Adelaide United’s Hyundai A-League Grand Final triumph in 2015/16 capped one of the most incredible turnarounds in the competition’s history.
After the first two months of the season, Adelaide were rooted to the foot of the ladder.
But fast-forward six months and the Reds went on to claim a remarkable Premiership/Championship double.
STALLED ON THE START LINE
Under a new coach, Spaniard Guillermo Amor, Adelaide United endured a difficult start to the season.
The Reds were winless through their first eight matches, scraping together just three points and scoring only seven goals to sit last on the ladder.
Questions were already being asked about the new man at Adelaide United’s helm.
.jpg)
ON THE CHARGE
A first win of the season was finally secured by Pablo Sanchez’s early goal against Perth in round nine, also lifting Adelaide United from the bottom of the table.
That win was the catalyst for an astonishing unbeaten run of 14 matches where the Reds won 11 games and drew three.
With their 4-0 round 22 rout of the Phoenix in Wellington in early March, Adelaide moved to the top of the Hyundai A-League.
.jpg)
FINAL WEEKEND DRAMA
Going into round 27, the Reds were second, one point behind Brisbane Roar.
Adelaide played the weekend’s first game, beating Melbourne City 2-0 to go past Brisbane into top spot.
The following night, Roar visited Victory and when that game finished goal-less, Adelaide were crowned Premiers by a solitary point.
The run from last to first was complete.
UNSTOPPABLE ADELAIDE
By now, Adelaide United were flying.
In week two of the finals they welcomed Melbourne City to Coopers Stadium and following a goal-less first half, they simply put on the afterburners in the second half.
A brace from Bruce Djite and goals from Dylan McGowan and substitute Pablo Sanchez earned them a 4-1 win and home advantage for the Grand Final against Western Sydney.
In front of over 50-thousand fans at Adelaide Oval, Bruce Kamau opened the scoring before an iconic Grand Final free-kick from Isaias doubled their advantage.
Scott Neville reduced the deficit and gave Wanderers hope after an hour, but super-sub Sanchez was again injected late on and iced the cake with a third goal in the final minute.
Adelaide United were champions and double-winners in Amor’s first season!
