Are you ready for some Monday night football? Round 24 of the A-League concludes with Adelaide United visiting Melbourne Heart, with both teams determined to put this one away after losing 1-0 in their respective games last week. We’ll have live coverage from 7.30pm AEDT.
Fourth-placed Adelaide United hold a six-point lead over fifth-placed Sydney and a win will keep themselves on track for a good finals position.
Melbourne Heart are in a slightly stickier spot, slipping to ninth on the A-League ladder over the weekend and perhaps deservedly so – they’ve had seven consecutive away losses. One point separates them from Brisbane Roar and a finals berth.
Last time these two teams faced up was in round 17, and Heart got the better of Adelaide, winning comfortably 2-0.
The Reds were able to earn a larger share of possession but Heart had the better chances in the match, leading to goals for Croatian Josip Tadic and Richard Garcia.
We’ve seen five weeks of the post-Kosmina era in Adelaide, and coach Michael Valkanis has only achieved one win in that time, including a 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar last week.
Goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic played his 150th game last week and was the only player keeping the Reds from a worse loss.
In the Melbourne Heart camp, midfielder and vice-captain Matt Thompson is getting fame this week as he’ll likely be the first player to ever reach 200 appearances in the A-League, a mark set over eight seasons with two different clubs.
Dario Vidosic will be the man on the pitch with the most goals (eight) to his name, and has also reportedly recovered from an ankle injury suffered in training. P
ortuguese winger Fabio Ferreira will also return from injury and will play his first game in 2013 for the Reds. Adelaide’s Osama Malik will be out serving a suspension after a late red card last week.
The game should be an interesting battle and a good way to spend your Monday night, so join us on the Roar from 7.30pm AEDT for live commentary.
Stevo
Guest
Looked like we brought our away form to our home match at AAMI just to inflict pain on the members. Germano and GerHeart out of the team ? Not sure what that was about. JA is leading a charmed life for heaven's sake. Reds thoroughly deserved the win. And doesn't Juric have a kick on him like a mule.
Kellett_1992
Guest
Great result for Adelaide, Brisbane Roar and Perth glory. Now all I want is Newcastle and Sydney FC replaced and Adelaide to jump above victory.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart This game was just the kind of boost Adelaide needed - they've been average in 2013, but an away win here could give them some useful momentum with only three rounds left. Heart stay in ninth and they're not out of it, but given their away record and the games coming up (the Wanderers next week, they'll be heavy underdogs) it's hard to see how they'll get in. Thanks for joining us on the Roar, God bless!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Valkanis gets his second win as coach, and Adelaide are now guaranteed a finals spot, regardless of the rest of the season. Disappointing for 200-match veteran Thompson, not what he would've been dreaming of this morning. Melbourne created a couple of good chances early but then a lack of support and strong defensive play from the Reds put an end to the Heart's chances.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' + 2 Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Barbiero's shot is hard but directly into Redmayne's arms. Heart gives it cheaply back to Adelaide, and the game is nearly over now.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' + 1 Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Three minutes of injury time in the game, and the Heart are throwing everyone forward now. Babalj's shot is blocked by Boogaard, the Reds have done a really good job getting in front of any chance Melbourne have had.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Shot from Ferreira goes over the crossbar, taken from a tight angle after a good play with Barbiero.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
88' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Substitution for Adelaide, Ramsay is removed for Barbiero. Top game for Ramsay, he played much better in the second half.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
86' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Fred bowls over Ferreira and gives the Reds a free kick in a dangerous spot - Vidosic will probably try his luck - cleared by Kalmar.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
84' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart A weak shot from Fred that rolls out for a goal kick summarises the Heart's night - not much chance creation, and then a poor shot when the chance came.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
83' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Mebrahtu puts a nice cross into the box but no Heart places are close enough to get onto the ball. Colosimo has been involved with most of the heavy fouls in the game - either on the giving or receiving end.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
82' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Carrusca is replaced by Ferreira, his first appearance in 2013.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
81' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart The free kick from Vidosic almost makes it through, but Colosimo takes it away and then is taken out by Boogaard, who earns a yellow card.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart The game is winding down now, and Adelaide are holding possession easily. The Heart haven't created a good chance in some time. Yellow card for Garcia as he brings down Ramsay.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
78' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Yellow card for Galekovic for time-wasting - he took a long time to take a goal kick! Five yellow cards in this game now.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
77' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Carrusca has a shot from a very good position but it goes straight to the soft hands of Redmayne. He should've made the Heart pay there!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Garcia and Galekovic clash in the box but the referee isn't interested in Garcia's appeals for a penalty.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
75' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Fifteen minutes to go, and Aloisi has no more changes available to him. Fred's played pretty well since coming on but there hasn't been much from Babalj.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
73' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Vidosic plays one back for Juric but he skies it well over the bar. Now Jeronimo comes on for Juric, first change for Adelaide.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
71' Adelaide United 2 – 0 Melbourne Heart Good work by Mebrahtu to work some space to get a shot off, its deflected for a corner for the Heart.