Jakobsen discusses Elimination Final win

Michael Jakobsen felt Adelaide United conceded too much possession and lost its structure after the interval against Brisbane Roar.

Boasting a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to Tomi Juric’s clinically taken brace, Jakobsen expected the hosts to throw the kitchen sink at them.

Indeed, they did just, with the Danish centre-back acknowledging the Roar’s improved second-half.

“They put a lot more pressure in the second-half and we sat further back,” Jakobsen told Fox Sports after the game.

“That was a very big difference. It was a lot harder in the second-half. First-half I think we had good control and did really well.”

The 35-year-old was immense on the day as the leader of United’s rear guard and recorded six clearances and four interceptions.

Jakobsen believed his side struggled to contain the Roar due to a lack of compactness, which enabled there players to find too much space.

“The distance between our lines was not there – that was the biggest issue,” he said.

“I’m not going to say the front three didn’t do it well enough because they always work like animals and that’s what we want from them.

“But if everyone isn’t together in it, it’s harder and today was a little bit off, but we still got the result and that’s what we came for.”

Carl Veart’s troops did manage to weather the storm and hold on to claim a 2-1 Elimination Final win and march into the Semi-final against Sydney FC.

It is the second time Adelaide is one game away from reaching the Grand Final in three years.

In 2019 United went down on penalties in a thriller to Perth Glory following a 3-3 finish after extra-time.

Jakobsen said they will do everything they can to make the title decider.

“All in all I think we have done a really good season,” he admitted.

“We have had some big losses sometimes where our structures have not been good enough or the performance has not been there.

“But all in all I think we deserved to go into the Finals and we’re just going to try go as far as possible.”