In the words of Network 10 commentator Simon Hill, there’s a cigarette paper between Adelaide United and Melbourne City as they head to Victoria for the second leg of their semifinal bout all square.
With nothing to split the two teams after Wednesday night’s goalless draw, the Reds return to AAMI Park – the scene of one of their best wins of the season – intent on extending their unbeaten record against the Premiers this season to five games and progress to the Grand Final.
“This 0-0 draw has really set that Sunday game up to be a real thriller,” Network 10 football analyst Georgia Yeoman-Dale added post-match.
“Both teams know they’ve got to go out and throw everything at it.”
These two sides have now played one another on four occasions this season. Three draws and one 2-1 win to the Reds ensures there’s little to split the Reds from City heading into semifinal leg two.
FULL-TIME: ADELAIDE UNITED 0-0 MELBOURNE CITY
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REACTION
Gauci’s ‘special’ Reds journey comes full circle after star role at Coopers Stadium
It was April, 2016 when Adelaide United last booked a ticket to the A-League Men’s Grand Final with a 4-1 semifinal win over Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium.
Joe Gauci was sat in the stands watching intently as Reds legend Eugene Galekovic operated in between the sticks for the home side.
He hoped on that day to follow in the footsteps of Galekovic. Now, he’s coached by him. On Wednesday night he starred in Adelaide’s 0-0 semifinal draw with City – a result which keeps the Reds in contention for a spot in the Grand Final.
“Coopers Stadium is a great environment to play football. The fans are amazing,” Gauci told KEEPUP after his clean sheet display.
“The last semifinal, the chance to get in the Grand Final, I was here as a fan and watching Eugene.
“It’s good to have him as a coach now, it’s something special.”
‘We’re confident’: Goodwin and Reds ready for AAMI Park boilover
Adelaide United captain Craig Goodwin says his side’s record against the Premiers this season – and memories of past escapades at AAMI Park – give Adelaide plenty of confidence of brushing past Melbourne City on the way to the Grand Final with a clutch win on the road on Sunday.
The Reds needed a win in the first leg of the semifinal, at home in front of a raucous home crowd, to head to Victoria with momentum. But the hosts failed to breach City’s defence, with the visitors having the better of the chances in a game which ultimately ended 0-0.
“I think overall a draw is probably a fair result,” Goodwin told Network 10 post-match. “For us, we had some good openings, it was that final ball that let us down.
“Perhaps that’s from a bit of tired legs from playing a few days ago.”
The Reds and City have now drawn on three occasions this season, with Adelaide winning the fourth 2-1 at AAMI Park in February.
“We’re confident,” Goodwin added. “We haven’t lost to them this season, and we beat them on their own turf.
“We have to go into this game with confidence.”
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‘We’ve really missed it’: Nabbout thrives off Reds crowd
He was the man with a target on his back all night. The home Adelaide crowd, so used to Nabbout coming to Coopers Stadium and scoring, made their voices heard in a series of flashpoints involving the City winger.
Nabbout remained undeterred, savouring the sounds and sights of a high stakes A-Leagues fixtures he hopes to see more of as the finals series progresses.
“We always know it’s tough coming here,” Nabbout told Network 10. “Their crowd is unbelievable getting behind them.
“I just love the atmosphere. We’ve really missed it in the A-League.”
Nabbout added: “I think it could have been better for us – I think we could have won the game.
“We were creating chances, especially in the first half. We always know it’s tough coming here, their crowd is unbelievable getting behind them.
“They’ve got to come to Victoria now, our home crowd and best believe we’re going to throw everything at them.”
RECAP: ADELAIDE UNITED 0-0 MELBOURNE CITY
86′: SAVE! Gauci (0-0)
Again it’s the visitors on the attack, and again, it’s Gauci to the rescue!
Leckie volleys a dropping ball from a slender angle and the Reds gloveman tips over the bar.
82′: SAVE! Gauci (0-0)
Gauci continues to come up clutch for the Reds, this time blocking Leckie’s strike from a tight angle.
76′: CHANCE! Nabbout (0-0)
Nabbout off the post! The City winger goes closest of any player at Coopers Stadium tonight, attempting to sneak a shot past Gauci at the near post but hitting the foot of the right-hand goalpost.
71′: CHANCE! Goodwin (0-0)
Yet another relatively straightforward save for Glover, with Goodwin rising at the back post to put his header on target. The attempt lacked pace and power, drifting into Glover’s waiting arms.
66′: NO PENALTY! (0-0)
A cross into Adelaide’s attacking box struck the elbow of City defender Carl Jenkinson, and the home fans joined their players in screaming for a penalty.
Referee Chris Beath waved away the claims and the VAR agreed. No penalty for the Reds!
58′: CHANCE! Blackwood (0-0)
A heavy touch from Jamieson concedes possession to the Reds, with Ibusuki floating a pass to George Blackwood on the edge of the box.
Blackwood controls and shoots directly at Glover n goal – the first shot on target the Reds have mustered all night.
47′: CHANCE! Maclaren (0-0)
Carl Jenkinson finds Maclaren in the six-yard box with a fizzed cross – but it comes at an awkward height for the City striker, who chests the ball off target.
46′: SECOND HALF (0-0)
The Reds have shown an ability to come home strong all season long – and facing a trip to AAMI Park to play City in the second leg this weekend, Carl Veart’s side will be eager to get ahead in this semifinal by full-time.
HALF-TIME: REDS 0-0 CITY
27′: SAVE! Gauci (0-0)
It’s Gauci again! This time denying Metcalfe a dagger from the left side of the 18-yard box destined for the top-right corner before a fingertip save.
24′: SAVE! Gauci (0-0)
Reds keeper Joe Gauci stands tall to deny Jamie Maclaren an opener, with the City striker attempting to guide the ball into the far corner from a tight angle after Mathew Leckie’s through pass into the box.
Just moments later Maclaren’s in again, receiving a headed pass from Connor Metcalfe and volleying on the slide over the bar from close range.
20′: City settling (0-0)
It was a lightning start from the hosts, who attacked via a flurry of early corners, but City have since gained a foothold in the contest.
6′: CHANCE! Ibusuki (0-0)
An ambitious long-range effort from Hiroshi Ibusuki looked set to threaten Tom Glover in City’s goal, bending off his right boot but not enough as it flashed past the post.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We are underway at Coopers Stadium!
TEAM NEWS
No Berenguer for City
Despite early reports this week, Florin Berenguer will not make his return for Melbourne City in tonight’s semifinal.
Berenguer hasn’t played for the Premiers since injuring his hamstring against Melbourne Victory on April 9. Taras Gomulka continues to start in City’s midfield three, joining Connor Metcalfe and Marco Tilio.
Michael Jakobsen and Alexandar Popovic start in central defence for the Reds, with Lachlan Brook, George Blackwood and Craig Goodwin supplying attacking reinforcement to Hiroshi Ibusuki who leads the line.
