Five Things We Learned from Round Six
Managers trading barbs, late goals and the Asian hangover that refuses to die – this is 5 things we learned from the A-League round 6
Muscat still taking angry pills
“Disrespect”, this was the word Kevin Muscat could not emphasize enough in the lead up to the Big Blue. Either the Victory coach was auditioning for the lead role in a production of The Godfather, or he was predictably overreacting to Graham Arnold’s view that Melbourne had no improvement left in them. After the stalemate ended, Muscat’s blow up at Ali Abbas was visibly embarrassing, having to be held back by his contemporary. The incident overshadowed Melbourne’s dominance in the game, something Kevin may want to consider during a quieter moment of reflection (he has to calm down at some stage … right?).
Late goals are great goals
Its moments like Sergio Cirio’s 95th minute winner against Wellington that remind us how much unadulterated pleasure Yosep Gombau can give us. The Spaniard’s passion for the game is infectious, and no technical area can contain him. John Hutchinson’s last minute equaliser saw drama of a different kind, with City throwing away 2 precious competition points. The Mariners are much maligned this season, but that goal shows there is still fight left in this team despite an absence of quality.
Its official – Newcastle are the worst
Supporters can accept 4-0 losses. Key players can be missing, calls go against you, and the luck sometimes doesn’t fall your way. But Newcastle’s abysmal performance on Friday night was none of those things. David Carney’s belated shot on goal was enough to be given a Bronx cheer. Brisbane were clinical and deserve credit for finishing the Jets off. Yet it is hard to remember a more inept display from any A-League outfit, they were simply played back into form. Phil Stubbins admitted as much. It might be an idea to blacklist Newcastle from Friday night games until they show some form; we want people to be entertained after all!
Antonis debacle divides fans and pundits
In the end, bureaucracy won out and Terry Antonis watched on from up high. His call up to the Socceroos was cancelled after a car accident at the airport before he was to fly to Japan. Due to FFA regulations, Antonis could not play in the Big Blue because of his call up, even though Sydney FC doctors cleared him fit and able after testing for concussion. This issue is rightly treated with caution, but lets get something straight – unless Graham Arnold caused the prang, this was a unique circumstance, and a young footballer was unable to play on a big stage and further develop as a result. It also overlooks the fact that people like Andy Harper, who defended the decision, are inadvertently labeling Sydney FC doctors incompetent or disingenuous. We don’t have a Jose Mourinho who can get away with pulling players out of national squads, we’re wise to that game. But in future, lets not confuse loophole jumping for common sense – we all want the same thing in the end.
Wanderers yet to come down from ACL high
The team sheet for the Wanderers on Saturday night raised a few eyebrows, particularly from this columnist over a beverage or three. Is heavy squad rotation wise when sitting on the bottom of the A-League ladder? Is it in preparation for a midweek game that is more winnable on paper than Perth Glory away? With Tony Popovic earning a nomination for Asian coach of the year, he has enough credits in the bank to be able to make his own decisions. Western Sydney may need to consign this domestic season to one that got away in pursuit of greater glories, and lets be honest, they’d do it all over again tomorrow.
@blake_1986
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