Adelaide United has recorded consecutive wins for the second time this season thanks to a comfortable 4-1 victory against an injury ravaged Perth Glory at Intiga Stadium in the Foxtel National Youth League.
Adelaide United has recorded consecutive wins for the second time this season thanks to a comfortable 4-1 victory against an injury ravaged Perth Glory at Intiga Stadium in the Foxtel National Youth League.
The win lifts the Reds up to second place on the table. The travelling United outfit started the first half in dominate fashion controlling play, possession and giving Perth no time with the ball.
With Reds in control of the match numerous quality goal-scoring opportunities were created from dangerous positions with Nikola Mileusnic and Jacob Melling having great chances to score.
In the 27th minute the Reds were rewarded for their dominance when a stunning ball from Melling from a free kick found Antony Golec in the six yard box, the big defender making no mistake heading the ball into the back of the net.
Minutes later the home team was dealt a huge blow when a tackle on the right wing by Aleksander Jovic went wrong when he suffered a suspected broken leg. Due to the severity of the injury, play was stopped for twenty-five minutes while an ambulance was called.
Once play resumed the Reds picked up from where they left off, dominating play and possession. In the 39th minute the Reds were again rewarded for their hard work when striker Anthony Costa found the back of the net with a classy finish to give the Adelaide a 2-0 lead just before half time.
Jack Bladen narrowly missed two great scoring chances to stretch the lead but it was Perth that struck next as Harry O-Brien made the most of a rare opening to make it 2-1 at the break.
The Glory started well in the second half and went close to leveling the scores. After a scrappy ten minute period the Reds begin to again control the tempo and in the 70th minute a slick counter attack found Dion Kirk just outside the 18-yard box, the skipper with a powerful strike that found the back of the net to make it 3-1.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 75th minute when Melling and Nathan Konstandopoulos worked together from a short corner, the former finding substitute Bruce Kamau who calmly headed the ball past Luke Radonich.
The Reds created a couple of more quality chances and were unlucky not to add a fifth as they recorded their win number five for the season.
Coach Michael Valkanis was extremely proud of the player-s performance.
“It-s great to see that we have taken on the style and have implemented it well and that the boys are continuously looking to improve,” Valkanis said.
“I was happy with how we dominated the game from start to finish apart from a 15 minute period where Perth put some pressure on us, but again it was impressive to see the way the boys responded by scoring two quick goals and how they created numerous chances and were unlucky not to win by more.
“Lastly it was great to see that when our substitutions came on that they all had a big impact on the match.”
Match Details
Adelaide United 4 (Golec 27-, Costa 39-, Kirk 73-, Kamau 75-)
Perth Glory 1 (O-Brien 41-)
Referee: David Bruce
Adelaide United starting line-up: 20.Paul Izzo (GK), 2.Dion Kirk, 3.Shaun Harvey (c), 6.Jack Bladen (8.Nathan Konstandopoulos 60-), 9.Anthony Costa, 10.Ryan Kitto (7.Bruce Kamau 60-), 11.Nikola Milesunic (17.Jordan O-Doherty 60-), 13.Jordan Elsey, 16.Jacob Melling, 19.Daniel Bowles, 21.Antony Golec
Injury substitution: Nil
Substitutions not used: John Hall (gk)
Yellow cards: Ryan Kitto 31-, Antony Golec 34-, Anthony Costa 64-
Red cards: Nil
Perth Glory starting line-up: 1.Luke Radonich (GK), 3.Mark Barnett, 4.David Stokoe (2.Jack Oldham 20-), 5.Sean Troup, 6.Blamo Qua Qua, 7.Borbor Sam, 8.Jacob Collard, 9.Aleksandar Jovic (15.Gian Albano 29-), 10.Harry O-Brien, 11.Slobodan Vulin, 14.Mohamed Beyan (16.Scott Robertson 57-)
Injury substitution: Nil
Substitutions not used: Fraser Greenwood (GK)
Yellow cards: Qua 45-, Troup 54-, Sam 59-
Red cards: Nil
