With Rivalry Round this weekend, we take a look back at some of the Reds’ most memorable home matches against Sydney FC.
With Rivalry Round this weekend in the Hyundai A-League, we take a look back at some of the Reds- most memorable home matches over the journey against Sydney FC.
Adelaide United and Sydney FC have met 20 times in the Hyundai A-League since the competition first started back in 2005/06.
From their first meeting on 9 October 2005, the two sides quickly built a strong and highly anticipated rivalry as they became two of the league-s heavyweights in the inaugural season and Sydney proved the biggest threat to United-s title ambitions.
While the history and rivalry between the Reds and the Sky Blues may have taken a back seat to United-s competition with eastern border neighbours Melbourne Victory, the hype and enmity of Adelaide United and Sydney battles is well and truly alive.
Take a short trip down memory lane as we reflect on some of their best previous tussles.
27 Nov 2005 (Round 7, 2005/06 Season @ Hindmarsh Stadium)
Adelaide United FC 3 (Rech 4-/84-, Veart 14-)
Sydney FC 2 (Miura 33-/76-)
On a delightful Sunday late spring afternoon, United-s former Brazilian star Fernando Rech gave United a dream start with a goal in the 4th minute before Carl Veart doubled the advantage 10 minutes later. But Sydney FC-s Japanese guest player Miura threatened to spoil the show when he scored twice either side of the break to put Sydney in front. However, Rech proved the hero as he found the back of the net in the 84th minute to give the Reds a thrilling 3-2 win in front of a jovial crowd of 14,068 at Hindmarsh.
12 Feb 2006 (Semi Final 1st Leg @ Hindmarsh Stadium)
Adelaide United FC 2 (Dodd 31-, Rech 33-)
Sydney FC 2 (Corica 9-, Petrovski 39-)
In front of the Reds- biggest home crowd of the season, Steve Corica gave Sydney the lead after just nine minutes before the Reds hit back when Travis Dodd and Fernando Rech scored within the space of three minutes just after the half hour to put the home side in front. An enthralling first half was then capped off when Sasho Petrovski equalised for the Sky Blues in the 39th minute with neither side able to steal a winner in a tense second half of a typical finals affair.
2 Oct 2006 (Round 6, 2006/07 Season @ Hindmarsh Stadium)
Adelaide United 1 (Burns 54-)
Sydney FC 4 (Zadkovich 36-, Dodd 56- (og), Petrovski 80-, Carbone 85-)
A Benito Carbone inspired Sydney FC broke the Reds- shackles by condemning the home side to a 4-1 loss. Carbone-s debut performance was a sight to behold at Hindmarsh as he pulled the strings for Sydney to run away with the one sided score line, although it was not indicative of the contest. In front of over 15,000 people, it was also arguably the game young gun Nathan Burns arrived on the scene as he scored a stunning equaliser, but it was overshadowed as Sydney FC added a further three goals. While it would have hurt the United faithful to watch how the game unfolded, any football lovers at the ground would have felt privileged to have witnessed the encounter, and particularly Carbone.
14 Jan 2007 (Round 20, 2006/07 Season @ Hindmarsh Stadium)
Adelaide United 1 (Rech 89-)
Sydney FC 0
A pulsating encounter was decided by and 89th minute Fernando Rech winner to give the Reds just their second A-League victory over Sydney FC. In a fairytale finale, Dutchman Bobby Petta and United-s two Brazilians Diego and Fernando combined to send the 14,704 home crowd into delirium. In a high voltage contest, a scrappy goal off the chest of Fernando late on was enough for United to get the three points. However, United also had goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame to thank for some final minute heroics as made two brilliant saves to first deny a David Zdrilic header going inside the post and then a final long range Sydney effort with only seconds remaining.
28 Dec 2007 (Round 18, 2007/08 Season @ Adelaide Oval
Adelaide United 1 (Sarkies 19-)
Sydney FC 3 (Santalab 44-, Corica 54-, Middleby 66-)
In the first ever Hyundai A-League match at the Adelaide Oval, Sydney FC dented the Reds- finals aspirations with a 3-1 win in front of the biggest recorded crowd (25,039) for a football match in South Australia. United struck first through Kristian Sarkies but after defender Robert Cornthwaite was sent off in the 33rd minute, Sydney FC came back hard. First, Brendon Santalab levelled with a cracker on the stroke of half time before Steve Corica put the visitors in front and Robbie Middleby put the game out of reach in the 66th minute.
3 Jan 2009 (Round 18, 2008/09 Season @ Adelaide Oval)
Adelaide United FC 2 (Cassio 45-, Alemao 82-)
Sydney FC 0
The Reds went back to the top of the table and exacted their revenge on Sydney FC at the Adelaide Oval with a 2-0 win thanks to Brazilian duo Cassio and Alemao. The pocket rocket struck on the stroke of half time before Alemao made sure of the points in the 82nd minute.
16 Oct 2009 (Round 11, 2009/10 Season @ Hindmarsh Stadium)
Adelaide United FC 2 (Cristiano 29-/54-)
Sydney FC 1 (Aloisi 78-)
A brace from Brazilian striker Cristiano gave a 10 man Adelaide United a 2-1 win over the then league leaders Sydney FC on a damp and slippery night at Hindmarsh. In what coach Aurelio Vidmar described as a ‘gutsy, courageous performance-, the Reds were forced to play over 80 minutes with ten men after midfielder Fabian Barbiero was sent off for a professional foul.
Get onto Adelaide United official Facebook Page and let us know some of your favourite Adelaide United v Sydney FC memories.
