Adelaide United’s rip-roaring 4-3 win over Brisbane Roar on Saturday night meant they became the first team in Hyundai A-League history to overturn a 3-0 deficit to win a match in regulation time.
Western Sydney Wanderers previously recovered from 3-0 down to win a rollercoaster 2016 finals series match 5-4, also against the Roar, but Dario Vidosic’s dramatic winning strike came in extra-time.
In 7500+ Australian national league games since 1977, no team has come from 3 goals down to win in 90 minutes before #ADLvBRI 4-3.
It did happen once in a game with extra time, WSW v BR (4-5) in 2016 finals series— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) February 2, 2019
The Reds began the game on the front foot, but their progress was abruptly halted when Ken Ilso was sent off nine minutes into the affair for a challenge on Brisbane captain Matt McKay.
The Roar would run out to a three-goal lead, but Isaias would pull one back just before half-time.
REPORT: Adelaide beat Brisbane in a 4-3 thriller
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The game’s momentum would swing after the interval when Brisbane received two red cards in the space of five minutes — Dane Ingham would first be sent off for his second bookable offence, before Jamie Young received a straight red for colliding with Craig Goodwin in the midst of a goalscoring opportunity.
Nikola Mileusnic’s injury-time winner may have put Adelaide fans into ecstasy, but it will mean a lot more to them once the dust settles and they consider the context of the finals race.
With that win, Adelaide United have leapfrogged Melbourne City into fourth spot, and created an 11-point gap between themselves and seventh-placed Newcastle Jets — the team most likely to nudge anyone out of the top six.
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More importantly though, with Adelaide facing Melbourne City next in Round 18, Marco Kurz’s side can cement their spot in the top four and even earn themselves a chance at qualifying for next year’s AFC Champions League™.
On the result, Adelaide United’s captain Isaias he knew his side were always a chance of pulling off one of the most unlikely of comebacks.
“I’m very proud of the boys, they’ve shown big character tonight and they did a great effort,” said the recently naturalised Australian.
“No, absolutely not (did I ever think the game was over).
“In football, everything can happen and I know we have a great team spirit.”
