Adelaide United FC has every reason to launch into its Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Season full of confidence after defeating Melbourne Victory 2-1 at AAMI Park.
Adelaide United FC has every reason to launch into its Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Season full of confidence after defeating Melbourne Victory 2-1 at AAMI Park.
Up against a full strength Victory outfit in their final hit out of the pre season, the Reds more than matched it with their eastern border rivals as Jeronimo Neumann, on his return from a shoulder injury, and Tarek Elrich scored either side of the break.
New Victory signing Kosta Barbarouses scored a consolation goal for the hosts in the 84th minute but it was not going to spoil what was another highly encouraging display from Josep Gombau-s team just over a week out from the start of Season 9.
Midfield trio Isaias, Steven Lustica and Osama Malik were outstanding but they were not alone as every player in a red shirt tries to stake their claim to be in the team to face Perth Glory on October 13, the competition for spots even more significant considering Marcelo Carrusca, Michael Zullo and Sergio Cirio were rested for the trip to Melbourne.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 1 (Barbarouses 84-)
Adelaide United FC 2 (Jeronimo 23-, Elrich 63-)
Adelaide United starting line-up: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (30.John Hall (gk)), 3.Nigel Boogaard, 4.Jon McKain, 5.Osama Malik (14.Cameron Watson), 7.Jeronimo (17.Awer Mabil 54-), 8.Isaias, 13.Steve Lustica, 16.Daniel Bowles, 21.Tarek Elrich, 22.Fabio Ferreira (23.Jordan Elsey 57-), 28.Brent McGrath (19.Jake Barker-Daish 70-)
Melbourne Victory starting line-up: 1.Nathan Coe (gk), 2.Pablo Contreras, 3.Adama Traore, 6.Leigh Broxham (5.Mark Milligan 46- (28.Rashid Mahazi)), 10.Archie Thompson, 11.Connor Pain, 14.James Troisi (9.Kosta Barbarouses), 15.Mitch Nichols (7.Guilherme Finkler 46-), 17.James Jeggo, 23.Adrian Leijer (4.Nick Ansell 61-), 25.Jason Geria
Substitutes: 13.Andrew Nabbout, 18.Francesco Stella, 20.Lawrence Thomas (gk), 22.Jesse Makarounas
