Adelaide United drew 0-0 with Sydney FC in a hard-fought top of the table clash at Coopers Stadium on Friday night in front of a stellar crowd.
With both teams searching for the three points that would send them clear at the top, the match naturally began at a high intensity.
Wingers Awer Mabil and Sergio Cirio used their pace to constantly dribble at defenders and sent many balls into the area.
The Reds were much more direct in the first half of the match, as Isaias saw much of the ball and distributed up the pitch.
Sydney coach Graham Arnold changed his tactics in the second half to try and stop Adelaide from coming in behind them.
And it showed, as they were happy to soak up the pressure for large parts of the match and attack on the counter.
They looked to have gone ahead in the 60th minute after a free kick sailed into the back of the net.
But referee Alan Miliner called it back after the kick was taken before his signal.
It was a lucky break for a pressing Adelaide United side that deserved more from the match.
They had multiple chances to go ahead throughout the match, but none more clear-cut than Carrusca’s opportunity at the death.
Osama Malik sent a timed through ball to substitute Kamau who placed it right into the path of Carrusca who was charging into the 18-yard box.
With a gaping net in front of him he mistimed his shot and failed to connect with the ball.
It would’ve been a deserving goal for United to cap off a very entertaining performance.
It was the first match that Adelaide United have failed to score in this season and coach Josep Gombau was left frustrated by this.
“I’m not saying that we didn’t play well but we had more chances and played the football our way.
“What’s most important now is Central Coast on Wednesday and we have five days to recover which will be enough.
“We will think about who we will manage and who will be ready for Wellington Phoenix after our next match.”
The Reds will be back in action at Coopers Stadium for our massive semi final FFA Cup clash against Central Coast Mariners.
Match Details
Friday, 7 November 2014
Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Season – Round 5
Adelaide United 0
Sydney FC 0
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Hindmarsh
Attendance: 16,015
Adelaide United: Galekovic (c), Boogaard, Malik, Isaias, Cirio, Carrusca, Djite (Marrone 45′), Goodwin, Mabil (Kamau 82′), Jeggo, Elrich
Sydney FC: Ryall (Bojic 88′), Ognenovski, Petkovic (c), Gameiro (Smeltz 73′), Dimitrijevic, Ibini-Isei, Naumoff (Gersbach 62′), Antonis, Janjetovic, Janko, Abbas
Scorers: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Yellow cards: Ognenovski (20′), Elrich (33′), Boogaard (71′), Janko (77′), Ryall (87′), Isaias (90’+1), Ibini (90’+3)
