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Jamie Samuel
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A-League Round Two Recap 2021/22
Victory Continue Form Turnaround In Australian Top Tier
We have seen yet another fantastic weekend of Football action. Again many close contests and draws. Only one one-sided affair as Melbourne Victory demolished Brisbane 3-0. If you want all the details, you've come to the right place. Here's our round 2 recap of the Isuzu Ute A-League.
On Friday night at AAMI Park, Western United was able to get their first win of the season, grinding out a 1-0 win over Perth Glory. After a Connor Pain cross, Dylan Wenzel-Halls got the touch that mattered, with the game-deciding goal in the 78th minute. It was the result Western United needed after their loss to Melbourne Victory last week in Geelong. They will face a tough challenge in Melbourne City next Saturday night at AAMI Park. Whilst Perth Glory faces the in-form team of the comp and current ladder leaders; Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park next Sunday night- they will need to pull something special out of the bag you would think.
On Saturday afternoon, Wellington Pheonix was able to get their first win of this year's campaign, in an exciting 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners. After a goalless first half, Gary Hooper broke the deadlock for Wellington following a corner kick in the 48th minute. Following a mistake from Joshua Laws, Marco Urena would equalize in the 52nd minute for the Central Coast. Following the equalizer, 10 minutes later Jaushua Sotirio’s deflective strike would prove the decisive blow. Despite a penalty miss from Ben Waine, who was denied by Mark Birighitti, it was still enough for the Pheonix to gain the three points in round 2. Next up, they will host the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night. Whilst the Mariners will look to rebound when they travel to face Macarthur FC on Sunday.
Adelaide United made a stunning late comeback against Melbourne City on Saturday night, to force a 2-2 draw. City took the lead in the 28th minute through Jamie Maclaren, following a low cross from Andrew Nabout. On the hour mark, it appeared City had wrapped things up when Nabout produced a stunning shot from long-range off the outside of the boot. Adelaide pulled one back in the 78th minute, following a shot off the post, Stefan Mauk put the ball in the net to give the Reds a lifeline. Before in the 90th minute, City’s keeper Tom Glover made a horrible blunder, and Ben Halloren with an audacious chip from the edge of the box would equalize for Adelaide United. Creating an unlikely 2-2 draw. Next Saturday, Adelaide will travel for a challenging contest against Brisbane Roar. Whilst City will look to rebound from letting this game go when they face their cross-town rival in Western United.
Macarthur FC caused a big upset over Sydney FC in Sydney. It was a close-range strike from Lachlan Rose as early as the 17th minute, which proved the difference. It was a tale of wasted chances in the second half that also proved costly for Sydney FC. Sydney FC will look to rebound from the defeat when they take on the Newcastle Jets at home next Saturday night. Whilst Macarthur will look to continue its winning form when they host the Central Coast next Sunday evening.
Coming off a dismal 2020-21 campaign, when the Melbourne Victory claimed their first-ever wooden spoon, the Victory got their season off to the perfect start by claiming a win in Geelong last week over Western United. They backed up that performance with an impressive 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park to start the season impressively with two straight wins. The Victory took the lead in the 27th minute, with a corner deflecting off the head of Brisbane defender Kai Trewin. Nicholas D’Agostino would double that lead four minutes later with a shot into the bottom corner. Before Gbenga Tai Folami would ice the game in the 50th minute with a strong header to make the winning margin three goals and the biggest winning margin we saw this weekend.
Without a doubt, it has been an impressive turnaround from last year, to begin with, and we expect to see the Victory continue their impressive form.
They could have a very successful first year under Tony Popovic and be ultra-competitive and dream of the finals if they can just keep this form consistent. Therefore, they should absolutely make the most of their next home game against Perth at AAMI Park next Sunday, and really be aiming for that 3-0 start, as it will set them up perfectly for a tilt at the finals and set their rebuild up very well. Whilst Brisbane Roar will look to rebound when they host Adelaide on Saturday evening.
To wrap up a thrilling weekend of football, the Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets played out a thrilling 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon. In the 18th Minute, Beka Mikeltadze converted a penalty for the Newcastle Jets to break the deadlock. The Wanderers would strike back to equalize in the 42nd minute, from a strong volley from Berni Ibini. Three minutes into the second half, Tomer Hemed would steal the ball, run into the penalty area and give the Wanderers the lead for the first time with a strong strike. Only for Olivier Boumal to cancel it out with an equalizer in the 52nd minute, which would be enough to see it out for a 2-2 draw. Next week the Wanderers face a tough journey to Wellington, whilst Newcastle will face an even tougher challenge with a trip to take on Sydney FC on Saturday night.
All in all, it was another thrilling weekend of football, we look forward to seeing who start to become the in-form sides and the sides to beat over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more thrilling football action.
Jamie Samuel is our Aussie sports expert here at ThePyrrhic.com and will be covering the A-League throughout the season Want more great content from ThePyrrhic.com? Check out these great articles:
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