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A-League: HAL 7 (2011 - 2012 Season)
'Incidents Aplenty As A-League Erupts Into Life'
Late goals, terrific goalkeeping, sendings-off, missed penalties, new signings aplenty, fiercely fought contests … the 2011-12 Hyundai A-League erupted into life on the second weekend in October, some seven months since the previous campaign ended with impressive champions in Brisbane Roar.
The title-holders kicked off their campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over their Grand Final opponents, Central Coast Mariners, in front of 13,467 fans at Suncorp Stadium, where Mitch Nichols settled the contest eighteen minutes from time.
The scoreline doesn’t tell the story, however, as Mariners’ ‘keeper Matthew Ryan pulled off a string of fine saves to keep his team in the contest. Nichols did beat him once prior to the all-important goal, but the post came to the visitors’ rescue, while a dramatic goal-line clearance by Brisbane captain Matt Smith denied Michael Baird the pleasure of scoring against the run of play soon after half-time.
Much interest in the opening round centred on the clash of the “glamour” teams, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium. And while the 40,351 fans present witnessed a scoreless draw, they saw a contest which was only lacking in one thing - goals.
Melbourne ‘keeper Ante Covic produced a string of fine saves throughout proceedings, none more important than his first half denial to prevent new Sydney signing Brett Emerton from marking his return home with a goal from the penalty spot.
Covic’s opposite number, Liam Reddy, was also kept busy by a Melbourne team led from the front by returning Australian legend Harry Kewell in a match which saw a gathering of the clans fifteen minutes from time, an incident which culminated in Sydney’s Mark Bridge being shown the red card.
The opening game on a busy Saturday evening was a stirring contest which was decided by a deflected winner in stoppage time. Newcastle Jets, who had dramatically sacked coach Branko Culina and his son, Jason Culina, the team’s star turn, just days before the big kick-off, showed their character by coming from behind to score a 3-2 win over Melbourne Heart in front of 12,467 fans at Ausgrid Stadium.
Mate Dugandzic netted either side of the half-time whistle to initially give the visitors the lead in the 24th minute, then equalise six minutes after half-time, given Newcastle had turned things prior to the interval through a brace of Ryan Griffiths goals.
It was hammer and tongs throughout a chance-laden second half, but a point apiece looked to be the outcome until Byun Sung-Hwan's shot deflected off Michael Marrone into the net two minutes into stoppage time to break Melbourne Hearts and get the Jets off to a flying start.
It was dramatic fare at Skilled Park on Sunday as well, with Gold Coast United’s James Brown netting a deserved equaliser two minutes from time to deny injury-hit Wellington Phoenix all three points in front of 4,113 fans, who witnessed an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Chris Greenacre gave the visitors the lead in the seventeenth minute, either side of which Dylan MacAllister had the ball in Wellington’s net, but was denied the pleasure of scoring against his old club by the offside flag on both occasions.
United kept on coming, however, only to be thwarted in their attempts to equalise primarily by some impressive Mark Paston saves. He picked up an injury in the second spell, as did three of his Wellington team-mates, but it looked like it was going to be the visitors’ day when Ante Rozic beat Paston in the air, only to see his header deflect off Manny Muscat’s knee onto the crossbar and to safety thirteen minutes from time.
Gold Coast weren’t to be denied the point their pursuit of a goal fully merited, and two minutes from the end a stunning thirty-yarder from James Brown arced over Paston and into the top far corner of the net to the delight of the local faithful.
There was also joy aplenty for Perth Glory’s fans at NIB Stadium, where Billy Mehmet’s headed winner thirteen minutes from time saw the home team edge Adelaide United 1-0 to the delight of the 9,452-strong crowd.
Perth dominated the opening half but had nothing to show for their efforts, which were numerous, and survived a genuine scare when United’s Bruce Djite saw an effort cleared off the line by Todd Howarth in the second spell. New signing Mehmet rose to the occasion, however, his header beating Eugene Galekovic to earn the “Westies” the win.
Next weekend’s second round action kicks off with the clash of Adelaide and Melbourne Victory at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday evening. Saturday’s fare sees the battle of the Coast teams at Bluetongue Stadium, while Sydney welcome Brisbane to the Sydney Football Stadium.
On Sunday, Wellington welcome Newcastle to Westpac Stadium while Perth’s first eastward trek of the season sees them pitching up a AAMI Park to take on Melbourne Heart.
Details: Hyundai A-League, Round 1:
Brisbane Roar FC 1 (Mitch Nichols (72)) - Central Coast Mariners FC 0; HT 0-0
Details: Youth-League, Round 1:
Yet to commence
Details: Womens League, Round 1:
Yet to commence
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Crafted lovingly by hand © Magic Llama 2000 - 2011