Only three points will do for Adelaide United as they look to snatch second spot against a Melbourne Heart outfit with little to play for at Coopers Stadium on Friday night. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
The Reds are in with a real shot at a top-two finish and qualification for next season’s Asian Champions League, with a win to see them leapfrog the Wanderers and the Mariners into second for the time being.
Josep Gombau’s men churned out a crucial 1-0 result at Wellington last time out and will be hoping for a more dominant display at home to the Heart, whose dwindling form has coincided with the evaporation of its finals hopes.
Even so, the Yarraside men showed plenty of attacking verve last weekend, despite going down 2-1 to Brisbane, ultimately undone by the Roar’s finishing quality.
This is something that Adelaide certainly are not lacking, especially at home where they hold the league’s best goal return, with 27 in 12 matches.
Adding fearsome potency to the Reds’ strike force will be Segio Cirio and Jeronimo Neumann, the pair returning to the squad after having missed the win over the Phoenix through injury.
Meanwhile, the Heart’s versatile midfielder Jonathan Germano is back up for selection.
For United, it will be about getting back to their attacking best and taking those chances after failing to create much last game, in spite of picking up the win.
The Heart’s chances of upsetting the home fans will pivot largely on whether John van’t Schip can motivate his troops with scarce incentive other than avoiding bottom spot.
Adelaide is on an eight-match unbeaten streak at home, while the Heart has mustered just the one win on the road this season.
Adelaide United 3-1 Melbourne Heart.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
minitoffie
Guest
What a goal by marcello carrusca what composure Mabil was excellent in the last 20 mins Go adelaide
Phil McGrawhan
Guest
Pretty sure AFL fans have other sites to post on mate.
Titus
Guest
It was definitely a maukstake from Vant Schipt.
Ian
Guest
Phil McGraw isn't insecure in the least. what a muppet statement, considering the blog for hawthorn v fremantle - the grand final rematch last night - had 97 comments with 91 in pink. Funny stuff. Quite a few empty seats in the stadium too.
Stevo
Guest
Great game
phil mcboringwan
Guest
Worthy enough for you to comment you half wit.
Phil McGrawhan
Guest
Were any stadiums burnt down? If not is soccer really news worthy? 110 comments and 80 of them are pink. Go figure.
Batou
Guest
That's exactly what I said griffo, loud enough to give my wife a bit of a surprise! I really thought Adelaide deserved something out of that game
Stevo
Guest
Gutted. How did we let that happen - against 10 men again. Engelaar and Mauk OFF and the wheels fell off.
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
All three matches between these two sides this season have now ended in the most heart-stopping draws you could see.
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
FULL TIME! Unbelievable stuff. Adelaide went ahead after 25 seconds, before going a man and a goal behind and right at the death they've found an equaliser. What did we think of that? Adelaide 2 Heart 2
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
Mabil makes all the difference as he gets in behind and puts it on a plate for Ferreira to tap home. WHAT A GAME! Adelaide 2 Heart 2
Titus
Guest
Wow.....swashbuckled!
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
90+3' GOOOAAAAALLLLL! Adelaide have found the equaliser!!!! Adelaide 2 Heart 2
Griffo
Roar Guru
YEEEEESSSS!!! What determination!
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
90+1' Galekovic is up for a corner to Adelaide, and they'll all remain in the box for another Adelaide 1 Heart 2
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
90' It's cleared, and the Reds have an extra four minutes to find something here Adelaide 1 Heart 2
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
89' Free kick for Adelaide as we approach the end of regular time. What can Carrusca do here? Adelaide 1 Heart 2
Stevo
Guest
Dunno but The Hoff gave him a great look at the goal.
Lou Verga
Roar Pro
86' Jeronimo's cross/shot flies inches wide of the far post. Do you think he was going for that far corner or a teammate in the middle? Adelaide 1 Heart 2