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Snapshot of round one of the A-League

A LOOK AT ROUND ONE OF THE A-LEAGUE

THEY SAID IT - "I don't know how that's intentional when it deflects off a guy from one yard away at that speed." Mariners coach Alen Stajcic talks about the controversial penalty that was awarded against his side.

MAN OF THE ROUND - Wanderers captain Mitch Duke. He scored two goals in the 2-1 win over the Mariners and was a constant threat against his old club with his direct running.

STAT ATTACK - Central Coast Mariners have won only one of their last 25 A-League games played away from home (D5, L19).

TALKING POINT - The video assistant referee (VAR). It seems like it got most (if not all) of the decisions right over the weekend. But the time it took to get to the decisions (and actually call for the review in the first place) is under the spotlight. Sometimes, play continued for two or three minutes before an incident was reviewed.

BEAT THAT - How good was that celebration from Melbourne Victory's Elvis Kamsoba? The Burundian winger looked to have broken through for his maiden league goal but was ruled offside by the VAR. It was a shame because the call wasted a superb goal celebration by Kamsoba, who went backflipping towards the corner flag and stuck the landing with a flourish that would've done an Olympic gymnast proud.

UNDER PRESSURE - It's early days, but Wellington Phoenix were listless and non-threatening for much of Sunday's loss to newcomers Western United.

INJURIES - Tarek Erich - Wanderers (hamstring)

WHAT'S NEXT - Melbourne Victory kick off round two at home to Western Sydney on Friday night. Expansion club Western United host Perth Glory in their first-ever home game, while the Mariners take on the Jets. Melbourne City face off against Adelaide, while Sydney host Wellington in the final match of the round.

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