Winners:
Women’s Football
The Matildas set an exciting record on Saturday afternoon as over 20,000 fans watched Australia defeat Chile 2-1 at Bankwest Stadium.
It was the most attended match for women’s football in Australia, with another 10,000 expected to fill Coopers Stadium on Tuesday for the second of the friendlies against Chile.
The crowd beat the best A-League crowd by five thousand and follows the significant equal pay agreement during the week.
Moreover, at Wembley 77,768 turned out to see England and Germany do battle – in a contest the German’s won at the death after Klara Buhl’s stoppage time goal.
This crowd narrowly missed trumping the 80,203 set for a women’s match back in 2012 but is the largest crowd the English women’s side has played in front of.
Ange Postecoglou
The former Socceroos boss has done wonders with his Yokohama F Marinos side this season and could be set to lift silverware in just his second season in charge.
Despite having the tenth biggest budget and being without a training base, Postecoglou’s side sits one-point off top spot after a big 4-2 win over Consadole Sapporo.
Not only is Postecoglou in contention for silverware but also for a return to the Asian Champions League.
Yokohama meet top of the table Tokyo FC in the final round of the J1 campaign – which could decide the title.
Mitch Duke
The Wanderers captain has taken his game to a new level this season and has been rewarded with a Socceroos call-up.
Duke scored his fourth goal in his side’s loss to Western United on the weekend, opening the scoring with a tidy finish.
Since joining the club in January, the striker has scored eight goals and has already become a fan-favourite at the club.
It will be interesting to see whether he features in Australia’s World Cup Qualifier against Jordan, with Adam Taggart tipped to start in Jamie Maclaren’s absence.
Losers
Daniel Georgievski
The Wanderers full-back has become a cult hero for football fans in Australia through his presence on social media and witty responses to morning show hosts.
Though the Macedonian international was left stranded on Saturday night as he had to make his own way to the hotel after the team bus left without him.
It had been a night to forget to the Wanderers for not only did they go down to Western United after leading early in the match, but head coach Markus Babbel no-showed the press-conference for reasons yet to be confirmed.
Brisbane Roar
Losing by a lone Riley McGree goal away to Adelaide doesn’t sound too bad at surface level.
But frustration is starting to creep in among Roar fans as young guns Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Aaron Amadi-Holloway started on the bench.
Brisbane is one of three sides yet to pick up a win after five rounds and despite their experience in the attacking third, have been anything but inspiring when creating chances.
A tough challenge against league-leaders Melbourne City awaits the Roar, who will be desperate to get on the winners list for the first time this season.
The Handball Rule
Ironic how the oldest and most obvious rule in football is causing the most confusion.
Last week the Phoenix were penalised after the ball deflected off Louis Fenton’s chest and onto his arm – which according to IFAB guidelines should not have been given – and this week went to a whole new level.
One of the key pillars to the handball rule provided by IFAB states if the player’s arm extends beyond that of a natural silhouette a penalty will be given – accidental or not.
This would be the reason why Manchester City were left fuming after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s handball inside the box early in the match was waved on, resulting in Liverpool taking the lead in the 6th minute.
The new guidelines have created more headaches – especially with the VAR in play as well.
Featured Image: ABC
