Argentine striker Jeronimo Neumann scored twice to give new Spanish coach Josep Gombau a winning start to the Australian A-League with Adelaide United on Sunday. Neumann netted two first-half goals, and Portuguese winger Fabio Ferreira scored in the 64th minute to clinch a 3-1 win over Perth Glory on the opening weekend of the season.
But the Reds finished with nine men when newly-signed Spanish midfielder Isaias Sanchez was sent off after his second booking in the 65th minute, followed by defender Nigel Boogaard 15 minutes later. Perth's Japanese striker Ryo Nagai scored his team's goal, with their Brazilian signing Sidnei Sciola impressive on debut.
In Sunday's other game, Brisbane Roar scored a stoppage-time winner to down Wellington Phoenix 2-1 in New Zealand. Midfielder Ivan Franjic's injury-time strike sealed victory after Belgian international Stein Huysegems had given the Phoenix the early lead.
They defended their lead to the interval, but were punished for a dozy start in the first minute of the second spell. Franjic's run down the right ended in a pinpoint cross for Albanian striker Besart Berisha to drill home the equaliser.
Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero produced his trademark magic to inspire Sydney FC to a 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets on Friday. Del Piero picked up where he left off last season with the opening goal in the 36th minute and then laid on the second goal for teammate Joel Chianese on the hour to register an emphatic win.
In the weekend's other games, the Melbourne derby between Victory and Heart was scoreless before 45,000 fans, while Western Sydney Wanderers fought back for a 1-1 draw with champions Central Coast Mariners in a rematch of last season's grand final.