.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
Beckham and his Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy played our own Newcastle Jets at Energy Australia stadium on Saturday night. The Jets won the game but Becks once again won the footballing public over with not only his 90 minute display but his work off the pitch with the local kids of Newcastle. Love him or hate him, Becks is great for the game - a true professional and genuine superstar.
Adelaide hosted the Gold Coast on Friday night and kicked off proceedings with an absolute gem of a pass from Marco Flores. It had me scratching my head to think of a better pass in the short history of the A-League, a centimetre-perfect dink over the head of Kristian Rees put Paul Reid through and he smashed the ball into the back of the net. The equalizer was just as good from Bas van der Brink; a scorcher from 30m. Adelaide went on to win the match when Travis Dodd headed the ball onto his shin and into goal, a goal not worthy of the entrée served up
Victory traveled to Wellington and again looked a defensive blunder away from a thrashing. Luckily for Melbourne the Phoenix back four looked to have taken elephant strength sleeping pills at times and that was capatilised on by Robbie Kruse and Archie Thompson, the latter becoming the first player to reach 50 A-League goals. Paul Ifill showed his class by dragging a goal back late, but the points were shared with both teams now locked in a battle for sixth position.
Melbourne Heart hosted Sydney FC for the two teams' first meeting in due to this season's strange A-League fixturing. Melbourne's weather has been horrid of late and it didn't help either of these sides. A goal apiece disallowed in front of Hearts second lowest crowd. Lucky for viewers the Beckham show was on at the same tim.
The A-League's greatest ever team Brisbane Roar tore Central Coast Mariners apart on Sunday at Gosford in an awesome display. Costa Rican Solarzano scored twice, with Mitch Nichols and Reinaldo also got on the score sheet. An Alex Wilkinson own goal, his second big blunder at home in the past two games, along with a Danny McBreens Red card adding salt to the wound. Adam Kwasnik got his 5th goal for the season to give the Mariners some consolation but the Roar were far too quick, skillful and powerful and look well on the way to claiming their first title.
If you have been reading my column with any regularity you would have read the round one review on the Fury v Glory game in which I called them the two most exciting teams in the competition. Fast forward a few months and these two teams played again in Townsville but how things have changed. The Fury, whilst still capable of an outburst of excitment, prop up the table. The Glory are not too much higher. Robbie Fowler was up against his old A-League team and delivered the first goal with a delightful header. Four moments of madness, however, two a piece from Naum Sekulovski and Brent Griffiths, gave the Fury a two man advantage for close on half an hour - an advantage that the Fury were only able to score once from. Fowler had two blatant penalty shouts turned away and in the end the Glory were unlucky to only come away with the draw.
Hero of The Week
Marcos Flores and 'that pass' Flores chip for Adelaide's opening goal was as good a pass as you'll see anywhere in the world. Flores has been linked with a move to Japan once the January transfer window opens. Lets hope not only for Adelaide's sake but the A-League's that he stays put.
Villain of the Week
The Ref - Now I hate referee bashing, but the A-League referees dig their own hole by whistling at every chance when a player goes to ground in open play but when a foul in the box is committed its play on. It's like we're in Asia around the ground but find ourselves in England once inside the box.