Adelaide United’s three-match unbeaten streak ended after suffering a 3-0 loss to Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
A Taylor Regan own goal and Leroy George’s brilliant free-kick put the hosts two up inside 30 minutes, before Besart Berisha added a third in the second stanza after the Reds were reduced to 10 men.
Marco Kurz made one enforced change to the starting XI from last weekend with Taylor Regan replacing the suspended Ersan Gülüm in central defence. There was also a sight for sore eyes amongst Reds fans as Johan Absalonsen returned to the bench for the first time since Round 14 after overcoming injury.
It was a slow start to proceedings by both teams with no chances manufactured in the opening twenty minutes.
But that all changed when the Victory struck first in somewhat contentious circumstances in the build-up.
George Blackwood appeared to have been fouled by Rhys Williams before George squirted a long pass to Troisi, whose header eventually crept into the goal as Regan’s clearance was in vain.
George then doubled the Victory’s advantage with an unstoppable free-kick.
In need of a spark, Kurz brought striker Džengis Čavušević on at half-time, however with the Reds grabbing the ascendency the Slovenian was dismissed soon after for an altercation with Williams.
Berisha put the game out of reach with a simple finish just shy of the hour mark, as Adelaide struggled to consistently threaten Melbourne’s goal.
Key moments:
22’ | GOAL: Regan is credited with the own goal after George floats a cross to the back post which Troisi heads through a pile of players and ending in Regan inadvertently bundling the ball into his own net.
29’ | GOAL: George curls a stunning free-kick around the wall and into the top left corner leaving Paul Izzo helpless.
30’ | A melee breaks out after a clash involving Regan and Besart Berisha, however the incident quickly dissipates and no cards are shown.
36’ | Ryan Strain delivers a sensational cross into the area which is just beyond the outstretched pair of Ryan Kitto and George Blackwood.
51’ | Čavušević is unable to direct his glancing header on target following an inviting cross by Garuccio.
54’ | RED CARD: Čavušević is sent off after slapping Williams.
59’ | GOAL: Berisha completes a slick attacking move after George squares his pass to the striker, who nonchalantly finishes into the net.
65’ | Blackwood’s header lands inches wide of the upright as Garuccio produces another quality ball into the area.
66’ | Jordan O’Doherty forces Thomas into a decent save with a bouncing shot from outside the box.
81’ | Izzo makes a flying save to thwart a thunderous effort from Terry Antonis.
Match details:
Saturday, 24 February 2018
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season – Round 21
Melbourne Victory 3 (Regan OG 22’ George 29’ Berisha 59’)
Adelaide United 0
Venue: AAMI Park
Attendance: 13,396
