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A snapshot of round 17 of the A-League Men

3 minute read

Marko Rudan started serving a ban, Stefan Colakovski got one over his old coach and Western United finally scored a win in round 17 of the A-League Men.

MARKO RUDAN.
MARKO RUDAN. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

ROUND 17 OF THE A-LEAGUE MEN COMPETITION AT A GLANCE:

THEY SAID IT: "I think if you watch the game, you wouldn't ask me that, if we were the unlucky side." Victory coach Tony Popovic believes his charges should have won their 0-0 draw with Melbourne City and bristled at the suggestion they need to take more risks in attack.

MAN OF THE WEEK: Wellington Phoenix forward Kosta Barbarouses bagged a second brace from as many games with Macarthur FC this season to seal a 2-1 win. It came after the already depleted Phoenix, on the road, lost skipper Alex Rufer in the warm-up.

TALKING POINT: Western Sydney Wanderers coach Marko Rudan received a three-match ban - the longest ALM coaching suspension in eight years - for his blistering critique of the match officials. He was forced to watch his side's 1-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners from the stands but will only miss one more game unless he re-offends.

STAT ATTACK: With a 2-0 defeat of fellow strugglers Newcastle, Western United snapped a seven-game winless run and kept their first clean sheet in an ALM game since April last year.

BEAT THAT: With former Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich returning to Perth on Saturday night, Stefan Colakovski had a golden chance to prove a point - and boy did he take it. Colakovski was frozen out by Zadkovich last season, but popped up to score the 78th-minute winner in Glory's 3-2 victory over the Zadkovich-led Roar.

UNDER PRESSURE: Top six hopefuls Adelaide were condemned to their fourth-straight winless game by Sydney FC and finished the weekend in ninth spot. The 2-1 loss won't be Carl Veart's only worry. Midfielder Josh Cavallo will be awaiting scans after he hobbled off the field in the eighth minute with a quad strain.

UP NEXT: Hunting their first win since early January, Melbourne Victory host Western United on Tuesday in a match postponed from round 12. Tony Popovic's side has the chance to make a statement against high-flying Central Coast later in the weekend. Ladder-leading Wellington Phoenix will put in-form Perth Glory to the test, while Melbourne City will be knocking on the door of the top six if they can beat Sydney FC on the road.

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