Adelaide United outclassed MetroStars in a 4-1 victory, in Round 8 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues at The Parks Football Centre on Saturday.
In Adelaide United’s best performance of the season thus far came on the back of their experience in Spain leading them to extend their undefeated streak to three games. The victory sees the Young Reds in 9th place on the league standings.
Impressive attacking moves by the Reds assisted in goals by Pacifique Niyongabire, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Lachlan Brook and Ryan Strain.
A goal to MetroStars scored by Christian Esposito late in the second half proved only a consolation for the visitors.
In a nerveless display, Adelaide were able to outplay their opponents for the majority of the 90 minutes and stayed compact.
It took just 12 minutes for Niyongabire to open the scoring and give United the lead, placing his well-taken strike into the bottom-left corner.
Metrostars started to press, but they couldn’t find a way to convert any chances.
In the 29th minute, Stamatelopoulos doubled the advantage in expert fashion, with a thunderous strike from 20-yards.
With a 2-0 lead heading into the second half, Hamish McCabe came agonisingly close to extend the advantage, forcing a tip from Metro ‘keeper, Isaac Carmody which smacked the woodwork.
In the 52nd minute, a determined Brook replaced Nathan Liberto, and five minutes after stepping onto the field, he raced past Metro’s shocked defence to win a one-on-one opportunity with Carmody, slotting into the back of the net.
In the 76th minute, Robbie Saraceno’s men looked to pull a goal back, with Rocky Callisto sending in a great ball for Ross Crawford who connected, but his effort was not powerful enough against Adelaide ‘keeper, Isaac Richards.
In the 84th minute, Adelaide were awarded with a penalty in which Strain converted with no hesitation.
Esposito managed to get on the scoresheet at the death, making it 4-1.
Adelaide United Head Coach, Huss Skenderovic, was ecstatic with the win over a strong opponent, and believes it was his side’s best performance to date.
“Tactically, we were very good today, and we were disciplined in the way we structured ourselves and pressed the ball,” he said.
“We really allowed them to only have the ball in their defensive third for most of the game, where they had no affect and couldn’t penetrate.
“It was good to adapt to formation, which is something we have been working on, as it is not just one style and you have to learn to adapt in football, it was fantastic to see.
“I believe Metro’s goalkeeper (Carmody) was man of the match, even though he let in four, but he pulled off some world class saves, as we could have had a lot more goals.
“The things that we have been working on and the core principles of scoring goals, with movement and being able to finish with freedom, was evident today.
“For a young group of boys to beat a team like MetroStars, we are very proud of them, and we will keep working hard.”
Adelaide United will face Croydon Kings in Round 9 at Polonia Reserve on Saturday.
Reserves:
Adelaide United 1
MetroStars 6
