Adelaide United
3
Match Complete
Wellington Phoenix
1
| C. Goodwin |  | 78' | ||
| 73' |  | C. Sheridan | ||
| 60' | | A. Golec | ||
| A. Stamatelopoulos |  | 47' | ||
| A. Stamatelopoulos | | 44' | ||
| 29' | | A. Rufer | ||
| 19' | | R. Lowry | ||
| A. Stamatelopoulos | | 17' | ||
| M. Marrone | | 10' |
| 6 | Shots | 19 | ||
| 3 | On Target | 5 | ||
| 11 | Fouls | 10 | ||
| 2 | Corners | 3 | ||
| 2 | Offsides | 3 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
Adelaide United face the Wellington Phoenix in Round 24 A-League action, in a match with serious top-six ramifications. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5pm (AEST).
With Melbourne City notching up a win against the Roar on Friday night, the race for positions in the top six has hotted up. This clash pits the currently fourth-placed Phoenix against the sixth-placed Reds.
Wellington will still have faint hopes of running down the Victory and claiming third spot on the ladder in three weeks time.
To do that, a win today is a must. Realistically, a win will probably lock up a top-four position and that in itself, would be a wonderful achievement for Mark Rudan’s team.
On the back of three straight victories and with goals aplenty, the Phoenix will be looking to continue their roll as the play-offs loom ever closer.
Adelaide are limping their way towards the finals and but for the inconsistent Jets, might be sitting outside the qualification zone altogether.
They struggled across the line against the Mariners last round with convincing losses to Perth and Sydney in the fortnight prior.
Scoring goals appears to still be the Reds’ Achilles heel and against a resolute and well-drilled defence, it will likely continue to be the issue against Wellington.
To make matters worse, injury and suspension have now struck the Reds with Ryan Strain, Baba Diawara, Ken Ilso and Jordan Elsey all unavailable for this match.
The Phoenix welcome back Roy Krishna from suspension but lose the valuable Louis Fenton with a foot problem that will seem him miss the remainder of the season.
Prediction
The Phoenix are rolling along well and I cannot see anything but a victory for them in the city of churches.
Adelaide are always brave and committed, yet being able to contain the front line of David Williams, Roy Krishna and Sarpreet Singh will be a bridge too far for the home side in this one.
Adelaide United 0 Wellington Phoenix 3
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 5pm (AEDT).
Where: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
When: Sunday 7th April 2019, 5pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports, MyFootball app
Betting: Adelaide United $1.91 Draw $3.75 Wellington Phoenix $3.75
Adelaide United
1.Daniel Marguš (Gk), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Scott Galloway, 6.Vince Lia, 7.Ryan Kitto, 8.Isaías Sánchez (C), 11.Craig Goodwin, 14.George Blackwood, 16.Nathan Konstandopoulos, 17.Nikola Mileusnić, 19.Jordy Thomassen, 20.Paul Izzo (Gk), 22.Michael Jakobsen, 24.Pacifique Niyongabire, 26.Ben Halloran, 31.Mirko Boland, 32.Carlo Armiento, 33.Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
Wellington Phoenix
1.Filip Kurto (Gk), 4.Mandi Sosa, 5.Ryan Lowry, 7.Cillian Sheridan, 11.David Williams, 12.Antony Golec, 13.Liberato Cacace, 14.Alex Rufer, 15.Michal Kopzcynski, 17.Callan Elliiot, 18.Sarpreet Singh, 20.Oliver Sail (Gk), 21. Roy Krishna, 22.Andrew Durante (C), 23.Max Burgess, 27.Steven Taylor, 31. Ben Waine, 32. Gianni Stensness
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Reds have done the job on home soil, defeating the Phoenix by 3-1. Adelaide started the better side and laid on three excellent first half goals to take a commanding lead into the break. Sadly the flow of the match threatened to change with the late first half send-off of Apostolos Stamatelopoulos; when the young attacker entered a contest recklessly with raised studs. Logically, the Phoenix were able to apply far greater pressure in the second half against 10 men, yet just the single goal could they muster. Cillian Sheridan knocked one in from close range yet that was all the Phoenix managed, despite their best efforts and the Reds held on for a win that seems them draw level with Wellington on the table with 37 points. Final Score Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Reds have beaten the Phoenix in Adelaide. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+4 Burgess with a late cross. Goal kick Adelaide and the Reds have this one in the bag. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Thomassen on and Goodwin off for the Reds. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Williams is playing another sport tonight. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Williams with another shot on goal that is well wide and way high. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+2 Burgess throws another ball into the box. Pointless really as Izzo takes without stress. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1 Four minutes to be added. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' When given the chance, Izzo belts it forward and the Adelaide fans are confident that this game is done and dusted. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Golec centres again and the Reds hack it away. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' They look to be home. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Golec's cross is met by Williams and Sheridan's boot sends the ball long. Goal kick Adelaide. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' Now the reds send it forward but the Phoenix will come right back after a throw on the far side. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86' Krishna was offside, otherwise the Phoenix were within a sniff. NO GOAL. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
85' GOAL WELLINGTON!! The ball is in the back of the net!!! Is it a goal. VAR are checking!!! Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
84' Williams fires with his left and Izzo saves well. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stuart Thomas
Expert
83' Adelaide for forward and run some valuable seconds off the clock. Kurto collect the weak cross and sends the ball straight back to the attacking end. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Nux looks shocking tonight. No rhythm, half assed passing, nervousness in the box.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
82' Golec throws a ball into the box. Sheridan meets it with his head but is caught offside. Adelaide……….......3 Wellington...……...1