Adelaide United has snapped a four-game winless streak with a rampant 5-2 victory over Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Daniel Adlung’s first-half brace put the Reds in a commanding position before Ben Kantarovski pulled a goal back.
However, goals from Ryan Kitto, Johan Absalonsen and Džengis Čavušević ensured Adelaide would consolidate their finals chances.
Marco Kurz made just the one change to the starting XI which drew with Melbourne City last Friday. Taylor Regan replaced the injured Ersan Gülüm in central defence, while Tarek Elrich and Vince Lia returned to the bench.
Newcastle had the first real chance of the game inside five minutes when Vargas struck a brilliant free-kick which hit the top corner of the crossbar.
But as Adelaide got into the match they wasted no time finding the net thanks to a splendid goal from Adlung.
The German bagged his fourth goal in all competitions this season after steering in Johan Absalonsen’s low cross.
Adlung then crucially doubled Adelaide’s lead approaching the interval when his crossing set-piece proved elusive – credited with the goal after it failed to take a touch on the way through.
Kantarovski fortuitously scored to reduce the deficit, but Kitto came on to make it 3-1 soon after.
Absalonsen rifled a brilliant volley past the Jets’ ‘keeper and Čavušević netted his inaugural strike to seal the rout on 79 minutes as everything in attack turned to goals.
Kantarovski then netted a late consolation, but it did not take away from the sensational win.
Key moments:
5’ | Vargas smacks his free-kick against the crossbar much to the relief of Paul Izzo.
15’ | GOAL! Isaías plays a defence-splitting pass to Absalonsen, who cuts the ball back into the onrushing Adlung at the top of the box to side foot home a clinical finish.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5756886788001
36’ | Absalonsen’s high cross falls to Čavušević and then spills out to Nathan Konstandopoulos, but he drags his angled shot astray.
31’ | Čavušević dummies the ball to Absalonsen, who slips in Adlung and shoots from distance forcing Jack Duncan into a smart save.
45’ | GOAL! Adlung’s crossing free-kick evades everyone in the area to net his second of the evening.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5756886569001
62’ | GOAL: Kantarovski bundles the ball home to halve the deficit.
68’ | GOAL! Kitto makes an impact off the bench after being sent through by Čavušević and cleverly finishes below the goalkeeper.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5756921773001
71’ | GOAL! Absalonsen volleys home Michael Marrone’s deep cross in spectacular fashion.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5756916666001
79’ | GOAL! Čavušević bags his maiden goal of the season with a quality finish after Kitto’s cut-back.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5756922984001
89’ | GOAL: Kantarovski nets a late consolation after beating Paul Izzo to the ball.
Match details:
Friday, 23 March 2018
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season – Round 24
Adelaide United 5 (Adlung 15’ 45’ Kitto 68’ Absalonsen 71’ Čavušević 79’)
Newcastle Jets 2 (Kantarovski 62’ 89’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 7,227
