The Inner Sanctum's Round 19 A-League Men Team of the Week (Photo: Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets, Central Coast Mariners)
The Inner Sanctum has put together a team of the week comprised of the best performing players that took part in Round 19 of the A-League Men season.
Round 19 of the A-League Men’s competition gave us one of the highest-scoring gameweeks since the start of the season, with 20 goals scored in six games, including some real rockets from the likes of Milos Ninkovic and Daniel Stynes.
Following the latest set of fixtures, we’ve compiled the best XI from the stand-out performers, in The Inner Sanctum’s Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper and defenders
GK: Mark Birighitti (Central Coast Mariners)
Despite conceding two goals against the Bulls, Birighitti was crucial for the Mariners’ home win in Mudgee. Wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Bozanic, Birraz made six stops, including a save-of-the-season contender to deny Giannou from close range.
RB: Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC)
Grant has started to pick up form in the last couple of weeks and was outstanding yet again on Saturday, keeping Western United at bay and providing an excellent assist for Ninkovic’s goal.
CB: Tom Aldred (Brisbane Roar)
The Roar’s captain was one of the standouts for Warren Moon’s side in their visit to HBF Park, really showing his defensive quality and aerial ability to snuff out almost any Perth Glory chances
CB: Curtis Good (Melbourne City)
City didn’t keep a clean sheet in the derby, but Good’s performance on the night was more than good. The Socceroos defender scored a towering header in the first half and was very close to doing the same thing in the second one, only being denied by the post.
LB: Dylan Murnane (Newcastle Jets)
The Jets were electric going forward in their 4-0 win over Wellington, and Murnane played a huge part in that. He showed some impressive pace to carry the ball and put in the cross for his side’s fourth goal.
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Midfielders
DM: Mustafa Amini (Sydney FC)
Amini got his first A-League goal since 2011 after some proactive pressing, but he also did much of Sydney’s dirty work in midfield, making the most tackles in the game (two) and winning four ground duels.
CM: James O’Shea (Brisbane Roar)
O’Shea was absolutely sensational in Brisbane’s win over Perth Glory. Not only did he score a goal and provide two assists, but the Englishman also completed the most dribbles (three), had the most tackles (four), won the most duels (13), and was the most fouled player on the pitch (three times).
Forwards
RW: Olivier Boumal (Newcastle Jets)
Performances like Boumal’s against the Nix are what will make Newcastle’s fans excited for the future with Arthur Papas. The former Panathinaikos winger ended the game with two goals and a place in the Inner Sanctum’s TOTW.
ST: Marco Ureña (Central Coast Mariners)
Two goals off the bench would be enough for most strikers to make a TOTW ranking, but that wasn’t everything that Urena gave Montgomery’s team after coming on. The Costa Rican controlled the tempo of the match, dropping deep, making runs, and providing a focal point for the Mariners’ attack.
ST: Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners)
Cummings joins his South American partner to form a formidable duo in our 4-2-4 formation. The Scottish striker was involved in everything positive for the Mariners on the weekend, providing two assists and forcing the third goal with his relentless pressing.
LW: Milos Ninkovic (Sydney FC)
This stellar performance from Ninkovic was just what Sydney needed to break down Western United. Starting from the left of the front four, Milos opened the scoring with a beautiful volley, provided the assist for the second goal, and was a chief source of creativity for the Sky Blues.
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