Two perfectly taken set-pieces from Adelaide United was enough to clinch a 2-0 win over Melbourne City on Friday night, Isaias striking an incredible free-kick before Bruce Djite rounded the match off from the penalty spot.
An unbelievable fourth minute free-kick from Iasias, followed by a 47th minute penalty from Bruce Djite was enough for the Reds to momentarily claim top spot of the Hyundai A-League ladder, but ensure a home final.
With one of the first attacks of the match, Marcelo Carrusca was brought down on the edge of the box by Patrick Kisnorbo, allowing Isaias to step up and strike the perfect free-kick over the Melbourne City wall and past Thomas Sorensen.
Isaias’ shot was flat, but the wall’s failure to jump high enough to try and block the Spaniard’s effort left Sorensen with no chance, the ‘keeper diving pointlessly as the ball curled past him.
Following the early goal, the match sparked into life, the hosts desperate to equalise as soon as possible.
Bruno Fornaroli wasn’t seen for the majority of the match, the competition’s most resolute defence ensuring the competition’s most potent striker never had a sniff of goal.
In the 63rd minute, McGowan looked to have all but sealed the three points with approximately half-an-hour to go, when he rose highest to nod home a firm header. But Delovski deemed McGowan’s rise impeded that of his man, disallowing the goal and denying the centre-half his second goal of the season.
Djite, Mauk, and second-half substitutes Pablo Sanchez and Mate Dugandzic, all pestered the City defence, but no further goals were added to the Reds’ tally.
In what he described as a deserving result, United Head Coach, Guillermo Amor, said his team played very well, continuing their good form in what was a difficult match.
“The game was good and we played very well,” Amor said. “We played along a similar line to our last games, which has gone on for a while now.
“(Tonight) was a difficult game and City needed to win, but our team was very good and we deserved the respect that comes with this victory.
“Our situation is good and now we will wait until tomorrow for the game (between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar).
“For now, our job is done. Our objective was to arrive here and to play a good game, and this is what we did.”
Match details:
Friday, 8 April 2016
Hyundai A-League Round 27
Melbourne City 0
Adelaide United 2 (Isaias 4’ Djite 45+2’)
Venue: AAMI Park
Attendance: 11,454
