Adelaide United outlasted a fast-finishing Sydney FC to win 1-0 at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night – the club’s sixth win on the bounce.
Craig Goodwin put the Reds in front on the night from the penalty spot but it was 20-year-old goalkeeper Joe Gauci who tied up the three points with a reflex save to deny Patrick Wood late in the second half.
Gauci’s maiden A-League clean sheet helped the Reds clinch a sixth-straight win – a feat the club haven’t achieved since the very first A-League season in 2005/06.
Kosta Barbarouses and Goodwin were the busiest of the forwards on either side throughout the first half. The Sky Blues created chances to score but lacked the clinical edge needed to get past an Adelaide outfit on a red-hot run of form.
Kusini Yengi won the hosts their second-half spot kick after Luke Brattan caught the Adelaide forward’s leg attempting to clear the ball inside Sydney’s defensive box. Goodwin calmly converted the penalty to give the Reds a 1-0 lead held until full-time.
The Sky Blues pushed until the final whistle to find an equaliser, but Gauci’s efforts at the death trumped Sydney’s intention to equalise as the Reds moved into second place on the A-League table, one point off Central Coast Mariners.
Key Moments
13′ | Craig Goodwin fires just wide from Ben Halloran’s cross. 0-0.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6244897428001
17′ | Jordan Elsey heads straight at Redmayne from Goodwin’s corner. 0-0.
45+4′ | Ryan Strain puts the body on the line to deny Bobo.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6244898159001
61′ | Both Jordan Elsey and Stefan Mauk get a head on Louis D’Arrigo’s corner but it’s out for a goal kick. 0-0.
70′ | CLOSE! Craig Goodwin’s close range shot from Halloran’s cross is saved for a corner. 0-0.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6244900854001
76′ | GOAL! Craig Goodwin converts from the spot. 1-0!
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6244901576001
79′ | Sydney almost find a way back in with Baumjohann’s attempt saved by Gauci. 1-0.
88′ | GAUCI COMES UP WITH A HUGE SAVE! 1-0.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6244901781001
Match details:
Sunday, 28 March
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 14
Adelaide United 1 (Goodwin (p) 76’)
Sydney FC 0
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 8,451
