Welcome to ‘Clean Sheet’, an inside look at the ‘Number 1’ position in world football… “Goalkeeper”.
Sadly only one clean sheet in the A-League this weekend but there is
still plenty to rabbit on about. The “Big Blue” clash on Saturday
evening between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC was played with plenty
of passion in front of 22,233 fans. Both teams blew good chances to win
the game, but it was the Victory’s Nathan Coe who stood tall and saved a
penalty shot from the great Allesandro Del Perio. A great scalp to
have on your football resume and tell the grandkids about!
Sydney FC manager Frank Farina decided on starting with Ivan Necevski
in favour of Vedran Janjetovic. Necevski relished the return to the
starting side after an extended absence and will be hoping his effort
will be enough to back up again for the sell out Sydney Derby against
the Wanderers in Parramatta.
Moving onto the all-important clean sheets, and who else but Central
Coast Mariners’ Mathew Ryan. Ryan heads up the list this year and
brought up his 10th against a flat looking Brisbane Roar.
Despite the lifeless Roar performance, Michael Theo wasn’t lacking in
the enthusiasm department with some magical saves. For the Roar it was
another missed opportunity, with the Mariners coming off a long mid week
Asian Champions League road trip against Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol.
They will need to improve this week at home against a desperate
Melbourne Heart who have beaten the premiers twice this season.
The top six is anyone’s guess leading into the final two rounds and
depending on results the wooden spoon is an open race after the
Wellington Phoenix had a rare win away from home. The Nix have been a
much-improved side of late and keeper Glen Moss was the difference
between the two sides with some fine saves, particularly in the first 45
minutes.
In a strange way I’m not looking forward to the finals as I have
enjoyed this season so much. Even though my local side the Roar has had a
disappointing year by their high standard, the emergence and the
success of the Western Sydney Wanderers and their fan base has been a
breath of fresh air. To see veteran Ante Covic play every minute has
been special making his return to the west where it all began for him. A
Grand Final appearance and win would be the cream on the cake.
To the English Premier League and some top class action in the goal
keeping ranks over the weekend before the much-needed international
break. The big news is the huge clean sheet pulled off by Mark Schwarzer
in Fulham’s win over Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have had the wobbles of
late, but it was Schwarzer’s efforts to deny Jermain Defoe and then
Thomas Carroll’s slight through-ball ahead of Gareth Bale. He then
showed his class by stopping Defoe once more after a well-timed left
foot stab from Gareth Bale. I might be biased but if you can view a
replay it is well worth a look. Vintage Schwarzer! The win is positive
news for the Socceroos stopper who joins his teammates this week ahead
of their all-important qualifier against Oman in Sydney on March 26.
Norwich keeper Mark Bunn was forced to do the long walk of shame at
the Stadium of Light after handling the ball to deny Southampton striker
Danny Graham an equaliser. Bunn didn’t contain his displeasure hitting
the showers early, dispensing with his gloves and storming up the
tunnel. Number two goalkeeper Lee Camp soon joined the scene only to
concede a goal to Craig Gardner from the spot.
Petr Cech added yet another clean sheet, bringing his season tally to
ten after a solid performance against West Ham. Cech has only leaked 27
goals this season and his form will go a long way to Chelsea finishing
in the top four. Chelsea has a tough run of fixtures that see them
juggling the all-important FA Cup Europa League as well as Premier
League commitments. Perhaps manager Rafa Benitez may choose to rest Cech
and opt for Ross Turnbull to gain some valuable game time in the Europa
encounters with Russian club Rubin Kazan.
The big news in keeping this week was the performance of Arsenal
number three gloveman Lukasz Fabianski. Fabianski was brought into the
Gunners side by Arsene Wenger for their do or die Champions League
second leg match against Bayern Munich. It was a solid return for
Fabianski who has battled injury for over 12 months, but two clean
sheets in as many matches has done no harm to his chances of an all
important contract extension.
David Dea Gea helped Manchester United secure another three points
and all but wrap up the league title. In an uneventful match, United did
enough against a Reading side lacking in attacking flair and entrenched
firmly in the relegation zone.
Football Quote of the Week
As the Socceroos are in town for the World Cup qualifier against Oman
next Tuesday night I have to have a classic from Mark Viduka.
Mark Viduka (Socceroos, Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle great)"I would not be bothered if we lost every game as long as we won the league."
Logic was not one of Big Duke’s strong points.
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