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Adelaide United’s top two – and Premier Plate – challenge is over after losing to the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 at Pirtek Stadium in front of 9837 fans.
A red card in the second half to Nigel Boogaard, which resulted in a penalty, and a goal, hurt the Reds dearly as the Wanderers capitalised on the extra man.
Not only did they score the resultant penalty, through Tomi Juric, they then scored another goal through Mark Bridge to end the Reds chances of a home preliminary final.
It was a fitting way to end the 200th match for Mark Bridge. He became the 9th player in the A-League to do it and the second Western Sydney Wanderer player – after Topor-Stanley – to achieve the feat.
The result to the Wanderers didn’t look like happening in the first half as Adelaide dominated the contest.
They had over 65 percent of the possession and controlled the contest.
What they didn’t do is show it on the scoreboard with a goal.
That changed in the last minute of the half with Cirio hitting a great strike past Covic inside the box.
He got a great pass from Elrich after the Socceroo ran into the box.
Adelaide looked in control of the contest until the 62nd minute when the game changed towards the home side.
The Wanderers got a great run towards the box and Mark Bridge was moving to shoot.
As he moved from outside of the box, to the inside, he was collected by Nigel Boogaard and went onto the ground.
It was a clear foul, and a clear red card, as he was the last defender to the goal keeper.
The Red was given a straight red card and the referee awarded the penalty despite the contact being just outside of the box.
It mattered little to the Wanderers who put away the penalty through Tomi Juric and equalised the match.
10 minutes later, Mark Bridge would score, to put the Wanderers in the lead.
Adelaide would try to equalise but be restricted in their attack with one less player.
The Wanderers would hold on and record just their third win of the season.
It would also continue the undefeated streak against Adelaide at home.
They now have a chance to wrap up ninth place, and avoid the wooden spoon, against Perth next week.
For Adelaide the focus is on the finals, and responding with their best football in two weeks time.
They will face Melbourne City next week in what could be an appetiser to week 1 of the finals.
If certain results happen they could face off in Adelaide the week after in an elimination final.
They should have Marcelo Carrusca and Awer Mabil back for the match.
Adelaide United put their chase of the Premier’s Plate on the line today against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium. Join The Roar for live coverage from 5pm (AEST).
A win today will keep Adelaide’s hopes of a second Premier’s Plate alive. A loss would consign them to somewhere between second and fifth.
Adelaide are now in this situation after losing to Brisbane 3-2 at Cooper’s Stadium last week. They could have gone top, and only been one point behind Melbourne Victory after Wednesday’s match, if they defeated the Roar. Instead the Reds are relying on other results.
The Wanderers will want to finish the season in style, after their worst ever season. They are currently at the bottom of the ladder and need a win, and a Newcastle Jets loss, to avoid the wooden spoon.
The Wanderers are undefeated in three matches at home against Adelaide, with two wins and one draw. However this season they have been unable to match the Reds, with Adelaide winning both matches at home.
Yusuke Tanaka, Yojiro Takahagi, and Adam Madaschi have been promoted for Western Sydney, with Jaushua Sotirio returning from injury. Mark Bridge, who has only played one of the last five matches, is also in the squad, and is set to become just the ninth player to notch up 200 A-League matches.
Three players are out: Alusine Fofanah, Steve Kuzmanovksi and Shayne D’Cunha.
The Reds are still without Marcelo Carrusca and Awer Mabil, but are otherwise almost at full strength.
The key to the match is the Wanderers’ attitude. Are they focused, or thinking about their next match in the Asian Champions League against Kashima Antlers on Tuesday?
If they come to play then they can match Adelaide and steal a valuable three points. If they don’t then the Reds should comfortably win.
Prediction
For the Wanderers, who are tied second in their group, the Champions League is more important than the A-League.
Adelaide 2-1.
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