Adelaide United burn the Phoenix at Hindmarsh

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has made a happy return to Hindmarsh Stadium after the Reds earned a deserving 2-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix.

Goals to Bruce Djite and Antony Golec either side of the half-time whistle sealed the win for United in front of a crowd of over 9000.

Playmaker Dario Vidosic shone throughout the match, while Golec’s performance will give Kosmina food-for-thought, whether he should keep the young defender in the starting lineup or reinstate deposed skipper Jon McKain.

The match was Eugene Galekovic’s first as captain after being handed the armband midweek and the shot-stopper didn’t disappoint, keeping a clean sheet in a typically reliable performance between the sticks.

Adelaide almost took the lead in the 8th minute after some inspired work by attacking midfielder Dario Vidosic. After Fabian Barbiero’s forceful header forward Vidosic won a footrace against Ben Sigmund, flicking the ball past the defender to his advantage. Unfortunately for the Reds the 24-year-old was denied by veteran Phoenix goalkeeper Anthony Warner.

Newly appointed captain Galekovic was called into action in the 14th minute, making an outstretched save with his left boot to deny Wellington the opener and begin life with the Reds’ armband.

United took the lead in the 16th minute with Vidosic and Bruce Djite linking up to confound the Phoenix backline. As Barbiero’s pass was played to him, Vidosic played a first-time looping pass over the defence as Djite turned off his defender’s shoulder. The ball fell kindly to the striker who hit it first time on his non-preferred left boot, powering the ball past Warner.

Adelaide should have doubled their lead in the 35th minute after a brilliant piece of build-up by Spase Dilevski. The holding midfielder played a one-two with van Dijk, ghosting his way behind the defence before sliding his shot just wide of Warner’s post.

The Reds were creating more goalmouth action in the first half as their direct play down the centre of the pitch exposed Wellington’s defence on a number of occasions however chances to van Dijk and Vidosic went begging.

The Phoenix concentrated much of their play down the flanks but the height of Golec, Boogaard and Mullen at the back was never really threatened by Wellington’s crosses in the opening forty-five minutes.

Wellington’s best chance came in the 40th minute, with a set-piece again threatening to undo United’s good work and level the scores. Brazilian playmaker Daniel fired in a cross which managed to miss all players in the box and crash into Galekovic’s post. The Reds managed to deal with the late flurry and hold onto a 1-0 lead going into half time.

United could have made the perfect start to the second half if not for a last-ditch slide tackle from Sigmund. Vidosic was again involved, drawing the defence one way before a clever backheel opened space for Zenon Caravella. The substitute would’ve had a clear shot on goal but for Sigmund’s vital intervention.

The Reds controlled much of the play in the second half and deservingly doubled their lead in the 62nd minute through maligned defender Antony Golec. The 21-year-old was a standout all night at left-back and was on hand for an easy finish after Vidosic’s free-kick was palmed by Warner into the Sydney-sider’s path.

As the game wore on Wellington attempted to work their way back into the match but United’s defence held firm to keep the Kiwis scoreless.

In the end Adelaide maintained the two goal advantage, keeping just their third clean sheet of the Hyundai A-League season, and their first since a 0-0 draw with Newcastle in week eight.


Attendance: 9739
Referee: Chris Beath

The Football Sack ‘Player of the Year’ points
3 Antony Golec
2 Dario Vidosic
1 Leo Bertos