Round 21 Wrap Up
Posted by Jasper Reed in A-League | 6 February 2006
The final round of the home and away season was completed this weekend;
Sydney FC 2 Adelaide United 1 - In front of a 25,000 strong crowd Sydney snapped Adelaide's 9 game unbeaten run, and confirmed its place in the major semi final against Adelaide in a high quality contest. Sydney took the lead in the second half, when Dwight Yorke coolly clipped home a penalty after United skipper Ross Aloisi was harshly penalized for handball. United were level 2 minutes later when Chinese striker Shenquing Qu scored, but a rasping free kick from Alvin Ceccoli secured the points for Sydney and the all important double chance in the finals.
Melbourne Victory 2 New Zealand Knights 1 - The Victory's season ended on a high, beating cellar dwellers New Zealand comfortably at Olympic Park. In front after only 2 minutes thanks to Mark Byrne's close range header, Kevin Muscat made it 2 from the spot 20 minutes later, after a challenge which looked suspiciously outside the box. From then on only some profligate finishing, and desperate defending, kept the score at 2, before Jeremy Brockie gave the Knights a consolation 3 minutes into added time. These teams finish 7th and 8th in the league, but the 20-point difference between them tells you all you need to know about the Knights season.
Queensland Roar 2 Central Coast Mainers 2 - Honours were even at Suncorp after a fiery encounter. Roar took the lead after 3 minutes with Alex Brosque scoring his 7th in 8 games. Stewart Petrie equalized after 33 minutes, but the game changed on 38 when the Roar's Spase Dilevski was sent off. Referee Ben Williams showed a straight red for violent conduct, though replays showed that no contact was made by Dilevski's flying elbow with Central Coast's Wayne O’Sullivan. In the second half substitute Michael Baird restored the Roar's lead, but with 10 minutes left Petrie prodded home his second after a goalmouth scramble to leave Roar fans frustrated again. With better finishing earlier in the season, the Roar could easily have finished in the top 4, and with fervent home support been a real threat in the major round.
Newcastle United 1 Perth Glory 3 - Perth saved their best till last, surprising finals bound Newcastle with a clinical display at Energy Australia Stadium. Perth took the lead on 9 minutes through Nicky Ward, only for Vaughan Coveny to level for the home side after 34 minutes. Perth dominated the second half, and an own goal by Allan Picken, followed by player coach Damien Mori's strike, wrapped up the points. The win takes Perth to 5th, only 2 points behind a Jets side who head into the finals with a bit to think. Having held second spot 2 weeks ago they have shipped 8 goals in its last 2 games to non-finals contenders.
