Who knows, perhaps he’ll just opt for ten men each match. Perhaps the question will be solved with whether the gaffer trusts Jonathan Bru enough to start as the defensive midfielder. Interest now surrounds the best-suited position of Mark Milligan, with Gallagher suspended and Victory having produced their best defensive performance with the Australian international shuffled back alongside Adrian Leijer.
The clinically slick attacking combinations were hallmarks, but it was the stoic defensive display – albeit in the face of Wanderers’ meek attack – which was most encouraging. Who else could mastermind such a turnaround? Tony Popovic’s post-match comments exemplified his bemusement, although they don’t seem so silly when you consider Central Coast frustrated Victory just a week prior with ten men, and Western Sydney did the same to Perth – but won! For all the peculiarity of the situation, Victory’s performance and result in Parramatta can clearly be attributed to the burgeoning influence of Postecoglou. So it’s come to this: we’re applauding a ten-man Melbourne Victory on their defence.
The other two jumped the shark - with Brain’s Adelaide the only winners (his lone goal enough to down Melbourne Victory) while Sydney United cancelled out Mori’s goal to draw 2-2, as did the Jets to Heart’s 3-3. The pertinent point is only one of these three dreams starts led to Happy Day. But Richard Garcia’s opener immediately reminded us of the 11-second A-League record of Adelaide’s Louis Brain back in 2005, and even further back, of Damien Mori’s four-second, kick-off effort against Sydney United from 1996. But letting Newcastle, who scored three goals to one in the second-half, back into the match was a positively Ralph Malph thing to do … or maybe Pottsy Weber - we never could decide who ranked below Richie Cunningham. Well, to be honest, they were, and they entered Fonz territory when they added another from the penalty spot less than five minutes later. We bet Melbourne Heart thought they were pretty cool scoring against the Jets with just 35 seconds on the clock of their Saturday afternoon encounter. If they can overcome the Premiers away from home then John Kosmina will have navigated the key ‘gelling period’ most successfully and will be riding a crushing wave of momentum. Next up is the perfect challenge for Adelaide as they meet Central Coast at Bluetongue. If the words “Nigel Boogaard surged forward” portray anything, it’s supreme confidence.
Having conceded an equaliser and looking like they would wilt under the Sky Blues’ pressure, Nigel Boogaard surged forward and cracked the crossbar before Vidosic tidied up. Most uplifting for Reds supporters is the kind of resilience they proved against Sydney. Too easy, right? To borrow a phrase from Dwight Schrute: false.
The experience of Galekovic, Cassio and Fyfe glue together a defence which is screened by the talented Osama Malik. Carrusca and Jeronimo have settled quickly, Ferreira made his first real impression on Friday night, and Dario Vidosic is the new Aaron Mooy. They have possessed the level of talent required for the last couple of seasons. ‘Resilient’ Adelaide? It’s Just The BeginningĪdelaide is home to a football squad capable of winning the A-League – that much is evident.
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