It’s set to be a Friday night thriller at Hindmarsh Stadium as United and Mariners aim to maintain unbeaten runs!
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners
Friday 2nd December, 7.30pm
It’s set to be a Friday night thriller at Hindmarsh Stadium as United and Mariners aim to maintain unbeaten runs!
Get ready for full-on drama at Hindmarsh Stadium as Adelaide United take on the current form side of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
This match-up sees a club unbeaten in four do battle with a team undefeated in five. Who will come out on top? Can Adelaide grab a home win that would push them up the ladder, or will Mariners keep the pressure on Brisbane Roar? Find out by grabbing yourself a ticket today. This one is sure to be a cracker!
United extended their unbeaten run to four games with a hard-earned goalless stalemate against Newcastle Jets last Friday. The result was especially impressive considering that they played the final third of the match with 10 men.
After putting through his own net the previous week against Wellington, Nigel Boogaard’s bad fortnight continued as he was red-carded in the 65th minute against Jets for giving the referee a bit of lip when already on a yellow card – never a good idea.
Still, the Hindmarsh crowd really got behind the home side after that and it was the numerically disadvantaged Reds who looked most likely to win it in the end. Indeed, Fabian Barbiero thought he’d stolen it with an 88th minute finish, which sent the crowd wild, before the linesman’s pesky flag spoilt the party.
Despite the positives of last week, United though will face a massive test this Friday night. With four wins and one draw from the last five matches, Central Coast Mariners are in incredible form at the moment and arrive in Adelaide with only the seemingly unstoppable Brisbane Roar ahead of them on the ladder.
Last Saturday, the Yellow and Navy recorded a fine home win against Melbourne Heart in Gosford. Matt Simon put the Mariners in front in first-half injury-time with a clever close-range finish, but any hopes of a comfortable second-half were scuppered by a fine Heart display.
Their equaliser in the 78th minute was well-deserved and looked like it would cost Mariners a couple of vital points. However, rather than dropping their heads, the home side proved how strong they are by simply upping their game and pushing on for the win, which came about thanks to two late goals. Firstly, Daniel McBreen’s penalty sent the Yellow Army wild and then Patrick Zwaanswijk settled the issue with an 87th minute header.
In team news, Michael Baird won’t be featuring for Mariners again after being released from the club in order to join Malaysian Super League side Sabah FA. Meanwhile, United’s Dario Vidosic-s back injury is not season-ending and that there is a chance he could be back within three weeks.
Friday nights are invariably brilliant occasions at Hindmarsh, and with Central Coast Mariners making up a very tough opponent indeed, this match will be no different.
As always, Rini Coolen’s men will be looking for your non-stop support from the second you walk through the turnstiles. Whatever passion and commitment you show will go a long way towards helping your team to three points. So make some noise!
