A-Leagues 25/26 - The Other Matches Thread

coochiee

Brisbane the real deal?
They have conceded only 3 goals in 7 games! All 3 goals in NZ

Defence wins Championships 

They are gonna try to break the record for 1-0 wins. I dunno if they will be able to keep up with AFC/City/Sydney over the course of the season tho.

That Adelaide game the first of 4 consecutive away matches WSW, MAC and CCM.
All away from home but not the toughest opponents.

Then hosting the Nix 3rd Jan.

They are far from entertainers but Valkanis has added a real steel to them. I'm guessing a few injuries would quickly test their depth.
Young 18 yr old defender Lucas Herrington has now left for Colorado in the MLS. He's a loss.  

Rogerson retains his spot in the starting 11 for AFC. 

A bit of an ex-Nix flank war with Elliot and Rogerson v Mauragis. And All White Storm Roux on the other side. 

Not sure who I’d like to win. Steele and McCallmont have both played fairly dirty against the Nix. Steele with the hit on Ishige. But AFC were Floppsy and Cottontail last week. 

Fair amount of Kiwi and Nix influence, but hopefully the tough guys start a fight and all get sent. 

A bench with May, Sakai, Gallegos, Howieson and Pijnaker seems a bit gross, but demonstrates AFC’s raw power.

I know who I want to lose.

Think that people who want the Nix to make the top 6 need to think more strategically. 

Very few would back against them making the top six and the more points they take off Nix challenges, the better.

How good was the Storm Roux x Callan Elliot collab. All Whites right backs assemble!

Fun first half. AFC totally dominant, Randall scores a great goal. Then a crazy og by Elliot.
Normal thuggery .... Steele cleans out Verstrate from behind and then knees Rogerson in the back of the head. No fouls.
Cosgrove bloodys a defenders nose with an elbow, no foul. But good to see the ref completely ignore Cosgroves frequent flopping to the ground.
 Man, AL refs are so inconsistent

AucklandPhoenix

Think that people who want the Nix to make the top 6 need to think more strategically. 

Very few would back against them making the top six and the more points they take off Nix challenges, the better.

It’s football, not risk. Hope Auckland lose all day , everyday 😂

Tough second half to watch but they deserved to win.

Thought Cosgrove had one of his better games and he is starting to make his presence felt. Could have had two from headers in the first half if it wasn’t for their keeper. Nice winner with his head in the second as well.

Brook is a truely splendid player and really changes the side playing at number 10. Silky skills and fantastic work rate as well. He is going to lay on some goals if the likes of Rogerson and Cosgrove can start timing their runs. There will be an avalanche in one game.

Thought Aucklands subs were dreadful when they came on. Nando, Francoise and May in particular. Luckily the three signings they have made this season in Cosgrove, Brook and the Australian with the hyphenated name are upgrades so they shouldn’t get many minutes unless there are injuries.

Interesting they appeared to play a highish line this game.

Important three points on the road however. 

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Boooooo!!

Cosgrove coming into his own now. Corica knew what he was doing with recruitment after all. 

Interesting Cosgrove said that post match he was partly sold on coming to AFC, but watching videos of de Vries crosses. Those two are going to combine for many goals by season end.

Auckland starting to hit some form. They should have put this game to bed by HT.
Wouldn't a Brook be so handy for the Nix right now.

Yes Cosgrove looking better every game , looks like Ill be eating my words, oooh tasty !

OooooH oooooh can I guess....also what a ratshark draw ....

Turfmoore

I know who I want to lose.

FU BLU

Yes Cosgrove looking better every game , looks like Ill be eating my words, oooh tasty !

Me too

Must be a dream for a no9 to play in a team with so much creative talent. All Cosgroves goals have come from within 5 metres of goal. 
Its a shame we arent creating the same sort of opportunities for Eze. Because hes a better overall player IMO.
AFC will be there at the business end of the season

AucklandPhoenix

Tough second half to watch but they deserved to win.

Thought Cosgrove had one of his better games and he is starting to make his presence felt. Could have had two from headers in the first half if it wasn’t for their keeper. Nice winner with his head in the second as well.

Brook is a truely splendid player and really changes the side playing at number 10. Silky skills and fantastic work rate as well. He is going to lay on some goals if the likes of Rogerson and Cosgrove can start timing their runs. There will be an avalanche in one game.

Thought Aucklands subs were dreadful when they came on. Nando, Francoise and May in particular. Luckily the three signings they have made this season in Cosgrove, Brook and the Australian with the hyphenated name are upgrades so they shouldn’t get many minutes unless there are injuries.

Interesting they appeared to play a highish line this game.

Important three points on the road however. 

I would not call the A-FC subs dreadful. They were meant to close out the game with 15 minutes remaining, since CCM was far more adventurous in the second half and were only caught on the counter for Cosgrove's goal.  This could have easily been a draw if not for a very decent save by Woud.

austin111

Must be a dream for a no9 to play in a team with so much creative talent. All Cosgroves goals have come from within 5 metres of goal. 
Its a shame we arent creating the same sort of opportunities for Eze. Because hes a better overall player IMO.
AFC will be there at the business end of the season

I thought the last pass (was it FDV?) for Cosgrove's headed goal was simply excellent, and also there wasn't a single CCM defender anywhere near him. 

Mainland FC

austin111

Must be a dream for a no9 to play in a team with so much creative talent. All Cosgroves goals have come from within 5 metres of goal. 
Its a shame we arent creating the same sort of opportunities for Eze. Because hes a better overall player IMO.
AFC will be there at the business end of the season

I thought the last pass (was it FDV?) for Cosgrove's headed goal was simply excellent, and also there wasn't a single CCM defender anywhere near him. 

Brook crossed it for Cosgrove.

Mainland FC

austin111

Must be a dream for a no9 to play in a team with so much creative talent. All Cosgroves goals have come from within 5 metres of goal. 
Its a shame we arent creating the same sort of opportunities for Eze. Because hes a better overall player IMO.
AFC will be there at the business end of the season

I thought the last pass (was it FDV?) for Cosgrove's headed goal was simply excellent, and also there wasn't a single CCM defender anywhere near him. 

They were probably just tire of being smashed in the face by his elbows.
If Cosgrove was actually penalised for even half of the niggly fouls he commits - like he should be - then AFC would not be at the top of the table. But our refs are shark and he'll get away with it all season.

I dunno, I was watching those three very closely. Nando played at least half an hour and Francosie and May including injury time around 25 mins.

May and Francoise’s touch’s were diabolical and they kept on turning over the ball. Nando was ponderous on the ball and his distribution was poor.

I really want Nando and May to do well but based upon their performances this year, I’m glad that two Australians are starting over them.

Mainland FC

AucklandPhoenix

Tough second half to watch but they deserved to win.

Thought Cosgrove had one of his better games and he is starting to make his presence felt. Could have had two from headers in the first half if it wasn’t for their keeper. Nice winner with his head in the second as well.

Brook is a truely splendid player and really changes the side playing at number 10. Silky skills and fantastic work rate as well. He is going to lay on some goals if the likes of Rogerson and Cosgrove can start timing their runs. There will be an avalanche in one game.

Thought Aucklands subs were dreadful when they came on. Nando, Francoise and May in particular. Luckily the three signings they have made this season in Cosgrove, Brook and the Australian with the hyphenated name are upgrades so they shouldn’t get many minutes unless there are injuries.

Interesting they appeared to play a highish line this game.

Important three points on the road however. 

I would not call the A-FC subs dreadful. They were meant to close out the game with 15 minutes remaining, since CCM was far more adventurous in the second half and were only caught on the counter for Cosgrove's goal.  This could have easily been a draw if not for a very decent save by Woud.

It could be that the injury recovery is the problem regarding lack of form. Both May and Pijnaker are otherwise decent players.
Francois is probably a bit overrated since his range of tricks and skills is somewhat limited. However, he is a young player still developing, and is an age-level representative for Australia (at least has been).  As such he is what we call a "useful squaddie" rather than a team lynchpin. I guess he has been retained because A-FC was a bit light upfront after the last season and Cosgrove was still an unknown quantity.

Another Brisbane or Sydney win, or both, would be nice please.

I predict WSW to smash these banana bender upstarts.

Was a tough watch that game, in front of a terrible turnout

Victory lead at half time vs Adelaide. If it stays this way and we lose tomorrow, we will be equal bottom. A win could get us into the 6 though. 

That should be a goal. Weak defending. I dislike that reffing.

And then Kaltak misses a sitter. 

Whatever it is Perth should be level. As much as I’d prefer Sydney at the top of the table, enjoying the Perth revival too.

Risdon seems to have played a lot of poor passes. Feels like it’s broken down with him a lot. 

Roar have conceded only 3 goals in 8 games. That some sort of record?

6 clean sheets! They are the non entertainers with only 8 goals themselves.

coochiee

Roar have conceded only 3 goals in 8 games. That some sort of record?

6 clean sheets! They are the non entertainers with only 8 goals themselves.

Conceded 3 goals in NZ, 0 in Aussie. They don't come back to NZ again in the regular season, so clearly are not going to concede again!

Macarthur vs Roar kicks off at 8pm, I don't have high hopes for this one.

Lighting delaying the kick off.

16 fouls, 4 cards, minimal goalmouth action. Pretty grim stuff.

MacArthur got a penalty similar to the one Eze conceded against Auckland.. Adam Kearsey the referee, i guess he’s consistent? 

On come May, Gallegos, then later Nando and Sakai.

Most stacked bench in the ALM

They are just going to shut down WSW and grind it out from here you’d think

Credit to Woud, he continues to look very sound 

Nice goal from Brook to make it 0-2. After being under the pump in the 1st half AFC have gone up a gear and look like winning this easily.

coochiee

On come May, Gallegos, then later Nando and Sakai.

Most stacked bench in the ALM

This are just going to shut down WSW and grind it out from here you’d think

Credit to Woud, he continues to look very sound 

Woud is solid, he needed game time and the A-League is his level so could be around for a while.

AFC when they click, will walk this league.

Brook.  Quality.  Love AFC 💙🖤💙

Barba doing no better at WSW against AFC than at the Nix

Ugarkovic turnover and Brook nails the counter for 2-0. 

WSW have gone nearly 4 games (348 mins) without scoring 

Brook is all class on the ball.

Wish he was a kiwi.

Needs a three year contract extension as a Christmas present.

All of AFC’s 4 Aussie starters tonight were very good. Brimmer, Brook, Hall and G-R

They don’t recruit Ozzie journeymen

If they avoid many injuries they must be Premiers favourites 

Taxing conditions. 40 degrees in Sydney earlier in the day