From time to time the A-League comes under fire for not being exciting enough, so here at The Football Sack we’ve compiled a list of some of this season’s greatest fixtures to remind us just how good our beloved domestic game can be.
5. Round 13: Melbourne Victory (2) v Newcastle Jets (1)
Thrilling, frenetic and played to the backdrop of 15,000 buoyant fans at AAMI Park, this clash was a memorable one. Mark Milligan made an absolute mess of his penalty and Besart Berisha had a goal disallowed but through sheer will Victory managed to topple the high-flying Jets. Kosta Barbarouses slotted a beautiful first touch shot past Glen Moss before Berisha slammed in one of his own to secure Kevin Muscat’s men a third place position. It was fast-paced attacking football at its glorious best.
4. Round 6: Wellington Phoenix (5) v Perth Glory (2)
When a team has to travel across four time zones for the distance derby you can forgive them for being a bit sluggish, which is partly why this unusually energetic clash grabbed everyone’s attention. Goals were certainly aplenty at Westpac Stadium and early into the second half it was a tight contest at 2-2. However Gui Finkler finished off a brilliant Phoenix counter attack before Andrija Kaluđjerović snagged a brace to ensure Perth Glory would make the long westward trip home without a point in their pocket.
3. Round 2: Adelaide United (2) v Brisbane Roar (1)
The Reds have given their fans a few more grey hairs with the amount of intense games they’ve played this season. Honourable mentions must be given to their nine-man win over Melbourne Victory and the upset victory over Newcastle Jets, but this game back in the second round takes the cake. Johan Absalonsen belted past Michael Theo from an awkward angle in stoppage time to cancel out Massimo Maccarone’s first goal on Australian soil. It’s a game that seemed to slip under the radar because it happened so early on, but nevertheless it was a fantastic way to start the 2017/18 campaign and well worth a revisit.
Will Johan Absalonsen lead @AdelaideUnited to victory again or will @brisbaneroar turn the tables on the South Australians?
Classic Clash Full Video: https://t.co/nDXJ2rn3is pic.twitter.com/YIAab4bDn8
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) March 3, 2018
2. Round 12: Melbourne Victory (1) v Melbourne City (0)
Tough, fast-paced and gritty. This keenly contested clash was everything you want and expect from a Melbourne derby. City entered the underdogs and were left to fight without Tim Cahill, Ross McCormack and Bruno Fornaroli. Victory pushed hard but City but clung on valiantly until the game’s dramatic finish. Six minutes into stoppage time Dean Bouzanis brought down Mark Milligan inside the area for the penalty. Both men were sweating bullets as Milligan stepped up to the plate, but the experienced Socceroo slipped it past the City keeper to see off one of the most thrilling Melbourne derby’s to date.
1. Round 22: Sydney FC (1) v Newcastle Jets (2)
Every time they’ve played each other it’s been exhilarating (fingers crossed they meet in the grand final!) but the third clash between these top-of-the-table teams was nothing short of epic. Mcdonald Jones Stadium was teeming with over 18,000 fans and the much-hyped contest certainly delivered. When Roy O’Donovan was flashed a red in just the 14th minute it seemed inevitable that Sydney FC would capitalise on the advantage and steamroll over the only team hot on their heels. However it was Dimi Petratos who struck first for the Jets with a penalty, only for Bobo to respond for the Sky Blue’s following the interval. Cue delirium in Newcastle when Andrew Nabbout buried one of the season’s most impressive long-range strikes, capping off one of the A-Leagues finest matches and also showcasing the potential footballing quality to be had in Australia.
🚀🚀🚀@NewcastleJetsFC SOARED thanks to Andrew Nabbout's fantastic strike! #ALeague #NEWvSYD
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/B4k9NdUxKx
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) March 3, 2018
Enjoy this content? Support The Football Sack
Due in part to COVID and lack of current sponsorship we are at risk of not having the funds to continue running The Football Sack. If you enjoy our content and support our work in training talented young writers, please support us with a donation. If every reader contributed just $3, our funding would be covered for over ten years.
| DONATE |
