Snapshot of A-League round 18
SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 18 IN THE A-LEAGUE
THEY SAID IT: "You are not part of our club." Western Sydney chief executive John Tsatsimas makes his feelings clear about Wanderers fans who ignited flares during Saturday night's clash with Melbourne Victory. FFA have warned of severe ramifications.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Two. The most consecutive A-League losses Graham Arnold has in his entire A-League coaching career. The Sydney FC mentor narrowly avoided breaking that record with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
ON ANGE'S RADAR: Brisbane striker Jamie Maclaren has caught the attention of Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers. The 22-year-old scored his 10th goal of the season in the Roar's 4-0 rout of Central Coast on Saturday and continues to indulge in a rich vein of career-best form. "If his form continues, he's definitely one we'll look at," Postecoglou said.
CONTROVERSY CORNER: Melbourne City coach John van `t Schip justifiably disputed a handball decision against Jack Clisby that directly resulted in Newcastle's opener in Sunday's upset 2-1 win. Clisby had his back turned and palms tucked into his body when Jason Hoffman slammed the ball at him from point-blank range. When even opposing coach Scott Miller agrees, it's probably warranted. Unlike Miller though, van `t Schip also believed Jacob Melling's send-off for denying Morten Nordstrand a goal-scoring opportunity was harsh.
UNDER PRESSURE: This season never gets any better for Wellington coach Ernie Merrick, who couldn't spin a positive out of a ninth winless game. Sunday's 1-0 loss to Perth saw the Phoenix slip to ninth place, only four points in front of perennial cellar dwellers Central Coast. "I guess it's the story of our season," Merrick said. "Lots of passing, lots of ball in the box, 11 shots to three, seven corner kicks to two, and we've got nothing to show for it."
SELECTION HEADACHE: Wanderers coach Tony Popovic will likely have to contend without his entire Spanish trio for next week's clash with Wellington after Alberto was sent off for slapping Besart Berisha during their 1-1 draw with Victory, Dimas earned his fifth yellow card and Andreu hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
