Adelaide United produced a barely believable half-hour of brutal brilliance in a 4-2 beating of arch-rivals Melbourne Victory in Friday night’s A-League fixture.
The Reds scored four goals and the Victory one in 32 breathtaking minutes which opened the Hindmarsh Stadium grudge match.
Victory dangerman Marcos Rojas pegged a goal back in the second half but the damage had been done by Adelaide’s stunning early raid before a near capacity crowd of 14,115 spectators.
Reds star Dario Vidosic crashed into his ex-teammate and now Victory linchpin Marcos Flores in an opening second ripple which create a punishing physical undercurrent to the contest.
Within two minutes, emerging Adelaide attacker Evan Kostopoulos scored after his teammate Fabio Ferreira appeared to lose the ball over the touch-line before passing.
By five minutes, Melbourne’s Andrew Nabbout had netted a reply when superbly played into scoring position by a Rojas dash along the right side.
Adelaide went 2-1 up in the 21st minute when Ferreira scored, benefiting from a precocious volley from Marcelo Carrusca – the gifted Argentine was air-borne when he deftly used the outside of a boot to gift Ferreira the chance.
Just four minutes later, Carrusca himself scored with a sweet, curling left-footer.
And Carrusca provided another goal in the 32nd minute, the boom recruit delivering a pin-point free kick which Kostopoulos’ headed into the net just metres from goal.
By half-time, there were five goals, six yellow cards and 16 fouls in a tempered affair in searing mid-30 degree heat which prompted a drinks breaks midway through the half.
And Rojas continued the hot theme just two minutes into the second half when he turned a defender inside the box and calmly netted his sixth goal for the season.
Adelaide (22 points) rose to top with the win, though second-placed Central Coast (20 points) can return to the head of the table with a win against Newcastle Jets on Saturday night.
Adelaide United coach John Kosmina praised his players for responding from their loss to Central Coast last Sunday.
“It was an enjoyable victory, but all victories are enjoyable,” Kosmina said.
“For me, football is about character as much as it is about football and the guys showed a stack of it to be able to bounce back from a loss last week.”
Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou said his men were completely outplayed by the Reds.
“I don’t know if it was a reality check, Adelaide was just too good for us tonight … but I’m fairly positive about where we are heading,” he said.
“The task against a really good attacking team was too much for us tonight.”
Adam
Guest
I was unable to attend, but enjoyed the win. I also enjoyed watching Rojas and Nabbout, best young guys in the league.
Edo
Guest
The six goals on that match were all good goals. The tempo was great, although we lost I must congratulate the players who scored on the day. About 30 degrees is quite hot to play football. Vidosic, Ferrerira, Cassio, Djite, Carrusca were all excellent. Melbourne played well, considering the absence of two key defending players in Milligan and Traore. The best team won on the night. Good football. My first visit to Hindmarsh, I am surprised that stadium fits the FIFA and FFA requirements for lighting, the light is poor, it looks like they are short by about two light towers at least. Enjoyed the bunter between the Adelaide supporters and Melbourne Victory supporters, but did not enjoy the flares from Adelaide or the trowing of beer all over the visiting supporters, I thought that was stupid and unnecessary. Cost a lot of money to travel to other State to support the football team, we do not mind the bunter but to cope abuse by idiots is hard to take. I guess everywhere there are yobos who seem to go to the stadium just to antagonise and create meyhem. Never mind, the majority of the crowd were happy to support their team and leave it to that. Good on them.
The Bear
Guest
AUFC definitely on fire. Most probably the best half of ALeague attack from Adelaide ever. Victory have provided 2 great capitulations this season already. Still they righted the ship by half time...and the Reds took the foot off the gas.
The Bear
Guest
Would have been more fun had they needed hawk-eye at the end ; )
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It certainly was a rather action packed start to the game. Adelaide have quite some depth in their squad that should serve them well over the course of the season.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Unfortunately, I missed this match completely, which seems to be a blessing but I'm hearing it was hugely entertaining for the neutrals ... and AUFC fans. A 4-2 loss, away from home without 3 of our best players is no cause for panic. AUFC are one of the top teams & now in 2012/13 season we have 1 win each: they won by 2 goals; we won by 1 goal.
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss & MV .... take a deep breath .... and watch my little gift for you... bet ya those AFL folk have nothing like this ... BTW the last goal from the header ... just love and if you have boys that play computer games you will appreciate even more... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdbDrqCWOao
Roger
Guest
Missing three of our best players didn't help. Regardless, Adelaide took their chances and produced in front of a packed home crowd. Congrats.
striker
Guest
Great atmosphere it came through the TV like i was there, i have to say Adelaide with there depth in there team and on the bench are gonna be hard to beat for the title this year.
MV Dave
Guest
Disappointed with the result and especially the defending in the first half...Victory certainly missed Milligan and Traore. However saw enough (remembering the first game this season between the 2 teams in Melbourne) to remain confident of a MV victory when next they meet (should MV have their best team). What is clear that AU have much more depth in their squad and as the season progresses this will be a huge advantage (if Kossie can keep them all happy). Wasn't it great to see a full Hindmarsh and having been there for a similar sized crowd a few years ago it is a terrific atmosphere...one of the great experiences in Oz Football. They certainly don't like Victorians...