As Adelaide United prepare to host Western Sydney Wanderers at Coopers Stadium on Sunday night, here are three notable home wins.
3-1 win – 1 May 2016 @ Adelaide Oval
Where else to start than Adelaide’s Grand Final triumph in 2016. The Reds returned to the big dance for the first time since 2009 and craving a Championship which had eluded them since the competition’s inception. Bruce Kamau got the party started with a clinical finish, while Isaías executed a pearler of a free-kick soon after, giving United a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the interval.
However, Scott Neville pulled a goal back for the visitors, but it proved nothing more than a mere consolation as substitute Pablo Sánchez pounced on a mistake to emphatically beat Andrew Redmayne just before stoppage time. Scenes of jubilation followed for the majority of the 50,119 supporters in attendance, as Adelaide lifted a maiden Championship.
2-1 win – 21 February 2015 @ Coopers Stadium
Winless in two matches, Adelaide were in need of three points to maintain their status in the top four. But things did not go to plan in the Round 18 clash when Labinot Haliti tapped home Brendon Santalab’s volleyed cross.
After the break, Adelaide were a different side and Bruce Djite netted an equaliser, chasing down Marcelo Carrusca’s through ball to slide his finish under the charging Ante Covic. Then in the second minute of injury time Adelaide sealed the victory. Tarek Elrich threaded a pass to Craig Goodwin, who had the awareness to pick out an unmarked Sergio Cirio and side footed his shot beyond the WSW goalkeeper.
2-0 win – 6 December 2014 @ Coopers Stadium
Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s 15th minute dismissal for a second yellow card invited the Reds to dominate proceedings. And after probing they eventually breached the Wanderers defence in the 36th minute. Carrusca steered in Cirio’s low, left-footed cut-back first-time into the far corner in what was a well taken goal.
Ten minutes after the break, Adelaide deservedly grabbed a second, courtesy of some exceptional interplay. Fabio Ferreira cut inside and played a one-two with Carrusca, and the Argentine’s high returned dinked pass played in the Portuguese winger, who continued his run before watching his half-volleyed strike smash in off the post.
Adelaide United host Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Sunday, 26 November at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 6.30pm ACDT.
