composure and skill in the holding midfield role.

To help, Victory captain Kevin Muscat was sent off after receiving a second yellow card and took any hope his team had with him.

With Mathew Leckie and Nigel Boogard to return and Andy Slory to make his debut, the Reds are in a good position after their week off.

It was a losing streak Adelaide desperately needed to break and they did so in fine fashion.

For the second time in a matter of days, Victory put in a lacklustre display that saw it offer little in the attacking third.

An injury to Archie Thompson and the selection of Robbie Kruse for the Asian Cup have depleted their attacking stocks.

The greater problem has been injuries to fullbacks Matthew Kemp and Surat Sukha with the Reds exposing Ernie Merrick’s men in wide areas on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney FC beat Gold Coast United for the first time in their six meetings with a commanding performance.

The manner of the performance was as impressive as the result as the Sky Blues dominated the majority of the contest.

It was a second consecutive win for Sydney and came on the back of a wonder strike from youngster Dimitri Petratos and a first ever goal from Juho Makela.

Marquee man Nick Carle put in one of his better shifts since returning to the competition and Sydney haven’t given up hope of making the top six.

If Makela can combine with Bruno Cazarine up front, the Sky Blues may yet be a team to at least shake up the final part of the season.

Perth Glory picked up a second consecutive draw on the road, while fellow road trip strugglers Wellington Phoenix lost for the ninth time away from home this season.

Newcastle continued their move towards the top six with a win against North Queensland, a team they face again tomorrow night.

Brisbane Roar 1 (Mitch Nichols 62’)
Perth Glory 1 (Mile Sterjovski 31’)
Crowd: 11,574 @ Suncorp Stadium

A lacklustre Brisbane Roar were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw by a desperate and solid Perth Glory.

Roar never clicked into gear and were forced to come from behind after Mile Sterjovski opened the scoring in the first half.

The introduction of livewire Henrique helped the home side salvage a point as he delivered the assist for the equalizer.

Roar should have been ahead early but striker Kosta Barbarouses spurned two early chances, first shooting wide in a one-on-one before blazing a volley wide after a brilliant pass from Thomas Broich.

But their play in the final third was broken down by Glory before the visitors took an unlikely lead on the half hour.

Sterjovski put Robbie Fowler through on the right before the composed veteran played a pass back for the front man to easily finish.

Roar continued to struggle finding the final pass before Henrique helped bring life to the contest.

Minutes after being brought on, he provided pace and a cross from the left hand side for Mitch Nichols to surge into the box and head home.

The home side pushed for a winner but failed to create anything clear cut with a number of over hit passes in the final third.

The draw helped extend Brisbane’s unbeaten run to 20 while Glory’s slim finals hopes are still alive.

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO (12. Matt MUNDY 89’), 6. Erik PAARTALU (18. Luke BRATTAN 70’), 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (10. HENRIQUE 59’), 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK

Unused sub: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2. Josh MITCHELL, 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 9. Robbie FOWLER (22. Anthony SKORICH 80’), 12. Scott NEVILLE, 14. Steven McGARRY, 16. Adriano PELLEGRINO (15. Howard FONDYKE 85’), 17. Todd HOWARTH, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI (5. Jamie HARNWELL 90+2’)

Unused sub: 20. Alex PEARSON (gk)

Yellow cards: Burns (58’), Todd (72’)

Red cards: None

Man of the Match – Restored to the starting lineup, Andy Todd was key to Perth’s chances of success. He duly delivered, turning in a strong performance in partnership with Josh Mitchell.

Key Moment – Ange Postecoglou said after the match that Brisbane often look to get onto the front foot early in matches, which is what Kosta Barbarouses’ missed chance early in proceedings could have done. Instead, Perth found the opener and the home side struggled to unlock the Glory defence. Ratings by Matt Dorman

Sydney FC 2 (Dimitri Petratos 32’, Juho Makela 90+2’)
Gold Coast United 0
Crowd: 6135 @ Sydney Football Stadium

Sydney FC broke their hoodoo against Gold Coast United with an impressive 2-0 victory helped by a wonder strike by youngster Dimitri Petratos.

The Sky Blues controlled the contest after Petratos broke the deadlock after 32 minutes and signing Juho Makela sealed the win in stoppage time.

The visitors made a solid start and should have been ahead if Zenon Caravella had made more of his one-on-one chance.

But 18-year-old Petratos scored a ripping goal after being put behind by Hirofumi Moriyasu, hitting a perfect left-footed strike into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area.

United were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark after Steve Fitzsimmons was given his marching orders for a rash slide tackle on Moriyasu.

Substitute Makela guaranteed the three points when he finished coolly after being slid through by Sebastian Ryall.

Celebrating with the fans, defender Matt Jurman got his leg caught under a collapsed sign.

The Sky Blues haven’t given up hope of making the finals after their second consecutive win while United are now winless in their last four outings.

Sydney FC: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU (18. Juho MAKELA 74’), 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE (2. Sebastian RYALL 90’), 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matt JURMAN, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS (12. Shannon COLE 83’)

Unused sub: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)

Yellow cards: Byun (65’), McFlynn (68’)

Red cards: None

Gold Coast United: 1. Glen MOSS (gk), 3. Michael THWAITE (c), 5. ROBSON (25. Chris BROADFOOT 35’), 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Zenon CARAVELLA, 11. Bruce DJITE (24. John CURTIS 66’), 13. Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 15. Tahj MINNIECON (27. Chris HAROLD 46’), 16. Kristian REES, 22. Adama TRAORE, 23. Steve FITZSIMMONS

Unused sub: 20. Scott HIGGINS (gk)

Yellow card: van den Brink (60’)

Red cards: Fitzsimmons (63’)

Man of the match – Sydney FC’s Hirofumi Moriyasu produced another outstanding performance as Sydney FC finally managed to string together two wins in a row. Young guns Matthew Jurman and Dimitri Petratos also stood out.

Key moment – Sydney FC finally managed to put away two goals in a match; their finishing was much improved from earlier this season and their attacking play was very promising. Ratings by Arabella Vaughan

North Queensland Fury 1 (Mark Hughes (pen) 90+5’)
Newcastle Jets 3 (Ruben Zadkovich 13’, Labinot Haliti 16’, Ryan Griffiths 70’)
Crowd: 4315 @ Dairy Farmers Stadium

Newcastle Jets broke a three-game losing run to put their charge towards a finals spot back on track with a 3-1 victory at North Queensland Fury.

Two goals in the opening 16 minutes set up the much-needed win for the Jets in the first of two meetings in four days between the two sides.

Young keeper Sebastian Usai failed to get enough of a hand to a long-range free kick from Ruben Zadkovich to allow in the opener.

A shocking pass from Andre Kilian on the left hand side played Newcastle attacker Labinot Haliti behind the Fury defence and he made no mistake in a one-on-one.

On debut, Ryan Griffiths sealed the points with a side foot volley after a cross from Tarek Elrich.

Fury pulled one back in the last minute of stoppage time when Panagiotis Nikas was brought down in the box, allowing skipper Mark Hughes to spoil Ben Kennedy’s clean sheet with a well-placed penalty.

The two will meet again on Tuesday night with Fury winless in five and the Jets heading towards the top six.

North Queensland Fury: 28. Sebastian USAI (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT (22. Lorenzo SIPI 72’), 3. Brad MCDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES (c), 8. Adam CASEY, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 15. Chris PAYNE (21. Jason SPAGNUOLO 64’), 24. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU (14. Chris GROSSMAN 61’)

Unused sub: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk)

Yellow cards: Hughes (41’), Hingert (45+1’), Tavsancioglu (45+4’), Akoto (45+5’)

Red cards: None

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D’APUZZO (17. Marcello FIORENTINI 65’), 4. Nikolai TOPOR STANLEY, 7. Kasey WEHRMAN (c), 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 14. Labinot HALITI (13. Sasho PETROVSKI 87’), 18. Marko JESIC, 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS (26. James VIRGILI 83’)

Unused sub: 50. Jack DUNCAN (gk)

Yellow cards: Topor-Stanley (42’), Wehrman (90+5’)

Red cards: None

Man of the Match – Nikolai Topor-Stanley was once again a rock in defence for Newcastle. The Jets appear to be in safe hands despite the potential departure of Ljubo Milicevic.

Key Moment – A horrendous back pass across goal from Fury fullback Andre Kilian set Labinot Haliti clean through on goal to score what was essentially the sealer. MD

Melbourne Victory 1 (Mate Dugandzic 90+4’)
Adelaide United 4 (Marcos Flores 12’, Sergio van Dijk 57’78’, Fabian Barbiero 74’)
Crowd: 18,558 @ AAMI Park

Adelaide United broke their losing run against Melbourne Victory with a resounding 4-1 thrashing at AAMI Park.

After a dominant opening period and a one-goal half time lead, the Reds doubled the advantage courtesy of a stunning free kick from Sergio van Dijk before they capitalized against a 10-man Victory side to break a 10-game losing run against Melbourne.

Adelaide exploited the wide areas and went ahead early through star playmaker Marcos Flores.

Iain Ramsay crossed from the left for Travis Dodd to cushion a header into the South American’s path and he side footed through the legs of an exposed Michael Petkovic.

Young Reds keeper Mark Birighitti was forced to save a rocket from Carlos Hernandez after he was left unmarked in the area soon after.

Despite an improved second half, Victory fell two behind when van Dijk scored a ripping free kick just before the hour mark.

The left footer struck a rocket through a moving Victory wall and into the top corner of the net.

A comeback was made impossible for the home side soon after when captain Kevin Muscat was sent off for a second bookable offence when his arm struck Adam Hughes.

Adelaide substitute Fabian Barbiero scored with his first touch of the game, scrambling home a corner after Marvin Angulo had initially blocked on the goal line.

The visitors made it four after a long pass was midjudged by Rodrigo Vargas and not handled by Petkovic, allowing van Dijk to score a simple brace as he collided with the advancing keeper.

Victory got one back with the last play of the game when substitute Mate Dugandzic scrambled one home to blemish what would have been a clean sheet for Birighitti.

It was the perfect way for Adelaide to end a 10-game losing run and return to some form before their week break.

For the second time in less than a week, Victory were outplayed and looked short of ideas going forward and open at the back.

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT, 8. Grant BREBNER, 9. RICARDINHO (3. Mate DUGANDZIC 74’), 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERRERIA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 19. Evan BERGER (6. Leigh BROXHAM 87’), 23. Adrian LEIJER (11. Marvin ANGULO 46’)

Unused sub: 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk)

Yellow cards: Ricardinho (26’), Muscat (57’65’), Berger (79’), Allsopp (81’), Angulo (87’)

Red card: Muscat (65’)

Adelaide United: 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2. Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4. Iain FYFE, 6. CASSIO, 8. Adam HUGHES, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK (7. Lucas PANTELIS 81’), 10. Marcos FLORES, 13. Travis DODD (c) (18. Fabian BARBIERO 73’), 14. Cameron WATSON, 17. Iain RAMSAY, 21. Francisco USUCAR (12. Paul REID 78’)

Unused sub: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk)

Yellow cards: Usucar (46’), Barbiero (79’), Flores (80’)

Red cards: None

Man of the Match – Sergio van Dijk. Not only for playing a part in two of the goals but also for nullifying Kevin Muscat’s influence when he was on the pitch. Credit in part has to go with Rini Coolen for that one as well.

Key Moment – Melbourne may have been already two goals down at that stage but the Kevin Muscat sending off surely didn’t help matters in keeping the scoreboard respectable, especially when Adrian Leijer had already been substituted. Ratings by Neil Zimmerman

Central Coast Mariners 1 (Michael McGlinchey 41’)
Wellington Phoenix 0
Crowd: 6844 @ Bluetongue Stadium

Central Coast Mariners cemented third spot on the table with an action packed 1-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix.

Despite numerous chances, a single goal from Michael McGlinchey separated the two teams.

The visitors should have had an early goal after Dylan Macallister got on the end of a cross from the left, only for keeper Mathew Ryan to save well down low.

Defender Ben Sigmund had a great chance from a corner, but his powerful header went wide.

The Mariners worked their way into the contest but it took 41 minutes for the opener with Joshua Rose finding space on the left and cutting a pass back for McGlinchey to slot home despite the best efforts of Danny Vukovic in the Phoenix goal.

Patrick Zwaanswijk almost made it two early in the second half, but his header from a Daniel McBreen cross struck the crossbar.

The home side hung on to move four points clear of Gold Coast United in third place.

Despite an improved performance from Phoenix away from home, they again left empty handed and need at least one victory on the road if they are to make the top six.

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN (13. Michael BAIRD 63’), 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ (22. Mustafa AMINI 82’), 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON

Unused subs: 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk), 7. John HUTCHINSON

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Wellington Phoenix: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD (7. Leo BERTOS 56’), 6. Tim BROWN, 13. Troy HEARFIELD (9. Chris GREENACRE 63’), 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 21. Marco ROJAS (11. DANIEL 52’), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER

Unused sub: 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk)

Yellow cards: Muscat (44’), Durante (82’)

Red cards: None

Man of the match – Central Coast Mariners’ Michael McGlinchey finally managed to break his goal drought, however, it was his overall quality of play that was the most impressive. He really turned on the class – not just for his club manager but his national team manager, Ricki Herbert, as well.

Key moment – The opening 10 minutes was a period of complete domination for Wellington Phoenix and they certainly created enough chances to have scored at least once. After failing to take their chances, the Mariners managed to get back into the game. AV

Weekend Break: Melbourne Heart

Mid-week: Newcastle Jets v North Queensland Fury @ EnergyAustralia Stadium, Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar @ Bluetongue Stadium

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

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

13 – Sergio VAN DIJK

10 – Kosta BARBAROUSES, Robbie KRUSE, Jean Carlos SOLORZANO

9 – Robbie FOWLER

8 – Adam KWASNIK

7 – Bruno CAZARINE, Paul IFILL, Matt SIMON

6 – Alex BROSQUE, Tim BROWN, Marcos FLORES, Gerald SIBON

5 – John ALOISI, Jason CULINA, Chris GREENACRE, Mitch NICHOLS, REINALDO, Mile STERJOVSKI, David WILLIAMS

4 – Iain FYFE, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Mark HUGHES, Marko JESIC, Mathew LECKIE, Dylan MACALLISTER, Chris PAYNE

3 – Leo BERTOS, Thomas BROICH, Shannon COLE, Bruce DJITE, Dino DJULBIC, Mate DUGANDZIC, Labinot HALITI, Nick KALMAR, Daniel MCBREEN, Sasho PETROVSKI, Iain RAMSAY, Ufuk TALAY, Archie THOMPSON, Bas VAN DEN BRINK, Rodrigo VARGAS, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

2 – Eli BABALJ, Grant BREBNER, James BROWN, Dyron DAAL, Travis DODD, Ivan FRANJIC, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Branko JELIC, Matt MCKAY, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Patricio PEREZ, Joel PORTER, RICARDINHO, Marco ROJAS, Joshua ROSE, Ben SIGMUND, Shane SMELTZ, Matthew SMITH, Alex TERRA, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Ruben ZADKOVICH, Adrian ZAHRA

1 – Ali ABBAS, Michael BAIRD, Fabian BARBIERO, Andrew BARISIC, Mark BRIDGE, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, Simon COLOSIMO, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Jamie COYNE, John CURTIS, Luke DEVERE, Gareth EDDS, Diogo FERREIRA, Brendan GAN, Rhyan GRANT, Ryan GRIFFITHS, Jamie HARNWELL, Scott JAMIESON, Francis JEFFERS, Ben KANTAROVSKI, Joseph KEENAN, Stephan KELLER, Matthew LEWIS, Juho MAKELA, Terry MCFLYNN, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Josh MITCHELL, Hirofumi MORIYASU, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Erik PAARTALU, Steve PANTELIDIS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, Dimitri PETRATOS, Tom PONDELJAK, Paul REID, ROBSON, Sean ROONEY, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Adama TRAORE, Rocky VISCONTE, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM