Adelaide United rose to second on the Hyundai A-League table after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
Goals from Bruce Djite, Pablo Sánchez and substitute Awer Mabil rounded out an excellent team performance from a Reds side who has struggled in the league as of late.
With Isaías dropping into a centre back position, Adelaide were able to control the passing play fluently from front to back throughout the match.
Chances were few and far between in the first half – the closest coming through Djite, who did well to bring down an excellent lobbed through ball from man of the match Nigel Boogaard, but his shot flashed wide.
The Reds left it late to capitalise on their dominance after a tame first half, when returning striker Bruce Djite bundled home a quick cross from Carrusca after it fell to him from defender Seb Ryall’s weak clearance.
The Sky Blues tried to come back through a chance from Terry Antonis, his bouncing drive from distance forcing Galekovic into parrying for the corner.
Instead the Reds went on to get another through Pablo Sánchez, who initially gave the ball out to Jeggo who delivered the cross for the striker to spring a diving header over Janjetovic.
Almost immediately after Bernie Ibini rose for a commanding header but he just failed to miss the target from close range.
The Reds were determined to close the Sky Blues out completely after this nervy moment and went forward again through the hard working Jeggo.
His clever backward pass found Cirio whose quick cross was passed into the empty net from substitute Awer Mabil.
It was a much more organised, team performance from a rampant Reds side who will now look ahead to Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium on New Years Eve.
Adelaide United will face Wellington Phoenix on New Years Eve at Coopers Stadium in Round 13 of the 2014/15 season of the Hyundai A-League on Wednesday, 31 December. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT. To purchase tickets, click here.
Match Details
Friday, 26 December 2014
Hyundai A-League Round 12
Sydney FC 0
Adelaide United 3 (Djite 67’, Pablo Sanchez 81’, Mabil 90+1’)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: 14,214
Sydney FC: Janjetovic, Grant, Ryall, Petkovic, Gersbach, Ibini, Antonis, Dimitrijevic, Brosque, Smeltz, Janko (Triantis 57’)
Adelaide United: Galekovic, Marrone, Boogaard, McGowan, Elrich, Isaias, Carrusca (Mabil 69’), Jeggo, Cirio, Djite (Watson 82’), Goodwin (Sanchez 63’)
Scorers: Djite 67’, Pablo Sanchez 81’, Mabil 90+1’
Red cards: none
Yellow cards: Carrusca 16’, Goodwin 25’, Boogaard 28’, Janko 32’, Elrich 36’, Gersbach 62’, Watson 85’
