Tonight sees the start of the Asian Cup 2011 quarter-finals with host nation Qatar taking on one of the tournament favourites Japan.
The other quarterfinal matches are:
Iran vs South Korea
Uzbekistan vs Jordan
Australia vs Iraq
I think that Japan will have far too much quality across the park for Qatar and this will see the Blue Samurais proceeding through to the semi-finals where I would expect them to meet South Korea in a close encounter.
The other semi-finals should see Australia take on Uzbekistan at the Khalifa Stadium where Australia has yet to play in this tournament and which would be far more familiar surroundings for the Uzbeks.
My prediction for the final would be a Japan-Australia encounter although Australia would have to improve on their performance again Bahrain if they are to get past Uzbekistan in the semis.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Australia vs South Korea – Asian Cup 2011 2nd Half Match Report
The Socceroos make one change at the start of the 2nd half as Carl Valeri comes on for Culina.
South Korea look to make the game safe as they push for another goal. A free-kick in a promising position is wasted as the ball gets blasted to the moon!
Ognenovski, already on a yellow, is lucky to still be on the pitch after a clumsy challenge as South Korea are surging forward with the ball.
A South Korean header in the 53rd minute goes over the bar. The Socceroos really need to do something to turn this game around.
Sung-Ryong makes a diving catch at his near post to deny Kewell an equaliser after Kewell's shot is deflected in the 57th minute.
Then in the 60th minute, some good dribbling by Park allows him to cut inside his defender and fire off a shot which Schwarzer parries away at the near post. The Socceroos defenders then help prevent a corner.
Now it is end-to-end action as Australia pick up a corner in the 62nd minute which Wilkshire takes. Cahill's header is deflected away towards the back post where Neill chests down the ball and lofts it back into the 6-yard box. Sung-Ryong makes the decision to come for it but Jedinak gets his head to the ball first and his looping header finds the empty net for his first ever international goal!
The South Koreans respond by bringing on two substititutes, Yeom Ki-Hun for goalscorer Ja-Cheol and Byung Soo Yoo for Dong-Won, who made the assist for Ja-Cheol's goal.
Australia is forced into a substitution as Wilkshire is unable to continue due to injury and on comes Jade North.
There is some friendly-fire in the 79th minute as Cahill and Ognenovski clash heads going for the same ball off a Socceroos corner. Ognenovski looks to have come off worse but picks himself up and is ok to continue.
With 10 minutes left the Mexican wave starts to go around the Al-Gharafa Stadium and it looks like the the fans here in Qatar are enjoying themselves!
Both sides though are still looking for a win to make their qualification for the next round easier.
The Socceroos have clawed back some possession in this match as statistics now show they have 49% of it.
A brilliant reflex save from Schwarzer denies Ki Sung-Yeung a potential winner as he dives low to his right and gets a hand to the ball. It does not look like he would have seen that shot coming with his own defender blocking his line of sight.
Valeri then has a volley from inside the 'D' but it is straight down the middle at Sung-Ryong.
With a couple of minutes left, it is the last throw of the dice for Osieck as he brings on Brisbane Roar's captain Matt Mckay for Holman. South Korea in turn bring on Yoon Bit-Garam for Soo Yoo who only came in the 2nd half himself!
After 4 minutes of stoppage time, the referee brings an enthralling match between two of Asia's powerhouses to a close!
So both teams are now on 4 points with Australia on top of Group C, ahead of South Korea by goal difference only. With Bahrain expected to defeat India later today, that would leave Bahrain on 3 points. South Korea should easily dispose of India in their last match of the Group which would then mean Australia has to either draw or beat Bahrain in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. If Australia draw, they would most likely finish 2nd in the Group and face a tougher challenge in the next round. If they win, then it will come down to goal difference.
Australia will be hoping history repeats itself having defeated Bahrain during their 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.
Catch you then!
South Korea look to make the game safe as they push for another goal. A free-kick in a promising position is wasted as the ball gets blasted to the moon!
Ognenovski, already on a yellow, is lucky to still be on the pitch after a clumsy challenge as South Korea are surging forward with the ball.
A South Korean header in the 53rd minute goes over the bar. The Socceroos really need to do something to turn this game around.
Sung-Ryong makes a diving catch at his near post to deny Kewell an equaliser after Kewell's shot is deflected in the 57th minute.
Then in the 60th minute, some good dribbling by Park allows him to cut inside his defender and fire off a shot which Schwarzer parries away at the near post. The Socceroos defenders then help prevent a corner.
Now it is end-to-end action as Australia pick up a corner in the 62nd minute which Wilkshire takes. Cahill's header is deflected away towards the back post where Neill chests down the ball and lofts it back into the 6-yard box. Sung-Ryong makes the decision to come for it but Jedinak gets his head to the ball first and his looping header finds the empty net for his first ever international goal!
The South Koreans respond by bringing on two substititutes, Yeom Ki-Hun for goalscorer Ja-Cheol and Byung Soo Yoo for Dong-Won, who made the assist for Ja-Cheol's goal.
Australia is forced into a substitution as Wilkshire is unable to continue due to injury and on comes Jade North.
There is some friendly-fire in the 79th minute as Cahill and Ognenovski clash heads going for the same ball off a Socceroos corner. Ognenovski looks to have come off worse but picks himself up and is ok to continue.
With 10 minutes left the Mexican wave starts to go around the Al-Gharafa Stadium and it looks like the the fans here in Qatar are enjoying themselves!
Both sides though are still looking for a win to make their qualification for the next round easier.
The Socceroos have clawed back some possession in this match as statistics now show they have 49% of it.
A brilliant reflex save from Schwarzer denies Ki Sung-Yeung a potential winner as he dives low to his right and gets a hand to the ball. It does not look like he would have seen that shot coming with his own defender blocking his line of sight.
Valeri then has a volley from inside the 'D' but it is straight down the middle at Sung-Ryong.
With a couple of minutes left, it is the last throw of the dice for Osieck as he brings on Brisbane Roar's captain Matt Mckay for Holman. South Korea in turn bring on Yoon Bit-Garam for Soo Yoo who only came in the 2nd half himself!
After 4 minutes of stoppage time, the referee brings an enthralling match between two of Asia's powerhouses to a close!
So both teams are now on 4 points with Australia on top of Group C, ahead of South Korea by goal difference only. With Bahrain expected to defeat India later today, that would leave Bahrain on 3 points. South Korea should easily dispose of India in their last match of the Group which would then mean Australia has to either draw or beat Bahrain in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. If Australia draw, they would most likely finish 2nd in the Group and face a tougher challenge in the next round. If they win, then it will come down to goal difference.
Australia will be hoping history repeats itself having defeated Bahrain during their 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.
Catch you then!
Australia vs South Korea – Asian Cup 2011 Half Time Match Report
The Socceroos second group match sees them take on one of the tournament favourites in South Korea. Socceroos coach Holger Osieck decides to stick with the same winning eleven and they line up as follows: GK-Schwarzer; RB-Wilkshire, CB-Neill, CB-Ognenovski, LB-Carney; RW-Emerton, CM-Jedinak, CM-Culina, LW- Holman; AM-Cahill; ST- Kewell.
For the first few minutes South Korea seems to be on top with the ball in Australia’s half most of the time. However, the Socceroos have a chance in the 7th minute when the ball falls to Kewell after a free-kick taken by Wilkshire on the right. With only the keeper to beat, Kewell gets under the ball though and volleys it over the bar from inside the box.
A bit of controversy in the 14th minute as a deep cross from the right is swung in and Cahill rises to meet the ball at the back post. Looks like a decent shout for a penalty as Cha Du-Ri then jumps into the side of Cahill but the referee has none of it. A few minutes later and the South Koreans are denied a free-kick right on the edge of the area as Culina tackles Park Ji-Sung and does not look to have gotten a touch to the ball.
Hwang Jae-Won then shows why he is a defender when he mistimes a volley and it comes off his knee harmlessly. This comes off a 19th minute corner that goes deep and is headed back to Jae-Won who is unmarked.
In the 22nd minute Holman wins the ball at the halfway line and releases Emerton down the right who switches it to Kewell steaming in at goal. Du-Ri brings Kewell down from behind and gets a yellow as luckily he is not the last man. The free-kick is headed away by the wall but only as far as Emerton who takes one touch and volleys it at goal. South Korean keeper Sung-Ryong Jung steps to his right and goes down to take it comfortably on his chest.
A big kick from Sung-Ryong catches the Australian defenders out and Ji Dong-Won manages to get to the ball in the box, control it and lay it back to an unmarked Koo Ja-Cheol at the penalty spot. Ja-Cheol drives it low into the left corner for his third goal of the tournament leaving Schwarzer no chance!
Quick passing in the 26th minute opens up the Australian defence and Dong-Won takes a shot which Schwarzer parries away. Schwarzer then has to scramble after the ball and manages to smother it before either of the two on-rushing South Korean players can reach it.
A push in the back on Kewell as he chests the ball down results in a free-kick dead-centre on goal 26-yards out in the 30th minute. A nicely worked free-kick results in Kewell having a shot without the South Korean wall blocking him but he blasts it just over the bar.
At this point the statistics are showing South Korea having 55% of the ball possession and some sloppy passing by the Socceroos is contributing to this.
With 8 minutes left in the first half, Dong-Won gets a free header in the centre of the 6-yard line and it takes a big deflection off Carney but lucky for Australia it goes wide.
As the first half comes to and end the Socceroos starting creating some chances and in the 39th minute, Kewell has a great chance after Holman finds him with a pass across the edge of the area. Kewell takes a touch, looks at goal, and drives it for the far corner only to see it fizz past the wrong side of the post.
Cahill then has an opportunity to pull Australia level in the 40th minute but the South Korean defender gets his foot in to knock the ball out for a corner before Cahill can pull the trigger from the edge of the 6-yard box.
Not only are the South Koreans quick to counter attack but they look very patient on the ball, passing it around as they probe the Socceroos defence for an opening.
A couple of late slide tackles during the first half have seen Emerton and Ognenovski pick up yellows. It may prove costly as Australia goes deeper in the tournament.
Stay tuned for the 2nd half report!
For the first few minutes South Korea seems to be on top with the ball in Australia’s half most of the time. However, the Socceroos have a chance in the 7th minute when the ball falls to Kewell after a free-kick taken by Wilkshire on the right. With only the keeper to beat, Kewell gets under the ball though and volleys it over the bar from inside the box.
A bit of controversy in the 14th minute as a deep cross from the right is swung in and Cahill rises to meet the ball at the back post. Looks like a decent shout for a penalty as Cha Du-Ri then jumps into the side of Cahill but the referee has none of it. A few minutes later and the South Koreans are denied a free-kick right on the edge of the area as Culina tackles Park Ji-Sung and does not look to have gotten a touch to the ball.
Hwang Jae-Won then shows why he is a defender when he mistimes a volley and it comes off his knee harmlessly. This comes off a 19th minute corner that goes deep and is headed back to Jae-Won who is unmarked.
In the 22nd minute Holman wins the ball at the halfway line and releases Emerton down the right who switches it to Kewell steaming in at goal. Du-Ri brings Kewell down from behind and gets a yellow as luckily he is not the last man. The free-kick is headed away by the wall but only as far as Emerton who takes one touch and volleys it at goal. South Korean keeper Sung-Ryong Jung steps to his right and goes down to take it comfortably on his chest.
A big kick from Sung-Ryong catches the Australian defenders out and Ji Dong-Won manages to get to the ball in the box, control it and lay it back to an unmarked Koo Ja-Cheol at the penalty spot. Ja-Cheol drives it low into the left corner for his third goal of the tournament leaving Schwarzer no chance!
Quick passing in the 26th minute opens up the Australian defence and Dong-Won takes a shot which Schwarzer parries away. Schwarzer then has to scramble after the ball and manages to smother it before either of the two on-rushing South Korean players can reach it.
A push in the back on Kewell as he chests the ball down results in a free-kick dead-centre on goal 26-yards out in the 30th minute. A nicely worked free-kick results in Kewell having a shot without the South Korean wall blocking him but he blasts it just over the bar.
At this point the statistics are showing South Korea having 55% of the ball possession and some sloppy passing by the Socceroos is contributing to this.
With 8 minutes left in the first half, Dong-Won gets a free header in the centre of the 6-yard line and it takes a big deflection off Carney but lucky for Australia it goes wide.
As the first half comes to and end the Socceroos starting creating some chances and in the 39th minute, Kewell has a great chance after Holman finds him with a pass across the edge of the area. Kewell takes a touch, looks at goal, and drives it for the far corner only to see it fizz past the wrong side of the post.
Cahill then has an opportunity to pull Australia level in the 40th minute but the South Korean defender gets his foot in to knock the ball out for a corner before Cahill can pull the trigger from the edge of the 6-yard box.
Not only are the South Koreans quick to counter attack but they look very patient on the ball, passing it around as they probe the Socceroos defence for an opening.
A couple of late slide tackles during the first half have seen Emerton and Ognenovski pick up yellows. It may prove costly as Australia goes deeper in the tournament.
Stay tuned for the 2nd half report!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Australia vs India - Asian Cup 2011 Half Time Update
Australia lead 3-0 at half-time after further goals from Harry Kewell in the 25th minute and Brett Holman in the 45th.
India are giving the Socceroos far too much space in the final third and it is costing them. If it weren't for their keeper Subrata Paul, India would be further behind. India are also definitely missing their talismanic captain and striker Bhaichung Bhutia, the first Indian to play professionally in Europe (signing for Bury in the UK in 1999) as they lack any conviction up-forward.
With India pressing so high up the field, I expect them to tire as the second half wears on and I can see the Socceroos putting away another couple of goals before taking the foot off the pedal to conserve energy for the second match against fellow Group C giants South Korea. The Socceroos are currently dominating the aerial balls and given their strength and height, I would not be surprised to see Sasa Ognenovski popping up with a goal from a corner or setpiece.
India are giving the Socceroos far too much space in the final third and it is costing them. If it weren't for their keeper Subrata Paul, India would be further behind. India are also definitely missing their talismanic captain and striker Bhaichung Bhutia, the first Indian to play professionally in Europe (signing for Bury in the UK in 1999) as they lack any conviction up-forward.
With India pressing so high up the field, I expect them to tire as the second half wears on and I can see the Socceroos putting away another couple of goals before taking the foot off the pedal to conserve energy for the second match against fellow Group C giants South Korea. The Socceroos are currently dominating the aerial balls and given their strength and height, I would not be surprised to see Sasa Ognenovski popping up with a goal from a corner or setpiece.
Australia vs India - Asian Cup 2011 Match Update
11 minutes into the match and Australia are off the mark through Tim Cahill. This could well turn out to be a thrashing for India who have come out with a 4-4-2 formation. India are playing a very high line at present and pressing the Socceroos from the front. They need to be careful as the Socceroos are getting in behind the Indian defence far too easily.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Asian Cup 2011
Tonight sees Australia kick-off their second Asian Cup appearance with a match against India at Al Sadd Stadium in Qatar.
With a majority of their European-based stars present, the Qantas Socceroos will be out to make amends for their disappointing tournament debut four years ago. At the start of the Asian Cup 2011, the bookies had them as second favourites to win the tournament although after pre-tournament favourites Japan's draw with Jordan last night, Japan have now moved out to $5.00 (Centrebet) whilst Australia has firmed to $4.50 (Centrebet).
Australia are heavy favourites for this match at near unbackable odds with many expecting the score to blow out. That may well be the case if India decide to play 4-4-2 and take the game to Australia.
However, I just cannot see that happening and it will be most likely that India play a defensive-minded 4-5-1 formation. As seen by Jordan's one-all draw with Japan and Syria's shock 2-1 victory over 3-time Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia, the so-called minnows of the tournament cannot be under-estimated. It is always difficult to breakdown a team that sets out their stall to defend with 9 or 10 men behind the ball. The Socceroos will also have to make sure they do not get caught out on the counter-attacks.
Personally, I would like to see the following starting line-up: GK-Schwarzer; RB-Emerton, CB-Neill, CB-Ognenovski, LB-Carney; RW-Oar, CM-Cahill, CM-Culina, LW-Kewell; ST-Holman, ST-Kruse.
Regardless, I predict a Socceroos win, most likely 2-nil or 3-nil.
On a side note, having watched the first half of the Japan vs Jordan match last night, I was very impressed with Japan's play. In particular their speed of passing with lots of one-touch passing and triangular movement, much like Arsene Wenger's Arsenal!
With a majority of their European-based stars present, the Qantas Socceroos will be out to make amends for their disappointing tournament debut four years ago. At the start of the Asian Cup 2011, the bookies had them as second favourites to win the tournament although after pre-tournament favourites Japan's draw with Jordan last night, Japan have now moved out to $5.00 (Centrebet) whilst Australia has firmed to $4.50 (Centrebet).
Australia are heavy favourites for this match at near unbackable odds with many expecting the score to blow out. That may well be the case if India decide to play 4-4-2 and take the game to Australia.
However, I just cannot see that happening and it will be most likely that India play a defensive-minded 4-5-1 formation. As seen by Jordan's one-all draw with Japan and Syria's shock 2-1 victory over 3-time Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia, the so-called minnows of the tournament cannot be under-estimated. It is always difficult to breakdown a team that sets out their stall to defend with 9 or 10 men behind the ball. The Socceroos will also have to make sure they do not get caught out on the counter-attacks.
Personally, I would like to see the following starting line-up: GK-Schwarzer; RB-Emerton, CB-Neill, CB-Ognenovski, LB-Carney; RW-Oar, CM-Cahill, CM-Culina, LW-Kewell; ST-Holman, ST-Kruse.
Regardless, I predict a Socceroos win, most likely 2-nil or 3-nil.
On a side note, having watched the first half of the Japan vs Jordan match last night, I was very impressed with Japan's play. In particular their speed of passing with lots of one-touch passing and triangular movement, much like Arsene Wenger's Arsenal!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United @ AAMI Park - Match Report 9th January 2011
Adelaide United has finally ended their hoodoo against Melbourne Victory, snapping a 10-game losing streak against their rivals with a resounding 4-1 thrashing at AAMI Park.
Danny Allsopp made his first start for the Victory in his second stint at the club after returning from playing overseas, most recently with DC United in the MLS. The previous A-League Golden Boot winner was looking to repay the club's faith in him by scoring goals and to cover the absences of Robbie Kruse (Asian Cup duty with Australia) and Archie Thompson (hamstring injury).
Adelaide United's Paul Reid had fallen ill during the week and so the Reds gave a starting debut to one of their new imports Francisco Usucar who slotted in next to Reid's regular defensive midfield partner Adam Hughes. The Reds' guest player Andy Slory did not make the matchday squad due to a thigh problem.
The Reds dominated the match from kick-off as they moved the ball around positively. Their up-tempo football soon had the Victory on the back foot and Adelaide were rewarded with an early goal in the 12th minute. Winger Iain Ramsay, in one of his best games yet for the club, fired in a deep cross from the left which captain Travis Dodd managed to reach, rising high to nod the ball back across the top of the 6-yard box. An alert Marcos Flores was first to the ball and side-footed it first time through the legs of the Victory's keeper Michael Petkovic.
Adelaide did not rest on their laurels and kept up the high intensity. Hughes, Usucar and Cameron Watson all fired shots in at the Victory goal and kept the pressure on Petkovic and his defence.
Ramsay's searing pace was causing the Victory all sorts of headaches and as a long ball came over Grant Brebner's head, he misjudged his header, allowing Ramsay to catch up to him as they both ran towards the Victory goal. Brebner went to ground on the edge of the penalty box and scooped the ball away with his right hand. As Ramsay would have been through and with Brebner being the last man, he was lucky not to be sent off for a blatant handball. Given the positioning of the referee though, there was no way he could have seen the handball. However, that should offence should have been spotted by the referee's assistant on the far-side.
Young Reds keeper Mark Birighitti was not showing any signs of nerves and he pulled a fine reflex save late in the half to deny a stinging Carlos Hernandez effort in the Victory’s best chance of the half.
Six corners to one in favour of the Reds in the first half told the story but they only had one goal to show for it going into half-time.
Adelaide came out in the second half with the same intent and purpose in their play. 11 minutes into the second half and the Reds were rewarded. Cassio read play well, cutting out a cross-field pass in the centre of the park and knocking the ball upfield to Hughes. He then continued his run, receiving the ball back from Hughes and cutting left past Muscat who gave the him a little push. The referee gave the Reds the free-kick in a dangerous position, 30 yards out directly in front of goal. Up stepped Sergio van Dijk who slammed a thunderous piledriver that swerved away from Petkovic's reach into the top left corner. We'll be seeing that replay for sometime! Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick will be disappointed at the way his wall opened up to let van Dijk's shot through.
The Reds' chances of holding on for a famous win was made easier in the 64th minute as the Victory's mercurial skipper Kevin Muscat received a second yellow for a stray elbow into the head of Hughes.
Allsopp missed a golden chance to pull one back for the home side and he was made to pay as Fabian Barbiero scored Adelaide’s third with his first touch of the game after replacing Dodd. Iain Fyfe's goal-bound header from a corner was initially kept out by Marvin Angulo but Barbiero was on hand to slam the ball into the roof of the net from inside the 6-yard box as the ball fell kindly for him.
Tempers then boiled over as Evan Berger went in recklessly on a prone Usucar who copped a knee to the head on the sideline next to the substitutes' bench. Both teams got involved in a bit of argy bargy but once separated, the referee dished out yellows to Berger and Barbiero, who was first on scene to confront Berger.
From the resulting free-kick to United inside their own half, a long ball was hoofed into the Victory area and van Dijk got his foot to the ball as Petkovic jumped straight over it and into van Dijk. The ball rolled into the back of the net which further silenced a stunned AAMI Park crowd.
Reid then came on for Usucar and with 10 minutes left, van Dijk was withdrawn for Lucas Pantelis. It was surprising that he was not given the chance to get a hat-trick as it felt like there was another goal left in the game. Not only that, but United's next game is not for another 12 days.
As the clock wound down in stoppage time, Victory subsititute Mate Dugandzic scored a consolation goal with the last kick of the match much to the disappointment of United's coach Rini Coolen who said, "I wasn’t happy with the goal they scored, I think it was better to keep a clean sheet and it was possible to keep the ball at the end of the game, but four goals in an away game against a team like that with so much pressure in that game, it’s a great result.”
The match was a joy to watch and it's great to see Adelaide playing such organised, positive football where they create so many chances. 16 shots with 13 on target is a fantastic effort.
With a break next weekend to look forward to, four of their remaining five games at home and a host of players set to be back from injury, including Eugene Galekovic, Nigel Boogaard, Mathew Leckie and Andy Slory, it is looking positive for the Reds leading into the A-League finals.
Danny Allsopp made his first start for the Victory in his second stint at the club after returning from playing overseas, most recently with DC United in the MLS. The previous A-League Golden Boot winner was looking to repay the club's faith in him by scoring goals and to cover the absences of Robbie Kruse (Asian Cup duty with Australia) and Archie Thompson (hamstring injury).
Adelaide United's Paul Reid had fallen ill during the week and so the Reds gave a starting debut to one of their new imports Francisco Usucar who slotted in next to Reid's regular defensive midfield partner Adam Hughes. The Reds' guest player Andy Slory did not make the matchday squad due to a thigh problem.
The Reds dominated the match from kick-off as they moved the ball around positively. Their up-tempo football soon had the Victory on the back foot and Adelaide were rewarded with an early goal in the 12th minute. Winger Iain Ramsay, in one of his best games yet for the club, fired in a deep cross from the left which captain Travis Dodd managed to reach, rising high to nod the ball back across the top of the 6-yard box. An alert Marcos Flores was first to the ball and side-footed it first time through the legs of the Victory's keeper Michael Petkovic.
Adelaide did not rest on their laurels and kept up the high intensity. Hughes, Usucar and Cameron Watson all fired shots in at the Victory goal and kept the pressure on Petkovic and his defence.
Ramsay's searing pace was causing the Victory all sorts of headaches and as a long ball came over Grant Brebner's head, he misjudged his header, allowing Ramsay to catch up to him as they both ran towards the Victory goal. Brebner went to ground on the edge of the penalty box and scooped the ball away with his right hand. As Ramsay would have been through and with Brebner being the last man, he was lucky not to be sent off for a blatant handball. Given the positioning of the referee though, there was no way he could have seen the handball. However, that should offence should have been spotted by the referee's assistant on the far-side.
Young Reds keeper Mark Birighitti was not showing any signs of nerves and he pulled a fine reflex save late in the half to deny a stinging Carlos Hernandez effort in the Victory’s best chance of the half.
Six corners to one in favour of the Reds in the first half told the story but they only had one goal to show for it going into half-time.
Adelaide came out in the second half with the same intent and purpose in their play. 11 minutes into the second half and the Reds were rewarded. Cassio read play well, cutting out a cross-field pass in the centre of the park and knocking the ball upfield to Hughes. He then continued his run, receiving the ball back from Hughes and cutting left past Muscat who gave the him a little push. The referee gave the Reds the free-kick in a dangerous position, 30 yards out directly in front of goal. Up stepped Sergio van Dijk who slammed a thunderous piledriver that swerved away from Petkovic's reach into the top left corner. We'll be seeing that replay for sometime! Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick will be disappointed at the way his wall opened up to let van Dijk's shot through.
The Reds' chances of holding on for a famous win was made easier in the 64th minute as the Victory's mercurial skipper Kevin Muscat received a second yellow for a stray elbow into the head of Hughes.
Allsopp missed a golden chance to pull one back for the home side and he was made to pay as Fabian Barbiero scored Adelaide’s third with his first touch of the game after replacing Dodd. Iain Fyfe's goal-bound header from a corner was initially kept out by Marvin Angulo but Barbiero was on hand to slam the ball into the roof of the net from inside the 6-yard box as the ball fell kindly for him.
Tempers then boiled over as Evan Berger went in recklessly on a prone Usucar who copped a knee to the head on the sideline next to the substitutes' bench. Both teams got involved in a bit of argy bargy but once separated, the referee dished out yellows to Berger and Barbiero, who was first on scene to confront Berger.
From the resulting free-kick to United inside their own half, a long ball was hoofed into the Victory area and van Dijk got his foot to the ball as Petkovic jumped straight over it and into van Dijk. The ball rolled into the back of the net which further silenced a stunned AAMI Park crowd.
Reid then came on for Usucar and with 10 minutes left, van Dijk was withdrawn for Lucas Pantelis. It was surprising that he was not given the chance to get a hat-trick as it felt like there was another goal left in the game. Not only that, but United's next game is not for another 12 days.
As the clock wound down in stoppage time, Victory subsititute Mate Dugandzic scored a consolation goal with the last kick of the match much to the disappointment of United's coach Rini Coolen who said, "I wasn’t happy with the goal they scored, I think it was better to keep a clean sheet and it was possible to keep the ball at the end of the game, but four goals in an away game against a team like that with so much pressure in that game, it’s a great result.”
The match was a joy to watch and it's great to see Adelaide playing such organised, positive football where they create so many chances. 16 shots with 13 on target is a fantastic effort.
With a break next weekend to look forward to, four of their remaining five games at home and a host of players set to be back from injury, including Eugene Galekovic, Nigel Boogaard, Mathew Leckie and Andy Slory, it is looking positive for the Reds leading into the A-League finals.
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