Hyundai A-League Team of the Week: Round 6
It was a pretty entertaining round in the Hyundai A-League, with some superb performances across the five matches.
But who were the best players in Round 6?
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
WRAP: Krishna sets record in Phoenix's draw with Glory
REPORT: Brattan stunner spurs City to win over Jets
ANALYSIS: Victory lay down impressive marker as Honda sparkles again
We’ve assessed all the contenders and opted for a 3-4-3 formation for this Round's Team of the Week, with Melbourne Victory players dominating after their eye-catching dismantling of the Wanderers.
Did we get our starting XI right for Round 6?
Goalkeeper
Liam Reddy (Perth Glory)
Up against one of his many former clubs, the experienced gloveman was key to Glory escaping from Wellington with a point.
Reddy did brilliantly to keep the visitors in the game with three exceptional saves, allowing Perth to fight back to find a late equaliser and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Just edged out the likes of Jamie Young and Eugene Galekovic for the number one jersey this week.
Defenders
Matt Millar (Central Coast Mariners)
The speedy Millar was deployed as a right wing-back by coach Mike Mulvey and was a major threat to Sydney's defence all afternoon in Gosford.
It was Millar's inch-perfect cross which set-up Matt Simon's goal, while he gave Michael Zullo a torrid time with his direct running and close dribbling skills.
The 22-year-old didn't deserve to be on the losing side.
Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory)
There’s a good reason this young defender recently made his Caltex Socceroos debut.
Without his normal central defensive partner in Georg Neidermeier, Deng led Victory’s back four superbly, doing everything with class and composure.
Won almost every duel and made a host of interceptions, while started many of Victory’s attacks with smart and crisp passing from the back.
Andrew Durante (Wellington Phoenix)
There is a reason why Durante is still going strong in the Hyundai A-League at 36 years of age.
The Phoenix skipper got the better of his personal duel with Glory’s Andy Keogh in the 1-1 draw at Westpac, with the Irishman barely getting a touch.
Durante also came up with a crucial tackle and clearance to deny Glory what would have been a late winner. Superb captain’s knock from the competition’s most-capped player.
Midfielders
Keisuke Honda (Melbourne Victory)
He's only six games into his Hyundai A-League career but the Japanese legend already looks like leaving a lasting impression on the competition.
Honda scored his fourth goal of the season with a bullet-header against the Wanderers and put in another masterful display for the champions.
His combination with the likes of Terry Antonis, Kosta Barbarouses and Ola Toivonen on Saturday night was a joy to watch...and a huge concern for Victory's rivals.
Isaias (Adelaide United)
A superb captain’s display from the sensational Spaniard.
Isaias set the tempo for the Reds on Friday night with his crisp passing and sensational ability to protect his back four.
It was one of his driving runs that set up the opening goal and put Adelaide on their way to their first home win of the Hyundai A-League season.
Luke Brattan (Melbourne City)
If ever Warren Joyce needed a big performance from his classy midfielder it was against the Jets on Sunday…and Brattan delivered.
Not only did the classy playmaker score one of the best goals of the season so far to give City breathing space before half-time, but he was clinical in everything he did.
When Brattan is in this type of mood, City are a far better side and Joyce will be hoping more of the same from the 28-year-old in the weeks ahead.
Terry Antonis (Melbourne Victory)
The 25-year-old is clearly benefitting playing alongside Honda, taking his game to another level in 2018/19.
Against Wanderers, Antonis thrived in the free role he had, often popping up in dangerous areas and laying on the opening goal for the Japanese playmaker with a pinpoint chipped cross.
Capped a near man-of-the-match performance with the final goal, blasting an emphatic volley past Vedran Janjetovic to put an exclamation mark on Victory’s outstanding display.
Forwards
Ben Halloran (Adelaide United)
Easily his best game in a Reds jersey.
The 26-year-old scored both goals in the win over Brisbane Roar and would have had a couple more if not for the brilliance of keeper Jamie Young.
Halloran troubled the Roar defence with his clever runs into the box, while his movement off the ball made life easier for those around him.
Ola Toivonen (Melbourne Victory)
He may have missed an early chance to give Victory the lead but the big Swede’s performance was top-class from that point.
Toivonen was a major focal point to Victory’s attack, heavily involved in Honda’s opening goal before unselfishly setting-up Antonis for the fourth late on.
Is getting fitter every week and Victory have seemingly gone to another level since he’s come into the starting line-up.
Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners)
The 'Wizard of Woy Woy' was pumped up for the clash with his former club and put in a typical full-blooded display in Gosford.
Simon was a real handful for Sydney FC's centre-backs Alex Wilkinson and Jop van der Linden, pressuring them into errors and leading the line for his side superbly.
Capped his best performance of the season with the opening goal in the 2-1 loss on Saturday afternoon, edging out Craig Goodwin for a spot in the 11.
Coach of the Round
Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory)
Hard to go past the Victory boss considering the way his side is playing right now.
It may be early in the campaign but the champions are already looking ominous to go back-to-back.
Muscat seems to have the balance right in his team at the moment, allowing all his main attacking stars to shine in their fluent, high-octane attacking system.
