Adelaide return to winning ways

Adelaide United consolidated their position in the top two of the Hyundai A-League ladder with a 2-0 win over Sydney FC at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night.

In front of 16,429 fans the Reds broke a three game winless streak while Sydney was consigned to their fifth straight loss. In form striker Sergio Van Dijk opened the scoring in the first half before Cassio’s cross was deflected into the net by Sky Blues defender Hayden Foxe after the break.

Once again playmaker Marcos Flores was a standout for Adelaide with his creative flair causing problems for Sydney's defence throughout the match. An intelligent flick on from the Argentine unleashed Iain Ramsay early on, but the former Sky Blue couldn’t haunt his former club as he directed his shot straight at the goalkeeper Liam Reddy.

Flores again began to dominate play setting up the first goal of the game in the 35th minute. After finding space on the right flank Flores delivered a cross into the box which Sky Blues defender Stephan Keller could only partially clear into the path of Van Dijk who volleyed home to score his fifth goal in six games.

Having been kept scoreless in their last five encounters Sydney came close to breaking their drought just before the end of the half. Following a Scott Jameison corner Keller latched onto a loose ball and turned to shoot, but his effort cannoned into the crossbar.

Sydney’s only other chance of the game came from set piece specialist Shannon Cole from a free kick twenty five metres out. Cole managed to get his shot on target, but he could not trouble Young Socceroos keeper Mark Birighitti who saved comfortably.

The Sky Blues poor season continued in the 58th minute as Adelaide made the game safe in fortunate circumstances. Fullback Cassio embarked on the run down the left flank before attempting to float a cross into the box. The Brazilians cross was deflected by Foxe before cruelly looping over Liam Reddy into the back of the net.

In such a change of fortunes from last season the loss sees the defending champion Sky Blues firmly cemented at the bottom of the table and effectively killing off any realistic aspirations of a finals campaign. Whilst after finishing with the wooden spoon last year the Reds are now well on their way to securing a home final.

Adelaide’s return to winning ways will give them some much needed confidence before taking on Brisbane Roar in the top of the table clash at Hindmarsh Stadium next week.