Photo: Adelaide captain Travis Dodd made the first goal but was later substituted [PlessPix]
Adelaide United 1-2 Melbourne Heart
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Adelaide United lost their perfect home record at Hindmarsh Stadium this season when they went down 2-1 to two late goals by Melbourne Heart tonight.
It was Adelaide’s first home loss in 8 outings, while the win was Melbourne Heart’s first in 8 games. Adelaide’s last loss at home was in January, when they lost 3-2 to Perth Glory.
The winning goal came in the 2nd minute of stoppage time from John Aloisi, who was probably making his last appearance in Adelaide, the city where he started his career 19 years ago as a 15-year-old.
Second-placed Adelaide stay 7 points adrift of A-League leaders Brisbane Roar, while the Heart move from 8th to 6th place and above city rivals Melbourne Victory.
On the chances, Adelaide should have led by more than one goal at the interval, while the Heart’s only chance came from a header by Rutger Worm, which flew over the bar.
Adelaide might also have had a penalty when Marcos Flores was pulled down inside the box, but Mr Shepheard ignored the home side’s appeals.
In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Adelaide took the lead with an excellent goal. Eugene Galekovic’s goal-kick was nodded down by Sergio Van Dijk to Travis Dodd on the right. He played a one-two with Marcos Flores and took the ball to the byline before crossing for Van Dijk to head home.
The Heart refused to stop beating, however, and they were rewarded with two goals in the last three minutes.
Aloisi had hit the post earlier, but the equaliser came in the 89th minute when Simon Colosimo headed home Josip Skoko’s corner from the right. Galekovic was fortunate not to be sent off immediately afterwards when he pushed Colosimo to the ground. He was shown a yellow card but it should probably have been a red.
Two minutes into stoppage time, good play by Josip Skoko and Wayne Srhoj led to Aloisi scoring from the left with an outside-of-the-left-foot shot that took a slight deflection before beating Galekovic.
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Adelaide United: Galekovic - Barbiero, Fyfe, Mullen (Keenan 32), Cassio - Reid, Flores, Hughes - Dodd (Ramsay 82), Van Dijk, Pantelis (Watson 58) (Sub not used: Birighitti)
Booked: Galekovic, Keenan
Goals: Van Dijk 45+1
Melbourne Heart: Bolton - Marrone, Thompson, Colosimo, Behich - Kalmar (Beauchamp 77), Sarkies (Skoko 63), Srhoj - Zahra (Hoffman 57), Aloisi, Worm (Sub not used: Zois)
Booked: Thompson, Hoffman
Goals: Colosimo 89, Aloisi 90+2
Att: 10,011
Ref: R Shepheard
7 comments:
Great win by Heart.
Alf Ramsey
What a finish to that game! Well done Heart!
I liked the Heart fan celebrating with John Aloisi with the scarf. Great for Aloisi's last game in his home town. It was a good goal he scored under pressure, both from a time and angle perspective.
Tommy Tucker
BILL WROTE...
From an impartial fan's perspective it was a fantastic match to watch. I took the $21 odds on Heart at half time so it was even better for me.
Terrific to see Heart win a match and an away game too.
ADELAIDE FOREVER SAID....
Sarkies practically rugby tackled Reid. It was a disgusting challenge which should have been a penalty. That match should have been a draw.
Galekovic should've been sent off.
We had 60% possession, we hit the post, a header over the bar inside the 6 yard box, we pinned AU down in their own box for most of the second half.
We conceded a shocking goal. It was looking a lot like the previous seven matches.
We're a different team when Skoko and Shroj are pulling the strings.
Hoffman provided us with more than Zahra did and should start ahead of Zahra.
Terra coming back next week, Sibon soon after, Skoko getting close to full fitness. It is looking good for the end of the season.
Red and White
St Kilda
DON SAYS...
Disappointing performance from the Reds for a home game, even with two real defenders for most of the game. Full credit to the Heart for persisting in a form slump and exploiting our dodgy defence.
Moving Beauchamp into central defence and pushing Matt Thompson further afield seemed to ignite Heart. They seemed to be the fitter team in the last 10 minutes.
Earlier in the season I thought Adelaide had an extraordinary amount of good luck. Often in last night's game they looked to be a very good side. They achieved some excellent combination play in the attacking third of the pitch. Adelaide were unlucky not to score earlier in the second half.
It is a shame that 70% of the population are unable to access this season's improved quality on the pitch in the A League if they don't attend live matches. Defensive mistakes are still frequently occur, which is a major contributor to goals, rather than superb offensive play. Nevertheless, the A League is improving.
Casual Observer
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