Adelaide United’s resurgence extended to seven matches unbeaten after a commanding 3-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Second half goals from Craig Goodwin, Pablo Sanchez and Mate Dugandzic cancelled out Fabio Ferreira’s clinical strike, handing Adelaide their fourth consecutive victory at Coopers Stadium.
Both sides were awarded penalties in the opening 45 minutes, but quite bizarrely, Marcelo Carrusca and Ferreira skied their respective spot kicks well over the crossbar.
However, the home side took a deserved lead when Goodwin expertly controlled Sanchez’s cross before blasting his right-footed effort past Alastair Bray.
Despite the hosts’ dominance, former Red Ferreira swiftly restored parity with a sublime finish off the inside of the post after an electric counter-attack by the Mariners.
An audacious header from Sanchez off Jimmy Jeggo’s corner put the Reds ahead with nine minutes left sending the largely partisan crowd into scenes of simultaneous jubilation and relief.
Goodwin then squared up Dugandzic for a routine tap-in to score his first goal for the club and in the process guarantee the three points would stay in the city of churches.
The result means Adelaide consolidate their position in the top six, while Central Coast remain at the bottom of the league standings.
Formations
Guillermo Amor kept faith with his favoured 4-3-3 formation, but was forced to make three changes from the lineup that dispatched Perth Glory the previous week. Captain and goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic succumbed to a groin injury during the week which meant young gloveman Daniel Margush was entrusted between the sticks. After being an unused substitute the last two games, Iacopa La Rocca was given the nod ahead of Osama Malik to partner Dylan McGowan to complete a belated league debut for the club since moving from the Western Sydney Wanderers. Pablo Sanchez also replaced compatriot Sergio Cirio on the right wing, after suffering a hamstring strain.
Adelaide United Starting XI: Margush; Marrone, McGowan, La Rocca, Elrich; Isaias, Jeggo, Carrusca; Sanchez, Djite, Goodwin
As for the Mariners, boss Tony Walmsley made two changes, one forced while the other purely tactical in a preferred 4-3-3 system. Tomislav Uskok received his inaugural start and superseded Jacob Poscoliero who missed the match through suspension, while new acquisition Bray started in goal instead of Thomas Heward-Belle. Although he conceded three goals, Bray was extremely impressive between the posts in his debut game and appears a talented prospect.
Central Coast Mariners Starting XI: Bray; Roux, Ascroft, Uskok, J. Rose; McGing, Montgomery, Neill; Ferreira, Bingham, Austin
Isaias pulling the strings in midfield
The 28-year-old was an ever-present force during his side’s win and was responsible for orchestrating United’s passing tempo and rhythm. The Spaniard’s ability to break up play is immense, but his poise and composure on the ball for the most part is admirable. His passing rate of 86% reflects just how important he is to Amor and the Reds. Throughout the encounter Isaias executed numerous short passes as well as a handful of long balls to quickly switch play and allow Adelaide to break with pace and intensity. If he can perpetuate these types of outings he has been demonstrating then it will go a long way in securing a top six berth for a fourth year in a row.
Mariners defence easily exposed
The overall inexperienced back four, particularly the central pairing of Harry Ascroft and Tomislav Uskok, translated into being comfortably exposed like a knife through butter by the South Australians. Too often the back four looked out of position and were caught square, while also being outnumbered when their opponents moved the ball rapidly in transition. It is an area Walmsley will have to address to plug the concession of goals in order to be considered competitive in the coming months. The loss of Ascroft at half time did not facilitate things for the naïve Uskok who received his first start for the Coast.
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The Spaniard was influential in the match and had a say in two of the goals Adelaide converted. The utility, who only started due to the Cirio’s hamstring complaint, made the most of a seemingly rare start. After the Reds squandered several opportunities to grab the lead, it was Sanchez’s pinpoint cross to pick out Goodwin which led to the latter opening the scoring. He then turned the match on its head, quite literally, with a sumptuous flicked header at the near post from Jeggo’s corner and past the hapless Bray. The ex-Recreativo man has now netted four goals this season and his aptness in getting into the right areas is a testament to his knowledge of the game. Irrespective of not possessing the fleet of foot to beat defenders in one-on-one positions, he finished with a number of passes on the flank in addition to three key passes (including his assist).
Adelaide United conclusion
Since a 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory at the end of November, Adelaide have strung together seven straight games without tasting a loss and are playing with an increased sense of confidence and verve each week. Amor will be hoping his side can continue to ride this form wave for as long as possible before an inevitable wipe out at some stage in the future. A tricky test awaits them as they face a Brisbane Roar outfit that suffered a disastrous 4-0 rout against reigning champions Victory the previous week. Although, the Reds have a respectable record at Suncorp Stadium, they will be without two essential mainstays in Jeggo and Michael Marrone, who are both suspended for the clash.
Central Coast Mariners conclusion
The Mariners can only really look upwards in the current predicament they are in. However, with the club announcing the acquisition of former Liverpool attacker Luis Garcia for the remainder of the season, it no doubt comes as a breath of fresh air for the beleaguered team. Walmsley should be optimistic the Spaniard can be the impetus for turning their campaign around in the second half of the year. A home game against the Western Sydney Wanderers is the Gosford outfit’s next game with a massive crowd expected.
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