After 85 minutes of to-ing and fro-ing, the final 5 minutes at Adelaide Oval proved well worth it as goals from Adelaide United’s Cirio and Melbourne Victory’s Khalfallah turned a seemingly dire goalless draw into an electric 1-1 encounter.
On a slippery and fast pitch neither team could settle into any real consistency and it took some great work from United’s Cirio to open the game right up with a superbly taken goal.
Sparking Victory into life, it took just minutes for new signing Khalfallah to smash home a corner after some poor Adelaide marking.
Adelaide then pushed for all three points but couldn’t grab a winner and might walk away from the game satisfied but disappointed at squandering their lead so quickly.
Victory should be happy with the point after a subdued performance where new man Besart Berisha was kept under wraps.
They now sit top of table ahead of second placed Adelaide on goal difference.
Was this an early season encounter between two potential champions? Either way a few positives and negatives for both sides as they remain undefeated in A-League Season 10.
FINAL SCORE:
Adelaide 1
Melbourne 1
Adelaide United host Melbourne Victory at Adelaide Oval as both teams look to push on after successful opening round matches. Join The Roar from 7:40pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Having shell-shocked the Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 last Friday night, Melbourne will be eager to prove their credentials on the road as they tackle Adelaide on their home turf.
Adelaide meanwhile return home after a come-from-behind 2-1 away win against last year’s champions, Brisbane Roar.
After a drilled Bruce Djite strike, Adelaide wrapped up all three points against Brisbane, having forced a Roar own goal.
With the ever-dangerous Djite up front and Marcelo Carrusca along side him, the returning defensive rock of Sergio Cirio and veteran goalie in Eugene Galekovic, United are a well-rounded side seemingly primed for a promising season.
But up against an equally promising and hungry Melbourne Victory outfit, Adelaide’s credentials will be put under heavy scrutiny, particularly their defensive abilities.
Besart Berisha made a resounding A-League debut for Victory, scoring one and setting up another against the Wanderers, and will pose a real threat to United’s defence.
With strikers Berisha, Archie Thompson and Connor Pain, as well as a midfield packed full of talent, Victory will be hard team to keep scoreless this season.
Conversely however their ability to keep clean sheets will also be tested. At times soft against the Wanderers, Melbourne’s defence will be tested by an attacking United side.
Both sides are injected with fresh legs, with Mark Milligan returning from international duty for the Victory while Osama Malik and Cirio both return from injury for United.
Although slight favourites in my eyes, Victory away from home are no sure thing and up against United I can see them sharing the spoils.
Join us on The Roar from 7:40pm (AEDT) to see Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory battle it out in pursuit of a continued perfect start to the 2014-15 A-League season.
AZ_RBB
Guest
In all fairness, the fixtures have been stacked in these early weeks haha If Adelaide and City exceed expectations this season, we might see a bumper end of season average. In case gets too loud or if it comes from the other end of the stadium? :P
Leonardo
Roar Guru
I'm bringing along my DJ earphones just in case the noise gets too loud, :) Average A-League attendance season 2014/15 = 20,523 This is a 65% increase on last season.
AZ_RBB
Guest
That 44k will sound like 100k!
Leonardo
Roar Guru
33.1K (record Adelaide A-League crowd) + 44K in the bag tonight for the derby, we only need 23K from the remaining 3 games (7.7K per game) to break the record for an A-League round attendance of 100,998. We need 36K (or 12K per game) to reach 113K. The record looks certain. 113K is achievable, depends on the weather and how many turn up to watch Melb City and David Villa.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Well done Joshua! After a domestic dispute only managed to catch the last 15 minutes and what a 15 minutes it was.
Kurt
Guest
Is anyone going to call this a lucky draw for Melbourne? I had to listen to the lucky win in the 92nd, from the central coast last week, from pretty much all news articles
Kurt
Guest
Is anyone going to call this a lucky draw for Melbourne? I had to listen to the lucky win in the 92nd, from the central coast last week, from pretty much all news articles
AZ_RBB
Guest
Still feeling confident about my predicted 113k :D
Cameron
Roar Guru
I think that's an understatement.
Midfielder
Guest
decent crowd
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Aussie pitches are as hard as concrete and a fully pumped up ball bounces and bounces like an old fashioned super ball - it doesn't settle to ground making control difficult. Winter EPL grounds provide a very different bounce.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW After 85minutes of to-ing and fro-ing, the final 5 minutes at Adelaide Oval proved well worth it as goals from Adelaide's Cirio and Melbourne's Khalfallah turned a seemingly dire goalless draw into an electric 1-1 encounter. On a slippery and fast pitch, neither team could settle into any real consistency and it took some great work from United's Cirio to open the game right up with a superbly taken goal. Sparking Victory into life, it took just minutes for new signing Khalfallah to smash home a corner after some poor Adelaide marking. Adelaide then pushed for all three points but couldn't grab a winner and might walk away from the game satisfied but disappointed at squandering their lead so quickly. Victory should be happy with the point after a subdued performance where new man Bersiha was kept under wraps. They now sit top of table ahead of second placed Adeliade on goal difference. Was this an early season encounter between two potential champions? Either way a few positives and negatives for both sides as they remain undefeated in A-league season 10.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Can't believe the pitch is being called in as a factor in the game. It was too good for the players, even Adelaide who like a slick surface...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Elrich not Malik...
Radelaide
Guest
As soon as Adelaide scored they tried to kill the clock and paid for it, credit to Victory they went into "frenetic mode".
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Refreshing approach from Gumby. Walking around and chatting to both sets of players. Seems like a real gentleman.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Adelaide United 1- Melbourne Victory 1 A frenetic final five minutes gave the game life and goals but couldn't change the result with both teams walking away with a hard fought point.
Radelaide
Guest
Oh well :( I suppose a point is better than nothing.
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+3' Djite smashes a shot at a goal that is parried for a corner. First one is flicked away by a Victory player for another, which is then squandered by an Adelaide foul. With the whistle on the refs lips, that appears to be it as Victory take the free-kick. Adelaide United 1 Melbourne Victory 1
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+1' A cracking 5 minutes of football has invigorated both teams, as they each search for a winner. Adelaide United 1 Melbourne Victory 1