Adelaide United has climbed into second place on the A-League table after a dominant 3-1 win over Macarthur FC at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night.
Wearing an iconic one-off Mall’s Balls kit released this morning, the hosts marked the occasion with a confident performance and maiden with over the Bulls to move one point off top spot.
Tomi Juric’s opener was extinguished by Matt Derbyshire, but Adelaide responded late in the second-half after Craig Goodwin dispatched a penalty.
Ben Halloran then added a third with an incredible back-heel volley following a lengthy VAR intervention.
The Reds played with a real sense of fluency to begin the match and largely dominated the opening 25 minutes.
United capped of its ascendancy with a goal in the 15th minute through Juric.
The 29-year-old’s header from the short corner beat Adam Federici in goal despite getting a glove on it for his second in as many games and fifth in his previous four outings.
Juric had two golden chances to increase the lead but could not convert and those misses proved costly, with Adelaide punished two minutes later.
The Bulls capitalised on a turnover in midfield and Jake Hollman had the awareness to pick out the unmarked Derbyshire, who slotted his finish beyond Joe Gauci.
Adelaide bossed the second-half but could not find a breakthrough until Goodwin won a penalty after being fouled by Lachlan Rose on 72 minutes.
Goodwin and Juric performed a rock, paper, scissors move to decide who would take the spot-kick and despite losing the battle, he ended up taking it anyway and nonchalantly buried his finish on his 100th Reds appearance.
More drama ensued when a cat invaded the pitch, captivating the crowd’s attention before Halloran sealed the three points nine minutes from time with an emphatic volley.
However, it was initially ruled out for offside but after a protracted discussion with VAR, the goal was granted.
The game should have been put to bed much earlier in the contest as the Reds could have easily won by more.
Match worn and played issued kits of Adelaide United’s limited edition one-off Mall’s Balls jersey is now available online.
Team news
Joe Caletti’s inclusion into the starting eleven at the expense of Louis D’Arrigo, who missed the clash through suspension, was the only change made by Carl Veart. Meanwhile, Jonny Yull featured on the bench.
Key moments
15’ | GOAL! Juric is on the end of the short corner routine, connecting with Goodwin’s cross for his sixth goal of the season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248958348001
33’ | GOAL: Derbyshire composes himself before placing his finish out of Gauci’s reach.
47’ | CHANCE! Goodwin is released by Cavallo and his shot forces Federici into a strong save.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248962580001
72’ | GOAL! Goodwin converts the penalty, after being bundled over by Rose.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248963749001
78’ | TEKKERS! A. Toure showcases scintillating skills to evade the attentions of three players.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248965915001
81’ | GOAL! Halloran meets Cavallo’s cross with an audacious back-heel finish.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6248962914001
Match details:
Wednesday, 14 April 2021
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 16
Adelaide United 3 (Juric 15’, Goodwin (p) 72’, Halloran 81’)
Macarthur FC 1 (Derbyshire 33’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Crowd: 7,184
