A-League Review: 19th January 2012

Why week ## I hear you ask. Well there were two midweek matches, and they were both put off from previous weeks. So here goes.

Sydney FC 1-1 Perth Glory


Well, well, well. This is quite a little run that Perth have gone on. Five games unbeaten, they headed into this match against Sydney in high spirits, and to be fair, they made a real game of it. Sydney were hoping to improve on recent results and begin their comeback in the league. However, it was not to be, as an 87th minute goal from Adam Hughes cancelled out Mark Bridge's first half strike.

On a scorched pitch, both sides gave it their all, and Nick Carle, who was kind of...semi-hero, having assisted Bridge's goal, turned villain as he missed an open goal just after half time. It was not a game for the eloquently named Bas van den Brink as he pulled up three times in the first fifteen minutes with injury, before being subbed off.

Perth stay 5th after the result, while Sydney sit comfortably in 6th place. Sydney will host bottom side Gold Coast at the weekend, while Perth face a mouth-watering tie at home to rivals Melbourne Victory. Watch this space.

Melbourne Heart 0-1 Central Coast Mariners


Just when you think Melbourne Heart were going to put up a title challenge, it gets thrown back in their faces. A late goal from Kwasnik was enough to effectively end Heart's title run, with 10 games left to catch up 12 points. And while this is not insurmountable (they still have to play Central Coast again this season), it is highly improbable. Heart controlled large portions of the game but failed to turn their dominance into goals and in a cruel twist of fate, Kwasnik managed to slide home a McGlinchley ball.

Questions will be asked about stars Eli Babalj and Mate Dugandzic being rested, but for the most part Heart showed little sign of being effected, with Terra being the main tormentor for Mariners keeper Ryan. But as has happened in so many A-League games this season, the team that played worst left AAMI Park with the 3 points.

Central Coast have now pretty much got the league. They just need to focus on getting a couple more wins, and with 11 points separating them and Brisbane Roar, and 10 games left to play, I can't see any other side being crowned Premiers at the end of the season. Central Coast will play Adelaide United on saturday, with Melbourne Heart playing Brisbane Roar straight afterwards.