AFP, Sydney :
Adelaide United are enjoying their best start to an Australian A-League season following a 2-0 away win over former champions Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.
Two goals from Spaniard Pablo Sanchez late in the first half extended second-placed Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the season and boosted their points tally to 17, their biggest-ever haul after seven games.
It was the Reds’ third away win of the campaign, equalling their tally for all of last season.
Perth Glory lead the competition from Adelaide after a 2-1 win over New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix at home on Friday. Rising star Danny De Silva scored his first A-League goal and Irish striker Andy Keogh continued his hot form to spearhead the Glory to victory.
Glory were cruising at 2-0 up before substitute Ruben Zadkovich was red carded in the 63rd minute for a studs-high tackle.
Wellington pulled a goal back with an 85th penalty from Roy Krishna, but the visitors missed out on an equaliser when Nathan Burns’ strike in stoppage time was just wide.
Albanian striker Besart Berisha helped Melbourne Victory to a scrappy 1-0 victory over Brisbane Roar at home on Friday. A set-piece settled the contest with 13 minutes left when Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s free kick found the Albanian, whose header deflected off defender Jade North into the net.
Coach Mike Mulvey subsequently paid for Roar’s poor start to their title defence when he was sacked on Sunday.
A brace from Austrian striker Marc Janko maintained Sydney FC’s fine start to the season, sealing a 2-1 win over Melbourne City in Melbourne.
Janko’s first goal was a classic back-post header from Bernie Ibini’s cross after 10 minutes, with his second coming off a wayward back-pass by Dutch defender Rob Wielaert.
Erik Paartalu’s late header set up some late drama for City but they fell short.
Asian club champions Western Sydney Wanderers remain at the bottom of the standings after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets at home on Saturday.
Both teams are still looking for their first wins of the season but Tony Popovic’s side were left to rue a number of missed opportunities that kept the Jets in the game, making it six A-League games without a win.
