End-to-End: Round 10

Taking a look at all the weekend’s action, we investigate who had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and who couldn't wait for the sound of their Monday alarm.

Things are quickly heating up in Australian football as the inaugural FFA Cup was decided and the W-League prepares for its Grand Final. In Morocco, the Wanderers are represented Australia on the world stage while blockbuster clashes continue to light up the A-League.

LOSERS

Anything that could have gone wrong for the Western Sydney Wanderers in Morocco has, in what has turned into a horror week for the Champions of Asia. After dealing with the distraction of the player dispute the Wanderers finally took to the field or perhaps ‘swamp’ is a better term, against Cruz Azul.

Despite the state of the pitch, and their poor A-League form, the Wanderers looked set for an unlikely victory when Iacopo La Rocca’s driven effort put them into the lead but things quickly unraveled from there.

A penalty in the dying minutes as well as red cards to central defenders Matthew Spiranovic and Nikolai Topor-Stanley quickly sunk the Wanderers hopes. Topor-Stanley’s red card and Fifa’s decision to uphold it is up there with Graham Poll’s efforts in the 2006 World Cup.

They then proceeded to lose on penalties against African Champions ES Setif despite having three chances to win the shoot-out!

WINNERS

The inaugural FFA Cup is now complete with Adelaide United rising above the other 31 teams in the competition to be the first club to lift the silverware. They were made to work for it, facing an A-League club in every single round.

Adelaide claimed the title in front of a home crowd with a terrific atmosphere with Sergio Cirio the star for Adelaide; continuing the awesome form he had shown right through the Cup. The silverware is also Josep Gombau’s first with Adelaide and will certainly increase the interest being shown in him by overseas clubs.

Aside from the Sydney and Melbourne Derbies, the Big Blue is the marquee match-up of the season. Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory have a fierce rivalry dating back to season one and despite all of that history this latest meeting could have been the best match yet.

Both sides had to fight back from behind in a six-goal thriller. The goals were of the highest order as Archie Thompson, who has been a thorn in Sydney’s side since day one, netted a skilful hat-trick. The only disappointment coming out of the match is that the two sides only have one more scheduled clash this season.

Melbourne City had the weekend off due to Western Sydney’s Club World Cup commitments but still make the winners list due to a recent arrival.

The prayers of City fans have been heard as Josh “Jesus” Kennedy has arrived.

Kennedy has been one of Australia’s best strikers over the past decade and returns to Australian domestic football for the first time since playing for Carlton in the NSL in 2000.

Kennedy could enjoy a successful time at Melbourne especially if he can get the service he needs from the likes of Damien Duff on the wings and Aaron Mooy from set pieces.