Round 22 In The A-League With Ze Phibber
Round 22 is finished and I'll tell you what, the results couldn't have gone any better for the Phoenix. With 5 weeks left until the knock out stages the Phoenix are perched 4 points clear at the top and are looking in great nick. It was an exciting week of footy with its fare share of upsets and a sneaky bit of drama.
The first game of the week was between Sydney FC and Melbourne City FC. Melbourne pulled off a big upset here with a 1-0 win thanks to a great goal from James Brown (not the musician). It was not Sydney's day today and it appeared the post had it in for them. Marc Janko was denied a goal for the first time in 8 matches, after he managed to beat the keeper but was only to be denied by that cruel, cruel bitch that is the woodwork. Melbourne played some really positive footy in this match and at the end of the week they are now sitting nicely in 6th position 5 points clear of the nearest challengers.
The second game of the week was between the Western Sydney Wanderers and the Newcastle Jets. The match finished with the Jets grabbing the match 2-1 and moving 3 points clear of the bottom of the table. Goals to Enver Alivodic (New), Lee Ki-Je (New) and Nick Kalmar (Wes). Although neither team has a chance of making the top 6 this was still an important game and one that boasted some bragging rights. Well a little bit of bragging rights, you're still both on the bottom of the table but hey one of you will not be the bottom. The match was very even with both teams creating some great opportunities. Newcastle got robbed of a goal when Edson Montaño was called offside when he was so so so clearly not. I'm suprised how little he protested, I would have lost my shit and probably been sent off. Nick Kalmar scored an absolute ripper of a free kick and all most pulled off a repeat later on.
The third game of the week was between the Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. The match finished in a tense 2 all draw with goals to Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Mel), Pablo Sánchez (Ade), Leigh Broxham (Mel, OG) and then Archie Thompson (Mel). The second Adelaide goal is being awarded to both players it seems. I think it was an own goal though because I do think that McGowan's header was going wide. Sadly no one else this week was really a dick and I'm going to have to give the Phibber's Knob Of The Week to Leigh Broxham. Sorry bud but an own goal is an own goal and its a bit of a knobby thing to do (even if it wasn't your fault).
Adelaide definitely dominated the game and dominated the stats and were bloody unlucky not to come away with the 3 points. They had 12 shots to Melbournes 4, almost double the amount of passes, 14 corners to Melbournes 0 and 32 crosses to Melbournes 2. Nathan Coe had an absolute stormer in goal saved his team on many occasions one especially talented save was in the 84th minute when he denied Adelaide a winner with a quick reflex save. Adelaide will feel hard done by but should have made more of their opportunities.
The fourth game of the week was between the Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners. The match finished with both teams sharing the spoils with a 1-1 draw. Goals to Jaime Maclaren and Nick Montgomery. Central Coast stole the three points from Perth and denied them their first win in 9 games with an absolute cracker in the 92 minute hahahahaha. It was an absolute pinger of a strike and pierced the back of the net and at the same time peirced the hearts of all the Glory fans. What a goal, no surprises here that this Bullet of a strike has been awarded the Phibber's Goal Of The Week. For a team that had only won 4 games this year the Mariners really looked well and actually looked like the better team as Perth's slump continues.
The final game of the week was between the Wellington Phoenix and the Brisbane Roar. The match was abandoned early in the 73rd minute and because the Phoenix were up 2-1, the result stood (much to my delight). Goals to Andija Kaluderovic (Bri), Michael McGlinchy (Wel), and Nathan Burns (Wel). Wellington started slow and when Brisbane grabbed the 1st goal within 5 minutes I was very worried that this was going to end in a stereotypical Phoenix defeat at the hands of the Roar. Burns however was determined to prove me wrong and played some of the best football I have seen him play all season. A touch of controversy when the ref decided to call the game off in the 73rd minute but I think he had the right too. The pitch had turned to absolute shit and not only was it getting dangerous for the players but it was also making it hard to even play football. There was one run from Roy Krishna when the ball stopped in about 8 puddles whilst he was running. I can see how Brisbane where frustrated with the decision but hey if your losing and in that situation your are always gonna be super pissed off.
Anyway another week of footy has gone and with only a few weeks left we are really going to see the men being sorted from the boys. What an over used expression that is but it is relevant. This is where the smart football is played and the experienced players in the team really step up and make their presence known. Business time