Adelaide United secured a first-ever home grand final after a scintillating 4-1 trouncing of Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
The Reds will play at the Adelaide Oval next Sunday courtesy of Bruce Djite’s inspiring brace and volleys from Dylan McGowan and Pablo Sanchez.
Djite opened the scoring with a thunderous effort from outside the 18-yard box, before netting a spot-kick twelve minutes later.
Nick Fitzgerald pulled one back for City, but it proved merely a consolation as McGowan netted from a corner, while Sanchez sealed the rousing win in stoppage time in front of 15,489 vociferous supporters.
Adelaide United
Eugene Galekovic – 7: Commanded his area brilliantly and was reliable in the air.
Michael Marrone – 6.5: A solid outing for the right-back who ventured forwarded and defended aptly.
Dylan McGowan – 8: Resolute at the back and comfortably dealt with the presence of Bruno Fornaroli. Put the result beyond doubt with volleying home from a corner to make it 3-1.
Iacopo La Rocca – 7.5: Made several vital interceptions to snuff out impeding danger and also contributed in keeping the Uruguayan talisman at bay.
Craig Goodwin – 6.5: At times allowed Nick Fitzgerald too much time and space on the ball, but was threatening in advanced situations.
Isaias – 7.5: Industrious as always in the heart of the midfield. Retrieved possession of the ball and also the architect for the majority of Adelaide’s attacking play.
Stefan Mauk – 7.5: Another lively showing for the energetic midfielder, who relentlessly closed down his opponents.
Marcelo Carrusca – 7.5: Dangerous in the final third, grabbing the assist for Djite’s first strike, and nearly scored during the first-half with his strike bending agonisingly wide of the post.
Sergio Cirio – 7.5: The diminutive Spaniard had a great game and illustrated his trickery when dribbling at the opposition.
Bruce Djite – 9: The striker continued his impressive goal-scoring streak, producing a stunning second-half brace which contained a fabulous curling effort and a penalty. Also crossed the ball in for Sanchez’s expertly dispatched volley.
Bruce Kamau – 8: Caused the City defence all sorts of problems and won the spot-kick after he was blatantly fouled in the box.
Substitutions
Tarek Elrich – N/A: Superseded Goodwin and added assurance to the back four for the final 10 minutes.
Pablo Sanchez – 6: Replaced Kamau with six minutes remaining and etched his name on the scoresheet with a lovely volley.
Melbourne City
Thomas Sorensen – 6: Could not do anything about the goals he conceded.
Paulo Retre – 5.5: Did little during the match and received a caution for a cynical foul on Carrusca.
Patrick Kisnorbo – 5: Cut an awkward figure in possession and defensively was at sea. The veteran was also lucky not have been brandished a caution for an incident involving Kamau.
Alex Wilkinson – 5.5: Defended reasonably well until the flood gates opened.
Jack Clisby – 4.5: Committed a reckless tackle on Kamau to give the Reds a blatant penalty and could not contain the winger’s blistering pace.
Osama Malik – 6: Overrun in midfield and provided little cover in front of the defence.
Anthony Caceres – 6: Despite starting brightly he faded as the game wore on.
Aaron Mooy – 6.5: Not his most influential game, but was effective when allowed space on the ball – threading some incisive through balls.
Nick Fitzgerald – 8: Was left unmarked in the area, before nonchalantly dispatching a clinical finish in off the upright and was arguably the Citizens’ best player on the night.
Bruno Fornaroli – 6: Experienced a subdued match from the A-League’s golden boot winner and was starved of service.
Ben Garuccio – 6: Attacked with purpose and seemed unfortunate to have been substituted.
Substitutions
Connor Chapman – 6: Replaced Retre after 61 minutes at right-back and assisted Fitzgerald’s goal.
Marc Marino – 6: Came on for Garuccio on the hour mark.
Jacob Melling – N/A: Came on for Kisnorbo.
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