Adelaide United host the Newcastle Jets as Round 20 of the A-League gets underway. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT) for live scores.
To say Adelaide United’s title defence this season has been a poor would be one of the great understatements.
Following a marvellous campaign, where they clinched the ultimate piece of silverware, Adelaide have been unbelievably poor – finding themselves bottom of the heap and eight points adrift of nearest side, the Central Coast Mariners.
Their opponents, the Newcastle Jets, have really improved this season and find themselves on the verge of a finals berth. The Novocastrians are sixth, albeit on goal difference, as we head towards the business end of the season.
Adelaide come into this match on the back of one of the A-League’s biggest drubbings, having been crushed 5-0 at home by Perth Glory just a week ago. Meanwhile, the Jets grabbed a very important point at home to second-placed Melbourne Victory over the weekend.
The home side has won two of the last six clashes between the two sides, while their opponents have clinched victory in just one. However, this season is a whole new ball game for Adelaide, who have the leakiest defence in the league.
Andrew Nabbout has been on fire for the Jets this season, leading their goal scoring with seven strikes in 2016-17. Meanwhile, the entire Adelaide squad has found the net just 15 times in the same time period.
The Reds will be boosted by the return of midfielder Isais, who was serving a one-game during his side’s woeful performance against the Glory, and also welcome Michael Marrone and Ben Warland. However, centre back Iacopo La Rocca is out for six weeks with a hip injury, and will be a big miss in the heart of an already sub-par defence, despite his horror own goal last week.
Newcastle’s squad will be similar to the side that drew with the Victory last week, with the additions of Devante Clut and Joel Allwright.
Prediction
It is primed to be another week of misery for Adelaide fans. Their already poor defence now misses Iacopo La Rocca, and despite the welcomed addition of Isais, expect the likes of Andrews Hoole and Nabbout to run the show.
Adelaide United 0-3 Newcastle Jets
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yeah I think Kim will be a tidy pickup. Not sure what the story is around his signing with the Reds, but again leave the question of how many more of his ilk are there for the signing. He can't have left $millions in wages to sign with the Reds ;-)
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I suspect the Red's faithful will also be looking forward to seeing more of Kim. He looks like the box to box midfielder the club has been missing since Mauk departed.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Cheers Ben. Haven't had this much fun since the East Asian Cup. Yeah Hall is probably going to request a bronze casting of that post. That ball was going in. With players with history with the other club on both sides, there seemed to be a little more feeling than what you would expect between these two sides. Regan with a point to prove and a contract to play for; Boogaard leaving in the year the Reds became Champions...Jones getting the call from the W-League side to take up his first A-League gig at the 11th hour.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Foz and Zdrilla now saying that Ma lucky not to get a red card with his challeng on Kim. Further on the ref was right on the spot when the players got physical...and that Hoole also lucky not to get something from his contact with Elrich. In short: the ref had a shocker tonight. For me, the Reds will be happy to have got a much needed win.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Good effort, Griffo. There will be some sore shins tonight as both sides laid on some rather ugly tackles. Hall left an imprint of his face on the Coopers' upright for posterity which will be something he can show the grandkids.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Jones now saying the Jets were a little sloppy tonight. Not very happy. Again reiterating that the players were a little untidy. Not many players inside the box to create more chances: something they talked about. Jones saying the Jets still in with a chance to be in the top six, and with (now) four teams to play that are below them, there are still opportunities for the Jets to be there at the end of the season.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Amor now saying that they can win games. Amor not looking at what has gone wrong in the past leaving it there. Lucy probing for an answer but Amor puts it down to you just lose. Amor saying that the team showed pride tonight with the win.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Swanny for me I can't understand why Clut is missing out. Ma has risen in form, but while he can do a lot of good things, often can get sloppy with his passing in attack. I would have Brown in central midfield, with Clut providing attacking support up front with Nordstrand. Kokko I feel, with a different system in play, would be doing okay but without any ball playing midfielder in the middle, it is relying on both Andrew's on the wings to provide balls in, which is a little predictable. Good then that both are scoring then. I feel Kokko will go at the end of the season even with a year left on his contract. Jones has seemed to mark him as Miller's man.
Griffo
Roar Guru
An even game with both looking to pack the midfield and break on the flanks. Both attacks were perhaps lacking at times in quality, however Isaias was a big loss for the Reds, who provided some structure in the first half before being subbed with what could be an injury putting Isaias out of the ACL with scans to come tomorrow. Newcastle will be disappointed, and really were looking at three points here from a team below them on the table and not having a season to remember after claiming the Champions dunny seat last season. But it was Elrich who so often drives into the box and won the penalty in perhaps soft circumstances. Carrusca sent Duncan the wrong way and was ultimately enough for the Reds. The Jets now looking to hold on to sixth spot depending on results, but with the Mariners two points off and facing the Jets next week, there will be a disappointed Mark Jones leaving Adelaide. For the Reds they look towards the ACL game against Gamba Osaka with a win hopefully providing a much needed confidence boost as they get their Asian campaign started.
Swanny
Guest
It was so predictable the jets would lose tonight . The coach goes with the same players who cannot score goals week after week. Surely brown clut and Koko will get a start soon
Griffo
Roar Guru
Well it was an even game for the most part. Lucy now with Carrusca... Carrusca is relieved. He says everyone believes but the win today was for the fans. Reds now looking at the Champions League... Lucy askes Carrusca about missing out: he's upset but is looking forward to the next game and would have preferred to play in the ACL.
Griffo
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Reds get the win! Newcastle miss a big chance to put a firm foot in the top six and will be bitterly disappointed at that performance and lost three points. But the Reds are happy, if not relieved as they take out the game. ADL 1 – 0 NEW
Griffo
Roar Guru
90’ + 4: ADL 1 – 0 NEW Seconds remain. Nabbout has a shot but is well wide and goes out for a throwin. Reds winding down the clock. Jets not likely here.
Griffo
Roar Guru
90’ + 3: ADL 1 – 0 NEW Kim acrobatically scissors the ball away in defence. O'Doherty is OFF in a late tactical sub: Marino is ON. Jets turn it over, Carrusca puts it to Marino but he's dispossessed by the Jets. The whistle blows for Carrusca for timewasting. Reds want the win at any cost here.
Alan jones
Guest
I am a neutral for tonight's game. My only comment is about the standard of referees. There has been at least 4 tackles worthy of a red card ( studs up). Unfortunately the ref does not have the experience or the know how to pick them. No wonder players across the A league get frustrated. Standard of reding is woeful every week.
Griffo
Roar Guru
90’ + 2: ADL 1 – 0 NEW Reds happy for the Jets to have it. Jets now with a header but it pops up for Hall to take an easy catch. Reds now slowly building up the attack, soaking up the clock.
Griffo
Roar Guru
90’ + 1: ADL 1 – 0 NEW 5 minutes of added time. The Jets will have to create something here to get past a packed Red defence who are up for taking, what, their third win of the season after last weeks 0-5 drubbing by Perth.
Griffo
Roar Guru
89’ : ADL 1 – 0 NEW A minute remaining. Nordstrand is off so no last minutes goals from him. But Hoffman has made it to the left byline and puts it in - there is a tap but Hall grabs it easily.
Griffo
Roar Guru
87’ : ADL 1 – 0 NEW Jets still with it. Ugarkovic with a shot but its a little hight above the top left post. Carrusca take a little breather with the physio who's on the pitch. Carrusca is off on the line and making his way to half way as Hall takes a long goalkick to the left of halfway, but a Jets defender puts it out for a Red throwing.
Griffo
Roar Guru
86’ : ADL 1 – 0 NEW Kim with the free but it's led out by the Jets...now Brown has it but is fouled to buy the Reds some time. The Jets take it quickly but it breaks down for them with the Reds back in numbers.