Friday, January 14, 2011

Adelaide smash arch rivals Melbourne to end run of losses


Adelaide United has defeated Melbourne Victory for the first time since late 2007, with an emphatic 4-1 victory over their arch rivals.

The Reds kept their perfect winning record at AAMI Park intact with the stunning victory, meaning it was the first time they have received a point in eleven consecutive outings against the Melbourne side.

The traveling Adelaide fans received their first moments of joy since the 2007 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium, following a first half strike from Marcos Flores, before a goal-of-the-season contending free kick from Dutch striker Sergio Van Dijk was hit from a distance.

Any hopes of a Melbourne comeback were all but diminished in the 64th minute, as Kevin Muscat was given his marching orders for his second bookable offence after a stray arm on United midfielder Adam Hughes.

Adelaide then added two more goals, courtesy of Fabian Barbiero's first touch after coming on as a substitute, before Van Dijk's second was luckily popped into the net.

The Victory were never in the game, as Adelaide were on the attack from the very beginning with an early strike from debutant Uruguayan Francisco Usucar heaping the pressure early.

Melbourne were lucky not to be reduced to ten men early in the game, after what looked to be a deliberate handball by Grant Brebner.

Defensive pressure and the clinical strike from Flores proved the difference heading into the main break, as the Reds were high on confidence walking into the sheds.

Following the break, as Muscat received his first caution, the resulting free kick from Van Dijk thundered into the top corner of the net, as it smashed through the wall and past 'keeper Michael Petkovic.

As captain Travis Dodd came off the park, Barbiero himself would've been shocked to realise his first touch of the game was into the back of the net, effectively ending their run of losses against Melbourne.

Van Dijk then secured his status at the top of the A-League scoring charts, with his second goal. It was not all pretty however, as Petkovic nearly caused Van Dijk serious damage in the groin, following an attempt to save the ball with his studs up.

Even with the three points secured and Muscat off the field, the clash still exhaled plenty of fire, with Evan Berger kneeing Usucar in the head, leading to a sideline melee.

Melbourne were lucky not to have Berger sent off following the unnecessary incident.

The Victory also scored a late goal, with the last kick of the game, with a laid back Adelaide defense succumbing to a strike from substitute Mate Dugandzic.

The win keeps Adelaide in a strong position to claim second spot on the A-League ladder, whilst the Victory are now in danger of missing the finals following two losses in five days.

Adelaide's next game is on Friday week at Hindmarsh Stadium against the North Queensland Fury, who will be looking to keep their own finals hopes alive.

Adelaide Starting Lineup: 2. Robert Cornthwaite, 4. Iain Fyfe, 6. Cassio, 8. Adam Hughes, 9. Sergio Van Dijk, 10. Marcos Flores, 13. Travis Dodd (c), 14. Cameron Watson, 19. Iain Ramsay, 20. Mark Birrighitti (gk), 21. Francisco Usucar.
Substitutes: 18. Fabian Barbiero (73'), 12. Paul Reid (78'), 7. Lucas Pantelis (81'), 1. Eugene Galekovic (Not used)
Yellow Cards: Usucar 46', Barbiero 76', Flores 79'
Goals: Flores 12', Van Dijk 56', Barbiero 73', Van Dijk 78'

Melbourne Starting Lineup: 1. Michael Petkovic (gk), 2. Kevin Muscat (c), 8. Grant Brebner, 9. Ricardinho, 12. Rodrigo Vargas, 13. Diego Ferreria, 14. Billy Celeski, 16. Carlos Hernandez, 18. Danny Allsopp, 19. Evan Berger, 23. Adrian Leijer.
Substitues: 11. Marvin Angulo (46'), 3. Mate Dugandzic (73'), 6. Leigh Broxam (87'), 20. Sebastian Mattei (Not used)
Yellow Cards: Ricardinho 26', Muscat 56', Muscat 64', Berger 76', Allsopp 81', Angulo 86'
Red Card: Muscat 64'
Goal: Dugandzic 90+4'

Crowd: 18558 at AAMI Park
Referee: Peter Green

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