Classy imports, hungry youngsters: The A-League players who were ...

Round 5, also known as Unite Round provided 20 goals in six games, two clean sheets kept by both New Zealand teams and for the second round in a row, there were no draws!

Sky Blues import Anas Ouahim summed the A-League up well: “The A-League is more physical, whereas in the Asian Champions League it’s more technical.”

Auckland FC’s Uruguayan striker Guillermo May gave interesting insight: “It’s a really tough league.”

Melbourne City were the only team with the bye.

Let’s take a look at who made the difference for each team.

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Perth Glory

Trent Ostler played a solid game for the Glory; the 22-year-old was rewarded for his hard work with the goal that broke the deadlock early in the second half. The attacking midfielder created four chances, which included a ball that he put on a plate for Adam Taggart, who missed the opportunity to make it 2-2 in the 67th minute.

Ostler summed up Glory’s predicament: “We just weren’t good enough. It’s been really tough.”

Western United

Noah Botic played with plenty of fire in his belly and with a point to prove. The 22-year-old could have had a brace at half-time, but unfortunately for him Glory goalkeeper Cameron Cook pulled off a couple of good saves and Botic missed an elementary chance. That didn’t deter Botic from having an impact on the game, as the striker finished with all three assists for the goals that Western United scored in the second half.

Newcastle Jets

Ben Gibson breathed life into the game for the Jets; the substitute made an instant impact with an incisive run, resulting in a goal being scored by Thomas Aquilina into an empty net, which broke the deadlock in the 64th minute. In a nutshell, the 21-year-old brought plenty of energy and confidence.

Central Coast Mariners

Brian Kaltak was everywhere for the Mariners; the captain led well and truly from the front. The shift put in by the Vanuatu centre-back was extraordinary as he stopped goals being scored by the Jets, most notably with a tackle on Eli Adams in the 40th minute.

Kaltak scored the equaliser with the assist from Harrison Steele, just two minutes after they conceded the first goal of the game and contributed defensively as the 31-year-old won ten out of 11 duels.

His post-match comments were positive: “We prepared really well. We sticked to the process. You know we are going to go out there and fight. I’m helping the young boys improve.”

Mariners coach Mark Jackson was full of praise for Kaltak: “He leads by example. It was a standout performance from him and a really brave goal.”

Brisbane Roar

Keegan Jelacic gave the Roar a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute with a cracking finish. In a disappointing display the contribution of Jelacic was one positive for Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich to take out of the game.

Adelaide United

Stefan Mauk scored an equaliser that made the score 1-1 in the 33rd minute thanks to some good lead up work by Austin Ayoubi. The 29-year-old redeemed himself due to missing an elementary goal in the 61st minute; the experienced campaigner was the architect of what proved to be the winning goal of the game with a sublime pass to Dylan Pierias who put it on a plate for Reds substitute Archie Goodwin who made the score 3-2, just one minute after Mauk’s embarrassing miss.

Sydney FC

Anas Ouahim did everything that you’d ask from a substitute brought on at half time; the 27-year-old provided an assist with a pinpoint cross for the goal headed into the back of the net by Jordan Courtney-Perkins in the 48th minute. The German made it 3-1 with a cool finish from the penalty spot just six minutes after the Sky Blues’ second goal.

The 27-year-old wasn’t done yet, as he played a beautiful through ball to Patryk Klimala who ensured Sydney FC claimed the three points.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Nicolas Milanovic played with plenty of heart and did everything he could to get his team something out the game; the 23-year-old played a great pass to Zac Sapsford who scored an equaliser in first time stoppage time. The Wanderers attacker looked the most likely to have an impact on the contest, but was substituted off in the 58th minute.

Wellington Phoenix

Marco Rojas did what he was brought off the substitute bench to do, which was to help break the deadlock; the 33-year-old found space and provided the assist for the only goal of the game, scored by Kosta Barbarouses.

Rojas helped change things up for the Phoenix and showed why Giancarlo Italiano recruited the player dubbed the ‘Kiwi Messi.’

The Phoenix coach summed it up well: “Marco made a beautiful run. That assist is going to give him the world of confidence.”

Melbourne Victory

Daniel Arzani played very well for the Victory and was unfortunate not to be on the score sheet or provide an assist; the 25-year-old had a shot cleared off the line in the 38th minute by Phoenix defender Matthew Sheridan and created six chances.

Macarthur FC

Oliver Randazzo proved that he may be a good prospect; the Bulls substitute created four chances and had a shot on target The 18-year-old was fearless in his approach to the game and made an impact on it and showed maturity beyond his years. Randazzo made a good impression off the bench and proved that he’s a player to look out for.

Auckland FC

Alex Paulsen was calm and composed, having kept his fourth straight clean sheet of the season. His confidence in controlling his area preventing the opposition from scoring emanated throughout the team; the 22-year-old made a couple of difficult saves, both coming from shots by Bulls attacker Ariath Piol, the first in the 17th minute and the second just before half-time. The sky is the limit for Paulsen.