A first half double from Marcelo Carrusca has given Adelaide United a 2-1 win over Heart in their pre-season game in Melbourne.
A first half double from Marcelo Carrusca has given Adelaide United a 2-1 win over Heart in their pre-season game in Melbourne.
Carrusca converted from the penalty spot in the 26th minute before putting his quality on full display with a sublime strike from 20 metres in the 33rd minute.
A close range goal from David Williams in the 65th minute reduced the deficit for the home side but the Reds dug in to come away with a win and another solid hit out ahead of the season proper in a fortnight.
With trialist Brent McGrath starting up front, the Reds controlled the early stages and when Sergio Cirio was impeded in the box by Jason Hoffman, they took a deserved lead as Carrusca slotted the spot kick past Andrew Redmayne.
Seven minutes later United went two goals up and Cirio was involved again, this time the pint sized Spaniard cutting in and finding Carrusca, the Argentine then superbly curling his shot into the net.
McGrath-s shift lasted 62 minutes before he was replaced by Osama Malik, but it was the departure of Michael Zullo to the sideline to receive treatment that became more significant as Melbourne pounced.
Despite a fine double save from Eugene Galekovic, the ball fell to Williams at close range and Galekovic could not keep this one out to set up a fascinating final 25 minutes.
Moments later Williams had a great chance to level the scores but he could not hit the target after finding himself one on one with Galekovic.
The Reds will conclude their pre season schedule against Hyundai A-League opposition with a clash against Melbourne Victory behind closed doors at AAMI Park on October 3.
Melbourne Heart 1 (Williams 65-)
Adelaide United FC 2 (Carrusca 26- (pen)/33-)
Adelaide United line-up: Eugene Galekovic (gk), Brent McGrath (Osama Malik 61-), Nigel Boogaard, Jon McKain, Isaias, Sergio Cirio (Tarek Elrich 46-), Marcelo Carrusca (Jake Barker-Daish 69-), Steve Lustica, Daniel Bowles, Michael Zullo (Jordan Elsey 67-), Fabio Ferreira
Substitutes: Paul Izzo (gk)
Yellow Cards: Isaias 20-
Melbourne Heart line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk), Mate Dugandzic, Patrick Gerhardt (David Vrankovic 73-), Jason Hoffman, Golgol Mebrahtu (Andrea Migliorini 46-), Massimo Murdocca, David Williams, Aziz Behich, Patrick Kisnorbo, Maras Schroen, Paul Retre (Iain Ramsay 46-)
Substitutes: Sam Mitchinson, Jeremy Walker, Tando Velaphi (gk)
Yellow Cards: Murdocca 30-, Gerhardt 50-, Behich 71-
