Full-time
Adelaide United 0
Sydney FC 0
This top of the table clash proved to be one no-one was willing to lose with Adelaide and Sydney FC sharing the spoils in a 0-0 draw.
Both teams remain undefeated but will be disappointed to only walk away with a point from a game that could have produced far more goals. Adelaide dominated possession and fluffed far too many opportunities with their second half performance in front of goal reflecting how crucial Bruce Djite is to the team after the striker was forced off at half-time through injury.
For Sydney, a disallowed goal from a free-kick after the referee claimed he had never given the go ahead, will surely be scrutinised heavily post-game but their performance overall didn’t warrant a victory in all honesty. Adelaide showed glimpses of brilliance tonight but if they hope to be title contenders they’ll need to work on their final pass and finish.
Sydney conversely, defended well and counter-attacked when needed with a decent degree of potency. Despite the scoreline this game proved to be an exciting one and further proved how engrossing 0-0 games can be. At the end of 90 minutes it was the defenders and goalies who for once will both walk away with their heads held high.
It’s third versus second as a red hot Adelaide United play host to Sydney FC. Both teams are undefeated this season and will be looking to keep that record going. Join us on The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Adelaide boast an intimidating home record, having not lost here since December 2013.
United have won three and drawn one this season, looking a consistently classy side. Last week they faced a desperate, David Villa-fuelled Melbourne City outfit and were able to claw their way back from a goal down and a poor start to earn all three points away from the sanctuary of home.
A Bruce Djite header just before halftime and a calmly taken Marcelo Carrusca penalty wrapped up the win and showed Adelaide are capable of grinding out results.
Sydney FC on the other hand, who haven’t beaten Adelaide in their past five attempts, will be haunted by their FFA Cup quarter-final loss to Adelaide last time the two teams met. Losing 3-1 in extra time after a Sky Blue red card, Sydney will be looking for revenge.
A solid 2-0 win last week against the Mariners showed Sydney’s credentials as a quality team. A scintillating Terry Antonis, off the back of Socceroos selection, will be a danger for Adelaide United’s defence, which showed signs of frailty last week.
Sydney captain Alex Brosque hobbled off last week with an ankle injury, but is still included on the team sheet. I’d expect Brosque to be a substitute player at most. Coming in for the Sky Blues is new recruit Shane Smeltz, who will be eager to make a mark on his A-League debut for his new club.
For the Reds things look all clear with Djite pulling up ok after a 90-minute return last week from injury. They are however still without Fabio Ferreira, who will miss one or two more weeks through a hamstring injury.
In what will be the two clubs’ 30th encounter, expect a tight game that may well end in a stalemate. Both teams have only conceded four goals thus far and will be keen to keep such a defensive record intact. However with both featuring strong attacking line-ups, I wouldn’t be surprised to see defensive weaknesses from both sides pounced upon.
Join us on The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) to follow this top-of-the-table clash between two old and ferocious foes.
josh
Guest
Ognenovski behaved exactly like every WSW fan expected too.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Disappointed by the performance of my own team tonight but that was some top quality football tonight in Adelaide. Really exciting stuff but a shame it ended in a draw
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW This top of the table clash proved to be one no-one was willing to lose with Adelaide and Sydney FC sharing the spoils in a 0-0 draw. Both teams remain undefeated but will be disappointed to only walk away with a point from a game that could have produced far more goals. Adelaide dominated possession and fluffed far too many opportunities with their second half performance in front of goal reflecting how crucial Bruce Djite is to the team after the striker was forced off at half-time through injury. For Sydney, a disallowed goal from a free-kick after the referee claimed he had never given the go ahead, will surely be scrutinised heavily post-game but their performance overall didn't warrant a victory in all honesty. Adelaide showed glimpses of brilliance tonight but if they hope to be title contenders they'll need to work on their final pass and finish. Sydney conversely, defended well and counter-attacked when needed with a decent degree of potency. Despite the scoreline this game proved to be an exciting one and further proved how engrossing 0-0 games can be. At the end of 90 minutes it was the defenders and goalies who for once will both walk away with their heads held high. Full-time Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Worst miss/stuff up of HAL10 :)
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+4' FULL-TIME The game ends scoreless despite a flourish of late chances. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+2' Goal surely... But no. Malik feeds through Kamou who finds Carrusca in the box but is unable to bury it or even get any solid contact. A night to forget for Carrusca. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90+1' Abbas' free-kick is clawed away by Galekovic who can only clear to Smeltz who almost volleys home only for his shot to fly high. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
90' Fourth official displays 4 minutes of added time, stilll time for a last minute goal. Sydney in a good position after picking up a free-kick down the right flank. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
89' Adelaide throwing me forward, but so to Sydney sending men back. Will we get a breakthrough? Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
87' Seb Ryall picks up a yellow for Sydney with the man grabbing Adelaide's Goodwin as he looked to be in open space. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
84' Adelaide so close to opening the scoring with Elrich linking up with Cirio who works his way into the box only for his shot to be smothered for a corner. The resulting corners unable to produce. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
82' Adelaide's Mabil makes way for last weeks hero Kamau, can he again prove the difference tonight? Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
79' A Janko header, after a great Sydney cross, is only just cleared by a nervous Adelaide defence. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
76' Antonis almost finds Abbas with a through ball only for a United shirt to intercept. Sydney win a corner though that is punched away strongly by Galekovic. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
74' Great scenes here as a minute's tribute is given to Aussie footballing legend Johnny Warren. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
72' Smeltz to make his Sydney debut from the bench with Gameiro coming off for the Kiwi striker. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
67' A Sydney free-kick finds the back of the net only for the ref to call it back saying he hadn't blown his whistle for the go ahead. The second free-kick finds Janko who slides in to meet the ball only for his shot to ricochet off the post. Controversy surrounding whether the ref showed his intent regarding the first free-kick, expect to hear more about this post-game. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
65' Immediately in response Elrich whips in an accurate corner to Mabil whose header is claimed well by Sydney's goalie. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
64' Sydney FC win a corner with Ibini nearly scoring spectacularly with an over-head shot from it, Ryall almost heading home from it's deflection, before the Reds are able to clear it on the goal-line. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
59' Mabil with another charging run forward but his less than convincing shot is saved easily by Necevski. United missing target man Djite up front who was substituted at half time through injury. Adelaide United 0 Sydney FC 0