Adelaide United FC has ensured it will feature in the 2012/13 finals after putting its road demons to rest with a well deserved 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park tonight.
Adelaide United FC has ensured it will feature in the 2012/13 finals after putting its road demons to rest with a well deserved 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park tonight.
The Reds ended a seven game winless run away from home in fine fashion as a goal in each half, first from Dario Vidosic and then Iain Ramsay, halted the Heart-s five game winning streak at home.
On a night when the Reds showed glimpses of what they can produce in a well rounded team performance, they also had inspirational captain Eugene Galekovic to thank after he reeled off two stunning first half saves to deny the Heart from going ahead.
The result gives the Reds 39 points, leaving them nine ahead of the chasing pack and just a point behind third placed Melbourne Victory with three rounds remaining.
Heading into the game without an away win since November, United Coach Michael Valkanis made four changes to the line up from the one that started against the Roar, the most notable being that of Jake Barker-Daish who was making his first start of the season.
But it was the Reds- newest signing that almost opened the game with a bang, Tomi Juric launching a thunderous long range shot inside the first 90 seconds that Heart keeper Andrew Redmayne just managed to get a fingertip on to turn it onto the post.
It was a top drawer stop from Redmayne but soon after Galekovic was at it at the other end as he came up with two clutch saves within the space of a minute. First he positioned his right hand perfectly to deny a Josip Tadic header from two metres out before backing it up shortly after with a super save low down to his right to keep a Nick Kalmar shot out.
Inspired, the Reds lifted and were well in the game, Jon McKain hitting a low direct drive straight at Redmayne as he made a rare foray forward.
In the 32nd minute the woodwork again prevented the Reds from opening the scoring, this time Vidosic cannoning a shot into the top corner of the post.
Still looking for his first goal of 2013, Vidosic-s opportunity came when Jeremy Walker collected Marcelo Carrusca on the knee with a raised boot inside the penalty area, the referee with no hesitation to point to the spot.
From the resultant penalty, Vidosic sent Redmayne the wrong way to give United the lead knowing the Heart have lost all of their games this season when they have conceded the opening goal.
Eight minutes after the break things got even better for the Reds when Ramsay doubled the advantage, Carrusca involved again with the build up down the left also needing a subtle lay off from Cassio, allowing Ramsay in to hit his shot first time past Redmayne from an acute angle.
The Reds- defence and midfield brigade were keeping Melbourne-s playmakers Garcia, Williams and co well in check and with his confidence high, Ramsay went close to a double as his looping header forced Redmayne to tip the ball over the bar.
In the 77th minute Carrusca had a chance to add his name to the score sheet when he was teed up by substitute Jeronimo Neumann, but he could not find the back of the net.
Despite the Heart pushing late on, the Reds remained in control as they returned to the winner-s list while keeping the Heart scoreless at home.
Adelaide United now has two consecutive home games starting with the visit of the Newcastle Jets to Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
Match Details
Melbourne Heart 0
Adelaide United FC 2 (Vidosic 40- (pen), Ramsay 53-)
Referee: Chris Beath
Crowd: 5,393 @ AAMI Park
Melbourne Heart line-up: 20.Andrew Redmayne (gk), 4.Simon Colosimo, 8.Matt Thompson (c), 10.Josip Tadic (36.Eli Babalj 57-), 11.Richard Garcia, 15.David Williams, 16.Marcel Meeuwis (5.Fred 46-), 18.David Vrankovic, 21.Jamie Coyne (14.Golgol Mebrahtu 68-), 22.Nick Kalmar, 25.Jeremy Walker
Substitutes not used: 1.Clint Bolton (gk)
Yellow Cards: Colosimo 68-, Garcia 80-
Red Cards: Nil
Adelaide United starting line-up: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (c), 3.Nigel Boogaard, 4.Jon McKain, 5.Iain Fyfe, 6.Cassio, 8.Marcelo Carrusca (22.Fabio Ferreira 82-), 10.Dario Vidosic, 14.Cameron Watson, 17.Iain Ramsay (18.Fabian Barbiero 88-), 19.Jake Barker-Daish, 25.Tomi Juric (21.Jeronimo Neumann 74-)
Substitutes not used: 20.Paul Izzo (gk)
Yellow Cards: Ramsay 33-, McKain 41-, Juric 64-, Galekovic 77-, Boogaard 81-
Red Cards: Nil
