KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from Adelaide United’s Elimination Final against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.
MATCH REPORT: Adelaide roll on after eliminating Mariners from finals
REACTION
‘It’s going to be a cracking clash’ – Red-hot Adelaide ready for City date
It was a battle between two of the most in-form teams in the A-League Men, fourth against fifth in the Elimination Final.
Adelaide came out on top to make it six straight wins, earning a blockbuster showdown with defending champions and minor premiers Melbourne City in the semi-finals.
The Reds are back at Coopers Stadium for Wednesday’s opening leg before making the trip to Melbourne for Sunday’s return fixture and former Adelaide striker Bruce Djite – who watched pitchside for Network 10 – feels Carl Veart’s side are primed for their semi-final clash against the “benchmark”.
“They have the experience, they got the talent,” Djite said of Adelaide during Network 10’s post-match analysis after Craig Goodwin, Kusini Yengi and Bernardo fuelled the Reds.
“They have the young exuberance and skill. They have the flair.
“Six wins in a row. The Coach of the Season arguably in my view.
“They have everything going for them.
“But they’re coming up against the benchmark in the competition, let’s not forget.
“All those attributes I just reeled off that Adelaide United have, so do Melbourne City.
“It’s going to be a cracking clash and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Adelaide won’t have much time to soak it up and recover, with Wednesday’s fixture representing a quick turnaround.
And they’ll be relying on their mix of youth and experience to get them over the line in the semi-finals.
While Adelaide boast the likes of Yengi and teenage sensations Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure and Bernardo, their older brigade continue to produce the goods.
“Isais, Juande, Javi Lopez. These are some players who have phenomenal experience,” Djite said. “They’re at the centre of what this team does.
Yes, you can spread the ball wide and let these young players that are quick, exciting and skilful do their thing.
“It’s been a really good mix for Adelaide, not just tonight but all season.”
Are Monty’s Mariners right to feel hard done by?
Tonight isn’t the first time the Mariners have been left questioning a decision this season.
Licking their wounds after a 3-1 Elimination Final loss to Adelaide, the Reds’ second goal stood out for Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery as he dissected his team’s exit.
Lewis Miller had just hobbled off the field and the Mariners were looking to make a substitution – Storm Roux the man to replace his injured team-mate. But Central Coast never had the chance to complete the sub.
Instead, the Mariners were left a man down and watched helplessly as Adelaide exposed the numerical disadvantage – Goodwin whipping in a delightful cross from the left, where Miller or Roux would’ve been for Yengi to double the home side’s lead.
It left a sour taste in the mouth of Montgomery, whose Mariners were riding a five-game winning streak.
“A few disappointing things. Probably not the time to speak about them now,” Montgomery told Network 10.
“Trying to get a substitute on. Lewis Miller was injured, coming off. We can’t make a sub. They kick the game off and then down the righthand side, second goal we cop a goal.
“Questionable on that but all credit to Adelaide. Good team, good season. Carl has done fantastic with them. Hopefully they can go all the way.”
Montgomery added: “I’m just going to present the facts. I received an email at 10:30 last night, the referees have changed. We had the only referee part-time from Adelaide to referee the game.
“I don’t know how that happens. There’s four full-time referees in the A-League. There’s two games this weekend and we get a part-time referee from Adelaide.
“That’s not why we lost the game, but it questions why it happens. I thought tonight he made some decisions I didn’t understand but that’s not why we lost. We didn’t put our chances away.
“But so proud of the boys tonight. Amazing effort. FFA Cup final, top six and then eliminated in the play-off final. Other than that, will come back next season stronger and better.”
Montgomery’s comments earned support from Network 10 analyst Archie Thompson, who felt for the Mariners boss post-match.
“Monty had a fair point there,” Thompson said. “It’s in a crucial game and it’s in the finals. You only have four full-time referees, why isn’t one here?
“That’s not to say or have any blame on the referee in this game. He did the best he could.
“With the substitution at this level, with so much at stake, you want them to be on t and they just weren’t.”
What’s next for Adelaide?
A two-legged semi-final against defending champions and Premiers Plate holders Melbourne City awaits the Reds, with the opening game scheduled for Coopers Stadium on Wednesday, May 18 (7.05pm AEST).
City will host the return leg at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Sunday, May 22 (2.05pm AEST).
RECAP: ADELAIDE UNITED 3-1 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
92′: GOAL! Bernardo (3-1)
That is surely game, set and match.
Substitute Bernardo cuts inside to the middle of the pitch and fires a shot beyond Birighitti, who is left wrong-footed as the ball flies into the back of the net.
Adelaide have soaked up Central Coast’s pressure and are on track for the semi-finals.
88′: CHANCE! D’Arrigo (2-1)
What an impact that would’ve been from Adelaide substitute Louis D’Arrigo.
The 20-year-old cuts inside onto his favoured foot and almost slots the ball past Birighitti.
82′: NO GOAL! (2-1)
An Adelaide corner breaches Mark Birighitti’s goal but a foul by Popovic is spotted by the referee.
It’s still 2-1 in favour of the Reds.
Coopers Stadium comes to life
71′: GOAL! Roux (2-1)
If there is one thing, it’s never write off the Mariners and the visitors pull a goal back with 19 minutes remaining.
An unlikely source, Storm Roux comes off the bench to give Central Coast hope.
Game on!
67′: GOAL! Yengi (2-0)
Everything Goodwin touches turns to gold for Adelaide.
The Reds skipper, always so dangerous down the left wing, whips in a ball into the box and picks out Kusini Yengi, who makes no mistake.
Just like the opener, Adelaide score against the run of play to liven up the home crowd.
56′: OFFSIDE! Cummings (1-0)
Jason Cummings has the ball in the net for the Mariners, but it’s ruled offside.
What a shame after Max Balard’s stunning solo run to play through Cummings.
46′: SECOND HALF (1-0)
As it stands, Adelaide will be moving through to a two-legged semi-final matchup with defending champions Melbourne City.
The Mariners have work to do in the second half and they’ll have to improve on their previous form on the road.
This is the Mariners’ sixth ALM finals match outside New South Wales; they are winless in their last four post-season fixtures outside their home state (D1, L3) – their only victory in such games did come against Adelaide however (1-0, 26 February 2006).
Nick Montgomery has options on the bench and he turns to Garang Kuol as the second half starts.
45′: HALF TIME (1-0)
Goodwin’s goal is all that separates the two teams at the interval.
Adelaide in the box seat for semis
26′: GOAL! Goodwin (1-0)
And just like that, Adelaide lead on home soil.
Craig Goodwin only needs a sniff and the Adelaide captain pounces to give the Reds the lead approaching the half-hour mark.
Contender for the Johnny Warren Medal, Goodwin is played through by Alexandar Popovic and after the ball gets through Central Coast’s defence, the Socceroo makes no mistake from close range.
It’s Goodwin’s 10th goal of the A-League Men season and counting…
Entertaining start in Adelaide
16′: CHANCE! N’Kololo (0-0)
Central Coast are enjoying a strong spell in attack.
After a bright start, the Mariners are showing control and their sustained pressure sees N’Kololo’s curling effort force a fine diving save from Reds goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
7′: CHANCE! Urena (0-0)
The Mariners have their first sight on goal as Beni N’Kololo makes his way into the penalty area, however, his cross to Marco Urena is inches away from his head.
A sigh of relief for Adelaide.
5′: CHANCE! Brook (0-0)
What an opportunity for Adelaide.
Ryan Kitto’s low cross finds its way to Lachlan Brook but the loanee from Premier League outfit Brentford can’t make clean contact as his scuffed shot goes wide.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway at Coopers Stadium!
Rain, rain go away!
It’s an umbrella kinda day, with rain falling in Adelaide.
How will that impact the Reds and Mariners? We’ll find out soon.
Opta insight
- This will be the third A-League Men finals meeting between Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners; the Mariners have won each of their previous two post-season fixtures by a 1-0 margin – the Reds are one of three teams the Mariners are yet to lose against in finals fixtures in the competition (W1 v Gold Coast United and W1 v Melbourne Victory).
- Adelaide have won their last four ALM finals games on the bounce in South Australia, their longest winning run in their home state in post-season fixtures in the history of the competition and more than they had won in all their nine such matches prior to that span (W3, D2, L4).
- This will be just the Mariners’ sixth ALM finals match outside New South Wales; they are winless in their last four post-season fixtures outside their home state (D1, L3) – their only victory in such games did come against Adelaide United however (1-0, 26 February 2006).
- The Mariners have scored eight goals from outside the box in the 2021-22 ALM season, the most of any team in the competition despite having made just 4.4 shots at goal from outside the box per game this season – the joint-second fewest of any team.
- Adelaide have scored 39% of their total goals (15/38) this season after the 76th minute of matches, the highest rate of any team and most goals of any side during this period; Central Coast (13) have scored the joint-second most goals of any team during this time (also Melbourne Victory – 13).
- Adelaide’s Craig Goodwin has created 3.3 scoring chances per game this season, the most by any player; in fact, he’s been directly involved in five goals in his last five appearances in the competition (two goals, three assists).
- Central Coast forward Beni N’Kololo has scored seven goals in the 2021-22 ALM season, 4.2 more than his Expected Goals value suggested – the best differential of any player in the campaign.
- Mariners sensation Garang Kuol has a shot conversion rate of 40% from his 10 shots this season, the best of any player in the competition (min. three total shots).
Winner-takes-all battle
It’s fourth against fifth – but form suggests otherwise.
Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners ended the regular season as the league’s two most in-form teams, clocking five wins apiece in succession on the road to the finals.
Central Coast ended the regular season on 42 points under head coach Nick Montgomery thanks to the late-season surge – the same amount the Mariners collected under Alen Stajcic last term.
The Reds went one better than the Mariners, with the 43 points collected by Carl Veart’s side enough to seal fourth spot and a home final.
Now, attention turns to the Sunday afternoon clash between the two hottest teams in the league.
It’s what makes next weekend’s elimination final bout – set to take place at Coopers Stadium – all the more enticing as the stakes raise with the post-season’s arrival.
Line-ups
