In preparation for Adelaide United’s clash with Western Sydney Wanderers at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night, we trawl through the archives to revisit three memorable Boxing Day bouts.
Early bird $5 kids tickets for our Boxing Day clash available until 5pm Friday! #AUFC #ADLvWSW
🎟 Tickets: https://t.co/JOHs88TjuD pic.twitter.com/Bo5n7ifDjS
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) December 17, 2018
Boxing Day 2014 – 3-0 win vs Sydney FC @ Allianz Stadium
The Reds scored three goals in the final 25 minutes on Boxing Day 2014 against Sydney FC. In the 67th minute, Michael Marrone released Marcelo Carrusca, who squared the ball across for Bruce Djité to finish from close range. Soon after the tie was effectively over when Pablo Sánchez and James Jeggo linked-up as United doubled their lead.
Sánchez found Jeggo, whose cross picked out the Spaniard and he brilliantly directed his header into the top corner. Adelaide manufactured another incisive move to seal the dominant 3-0 win. Jeggo slipped through Sergio Cirio who then passed to Awer Mabil and he nonchalantly scored into an open goal.
Boxing Day 2015 – 3-0 win vs Wellington Phoenix @ Coopers Stadium
Adelaide were beginning to find form after snapping an eight-game winless run earlier in the month when they hosted the Phoenix. Approaching half-time, Manny Muscat turned home Craig Goodwin’s cross to break open the scoring before the hosts netted two goals in quick succession during the second stanza.
Goodwin scored a goal of his own with a long-range shot, with the assistance of goalkeeper, Glen Moss in the 73rd minute. And then two minutes later, history would be made when Marrone netted his first-ever Hyundai A-League goal for the Club. The defender was inside the six-yard box to tap home Sánchez’s shot which ricocheted off the post.
Boxing Day 2017 – 1-0 win vs Central Coast Mariners @ Coopers Stadium
Adelaide welcomed the Central Coast Mariners to Coopers Stadium on Boxing Day looking to bounce back from a controversial loss to Newcastle Jets the week earlier.
Ryan Kitto’s 14th minute finish was ultimately all that separated the two sides. The winger flicked on Ryan Strain’s wicked cross to seal the narrow triumph.
Adelaide United host Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 9 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season on Wednesday, 26 December at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT. Gates open 6.20pm.
