Adelaide United hand Heart first loss in six games

Adelaide United unbeaten run under John Kosmina continues as the Reds handed Melbourne Heart their first loss since Round 8 with a convincing 3-1 victory at Aami Park.

Melbourne Heart made a bright start to the second game of the A-League Big Wednesday, as a Matt Thompson header was deflected out for a corner, while the efforts of Babalj and Dugandzic kept the visiting defence on their heels early.

With Heart continuing to hold possession early in the game, the visitors were happy to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter, the move almost paid off as Barbiero had a golden opportunity to open the scoring, his effort although was well wide as he failed to connect with Watson’s delivery.

With seven minutes remaining in the opening half, Adelaide United were given the chance to open the scoring as striker Bruce Djite was brought down by Simon Colosimo in the sixteen yard box. Talisman Sergio Van Dijk stepped up to convert the spot kick, despite Bolton guessing the right way. To make matters worse for the home side, former captain Simon Colosimo was injured in the challenge and could take no further part in the game and was replaced by Curtis Good.

With half-time looming, winger Aziz Behich had a chance to level the scores after brilliantly disposing of two Adelaide defenders’, his weak effort however was straight into the arms of Galekovic.

Adelaide were up and running early in the second, and it only took them three minutes to double their lead as Caravella sent in a through ball for Vidosic after a nice one-two with Van Dijk, the midfielder then beat Hamill to the ball and slotted it past the on rushing Clint Bolton.

In the 56th minute the home side had an opportunity to reduce the deficit, as Babalj done well to hold off Boogard to set up team-mate Good, the defenders’ effort however was wide of the post.

Heart continued to press in an effort to get back into the game creating opportunities in the process as in the 68th minute an Alex Terra header was tipped over the bar by Galekovic, while Babajl blasted over the bar from six yards from the resulting corner.

The three points were all but sealed with eleven minutes remaining as Usucar played through Van Dijk who showed strength to hold off Hamill before unleashing a powerful strike which left Bolton with no chance.

In injury time Eli Babajl managed to pull one back for the hosts after showing great footwork and squeezing his shot past Galekovic.

The Football Sack ‘Player of the Year’ votes:

3- Sergio Van Dijk
2- Zenon Caravella
1- Bruce Djite

MH – Clint BOLTON, Michael MARRONE, Brendan HAMILL, Simon COLOSIMO (41st min Curtis GOOD), Matthew THOMPSON, Rutger WORM (55th min David WILLIAMS), Aziz BEHICH, Jason HOFFMAN (63rd min Alex TERRA), Eli BABALJ, Mate DUGANDZIC, Adrian MADASCHI.
Subs not Used – Sebastien MATTEI.

AU – Eugene GALEKOVIC, Nigel BOOGARD, Daniel MULLEN, Zenon CARAVELLA (71st min Osama MALIK), Sergio VAN DIJK, Dario VIDOSIC (77th min Jacob MELLING), Bruce DJITE (68th min Iain RAMSAY), Antony GOLEC, Cameron WATSON, Fabien BARBIERO, Francisco USUCAR.
Subs not Used –Mark BRIGHITTI.