Adelaide United has fallen to a 1-0 defeat against reigning A-League champions Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
The Reds, who conceded an 18th minute goal by Roar’s Henrique, weren’t able to overcome a determined Brisbane defence and succumbed to only their second defeat in the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
With both teams hungry for the three points, the match started at a blistering pace, so much so that United were worrying the Brisbane defence in the opening minute. But it was the Roar who came closest in the opening five minutes when Tarek Elrich almost bundled the ball into his own net – the upright saving the Reds’ blushes.
The match seemingly settled until the 18th minute when the visitors were able to beat Eugene Galekovic through Brazilian, Henrique. After finding space on the top of the box, the Roar’s number 10 curled his effort off of the far post and into the net.
United were left frustrated for the remainder of the first half, as Brisbane protected their lead and the Reds struggled to manufacture many clear-cut chances.
A much more free flowing second half followed and in the 58th minute, Sergio Cirio had the perfect opportunity to bring Adelaide level when a defensive mistake was pounced upon by Bruce Djite, who played Cirio through on goal. Unfortunately, though, the Spaniard put his side-footed effort wide of Jamie Young’s goal.
The bringing on of Awer Mabil after 68 minutes added flare and fresh-legs to the United attack, with Adelaide’s resilient pressure on the Roar defence slowly wearing them thin.
But our best chance for the second half came in the 88th and fell to Pablo Sanchez. The Reds’ number seven was put through one-on-one with Young, but his resulting effort was saved by Brisbane’s ‘keeper, low to his right.
Following the match, United head-coach, Josep Gombau, said although he and his team are disappointed with the result, the satisfying aspect with the performance was the improvement between halves and the chances created.
“This is football – it’s a game. You can’t win every single game,” Gombau said.
“I think that in the first few minutes we didn’t find our positions for our build up (play) and didn’t find the (final) pass that was there. We started to play more long balls that, in the moment, brought the game to a (style) that we didn’t want.
“At half time we arranged the team and a few things and spoke about what we needed to do and I think we (played) a very good second half because we had the ball and created chances. We deserved to score.
“I am satisfied with the way the team improved from the first half to the second half. It’s better that this happened today than on Tuesday (in the FFA Cup final).”
Gombau concluded by stating the importance of being clinical in front of goal, which is something he and his side will continue to work on in the coming weeks and as the season progresses.
Match Details
Friday, 12 December 2014
Hyundai A-League Round 10
Adelaide United 0
Brisbane Roar 1 (Henrique 18’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Hindmarsh
Attendance: 11,241
Adelaide United: Galekovic (c), Marrone, McGowan, Pablo Sanchez, Isaias, Cirio, Djite, Goodwin, Jeggo (Watson 77′), Elrich, Ferreira (Mabil 67′)
Brisbane Roar: Brown, Lustica, Henriques (Borrello 42′), Solorzano (Smith 90′), North, Bowles, Donachie, McKay (c), Brattan, Young, Petratos (Sarota 79′)
Scorers: Henrique (18′)
Red cards: Nil
Yellow cards: North (2′), Elrich (45’+2), Bowles (47′), Brown (64′), Isaias (72′), Borrello (74′), Donachie (77′)
