“Curl it like Cole” could be the new mantra for Sydney FC.
You know a new season has arrived when fans are buzzing with the arrival of a new drawcard and dreaming up chants and banners for a new hero.
Twenty-four-year-old NSW Premier League recruit Shannon Cole is the talk of the A-League this week after his stunning free-kick strike and post-goal forward-flip celebration lit up Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium last Saturday night August 23. In the 81st minute, Cole’s millimetre-perfect wonder strike from just outside the penalty box curled over the wall of the Central Coast Mariners’ defenders and hit the post. The crowd held their breath – as did Cole – before the ball cannoned into the net to an almighty roar from the travelling fans. His goal handed a 10-man Sydney Blues a vital 3–2 away win over the Mariners.
Raining goals
Meanwhile, “goals, goals, goals” could be the other catch-cry heralding the arrival of the new soccer season with last weekend’s Round 2 tally falling just two goals shy of the record aggregate total of goals for a single round.
The season is very much alive. As a testament to that is the 19-strong goal-fest produced across the A-League’s four matches on what was an amazing weekend.
With memories still fresh from last season’s epic nine-goal classic at the same venue, the five-goal Central Coast – Sydney thriller proved to be the latest in a series of pulsating matches between the two NSW neighbours.
But this traditional derby fixture did not steal all the drama.
Neutral fans could only feel sorry for Perth Glory when Newcastle Jets captain Jade North produced an equaliser with the last kick of the match last Friday night August 22.
After three disappointing seasons in the A-League to date, it was a heartbreaking 3–3 result for the home Perth fans, but they will have renewed optimism this season given a generally courageous and creative display marked their side’s debut home performance.
The two matches last Sunday saw Melbourne Victory down Wellington Phoenix FC 4–2 away in the wet and Scottish import Charlie Miller make it two goals in the opening two matches after his equaliser helped Queensland Roar FC to a 1–1 draw at home to Adelaide United FC. With one win and a draw so far, the Victory skipped to the top of the ladder holding a two goal difference ahead of Sydney’s one goal difference.
Round 3
Looking ahead to the third round, two Socceroo household names are expected to dominate pre-game publicity in making their much-anticipated debuts this weekend.
Mark Bosnich is scheduled to make his A-League debut for Central Coast away to Queensland Roar this Sunday August 31. Meanwhile, John Aloisi is likely to hit the pitch two hours earlier for his home debut for Sydney against Perth.
This Friday night will see two of the season’s undefeated sides clash when Melbourne make their Telstra Dome home debut up against reigning champions Newcastle Jets followed by the Adelaide Reds hosting Wellington on Saturday night.
Predictions are difficult in this tight competition, but one thing is certain – if Sydney are awarded a free-kick within range on Sunday and in need of a last minute goal – all eyes will turn to “Young King Cole” and the Perth defenders will know what to expect.
You know a new season has arrived when fans are buzzing with the arrival of a new drawcard and dreaming up chants and banners for a new hero.
Twenty-four-year-old NSW Premier League recruit Shannon Cole is the talk of the A-League this week after his stunning free-kick strike and post-goal forward-flip celebration lit up Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium last Saturday night August 23. In the 81st minute, Cole’s millimetre-perfect wonder strike from just outside the penalty box curled over the wall of the Central Coast Mariners’ defenders and hit the post. The crowd held their breath – as did Cole – before the ball cannoned into the net to an almighty roar from the travelling fans. His goal handed a 10-man Sydney Blues a vital 3–2 away win over the Mariners.
Raining goals
Meanwhile, “goals, goals, goals” could be the other catch-cry heralding the arrival of the new soccer season with last weekend’s Round 2 tally falling just two goals shy of the record aggregate total of goals for a single round.The season is very much alive. As a testament to that is the 19-strong goal-fest produced across the A-League’s four matches on what was an amazing weekend.
With memories still fresh from last season’s epic nine-goal classic at the same venue, the five-goal Central Coast – Sydney thriller proved to be the latest in a series of pulsating matches between the two NSW neighbours.
But this traditional derby fixture did not steal all the drama.
Neutral fans could only feel sorry for Perth Glory when Newcastle Jets captain Jade North produced an equaliser with the last kick of the match last Friday night August 22.
After three disappointing seasons in the A-League to date, it was a heartbreaking 3–3 result for the home Perth fans, but they will have renewed optimism this season given a generally courageous and creative display marked their side’s debut home performance.
The two matches last Sunday saw Melbourne Victory down Wellington Phoenix FC 4–2 away in the wet and Scottish import Charlie Miller make it two goals in the opening two matches after his equaliser helped Queensland Roar FC to a 1–1 draw at home to Adelaide United FC. With one win and a draw so far, the Victory skipped to the top of the ladder holding a two goal difference ahead of Sydney’s one goal difference.
Round 3
Looking ahead to the third round, two Socceroo household names are expected to dominate pre-game publicity in making their much-anticipated debuts this weekend.Mark Bosnich is scheduled to make his A-League debut for Central Coast away to Queensland Roar this Sunday August 31. Meanwhile, John Aloisi is likely to hit the pitch two hours earlier for his home debut for Sydney against Perth.
This Friday night will see two of the season’s undefeated sides clash when Melbourne make their Telstra Dome home debut up against reigning champions Newcastle Jets followed by the Adelaide Reds hosting Wellington on Saturday night.
Predictions are difficult in this tight competition, but one thing is certain – if Sydney are awarded a free-kick within range on Sunday and in need of a last minute goal – all eyes will turn to “Young King Cole” and the Perth defenders will know what to expect.
