Adelaide United’s undefeated start to the season has come to an end after they were defeated 3-2 by Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
In a remarkably bizarre match that saw all five goals converted in the first half, the Reds unluckily conceded two own-goals, but managed to score two for themselves in a very stop-start encounter in the opening game of Round 8.
The first half began very frantically, with Victory starting on the front foot, which they took advantage of after just seven minutes. A Gui Finkler free kick was floated into the box and after slight miscommunication between Eugene Galekovic and Nigel Boogaard, Boogaard headed the ball into his own net for the home side to take the lead.
This brought the Reds to life and seven minutes later the scores were levelled through Awer Mabil. Craig Goodwin was the architect and, after utilising space on the left flank, he effectively picked out Mabil arriving at the back post, who stroked the ball home from close range.
But the scores would remain equal for only two minutes. Daniel Georgievski played in Finkler, whose cross was set to be cleared by Boogaard, however the central defender’s clearance struck Sergio Cirio and the ball bounced into the corner of Galekovic’s goal.
Victory extended their lead in the 32nd minute through Leigh Broxham, who scored after meeting a Fahid Ben Khalfallah cross.
United remained upbeat and in the 34th minute, Goodwin beat Victory ‘keeper, Nathan Coe, from an acute angle off of a free kick, but his brilliant effort was disallowed for what referee, Kris Griffiths-Jones, deemed a foul by Osama Malik.
The Reds continued to push for goals and were awarded a penalty after Cirio was pulled-to-ground by Victory defender, Adrian Leijer. Marcelo Carrusca was the man to step up and take the spot-kick, which he expertly converted by sending Coe diving in the wrong direction.
The second half was a very tense affair, with both defences being regularly tested, however neither team were able to add to their efforts from the first half.
Following the match, United manager, Josep Gombau said he was satisfied with the performance of his players, as battling Victory away from home is always a difficult task, but was disappointed with the defensive mistakes that cost his side points.
“When you play away against a team that is a very good team and you concede two own-goals, it is difficult to win the game,” Gombau said.
“I think that we deserved something more in the second half because we (took) the risk and played with three at the back and wanted to draw, but even to win.
“We had some chances and I am satisfied with the job that the players did, but in the end it’s just one game. Next week we have another game and we’ll just keep working and (we’ll) start to prepare for next week.”
Adelaide United’s next match will be against Western Sydney Wanderers at Coopers Stadium in Round 9 of the 2014/15 season of the Hyundai A-League. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT.
Match Details
Friday, 28 November 2014
Hyundai A-League Round 8
Melbourne Victory 3 (Boogaard OG 7’, Cirio OG 16’, Broxham 32’)
Adelaide United 2 (Mabil 14’, Carrusca 37’)
Venue: AAMI Park
Attendance: 22,334
Melbourne Victory: Coe, Galloway (Ansell 70′), Leijer, Broxham, Georgievski, Valeri, Milligan, Barbarouses, Finkler (Thompson 75′), Ben Khalfallah (Mahazi 85′), Berisha.
Adelaide United: Galekovic, Elrich, Boogaard, Malik (McGowan 61′), Marrone (Sanchez 66′), Isaias, Carrusca (Jeggo 66′), Cirio, Djite, Mabil, Goodwin.
Scorers: Boogaard OG (7′), Mabil (14′), Cirio OG (16′), Broxham (32′), Carrusca pen (37′)
Red cards: None
Yellow cards: Barbarouses (11′), Isaias (56′), Leijer (69′), Elrich (69′), Mabil (83′), Georgievski (83′)
