When the going gets tough, Tomi Juric gets going, and Adelaide United have the erstwhile Socceroo to thank for their place in the semi-finals after a pulsating win over Brisbane Roar.
Juric struck twice inside the opening 20 minutes in Adelaide’s 2-1 win over the Roar in Redcliffe, with the former Socceroo keeping his cool to steer home two excellent finishes.
His first was an expertly taken strike across his body after Ryan Strain picked out the bustling striker with a raking diagonal ball.
And Juric’s second, when he nutmegged Roar skipper Tom Aldred before outpacing the Englishman in a footrace, badly exposed Roar coach Warren Moon’s high-stakes gamble.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Aldred has barely featured over the back end of the season, so it was a huge call to start the talismanic defender when Kai Trewin has proved such an able deputy in recent weeks.
And the gamble backfired when Joey Champness lost possession in midfield, allowing Ryan Kitto to slide a pass into the feet of the quick-thinking Juric.
There seemed little danger when Juric flicked the ball through Aldred’s legs, but Brisbane’s high line was swiftly exposed when the sometime Socceroo simply steamrolled through on goal.
He still had it all to do as he squared up to Jamie Young, but the 29-year-old proved the old adage that if form is temporary, class is permanent as he put his recent goal drought behind him with a cool left-foot finish.
If the Adelaide fans in the south-eastern corner of the ground were in ecstasy, the Brisbane Roar faithful had been stunned into silence.
But here’s where Moreton Daily Stadium comes into its own and why Brisbane Roar should be reluctant to leave it.
Unlike in past finals fixtures at the cavernous Suncorp Stadium, the Brisbane fans sitting right on top of the action managed to roar their team right back into the contest.
It’s hard to overstate just how much more enjoyable it is watching football at a boutique stadium like the one in Redcliffe, where the sightlines are excellent and you’re surrounded by other fans.
Yet plenty of critical comments still get posted online about the Roar’s new home ground, often by fans posting from their own homes while the club they support is literally running around in Redcliffe.
There’s no denying it’s a long commute from Brisbane, but there’s also no denying it’s a vastly superior viewing experience for fans.
At any rate, the announced attendance of 7782 on Sunday seemed well short of the actual number inside the ground given that only a few hundred spare seats remained.
And the home fans were given something to cheer about when Alex Parsons nodded home a Corey Brown free kick in the 56th minute.
But if Roar fans thought it was to be the start of a comeback, their hopes were dashed by a combination of bad luck and better defending by a desperate Reds outfit.
Riku Danzaki was always going to be the player most likely to bust open the game for the Roar, but the bounce of the ball just never seemed to fall adequately for the Japanese star.
After Dylan Wenzel-Halls had shot straight at James Delianov, Danzaki just couldn’t scramble his feet in time to stab home another promising chance soon after.
And when substitute Golgol Mebrahtu saw one shot cleared off the line and another smothered by Delianov at the death, the writing was on the wall for a Roar side that threw absolutely everything at the injury-ravaged Reds in the second half.
Full credit to Carl Veart and his battle-hardened Adelaide outfit. They may have practised the dark arts in a go-slow second half, but they were good value for their win.
And full credit to the A-League’s finals series as well. As we saw in Gosford on Saturday night and again in Redcliffe a day later, nothing quite matches the intensity of finals football.
steaker
Roar Rookie
he went the the stadium Brisbane play at (Dolphin Stadium QLD.)
Ac
Guest
At least your comment was one of a positive nature about something positive. Why is it people on this forum when it comes to football like to have a go at some one if they disagree? It’s very noticeable. Plus tiring. Why bother. Yes have an opinion but respect others of theirs also.
Chopper
Roar Rookie
Just announced Channel ten and Paramount have made a deal for all socceroos and Maltildas games for the next 5 years plus AFC competitions, plus FFA cup. Well done James Johnson
At work
Roar Rookie
The new Moore Park stadium will have 100% drip line roof coverage, but my guess is just means as long as the rain goes straight down without any breeze. Anyway it'll be a huge improvement on the old Allianz where the majority of the lower bowl wasn't protected by the roof.
At work
Roar Rookie
The Queensland stadium arrangements are just another reason for me to dislike QLD, that state not the people, or maybe the premier too :silly: She's useless
NoMates
Roar Rookie
No comment here really except where did the Roar fans go? Was the ticket prices jack up? Ive read a few years back that finals games cost heaps more then a reg season ticket.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Each year Mike writes about the joys of elimination finals at Dolphin Stadium? I mustn't be paying attention.
Coastyboi
Guest
Temper, temper. Somebody needs a herbal tea, don’t they?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Aldred's been our best defender by far up until his injury. He's barely played for what, two months. A big call to start him, but a tough decision to make. It's history now.
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
Christ the same boring article every year. We get it, you like finals and some people don't.
Grem
Roar Rookie
They're certainly making a statement that they see a future for themselves - Noone, Davilla and DeSilva.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
TV ratings from other codes?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
the name sure suits
Remote
Guest
Also you got me ,I did see it on Attenborough.
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Damn Macarthur https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/macarthur-land-massive-coup-signing-city-a-league-star-565901
Sam
Guest
Curious comment......... Why would they build more rectangular stadiums in Brisbane, there are plenty already. Don't forget Brisbane Roar walked away from Suncorp.
Remote
Guest
Unfortunately Lionheart, my bird observation skills are lacking. I’ve never seen a penguin fly in from the sea at Redcliffe and scoop up a fish of course, a pelican now that’s a different story.
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
AAMI is a great stadium for football and there is nothing I could complain about it. It will be interesting to see the WU stadium once its finished. It would be great to go to actual away game in Melbourne at a proper football stadium.
Tigertown
Guest
I am enjoying the debate about stadiums. I doubt we’ll all agree on the perfect football oval, but I tend to side with locations that give their fans coverage from the elements. Living in Australia & its topsy-turvy climate, a roof over seating is a given. Anything else is semi-professional & not up to A-League standards. The new Sydney stadium under construction at Moore Park cannot even guarantee fans full coverage from the rain. No kidding.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
the most exciting thing about Redcliffe is the daily penguin feeding oh dear, and he probably watched it on the tv