Adelaide United have won the 2016 A-League Grand Final in their fourth attempt at a winner’s plate, beating out the Western Sydney Wanderers three goals to one in a thrilling season finale.
Goals to Bruce Kamau and Isaias Sanchez in the first half sunk the Wanderers early, but a second-half fight back reminiscent of Western Sydney’s semi-final win the week before brought hope back to the visitors.
Both sides played with caution in the opening stages of the game, sharing an even split in possession and field position through the first 15 minutes before play started to open up.
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It wouldn’t take too long before 21-year-old Kenyan-born Bruce Kamau latched on to a wonderful Carrusca low cross, punching the ball into the back of the net to send the thunderous home crowd into hysteria.
After conceding the early opener the Wanderers looked stunned, and it showed, with sloppy ball retention and poor short passing giving United all the chances in the world to double their lead.
Adelaide took just 12 minutes to hit a brace, and what a goal it was. Isaias curled in a remarkable free kick into the top left corner of goal, leaving Wanderers keeper Andrew Redmanyne with concrete boots as he watched it sail over the wall into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
The visitors limped to the sheds at halftime with a two-goal deficit and hopes of winning a grand final slipping.
Coach Tony Popovic must have given his Wanderers some pretty strong oranges at half time, as the Western Sydney men came shooting out of the blocks and completely dominated the majority of the second stanza.
Frustration grew for the Wanderers though, giving away fouls left, right and centre as Scott Jamieson earned a yellow for his efforts in defence.
From one Scott to another, it wasn’t too long after that Scott Neville finally got his side on the board, finishing off a sublime piece of lead up play from Brendon Santalab and Romeo Castelen on the edge of the box.
Western Sydney were shaping up for a herculean comeback but the Adelaide defensive unit parked the bus and refused to give up their lead, giving the Great Wall of China a run for it’s money in keeping the constant Wanderers barrage out.
Hope turned to desperation as the clock ran down and a simple slip up at the back in the final minute was the nail in the coffin for the Wanderers. Perennial goal scorer off the bench Pablo Sanchez pounced on a loose pass at the back and netted home the final piece in the puzzle.
It was truly a game of two halves but you do feel the better side won in the end. Credit to the Wanderers though for sticking with it despite the early setbacks and heartache for them, losing their third grand final in four years.
Celebrations for Adelaide who have finally held aloft the golden toilet seat after a pretty rough grand final history.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Correction, China. http://msite.foxsports.com.au/football/tony-popovic-turns-down-20-million-deal-with-chinese-super-league-club/story-e6frf423-1227848886970
Carl
Roar Rookie
Actually there has been a push for the GF to be held outside Vic for some time. Basically it comes down to "if an interstate team finishes top and makes the GF, and a Vic team finishes 5th and makes the GF; why should the lower ranked team be awarded with the home ground advantage?" MCG being the biggest stadium (not the best imo) shouldn't really be the deciding factor when the other cities all have stadiums that could hold a good GF if they were given the opportunity. I can't speak for the northerners but this kind of thinking has long been seen in SA and WA (the other traditional footy states) as just another example of the Victorian, or more specifically Melbourne, bias of the AFL.
j binnie
Guest
Waz -Yes, that remark by TP surprised me somewhat for how does one define "playing football" ????? There are 11 players per team,there are numerous tactical innovations, but to me they are all "playing football" when they meet in an organised game. Still thinik he may have been misunderstood, for the score,3-1 to their opponents, certainly point to them playing "more successful" football on the day. Cheers jb
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Try trash-talking in English next time. I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
Casper
Guest
Ok, I didn't realise I've been debating with an unarmed man. My apologise Hoto, as I wouldn't have belittled you if I knew.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Oh ok. So fans follow AFL because they are enamored with particular stadiums. Sounds pretty clueless to me. Truth is Neither of us know if AFL would. Point is, football has proven their case.,, your only defense/argument is that I'm clueless, and that hypothetically AFL finals *would* sell-out outside of Vic if the MCG wasn't so amazing. You're not the sharpest tool in the shed.. But a tool no less
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
@SS, Yes, Adelaide U and WSW filled the Adelaide Oval with their genuine fan base. I sincerely doubt GWS and GC could do that at the G. So, one would have to expect an extra or perhaps 2 print runs of free tickets to be handed out by the AFL---so not to be embarrassed by the lack of interest from Melburnians.
Casper
Guest
You are about as clueless as a person can get, if you think that the AFL grand final would not sell out all over the country. No-one is pushing it as they know that no other stadium in the country can touch the 'G'.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Casper "and no-one is pushing that it be moved." Bingo. Give this guy a prize. You've now understood and bolstered the crux of midfielders point. No one gives a toss outside of Vic.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
JB you're a gentleman and a scholar.
Sydneysider
Guest
Nah, the AFL grand final will still sell out regardless of who is in the match because it is an event. Caltex, I think your questioning what percentage of fans would there be from "GWS" ie. Western Sydney and to a lesser extent the Gold Coast if they were to make a grand final. Interesting question none the less, especially for GWS.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Yes, the free ticket non-sales, will hit the roof come, September...
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Ha, ha, yes he has the Moops, to thank for that... lol
BigAl
Guest
Your last point is not true Midi - there will be an AFL Grand Final played away from the G There IS a contract that states that it should be played there thru to 2030? , but there is a groundswell starting about moving it. It may well have to wait for that contract to expire, but - hey! , contracts are broken all the time in sports industries.
Casper
Guest
Why? It will still be a full house. People go to grand finals, and both teams would obviously be playing good football. AU average about 13k, yet yesterday 50k turned up. People go to events.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
You better pray that GWS and GC Suns don't face each other at the MCG, AFL, G/final.
Casper
Guest
'We all know that Midfielders point cuts deep' - with who? There is no other stadium in Australia that is suitable for the GF, and no-one is pushing that it be moved.
marron
Guest
An excellent defensive effort from Adelaide, but also not much composurein the final third would be my conclusion.
marron
Guest
Agree re the defence yesterday and also the decision making up front which is a long term issue.
marron
Guest
Seconded.