In a pre-season friendly at Coopers Stadium on Friday afternoon, Adelaide United faced off against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The match ended 1-0 to United after a closely contested encounter. Lachlan Barr handed Adelaide victory in the 90th minute with a close range header.
Despite early pressure from Western Sydney the tightly contested match remained 0-0 at half-time.
Carl Veart made three changes at half-time, Joe Gauci, Luka Jovanović and Ethan Alagich were replaced by James Delianov, Bernardo and Ryan Tunnicliffe.
The refreshed midfield helped United to gain more control early in the second half.
An additional six changes saw Isaías, Lachlan Barr, Zach Clough, Giuseppe Bovalina, Musa Toure and Bailey O’Neill replace Jonny Yull, Alexandar Popović, Luke Duzel, Ryan Kitto, Hiroshi and Ben Halloran.
Both teams continued to create chances, but it was the Wanderers who created more goal-scoring opportunities, keeping Adelaide United’s defence on their toes.
It wasn’t until the dying moments of the match that the breakthrough came.
Lachlan Barr capitalised on a cross from Zach Clough to score a close-range header and secure victory for Adelaide United.
The evenly balanced contest offered a glimpse of the what is to come in the upcoming season.
Adelaide United’s A-League Men’s season kicks off on October 20 when they take on Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium. Tickets are on sale now.
Adelaide starting XI
Gauci, Madanha, Popović (Barr), Kitto (Bovalina), Warland, Alagich (Tunnicliffe), Duzel (Clough), Yull (Isaías), Hiroshi (Toure), Halloran (O’Neill), Jovanović (Bernardo).
Western Sydney starting XI
Marcelo, Antonisson, Ninkovic, Russell, Milanovic, Clisby, Thomas, Brillante, Hendrix, Borrello, Bonetig
Match details:
Pre-Season Friendly
Friday, 6 October 2023
Western Sydney 0
Adelaide United 1
Coopers Stadium
