Adelaide United have recorded their biggest win of the season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Friday night.
Adlung’s 10th minute side-footed finish put the Reds on their way, before second-half strikes from Nathan Konstandopoulos and Johan Absalonsen sealed a first triumph in the West since January 2016.
Marco Kurz made three enforced changes to his starting XI with Paul Izzo, Ben Garuccio and George Blackwood away on international duty with the Olyroos. Goalkeeper, Daniel Margush, made his first appearance of the season, while Michael Marrone returned at right-back – shifting youngster Ryan Strain to the left side.
Baba Diawara overcame a hip injury to lead the line up-front following a three-game absence and Absalonsen again featured on the bench as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.
The Reds opened the scoring early when Marrone released Nikola Mileusnic, who again proved the architect with his fourth assist of the season, setting up Adlung at the top of the box.
Adlung would have to be replaced four minutes from the break, however, appearing to have discomfort in his back.
Kurz brought on Absalonsen for Diawara at half-time and the Dane was lively, largely used as an outlet with Adelaide absorbing lengthy periods of possession.
Despite Perth toiling hard they ultimately flattered to deceive in attack and the Reds duly profited.
Konstandopoulos doubled United’s advantage with a well-taken strike on 71 minutes in what was the 21-year-old’s first Hyundai A-League goal.
Not long after ex-Danish international Absalonsen made it 3-0, scoring into an empty net and snapping a four-match winless streak against the Glory to provisionally lift the Reds into third place.
Key moments:
10’ | GOAL! Adlung nonchalantly converts Mileusnic’s squared pass, driving his first-time shot past Liam Reddy into the bottom left corner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5702870844001
15’ | The flag is incorrectly raised after Mileusnic beat the offside trap but is unable to double the Reds’ lead.
22’ | Margush was called into action in his first Adelaide appearance since April last year, parrying Joseph Mills’ dipping shot into the path of Diego Castro. However, on the follow-up the Spaniard could not direct his strike on target.
30’ | Celebrating his 30th birthday, Diawara smacks the crossbar with a glancing header from an inviting set-piece from Isaías.
59’ | Ersan Gülüm flicks on Strain’s header which bounces off the upright, though in fairness Reddy did appear to have it covered.
71’ | GOAL! Isaías chips a ball over to Absalonsen, who makes space for himself before finding Konstandopoulos and arrows his effort into the bottom corner.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5702870848001
85’ | GOAL! Absalonsen nets his third of the campaign after challenging for the ball with Reddy, before converting into a vacant goal.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5702870852001
Match details:
Friday, 5 January 2018
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 14
Perth Glory 0
Adelaide United 3 (Adlung 10’ Konstandopoulos 71’ Absalonsen 85’)
Venue: nib Stadium
