As we approach the New Year, the A-League’s holiday fixture is starting to take its toll. Melbourne Heart finds itself at the bottom of the table after another (pun possibly intended) heartbreaking loss. The two top teams – Central Coast and Adelaide – were both beaten, and the Mariners must face a dangerous Perth Glory on New Year’s Eve without three of their best players.
Meanwhile, the new coaches continue to make inroads at Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. Both had important wins in Week 13 and although far from perfect, the two squads are showing progress under Ange Postecoglou and Frank Farina respectively. Brisbane’s Mike Mulvey also got his first win, and of course, the Western Sydney Wanderers, under Tony Popovic, continue to confound the experts.
Round 13 Wrap
Adelaide United 0, Brisbane Roar 1
The good: A terrific win for Brisbane on the road and a first victory for new head coach Mike Mulvey.
The bad: It was a very physical game with some painfully sloppy passages of play.
The pleasant surprise: At times, Bruce Djite's combination of strength and skill can be breathtaking.
The bit of levity: In the first half, Mulvey paced the sideline like a basketball coach.
Wellington Phoenix 3, Melbourne Heart 2
The good: Wellington was behind 2-0 within 16 minutes, but gathered themselves – and thanks to some sloppy Heart defending – got right back into the match.
The bad: Heart's shaky defense, which was missing the suspended Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt, conceded three straight goals. The club is now on the bottom of the ladder.
The pleasant surprise: There won’t be a movie called Bend It Like Golgol but Heart youngster Golgol Mebrahtu’s free kick goal was world class.
The bit of levity: Doesn’t that quaint Kiwi play-by-play guy provide a wee bit of a laugh even as he gets his facts wrong?
Sydney FC 1, Central Coast Mariners 0
The good: Brett Emerton's game-winner, set up by Ali Abbas and Alessandro Del Piero.
The bad: The red (card) mist that enveloped John Hutchinson and Tomas Rogic late in the match and soured the ending. Their red cards – plus a suspension to Daniel McBreen – means the Mariners will be severely short-handed against Perth on New Year’s Eve. Rogic, in fact, has been handed a three-match ban and will also miss big games with Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory.
The pleasant surprise: Sydney's work rate and effort throughout the entire match were excellent.
The bit of levity: It has to be the streaker, even if we didn't actually see it.
Perth Glory 1, Western Sydney Wanderers 1
The good: Perth continue to find late goals: this time it was Nick Ward with a superb volley off a cross from Ryo Nagai.
The bad: I’m all for more football, but the triple-header – especially with the Perth match starting so late – bordered on burnout.
The pleasant surprise: What a cracking goal by Labinot Haliti to open the scoring.
The bit of levity: I’ll nominate myself for scoffing at Wanderers coach Tony Popovic’s plan to rest so many regulars. Turns out his altered lineup nearly stole three points.
Melbourne Victory 3, Newcastle Jets 2
The good: Marco Rojas! What a performance by the little genius. He’s quickly becoming the A-League’s most watchable player.
The bad: Ange Postecoglou on the angry pills. The Fox cameras caught him telling Gary van Egmond to sit down after the Newcastle coach (rightly) complained about a poor decision.
The pleasant surprise: The instinctive finishes by Rojas and Jets’ striker Emile Heskey.
The bit of levity: Postecoglou’s brilliant post-match comment that "Every club wants to make their home ground a fortress, but ours is becoming an amusement park with thrills every week.”
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