Adelaide United will host the 2015-16 Grand Final next week, following a convincing 4-1 victory against Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium.
In a blistering first half it was Adelaide who threatened strongly, with City’s goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen come to his side’s aid on a number of occasions.
Bruce Kamau had the best opportunity to break the deadlock with a powerful low-footed shot was parried enough by Sorensen, which allowed Jack Clisby to clear off the line.
Directly from the restart Eugene Galekovic came off his line to clear a ball which hit his teammate and fell kindly to Bruno Fornaroli whose goal-bound shot was blocked by Iacopo La Rocca.
On 48 minutes, Bruce Djite opened the scoring with with a screamer from 25 yards that curled past a despairing Sorensen into the top left-hand corner.
Jack Clisby’s clumsy challenge on Kamau in the area allowed Djite to slot an expert penalty and double his tally for the night and Adelaide’s advantage on the hour mark.
City grabbed a lifeline with just under 20 minutes remaining when substitute Connor Chapman squared a lovely ball for Nick Fitzgerald to drill low with aplomb from 16 yards.
The resurgence was quashed when Dylan McGowan volleyed in Marcelo Carrusca’s corner kick in the 87th minute to seal a home Grand Final for Adelaide next week.
And in the dying seconds Pablo Sanchez rounded off a memorable night with a terrific near post volley from Djite’s inch-perfect cross.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
Grand final at a packed Adelaide Oval is gonna be sick, don’t listen to the ‘purists’ #ADLvMCY
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) April 22, 2016
Melbourne City lost the final when they swapped Mauk for Malik #ADLvMCY
— Samuel Duff (@sduff17) April 22, 2016
Bad luck city. Another year without a trophy and most likely to loose Bruno and Mooy. Happy days #ADLvMCY #ALFinals
— Chris Gleeson (@gleebodinho) April 22, 2016
Fair play to the Reds. Been a massive resurrection this year. And the finishing touch! #ADLvMCY
— Dan M (@PiesManDan) April 22, 2016
For the 11th consecutive year the A-League GF will feature 2 of the top 3 placed teams. #top6 #ADLvMCY
— Doug Kors (@dougkors) April 22, 2016
Not the result I wanted but credit to Adelaide, that’s a big game they’ve just dominated #ADLvMCY
— Spencer Carl (@rubberlegs_) April 22, 2016
Big match. Mooy goes AWOL again. #ADLvMCY
— David Fisher (@davefisher74) April 22, 2016
So many beers went unharmed in the Reds’ “active” support after that goal. Disgraceful. #ADLvMCY
— Jack Currie (@jackyboy_c) April 22, 2016
What a goal from Bruce Djite! Stunning strike worthy of any game on the planet. #ADLvMCY
— Matt Wooding (@AussieVillain) April 22, 2016
City being ripped apart like the soft, pathetic, joke of a team they are #ADLvMCY
— Conrad Lawson (@TheRad21) April 22, 2016
I’ve said it all along. Fornaroli isn’t a big game player #ADLvMCY #ALFinals
— Russell (@russellwsw) April 22, 2016
Craig Goodwin is the Aussie Gareth Bale. #ADLvMCY
— Nathinho (@SnoopWoggg) April 22, 2016
It seems that Fox Sports want to boof Fornaroli so much that they even replay his failed bicycle kicks #ADLvMCY
— Jake Bawden (@vibesonthefloor) April 22, 2016
Some beautiful football on display. This matchup has not disappointed at all this season. Fit for a final. #ALeague #ADLvMCY
— Ryan Steele (ライアン) (@Steelinho) April 22, 2016
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