Sunday's A-League
Wellington Phoenix, 1 v Perth Glory, 1
The VAR rears its head again with Wellington Phoenix's Roy Krishna putting the home side ahead just on half-time, holding the competition leaders until it all went wrong in the 75th minute with the send-off of Ryan Lowry. Seven minutes later who should pop-up for the equaliser, but none other than Diego Castro off the bench. Does anyone think the VAR got it right? We're still looking for someone to say so.
The VAR decision is described as “bewildering” in this report, and it was a case of Perth Glory riding their luck to snatch a draw. Earlier, Wellington Phoenix's Polish goalkeeper Filip Kurto was stretchered-off after a head knock with Andy Keogh.
In New Zealand, the match was seen as one they lost because of “VAR farce”. The red card decision was seen as “inexplicable” and Wellington Phoenix coach, Mark Rudan (pictured), and the club are “justifiably aggrieved.”
By the way, congratulations to Roy Krishna who is now Wellington Phoenix's leading goalscorer after scoring his 34th for the club in his 101st game yesterday.
Melbourne City, 3 v Newcastle Jets, 0
Bruno who? Fans may have allegedly stayed away (there were 6,013 in attendance) in protest against Warren Joyce leaving Bruno Fornaroli out of the squad, but that didn't stop Melbourne City turning it on in a challenging match with a three goal haul including a “sweet volley” from Luke Brattan. The other two goals were scored by Riley McGree and Lachy Wales.
Michael Lynch says it was a “morale boosting end” to one of the toughest weeks in Melbourne City's history with a “super volley” to Brattan and a “stunning strike” from McGree. Lynch notes that it may not be enough to quieten the critics.
Not so impressed with City's win is David Davutovic who says two of the goals were down to “individual quality” (McGree and Brattan) but they do not have what it takes to challenge for the title.
Joyce did not want to talk any more about Fornaroli, saying he had answered “all those questions to death”, and he would rather talk about the goals that were scored. He says the team will be back in today needing to work hard and not be complacent.
Sunday's W-League
Melbourne Victory, 2 v Western Sydney Wanderers, 1
The win to Melbourne Victory puts them five points clear at the top of the W-League ladder after a “gritty win” v Western Sydney Wanderers.
Canberra United, 2 v Sydney FC, 0
Canberra United put an end to their two-game losing streak with their second win of the season, while Sydney FC is yet to notch-up two wins in what is described as “a physical clash” with Canberra's Natasha Prior being stretchered-off and taken to hospital after a head knock.
Adelaide United
Adelaide United have been 'spoken to' about alleged abuse of the two Brisbane Roar assistant coaches and non-football staff of Adelaide United, which Adelaide United will address if the Match Commissioner recommends specific action.
Central Coast Mariners
Despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, and not having won a game so far this season, Mariners' coach Mike Mulvey urges fans and his players “not to lose belief”. He says that he thought they played “some really good stuff” against Sydney FC but mistakes were costly, and they lost to a penalty and “a 35 yard bomb”.
Central Coast Mariners will also look inito how a man with a moon boot on crutches managed to evade stadium security and invade the pitch on Saturday. It later emerged that the man allegedly threw a punch at police. It costs Central Coast Mariners between $5,000 and $10,000 for home game match security.
Melbourne Victory
Keisuke Honda is “everything you want ($) in a marquee player – absolute class, exquisite skill and extraordinary vision”, according to Ray Gatt. He is also a leader on and off the field and although Melbourne Victory won 4-0 against a “broken and beaten” Western Sydney Wanderers, Honda is not complacent and believes there is room for improvement.
Sydney FC
The “injury prone” Siem de Jong wasn't risked in the game against Central Coast Mariners, but he is in full training and expected to make an appearance off the bench in Saturday's game against Wellington Phoenix.
Western Sydney Wanderers
You know the old saying about When the going gets tough? Well, Markus Babbel wants the Wanderers players to stand up and show some fight ($), not holding back in his assessment of their performance on Saturday night saying they were like “a rabbit in front of a snake”. He says Melbourne Victory deserved to win, and his team “were not existent”.
Babbel also described Saturday's efforts as “men against boys” and a “step backwards”. Sitting on five points in eighth position, they face Central Coast Mariners on two points in tenth position on Friday night.
The Wanderers have “gone to ground”, not responding to media inquiries after the humiliating loss and the dressing down from Babbel.