So, the Liberty A-League Preliminary Final is set – Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City in a mouth-watering derby at AAMI Park on Sunday, March 20.
Victory kept their title defence alive at the expense of Adelaide United 2-1 at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.
After the A-League Women action, Adelaide’s men’s side claimed a late 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from the Liberty A-League Finals Series and Isuzu UTE A-League.
Liberty A-League: Adelaide United 1-2 Melbourne Victory
MATCH REPORT: VICTORY THROUGH TO DERBY PRELIM
Isuzu UTE A-League: Adelaide United 2-1 Newcastle Jets
MATCH REPORT: SUPER-SUB TOURE SENDS REDS THIRD IN ALM
EDITOR’S PICK – Victory full of belief in quest for back-to-back titles
Adelaide United were the favourites heading into the A-League Women knockout fixture on home turf, having stormed home in the regular season to clinch their maiden finals berth.
But Victory – eyeing back-to-back Liberty A-League championships – had other ideas on Sunday, winning 2-1 to progress to the Preliminary Final.
Lia Privitelli was key to Victory snapping their skid and prolonging the team’s season, scoring the opener before turning provider for Melina Ayres as the Reds were eliminated.
“Words can’t describe it,” the Victory captain told Paramount+. “We’ve worked so hard for this. We are super excited for next week and hopefully the week after as well.”
She continued: “It’s been really tough playing a game every three days but we got some rest and we were able to really work on some of things we were struggling with in the back end of those big games.
“We know we can play good football, so just coming together and putting together what we can do and scoring chances like we did today.”
Victory completely nullified Adelaide in the second half as they controlled proceedings en route to avenging their 3-0 regular-season defeat to the Reds.
Full of confidence, Privitelli said: “All credit to Adelaide, they finished the season really strong and absolutely deserved to be in the finals. We really wanted to be in the finals and wanted to perform just like we can.
“Maybe it’s a little bit of experience, playing finals footy in the past. We had a really strong squad and the players that came off the bench did a really good job.
“We’re made for finals and we’re ready for the next couple of weeks.”
Victory and Melbourne City go head-to-head at AAMI Park next week for a spot in the Grand Final against Sydney FC.
“I don’t think it can get much bigger. We hope we can get AAMI Park absolutely packed to support us. It will just be amazing,” she said.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: ADELAIDE UNITED 2-1 NEWCASTLE JETS
REACTION
Goodwin hails Adelaide’s teenage livewires
Craig Goodwin was named man of the match with his two assists but it was all about Adelaide’s teenager stars after their 2-1 victory at home to Newcastle.
Mo Toure scored the winner two minutes from the end, while fellow teenager Nestory Irankunda also came off the bench and made an impact for the in-form Reds.
“He [Nestory] is a livewire. All of them are,” Adelaide captain Goodwin told Paramount+.
“They have a lot of ability going forward. They still have a lot of work to do in terms of structure and the defensive side but late on in the game, when you bring these players on, you bring them on because the other team is tired, they’re electric, they go at players, they’re direct.
“It’s happened again for us to score a late goal and win the match.”
A goal to make Mbappe proud
Mo Toure continues to light up the competition.
The teenager was on the pitch for 28 minutes before living up his reputation as a super sub, scoring an 88th-minute winner for Adelaide.
Toure looks up to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Asked if Mbappe would be happy with his well-taken finish, having pipped the Jets goalkeeper to the ball, Toure told Paramount+: “Yeah, 100%.”
“It’s amazing,” Toure said of the goal, having got on the end of Craig Goodwin’s pin-point cross. “It’s everyone’s dream to score a late winner, especially at Coopers, in front of the best fans in the league.
“I’m really happy we got the three points, which is the most important.”
Full-time: Reds roar into third spot
Toure makes the difference at Coopers Stadium, his late strike securing a 2-1 win over the Jets.
With the victory, Adelaide move up to third in the ALM standings on the back of three straight wins.
As for the Jets, they just can’t take a trick at the moment as they reflect on a third consecutive defeat.
88′ Goal 2-1: Super-sub Toure the hero?
Mohamed Toure has made the second half of A-Leagues games his own.
The 17-year-old, yet again, comes off the bench and gives Adelaide the lead with two minutes of regulation remaining.
It’s the boot of Goodwin that causes the problem again, the Reds star picking out Toure with a pin-point pass.
Adelaide have scored more go-ahead goals (four) in the 81st minute of a game or later in the 2021-22 ALM season than any other team.
The Jets facing another heart-breaking loss.
Beautiful night in Adelaide
68′ Goal… well maybe not
The ball is in the back of the net for Adelaide following Hiroshi Ibusuki’s looping header.
However, it’s ruled offside, much to the relief of the Jets – who had only equalised three minutes earlier.
65′ Goal 1-1: Newcastle finally get their goal
The Jets have huffed and puffed, and after dictating play, the visitors are back on level terms.
Angus Thurgate is the man, the midfielder on hand to tap the ball into the back of the net after Beka’s hard work to pass into the box.
Thurgate’s fifth goal of the season. Game on!
52′ Jets waste another opportunity
Newcastle have continued to create chances but they have nothing to show for it.
Their best opportunity of the match fell to Olivier Boumal seven minutes into the second half, however, the unmarked former Cameroon international fired his shot straight at Joe Gauci.
It leads to Boumal being subbed shortly after, with Brandon Wilson making his debut.
Blackwood opens up on Warnie celebration
Adelaide’s Blackwood bagged his third goal of the season early on and his celebration was even better.
The Reds forward channelled his inner Shane Warne, bowling a “leggie” to pay a heartfelt tribute to the Australian spin king following his tragic death.
Asked about the celebration, former cricketer Blackwood told Paramount+ at half-time: “I played cricket growing up.
“I only stopped playing 10-11 months before my A-Leagues debut.
“I loved Shane Warne growing up. I bowled leggies, so a bit of a tribute to him.”
Half-time: Reds take lead into the interval
The Jets finished the half with more shots and more attempts on target, but still find themselves behind in Adelaide.
Adelaide stormed out of the blocks but the Jets grew into the contest and created a couple of nice openings to threaten the Reds.
9′ Beka goes close for the Jets
If there’s one thing for certain it’s the Jets will create chances at Coopers Stadium.
Newcastle’s main man Beka Mikeltadze sent a warning shot, forcing Joe Gauci into a save six minutes after falling behind.
3′ Goal 1-0: Warnie honoured as Adelaide make fast start
Well that didn’t take long at Coopers Stadium.
Craig Goodwin receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shows great control as he drifts onto his left foot and composes himself before sliding a pass to George Blackwood.
Blackwood makes no mistake from close range before celebrating with a trademark Shane Warne bowling action in tribute to the Australian cricket legend, who died from a heart attack.
Opta insight
- This will be the 50th A-League Men game between Adelaide and Newcastle; the Reds have won their last three games against the Jets – the longest winning streak of either team in the history of this fixture.
- Adelaide have lost only two of their last 11 ALM games against the Jets at Coopers Stadium (W7, D2), keeping five clean sheets in that term.
- Adelaide logged a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in their last ALM game at Coopers Stadium (26 February 2022) and will now look for back-to-back wins at the venue for the first time since a three-game win streak from February to March in 2021.
- The Jets have lost their last two ALM games in succession; the last time they lost more in succession in the competition was a seven-game stretch from February to April in 2021.
- Adelaide have scored more game-tying (5) and go-ahead goals (3) in the 81st minute of a game or later in the 2021-22 ALM season than any other team; the Jets have not logged one of either in that time.
- Adelaide (15) and the Jets (15) have made more shots at goal per game than any other teams this season; however, they are ranked eighth (45.7% – Jets) and ninth (45.6% – Adelaide) respectively for shooting accuracy.
- Reds goalkeeper Joe Gauci has made 4.1 saves per game from his 10 appearances in the 2021-22 ALM season, the most of any goalkeeper to have played at least five games.
- Newcastle’s Valentino Yuel has scored four goals this season when his team has been trailing at the time, more than any other player in the competition.
Red-hot Adelaide out to maintain form
Heartbreak in midweek for Newcastle Jets sends Arthur Papas’ side into this clash with desperation to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Wellington Phoenix.
Adelaide, meanwhile, are flying in the A-League Men’s, with super-sub Mohamed Toure proving the difference of late. The teenage speedster came off the bench to score the winner for his side for the second time in four games as the Reds travelled to Perth to steal all three points last time out.
Carl Veart’s Adelaide will need to be wary of the class of Jets creator Daniel Penha and his partner in crime Beka Mikeltadze. The Georgian striker has eight goals to his name this season, with Penha notching eight assists to date.
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: ADELAIDE UNITED 1-2 MELBOURNE VICTORY
REACTION
Stenta proud but Reds boss rues missed opportunity
Given what Adelaide achieved just to reach the finals series for the first time in their history, Adrian Stenta insisted his Reds could hold their heads high.
However, Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Victory was still a bitter pill to swallow for Stenta after dazzling their way into the elimination final.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved this year. I think you need to take stock of that but I still feel we’ve got more to give this year, so it’s really disappointing to go out in the fashion that we did,” Stenta told Paramount+ after Adelaide ended the regular season in third position.
“They’re going to be disappointed and upset we couldn’t get the result at home but I just told them to keep their heads high cause they’ve had a fantastic season.”
Already looking ahead to 2022-23, Stenta finished by saying: “We’ve already been looking ahead to next season and what that holds. What we might need to do but I think we have the core group here.
“We’ll try to hold onto as many players as we can and try to bring in some players in areas we need to improve.”
‘We’re made for finals’ – Victory captain
Adelaide were the favourites heading into the knockout fixture on home turf, having stormed home in the regular season to clinch their maiden finals berth.
But Victory – eyeing back-to-back championships – had other ideas on Sunday.
Lia Privitelli was key to Victory snapping their skid and prolonging the team’s season, scoring the opener before turning provider for Melina Ayres.
“Words can’t describe it,” the Victory captain told Paramount+. “We’ve worked so hard for this. We are super excited for next week and hopefully the week after as well.”
She continued: “It’s been really tough playing a game every three days but we got some rest and we were able to really work on some of things we were struggling with in the back end of those big games.
“We know we can play good football, so just coming together and putting together what we can do and scoring chances like we did today.”
Victory completely nullified Adelaide in the second half as they controlled proceedings en route to avenging their 3-0 regular-season defeat to the Reds.
Full of confidence, Privitelli said: “All credit to Adelaide, they finished the season really strong and absolutely deserved to be in the finals. We really wanted to be in the finals and wanted to perform just like we can.
“Maybe it’s a little bit of experience, playing finals footy in the past. We had a really strong squad and the players that came off the bench did a really good job.
“We’re made for finals and we’re ready for the next couple of weeks.”
Victory and Melbourne City go head-to-head at AAMI Park next week for a spot in the Grand Final.
“I don’t think it can get much bigger. We hope we can get AAMI Park absolutely packed to support us. It will just be amazing,” she said.
Chidiac ‘so proud’ as Victory progress to Prelim
Alex Chidiac and Melbourne Victory avenged their 3-0 regular-season loss to Adelaide United, marching into the Preliminary Final courtesy of a 2-1 win.
Adelaide looked off the pace against the defending champions, who overcame warm conditions and a five-game drought to avoid elimination in the Liberty A-League Finals.
Exhausted but I’m so happy,” Chidiac told Paramount+ post-game. “I couldn’t be prouder of the team today.
“We’ve had such a rough season with the games every three days but I’m so proud of the girls for getting through today.”
Victory contained Adelaide at Coopers Stadium and Chidiac added: “I think we knew the feeling when we lost 3-0 a couple of weeks ago and we didn’t want to feel that again.
“We had a lot of chats about it as a team. Today we just came together, gave it everything and left it all out on the park.”
Next up for Victory is a blockbuster clash with rivals City – the winner moving through to the Grand Final against Sydney FC.
“It’s gonna be good… it’s going to be a Melbourne Derby, a special match,” Chidiac said.
Full-time: Victory’s title defence still alive
Victory end their five-game winless streak with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph at Adelaide.
The win sets up a mouth-watering derby against Melbourne City in the Preliminary Final.
For Adelaide, in their first finals appearance, their season ends here.
71′ Adelaide hanging on
The Reds have looked a shadow of the team from the first half, unable to keep pace with the Victory.
Melbourne get in behind Adelaide’s defence again and almost double their lead with 19 minutes remaining but Grove is quick off her line to smother Privitelli’s attempt.
There’s a complete lack of urgency within the Adelaide team at the moment.
57′ Goal 2-1: Victory back in front
Within 12 minutes of the second-half restart and Victory restore their lead against Adelaide.
It’s a sublime goal from Ayres, who volleys Privitelli’s cross first-time past Grove, having started the attacking sequence.
Adelaide will have to come from behind again.
Adelaide allay Yeoman-Dale’s fears
The Reds are featuring in the A-League Women finals for the first time in their history and Georgia Yeoman-Dale had concerns with Adelaide’s mentality on the big stage, especially after conceding the opener.
But the Network 10 analyst said at half-time: “I was a little bit worried with Adelaide, coming into a semi-final. You go down 1-0, where is the mentality at?
“But Sasaki steps up big. That’s a confidence strike. It’s pretty far out and you expect the player to chip a little ball over the top but she’s hit that perfectly.”
Half-time: All to play for in the second 45
Well, that game sprung to life after a slow start to proceedings.
The temperature has played its part but Victory’s opener spurred Adelaide into action.
Victory weren’t even in front for four minutes before Sasaki’s moment of individual brilliance restored parity.
A big second half awaits in this do-or-die contest.
37′ Dumont saves the ball with her… face
The Victory keeper has been in the thick the action.
Dumont has been savings with all parts of her body, including her face.
After spilling a long-range effort, Dumont races off her line to deny Adelaide by using her face.
33′ Goal 1-1: Sasaki stunner levels the game
Incredible, simply incredible.
Barely four minutes after Victory open the scoring, Adelaide respond in sensational fashion.
Nanako Sasaki’s audacious free-kick catches Dumont off her line, the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar before ending up in the back of the net.
Sasaki and the Reds won’t be forgetting that goal any time soon.
29′ Goal 1-0: Privitelli gives defending champs the lead
This game needed a goal and it’s come via reigning titleholders Victory.
On the cusp of the half-hour mark, Catherine Zimmerman lofts a cross into the six-yard box and it finds Lia Privitelli at the back post.
Privitelli finishes coolly, side-footing past Grove.
Just what the doctor ordered in Adelaide.
19′ Grove thwarts visiting Victory
It’s been a tentative start by both teams in warm conditions in South Australia.
But Victory get a look at goal, Melina Ayres firing a low shot down the throat of Adelaide goalkeeper Annalee Grove.
10′ Victory almost caught napping but Dumont up to the task
If Victory needed an early wake-up call, they got it via Dylan Holmes.
Victory’s defence is caught napping, allowing Holmes to get on the ball at the back post.
However, Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont is quick off her line to keep Adelaide at ball.
Dumont has headlined the build-up to the finals showdown, with the keeper detailing her traumatic two-year period due to a torn Achilles.
Read the interview here
Opta insight
- Adelaide picked up a 3-0 win in their last A-League Women game against Victory (26 February 2022), snapping a three-game losing run against them; the Reds have never previously defeated the Victory more than once in a single campaign.
- Adelaide will be looking to avoid back-to-back losses in the ALW for the first time since February 2020 after finishing their 2021-22 regular season with a 1-0 loss to Sydney at Coopers Stadium.
- The Reds will be participating in the ALW finals for the first time and will be looking to become the seventh different team to feature in a Grand Final in the history of the competition.
- Victory are winless in their last five ALW games (D3, L2), including a 3-0 defeat to Adelaide; the last time the Victory went longer without a win was a nine-game stretch from January to December in 2016 (D3, L6).
- Victory will be looking to progress to the Grand Final and become just the second team in ALW history to be crowned champions in consecutive seasons after Melbourne City won three successive Grand Finals from 2016 to 2018.
- Adelaide have scored a goal from inside the box once every 15 entries into the penalty area this ALW season, the most of any team, while the Victory (once every 16 entries) have done so the second most frequently of any team.
- Victory have a passing accuracy of 74% in the 2021-22 ALW season, the highest of any team in the competition and eight percentage points higher than Adelaide (66%) who have the third-lowest rate.
- Adelaide (8/8) are the only team with a 100% win rate in the ALW when they have scored the opening goal of the game on the day; although, the Victory (50%, 3/6) have the lowest loss rate when conceding the opening goal of the game on the day of any team.
- Fiona Worts of Adelaide has scored 11 goals in her last six ALW games as well as making one assist in that time; she has scored four goals in her last two games against the Victory including a hat-trick the last time she faced them (26 February 2022).
- Victory’s Catherine Zimmerman has not scored a goal in her last four ALW games, her joint-longest goal drought in the competition; she has found the back of the net twice in her last three games against Adelaide, however.
Season on the line in Adelaide
Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts will be out to strike Adelaide United through to the next round of the A-League Women’s finals as Melbourne Victory travel to Coopers Stadium for the second time in three games.
The Reds won 3-0 over their semi-final rivals last time out; if the Reds repeat that feat Victory will crash out of the finals in this do-or-die clash on Sunday afternoon.
The winner will proceed to face City in a match that will decide Sydney’s opponents in the ALW final.
