Round 12 was filled with drama and late goals with 22 in six games.
There were 12 goals scored after the 75th minute by players from eight different teams, which made for exciting viewing.
Western United scored in the 91st and 95th minute and their coach John Aloisi made some interesting comments, which sums up football: “Football brings so many good moments and so many bad moments”.
Auckland FC were the only team with the bye.
Let’s take a look at who made a difference for each team.
Melbourne City
Nathaniel Atkinson gave City an unassailable two-goal lead with a clinical finish, with a great assist from substitute Michael Ghossaini, thanks to an astute and creative backheel.
It was a reward for effort for the Socceroo as he has been forced to play in midfield instead of right-back due to injuries.
Atkinson gave some meaningful comments after the game: “My eyes lit up. That’s not what I do at training, I probably send it over the bar.
It’s a good confidence booster. We wanted to kill the game off. It was good to keep a clean sheet and put the game to bed in the second half.”
Wellington Phoenix
Josh Oluwayemi was a stand-out for the Phoenix. The shot-stopper made seven saves, which included him preventing City striker Arion Sulemani from scoring in the 23rd minute.
The 23-year-old could be considered the only positive for the Phoenix to take out of the game.
Brisbane Roar
Keegan Jelacic caused plenty of problems for the Mariners’ defence. The 22-year-old created five chances and had one shot on target.
Jelacic provided opportunities for Roar striker Thomas Waddingham to score on two occasions, but unfortunately, both efforts were saved.
Central Coast Mariners
Dylan Peraic-Cullen kept his team in the game with some quality saves.
The 18-year-old made seven saves, which included denying Keegan Jelacic from scoring in the 28th minute – and Thomas Waddingham from scoring in the 36th and 56th minutes.
The goalkeeper summed the game up: “It was an exciting one for us at the back. We weathered the storm and that’s why we eventually got the win.”
Perth Glory
Oliver Sail did a good job building his case to be the number-one goalkeeper for the Glory, which is tough as Cameron Cook is a young prospect. The Kiwi gave the Glory some hope, given he made some top-class saves.
Noah Botic had two clear-cut opportunities saved by Sail in the third minute and the 28-year-old made a quality save when one-on-one with Matthew Grimaldi in the 14th minute, which kept Glory in the contest.
Perth coach David Zdrilic spoke post-match: “Oli I thought coming back in did really well to keep us in the game.”
Western United
Jordan Lauton: what a substitute!
Western United scored two goals with him on the pitch, which included him scoring the winning goal. The 21-year-old scored a goal with a stunning bicycle kick, which gave Angus Thurgate his second assist for the night.
Angus Thurgate enjoyed the goal with the claim: “That finish was unbelievable.”
Western United coach John Aloisi echoed the sentiment from Thurgate: “What a way to score the winner, Jordi it was a top goal.”
Newcastle Jets
Thomas Aquilina played a part in both goals scored by the Jets; the first goal came in the 45th minute thanks to a good through pass to Eli Adams, which led to an own goal by Aaron Gurd of Sydney FC.
The second goal was due to an inch-perfect assist from the 24-year-old with Clayton Taylor on the end of it, which gave the Jets what should’ve been an unassailable two-goal lead.
Sydney FC
Joe Lolley is a competitor.
The Englishman got the Sky Blues back into the game as he cut onto his left foot in the 78th minute, which gave his team the impetus to go on and claim a point.
Melbourne Victory
Ryan Teague was involved in both goals scored by Victory; the 22-year-old put in a good cross, which Zinedine Machach headed straight to Victory captain Roderick Miranda who scored an elementary goal.
The midfielder held his nerve from the penalty spot with a clinical finish that meant Victory ended the game with two goals and a point.
After a hard-fought game, Teague made some interesting comments: “At the end of the day I put it away. As a team, we are getting better and better”.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Nicolas Milanovic scored a goal that made the score 2-1 in favour of the Wanderers in the 76th minute.
The 23-year-old delivered when called upon with a clinical finish, but unfortunately, they dropped two points, conceding a goal late in the game.
The Wanderers winger summed everything up well: “Even though we drew the game I feel that we had plenty of chances to win the game”.
Macarthur FC
Valere Germain broke the deadlock in the 80th minute. The Bulls captain scored a world-class header, with right-back Kealey Adamson providing the assist.
Adelaide United
Yaya Dukuly did what’s expected of a substitute, which is to make a difference. The attacker won the penalty in the 83rd minute, which was scored by Zach Clough which made it 1-1.
The 21-year-old also won the free kick that led to what proved to be the winning goal of the game which was scored by fellow substitute Luka Jovanovic in the 92nd minute.
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