In Round 14, Adelaide United headed west to take on a high-flying FK Beograd, fresh from a famous victory away from home against their rivals, Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
A showdown for second on the ladder
Frank Mitchell Park was the scene for one of 2025’s most significant matches to date. After FK Beograd dismantled rivals Adelaide Croatia Raiders away from home, and Adelaide United overcame Adelaide Comets after a late flurry of goals, the two teams clashed in Round 14.
Those victories put both sides on 24 points for the season, placing them in direct competition for second on the ladder. The Young Reds prevailed over FK Beograd in Round Two, but since then, Adrian D’Aloia’s side has remarkably lost only one game and entered the clash with Adelaide United looking to make amends in the return fixture.
While MetroStars have removed themselves from the pack and are multiple games clear at the top of the table, the second slot on the ladder provides a massive advantage to its occupier in the Finals Series. The intensity right from the referee’s first whistle told the story of the importance of this match.
Second on the ladder was on the line for the winner of Adelaide United’s clash with FK Beograd (Image: Pagonis Photography)
The importance of playing to the conditions
After three consecutive clean sheets, Adelaide United found themselves in a spot of bother in Round 14. After taking an early lead, the Young Reds fell behind due to two quickfire goals by FK Beograd courtesy of Antoni Trimboli and Yudai Koike.
As the hosts settled into the lead, the grey Adelaide sky unleashed the rain it had been teasing throughout the day on the western suburbs, adding another dimension to the encounter. The downpour began, challenging Adelaide United’s game of precision and ball control, and that style of play ultimately led to a fatal unforced error.
In injury time of the first half, a ball was attempted from the heart of the Adelaide United defence towards the wing, but the execution, combined with the conditions, allowed Jason Konstandopoulos to intercept. The winger initiated a counterattack, which ended up with his older brother, Kristin, scoring his second goal in as many weeks to sink a dagger in Adelaide United’s chances of mounting a comeback in the second half.
While the weather subsided after the break, FK Beograd never felt in danger of dropping their hard-earned lead. The Young Reds play a distinct brand of football but could benefit from a dose of pragmatism in tough conditions, particularly when they find themselves in already precarious situations.
The heavy rain only added to Adelaide United’s misery on Saturday night (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Bailey O’Neil’s milestone
Even in a loss, Adelaide United’s performance had its silver lining. The Young Reds took an early lead at Frank Mitchell Park with an uncommon goalscorer.
Five minutes into the game, Brody Burkitt dropped into the midfield to pick up the ball deep and with his back to the goals. In a swift move, he switched play, spreading the ball to the rampaging Bailey O’Neil, who was able to finish past an oncoming Jamie Signorello despite the goalkeeper’s touch.
This goal was a significant personal milestone for O’Neil, who, after signing a scholarship contract in late 2023, missed the 2024 season with an injury. Round 14 was just O’Neil’s eighth game since returning to the field, and as he builds his confidence every game, finding the back of the net is only going to accelerate that process.
Bailey O’Neil celebrates his goal against FK Beograd with his teammates (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Full Time
FK Beograd 3 (Trimboli, Koike, K. Konstandopoulos)
Adelaide United (O’Neil)
