Hyundai A-League Team of the Week: Round 10

Who stood head and shoulders above the rest in Hyundai A-League Round 10?

After a thrilling round of action, we've assessed the contenders and opted for a 4-3-3 formation for this edition of the www.aleague.com.au Team of the Week.

Did we get our starting XI right for Round 10?

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Goalkeeper

Eugene Galekovic (Melbourne City)

Galekovic wound back the clock with a goalkeeping masterclass in Melbourne City’s 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday evening.

City's gloveman pulled off a catalogue of sensational saves across the 90 minutes – particularly in the matches closing stages, as the hosts ramped up the pressure following the 56th minute sending off of Rostyn Griffiths.

Headlining the former Adelaide United man’s highlight reel was an incredible stop to deny Alexander Baumjohann’s rocket from close range, a penalty save from Oriol Riera, and an acrobatic leap in the dying embers of the first half to parry Bruce Kamau’s curler.

Defenders

Ritchie De Laet (Melbourne City)

De Laet continued his stellar debut season in Australia with another solid display in City's 2-0 defeat of the Wanderers.

The Belgian notched his third goal of the Hyundai A-League season to double City's first half lead, and made a remarkable clearance over his own crossbar in the second half with Oriol Riera poised to strike.


Bart Schenkeveld (Melbourne City)

Galekovic may have been the true hero in City's victory but Schenkeveld was at his imposing, formidable best in keeping the Wanderers at bay.

City have now kept four clean sheets this season, more than any other side, and should continue to maintain their strong defensive record in 2019 with their Dutch centre back in this kind of form.


Taylor Regan (Adelaide United)

Making just his third start of the Hyundai A-League season, Taylor Regan offered an excellent display of backs to the wall defending in Adelaide's 2-1 win over the Jets.

Alongside the equally impressive Michael Jakobsen, Regan marshalled the Reds defence with expertise in a determined 90-minute display against his former employers.


Liberato Cacace (Wellington Phoenix)

The Kiwi teenager might look at Wellington Phoenix's 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory on Friday night as the match he came of age.

Fielded on the left side of Phoenix's back five, left wing-back Cacace proved the most telling component of Mark Rudan's aggressive strategy.

In a barnstorming performance, Cacace created two first half chances, made five penalty box entries and had more touches than any other Wellington player.

ANALYSIS: Are Phoenix the real deal?
READ: Toivonen to the rescue as Victory, Phoenix play out thrilling draw

Midfielders

Kearyn Baccus (Melbourne City)

Tuesday's encounter with the Wanderers proved to be a personal affair for City midfielder Kearyn Baccus, who came up against his former employers and younger brother Keanu at ANZ Stadium.

It was Baccus, a tireless worker in 10-man City's triumph, who emerged with the bragging rights. The midfielder had more touches (88) than any other player and dug in diligently following the dismissal of midfield partner Rostyn Griffiths.

Neil Kilkenny (Perth Glory)

An outstanding performer in Perth Glory's charge to the Hyundai A-League summit, Neil Kilkenny was once again superb in the Western Australians' 4-1 demolition of Central Coast Mariners.

The veteran midfielder made a team-high 68 passes, created three chances, and picked up an assist for Fabio Ferreira's second in a typically busy display.

Brandon O'Neill (Sydney FC)

O'Neill was his usual tidy and assured self in Sydney FC's 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Saturday night, but also underlined what a critical part he can play in the front third for the Sky Blues.

The Sydney FC midfielder laid on three chances and tallied an assist for Adam Le Fondre's second after a surging run into the box.

He was also sound defensively, winning eight of his 11 duels and accruing two clearances and interceptions.

Forwards

Adam Le Fondre (Sydney FC)

A pair of instinctive first time finishes from Adam Le Fondre ensured the Sky Blues prevailed over a resurgent Roar side.

It was another snapshot of how important the English marksman will be in Sydney's title challenge as Le Fondre tucked away his eighth and ninth goals of the campaign to sink the struggling Queensland outfit.

Le Fondre is now three goals clear of the chasing pack in the Golden Boot race - can anyone stop the Sky Blues sharp shooter?

REPORT: Le Fondre double lifts Sydney FC over resurgent Roar
READ: 
Tale of two strikers: Le Fondre ousts Taggart in crucial Golden Boot face-off


Fabio Ferreira (Perth Glory)

Fabio Ferreira opened his account for the season and broke a 23-month goal drought in fine style against his former club in Perth Glory's 4-1 win over the Mariners.

The Portuguese winger doubled his side's advantage with a back post header before clinching a first-half double in a four-goal rout for Tony Popovic's side.

REPORT: Ferreira, Keogh fire as four-goal Glory end 2018 on Hyundai A-League high


Andy Keogh (Perth Glory)

Joining Glory teammate Ferreira in our front three is Andy Keogh, who broke his five-match spell without a goal with two predatory finishes in Glory's emphatic win.

Keogh slammed home the opener in the 3rd minute and added gloss to the scoreline with a neat turn and flick late on to ensure Tony Popovic's side finished 2018 on top of the Hyundai A-League table.

READ: Glory crush Central Coast Stadium curse in landmark New Year's Eve victory

 

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