The Melbourne Heart thrashed Sydney 4-0 and are on a bit of a roll. Their coach, John van ‘t Schip, is talking up their championship ambitions. Join us at 3pm ADST this afternoon when the Heart host Adelaide United at AAMI Park to see if their climb up the table can continue.
The Heart’s opponents, Adelaide United, are themselves playing with renewed vigour following the return of home-town hero, John Kosmina.
After a horror start to the season, which saw the departure of Rini Coolen, Adelaide are in the fortunate position of all the other teams vying for the lower reaches of the top six struggling for wins.
Adelaide United can work their way into sixth spot by the end of this round of matches if other results go their way.
No nonsense coach that he is, Kosmina will go into the match with the attitude: if none of the Victory, Glory or Jets want that spot, we’ll have it, thanks very much.
He has to contend with the form team of the competition. Five consecutive wins have propelled the Heart into second spot, and following a 4-0 away drubbing of SFC, they aren’t about to give it up too easily.
Unfortunately for van ‘t Schip, he has lost some key personnel for this match in captain Fred and midfield pair Wayne Srhoj and Jonatan Germano.
Fred in particular has been in sensational form, perhaps the player of the competition in the season to date, and will be sorely missed.
Form and home ground advantage will have the Heart as odds on favourite, but I can see Adelaide making this a tough outing for the Heart, splitting the points with a 1-1 draw.
PeterK
Guest
I didn't see the match, and am now catching up on it here -- but I see a lopsided foul-count! I hope AdU are not "doing a Sydney"! And the Yellow Cards are 3-nil too! Certainly more fire was needed from the previous lack-lustre AdU, but surely not at the expense of multitudinous fouls?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
What can I say - either I misheard the commentators, or they got it wrong!
Stevo
Guest
Geeeez, penalty, wot penalty?? Where did the ref pick that one from ??? But AU certainly look much more committed when Kossie is in control along with his long take-away flat white in the dugout. We had chances but squandered a few and did Babalj not look like Dukes with the last goal - we all went up and roared at that end of the pitch. Looking forward to getting back Fred, Srhoj and the fast improving and essential Germano.
Dean
Guest
I only just went through the records & we're selling AUFC short - they've kept 3 clean sheets so far this season: v MVFC (1-0), v NUJ (0-0) and last week v NIx (2-0). Topsy turvy season. Maybe there's still hope for MVFC - the team just been announced and looks like Mehm is going for a "back 3"!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, you're right - I remember that game now.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
thanks!
Dean
Guest
That's not correct. I know AUFC kept a clean sheet against MVFC in Rd2 when they won 1-0 (Leijer red card) & Van Dijk scored after Broxham couldn't accept Fabio's pass.
Observer
Guest
Good job!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Really good goal, showed plenty, but did miss one howler
Dean
Guest
Fantastic goal by Babalj. Reminded me so much of Viduka. Held the ball beautifully, turned in a confined space (not easy for such big man) and kept control of the ball; and then slotted it home. He's going to be something this lad. He could have had a hat-trick really. Missed 2 much easier chances.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
That's it for me for the time being, enjoy the rest of your Big Wednesday, I'll be catching a bit of the other games and no doubt you'll see the occasional comment from me later tonight.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
FT Melbourne Heart 1 Adelaide United 3 What a huge win for AU, Big Wednesday indeed. they now shoot up to 6th spot, and under Kossie have 2 wins and a draw from 3 games. Heart never really got into the game, and it was a matter of Adelaide taking their 3 chances to set up an unassailable lead.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
92 min Melbourne Heart 1 Adelaide United 3 Babalj received from the left, inside the box, bit of an angle, he propped to go onto his left, turned his man and went back onto his right and beat Galekovic at the near post with a clinical finish and Babalj just had another shot - but straight at Galekovic!
Observer
Guest
You don't see the team in the lead going down and feigning injuries like Heart did at Suncorp stadium which btw is a Fred special. Congrats Reds and Kossie.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
91 min Melbourne Heart 1 Adelaide United 3 Dugandzic still trying hard, goes for a run, to Behich, sets up Babalj on the angle - GOAL!!!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
89 min Melbourne Heart 0 Adelaide United 3 incredibly, this will be Adelaide's first clean sheet this season
The Cattery
Roar Guru
88 min Melbourne Heart 0 Adelaide United 3 Sting out of the game now, Kossie has done well to clog up the game, slow it down, make sure heart don't get to many sights on goal, Williams puts in a useful ball, but cleared
The Cattery
Roar Guru
85 min Melbourne Heart 0 Adelaide United 3 Melling gives away the handball, throw in now for Heart deep on left, Behich going for the long one, Melling turns and sets up Ramsay, Madaschi gives Melling a clip over the ear - Melling wants to go after him!! don't forget, he's only 16 yo, classic stuff!!
Dean
Guest
Two nil with 30 mins is anyone's game. But, 3-0 with 6 mins should be game over.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
83 min Melbourne Heart 0 Adelaide United 3 Mullen tangles with Babalj and he earns the free at the top of the D, fancy footwork by Babalj to earn the free, about 23m out, Thompson hits it, but wide, never looked like it