Adelaide United capitalised on their numerical advantage securing a 3-1 win against a 10-man Perth Glory and extended their undefeated streak to six matches at nib Stadium.
The Reds won their first away clash of the season thanks to goals Sergio Cirio, Marcelo Carrusca and Craig Goodwin in a match that they could have won by more.
The visitors found themselves a goal behind inside five minutes when Chris Harold applied enough pressure on Tarek Elrich who inadvertently put the ball in his own net from Richard Garcia’s inviting cross. Harold again caused havoc in the area and should have doubled Perth’s lead, but missed an absolute sitter from point-blank range, blazing his effort over the crossbar.
After going a goal down, it appeared to spark United into life and they restored parity courtesy of a well-crafted goal which culminated in a clinical side-footed finish from Cirio.
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Diego Castro then wasted another glorious opportunity for the Western Australia outfit, brushing the outside of the post when it seemed easier to convert. Things went from bad to worse when defender Alex Grant was dismissed after a clumsy foul on Craig Goodwin, denying the attacker a goal-scoring opening.
A moment of magic from Marcelo Carrusca just after the restart appeased the threat of having to break down two banks of four with an incisive finish arrowing into the far corner. The Argentine sensation danced his way past a couple of Glory defenders before firing his effort on his weaker right foot.
With Perth reduced to 10 men, Kenny Lowe’s men illustrated immense resilience, desperately seeking an equaliser, as they pressed extremely hard. Craig Goodwin then finally put the match beyond doubt in stoppage time as Guillermo Amor’s men ultimately held on for a rather nervous victory. The result sees Adelaide provisionally climb into the top six for the first time since round one, while Perth remain in ninth spot in the league standings.
Marcelo Carrusca’s resurgence a sight to behold
The Argentine maestro unsurprisingly had an influence on proceedings as he was the principle orchestrator in his attacking midfield role. After being banished to the substitute’s for three consecutive games it is no coincidence his return to form has coincided with the Reds’ resurgence. Carrusca assisted Cirio’s tidy finish before the interval, before grabbing his third goal of the season with a thunderous right-footed effort into the far post.
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Perth rue their first-half profligacy
Despite the Glory being reduced to 10 men, the Glory wasted two golden opportunities in the first 45. Chris Harold, who minutes earlier was involved in the Elrich’s own goal, missed a guilt-edge chance virtually on the goal-line and should have increased Perth’s advantage to two goals which could have potentially put Adelaide out of sight. The host’s profligacy was again on display when the scores were locked at 1-1 when Spaniard Castro squandered a second simple tap-in. The 33-year-old was on a slight angle when his low shot ricocheted off the exterior side off the upright and out for a goal-kick and much to the ire of the home supporters.
Bruce Djite’s striking woes continue
Another game, another scoreless outing for the industrious number nine. Djite’s horrendous season from a scoring perspective does not look like abating any time soon as the 28-year-old is now incidentally 19 matches without a goal. Compounding the striker’s predicament he has also just found the back-of-the-net once in 16 appearances against the Glory as the search for an elusive goal endures for yet another week. Although, Djite did manage to execute a couple of shots at Ante Covic they rarely troubled the veteran custodian. If the Reds are serious about competing in the finals then they will certainly have to entertain the thought of acquiring attacking reinforcements during the incumbent January transfer window.
Outside90 Player of the Year Votes
3 – Marcelo Carrusca
2 – Sergio Cirio
1 – Richard Garcia
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