A-League returns with a bang, record crowds, and a few red cards

It is either genius or folly to schedule the opening round of the A-League season in can you wash a canada goose parka between two crucial qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

When you think however that only a handful of leagues around the world this year will boast an attendance figure higher than the 61 canadagoosecanadaoutlet,880 at Saturday’s Sydney derby – a new A-League record – then it is safe to say it went pretty well.

Starting the season with one of the biggest fixtures of the entire calendar also provokes mixed feelings, a fear that it will be like starting a feast with dessert. Yet this crowd provided the perfect feel-good aperitif for the season ahead.

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They say that the form book goes out the window when it is derby time but what happens when there is no form? Sydney FC will be trying to ensure that however light the tome is, it stays well and truly inside the house for the next few months after a 4-0 demolition of their cross-city rivals continued their unbeaten run in this fixture to eight games.

Bobo and Filip Holosko had played together for Besiktas and carried on where they left off in Turkey with the first two goals of Sydney’s season but it was in midfield where Graham Arnold’s men won the game with Josh Brillante excelling.

For the Wanderers, who just missed out on the title last year, it was a rude awakening to the new season and damages their chances of being the A-League launch poster boy Yoshi’s chosen club.

There is buy canada goose jacket australia plenty of time left to show it is just a blip and just think of the future quiz questions – which finalists suffered a 4-0 thrashing in the opening game of the next season? At least it can’t get any worse.

The Sydney derby has set the standard for next week’s Melbourne equivalent, although Victory will still be kicking themselves about giving away a last-minute goal in the season opener on Friday against 10-man Brisbane Roar. Luke DeVere has had plenty of injury problems but showed remarkable footwork and agility to fire home while falling over in the 96th minute.

When Matt McKay was red-carded (one of three early baths run in the opening weekend) midway through the second half in his 200th A-League appearance, it was looking grim for the Queenslanders even with Brett Holman suggesting that he is going to have a very good season.

It got worse with seven minutes remaining as Mitchell Austin fired the visitors ahead but DeVere saved McKay’s bacon with virtually the last kick of the game.

The unexpected point didn’t stop Roar boss John Aloisi savaging referee Shaun Evans after the match. FFA, the ultimate referee, may choose to make an example of the coach to send a message to the others. With the outburst canada goose coat 1000 bulbs reviews coming so early in the season though, Aloisi perhaps is thinking he might just get away with it.

Melbourne City’s 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand was marginally less dramatic, although a red card for goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen just before the hour made it a very nervy finish for the Australians. Despite the seven minutes of injury time – another lengthy addition in this opening weekend – the home team just could not get the equaliser.

With Tim Cahill ready to make his league debut at the derby next week – depending on his international commitments – Melbourne is the football place to be over the next few days even if City will be without Sørensen and Victory will miss the injured James Troisi.

In an action-packed round, much of the entertainment came out west. New Central Coast Mariners boss Paul Okon may be a popular ex-Socceroo but the decision to show club legend and assistant coach John Hutchinson the door in August was seen as controversial by many. And with half an hour left of their opening game at Perth Glory with the hosts three goals to the good, it looked downright dangerous.

Adam Taggart was the early star, taking advantage of some sleepy defending to score two what can only be described as “strikers’ goals”. Perth had plenty more chances but suspicions that they are susceptible to pace proved to average cost canada goose jacket be amazon canada goose jacket correct.

There are not many players called Roy these days but Roy O’Donovan threw the sinking Mariners a lifebelt after 56 minutes, one that Perth picked up and handed back again with seven minutes remaining.

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Marc Warren’s goalline clearance hit his own prone goalkeeper and rebounded into the net. The only thing the game lacked was a controversial call from the referee and Chris Beath duly obliged with four minutes left, deciding that a block by Rhys Williams on O’Donovan happened inside the area. Still, if Central Coast can continue that second half form, there may be brighter times ahead.

Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United closed the opening canada goose coat 1000 calorie diets weekend with a 1-1 draw on Sunday. It was solid stuff all round. The Jets, with Andrew Nabbout making an encouraging debut, did enough against the champs to suggest that this season may be better than last. It was not a bad point for Adelaide either who may need a little time to find their rhythm given the personnel changes amazon canada goose parka at the club over the last few months.

While it was not the most exciting way to end an entertaining opening round, young Yoshi will have a hard time choosing a team after all that. If the A-League continues like this, he won’t need to. He can just enjoy the ride.