As Adelaide United host the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night we revisit four memorable strikes.
Stefan Mauk’s scintillating solo effort – 27/03/16 @ Coopers Stadium
Stefan Mauk’s stint in Adelaide may have only been fleeting, but his signing proved to be the catalyst in the Reds’ charge to an historic Hyundai A-League Premiership and Championship double. With the score locked at 1-1 Mauk produced a moment of individual brilliance. The midfielder collected the ball from Bruce Djite’s lay-off from outside the 18-yard box and swiftly dribbled past three Mariners players, before guiding his left-footed finish past the goalkeeper. It was an emphatic strike and one of the best goals scored at Coopers Stadium in recent memory.
Craig Goodwin emphatically buries opener – 15/01/16 @ Coopers Stadium
After both sides missed respective penalties in the first-half it was Craig Goodwin who opened the scoring on the hour mark in the Round 15 clash. Goodwin superbly controlled Pablo Sánchez’s cross and unleashed an emphatic finish on his weaker right foot which flew beyond the gloveman.
Cássio’s top-drawer free-kick – 11/09/09 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
The Brazilian left an indelible mark on this Round 6 tie of the 2009/10 campaign with a stunning free-kick to seal a valuable 1-0 win over Central Coast. In the 33rd minute Cássio broke the deadlock, after curling his 25-yard free-kick in off the crossbar and leaving a helpless Danny Vukovic no chance. That goal was just one of a catalogue of spectacular strikes, the dynamic left-back netted during his time with Adelaide.
Bruce Djité’s dramatic winner – 30/09/07 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Adelaide had to wait until Round 6 to record their first victory after collecting four draws and a loss to begin the 2007/08 season. But the wait for three points would be over when Bruce Djité scored an 88th minute diving header to secure a 2-1 win. The striker threw himself at Richie Alagich’s accurate cross and his forcefully directed header proved too hot to handle for Vukovic, who parried the ball onto the post and into his own net.
Adelaide United host Central Coast Mariners in Round 20 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Saturday, 17 February at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
