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A stunning strike by Fabien Barbiero took Adelaide United to a stirring 1-0 victory over Queensland Roar on Saturday night, securing them both an A-League grand final spot and a place in the 2010 Asian Champions League.
The Reds bounced back just a week after imploding to a 6-0 aggregate defeat against Melbourne in the major semi-final, a performance that resulted in Aurelio Vidmar launching an astonishing attack on the political infighting at the club and labelling Adelaide a “pissant town”.
Benefiting greatly from the recall of midfielder Jonas Salley – one of several players controversially told a few weeks ago they would not be needed next season – Adelaide rejoiced when Barbiero volleyed home in the 25th minute and then grimly hung on in the face of increasingly frantic Queensland attacks.
The Roar had plenty of chances, and teenager Mitch Nichols will rue a night when he had more than enough sights of goal to win the match on his own.
There was much for Adelaide to be proud of in a performance that restored pride to the club.
Nevertheless, it was hardly the sort of display to worry Melbourne, who wait comfortably at home for a rematch with the team they have already beaten five times from as many attempts in 2008-09.
The high stakes occasion seemed to weigh heavily on both sides in the early minutes, as little clean passing was seen and usually sure-footed players – notably Roar striker Sergio van Dijk – made a habit of shanks.
Queensland had a few half-openings, Nichols played in for an effort straight at Eugene Galekovic, but the major impression was of Adelaide slowly regathering confidence after their two-legged battering by Melbourne.
They were soon to have the lead in the most spectacular circumstances.
Galekovic’s hopeful long punt upfield was headed down and away from goal by Craig Moore, but Barbiero had run smartly into position to accept the crumbs, and from the edge of the box he flushed a savage half-volley across Reddy and into the far corner.
Barbiero has hinted at the brilliant at times over the season but did not even make the starting line-up at Telstra Dome last week.
United have become quite accomplished at defending a 1-0 buffer, something they did often in their Asian Champions League campaign, and the Roar were to be frustrated in their efforts to level.
Nichols had another pair of attempts blocked either side of halftime, and Michael Zullo also fired into the arms of Galekovic on the hour.
Gradually the visitors pushed Adelaide deep into their own half, and attacking forays by the Reds became fewer and fewer.
Substitute Charlie Miller had two chances in stoppage time, but both skidded fractionally wide and the Reds were able to toast redemption after a hellish week.
There were few fireworks from Vidmar after the game, the coach looking a relieved man after watching his men survive in front of a small crowd of 8,472.
“It was a great response after what’s happened over the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“Our performances have been certainly well below par and I thought tonight was a good sign of what we’ve done for the majority of the season.”
Roar coach Frank Farina said his men had been better in general play, but were beaten by an unstoppable strike.
“That’s football. Sometimes the better team doesn’t win and I thought tonight we were most probably the better side, but we were beaten by a wonder strike,” he said.
“You can’t do much about that, Liam had no chance, but we certainly had our chances.
“Adelaide sat back and defended, to their credit they defended well, worked hard for each other, but we’re disappointed.”
Farina said he was more saddened by the fact his club had missed out on playing in Asia than he was about not taking part in next week’s grand final.
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