Western Sydney Wanderers stunned Adelaide United on Wednesday night, travelling to Coopers Stadium and turning a one-goal deficit into a 2-1 win with Phillip Cancar notching the winning goal.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from the Isuzu UTE A-League on Wednesday night.
- ADELAIDE UNITED 1-2 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Coopers Stadium. Kick-off 7.35pm AEDT.
MATCH REPORT: Western Sydney trump Reds in Adelaide
REACTION
Wanderers win poses test for consistency: ‘These two games could turn our season around’
Since Mark Rudan’s takeover as Western Sydney head coach at the end of January, the Wanderers have embarked on an unpredictable run of form.
Rudan’s side have won four of nine games, losing the remaining five without recording consecutive victories at any stage along that run, beginning with a 1-0 win over Perth Glory in early February.
But the 12 points Western Sydney have earned under Rudan have served them well; a shock 2-1 win over Adelaide United away from home on Tuesday night places Western Sydney just three points outside of the top six.
Rudan’s Wanderers have shown they can take it to some of the best teams in the league. Wins over Adelaide, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory all prove their capability of mixing it with finals contenders.
The challenge now, is to produce those performances on a consistent basis.
The form line since Rudan’s takeover has read: W-L-L-W-L-L-W-L-W.
Perhaps the perfect challenge for a side with so many ups and downs is to face the same team twice in quick succession – and that’s exactly the test presenting to the Wanderers as they prepare to host Adelaide at CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon, just four days after defeating Carl Veart’s side on the road.
“We knew we could beat them,” Wanderers defender Tomislav Mrcela told Paramount+ after his side’s Wednesday-night win. “We know these two games especially against them could turn our season around, (to) get closer to them.
“We have a couple of games in hand, so I think it’s going to be massive for our confidence. But we have to confirm this on Sunday.”
‘That was an absolutely world-class finish’: Goodwin into Reds record books in style
Craig Goodwin’s wand of a left foot has produced its fair share of magic over the years. But poised with the challenge of drawing level with Adelaide legend Bruce Djite on a club-record 35 Isuzu UTE A-League goals, Goodwin saved his best piece of wizardry for the occasion.
“That is some free-kick, and he is some player!” exclaimed Paramount+ commentator Simon Hill after Goodwin’s dead ball struck from range whipped into the top-left corner of goal in the first half of Adelaide’s meeting with the Wanderers.
“As soon as it comes off his boot you can see there was no chance for (Wanderers keeper) Daniel Margush,” said co-commentator Daniel McBreen when reflecting on the masterful strike at half-time.
“That was and absolutely world-class finish.”
EXPLAINED: Why early Reds pen call was waved away by referee Elder
There was confusion in the first half as a Bernie Ibini challenge on Adelaide’s Michael Jakobsen inside the Reds’ attacking penalty area went unpunished by referee Daniel Elder.
Even more eyebrows were raised in the aftermath when the subsequent VAR check also deemed there to be no foul on Jakobsen.
Ibini looked to have dragged his marker to the ground as a whipped corner delivery made its way toward him; the initial thought from the Paramount+ commentary box was the foul wasn’t given due to the fact the ball into the box was sailing past the zone in which Jakobsen and Ibini tangled – but after the game, commentator Simon Hill confirmed the reason a penalty wasn’t awarded with scores level at 1-1.
“Just a word on that contentious penalty shout in the first half,” Hill said. “We have had word that the penalty award was turned down because Michael Jakobsen initiated the contact first onto the Wanderers defender before Bernie Ibini pushed him over.”
The explanation didn’t quite satisfy co-commentator Daniel McBreen: “I’m still unconvinced,” he said. “But it’s been looked at and looked at, so I think it’s one of those moments now we’ll just have to say the referees made their decision and we get on with it.”
“Absolutely,” Hill replied. “The game is all about opinions – and to their credit, they made the decision quickly.”
RE-LIVE: ADELAIDE v WESTERN SYDNEY, AS IT HAPPENED
FULL-TIME: ADELAIDE 1-2 WANDERERS
It was a game of two halves as the Wanderers come from behind to defeat Adelaide 2-1 at Coopers Stadium.
A superb Goodwin free kick put the home side ahead before goals to Najjarine and Cancar completed the comeback.
90+3′: Gauci save gives Reds a lifeline (1-2)
Terry Antonis was all alone in the box after breaking Adelaide’s defensive line, and with the goal virtually at his mercy just needed to slide his shot to either side of Gauci.
But the Reds keeper stood tall to get a strong glove on the ball and prevent the Wanderers extending their advantage.
76′: GOAL! Wanderers take the lead through Cancar (1-2)
The Wanderers appeared to hit the front through Tomislav Mrcela – but Phillip Cancar was the first Wanderers defender to send his strike across the line.
It was the latter’s original shot from close range which was cleared by Joe Gauci, with Mrcela tucking home the rebound from close range. But the replays suggest Cancar’s initial attempt crossed the line first. Cancar has been awarded the goal – for now – as the Wanderers lead 2-1 at Coopers Stadium.
66′: Tensions rising at Coopers Stadium
There’s been little in terms of genuine chances down either end in the second half – but a Ramy Najjarine yellow card brandished in the 66th minute makes it six in total for the game (Wanderers four, Adelaide two).
46′: SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
Hiroshi Ibusuki has gone close to putting Adelaide back in front inside the first minute of the second half, after Ryan Kitto launched a cross from close range into the path of the Japanese striker.
Ibusuki had no time to adjust as the ball flew toward him, opting to let the cross hit his head rather than attempt a genuine header, as the ball drifted out for a goal kick.
HALF-TIME: ADELAIDE 1-1 WESTERN SYDNEY
Goodwin had the chance to restore Adelaide’s lead with a free-kick from similar range to his first on the cusp of half-time, but could only sting the gloves of Daniel Margush as the a first 45 filled with committed challenges, classy goals and big talking points came to an end.
32′: Penalty shout waved away (1-1)
Adelaide defender Michael Jakobsen’s claim for a penalty seemed warranted as Bernie Ibini dragged his opponent down in the box as a swinging corner travelled toward the danger zone.
Referee Daniel Elder waved the claim away, and the ensuing VAR check confirmed quickly came to the conclusion that no penalty would be awarded.
Paramount+ commentator Hill said the decision not to reverse the on-field call might have been due to the fact the ball into the box was sailing well past the zone in which Jakobsen and Ibini tangled.
26′: GOAL! Najjarine slots home the equaliser (1-1)
Western Sydney are back on level terms after soaking up significant Reds pressure.
Ramy Najjarine provided the calm finish, breaking through Adelaide’s defensive line to latch on to a Keanu Baccus though pass and slot his calm shot into the bottom corner.
20′: Significant delay for Goodwin head knock (1-0)
Goodwin has been involved in everything so far at Coopers Stadium. Following his opening goal, the Socceroos winger missed a gilt-edged chance before a suffering a head clash with a fellow Reds teammate which required medical attention and heavy strapping.
Goodwin is back on the pitch after the lengthy break in play.
8′: GOAL! Goodwin free-kick stunner puts Reds ahead (1-0)
The Reds lead 1-0 through a moment of pure class from Craig Goodwin, who scores goal number seven for the season with a free-kick from range.
“That is some free-kick, and he is some player!” exclaimed Paramount+ commentator Simon Hill after Goodwin’s dead ball struck from range whipped into the top-left corner of goal.
“As soon as it comes off his boot you can see there was no chance for (Wanderers keeper) Daniel Margush,” said co-commentator Daniel McBreen when reflecting on the masterful strike at half-time.
“That was an absolutely world-class finish.”
1′: KICK-OFF
It’s game number 50 in charge of Adelaide United for head coach Carl Veart as the hosts kick off through Hiroshi Ibusuki.
