Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix – Saturday, 30 August 2008
This season we will be looking ahead to the Reds’ Hyundai A-League matches by rolling back the clock and revisiting some of the club’s most memorable clashes against our upcoming opponents.
In Round 3 of the 2008/09 Hyundai A-League season, Adelaide United triumphed over this week’s opponents, Wellington Phoenix, 3-0. A goal from former United vice-captain, Lucas Pantelis, and a brace from Brazilian striker, Cristiano, was enough to secure the win at Coopers Stadium.
The Reds headed into the match with a win and a draw so far that season, whilst Phoenix were coming off of a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Melbourne Victory.
And the match was soon at the mercy of United, as they were quick to control possession of the ball and began dictating play from the outset – taking just 14 minutes to break the deadlock.
Reds captain, Travis Dodd, spread the ball wide to Brazilian defender, Alemão, on the right wing, who squared the ball across the 18-yard-box to find Pantelis arriving at the back post – United’s number seven finishing into the roof of the net.
The remainder of the first half was a largely lacklustre affair, as Wellington sat back to defend and struggled to manufacture any dangerous opportunities.
But the second half was vastly different, as the Reds exerted their dominance further and amounted a large number of chances, putting away another two goals before full-time.
In the 49th minute, United striker, Cristiano picked up the ball on the edge of the box and struck a stinging effort towards Phoenix goalkeeper, Glen Moss. Moss was able save the initial effort, but the resulting rebound was re-met by Cristiano and this time he would make it 2-0.
Then, 30 minutes from the final whistle, Cristiano grabbed his second for the match when he was on hand to finish from close range after a neat interchange between Dodd, Paul Reid, and Pantelis found the Wellington defence in a state of confusion.
United would go on to finish second in the A-League standings at the end of the season – equal on points with Melbourne Victory and undefeated in their final six domestic league games – but ended up losing to Victory in the grand final of the competition 1-0. The Phoenix finished the season in sixth.
Match Details
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season – Round 3
Adelaide United FC 3 (Pantelis 15’, Cristiano 49’ 60’)
Wellington Phoenix 0
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium
Crowd: 7,832
Adelaide United will face Wellington Phoenix on New Years Eve at Coopers Stadium in Round 13 of the 2014/15 season of the Hyundai A-League on Wednesday, 31 December. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT. To purchase tickets, click here.
