Adelaide United have recorded a 2-1 win over the struggling Melbourne Victory in their National Youth League clash at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Sunday.
Adelaide United have recorded a 2-1 win over the struggling Melbourne Victory in their National Youth League clash at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex on Sunday.
Midfielder Cameron Watson and attacker Dion Kirk netted, both times set up by Teeboy Kamara, in the second half, as United ended a five-game losing run.
Daniel Chaabani pulled one back for the hosts, but they remain without a point and bottom of the table after failing to find a second.
United defender Anthony Golec was sent off in the 61st minute, but it mattered little as his side netted without him and held on to move into eighth.
Victory senior prospect Marco Rojas was a standout being substituted at the break, while Isaka Cernak and Jean Carlos Solorzano put in full shifts.
For Adelaide, overage players Evgeniy Levchenko and Watson patrolled the middle of the park, while Ricardo da Silva was bright in patches.
Victory made a positive start and Reds shot-stopper Mark Birighitti denied Rojas with a strong save, before the New Zealand international squandered the best chance of the first half.
Cernak burst into the area and set up the lively Rojas, but the 20-year-old’s touch let him down and the opportunity went to waste.
United found the opener, and it came thanks to some strong work from Kamara in the lead up.
Kamara muscled his way past Victory central defender Adam Nakic, before squaring a pass for Watson to tap into an empty net.
The game turned just after the hour-mark when Golec was given his marching orders for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
But despite their numerical disadvantage, the Reds went two goals to the good when substitute Kirk struck.
Watson’s long pass, one of many he and Levchenko produced to precision, found Kamara down the right, and the lively forward spotted Kirk, who tapped in at the back post.
Yet, Victory continued to fight and found a way back into the contest through Chaabani in the 76th minute.
Paulo Retre’s cross into the area found the substitute unmarked, and he slammed his shot into the bottom corner after a neat first touch.
The 10-man Adelaide held out Victory in the dying stages to hang on for a hard-fought three points.
Melbourne Victory 1
Daniel Chaabani 76
Adelaide United 2
Cameron Watson 58, Dion Kirk 66
