The 2015/16 A-League season has drawn to a close. Adelaide United hosted the Western Sydney Wanderers in front of a packed crowd at Adelaide Oval, and came up with the championship on their third attempt in a stunning 3-1 win.
Here are the talking points from today’s fixture.
Adelaide United’s consistency, even under pressure
The Grand Final win means that Adelaide United have lost just one of their last 21 matches.
Adelaide United have been the best defensive side all season. Their ability to absorb an incredible amount of pressure without crumbling means that sides need something truly special to get past the Reds.
More A-League grand final:
» A-League Grand final scores and highlights
» Grand final player ratings
» Match report
This was never more evident than in today’s final. After leading 2-nil at half time through Bruce Kamau and Sanchez Isaias, the Wanderers were able to get one back in the second half.
Despite Western Sydney’s immense pressure, Adelaide were able to stay calm in the back, and even come up with attack of their own as Pablo Sanchez nailed the Wanderers’ coffin in the 90th minute.
They did it in the semi-finals against Melbourne City when it looked like City might get back into the game, and they’ve done it again against the Wanderers.
Adelaide United proving there is no ‘I’ in team
When the PFA’s XI was chosen, not one Adelaide United player made the cut.
Adelaide United’s entire season has been built around playing as a team. The Reds have learned each other inside and out, and are able to play to their strengths no matter where they are on the pitch.
Everyone on the pitch has been doing their job, from defence to attack, meaning that no one player has to pick up the slack.
While this style of play means that no single player will shine, a team effort beats individual talent almost every team. An ideal PFA XI would consist of mainly Adelaide United players.
As Eugene Galekovic said in his post-match speech, “We are not just a team, we are more than a team.”
Never count out the Wanderers
Despite coming up short, the Wanderers showed their fighting spirit once again.
After conceding three against Brisbane in the semi-final before coming back to win 5-4 in one of the most stunning A-League games of all time, Western Sydney found themselves down 2-nil at half time.
The Wanderers got one back via a stunning strike from Scott Neville in the second half, and for a while it seemed as though they would come back from behind yet again.
Against any other side they might have, but Adelaide showed why they are the best defensive team in the league.
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