Adelaide United has lost 3-2 against reigning A-League champions, Brisbane Roar, in a tense match at Coopers Stadium on Saturday evening.
Two first half goals from Brisbane Roar and a third in the 54th minute were enough for the visitors to secure a 3-2 against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium – despite two late goals from the Reds.
With the race for the A-League premiership heating up and United eager to enter the finals in the best possible form, the Round 25 fixture commenced at a blistering pace with both side trading chances in the opening ten minutes.
Yet United undoubtedly had the better of it and were unlucky not to convert half-chances through Sergio Cirio, Craig Goodwin, and Jimmy Jeggo. The Reds weren’t deterred though, and continued to pressure the Roar at every possible opportunity.
But against the run of play it was Brisbane who managed to score first when Andrija Kaluderovic slipped through United’s defence and beat Eugene Galekovic low to his left.
This caused Brisbane to come to life and form here the game was swinging in favour of either side.
United were unlucky not to equalise in the 33rd minute when great play between Miguel Palanca and Isaias saw the ball fed through to Bruce Djite. Djite struck the ball towards the far corner but hit the post – Goodwin terribly unfortunate to put his follow-up marginally wide of the mark.
However, in a freak incident, the Reds were down 2-0 when confusion at the back caused Galekovic to bundle the ball into his own net.
Despite the halftime introductions of Bruce Kamau and Pablo Sanchez at the break, and although the Reds did look good in the opening stages of the second half, United were down 3-0 in the 54th minute when Jack Hingert beat Galekovic at his near post.
From here the match seemingly fizzed out somewhat, that is until the 71st minute when a deserved Goodwin goal filled the Red Army and Coopers faithful with the belief that a miraculous comeback could be on the cards.
With Cirio running riot on the right flank, he stormed down the wing and cut the ball back and across goal for the waiting Goodwin, who confidently smashed it passed a helpless Jamie Young.
Coopers Stadium turned electric and urged United on with every pass as they searched desperately for the two goals they craved more than anything.
And in the 90th minute, the Reds were awarded a penalty when former Red, Daniel Bowles, brought down Nigel Boogaard. Bowles was sent from the field for a last man challenge as a result and the resulting penalty was converted perfectly by Pablo Sanchez.
But almost immediately after the restart, the match was over and the hopes of a miraculous comeback were torn up.
Adelaide United will next travel to take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday 18 April 2015 at Pirtek Stadium in Round 26 of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Season. Kick-off at 5:00pm (4:30pm ACDT).
Match Details
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Hyundai A-League Season 2014/15 – Round 25
Adelaide United 2 (Goodwin 71’, Pablo Sanchez 90’)
Brisbane Roar 3 (Kaluderovic 26‘, Galekovic (OG) 40‘, Hingert 54’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 10,659
