Welcome to Made With Mitre Moments, where aleagues.com.au presents all the major talking points from each round of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Continue reading for the top highlights from Round 21, brought to you by Mitre.
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Why the Bulls’ coach stays hopeful despite loss
Macarthur Bulls manager Mile Sterjovski refuses to lose faith in his team’s chances for a finals berth this season.
The Bulls were soundly defeated 2-0 by Sydney FC at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday night, with second-half goals from Patryk Klimala and Adrian Segecic sealing the result.
MATCH REPORT: Sydney FC claims crucial victory over finals contenders as super-sub shines again
This defeat leaves the Bulls in eighth place, five points adrift of Melbourne Victory, who currently hold the final spot in the top six.
However, despite the widening gap to their finals competitors, Sterjovski insists his team remains determined to fight for a place in the playoffs.
“No, there are still plenty of games left to play,” Sterjovski replied when questioned if finals football is becoming less likely.
“Seven games left, you know? It’s in our control, so we just need to elevate our performance.”
“We have to ensure we perform well in each remaining match. I recognise a few of them are away games, but we’ve been playing significantly better away than at home, so that might work in our favour.”
The Bulls have managed just one win in their last six outings, suffering defeat on four occasions during this stretch.
A contributing factor to their current form appears to be the number of players they lost during the January transfer window.
Captain Valere Germain, in-form winger Jed Drew, key player Ariath Piol, and young defender Ollie Jones have all departed the club, while youngsters Oliver Randazzo, Alexander Robinson, Frans Deli, and Dean Bosnjak are currently on international duty with the Subway Young Socceroos following their historic AFC Under-20 Asian Cup triumph.
“No, I didn’t foresee this,” Sterjovski said regarding the unexpected transfer developments in January.
“It’s excellent for the club to see our efforts in player development, but in the meantime, we’ve been affected by missing four players with the Young Socceroos, which makes things tough, you know.
“That’s nine players missing from our regular squad. But as I said, when players depart, it’s vital for others to seize the opportunity, and I felt we could have performed better today.”
‘What would you like me to say?’
Brisbane Roar head coach Ruben Zadkovich lamented missed opportunities after his team could only secure a point against Melbourne Victory.
After taking the lead in the 20th minute courtesy of Henry Hore, the home side squandered several golden opportunities to extend their advantage, with Victory snatching a point through a last-gasp equaliser by full-back Kasey Bos in the 97th minute.
“What would you like me to say?” Zadkovich responded when asked about his team’s inability to finish off several scoring chances at Suncorp Stadium.
MATCH REPORT: Bos breaks Brisbane’s hearts as Victory salvages a point with late equaliser
“We completely dominated the match. We tore their defence apart, but it’s crucial to finish our chances.”
“We missed some open goals and significant opportunities… that’s the essence of today’s match.”
Young striker Nathan Amanatidis notably squandered two good chances against Victory, proving to be a persistent threat with his pace and movement before leaving the pitch injured in the 53rd minute.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak to the physios or Nathan yet. Of course, he’s disappointed about not converting his chances and likely feels he let himself down,” Zadkovich shared.
“However, the way he played, how he opened the game up with his speed and power, it’s a credit to him for the hard work he’s put in since joining us from Sydney during tough circumstances.”
“He’s a promising young player with a bright future ahead.”
‘Are you joking?’: Corica frustrated following eight-goal thriller
Auckland FC continues to set the pace at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League after Round 21.
However, what could have been a 10-point lead over Western United is now reduced to eight points after Adelaide United defender Bart Vriends netted a dramatic equaliser for the visitors in the 98th minute.
This draw may feel more like a defeat for the Black Knights and their coach Steve Corica, whose team held a 3-1 lead and even regained the lead at 4-3 in stoppage time thanks to captain Hiroki Sakai.
MATCH REPORT: Dramatic showdown! Adelaide stuns Auckland to salvage a point in a thrilling eight-goal encounter
“Absolutely,” Corica replied when asked if he saw the result as two points dropped. “I felt we were deserving of the win, much like in the last match in Adelaide.”
“However, we were up against a strong team that kept pushing and fighting, and in the end, they scored a late goal just as we did in their territory.”
When questioned about his disappointment in not holding on to their late lead, Corica expressed frustration with some officiating decisions.
“I’m more let down by some refereeing calls, but we must do better in defending that last goal.”
“We played exceptionally well, scoring four commendable goals, so we need to take a lot from this match. We displayed fantastic character, particularly when Hiroki scored what we thought would be the winner, but we’ve also got to manage that final goal better.”
When pressed for specifics about the decisions that irked him, Corica didn’t hold back.
“Are you joking? Two penalties?”
He continued: “Both penalty decisions, from the VAR and the referee, were, in my opinion, soft and incorrect, and they altered the game.”
“Otherwise, we would have likely won comfortably.”
He elaborated, “It was soft, very soft. He went down easily,” referencing the first penalty against midfielder Louis Verstraete for a trip on Ethan Alagich.
“The second one involving Adelaide’s Stefan Mauk was also questionable. He went through two players, and it seemed inevitable he would go down. They should have reviewed it and made the proper call.”
“That’s just my perspective. I’m fairly certain we might receive an apology tomorrow, similar to what happened after the first game in Adelaide when they scored and it should have been a foul on Callan Elliot. We received an apology the following day, but it doesn’t change the four points we might have rightfully earned.”
‘We’re certainly a serious contender’: Confidence grows for in-form Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers are back in the top six and closely trailing the teams above them following a decisive 4-1 victory over Perth Glory on Sunday.
Aydan Hammond scored twice, with second-half goals from Oscar Priestman and Bozhidar Kraev helping the Wanderers dismantle their opponents at CommBank Stadium, marking their third consecutive victory.
Currently sitting fourth on the ladder, Alen Stajcic’s team is now just one point behind second-placed Western United, and their five-match unbeaten streak has the coach brimming with confidence regarding the team’s ability to secure a finals position.
MATCH REPORT: Ruthless Wanderers push for second spot after defeating Perth in impressive style
“I’ve had faith in this team from the start,” Stajcic stated at the post-match press conference.
“During pre-season, I mentioned, if anyone was tuning in, that I saw the quality within this group, and I knew we had it in us. It was merely a matter of gaining that confidence and belief, and there’s no quick fix for that.”
“It’s just about putting in the hard yards at training. Knowing when the breakthrough will happen is impossible. If we all had that foresight, we’d be Nostradamus!”
He continued: “So, we just keep grinding, and we’ve done just that. When you work hard and do the right things in training, you start to see those efforts rewarded on the pitch.”
“Even our first victory during this run wasn’t the prettiest against Brisbane, a 1-0 win. So, it’s not like I walked away from that match thinking ‘We’re on fire!’ but it’s about making sure we set the right foundations.”
“I know we’re achieving that, and there’s a solid sense of belief and trust within the group; they are genuinely starting to rely on one another and add value regardless of who steps onto the pitch.”
“Now, as we layer in confidence and belief across the squad, I truly believe we are a serious contender.”
“That said, I never take things for granted; I understand how much hard work still lies ahead.”
YOUNG SOCCEROOS: Australia’s next football surge is here following a remarkable 12,000-minute achievement
The Wanderers’ upcoming matches include a home showdown against Melbourne Victory in Round 22, followed by two away fixtures against Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC. Subsequent home encounters await against top-six adversaries Western United and Melbourne City before finishing the campaign with away trips to Newcastle and Macarthur.
Vidmar’s guidance for rookie goalkeeper: ‘We know his potential’
Marco Tilio found the net to lead Melbourne City past Wellington Phoenix with a 1-0 scoreline, but a standout moment came shortly after on Friday night.
Rookie goalkeeper Patrick Beach made a potential save of the season by denying Corbin Piper from equalising for the struggling Phoenix, as City concluded the round in fifth place with their first away triumph in six outings.
MATCH REPORT: Socceroo’s contribution helps end Melbourne City’s away jinx
The 22-year-old is now City’s primary goalkeeper, having taken charge at the season’s start, and it has been a learning curve filled with highs and lows for the emerging talent.
City head coach Aurelio Vidmar has been impressed with the young keeper but has offered some constructive advice.
HONEST RUFER: ‘A wounded animal is the most dangerous’
“That was an excellent save, but we did give away the ball, leading to that opportunity,” Vidmar reflected on the save made by Beach.
“Beachy is certainly doing well. He has many aspects to improve upon, and he is aware of that, working diligently every day with the goalkeeping coach and the team.”
“For me, the potential is clear, but he’s just at the beginning of his journey as a goalkeeper. He is 22; this is his inaugural season in senior football, and he has gained a substantial amount of knowledge.”
“He possesses some fantastic qualities, but focusing on areas that need refinement will elevate him to being a top keeper.”
Is this the next Socceroo from the A-Leagues?
Given his current form, Western United star Noah Botic is a prime candidate for selection to join the Subway Socceroos for the upcoming 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers.
Botic, the outright Golden Boot leader, netted his 10th goal of the season in Friday night’s 3-1 victory over the two-time reigning champions, Central Coast Mariners.
The 23-year-old, eager to represent the Socceroos, opened the scoring for Western in the 52nd minute, marking his seventh goal in as many games, helping the Green and Black secure their first-ever triumph over the Mariners in Gosford.
His scoring feats at Industree Group Stadium only strengthen discussions about a Socceroos call-up.
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“Of course I aspire to play for the Socceroos,” he told Paramount+.
“It’s been my dream since I was 10, but right now my focus is on contributing to Western until the international break, where we can regroup.”
Botic, whose team currently sits second in the standings, added: “Confidence is at its peak, both individually and as a collective. We’re performing well, particularly with such a youthful squad.”
“Coming back from injuries is unpredictable. One must remain disciplined, focused, and determined; in doing so, opportunities will come.”
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