Adelaide United host Western Sydney Wanderers at Coopers in Gosford in Round 8 of the A-League. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage starting from 7pm AEDT.
Both sides come into tonight’s clash locked on the same points and occupying mid-table on the ladder. Adelaide picked up a last-minute win over Central Coast last week which was well needed following three losses in a row but the buzz from that win would have seeped out the dressing room door following the midweek FFA Cup defeat to Sydney.
It will be interesting to see how they react and if they can dig deep to get a result especially after playing 120 minutes of football midweek.
The performances from the Reds in the last two games have been positive and this will give their fans the confidence that they can secure back-to-back wins in the league and really gain some momentum.
They will be without the suspended Michael Marrone who misses out following the controversial incident involving a ball boy in the Cup Final midweek and Absalonsen, Lia, Elrich and Regan will miss out through injury.
Ryan Kitto has been impressive in recent games and if he can continue his form he is a player that can cause WSW some problems.
An interesting twist to this game is the return of Western Sydney coach Josep Gombau to Adelaide. The Spaniard had a successful time in charge of the Reds and is sure to get a warm reception from the Adelaide faithful.
Western Sydney had the week off following the postponement of their game last week and should be fresh and raring to go.
Gombau has been in the Wanderers’ hot seat for just over 3 weeks and I am looking forward to seeing if he has been able to implement his Spanish style on his squad so far.
He will be hoping compatriot Riera can add to the four goals he has scored this season to help the Wanderers get out of their current form which has seen them draw their last five games.
Prediction
The statistics should have me leaning towards a draw with five of the last seven ending with a share of the spoils and especially considering WSW latest form but my gut instinct tells me
The Wanderers will get the win. Fresh legs all over the park for Western Sydney should contribute to them picking up the 3 points and ending the run of draws.
Adelaide United 0, Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Franko
Guest
Adelaide deserved to win but not in that fashion. Time to bring in some marquee refs ??????
LuckyEddie
Guest
Why should he walk away like a soy boy. It was a stupid decision that took to long and wrecked the game. Football has enough problems with cheats, diving. time wasting and now we can add VARS to the list. Word of caution some Technology is good but some is bad.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
I have to say I agree with your points on the referee, he had a shocker tonight. The first goal was a terrible decision in my opinion. He was offside and interfering with the ball. I don't know how they cant call that on review ?? I would be annoyed if I was a Wanderers fan after tonight. Sometimes it seems like there is nothing you can do and the Gods are against you and Gombau will be feeling like that tonight.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
Match Report Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Adelaide got the result tonight against Western Sydney at Coopers Stadium in an action packed game which puts them up to 4th on the ladder. Can a weekend go by when we are not taking about VAR ?? The video technology that was brought in at the start of the season played a big part in how tonight's game developed. Adelaide started the better and should of went ahead through Mileusnic who missed a glorious chance inside the 6 yard box when his volley went straight at Janjetovic in the WSW goal. All the drama started to unfold when Adelaide where awarded a penalty when Cornthwaite was judged to have handled the ball inside the box from a Diawara volley. If the penalty call was harsh then the decision to give Cornthwaite his marching orders was worse. There was no way that the WSW defender could of got his hand out of the way that close to the shot from Diawara and the decision to give him his second yellow was poor. Luckily for WSW Diawara missed the resulting penalty. Adelaide with the man advantage started to dominate the game and and created some good opportunities to take the lead and hit the post twice but couldn't capitalise due to some poor finishing.They say a good time to score is before half time and that is exactly what happened when The Reds scored courtesy of Ryan Kittto. The goal was put under review using VAR and it looked on replay that Diawara was in an offside position however the goal stood and Adelaide went into the break with a big grip on the game being a goal and man up. WSW nearly got back into the game early in the second half when Riera hit the crossbar with a powerful header but it was Adelaide who got the all important second goal when Kitto scored his second of the night. He owes his second of the night to the clever play shown by Mileusnic who turned away from Janjetovic when one on one and passed it across to Kitto who had the easy task of slotting the ball into the unguarded net. It looked like an uphill battle from here for WSW but they where giving a lifeline into the game when Garuccio was shown a red card for a terrible tackle on Bonevacia,again this decision went to VAR but this time the correct decision was made and we now had 10 VS 10. It wasn't to be for WSW and they couldn't get any sort of control over the game in the last 20 minutes and the game winded down for an Adelaide win. Even though they were giving a helping hand with the sending off they played some lovely football at times and full credit to Adelaide especially after the loss midweek in the cup. Kurz will be delighted with his teams efforts tonight and with the potential return of key players from injury over the coming weeks Adelaide could be battling it out at the top of the ladder pretty soon.
Paul
Guest
Absolutely pathetic and biased officiating by Chris Beath, the assistant referees and the VAR. Amongst many other misses, the officiating team Missed a rugby tackle on Riera, offside for the first goal and originally awarding a yellow card to Garuccio instead of a straight red. Beath, in particular as well as Gillett, show biased decisions against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Time for Ben Wilson to leave ghis post or be sacked during the FIFA purge that is coming.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
FULL TIME AU 2 WSW 0 A win for the home side as Adelaide pick up their first win of the season at home and also make it back to back wins in the league. Great response to the midweek cup result. Thank you for joining me on The Roar tonight and hope you enjoyed the coverage.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
93' A late corner for WSW. A consolation perhaps... AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
90' Adlung plays Blackwood in on the right the Reds keeping the ball well around the edge of the WSW box but the move eventually breaks down. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
89' 4 minutes added on but the game looks certainly over as WSW looked resigned to their fate. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
86' Gaps are appearing everywhere as both teams are looking tired now. Credit to Adelaide after playing 120 minutes in midweek. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
What game are you watching JB ?? I disagree with your opinion on WSW but that's the beauty of football. Its a game of opinions.
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
82' Penalty shout for WSW but looked soft, Riera went down easily under the challenge from Gulum. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
80' This could be a first win of the season at home for Adelaide and its looking likely with 10 left on the clock. Keeping the ball well in the WSW half. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
78' Great ball into the box by Adlung, it was begging to be headed home but no one at the back post to make contact. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
77' 10 V 10, can WSW get a goal back and get back into the game. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
Here we go again... VAR ... and its a red for Garuccio, well deserved, could of broke Bonevacia leg. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
74' Garuccio cleans up Bonevacia with a disgraceful tackle. Should have been a red and only gets a yellow. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
72' Blackwood gets played in behind for Adelaide and goes for a lob over Janjetovic but his attempt falls short and the keeper gathers the ball comfortably. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
71' Good banter by The Reds fans singing to their former coach"Your getting sacked in the morning" Somehow i cant see that happening. AU 2 WSW 0
Alan Kearney
Roar Guru
69' The game has slowed down a little in the last 5 minutes. That second goal has knocked the stuffing out of the away side. AU 2 WSW 0