Adelaide United have consolidated third place in the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 standings with a gutsy 2-1 win against Newcastle Jets in trying conditions at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
The Reds bounced back to snatch all three points following James Troisi’s 83rd minute winner.
The creative midfielder picked a timely moment to score his first goal for the Club after George Blackwood’s opener was extinguished by Matthew Millar after the break.
Gertjan Verbeek made one enforced change to the starting line-up. Blackwood replaced Riley McGree who was out with a knee complaint, while Kristian Opseth was absent from the matchday squad with a slight adductor strain.
Ben Kantarovski had the first meaningful chance of the game on three minutes, with his glancing header producing a brilliant save at full stretch from Paul Izzo.
Adelaide had a pair of half chances through Blackwood.
But it was Newcastle that were causing more problems and hit the woodwork on two occasions.
On 19 minutes Nick Fitzgerald struck the post with thumping drive and 10 minutes later, the visitors had the best opportunity.
Ugarkovic hit the crossbar before a scramble in the box ensued and the ball fell to Angus Thurgate and just when it seemed the opener would arrive, Izzo denied the striker from a metre out with an incredible stop.
The Jets were left to immediately rue that wasted opportunity as Blackwood clinically converted Toure’s squared pass after some sensational wing play to net his first league goal of the season.
Adelaide made a promising start to the second stanza as Toure was again heavily involved.
The 19-year-old dribbled towards goal before teeing up James Troisi and his shot deflected off Blackwood, who could not react in time, and bounced off the upright.
And in a moment of irony after Adelaide too had just hit the woodwork, the Jets equalised.
Millar was left unmarked and headed in Dimitri Petratos’ corner on 48 minutes.
Adelaide had to survive a barrage of Newcastle pressure with Izzo coming to the rescue on several instances to keep the score level.
And with time ticking away, Troisi stepped up and expertly slotted the winning goal.
The midfielder latched onto a throw-in, and danced his way into the 18-yard-box before sliding his finish between Moss and his near post.
The win consolidated third spot for the Reds on 15 points heading into the bye, while the victory also extended United’s unbeaten run over the Jets to six matches.
Key moments:
19’ | CHANCE: Fitzgerald’s powerful hit from 12 yards out rattles the upright.
29’ | SAVE! Ugarkovic initially strikes the crossbar before the ball lands to Thurgate from a metre out but somehow Izzo is there to react and deny the striker from point-blank range.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113998290001
30’ | GOAL! Toure dribbles past Koutroumbis and his cutback from the byline is clinically finished off by Blackwood at the six-yard box.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113998287001
46’ | CHANCE! Troisi’s shot ricochets off Blackwood and hits the base of the post.
48’ | GOAL: Petratos sends in a corner and it is met by Millar who guides his header past Izzo.
83’ | GOAL! Troisi lets a throw-in run past him before dancing his way into the box and squeezing his finish in at the near post.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6113999167001
Match details:
Sunday, 8 December 2019
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season – Round 9
Adelaide United 2 (Blackwood 30’ Troisi 83’)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Millar 48’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 6,074
