Soccer

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

1st-year Western Sydney Wanderers close to clinching first place in A-League

By: The Associated Press

Saturday, Mar. 16, 2013 at 7:10 AM | Comments: 0

SYDNEY - The first-year Western Sydney Wanderers all but clinched first place in the A-League with a 3-1 win Saturday over the Melbourne Heart, while Alessandro Del Piero's corner with five minutes remaining set up the equalizer in Sydney FC's 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.

Western Sydney's Labinot Haliti scored once in each half as the league newcomers stretched their record winning streak to 10.

The Wanderers moved eight points clear of second-place Central Coast. If the Mariners don't beat the Brisbane Roar on Sunday, Western Sydney will clinch the premiership with two rounds to spare.

An 85th-minute equalizer from Sky Blues substitute Yairo Yau from Del Piero's corner cancelled out Mark Milligan's third-minute goal and kept the former Juventus star's team in the playoff picture.

On Friday, Adelaide United secured a home playoff match with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle Jets. Newcastle's Michael Bridges (45th) and Argentine import Marcelo Carrusca (49th) scored for United in the draw, which ensured Adelaide can't finish lower than fourth and will host an elimination playoff.

Carrusca limped off with an apparent groin injury after scoring the equalizer.

Adelaide believed it had scored the winner in the 91st minute when Dario Vidosic netted from close range. But Jeronimo Nuemann had been ruled offside when the ball was crossed to Vidosic, although replays showed the decision was incorrect.

"It was a clear goal," Vidosic said. "Everyone makes mistakes but unfortunately that one cost us three points."

Perth takes on Wellington in the other match Sunday to close out the 25th round.

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