A rampant Adelaide United have made sure Newcastle’s season has gone from bad to worse, the Reds destroying the Jets in a 7-0 slaughter on Saturday evening at Coopers Stadium.
It was a stunning reversal, after the Jets won their only game of the season in round 11 with a 2-1 victory over Adelaide.
The Reds looked fired up and faster, as they executed the skills of the game better, and made more of their opportunities, while Newcastle will need to re-group quickly, just to be competitive in their next game.
After leading 4-0 at half time, Adelaide did not take the foot off the pedal, to send Reds supporters home with smiles on their faces.
WHAT THEY SAID
“It’s a really satisfying win. The coach has said a lot about our finishing in recent weeks and to come here and bag seven is very impressive. We were good from the front line to the goal-keeper today so it’s all positive.” – Reds midfielder Osama Malik
“It’s gutting. It’s 7-0, it just shouldn’t happen. If you’re not doing the small things right, which we aren’t doing as a team then these sorts of things can happen.” – Jets midfielder Zenon Caravella
GOALS
1-0 Djite (1′) – An amazing opening saw Adelaide break through early, when Goodwin put a good ball into the box, with Djite capitalizing on Cirio’s tap near the post.
2-0 Carrusca (23′) – Isaias put a ball in space for Carrusca, who took possession and stepped around Newcastle goalkeeper Kennedy to slide the ball into the net.
3-0 Carrusca (28′) – A comedy of errors resulted in two yellow cards for Newcastle, a penalty, which was originally saved then re-taken after a defender crossed over the line, and then put in the net by Carrusca hard on left side.
4-0 Boogaard (35′) – A corner kick from Cirio is headed down by Malik and falls to Boogaard, who can’t help but get a boot to the ball near the line.
5-0 Djite (53′) – From the box Djite shoots but hits Caravella, but lucks a fortune and he gathers the rebound and slots the ball into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the game.
6-0 Cirio (69′) – Sanchez brought down in box by Kennedy, Cirio takes the penalty and slots into the right side of the net against a stationary Kennedy.
7-0 Isaias (92′) – The cream on the cake, as Isaias from well outside of the box cleverly curls his shot around the keeper and into the right side of the net.
KEY MOMENT
The opening goal by Bruce Djite (one minute in) was the match-setter, as Adelaide United played with plenty of confidence from that point, with a ferocious attack, which resulted in three further goals in a 12 minute period from the 23 minute mark, to open up an “unbeatable” 4-0 half time lead.
OPTA DATA STATS
The result was actually the second time Adelaide have posted a seven-goal win. The Reds beat North Queensland Fury 8-1 in early 2011.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
It would be hard for Josep Gombau to change this side, although his use of Awer Mabil off the bench was interesting.
As for Phil Stubbins, it will be interesting to see whether he’s given the chance to rebuild after this result.
THE FINAL WORD
Both Adelaide and Newcastle were well rested over the break, with the Reds benefitting from the game lay-off with a polished display, which augurs well for the rest of the season.
On the other hand, the Jets could not take a trick, with frustration setting in early, as the players looked out of sorts – it was an amazing difference in how either side reacted to the lay-off. The Jets next game is at Hunter Stadium against Brisbane Roar on February 6, while Adelaide travel to play Central Coast Mariners on February 7.
Scorers: Djite 1′, Carrusca 23′, Carrusca 28′, Boogaard 35′, Djite 53′, Cirio 69′, Isaias 92′
Red cards: none
Yellow cards: Madaschi 25’, Griffiths 27’, Jaliens 38’, Carney 43’
Conditions: 26C, Dry
Attendance: 10,960 @ Coopers Stadium
