A-League Week 8 With Ze Phibber
December arrived and so did another great week of footy. This was a tough week for all athletes, in all sports all around the world with the passing of Phillip Hughes which has really rocked the sporting world. It has truly been amazing to see the love and support that has been generated and it just goes to show what a great guy he was and how much he will be missed.
The first game of the week was between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. The match finished with the Victory claiming the Victory 3-2. This match like all this week's matches started with a touching minute silence dedicated to Phillip Hughes. After this great man's memory was honoured the game kicked off and it was all go from both teams. The first half saw all 5 goals (two of which were own goals), a disallowed goal a penalty and a yellow card. I don't think it can physically get more exciting then that.
Goals to Nigel Boogaard (Ade, OG), Awer Mabil (Ade), Sergio Cirio (Ade, OG), Leigh Broxham (Mel) and Marcelo Carrusca (Ade). Not a bad effort from Adelaide managing to net 4 goals in the first half. Pity 2 of them were in the wrong net. From what the second half lacked in goals it definitely made up for it with cards. With the second half tallying up a tasty 5 yellows. I think both teams let frustration take over and got a little carried away. Never the less the Victory have continued there great start to the season.
The second game of the week was between the Perth Glory and the Brisbane Roar. The game finished in a 1-1 draw with goals to Djulbic (Per) and Henrique (Bri). Djulbics goal was an absolute cracker, the ball came into him off the corner he then proceeded to pump the shit out of it first time into the back of the net. Although he did cane the ball there was still a lot of control in the shot and it was an absolute pearler of a finish as a result I have awarded him Phibber's Goal Of The Week. In all honesty the Roar did look like a new team, they were dangerous and dominated the play. I think that the Glory were lucky to come away with the point in this match. Will be interesting to see what the new coach Frans Thijssen will bring to this team and if he can turn their season around.
The 3rd game of the week was the Sydney derby! The crowd was absolutely outstanding at this game. A sea of red and black packed the Parramatta Stadium and boy were they loud! I love a derby match, the games are always played with such a high intensity and every player leaves everything out on the pitch. This derby match was definitely no exception with a lot of bone crunching challenges being thrown around the opening 10 minutes. The game finished even stevens with both teams bagging a goal. Tom Juric (Wes) and Bernie Ibini-Isei (Syd). Boy does Bernie have some pace. His goal was a great solo effort which he finished off with a thundering strike! The Wanderers looked the most dangerous they have all season (A-League) with a lot of chances being created and a lot of positive footy being played. I think it appears they have overcome what I can only attribute as fatigue due to the Asian Champions League which has so far plagued their 2014 season. They have still yet to notch up a win, but from the performance they put out this weekend I don't think one is too far away.
The 4th game of the week was between the mighty Nix and Melbourne City. What a game it was with the Nix claiming a historic 5-1 win. Goals to Nathan Burns, (Wel), Roly Bonevicia (Wel), Nathan Burns (Wel), Roy Krishna (Wel), David Williams (Mel) and Nathan Burns (Wel). On ya Nate Burns who produced the first hatty ever for a Wellington Phoenix player. I thought that it was ludicrous that a hat-trick hasn't been scored yet for the Phoneix! But bloody stoked for him!
The Phoenix were quite heavily dominated by the visitors in the first half and when we went into the sheds at half time 2 goals up I was a tinsy bit nervous as I didn't think we quite deserved the lead that we had, and was worried City would come out firing! Little did I know my case of the nerves was not needed at all as the Nix came out firing and put out a bloody good second half performance! Well done you legends.
The final game of the week was the F3 Derby between the Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets. The match finished 1-1 with neither team being able to grasp the victory. Goals to Edson Montano (New), and Richard Vernes (Cen). Newcastle have yet to notch up a win, and as the season progress they are getting more and more desperate. The first half was slow from both teams which is surprising seeing as at the moment they are getting pretty close to having nothing to lose.
This must have been relayed to them at half time because both teams came out of the sheds and really stepped it up. I think I have to give my Knob Of The Week award to Central Coast captain John Hutchinson, who gumbyly kicked the ball into his team mates face which set up the first goal of the match. Not really his fault but it was funny and oh so gumby and in a week where there were not too many shockers the award has to go to him. I think Newcastle will definately be gutted with this weeks performance. Once again they have gone a goal up and then let the lead slip, conceding so quickly after scoring. They really need to step their game up.
This concluded the 8th week of the Hyundai A-League. In a week where all the sporting world was in mourning, it was really amazing to see everyone come together and show such love and support for an amazing young man. The actions on and off the fields were truly inspiring!
RIP Phillip Hughes