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| Sydney FC's resurgence under coach John Kosmina continued, with the inaugural champions all but booking themselves a position in the 2007/08 finals series after a 2-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Staidum. After a scoreless first half, Sydney had a chance to go ahead in the opening minutes of the second period when a handball in the box by Richard Johnson gave Sydney FC a penalty. But Ufuk Talay's shot was well saved by Phoenix keeper Glen Moss. Instead, it wasn't till the 79th minute that the deadlock was broken, with a scramble in front of goals being back-heeled by Terry McFlynn into the Phoenix net. A second goal by Alex Brosque 4 minutes later put the result beyond doubt, with the later stages producing further disappointment for the Phoenix when captain Ross Aloisi was red-carded during injury time. Wellington Phoenix 0 Sydney FC 2 (T McFlynn 79, A Brosque 83). Yellow Cards : Phoenix - K Rees 14, R Johnson 80, S Smeltz 81, T Lochhead 85. Sydney - U Talay 26. Red Cards : Phoenix - R Aloisi 90. Referee - B Williams. Crowd - 14,288 at Westpac Stadium. Newcastles' finals hopes moved a step closer when the Jets completed a 2-1 win over Adelaide United, opening up a 4-point break between the Jets and the sadly out-of-form Reds. Joel Griffiths was first on the scoreboard after 12 minutes, when after being brought down outside the box positioned himself perfectly to find himself on the end of the free to head home the first score of the night. Adelaide equalised shortly before half-time when Jets' keeper Ante Covic saved a strike but the ball rebounded to Luke Pantelis to slot home the equaliser. But the Reds' momentum was to be affected just a few minutes later when Fabian Barbiero's second yellow meant the Adelaide side would have to play the second half a man short. It was to prove too much for them, with Tarek Elrich's cross finding the head of James Holland for the Jets' winner to come 18 minutes from time. It was Adelaide's third straight defeat, and one which puts their hopes of a third A-League finals appearance in as many seasons in severe jeopardy. Newcastle Jets 2 (J Griffiths 12, J Holland 72) Adelaide United 1 (L Pantelis 41). Yellow Cards : Jets - J North 56, A Griffiths 74. Reds - M Susak 12, F Barbiero 18,45. Red Cards : Reds - F Barbiero 45. Referee - P Green. Crowd - 13,047 at Energy Australia Stadium. |
Newcastle's win over Adelaide had already ensured Queensland Roar a finals berth, but the Roar
showed they still have work to do to wrap up a good position in the four, while Melbourne Victory
showed they aren't out of the finals race just yet after the defending champions upset the Roar 2-1
away at Suncorp Stadium.
Both Melbourne goals were scored early in the second half from counter-attacks, the first when
Carlos Hernandez found space to set up Danny Allsopp, and the second when Hernandez beat the
off-side trap and a pinpoint pass to Archie Thompson was slammed into the roof of the net.
With goal difference important in the final placings, Marcinho reduced the damage by getting one
goal back. But with the Roar failing to gain any points from this match, the battle for positions within
the top 4 is still wide open. While for the Victory, finals qualification still remains a slight possibility if
they can win their two remaining games while Newcastle fails to register another win.
Queensland Roar 1 (Marcinho 73) Melbourne Victory 2 (D Allsopp 56, A Thompson 63).
Yellow Cards : Roar - Reinaldo 23, B Griffin 57, J McCloughan 70. Victory - C Hernandez 45, D
Allsopp 78.
Referee - M Breeze. Crowd - 21,475 at Suncorp Stadium.
Central Coast, ladder leaders for much of the season, returned to top spot after a 1-1 draw against
Perth Glory; but it was the struggling WA side who would have taken the most out of this match.
After a strong finish from John Hutchinson put the Mariners ahead shortly before half-time, the Glory
worked their way back into the contest in the second half. Substitute Nikita Rukavytsya equalised in
the 69th minute, and it took a strong save from Mariners keeper Danny Vikovic in injury time to stop
the Glory sub from pulling off what would have been a remarkable victory.
Perth Glory 1 (N Rukavytsya 69) Central Coast Mariners 1 (J Hutchinson 38).
Yellow Cards : Glory - J Harnwell 29, L Bertos 58. Mariners - N Boogaard 32.
Referee - S Delovski. Crowd - 6,727 at Members Equity Stadium.
showed they still have work to do to wrap up a good position in the four, while Melbourne Victory
showed they aren't out of the finals race just yet after the defending champions upset the Roar 2-1
away at Suncorp Stadium.
Both Melbourne goals were scored early in the second half from counter-attacks, the first when
Carlos Hernandez found space to set up Danny Allsopp, and the second when Hernandez beat the
off-side trap and a pinpoint pass to Archie Thompson was slammed into the roof of the net.
With goal difference important in the final placings, Marcinho reduced the damage by getting one
goal back. But with the Roar failing to gain any points from this match, the battle for positions within
the top 4 is still wide open. While for the Victory, finals qualification still remains a slight possibility if
they can win their two remaining games while Newcastle fails to register another win.
Queensland Roar 1 (Marcinho 73) Melbourne Victory 2 (D Allsopp 56, A Thompson 63).
Yellow Cards : Roar - Reinaldo 23, B Griffin 57, J McCloughan 70. Victory - C Hernandez 45, D
Allsopp 78.
Referee - M Breeze. Crowd - 21,475 at Suncorp Stadium.
Central Coast, ladder leaders for much of the season, returned to top spot after a 1-1 draw against
Perth Glory; but it was the struggling WA side who would have taken the most out of this match.
After a strong finish from John Hutchinson put the Mariners ahead shortly before half-time, the Glory
worked their way back into the contest in the second half. Substitute Nikita Rukavytsya equalised in
the 69th minute, and it took a strong save from Mariners keeper Danny Vikovic in injury time to stop
the Glory sub from pulling off what would have been a remarkable victory.
Perth Glory 1 (N Rukavytsya 69) Central Coast Mariners 1 (J Hutchinson 38).
Yellow Cards : Glory - J Harnwell 29, L Bertos 58. Mariners - N Boogaard 32.
Referee - S Delovski. Crowd - 6,727 at Members Equity Stadium.
| ROUND 19: Friday 4th January Wellington Phoenix 0 Sydney FC 2 Newcastle Jets 2 Adelaide United 1 Saturday 5th January Queensland Roar 1 Melbourne Victory 2 Sunday 6th January Perth Glory 1 Central Coast Mariners 1 |
| ROUND 20: Friday 11th January Melbourne Victory v Well. Phoenix (8.00) Saturday 12th January Central Coast Mariners v N'castle Jets(7.00) Sunday 13th January Queensland Roar v Sydney FC (7.00) Perth Glory v Adelaide United (9.00) |