Adelaide United’s struggles on the road continued after falling 3-1 to Brisbane Roar at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday night.
The match was delayed by more than 30 minutes due to an electrical storm in the preceding match between Macarthur FC and Sydney FC.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Jay O’Shea put the hosts 2-0 up at half-time before the former completed his brace in the second-half.
Substitute Nathan Konstandopoulos scored his second of the campaign but it was merely a consolation eight minutes from time.
Adelaide were on the back foot early, absorbing a lot of pressure with the concession of several corners and struggled to retain possession.
James Delianov was also called into action early, pulling off an instinctive goal-line save.
It was certainly not what Head Coach, Carl Veart, had in mind following the Reds’ sluggish start the last time they played away from home against Perth Glory.
After being dominated in the midfield, Louis D’Arrigo and Joe Caletti managed to get on the ball and string a few passes together.
But it was the Roar that threatened particularly down Adelaide’s left hand side, and they were finally rewarded when Jack Hingert’s pin-point cross from the byline was diverted in by Wenzel-Hall’s glancing header.
Mohamed Toure showed flashes of brilliance but was often isolated, while at the other end Delianov produced a superb stop to deny Scott McDonald’s header from close range in the 43rd minute.
However, his efforts were in vain as the Roar struck at the worst possible time – right before the break.
Jay O’Shea found space outside the box and dispatched a curling strike into the top corner, leaving Delianov with no chance.
Veart introduced Stefan Mauk at the break and he provided a spark off the bench as Adelaide enjoyed a decent spell of controlling the tempo.
But Adelaide could not muster any clear chances and the Roar would make it 3-0 in fortuitous fashion in the 78th minute thanks to Wenzel-Halls; his effort slipping through Delianov’s hands in a rare mistake on an otherwise positive showing.
Konstandopoulos replied moments later with a strong shot from distance though United were largely toothless in attack despite improving in the second stanza.
The Reds will need to go back to the drawing board ahead of their home clash with Perth Glory on Friday night.
Team news
Carl Veart made two changes to his starting XI that beat Melbourne Victory, implementing a traditional 4-4-2 formation. Yared Abetew slotted in at right-back for the injured Ryan Strain and striker Kusini Yengi was handed his maiden Reds start with Tomi Juric unavailable. Captain Mauk, Al Hassan Toure and Michael Marrone returned to the bench.
Key moments
37’ | GOAL: Wenzel-Halls is at the near-post to guide his header past a helpless Delianov.
43′ SAVE! Delianov parries McDonald’s header from point-blank range.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227618565001
45’ | GOAL: McDonald lays the ball off for O’Shea and the Irishman places his long-range effort into the top corner.
78’ | GOAL: Wenzel-Halls adds a second when his shot goes through the gloves of Delianov.
82’ | GOAL! Konstandopoulos low shot goes in off the post to grab a goal back for the visitors.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6227619595001
Match details:
Game date: Saturday, 29 January
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 06
Brisbane Roar 3 (Wenzel-Halls 37’, 78’, O’Shea 45’)
Adelaide United 1 (Konstandopoulos 82’)
Venue: Dolphin Stadium
