Adelaide United kick-off their Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season away to Wellington Phoenix in what has traditionally proven to be a difficult trip for any travelling team.
However, the Reds have tasted some success over the ‘Nix in New Zealand, particularly at Westpac Stadium, recording three victories.
Here is a recap of our three triumphs…
0-4 win – 5 March 2016 @ Westpac Stadium
Arguably the Reds’ best performance across the Tasman. Earlier that season United suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss at ‘The Cake Tin’, as Guillermo Amor’s side were in the midst of a tough winless run which ultimately lasted eight games. But fast forward four months and a dramatic turnaround in fortunes was transpiring – Adelaide had remarkably strung together an unprecedented 13-match unbeaten run.
Dylan McGowan opened the scoring on the half-hour mark after steering home Jordan Elsey’s deflected header from Marcelo Carrusca’s initial corner. One-nil soon became 2-0 when Stefan Mauk waltzed through the Wellington defence to latch on to Carrusca’s through ball, before dispatching a clinical finish. After the break, it was more of the same from the visitors as Craig Goodwin’s cut-back was served on a plate for Bruce Djite. The Phoenix’s miserable outing was further compounded as substitute Pablo Sanchez burst through the box to add insult to injury and cap off Adelaide’s most dominant win in New Zealand.
1-2 win – 30 November 2007 @ Westpac Stadium
Adelaide’s second ever visit against Wellington saw the Reds prevail 2-1. Paul Agostino netted his first goal with the Club when his header beat gloveman Glen Moss after connecting with a pin-point Lucas Pantelis cross. But the Reds were reduced to 10 men midway through the second-half, after defender Milan Susak received a second yellow card for a foul in the penalty area.
Brazilian Daniel duly converted the ensuing spot-kick and with Adelaide under the cosh Pantelis struck against the run of play in the 79th minute. Agostino skilfully threaded Nathan Burns’ pass to the diminutive left-winger before expertly finishing beyond Moss to seal a first win in five matches.
0-1 win – 30 March 2014 @ Westpac Stadium
It was a tight finish in the race for the top six of the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 campaign involving Adelaide, Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets with three matches to go before the conclusion of the regular season. Therefore, the Reds knew the importance of claiming three points in their Round 25 clash with Wellington.
It was a scrappy affair with a solitary second-half penalty, nonchalantly dispatched by Marcelo Carrusca, proving decisive. Tarek Elrich was taken out by a clumsy challenge from Andrew Durante allowing the Argentine to break the deadlock. The victory showed to be rather crucial as United guaranteed a finals appearance, despite collecting one point from the remaining two rounds.
Adelaide United will face Wellington Phoenix in Round 1 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Sunday, 8 October at Westpac Stadium. Kick-off is at 2.30pm ACDT.
