Adelaide United defeat Gold Coast 2-1

Adelaide United has picked up their second win of the season with an impressive 2-1 win over Gold Coast United.

The Reds had control for most of the game with Adelaide’s goals coming from midfielder Zenon Caravella and winger Iain Ramsey.

Gold Coast managed to equalise through a Caravella own goal but after Ramsey restored the lead in the 68th minute, United held on for victory.

The result came in front of a lowly crowd of 6,368 who came to Hindmarsh to witness Gold Coast’s re-located ‘home’ game.

Head Coach Rini Coolen was forced into making two changes to his line-up, drafting in Nigel Boogaard and Francisco Usucar for the injured Milan Susak and Evgeniy Levchenko.

The move allowed Coolen to maintain his 4-4-2 formation with Sergio van Dijk and Bruce Djite up front, ahead of Dario Vidosic who spearheaded a diamond midfield.

Adelaide dominated the early exchanges of the game with Coolen’s possession game ensuring United had the bulk of attacking play, which left Gold Coast with few chances to capitalise on.

Caravella had plenty of the ball early against his old club, drawing a number of fouls from his former team-mates.

Boogaard almost made the perfect return to competitive football with Ramsey’s corner giving the defender a free header but his shot glanced past the post.

Adelaide’s early pressure led to a number of corners and shots of goal but the Reds just couldn’t take advantage of their positive play.

Gold Coast were frustrated with the lack of ball and drew three yellow cards in the first half alone.

Ramsey’s play down Adelaide’s left flank was a highlight for the Reds in the first half with his movement, passing and willingness to make attacking runs caused a number of headaches for the Gold Coast defence.

Adelaide’s attack gained more mobility in the 34th minute after van Dijk injured his lower leg and was replaced with Dutch winger Andy Slory.

Gold Coast nearly took the lead against the run of play at the end of the first half when James Brown exquisitely back-heeled the ball to himself near the Adelaide goal.

Brown’s low cross found McGowan but unfortunately for Gold Coast, his low shot was fired straight into Galekovic’s safe hands.

The second half started much the same as the first with Adelaide carving out good, early chances but couldn’t find the way to pierce Moss’ defences.

United’s dominance finally paid off in the 57th minute when Cassio intercepted a loose Gold Coast pass.

After Ramsey exchanged a one-two with the left-back, his low cross moved past Vidosic but found Caravella at the back post with the unguarded net at his mercy.

Adelaide had ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic to thank for keeping their lead intact after an impressive save denied Dylan Macallister from a corner.

Gold Coast found an equaliser in the 66th minute when James Brown’s shot deflected wildly off Caravella, the midfielder’s work undone by a cruel goal against the run of play.

United took less than 3 minutes to regain the lead when Slory fed Ramsey into the box.

The Adelaide winger put his defender off balance with a fake before cutting onto his non-preferred right foot and curling it past a flailing Moss.

Gold Coast was denied a second equaliser in the 77th minute when Ben Halloran’s shot flew past Galekovic and crashed into the post.

The final 15 minutes of the game opened up into a more free-flowing affair with both sides trading chances, Adelaide looking to extend their lead while Gold Coast looked to erase it.

Attendance: 6,368
Referee: Chris Beath

The Football Sack Player of the Year votes
3 votes: I. Ramsey
2 votes: N. Boogaard
1 vote: J. Brown