As Adelaide United host ladder leaders Sydney FC on Friday night, let us take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of our most memorable triumphs.
2-1 win – 11/12/15 @ Coopers Stadium
With just one win after the opening nine matches, Adelaide knew the importance of building momentum in order to revive its stuttering campaign. Alex Gersbach was sent off for a reckless studs up tackle on Jimmy Jeggo midway through the first 45.
The Reds would capitalise on their numerical advantage after the break when Jeggo scored at the second bite of the cherry. His initial shot was denied by the crossbar, and the ball fell to Dylan McGowan, who cushioned his header for the midfielder and he dispatched a venomous half-volley to make it 1-0. Filip Holosko smartly equalised in the 70th minute, however there was another twist in this tale as McGowan was fouled inside the penalty area in stoppage time. Marcelo Carrusca then emphatically struck the ensuing spot-kick into the top corner.
3-1 win – 21/03/14 @ Coopers Stadium
Winless in two matches and desperate to maintain its status in the top six, the Reds were in need of the three points when they welcomed the Sky Blues in Round 24 of the 2013/14 campaign. It was a positive start for the hosts as Marcelo Carrusca slipped through a wonderful pass for Fábio Ferreira, who cut inside his opponent and calmly finished.
A swift counter-attack following the interval saw Carrusca’s pass squirt out to Sergio Cirio and he dinked his effort over Vedran Janjetovic. Matt Thompson halved the deficit, but Bruce Djite put the result beyond doubt after turning his man on the edge of the area, firing a stinging, low drive past the Sydney shot-stopper.
2-0 win – 29/12/10 @ Adelaide Oval
Adelaide were out to snap a three-match losing streak at the iconic Adelaide Oval. And perhaps the change of scenery was needed for the Reds to get their season back on track. Sergio van Dijk slotted the first goal 10 minutes prior to half-time with a composed strike. Cássio’s cross then deflected off Hayden Foxe and over Liam Reddy to seal a timely victory and consign Sydney to their fifth straight defeat.
3-2 win – 27/11/05 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Adelaide’s Round 14 clash with the Sky Blues proved to be an instant classic. Fernando Rech sent the near capacity crowd into a frenzy inside four minutes. Richie Alagich’s long throw-in found the Brazilian inside the box, whose thundering strike initially smacked the crossbar, before he headed in the rebound at the second time of asking. One-nil soon became 2-0 when Carl Veart tapped home from three-yards after Sydney failed to clear their lines.
But the Reds’ two-goal buffer would be extinguished courtesy of two clinical finishes by ageless Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura. However, with six minutes remaining on the clock, Rech arrowed a shot past gloveman Clint Bolton to grab the match-winner.
Adelaide United host Sydney FC in Round 9 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Friday, 1 December at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
