Adelaide United has fallen 0-2 to Perth Glory on Remembrance Day at Coopers Stadium.
Two second-half goals from Andy Keogh and Chris Ikonomidis ultimately decided the outcome and see United endure their first loss of the campaign, in what was a rather lacklustre affair.
There were three changes made to the starting 11 which beat Central Coast Mariners last round. Mirko Boland and Vince Lia replaced Ken Ilsø and Nathan Konstandopoulos, while Ryan Strain came in for Michael Marrone.
Adelaide, looking to make it nine straight games unbeaten to start the season, began proceedings on the back foot as Perth appeared more threatening in attack.
And the visitors should have broken the deadlock when Joel Chianese struck the crossbar. Keogh released the winger after a clever turn to evade his opponent, who cut inside Scott Galloway before striking the woodwork to a relieved Paul Izzo.
Adelaide probed without causing the Glory too many problems despite some suspect distribution from gloveman Liam Reddy.
Keogh also had a chance of his own but mistimed his effort. This instance it was Chianese who picked out the unmarked Irishman, but he got his first-time shot horribly wrong from nine yards out.
Controversy would ensue in the 41st minute as the VAR was called into action for a handball on Shane Lowry.
Referee Chris Beath initially awarded a free-kick and after several replays remained with his original decision – that was despite the ball seemingly hitting his arm inside the area.
The start of the second-half saw both sides muster few opportunities.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had a half-chance when his glancing header flew wide of the target from Craig Goodwin’s delivery.
But Perth scored despite the heroics of Izzo. Alex Grant’s bullet header was saved by the ‘keeper at full stretch but Keough was there on the follow-up.
It sparked Adelaide on somewhat but any momentum was quickly quashed when Perth doubled their advantage.
Fabio Ferreira slipped through Ikonomidis, who had the simple task of finishing into a vacant goal.
Perth Glory’s Shane Lowry was presented with the Tomas Dale Medal, selected by the referee as the player to show the most courage and sporting behaviour during the match.
The Tomas Dale Medal is awarded annually following Adelaide United’s Remembrance Day fixture in honour of Adelaide-based Private Tomas Dale from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion.
Bids can be placed on each of the Remembrance Round playing shirts which will be individually signed by the respective player through the Club’s online auction site. The auction closes next Friday, 16 November at 5pm. Register now so you can make a bid.
All proceeds from the jerseys will go towards supporting the Poppy Appeal, an organisation that assists veterans and their families.
Key moments:
12’ | Huge chance for the Glory with Chianese firing his shot onto the crossbar from close range.
26’ | Keogh squanders a guilt-edge chance after skying Chianese’s cross.
41’ | After consulting the VAR to determine whether Lowry’s handball was in or outside the box, the referee stays with his initial judgement of a free-kick much to the frustration of Reds fans.
73’ | GOAL: Keogh grabs his fourth of the season tapping in from a yard out on the rebound after Izzo spectacularly denied Grant’s thumping header.
90’ | GOAL: Ikonomidis receives a square pass from Ferreira, who finishes into an empty net.
Match details:
Sunday, 11 November 2018
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 4
Adelaide United 0
Perth Glory 2 (Keogh 73’ Ikonomidis 90’)
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Attendance: 9,705
