Dynamic Adelaide confirm early season favouritism

Adelaide United travelled to Moore Park Road in a confident mood for their Round Five Hyundai A-League match up with Sydney FC.

The Reds fielded an in-form and unchanged eleven as Dutch manager Rini Coolen stated his intentions in setting his side up an attacking 4-3-3 line-up away at defending Premiers and Champions, Sydney FC.

Coolen warned his squad midweek that he was wary of a wounded Sydney side however he put his front foot firmly forward with young gun Matthew Leckie and Captain Lucas Pantelis flanking Dutchman Sergio van Dijk, in addition to Marcos Flores in behind.

Sydney elected to field an unchanged starting eleven with Stuart Musialik captaining the side in the absence of the still injured Terry McFlynn.

Adelaide settled immediately, continuing their recent form with van Dijk chesting to Marcos Flores for the South American to hit a shot the outside of his boot just wide inside two minutes.

It was a sign of things to come when barely 90 seconds later Flores, patrolling the top of the box, linked up with Hughes and Leckie before the former crossed directly onto van Dijk’s head who probably should have done better.

In the ninth minute, Scott Jamieson crudely impeded an advancing Leckie who was released by Lucas Pantelis. From 30 metres and in a very similar position to Alvin Ceccoli’s thunderbolt in season one, Sergio stepped up and buried the resulting free kick. The ball rose sharply, clipped an ineffectual wall and beat a full stretch Liam Reddy. Adelaide 1-0.

The goal momentarily brought Sydney to life, as a heavy touch from Bridge fell into Nick Carle’s stride who released a shot from distance which narrowly missed the top corner.

But Adelaide, without Fabian Barbiero, or Captain Travis Dodd, looked very comfortable in possession with Adam Hughes and Paul Reid proving a very effective combination in the centre of the park. Stuart Musialik toiled hard but all too often Carle and Rhyan Grant looked a little late in arriving behind the ball to assist in defence.

When Sydney’s golden chance came, Bridge did not do enough. Carle working hard in the lead up play found Scott Jamieson wide who crossed directly to an unmarked Bridge in acres of space. The free header, instead of being attacked with purpose was merely dinked gently over the bar.

On 19 minutes Matthew Leckie clipped a ball in from the left wing directly onto Adam Hughes’ head, after the rangy midfielder had advanced unchecked into the box. Reddy, sparked into life after being beaten by van Dijk from distance, made a sharp save. Hughes’ bullet header, by contrast to Bridge’s earlier effort, characterised Adelaide’s incisiveness at present.

This was further underlined by Matthew Leckie, who in the 36th minute was released by Paul Reid who spotted the young gun haring down the right flank. Sydney were caught square as Seb Ryall, who isn’t short of a gallop himself, attempted valiantly to pressurise Leckie. Leckie was un-phased and as he approached the top of the box calmly fired across the Sydney goal and to Reddy’s bottom right. 2-0 Adelaide and extremely comfortable going into half.

At the restart Nick Carle spurned a golden chance to pull one back when half time substitute Hiro Moriyasu dispossessed Adelaide Captain Pantelis in an advanced position. The Texan born Japanese squared it to Sky Blue talisman Carle who blasted low and centimetres wide Adelaide’s left post.

Adelaide had a third goal disallowed after Fyfe strayed into an offside position but moments later, Sydney’s defence hit rock bottom. Byun and Ryall were caught flat footed by Marcos Flores who dissected the two with a sumptuous no look pass to Matthew Leckie. Leckie shot low and Reddy saved well to his right but couldn’t control the ball. As the ball rolled free centrally, Keller allowed van Dijk to get to the rebound far too easily, as Ryall, wearing the Captain’s armband for the first time merely looked on. The Dutchman completed his brace in and Adelaide were cruising at 3-0.

The goal forced Lavicka’s hand who furnished former Palmerias junior Bruno Cazarine his A-League debut. The 28 year old journeyman Brazilian immediately proved a foil as the free kick was swung into the box. Fyfe and Mullen only had eyes for the South American striker whilst the Swiss defender ghosted in with redemption on his mind. Keller headed home expertly from 18 yards and elected not to celebrate his first ever goal A-League goal.

Sydney finally started to play after the goal on the hour. As the intensity returned to the defending champion’s game, Cazarine showed his spirit by valiantly chasing down every ball his territory. His inclusion also allowed Bridge more space and crucially Danning to attack from the flanks; where he is most dynamic.

As the game opened up Seb Ryall looked more assured as he began to marshal his troops around him, now assisted by Keller whose lapse made the fire return to the belly.

Unfortunately though as Sydney began to enjoy more possession, the players began to become preoccupied by the long ball. Although Brazilian Bruno has size and a presence at the top, the focus was far too concentrated on aerial play, especially given Fyfe and Mullen’s size at the back.

On 69 minutes Sydney FC had a free kick from a very similar position as where the Sky Blues first goal came. Keller made an identical run but this time could not reach the in-swung Byun ball.

Rini Coolen went to the bench and brought on beanpole Robbie Cornthwaite to further reinforce his chargers’ defensive stocks which resulted in Adelaide regaining the upper hand. As the match drifted into the 80th minute and Reddy had to make some good saves to deny a hungry Dutch Red his hat trick.

The match finished 3-1 and United look every bit the early season favourites for the Premier’s Plate after five rounds. Iain Fyfe, returning to the ground where he made 88 appearances for the Sky Blues, is forging a formidable partnership with Joe Mullen. This combined with Socceroo Eugene Galekovic between the sticks and a prolific attacking front three will have the financially strained Newcastle Jets concerned as they travel to Hindmarsh Stadium next Saturday night.

For Sydney it doesn’t get any easier when they travel across the ditch for their match up with Wellington Phoenix also on Saturday. Not that this would seem to worry the Sydney FC Board of Directors, major shareholder David Traktovenko excluded, as late on in the match the cameras found them apparently in good spirits. Most notably Deputy-Chairman Scott Barlow appeared at ease with the lacklustre performance on the pitch and growing concern of the season low 7,558 attendees.

Mark Bosnich made his feelings known following the game on certain key Sydney players’ lack of meaning contributions to date this season. The former Manchester United and Chelsea shot-stopper singled out Nick Carle for special mention stating that “if he’s going to be a number 10 he needs to do a lot more than he’s doing at the minute. You are entitled to ask a lot more from him”.

It may be a long season ahead for Sydney as a lack of investment in the off-season has exacerbated the situation at the club. After losing the spine of the side, it appears there are no natural leaders and few options on the bench.

The Sky Blues will be hoping for a return from injury for Alex Brosque in the week and the development of a ‘Killer Bees Three’ with Bridge and Bruno.