Last season’s A-League grand finalists began their ACL campaigns mid-week with mixed fortunes ahead of a hectic schedule for both teams.
Melbourne Victory celebrated a 2-1 home win over Sven Goran Erikson’s Chinese Super League runner-up from last season, Shanghai SIPG, while Sydney FC came away empty-handed from its trip to Japan, where it lost 2-nil to Urawa Red Diamonds.
Jai Ingham and Besart Berisha were the scorers for Victory, while SIPG scored through Wu Lei. The visiting team, which included the gifted Argentine playmaker Dario Conca, could consider itself unlucky not to come away with a point. Although Victory was often forced to defend well, it was also able to cause problems to the Chinese defence all night.
Next Wednesday, Victory travels to Japan to take on Gamba Osaka while Sydney FC hosts reigning AFC title holder Guanghzhou, coached by Luis Felipe Scolari.
The A-League entered Round 21 yesterday with a Friday double-header, starting with Wellington Phoenix hosting Melbourne City and followed by Western Sydney hosting Perth Glory, with both matches having a bearing on the top six.
Today’s two games promise exciting contests involving four teams with title aspirations.
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar, Saturday 27 Feb, 5.15 pm, Cooper’s Stadium
Third-placed Reds take on second-placed Roar for a possible top spot position. A win for the Reds would extend its run to 13 unbeaten matches, and if other matches go its way, would catapult it to the summit, in what would be a remarkable turnaround for coach Guillermo Amor’s team. It has better form than any other in the A-League at present, coming off a 1-nil win over its traditional nemesis Melbourne Victory last weekend. In contrast, the Roar suffered a 6-3 defeat to a resurgent Glory last week and has won just two of its last five matches. Last time they met just over a month ago, the Reds triumphed 4-1, however it may have to go into the game without winger Craig Goodwin, who was concussed against the Victory.
The Roar is desperate for a good performance in this game going into a testing month of fixtures with successive games against teams in the top six, including WSW, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC Saturday 27 Feb, 7.30 pm, AAMI Park
Both these teams enter a hectic schedule combining ACL matches with A-League matches leading up to the finals. Melbourne would appear to be in better shape ahead of the reprisal of the big derby, having the luxury of playing its ACL game at home, whereas Sydney will be hoping for an adequate recovery following its mid-week trip to Japan.
Last year’s grand finalist and pre-season favourite has struggled for consistency this season and sits on the lower rungs of the top six. A loss for Sydney would jeopardise its spot in the six with the Glory breathing down its neck.
Victory has won both encounters this season, and with Finkler and Ben Khalfallah due to return, should go into the game as favourite.
Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets, Sunday 28 Feb, 5.00 pm, Central Coast Stadium
The F3 derby concludes Round 21 tomorrow when the eight-placed Jets travel down the central coast in search of the third win in four matches, and a late push towards a top six place.
In its way will be a side it hasn’t beaten in the last nine F3 derbies, but which sits firmly on the bottom and is favoured to take out the wooden spoon.