Well, that's round 1 out of the way. It included a Melbourne Derby with more than 40,000 people in attendance (84,761 across the five games), the debut of Keisuke Honda in the A-League, 12 goals, no send-offs, a mysterious contract offer, and a familiar refrain – 'VAR controversy'.
Also of note is hat last year's grand finalists were the two teams that ended up with zero points after the weekend, with Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix both on three points.
VAR
Ray Gatt writes that Melbourne City's come-from-behind win ($) in the Melbourne Derby was overshadowed by “something out of the team's control”, by what many see as a mistake (penalty for inside the box) piled upon another mistake (it wasn't a foul on Bruno Fornaroli). Greg O'Rourke – who seems quite eager since 2 October to keep the A-League clubs happy – has made the fastest statement he's ever made in his entire time in the job, and declared that referee Kurt Ams should not have awarded a foul. Like any decision that is 'wrong' in football, would it have made a difference in the end? We shall never know.
Not that the Melbourne Derby was the only VAR controversy for the weekend! Read on.
The Sunday Shootout panel comprising Daniel McBreen, Archie Thompson and John Kosmina “slammed” the VAR, while Ernie Merrick is “demanding better” – and he is not alone amongst the coaches. The question remains whether it's a problem with the technology or the people operating it.
A-League
Despite the controversy, Gatt notes, as did the Sunday papers yesterday, that Japan star Keisuke Honda was a standout ($) in his A-League debut. “Honda was everything we have come to expect from a player of his stature, showing his class with some delightful early touches, his passing and his ability to read the game.”
Anthony Colangelo makes similar observations to Gatt – that Honda is a genuine marquee who will have a “lasting impact” on and off the field (see picture). Colangelo says both sides played well in the Melbourne Derby and a draw would have been a fair result.
Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets, 2-1
More than 9,000 people turned out to see Wellington Phoenix enjoy a home win against last year's grand finalists, which also had its own 'VAR controversy'. What was clear from Mark Rudan's side is that there is a renewed sense of style and grit ($) although NZ media are objective enough to note that the win was a mix of good fortune with bad. Let's hope even more people turn out for their next home game so they can crack the five figure mark.
Ernie Merrick praised Wellington Phoenix for their defensive work, but has questioned who was in charge of the VAR – the referee or the VAR bunker (that we read about on Friday).
Similar reports also in:
News Corp – Wellington Phoenix defeat Newcastle Jets amid VAR controversy
Newcastle Herald – Jets go down to Phoenix amid more VAR controversy
SMH and other Fairfax – Phoenix beat Jets as VAR confusion reigns
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners, 1-1
Brisbane enjoyed one of its very Brisbane thunder and lightning shows ($) which delayed kick-off in the match, but nonetheless almost 15,000 supporters turned out for the opening round match. Central Coast Mariners are probably fortunate that Brisbane Roar seemed unable to score from their 20 (to 7) goal scoring opportunities, but both teams nonetheless looked an improvement on last season.
Others have written it as Adam Taggart 'rescuing' Brisbane Roar with the equaliser “but not before he had two clear first half chances” and had another denied by the VAR.
Like almost everyone else, John Aloisi is also “confused by the VAR system” after his side not only missed so many opportunities but also suffered at the hands of VAR intervention. While he understands it is here to stay, “It’s clear and obvious to see, in my opinion, that they’re still not getting it right.”
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers, 1-1
So much of the pre-publicity around this match was about coach Tony Popovic and the many players he picked-up from Western Sydney Wanderers facing their former team. It looked like the 'New Far Western Sydney Wanderers' would have the best of the 'Real' ones with a Andy Keogh goal in the 26th minute when Perth looked as if they were cruising to the delight of the 10,000+ crowd, but Markus Babbel's Wanderers fought back in the second half for a 65th minute equaliser via Roly Bonevacia.
In fact, the Wanderers might have won if it wasn't for a close-range miss from Oriel Riera about ten minutes later. Babbel was pleased with his side's second half revival.
Tom Smithies notes that Western Sydney Wanderers were “rusty”, an away point is good first-up result, but it's evident that the Babbel needs more quality players in the squad.
Contract, what contract? …. Bolt Watch
Just as Mike Mulvey was doing his post-match interviews after the away draw in Brisbane, he was hit with questions over a report from John Stensholt ($) in The Australian that Usain Bolt had been offered an A-League contract via the Mariners' general manager. Mulvey seemed not-so-blissfully unaware, and understandably only wanted to talk the match that had just been played.
News Corp later reported that the offer falls well short of the $3 million that was reportedly being sought by Bolt's management, and that it does not involve a contribution from the FFA/FOX Sports Marquee fund.
Vince Rugari notes that Mulvey's reaction to the reported offer suggests that he sees no room for Bolt in the Mariners' attack.