Adelaide United top Group H in the Asian Champions League with three wins from three games after they downed Japanese outfit Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 at home at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday night before a crowd of 12,841.
With captain Travis Dodd in fine form, Adelaide dominated the opening stages and it was not until the 18th minute that Hiroshima had their first shot at goal - an effort from Masato Yamazaki, which flew straight at goalkeeper Eugen Galekovic.
In the 8th minute, Dodd broke through the visitors’ defence, but a last-ditch tackle by a Japanese defender saved the situation for his side and conceded a fruitless corner.
A minute later, Iain Fyfe missed an easy header for Adelaide from close range.
The breakthrough for the home side came in the 11th minute when Marcos Flores beat Tsubasa Yokotake on the left and crossed for Dodd to elude Ryota Moriwaki and head beyond keeper Shusaku Nishikawa and inside the far post.
Lucas Pantelis might have increased Adelaide’s lead on the quarter-hour, but his shot was tame and easily saved by the keeper.
Matthew Leckie went close for Adelaide in the 21st minute with a low drive from the left that forced Nishikawa to concede a corner.
Sergio Van Dijk shot straight at Nishikawa in the 23rd minute as Adelaide kept up the pressure.
Hiroshima were almost level in the 26th minute, but Hisato Sato drove his shot straight at the keeper.
Hiroshima suffered a set-back in the 32nd minute when they had defender Ilian Stoyanov sent off after a foul on Leckie.
The Malaysian referee correctly punished the Bulgarian as he was the last defender and Leckie was on his way into the box for a chance on goal.
Sanfrecce came back strongly after the interval, despite being a man short, and 10 minutes into the second period drew level when a poor clearance by Robbie Cornthwaite was pounced on by Kazayuki Morisaki, who drove home a left-footed shot from 22 metres.
In the 75th minute, Issei Takayanagi headed Sanfrecce into a 2-1 lead following a free-kick from the right.
Adelaide were not finished, however, and their one-man advantage proved decisive as they netted twice in the final 12 minutes to snatch victory.
In the 78th minute, Cornthwaite atoned for his earlier defensive lapse by heading Adelaide level from a corner.
And, with 8 minutes remaining, substitute Cassio hit the winner from a free-kick that took a deflection off the defensive wall.
The sides meet again in Japan next week.
Hiroshima are bottom of Group H.
2 comments:
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walter i read in yesterdays examiner about the northern tasmania social soccer association that has been running for 20 years.their season runs from april until september.costs are 5 bucks to register for the season and 2 dollars per game.matches are played at carrick.with the rumblings about forming a possible breakaway comp could this be an example to follow if people wanted to archieve that?brian roberts mentioned something about some grounds being available in some earlier posts.
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walter i came across this article written by peter sanders in yesterdays,25-3,examiner and i quote.the northern social soccer association will hold its traditional pre-season family fun day on saturday at south street carrick from ipm-5pm.association spokesman marcus moore said that entry on the day was free and included fun events and prizes for the whole family.a barbeque will also operate."there 4 teams in the competition sofar this year,so there is plenty of room for more players to make up another team or two" he said."the association has been going for nearly 20 years and provides a friendly and welcoming competition for csual and social players of all ages in standard 11 aside matches wich are played at carrick each saturday."we go to the cock'n bull brittish pubafter saturdays games for a post-match debrief and.from time to time,we allow our arms to be twisted into the partaking of a beer."training is light,optional and takes place from 5.30-7pm at invermay park near the roundhouse on forsterstreet."mr moore said thatit was only with the support of the meander valley and launceston city councils that the league was able to function.the season runs from april until september and starts with the traditional nick kupetski cupon april 10 and kicks off the season properly the following week.annual registration costs are$5 and players pay$2 a game to keep the association running.further details are available from mr moore on 0419 627 287.
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