Adelaide United fall 0-6 to West Torrens Birkalla in Round 10 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues at The Parks Football Centre on Saturday.
Although it was a dominating first half performance for the Reds, countless chances could not be converted into goals for the hosts.
West Torrens Birkalla made the most of their chances, as a free kick saw Adelaide concede late in the first half where Taro Kawamura latched on with a header to send it home over the top of Isaac Richards.
Two goals in the second half for Davide Zerillo and Fumiya Suzuki, and a goal to defender, Adam LeCornu, sealed the deal for Birkalla.
In a physical and fiery encounter, it was evident that both sides desperately wanted, and needed, the three points to help boost their campaign.
In the opening minutes, the Reds gained ascendency and had majority of possession, looking the better side.
A Hamish McCabe pass to Ryan Strain was perfect, but the forward was forced out of the area due to Birkalla’s defensive pressure.
More chances for Adelaide flowed, when Blake Carpenter intercepted a pass, to then send a long ball in the path of Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, whose header was wide off the mark, despite an open goal opportunity to take the lead.
On the counter-attack from an evaded United corner, Lawrence D’Arrigo stuck for 20 yards, but was blocked by Zak Waters.
A threatening Jake Monaco cut through the defence with a menacing run, but Richards was able to keep his ground to save.
Pacifique Niyongabire was able to get a hit towards goal, but his effort was punched away but Birkalla gloveman, Joe Gauci.
In the 43rd minute, Oliver Zafiridis sent a pin-point free kick for Kawamura to take the lead.
It was all Birkalla in the second half, as Zerillo doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute.
A prevailing Zerillo assisted gave Suzuki his first goal and to make it 0-3 to the visitors.
In the 64th minute, Zerillo bagged his brace, slotting past Richards with ease.
Seven minutes following, Suzuki also scored his second, netting his strike into the bottom-right corner.
The last goal for the match came from LeCornu’s header, into the bottom-left corner for a 0-6 win.
Adelaide United play away against Adelaide Olympic at The Parks Football Centre in Round 11.
Reserves:
Adelaide United 4
West Torrens Birkalla 1
