Welcome to Best of the Press, where aleagues.com.au brings you everything you need to know from coach press conferences after the weekend’s matches.
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Adelaide United 4-0 Perth Glory
MATCH REPORT: Adelaide reclaim third place with thumping win over Perth Glory
Airton Andrioli
Adelaide United kept themselves well within the race for the Premiership with a commanding 4-0 win over Perth Glory.
Not just an important win, the result was Adelaide’s best performance of the season according to the Reds boss.
Adam Griffiths
As for Perth Glory, a third loss in five matches leaves them sat in ninth spot on the ladder and losing ground on the top six.
According to Head Coach Adam Griffiths, there wasn’t a single positive for him to take from the heavy loss.
Wellington Phoenix 0-5 Auckland FC
MATCH REPORT: Auckland thrash Wellington in lopsided derby
Giancarlo Italiano
Saturday’s 5-0 shellacking at the hands of rivals Auckland FC would ultimately prove to be the final match in charge for Head Coach Giancarlo Italiano.
The Phoenix boss handed in his resignation shortly before addressing the media in what would be his final press conference…
Steve Corica
Auckland FC’s stranglehold over the New Zealand Derby continued on Saturday, with a 5-0 win at Sky Stadium making it six-straight wins since the rivalry began.
The result leaves Auckland FC breathing down the necks of Newcastle Jets at the top of the ladder.
Sydney FC 1-0 Brisbane Roar
MATCH REPORT: Quintal rocket secures nervy win for Sydney against Brisbane
Ufuk Talay
Sydney FC got back to winning ways in Round 18, defeating Brisbane Roar 1-0 thanks to Tiago Quintal’s second half strike.
According to Sky Blues boss Ufuk Talay, there was only one side who deserved to win on Saturday evening, and it wasn’t Brisbane Roar…
Michael Valkanis
Saturday’s loss against Sydney FC was Brisbane Roar’s seventh defeat since the turn of the year and it leaves them outside the top six and hoping others around them begin to start dropping points.
For Head Coach Michael Valkanis, the loss was down to one thing: a lack of proficiency in the final third.
Melbourne City 1-3 Melbourne Victory
MATCH REPORT: Santos seals derby for Victory after double dose of Mata magic
Aurelio Vidmar
Melbourne City have just one win in their last five matches after going down 3-1 to rivals Melbourne Victory in the Melbourne Derby.
Despite their excellent form in the ACL Elite, City remain outside the top six in the Isuzu UTE A-League and Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar was far from impressed with the performance at AAMI Park.
Arthur Diles
‘High level’ – That’s how Victory boss Arthur Diles described Juan Mata’s performance after the Spanish World Cup winner inspired his side to dominate Melbourne Derby victory over Melbourne City.
The result leaves Victory sat fifth on the ladder but, crucially, now five points ahead of their City rivals.
Central Coast Mariners 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers
MATCH REPORT: Mariners defeat Wanderers in five-goal thriller to continue surge up the ladder
Warren Moon
A dramatic late finish at polytec Stadium saw the the Mariners defeat the Wanderers 3-2 courtesy of James Donachie’s late strike.
Not only has that win helped the Mariners move clear of the bottom of the ladder, Warren Moon’s side now sit just three points outside the top six.
Gary van Egmond
The Western Sydney Wanderers remain marooned at the foot of the ladder after Sunday’s loss to the Mariners.
With just one win since taking charge in late January, van Egmond’s side are now four games without a win in the competition, a stat made all the worse given they twice led at polytec Stadium.
Newcastle Jets 1-0 Macarthur Bulls
MATCH REPORT: Jets go four points clear at the top as incredible winning run continues
Mark Milligan
The Jets show no signs of slowing up as they squeezed past Macarthur Bulls 1-0 in front of a packed McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday evening.
Lachie Bayliss’ sixth goal of the season was enough to seal an eighth-straight win for the Jets, and Head Coach Mark Milligan believes his side completely deserved their victory.
Mile Sterjovski
It’s been a difficult week for Macarthur Bulls as they followed up their ACL Two exit at the hands of Bangkok United on Thursday night with a 1-0 loss to the Jets.
Despite the disappointing results, Mile Sterjovski was proud of his side’s performance at McDonald Jones Stadium.
