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A-League: 2008 - 2009 Season
'That's more like it'- as A-League sheds its shackles'
Having begun the 2008-9 Hyundai A-League in a decidedly subdued manner a week ago, the eight
clubs which make up Australasia's lone professional competition shed the shackles in no
uncertain terms in round two to produce a round of action far more in keeping with the
expectations of the masses.
A meagre five-goal haul on the opening weekend led to proclamations from some that goals
would be at a premium in this season's competition. Come the conclusion of round two ? yeah,
right!
If anything, they flowed like fine wine throughout a vintage round of closely fought
crackers, none more so than the opening game of the weekend, which saw Newcastle Jets get up
at the death to deny Perth Glory all three points in a six-goal thriller which finished 3-3.
The home team found themselves trailing to Joel Griffiths' questionable twentieth minute
penalty, only to reply in kind via the boot of Adrian Trinidad fifteen minutes later at the
Members Equity Stadium.
The reflexes of Perth 'keeper Frank Juric prevented Dino Djulbic from putting through his
own net soon afterwards, but the custodian was given no chance three minutes after the break
by a wicked deflection, Jin Hyung Song?s shot ricocheting off the unfortunate Jamie Coyne to
restore Newcastle's advantage.
Again, it was a short-lived one, with Eugene Dadi heading Perth level again before the hour
mark. And when Nikita Rukavytsya put the home team in front for the first time in the match
nine minutes from time, the 8,876-strong crowd were in their element - the scalp of the
reigning champions was theirs for the taking.
It wasn't to be, however, with North's stoppage time leveller snatching a share of the
spoils for Newcastle in a match which saw Perth coach Dave Mitchell berating Craig Zetter
without remorse after the final whistle.
There was more drama twenty-four hours later, as ten-man Sydney FC downed Central Coast
Mariners 3-2 at Bluetongue Stadium where three goals were scored in the first fifteen
minutes.
Steve Corica put the city slickers in front before Sasho Petrovski levelled matters from the
penalty spot against his old club. Straight from the kick-off, Corica restored Sydney?s
advantage, guaranteeing another cracking New South Wales derby between these rivals, who
have produced some genuine thrillers in recent encounters.
This one was no different, and when Petrovski levelled matters once more with a shot on the
turn half-way through the second half, a thrilling climax was in the offing.
And when Stuart Musialik was sent off for two bookable offences within seconds of each other
twenty minutes from time - referee Ben Williams dished out another nine yellow cards in
total - the many Mariners fans in the 10,932-strong crowd would have been sensing victory
against the arch-enemy at last.
It wasn't to be, however, as Sydney substitute Shannon Cole scored with a peach of a
free-kick nine minutes from time to pinch all three points for the visitors, a feat he
celebrated in spectacular fashion upon finding the net.
The floodgates remained open throughout Wellington Phoenix?s clash with Melbourne Victory,
although that applied as much to the flurry of goals as to the accompanying rain which
created puddles on the Westpac Stadium playing surface.
The visitors opened the scoring a tad against the run of play on the quarter-hour through
Daniel Allsopp, who restored their advantage twenty minutes later after Shane Smeltz had
levelled the scores on the half-hour with a fine headed effort, this goal delighting the
poor 6,110-strong crowd.
Melbourne extended their advantage eighty seconds after the interval thanks to a superbly
taken goal by Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano - a back-to-goal scissors kick which is bound to
be a candidate for 'Goal of the Month'?
Wellington sought a riposte, and Smeltz delivered it from the penalty spot in the 64th
minute, only for Kevin Muscat to reply in kind at the other end of the park four minutes
later with a spot-kick which killed off the game as a contest, and fired the victors to the
top of the table, and the vanquished to the bottom.
First round winners Adelaide United got off to a flying start at Queensland Roar when Travis
Dodd potted an eighth minute penalty, but that was as good as it got for the South
Australians, as the home team proceeded to dominate their encounter at Suncorp Stadium.
For all their efforts, however, Queensland had just one goal to show for it come the final
whistle, Charlie Miller's strike two minutes after half-time delighting the 12,761-strong
crowd, and earning his team their second 1-1 draw of the campaign.
Third round action commences on Friday evening with the clash of Melbourne and Newcastle,
while on Saturday night, Adelaide entertains Wellington, who make their first trip of the
season to West Island.
Sunday's fare sees Sydney welcoming Perth prior to Queensland?s encounter with Central
Coast, a match which brings August's action to a close.
Details: Hyundai A-League, Round 2:
Central Coast Mariners FC 2 (Saso Petrovski (13' pen, 67') - Sydney FC 3 (Steve Corica (6', 14'), Shannon
Cole (81')); HT 1-2
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