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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Melbourne Victory 1-1 Adelaide United
MATCH REPORT: Victory and Adelaide share the points on a sweaty night in Melbourne
Arthur Diles
Melbourne Victory remain firmly inside the Isuzu UTE A-League’s top six after playing out a battling 1-1 draw with Adelaide United in the Original Rivalry.
Spanish superstar registered yet another assist at the weekend and his performance drew more praise from Victory Head Coach Arthur Diles.
Airton Andrioli
Adelaide United remain fourth on the ladder after the draw at AAMI Park and are now three games unbeaten.
Head Coach Airton Andrioli believes a draw was a fair result, despite his side being the better side in the opening 45.
Auckland FC 3-0 Melbourne City
MATCH REPORT: Red hot Randall tears through City as Auckland close in on top spot
Steve Corica
Auckland FC are now back to within two points of league leaders Newcastle Jets following their excellent 3-0 win over Melbourne City.
Whilst the win was incredibly pleasing for Head Coach Steve Corica, the Black Knights boss says it’s his side’s defensive display that was particularly pleasing.
Aurelio Vidmar
Melbourne City’s Jekyll and Hyde season continued at the weekend as they were defeated once again in the Isuzu UTE A-League once again.
Whilst Aurelio Vidmar’s side have been outstanding in the ACL Elite this season, the reigning Champions have struggled domestically, with their seventh defeat of the season leaving them sat in 9th place.
Central Coast Mariners 0-0 Newcastle Jets
MATCH REPORT: Newcastle’s bid at 10th-straight win falls short in goalless F3 Derby
Warren Moon
The Mariners unbeaten run extended out to six games at the weekend as they held rivals Newcastle Jets to a goalless draw at polytec Stadium.
With Macarthur losing at the weekend the Mariners are now just two points outside the top six.
Mark Milligan
The Newcastle Jets’ incredible eight-game winning run came to an end at the weekend as they failed to find the back of the net against the Mariners.
According to Jets boss Mark Milligan his side simply didn’t create enough chances in the second half to warrant picking up all three points.
Brisbane Roar 1-1 Perth Glory
MATCH REPORT: Points shared between Brisbane and Perth in physical encounter
Michael Valkanis
Brisbane Roar are now six games without a win in the Isuzu UTE A-League and sit eighth on the ladder, two points outside the top six.
Whilst the draw was a frustrating result for the home side, Brisbane boss Michael Valkanis admits the bigger concern are the injuries suffered by forwards Chris Long and Nick D’Agostino.
Adam Griffiths
The draw for Perth Glory leaves them sat 10th on the ladder and now four points outside the top six.
Furthermore, Adam Griffiths’ side are now four games without a win after a draw when they mustered just one shot on target in the 90 minutes.
Macarthur Bulls 0-4 Western Sydney Wanderers
MATCH REPORT: Resurgent Wanderers stun Macarthur in first-half blitz
Mile Sterjovski
Macarthur Bulls’ mini-blip continued on Saturday night as they were humbled 4-0 at home by local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
The result means the Bulls stay sixth on the ladder but are now four games without a win, and Head Coach Mile Sterjovski admits his side got what they deserved.
Gary van Egmond
The Wanderers bagged their first win five matches on Saturday night as they put on a real attacking clinic to dispose of local rivals Macarthur 4-0.
According to interim boss Gary van Egmond the result was overdue for his side, given they’ve been guilty of putting in good performances in recent weeks but not seeing out games to secure positive results.
Wellington Phoenix 0-1 Sydney FC
MATCH REPORT: Sydney FC up to third after taking all three points home from Wellington
Chris Greenacre
Phoenix boss Chris Greenacre oversaw a defeat in his first game in interim charge of the club as Wellington went down 1-0 at home to Sydney FC.
Greenacre discussed what’s been a turbulent week for the club when speaking to journalists in his post-match press conference.
Ufuk Talay
Sydney FC are now back to within five points of top spot in the Isuzu UTE A-League after defeating Wellington 1-0 on Sunday.
The result means Ufuk Talay’s side are now three games unbeaten, with Alexandar Popovic’s goal ensuring they’ve now won back-to-back matches.
A big concern for the Sky Blues though is the ankle injury picked up by English star Joe Lolley.
