Adelaide United
2
Match Complete
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
2
| 88' |  | R. Mahazi | ||
| 69' | | O. Riera | ||
| 61' |  | B. Kamau | ||
| J. Elsey |  | 60' | ||
| 58' | | J. Risdon | ||
| N. Mileusnic | | 55' | ||
| N. Mileusnic | | 48' | ||
| 46' | | O. Riera | ||
| J. Elsey | | 21' | ||
| 4' | | K. Baccus |
| 14 | Shots | 14 | ||
| 4 | On Target | 7 | ||
| 12 | Fouls | 17 | ||
| 5 | Corners | 6 | ||
| 2 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
Adelaide United and the Western Sydney Wanderers meet in the final match of Round 9 action at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
The Wanderers travel to the city of churches, wondering whether their start against Sydney FC in Round 8 should have them hopeful of significant improvement this season.
The Sky Blues have since gone on to topple the ladder-leading Perth Glory and the Wanderers looked to well and truly have their measure before the goalkeeping blunder of Vedran Janjetovic.
It certainly did look like the Wanderers were finally starting to click, with a goal in the bank.
In the end, it was another tragic derby loss. Yetm ooked at in context, it may prove a turning point for the red and black.
Adelaide were humbled by Melbourne City ten days ago and it will have been an agonising wait for Marco Kurz’s team, longing for a chance to get things back on track.
Prior to that, the Reds had found themselves in fourth position on the ladder and still well within reach of the top two.
The loss to City hurt and another today would potentially see them fall from the top six.
The Wanderers could replace them if victorious and Markus Babbel will have done a splendid job after a rocky start, if able to vault his squad into that spot at this stage of the season.
Finding goals will once again be Adelaide’s issue. Craig Goodwin has gone a little cold, however, the return of Nikola Mileusnic will provide a little more dynamism up front.
The Wanderers will be hoping Alex Baumjohann is psychologically over the disappointment of being the sacrificial substitute in the derby.
It obviously stung, yet his direct ball play through the centre of opposition defences holds one of the keys to the Wanderers success.
The other lies with Oriol Riera. Such a dominant presence up front, Western Sydney are yet to gel and make the most of a man capable of claiming the golden boot award in the league.
Patrick Ziegler and Josh Risdon lead the defensive effort of the Wanderers and with the German back on deck, it is much needed.
Having conceded 14 goals thus far, Babbel needs a more consistent effort from the defensive unit.
Prediction
This is one of the most difficult matches to line up for the season thus far. Adelaide at home? Advantage. The Reds solid form this season? Advantage. Western Sydney’s improved performance just last weekend? Advantage.
Easy to pick a draw.
I’ll go with the Wanderers by just a single goal in a tightly fought affair.
Adelaide United 1, Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Game information
Where: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
When: Tuesday 26th December 2018, 7:50pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Adelaide United $1.91, Draw $3.60, Western Sydney Wanderers $3.75
Catch all the action on The Roar with live coverage from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Teams
Adelaide United
1. Daniel Marguš (gk), 2. Michael Marrone, 3. Scott Galloway, 4. Ryan Strain, 5. Taylor Regan, 6. Vince Lia, 7. Ryan Kitto, 8. Isaías Sánchez (c), 10. Ken Ilsø, 11. Craig Goodwin, 16. Nathan Konstandopoulos, 17. Nikola Mileusnić, 20. Paul Izzo (gk), 22. Michael Jakobsen, 23. Jordan Elsey, 26. Ben Halloran, 27. Louis D’arrigo, 32. Carlo Armiento
Western Sydney Wanderers
1. Danijel Nizic (gk), 4. Josh Risdon, 5. Brendan Hamill (c), 7. Nick Fitzgerald, 8. Jordan O’Doherty, 9. Oriol Riera, 10. Alex Baumjohann, 11. Bruce Kamau, 16. Jaushua Sotirio, 17. Keanu Baccus, 18. Marc Tokich, 20. Vedran Janjetovic (gk), 21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Rashid Mahazi, 24. Raul Llorente, 28. Roly Bonevacia, 34. Patrick Ziegler, 49. Abraham Majok
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Adelaide United and the Western Sydney Wanderers have shared the spoils at Coopers Stadium after a 2-2 draw that was full of drama and entertainment. The Wanderers took the lead just prior to the break after what was a cagey first half where I felt they had the better of the play. Tarek Elrich was brought down in the box, Oriol Riera's penalty was saved, before the Spaniard tapped in the rebound to set up a one goal lead going into the break. The second half exploded with Adelaide taking full advantage. Nikola Mileusnic scored twice in the space of seven minutes to put the home side in front before Jordan Elsey received a second card that saw him headed to the bench and the Reds down to ten men for the remainder of the match. Bruce Kamau had the Wanderers level within seconds and the match was set for a thrilling finish. Despite being down a man, the Reds were the more aggressive side in search of a goal over the final twenty minutes and came close. The Wanderers also had their moments but the match was destined to end in a 2-2 draw. In light of the table, it helps neither team. However, both played some good football at times and the managers have plenty with which to work, as the A-League enters its second third of the season. Final Score Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog. The match report will follow in five minutes and I need a ginger beer. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
What a great contest that was. A little controversy and plenty to discuss. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
96' No luck and that will do us. Phew! Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
96' He hits the wall and the Wanderers have a late chance at the end. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
96' Goodwin to take. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
95' Baccus fouls and Adelaide will have one last chance from the free kick. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' Kamau finds Riera's head again and Izzo saves well. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' The Wanderers play too long and Izzo will take the goal kick. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
92' Adelaide look the stronger team despite being down to ten men. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' Goodwin's ball into the box is cleared desperately. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' Five added minutes as the reds scare the Wanderers at the back. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Goodwins fires from the top of the box and the ball is closer to my place than the Wanderers goal. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Now the ten Reds try to build an attack. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' The Wanderers throw the ball in to Riera again and the Reds clear well. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Just two minutes or regular time remaining. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Yuck, horrible foul. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Mahazi is booked for a foul on Strain. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' A series of throws on the near side. Scrappy here. Adelaide United 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2