Outside90’s Brayden May and James Caughlin select the best performers from the opening weekend of the new A-League season for our Team of the Week.
GK – Thomas Sorensen (Melbourne City)
Offseason signing Thomas Sorensen could not have not have started his career at new club Melbourne City in a better way following a thoroughly professional performance against Sydney FC. The former Stoke City shot-stopper ensured his side would return home with a point in the bag following a number of classy saves, most notably his world-class effort to deny Sydney FC youngster George Blackwood from close-range in the final moments of second-half stoppage time.
RB – Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
Deployed to the left for the weekend’s against match Melbourne City, the ever versatile Rhyan Grant produced another solid showing in the fullback position. The first-half saw the 24-year-old tasked with keeping tricky debutant Hernan Espindola under wraps, severely limiting his impact on the game. Coach Graham Arnold gave Grant license to get forward in the latter stages, where his curling effort from the edge of the 18-yard box was well saved by City goalkeeper Sorensen 13 minutes from time.
CB – Patrick Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
The City captain led his side well from the back and started the season doing what he does best. Kisnorbo looked to impose himself physically on the contest and demonstrated his strong ability in aerial duels. The former Leeds United man was in the right place at the right time when he cleared a free-kick from Sydney FC midfielder Milos Dimitrijevic that had beaten Sorensen and also looked to launch attacks from the back.
WATCH: Fan Reaction – Adelaide United 0 Melbourne Victory 0
CB – Osama Malik (Adelaide United)
One of the few positives to come from the rather dour Adelaide versus Victory game was the performance of Osama Malik at the back. He, along with his partner Dylan McGowan, effectively shut down the competition’s most dangerous striker in Besart Berisha. In a depleted defensive unit Malik really stepped-up and deserves plenty of credit for his mature performance.
LB – Ki-Je Lee (Newcastle Jets)
Lee was originally signed as a four-month loanee in February of this year before committing to a two-year deal with the Jets just a month later. Deployed into the wingback position against the Wellington Phoenix, the Korean defended well against the talented opposition attack. The left-back earned himself an assist to David Carney’s goal in the first-half, pushing forward at the right times and ensuring defensive coverage when he did overlap.
CM – Corona (Brisbane Roar)
The new man for Brisbane looked as if had been part of the set up in Queensland for a number of years. One of only three signings made during the preseason by manager John Aloisi, he displayed great passing technique and composure in his holding role. Tthe Spaniard was also placed on corner taking duties, with two of his deliveries resulting in goals for the Roar.
CM – Brandon O’Neill – (Sydney FC)
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold raised a few eyebrows pre-match when he selected the 21-year-old ahead of experienced Senegalese international Mickael Tavares. Having been released from Perth Glory at the end of last season, O’Neill did not let his manager down and displayed his great experience in the centre of the park. The highlight of his game came when he swooped on a loose ball in the centre of the park before playing a defence splitting pass to captain Alex Brosque, who calmly fed it to new signing Filip Holosko to slot home.
CM – Anthony Caceres (Central Coast Mariners)
A player described with having plenty of potential started the season with a bang in his side’s 3-2 win over Perth Glory. Starting in the centre of the park, the 23-year-old hardly made a mistake all game in an attacking Central Coast Mariners outfit, who looked to play with flair and pace. Anthony Caceres finished the game with 90% pass accuracy in a performance that coach Tony Walmsley and fans will hope to see on a more consistent basis this season.
RW – Fabio Ferreira (Central Coast Mariners)
With majority of the attacking from the Central Coast coming down the right side Ferreira was heavily involved in the action. The Portuguese winger was a constant threat to the Glory defence especially left back Anthony Golec who was tormented all day in a game he will hope to forget quickly. Ferreira capped off a great performance with two goals from the penalty spot which he calmly put away.
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LW – Mitchell Austin (Central Coast Mariners)
Another one of the Mariners who was selected to make his debut and he certainly did not let his manager down. Mitchell Austin’s runs down the wings earned him plaudits from around media circles following his performance. showing a great ability to get in behind the Glory defence with his blistering pace. A player who was relatively unknown, the 24-year-old produced crosses which put Perth under major pressure.
FW – Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar)
The former Perth Glory forward had the perfect start for his new employers. Jamie Maclaren’s first goal against the Wanderers came from chasing a supposed lost cause, beating Andrew Redmayne to the ball. His second saw him play the poacher in the box after, Daniel Bowles had knocked down a corner and all he had to do was tap it home.
Honourable Mentions
Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets): The Jets shot stopper pulled off numerous saves in a commanding performance against the Phoenix in his first game since returning from his loan spell in Italy’s Serie B.
David Carney (Newcastle Jets): Carney scored with a fine header at the near post following a neat cross from Ki-Ji Lee before grabbing himself an assist in the second-half for the Jets’ winner.
Additional reporting by Outside90’s James Caughlin
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