Adelaide United and last season’s champion Melbourne Victory drew in the only scoreless game while Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners proved the surprise packages of the week after beating Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory respectively.
Here are The World Game's top 10 talking points from the opening round of the A-League:
1. The Mariners could cause an upset
Two second-half penalties from Fabio Ferreira helped the Mariners to a 3-2 win over Perth Glory as it executed an unexpectedly slick and stylish game plan.
Roy O'Donovan got the ball rolling for the home side before the attacking trio of Ferreira, Mitch Austin and Anthony Caceres proved too strong for Perth.
It’s still early days but this new-look Mariners side could be a thorn in any A-League side.
2. Corona and Maclaren are key players for Roar
Spanish signing Corona was the highlight of Brisbane Roar’s 3-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, as the 34 year-old controlled and dictated the pace of the game.
"He's got that poise on the ball - he can quicken the game up, slow it down," Brisbane coach John Aloisi said of the 10-season La Liga veteran.
Jamie Maclaren was another player who caught the eye as he scored twice.
3. Victory needs Berisha on song
Last season’s top-goalscorers Melbourne Victory looked uncharacteristically poor in front of goal with Besart Berisha taking the brunt of the blame.
The 30 year-old forward missed two easy chances as his side stuttered to a 0-0 draw with Adelaide United, in which captain Leigh Broxham was sent-off in the 72nd minute.
"If there's anything we can say, it's we're disappointed because our end product wasn't where we would like it to be," Victory coach Kevin Muscat said.
4. The Jets won’t be easy beats
Newcastle Jets coach Scott Miller made the perfect start to his A-League coaching career as his ten-man Jets overcame Wellington Phoenix 2-1 at Westpac Stadium.
Skipper Nigel Boogard saw red with 17 minutes to play but goals from David Carney and Milos Trifunovic wrapped-up all three points. Phoenix was left to rue a missed penalty by Roy Krishna.
Many wrote-off the Jets’ chances of a productive season but coach Miller has been quick to install a winning mentality.
5. Wanderers fans are well behaved and passionate
Wanderers may have left Pirtek Stadium disappointed with the defeat against Brisbane Roar but they can be pleased with their fans.
The Wanderers faithful, displaying both passion and self-control, were in good spirits despite the loss and showed the NSW police that there is nothing to worry about.
6. Sydney FC’s imports are quality
A wealth of fresh and exciting talent was on display as Sydney FC drew 1-1 with Melbourne City.
Marquee striker Filip Holosko was the gem of all findings and rounded off an impressive performance with a clam finish in the 52nd minute, while playmaker Milos Ninkovic was also lively.
"It's new players, a new league for them and adjusting to each other,” Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said.
7. Phoenix’s Bonevacia is a star
Not every team can find a silver lining from defeat but Wellington Phoenix did in Roly Bonevacia.
The energetic Dutch midfielder tore around the pitch and provided Phoenix’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time.
Newcastle Jets may have gone on to win the game 2-1 but Bonevacia was an evident positive.
8. Amor’s tactical changes need to be loved
Adelaide United coach Guillermo Amor said he was happy with his side's 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory but its fans were left frustrated by a lack of attacking potency.
Victory went down to 10-men in the final 15 minutes but Adelaide never looked like going on to win.
Amos will need his fans and players to get fully behind a new tactical approach if they want to move in the right direction.
9. It’s going to be a tough season for Tando Velaphi
Melbourne City goalkeeper Tando Velaphi had to twiddle his thumbs and watch from the subtitutes' bench as Thomas Sorenson pulled-off the save of the game in the 1-1 draw with Sydney FC.
City’s new shot-stopper had a few shaky moments early-on but came good with a spectacular save to deny Rhyan Grant 13 minutes from time, before making a superb point-blank stop to prevent George Blackwood scoring a late winner for the home side.
10. Glory may struggle in front of goal
Following Perth Glory’s drama with the salary cap their woes continued with the loss of star strikers Maclaren and Andy Keogh.
Rubbing salt into the wound, Maclaren scored two for Brisbane while Perth slumped to a disappointing 3-2 loss against Central Coast Mariners.
