WestSydneyFootball.Com Round 27 Review
Sydney FC (with the help of Perth Glory and Danny Vukovic later in the round) had their season spectacularly shut down by Brisbane Roar. In a match that would determine which side would breeze into the finals and which would face potential annhilation, Del Piero, in a season where he single-handedly kept his team in the finals picture, consigned his team to chasing the game. On 30 minutes Del Piero, who was deep in his own half, misplaced a pass to the defense, allowing Thomas Broich to bounce, to cross the ball to an unmarked Berisha who slammed the ball past Necevski. Del Piero tried to make up for his disastrous error minutes before half-time, turning on the edge of the area and attempting a chip over Michael Theo but the arc of the ball glided just wide.
Sydney FC butchered a golden chance to equalise 30 seconds into the half, a diagonal cross found an unmarked Sydney player, but the header was weak and Theo turned it away. Their failure was punished up the other end 5 minutes later as Brisbane took total control of the match. Another defensive error saw Berisha pounce, laying it off to Steven Lustica who passed the ball into the net. The game was over as a contest when Ivan Franjic curled a wonderful effort from well outside the area to make it 3-0. Del Piero scored a consolation penalty following a dubious foul call, but Sydney couldn't mount the miracle comeback.
Newcastle Jets 0 - Western Sydney Wanderers 3
A full report is listed here.
The Western Sydney Wanders have secured the A-league Premiership in their inaugural season following a dominant 3-0 win over the Newcastle Jets in Newcastle. In front of the 10,000 travelling supporters who invaded Newcastle, the Wanderers title triumph was on track from the 5th minute. Tarek Elrich's diagonal cross found Labinot Haliti, who stretched well to knock the ball across the face of goal. Dino Kresinger craftily dummied to confuse Newcastle keeper Mark Birighitti, Mark Bridge benefiting to tap into an open net from point blank range to score his 10th goal of the season. The second came when a Topor-Stanley clearance found the head of Kresinger who flicked the ball into the path of Bridge, the ball eventually dribbling over the line after tangling in the strikers legs.
Newcastle came out in the second half playing in a formation with 3 at the back, allowing more numbers in attack. The Jets slowly reclaimed the momentum of the match. Adam Taggart had the best of the Newcastle chances, a Topor-Stanley and Heskey challenge resulted in the ball floating over the last line of defense for Western Sydney. Taggart used his pace and steeled himself for a first time volley from the edge of the area. The shot beat Covic but was slightly off target, hitting the post and rebounding away. On 79 minutes Jason Trifiro hit an accurate corner out to Rocky Visconte on the edge of the area. The first touch of Visconte put the ball out in front of his stride, the second setup a shot on his left, and the third touch was missile strike that left Birighitti with no chance despite his full length dive. The Wanderers will play a semi-final in two weeks in an attempt to make the 2012-13 A-League Grand Final. Winning the Premiership also guarantees that Western Sydney will play in the 2014 Asian Champions League with a direct entry into the Group Stage.
After the triumph of the Wanderers this match became a dead rubber for the Mariners, while offering little more than pride for Melbourne Heart. Despite the exortations of Graham Arnold who declared he would play a youth team, his squad for the match included several star players like Daniel McBreen & Patrick Zwaanswijk, in addition to experienced professionals like Mile Sterjovski and Oliver Bozanic. Even with little to play for the Mariners were never in danger of losing this one. Heart did manage to create a couple of chances early but couldn't convert. As the 30th minute came and went Central Coast went a goal and a man up. McBreen going through on goal, rounding the keeper, having his shot blocked before Sterjovski pounced, only to be denied by what the referee adjudged to be a goal denying handball from Patrick Gerhardt, a red card & penalty the punishment. McBreen emphatically broke the streak of Central Coast failure from the spot by leathering the ball into the top left corner.
John Alosi was not happy with the decision and as the teams went off at the break Alosi gave the officials a spray that earned him an explusion for the second half an a probable touchline ban for next season. 63 minutes were played when Central Coast doubled their advantage, Mitchell Duke benefiting from an Adrian Caceras through-ball to squeeze his shot under Clint Bolton. Melbourne Heart pulled a goal back with 18 minutes to play after the Mariners central defence gave the ball, Richard Garcia was in position for a cut-back and he tapped into a near-open goal.
Perth Glory 1 - Adelaide United 1
Sydney FC needed this match to be an Adelaide win, but all they received was a final moment of hope before being shut down by Danny Vukovic. In front of a packed gallery at the opening of their new stadium expansion, Perth looked far better than Adelaide despite such a bad injury run that forced defender Dean Heffernan to play as the lone striker. Ryo Nagai tore apart Adelaide, winning a penalty, only to scuff the shot allowing Galekovic to turn it onto the post.
Adrian Zahara should have given Perth the lead early in the second half when he chested down a cross on the 6 yard box, turning before flashing his shot wide. Perth finally made their dominance count on the scoreboard, on the hour mark Steven McGarry worked down the right flank of Adelaide, and at the second attempt he crossed into the middle. Zahara flicked the ball over Galekovic, with the ball hitting the crossbar and being forced over the line by Nagai to make it certain. Adelaide breathed new life into Sydney FC's finals hopes, as injury time began some pinball in the box resulted in Jake Barker-Daish finding the back of the net. The last kick of the game was a long range free kick for Vidosic, he rifled a shot through the Perth wall, only to see the shot denied by a wonderful save from Vukovic. The result confirmed Adelaide would finish the season in 4th and that Perth would take the last finals position over Sydney FC on goal difference.
Wellington Phoenix 2 - Melbourne Victory 3
Melbourne Victory needed to avoid losing by 2 or more goals to ensure they finished 3rd, while Wellington wanted to pick up a win or draw to avoid the wooden spoon. 10 minutes in the idea of a Wellington draw or win look forlorn. Mark Paston, who had announced his retirement prior to the match slipping as Connor Pain ran onto a through-ball, the youngster crossed back into the middle for Rojas, the slip stranding Paston and making the tap-in simple for Rojas to open the scoring. Despite going behind, Wellington controlled the match until half-time. Gamiero weaving past three defenders but not being able to finish well, a low and weak shot saved easily by Nathan Coe. Brockie was chasing a hat-trick to claim the golden boot and had a golden chance after a cross ran to the far post, his powerful drive curving away from goal.
Melbourne came out of the sheds renewed, and converted from the set piece to take a two goal lead. A corner from Rojas found Mark Milligan, who stuck a boot out, the ball deflecting off Marcos Flores and beating Paston. New Zealand had a big job ahead to avoid the wooden spoon and Leo Bertos began the hard work, breaking to the byline and crossing to Stein Huysegems who chested the ball and struck a sweet volley from point-blank range. Wellington then equalised, forcing a turn-over in midfield and breaking forward, with men in yellow streaming forward it was Ifill who found Brockie and he finished well. Just when it appeared that Wellington would turn over the Victory applecart the fell asleep from a free kick. With the Wellington defense expecting a cross to back post, they left Archie Thompson wide open, he was found with a quick low pass and Paston had no chance. Wellington securing another A-League Wooden Spoon for New Zealand.
The 2012/13 A-League Premiership Season finishes as:
- Western Sydney Wanderers - 57 Points.
- Central Coast – 54 Points.
- Melbourne Victory - 44 Points.
- Adelaide United – 41 Points.
- Brisbane Roar - 35 Points.
- Perth Glory - 32 Points, -2 GD.
- Sydney FC – 32 Points, -10 GD.
- Newcastle Jets - 31 Points.
- Melbourne Heart - 27 Points, -9 GD.
- Wellington Phoenix - 27 Points, -18 GD.
Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets, Melbourne Heart & Wellington Phoenix thusly miss out on the A-League Final Series.
