Matthew Comito 1611718016,1611718015
Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Jack Duncan s reactive save to deny Wellington Phoenix defender Luke DeVere a powerful headed goal has been awarded the pick of the saves in Matchweek 5.
Duncan made seven stops on the day but this one was the pick of the bunch, coming in just the 12th minute as the Jets held onto a slender one-goal advantage.
DeVere did everything right with his header from a Ulises Dávila corner as he rose highest to cannon the ball toward goal with some force.
But Duncan was quick to his right, not only to get a glove on the shot, but to push it with enough strength to help the ball around the post and out for another corner.
Mark Birighitti – Central Coast Mariners
Birighitti has proved to be one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the competition so far and the 29-year-old did not put a foot wrong while shutting out the Premiers to keep his third clean sheet in four games.
While he was only forced to make four saves – the highlight being a late block from substitute Jordi Swibel – Birighitti dominated his penalty area, fending off cross after cross and racing of his line to smother a number of through balls.
Birighitti - Mariners shot-stopper adamant on a clean sheet
Defenders
Ruon Tongyik – Central Coast Mariners
We got into a bit of fighting, we need to show a little bit more composure when it comes. We had a little bit of luck tonight, which we had been missing.
Newcastle held 35% possession and were out-shot 23-11 by their opponents in Wollongong, but there still plenty of positive aspects for Deans and his charges to take.
The Jets executed two excellent counter attacks for Yuel and O Donovan s goals and will feel they should have sealed the match with a third but could not take advantage of other chances that they forged in transition.
According to defender Nigel Boogaard, the result is all that matters.
Samuel Green 1611215557,1612995394
Wellington Phoenix return to A-League action for the first time in 15 days searching for their maiden points at their temporary home in Wollongong against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday.
Ufuk Talay’s team will be without suspended midfielder Alex Rufer, who was sent off in their 1-1 draw against Macarthur FC, when they face interim coach Craig Deans and his struggling Jets.
Despite some impressive displays from young guns including Valentino Yuel and Ramy Najjarine, Newcastle have showed sprit while falling to four straight defeats to open a turbulent campaign.
The Kiwi outfit have been unlucky not get to a win on the board and they will be desperate to open their account at WIN Stadium after slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Sydney FC in their ‘home’ opener.
a-league.com.au 1611187313,1611187313
Old enemies Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory clash this Saturday night, headlining a stacked line up of upcoming A-League fixtures.
The A-League s Original Rivalry is always guaranteed fireworks and Coopers Stadium is sure to be a cauldron of intensity this Saturday night as Adelaide chase their second win of the campaign, after beating Melbourne City last time out.
Melbourne Victory will be eager to get back out on the grass and consign a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Brisbane Roar back on January 2 - to club and new coach Grant Brebner s only match so far this season - to the history books. Victory also play Perth Glory on Tuesday, 26 January.