Dario Vidosic’s 3rd minute goal coupled with a superb defensive performance has seen Adelaide United FC maintain its place on top of the table after a 1-0 victory over Brisbane Roar.
Dario Vidosic-s 3rd minute goal coupled with a superb defensive performance has seen Adelaide United FC maintain its place on top of the Hyundai A-League table after a 1-0 victory over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
United-s first win over the reigning champions in seven games was built on a dream start thanks to a classic curling free kick from Vidosic before the Reds, led exceptionally again by captain Eugene Galekovic, dug in and held onto their advantage as the Roar went scoreless at home for the second straight week.
As good as Vidosic-s free kick was, it was matched and arguably bettered by Galekovic-s 54th minute reflex save from an Erik Paartalu header as the Roar tried valiantly to get back into the contest.
The win is the Reds- fourth of the season and puts them in a fine position with home games against Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart to come in the next fortnight.
While Brisbane had the better of the possession for much of the afternoon, the Reds displayed the resilience that saw them reach the quarter finals of the AFC Champions League this year as they produced some clutch last ditch defending, while Galekovic was again in vintage form.
“We-ll take the three points. Brisbane did exceptionally well but I think we also defended exceptionally well,” Reds Coach John Kosmina said after the game.
“I think we turned the ball over too much and I-m not too sure why, we got a bit rattled. Brisbane are the sort of side that can rattle you because of the pressure they apply…when we did keep the ball we looked alright, when we didn-t we made opportunities for Brisbane, but having said that we defended well and Eugene Galekovic was outstanding again.”
“Eugene is great in the shot stopping category, he dealt with a lot of difficult balls in the air as well so credit to him, he-s done a great job for us and earned us three points.”
A 3rd minute free kick in a dangerous position gave Vidosic an early chance to claim some bragging rights against his father and Roar coach Rado, and the Reds- number 10 duly obliged as he struck a cracking free kick into the top right hand corner which gave Michael Theo no chance.
With a valuable early breakthrough, the Reds went about ensuring they would not let the home side back in and as a result, the Roar enjoyed more of the possession and time in the opposition half in the opening 45 minutes but United was remaining compact and composed.
Talented Brisbane playmaker Thomas Broich put a header wide of the post in the 11th minute before Mitch Nichols let the Reds off as he blazed over the bar from close range soon after.
In the 33rd minute Galekovic parried a ball wide after Nigel Boogaard-s attempted clearing header almost finished in his own net, Boogaard a late inclusion for Cassio who missed the game with a gastro complaint.
The Roar were trying to pick their way past but this Reds outfit was proving much more stubborn than the one that leaked seven goals in the corresponding fixture last season in a game that also coincidentally saw Vidosic give United an early lead.
The Reds- best chances were coming as they tried to sting Brisbane on the counter and in the 39th minute a long kick from Galekovic almost caught them out, Ivan Franjic and Theo just doing enough to keep Jeronimo from pouncing.
Sergio van Dijk did find the back of the net in the 52nd minute from a corner but the referee blew the whistle for a foul in the penalty area.
Following Vidosic-s goal, the other defining moment came when Galekovic managed to deny Paartalu from capitalising from an in swinging Broich cross, the Reds keeper producing a breathtaking close range stop.
United-s defenders were also doing their part, Iain Fyfe with two timely blocks, while Boogaard, Daniel Bowles and Antony Golec were also holding their own.
Despite how hard the Roar tried, the Reds continued to repel any threats, the final whistle signalling mission completed as they return home with all three points.
Tickets for Sunday-s Remembrance Day clash against Perth Glory are available through Ticketek.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar 0
Adelaide United FC 1 (Vidosic 3-)
Referee: Chris Beath
Crowd: 12,856 @ Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Roar starting line-up: 1.Michael Theo (gk), 2.Matt Smith (c), 3.Shane Stefanutto, 4.Matt Jurman, 5.Ivan Franjic, 6.Erik Paartalu, 7.Besart Berisha, 8.Massimo Murdocca, 10.Henrique (24.Nick Fitzgerald 82-), 17.Mitch Nichols, 22.Thomas Broich,
Substitutes not used: 18.Luke Brattan, 19.Jack Hingert, 20.Matt Acton (gk)
Yellow Cards: Stefanutto 31-
Red Cards: Nil
Adelaide United starting line-up: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (c), 2.Osama Malik, 3.Nigel Boogaard, 5.Iain Fyfe, 8.Marcelo Carrusca (22.Fabio Ferreira 67-), 9.Sergio van Dijk, 10.Dario Vidosic (11.Bruce Djite 81-), 12.Antony Golec, 16.Daniel Bowles, 17.Iain Ramsay, 21.Jeronimo Neumann (14.Cameron Watson 58-)
Substitutes not used: 30.John HALL (gk)
Yellow Cards: van Dijk 32-, Carrusca 38-, Vidosic 73-, Bowles 77-, Galekovic 90+2-
Red Cards: Nil
