Adelaide United’s inability to score goals cost it the Premiership Plate and the Asian Champions League spot it covets. The Reds must quickly overcome its less than impressive recent attacking run if it stands any chance to claim that elusive A-League title.
Those missed opportunities Sunday night cost the team the premiership plate, just like the previous round when the Reds were unable to capitalise against a ten-man Wellington Phoenix and had to settle for a draw, the dropped points critical as the final round played out.
They did have plenty of chances. In fact, the attacking display against Central Coast was an improvement on previous outings.
Had it not been for Danny Vukovic’s head, Adelaide would now be plotting their journey of redemption in next season’s Asian Champions League.
As it stands now, they must claim the title to do that, a task that looks increasingly difficult against the high-scoring Melbourne Victory and Queensland Roar.
Put simply, Adelaide lacks a star striker, a consistent goal scorer, an Archie Thompson, Shane Smeltz, Sergio Van Dijk type marksman.
Brazilian import Christiano has scored eight goals this season but, like buses, they have all come at once and he must rediscover that form.
Marquee player Paul Agostino’s injury-plagued season has cost the Reds a viable alternative up forward and his lack of goal scoring touch was evident against Central Coast.
The other attacking option, Robert Younis, simply cannot handle being the lone striker, a tactic coach Aurelio Vidmar has kept faith with.
Vidmar has rotated his strikers in the past few games, but must settle on a striker and hope they find some form, especially in a home and away two-legged tie in which scoring is imperative.
And even more importantly when the second game is away and you’re up against the effective Thompson and Allsopp partnership.
The Reds impressive defensive unit will once again need to be on top form to compensate.
Since the 6-1 hammering of the Phoenix at the beginning of December, the past seven rounds has seen Adelaide only managing an average of a goal a game.
One positive to emerge from the trip to Central Coast, in addition to the win and thus securing a top two-spot and the double chance, was the impressive debut of defender Michael Marrone.
The Youth League defender created many of Adelaide’s chances with his pace on the right, deft touches and delivery.
All credit to Aurelio Vidmar, who has given youth a chance and been handsomely rewarded for it with breakout performances by the likes of Scott Jamieson and Fabian Barbiero.
With a midfield full of creative players able to create chances, the Reds just need that deadly finisher at the top end of the park.
After their heroics in the Asian Champions League and the World Club Cup, it seems cruel to think they could end their season without any silverware to show for it.
But that is the reality if their strikers are unable to hit the back of the net.
It sounds so obvious and simplistic but it’s the truth.
Adrian Musolino
Expert
I don't subscribe to the idea Aloisi is finished and I think he still has plenty to give. I doubt he will come back to Adelaide but they could do worse.
Sam
Guest
Adrian I think John Aloisi would want to be anywhere but in Sydney at the moment. Saying that I question whether he can keep up with the league in the next few years. He will need to train hard in the offseason to regain his touch. He is clearly being out enthused and even outplayed by younger players.
Adrian Musolino
Expert
It will be a fascinating two legs. Adelaide really needs to score at Hindmarsh and can't rely on holding Melbourne at Telstra Dome. They really need to search the market for a striker and have a marquee spot available. A homecoming for John Aloisi perhaps?
Pauly Walnuts
Guest
Paul Agostino a poor recruit. A direct contrast to Scotty Jamieson, a player still to prove himself and with youth on his side.
Dave
Guest
Pip Think it would be a cracking tie in Melb if the Victory won in Adelaide. We could see one of those old fashioned (1950's) shootouts...maybe thats getting a little too hopeful. IMO If MV play their best football l am confident they will win the game and this means picking the best midfield combo, unfortunately for the away leg l think EM will leave 'The Jackal' starting on the bench. :( BTW Got our 4 semi tickets today and hopefully it will be all to play for at the Dome on the 14th!
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Dave it's hard to imagine Viddy coming out with two strikers in Melbourne, unless they're chasing a win following the first game. What will he do if it ends nil-all like two years ago? (a distincty possibility) I reckon he would do more of the same! It served him well in the ACL and so far this year: focus on numbers back, discipline, denying the opposition scoring opportunities - then hope and pray for a break at the other end (the classic Italian way). The only way I see that changing is if MV score a 2-1 win, then AU has to score at least two goals, and they won't do that playing the way they have on their last two visits to the Dome (although hoping for Theo to put in a shocker is never a bad strategy).
Dave
Guest
AU were dull and defensive on both visits to TD this season losing both games 1-0...MV also beat them 3-2 in Adelaide. Vidmar needs to play 2 strikers as the system he plays is too cautious for the HAL. However 2 of his 3 strikers have been poor...with Agostino a waste of money (marquee? hasn't worked) and Younis just unable to score. IMO Christiano is not a great goalscorer either.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
ACL next year will be great, but hopefully we can enter it with a decent season behind us (unlike the first time). Both Arch and Carlos substantially missed the ACL campaign last time (which really hurt us), one wonders whether they will be around for this one.
megatron
Guest
The midfield is good enough to cover the workload although I think your being harsh on Christiano. He is the only one who can play as a lone striker and hold up the play. If Agostino was fit and in form United would be looking a lot more dangerous. Just think what they have done without their marque star
NUFCMVFC
Guest
Melbourne deserved it, they were on top for most of the season. But of course I am bias now aren't I! It's one of those things, people tend to focus on the last round only, Adelaide were unlucky not to score more in that last game, but there were trips like Perth away were Sarkies scored for a 1-0 win but Dadi missed heaps of chances, the type which eh put away against us Personally I think the CWC kind of did it, just before they left they were on fire and put 6 past Wellington, we were on bad form and I think we would have been lucky with a draw going by form. As it happened they seemed a bit mroe lethargic when they came back but kept winning, but in the re-scheduled fixture our form had turned and we managed to win 1-0 on the Tuesday night But you can come out with a lot of whatifs about the season. I think it is partly a reflection of different styles, Melbourne were more open, scored more and conceded more, but Adelaide were a lot more closed, with tight 1-0 type wins a fair bit Football can come down to the narrowest of margins, a lot like last year, at least it makes the A League exciting in a way that the EPL no longer is Am looking forward to Melbourne's 2010 ACL campaign, hopefully we play out of the new Rectangular Stadium
Adrian Musolino
Expert
The Link, good spot. Even then I think Adelaide may struggle to get past the Roar if they are defeated by the Victory and Queensland overcome Central Coast.
The Link
Guest
'As it stands now, they must claim the title to do that, a task that looks increasingly difficult against the high-scoring Melbourne Victory and Queensland Roar.' If Melbourne make the GF then whoever they play automatically gets the ACL spot, regardless of who wins the title.
Midfielder
Guest
Kazama Hey you guys hit the post twice but Younis was offside by about a meter when he took the pass that lead to his run. It was right in front of us just hope decisions like this do not mare the finals. But just for you I have obtained exclusive footage of the goal than Danny saved that kept AU from winning the championship .. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=h1U3TBkxqhM ..
Kazama
Roar Guru
Adrian I agree with you and really I have been thinking that our strike force would be our undoing since the start of the season. We've only got three strikers on the senior list, one of whom has been injured for the majority of the season. For me, neither Younis nor Cristiano are particularly effective as a lone striker, which begs the question why Vidmar has persisted with that system. In the Mariners game we were unable to score with a lone striker, then we play two up front and Cristiano and Younis combine for the goal. Hopefully Vidmar will play two up front against Melbourne. I feel that we absolutely need a marquee striker for next season and probably another option as well. Three strikers in a squad isn't enough, IMO. Hopefully we can clinch ACL qualification, which will no doubt help our chances of landing a quality player or three. I would also like to say I am very sad to hear that John Brannigan has passed away. I met John last year at a United function and I was upset when I read in the paper today that he is no longer with us. He was a very kind man and I offer my condolences to his family and friends, should any of them be reading this.