Stars of the future: How Adelaide United built the best youth system in Australia
It was not too long ago that it was no guarantee that the best youth talents from South Australia would make their A-League debuts…
The Wellington Phoenix beat Adelaide United 1-0 at Christchurch to get their A-League playoffs campaign back on track.
A first-half strike by defender Jon McKain was enough to ensure the Phoenix gained a comfortable gap of seven points inside the top six over seventh-placed Central Coast Mariners.
The win also broke a two-match losing streak for the Phoenix while marking their first win in three seasons over last year’s runners-up who are currently bottom of the table.
The return of Tony Lochhead at left back from a groin injury which caused him to be spelled for their last two matches, saw the Phoenix defence back at full strength.
The Phoenix were pinned in defence for about 20 minutes from kickoff but an understrength Adelaide attack were tentative.
Wellington turned the tide through Adrian Caceres who was lively on the left flank and rightback Troy Hearfield who produced some adventurous runs on the right.
McKain scored his second goal of the season in the 21st minute when he rifled home a drive during a melee off a corner which gave goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic no chance.
Adelaide then closed the half by forcing Phoenix goalkeeper Liam Reddy into twice tipping away dangerous headers by Mathew Lecki and Travis Dodd.
Coach Ricki Herbert had opted to use Paul Greenacre and Eugene Dadi upfront, flanked by Paul Ifill and Caceres.
But the quartet were unable to break down a resolute Adelaide defence although Dadi, Ifill and Caceres managed to make a number of dangerous crosses into the box.
All White Leo Bertos was sent on for Dadi and Daniel for Caceres late in the second half and but neither was able to help find another goal.
Adelaide finished the stronger of the two sides with Dodd forcing Reddy to tip away his dipping shot from outside the box and at the other end, no Phoenix forward could get onto the end of a cross by Bertos.
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It was not too long ago that it was no guarantee that the best youth talents from South Australia would make their A-League debuts…
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