The Reds have come back from the brink to grab a point off the disappointing Mariners, who should really have been able to finish off the home side when they were left with ten men after a first-half send-off.
Andrew Hoole started things brilliantly for the visitors with some wonderful early touches and found the net with a free kick to put the Mariners ahead after only seven minutes and any discussion around the state of the pitch became irrelevant for the Reds who needed a win to keep the chasers in the A-League pack at bay.
After some early decisions that seemed to go against the home side, Ursum Gulum was given his marching orders by the referee after a soft challenge on Trent Buhagiar just outside the box. While a foul, the red card was a big call and threatened to ruin what was building as an excellent contest.
The score remained 1-0 into the break and the Mariners added a second after Ryan Strain slotted an own goal over which he had little control.
Things looked over for the Reds, yet after all the angst of the poor decisions in the first half, where even the coach received a yellow card, the home side were able to compose themselves and mount a comeback.
Jordan Elsey found the back of the net after an excellent cross from Garruccio in the 61st minute and all of a sudden the good play of the Reds looked like producing a result.
Wave after wave of attack followed and the second goal finally came after lead-up work from Adlung and a finish from Blackwood, that saw the scores level after 83 minutes.
Adelaide might feel they should have all three points after dominating the latter periods of the game yet the Mariners held onto their point.
In what could have been a game marred by poor decisions and remembered for nothing else, it actually turned into an enthralling contest, although the comments of Adelaide manager Marco Kurz will be interesting in the post-game press conference.
Final score
Adelaide United 2
Central Coast Mariners 2
TV
This match will be broadcast by via free-to-air TV on channel One, and on Fox Sports 501.
Live stream
You can live stream Foxtel’s coverage of the match by using the Foxtel App if you already have a Foxtel TV subscription, or Foxtel Now if you don’t.
With reservations about the state of the playing surface playing on the coach’s mind after the AFL’s contribution on Thursday night, the sheer danger of this clash for the home team cannot be overlooked.
The Central Coast come to town desperately in search of three points to keep their miniscule chances of making the finals alive and they have the quality to leave Adelaide on a high.
Unfortunately, form indicates that this won’t happen and Adelaide show be too strong on their home patch.
The visitors haven’t tasted victory since their Round 9 win over Perth Glory and with only a few measly points along the way, things have slowly but surely gone south for a team that promised so much early in the season.
Solid would be the best way to describe Adelaide and the culture that Marco Kurz has tried to install in the squad.
Less errors and more chances in front of goal is a rather blunt summary of their season, as is their inability to convert enough of those chances to really threaten the top two teams on the ladder.
With Melbourne City still within reach for the reds, this match looms as a chance to lock up a top six stop and push for a home final in the first week.
Both Victory and Wanderers will have something to say about that, however, Adelaide could skip five points clear of them both with a win in this one.
Adelaide will prove too strong at home despite a spirited display from the Mariners.
Adelaide United 3, Central Coast Mariners 1.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Must have been all that expansion talk.....got people excited. Good week for my tips as well.
The better grobelaar
Guest
The A league completely outrated the afl x in 65 per cent of Australia.
The better Grobelaar
Guest
Definitely the best round of football this season and surely the fact that anti football Sydney FC weren’t involved made it so much more enjoyable to watch .
Fadida
Guest
Agree
perry cox
Roar Guru
Great call Stuart. This has been one of the best A-League rounds I can remember - this weekend's and last. Great, great, great great great football.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
What an astonishing game to complete Round 20 of the A-League in Adelaide. The Reds have come back from the brink to grab a point off the disappointing Mariners, who should really have been able to finish off the home side when they were left with ten men after a first half send-off. Andrew Hoole started things brilliantly for the visitors with some wonderful early touches and found the net with a free kick to put the Mariners ahead after only seven minutes and any discussion around the state of the pitch became irrelevant for the Reds who needed a win to keep the chasers in the A-League pack at bay. After some early decisions that seemed to go against the home side, Ursum Gulum was given his marching orders by the referee after a soft challenge on Trent Buhagiar just outside the box. Whilst a foul, the red card was a big call and threatened to ruin what was building as an excellent contest. The score remained 1-0 into the break and the Mariners added a second after Ryan Strain slotted an own goal over which he had little control. Things looked over for the Reds, yet after all the angst of the poor decisions in the first half, where even the coach received a yellow card, the home side were able to compose themselves and mount a comeback. Jordan Elsey found the back of the net atter an excellent cross from Garruccio in the 61st minute and all of a sudden the good play of the Reds looked like producing a result. Wave after wave of attack followed and the second goal finally came after lead-up work from Adlung and a finish from Blackwood, that saw the scores level after 83 minutes. Adelaide might feel they should have all three points after dominating the latter periods of the game yet the Mariners held onto their point. In what could have been a game marred by poor decisions and remembered for nothing else, it actually turned into an enthralling contest, although the comments of Adelaide manager Marco Kurz will be interesting in the post-game press conference. Final Score Adelaide 2 Central Coast 2
Redondo
Guest
Isaias equally good in the second half
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time 90' - THanks for being on board tonight, hopefully I'll have you around for the W-League Grand Final tomorrow. Match report to follow in 15 minutes.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Adlung gets MoM. I agree with that, he was superb.
Redondo
Guest
Brilliant - Adelaide will make the grand final. Great game - awful red card.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time 90' - We are done in Adelaide. Wow, what a game and what a comeback from Adelaide with ten men. Could probably have claimed the three points.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
96' - The final minute and the ball from Marrone is begging for a head. Corner Adelaide.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' - A late corner for Adelaide.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' - The reds attack..........Blackwood shoots wide.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
92' - Hoole with the free..............way over the bar.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' - Six minutes of added time and the Mariners get a free just outside the area.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' - And still the reds come, pouring on the pressure.
Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' - Melling off and Rose on for the Mariners. Adelaide United: 2 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' - Still Adelaide attack.
Adelaide United: 1 Central Coast Mariners: 2
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Ben Kennedy saves a header from the Slovenian. Wow, nearly 3 pts there for the Reds.