The A-League's big-name Socceroo signings, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, have yet to have a major influence early on, at least where it counts most. Their teams, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, respectively, have claimed just two points between them after two rounds.

Emerton in particular was subdued on Saturday evening in his first performance in front of his home fans for 15 years. Sydney FC were no match for Brisbane Roar, losing 2-0, as the premiers continued their merry undefeated run into a 30th match.

In contrast to Emerton's uninspiring start in Australia, Roar's new Albanian signing Besart Berisha was lively and dangerous, prodding home the first of the visitors' two goals shortly before half time. Berisha also played a role in the second goal, providing a clever trap that paved the way for Thomas Broich to seal the win.

The result meant Emerton's Sydney FC are yet to score a goal this season.

Harry Kewell, too, has not had the immediate impact that many had expected of him. Although he has been dangerous and enterprising with his play, Melbourne Victory are also still to score after two matches.

Regrettably, Kewell's first yellow card came before his first A-League first goal, despite quite a few makeable chances.

Adelaide United drew first blood for the season in its rivalry with Victory, snatching a 1-0 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday. Last season's leading goal-scorer Sergio van Dijk struck what proved to be the match-winner in the 52nd minute.

Victory played well in the first half, with Kewell and young revelation Marco Rojas looking dangerous across midfield. However, van Dijk pounced on a misplaced pass in defence to break the deadlock shortly after half time.

A comeback was all but ruled out three minutes later when Victory's captain Adrian Leijer was shown a second yellow card. The result leaves Victory outside the top six, pending Sunday's results, and already five points adrift of first-placed Roar.

However, the failure of the big names to produce results straight away is probably not that surprising. Getting swept up in Kewell-mania may have led, in retrospect, to some unreasonably inflated expectations. Expecting goals and assists galore in each of the opening games was simply unrealistic.

As Victory's coach Mehmet Durakovic reminds us - and I'm sure his Sydney FC counterpart Vitezslav Lavicaka would agree - it takes time for signings to gel with their new teammates. This also applies to the Kewells and Emertons of the world.

It could be a different story. Had Emerton scored his penalty last week and Kewell been just a touch luckier with a few of his shots, then we'd be singing the praises of two giants of Australian soccer whose mere presence is carrying two of the country's largest clubs.

But as it is, the opening two rounds have provided a good, old-fashioned reality check.

In Saturday's other game, Gold Coast United recorded its second successive dramatic 1-1 draw, this time against Central Coast.

Gold Coast's James Brown was again his team's scorer, and his 47th-minute strike looked set to decide the outcome before Patrick Zwaanswijk levelled the scores three minutes before time.