As Adelaide United take on Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium on Friday night, here are four memorable victories to whet the appetite.
2-1 win – 15/11/14 @ Coopers Stadium
Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the 2014/15 season continued with a dramatic last-gasp winner against the Phoenix in Round 6. Roly Bonevacia struck first for the visitors inside 15 minutes before Nigel Boogaard equalised through a thumping header off Craig Goodwin’s corner. However, the Reds had to wait until the 94th minute to grab the three points after squandering a host of golden opportunities. Dylan McGowan headed down Goodwin’s in-swinging free-kick into the path of Sergio Cirio who guided the ball home, sending the United faithful into a frenzy.
5-1 win – 27/02/14 @ Coopers Stadium
The Reds returned to winning ways with a bang thanks to an emphatic 5-1 rout. Jerónimo broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, cutting inside on the left and striking his half-volleyed shot from outside the box over the goalkeeper’s head. One-nil soon became 2-0 when Fábio Ferreira cut the ball to Sergio Ciro who clinically finished.
Ferreira then got himself on the scoresheet just shy of the hour mark. A wonderful through ball by Tarek Elrich found the Portuguese winger and he rifled his first-time effort into the top left corner. Ferreira turned provided again for his second assist of the evening picking out Jerónimo with a fabulous cross which allowed the Argentine striker to side-volley home. Wellington pulled a goal back before Awer Mabil bundled the ball into the net from close range in stoppage time.
3-1 win – 27/10/12 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Phoenix striker Stein Huysegems opened the scoring when he broke the offside trap. Jerónimo capitalised on a ricocheted shot which fell to him inside the area and he finished to restore parity after half-time. A marauding run from Cássio – which started in his own half – saw him play a one-two with Jerónimo to score on his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance. Wellington were reduced to ten men 13 minutes from time and Adelaide extended their advantage through Jerónimo again to complete his brace.
6-1 win – 05/12/08 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Adelaide played their final game of 2008 on home soil before flying out to Japan to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. Saša Ognenovski got proceedings started with a volley from a half-cleared corner. United profited again from a corner after Cristiano headed in Paul Reid’s delivery.
The Phoenix halved the deficit in the second-half before the Reds ran rampant. Cristiano fed Cássio who thundered his shot from the angle and beyond Glen Moss and the Brazilian bagged his second in similar style later on as Reid threaded a brilliant pass to the diminutive left-back – smashing his strike beyond the ‘keeper. Cristiano made it 5-1 from close range, while captain Travis Dodd sealed the thrashing in the 91st minute.
Adelaide United host Wellington Phoenix in Round 25 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Friday, 30 March at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
