Round 27 In The A-League With Ze Phibber
It's all over, the league round is complete and it's the lads from Melbourne Victory that have lifted the plate. Credit to Melbourne, they have been a class team all year and definitely the most consistent week in and week out. I'll tell you it's gonna be a hard feat to take them down in the knockout stages too, but that's the glory of football - you never really know!
The first game of the week was between the Brisbane Roar and the Newcastle Jets. The match finished with the Roar taking it out 2-1. Goals to Kofi Danning (Bri), Edson Montano (New) and Lachlan Jackson (Bri). Tell you what, for a game that didn't see any goals until the 70th minute it really did make up for it with a heck-load of action! There were some absolutely stunning strikes and even better saves, it was very entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, how good was that miss from the Jets captain Daniel Mullen!? Hahahaha it was hilarious, he was, I shit you not 1 yard out and he put the ball over, I'm not even exaggerating when I say it was easier to score than to miss. This doesn't even need to be said but mate you're the knob of the week.
A good win for Brisbane here, confidence is so crucial in football especially when everything is on the line like will be in the coming week(s). This win will definitely have Brisbane fizzing and although they have had a slightly mediocre season, they will still be a tough team to get past. The Jets really did top off a disappointing season here and, as a result of the loss, have claimed the wooden spoon. Nothing more soul crushing than the wooden spoon. Hard luck guys. Put it behind ya, have a good rest and we will see you next season. Hopefully in better form.
The second game of the week was between the Perth Glory and the Western Sydney Wanderers. The match finished with the cheaters of the league (Perth) claiming the win 2-1. Goals to Jamie Maclaren (Per), Liam Youlley (Wes) and Andy Keogh (Per). Bit of a nothing game here, both teams had nothing riding on the match. I'm so disappointed in Perth, they were such a strong team this year especially during the first half of the season. I would have loved to have seen players like Keogh playing under the pressure of the knockout stages, also Maclaren is in such good form at the moment. Anyway, that wasn't to be. They're cheaters and as a result they've had their season stripped away from them.
Third was Adelaide United vs Melbourne City, Adelaide taking the match 4-1. Goals to Miguel Palancs (Ade), Pablo Sanchez (Ade), Tarek Elrich (Ade), Cameron Watson (Ade) and Aaron Moy (Mel). Man, Adelaide really looked good in this game and they scored some really well worked goals here. Tarek Elrich's was something special. A great solo effort, basically dribbling all the way from half way and then slotting it past Tando Velaphi. That type of goal is a coaches worst nightmare, if you see a player dribbling through that many players somebody has to chop him down, take one for the team and get a yellow. You can't let him just dribble through the whole side. Really looking forward to the Adelaide-Brisbane fixture though. That will be a great game.
The fourth game of the final week was between the Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC adn it was the Sydney lads that took the win (and 2nd place) 2-1. Goals to Bernie Ibini (Syd), Shane Smeltz (Syd) and Michael Boxall (Well). Well played game from Sydney, but the Phoenix were unlucky! I think it would have been a much different game had bloody Roly put away that Pen in the 9th minute. I mean, shit mate, you have to hit the target that's the first rule of penalty taking. I was also pretty nervous for the debutant keeper Italiano who had really big shoes to fill and he did an alright job, he got a hand to the pen and maybe should have done better. I might be being a bit harsh cos I love Moss. I actually prefer that the Phoenix are playing Melbourne City in the first round of the Elimination. As I said earlier, confidence is crucial at this time of the year and with City having just suffered a big loss I think the Phoenix might have the slight upper hand.
The last game of the regular season was between Champions Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners. The match and the season finished with the Victory showing their class in a convincing 3-1 win. Goals to Daniel Georgievski (Mel), Archie Thompson (Mel), Eddie Bosnar (Cen) and Besart Berisha (Mel). God, the Victory are a good looking team (minus the hideous Albanian Besart Berisha). They play the best football in the league and are definitely deserving of the premiership plate. Although, as I said before, knockout football is anyone's game and really the previous 27 rounds mean shit all now, on the day it can be anyone's game. They now get a week's break to rest up and get over any slight niggles they have before a home semi.
Well, it's been a great season, it's always a treat when the plate goes down to the final few games, it really brings such a next-level of excitement to the game. The regular season will be in the back of every player's mind now though. It's the real business time.
It's gonna be hard to call, but I'm picking an upset with Brisbane getting up over Adelaide and I think the Phoenix will grab the W over Melbourne City. I'm moist.