KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from Melbourne City’s victory over Adelaide United in the Isuzu UTE A-League semi-finals.
Melbourne City needed a hero to reach yet another Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final.
Step forward talisman and Golden Boot winner Jamie Maclaren on Sunday.
MATCH REPORT: GF-BOUND CITY ONE WIN AWAY FROM HISTORY
His goal in the second minute of extra time lifted defending champions City past Adelaide United and into next Saturday’s decider against Western United at AAMI Park.
Maclaren’s 92nd-minute strike sealed a 2-1 semi-final second-leg triumph, the same score on aggregate.
It took his season tally to 16 goals, while the Australia international now boasts the second-most goals for one club in the A-League Men (69) – only adrift of Melbourne Victory legend Archie Thompson (90).
The all-Victorian showdown against Western on May 28 is shaping up as significant encounter for Maclaren.
Maclaren was forced to miss City’s maiden Championship last season due to hotel quarantine, having return from World Cup qualifying with the Socceroos.
“It will mean so much more to be there next week,” said Network 10’s Georgia Yeoman-Dale.
Pain of 2020-21 driving Maclaren, says Milligan
It will be a lot different for Maclaren come next week.
Instead of quarantining from his hotel room, the City forward will be spearheading the club’s quest to become the first team to complete consecutive A-League Men Premiership-Championship doubles.
“He is a big-game player. He wants to put his hand up and best self forward, and get ready for the Socceroos as well as winning the GF,” Network 10 analyst Mark Milligan said.
“I know how much it hurt him [watching from his hotel room last season]. It must have been extremely difficult.
“I can only imagine sitting in a hotel room, watching his team that he was the leading goalscorer of, go on and win the Grand Final. Not be able to be there, to help them and celebrate afterwards.
“He is very, very competitive. No doubt he’ll be a handful come next Saturday night.”
Maclaren, himself, was asked about it post-match.
“It’s special,” he told reporters. “Obviously playing in a Grand Final is the biggest thing you can do in the A-League.
“I missed out last year sitting in the hotel, watching both the semi-final and final. So it will be nice.”
Kisnorbo’s City banish demons to reach the big dance
Before today, City had failed to beat any of the top-four teams this season.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s City won the Premiers Plate without wins against Melbourne Victory (second), Western (third) and Adelaide (fourth) in 2021-22, drawing six times and losing the remaining four fixtures following Wednesday’s stalemate at Coopers Stadium.
It was a prickly subject for Kisnorbo, who did not take kindly to the subject being raised after the midweek draw in Adelaide.
“I think it’s disrespect”, was Kisnorbo’s response after the first leg against Adelaide.
But that record changed on Sunday as City banished their top-four demons to reach a third consecutive Grand Final.
“It just shows the character of the team and players,” Kisnorbo told Network 10 after City came from behind to see off the Reds in extra time.
“It was a hard game for both. Now we need to prepare for next week and move on from this game, even though emotions are quite high.”
City stand on the cusp of an historic Premiership-Championship double, with Western the only thing standing in their way.
But Kisnorbo was in no mood to look that far ahead.
“I’ll just worry about training tomorrow,” he said.
Goals galore in the Grand Final?
Melbourne City v Western United.
Jamie Maclaren, Mathew Leckie, Andrew Nabbout and Marco Tilio v Aleksandar Prijovic, Lachlan Wales, Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Connor Pain.
Yeoman-Dale is expecting goals in the May 28 showpiece, especially after Western stunned Melbourne Victory in Saturday’s semi-final second leg.
“You think about both of those sides,” she said during Network 10’s post-game analysis. “They fought against a lot of adversity in the game, yesterday Western United fought back. They got a lot of goals.
“We know Melbourne City have a lot of goals in them. They have some great attacking flair.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a high-scoring affair in the Grand Final.”
Western will be buoyed by their form against City amid a four-match unbeaten run.
March 12, 2022: Western United 2-2 Melbourne City
January 29, 2022: Western United 1-0 Melbourne City
December 4, 2021: Melbourne City 0-1 Western United
April 1, 2021: Western United 2-1 Melbourne City
City haven’t beaten Western since their 2-1 victory in January last year.
When it was put to Maclaren that City are yet to beat Western this season, he provided a prickly response.
Maclaren quipped to one reporter: “You love bringing that thing up, don’t you?
“It was also a fact that we won the Premiership. I thought I’d just make that clear.
“There’s been some tough encounters this season, no doubt about it… but in a Grand Final it will be whoever takes their chances will win the game.
“We just need our boys to stand up again. We love the big games. No matter how many questions you want to say about not beating this or not beating that, but we will just keep our heads down and go to Saturday.”
Goodwin ‘proud’ but Reds captain questions mentality
Adelaide took a seven-match unbeaten streak into Sunday’s semi-final second leg.
Carl Veart’s Reds also led after Zach Clough’s stunner at AAMI Park. But, it all went downhill after that.
Adelaide lost their control and composure as City’s substitutions turned the game in their favour.
While proud of his team, Adelaide’s star captain Craig Goodwin wasn’t overly pleased post-match.
“Obviously disappointed,” he told Network 10. “We were up 1-0. It was a tough game coming away against City. Three games in seven days. We have to be proud of ourselves.
“But at the same time, it’s a learning curve. At stages of the game, we make some changes and we have to be more composed. We have to be able to play under pressure, be able to receive the ball and not be overawed by the occasion.
“I think too many times when they got the goal to get back into it, I don’t think there were enough level heads.”
RECAP: MELBOURNE CITY 2-1 ADELAIDE UNITED (AGG. 2-1)
113′: CHANCE! Maclaren (2-1, Agg. 2-1)
As Adelaide push more numbers forward in search of an equaliser, space is opening up for City at the other end.
And Maclaren has an opportunity to put the tie to bed, but the Socceroo scuffs his shot, much to the relief of Gauci.
J-Mac moves second in ALM record books
Maclaren has taken his tally to 69 goals in City colours, the outright second most goals for a club in the A-League Men, only behind Archie Thompson (90, Melbourne Victory).
He is ahead of Besart Berisha (68, Melbourne Victory) and Alex Brosque (67, Sydney FC).
HALF-TIME IN EXTRA TIME: CITY 2-1 ADELAIDE (Agg. 2-1)
As it stands, City will advance to face rivals Western in next week’s Grand Final at AAMI Park thanks to Maclaren’s strike in extra time.
Is Maclaren’s goal the decisive moment?
Another 15 minutes to come.
99′: CHANCE! Goodwin (2-1, Agg. 2-1)
It’s so close for Goodwin and Adelaide in the ninth minute of extra time.
In desperate need of a goal, Goodwin flashes a shot just wide of the post, with Glover getting a fingertip to the ball.
92′: GOAL! Maclaren (2-1, Agg. 2-1)
It takes City just two minutes in extra time to take a step towards yet another Grand Final.
Golden Boot winner Maclaren pounces like he know after some pinball in Adelaide’s six-yard box.
Adelaide face an uphill battle now against the defending champions.
END OF 90 MINUTES: CITY 1-1 ADELAIDE (Agg. 1-1)
We’re heading to extra time, with 180 minutes not enough to pick a winner between City and Adelaide.
A stunning goal from Clough put Adelaide on track to reach the Grand Final, before City sub Tilio restored parity with 16 minutes remaining.
86′: OFFSIDE! Maclaren (1-1, Agg. 1-1)
The crowd celebrates as City talisman Jamie Maclaren slots the ball past Gauci and into the back of the net.
However, the flag is up for offside.
Adelaide are struggling to contain City.
City turning the screw on Adelaide
It’s all City after Tilio’s equaliser.
City have lost only one of their last nine ALM games at AAMI Park (W5, D3) and have won three of their four previous post-season games at the venue (L1).
74′: GOAL! Tilio (1-1, Agg. 1-1)
Adelaide’s lead lasts 17 minutes as City hit back through their substitute Marco Tilio.
Nabbout’s cross from the right finds Tilio at the back post after missing Mathew Leckie and the Socceroo nicks in to nod home, levelling the semi-final.
City’s subs have swung the match back in their favour.
Game on!
Red-hot Adelaide heading towards a fourth GF
As it stands, Adelaide will face Western in the A-League Men Grand Final.
Adelaide’s form bodes well in their efforts to close out the win against titleholders City.
The Reds are undefeated in their last seven league games (W6, D1), their longest unbeaten streak in the competition since a run of 14 games from December 2015 to March 2016 (W11, D3), however, that 14-game streak was ended by a 1-0 loss to City.
City’s form against the top-four teams this season doesn’t make for pretty reading. They’re winless against Adelaide, Western and Melbourne Victory in 2021-22.
57′: CHANCE! Yengi (1-0, Agg. 1-0)
Yengi is so difficult to contain and the big Reds striker almost doubles Adelaide’s advantage.
He shakes off Curtis Good, turning the star City defender before Connor Metcalfe clears the ball off the line.
Adelaide are well and truly on top at the moment.
48′: GOAL! Clough (1-0, Agg. 1-0)
We have the goal and it’s advantage Adelaide at AAMI Park.
After a frantic start to the second half, which saw Gauci called into action yet again, Zach Clough breaks the deadlock in stunning fashion.
He volley the ball past a helpless Glover.
“He’ll be hard-pressed to score a more beautiful goal than that,” says Network 10 commentator Robbie Thomson.
Co-commentator Andy Harper adds: “Exquisite finish”.
Florin looming as the key in Melbourne
Florin Berenguer is back in the starting XI following an injury absence and the French star is shaping up to be the key to unlocking this semi-final tie.
Network 10 sideline reporter Archie Thompson wants to see Berenguer “on the ball” after watching City struggle in possession in the first half.
As for Network 10 analyst Georgia Yeoman-Dale, she was impressed with “phenomenal” Adelaide goalkeeper Gauci in the opening 45 minutes.
Will there be a goal in the second half?
HALF-TIME: CITY 0-0 ADELAIDE (Agg. 0-0)
After the opening leg and 45 minutes here in Melbourne, there’s still nothing separating City and Adelaide.
Yengi wasted a golden chance for Adelaide and team-mate Blackwood went close, while City’s Nabbout tested Gauci from distance.
A massive second half coming up.
43′: Let off for Adelaide (0-0)
Taras Gomulka’s teasing delivery almost creates the opener for City.
Adelaide struggle to clear the danger as Gauci somehow keeps the ball out of the net in a goal-line scramble.
Fortunately for the Reds, the linesman raises his flag for offside.
38′: CHANCE! Nabbout (0-0)
Gauci is left smiling after his latest save.
City forward Nabbout tries his luck from distance and the long-range strike swerves in the air. It almost embarrasses Gauci as he pushes it behind for a corner.
That could’ve been bad for Gauci and Adelaide… out of nothing.
28′: CHANCE! Blackwood (0-0)
Adelaide knock on the door again and this time it’s George Blackwood.
Blackwood rises highest to meet Craig Goodwin’s teasing free-kick and his header forces a fine save from City goalkeeper Tom Glover.
21′: CHANCE! Jenkinson (0-0)
Space opens up for City down the left flank, but Adelaide goalkeeper Joe Gauci is up to the task.
City full-back Carl Jenkinson is released by Andrew Nabbout and his ball across the six-yard box is spilt by Gauci, though fortunately for him, away for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Mathew Leckie heads a shot straight at Gauci.
Notable faces watching in the stands
Having already booked their spot in the Grand Final, Western United coach John Aloisi and some of his staff are casting their eyes over City and Adelaide.
Who will face Western in the decider?
15′: Chance! Yengi (0-0)
A golden opportunity for Kusini Yengi and Adelaide but it’s gone begging.
Ryan Kitto finds Yengi with a sublime ball over the top of City’s defence, however, the latter blazes his volley over the crossbar.
Best chance of the match so far.
It’s tense and it’s tight
There is so much at stake, so it’s understandably tight in the early exchanges.
There’s been a couple of openings, but neither goalkeeper has been tested properly.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We are underway in the second leg of this evenly poised semi-final, with City and Adelaide deadlocked as the action begins at AAMI Park.
Kick-off is fast approaching
From ‘introvert’ to ‘complete’ star: Reds captain spearheading Grand Final bid
My Johnny Warren favourite: Simon Hill on brilliant Berenguer, who makes City tick
‘He can go a long way’: Reds legend sees Europe, Socceroos in Gauci’s future
Opta insight
- Adelaide United are undefeated in their last four A-League Men games against Melbourne City (W1, D3) and have never lost to them in the post-season, picking up two wins and a draw from their three finals meetings including an extra-time win in the 2018-19 finals.
- City were defeated 2-1 in their last ALM game against Adelaide at AAMI Park (15 February 2022), snapping a seven-game unbeaten run in such fixtures (W5, D2); the last and only previous time they lost consecutive games against the Reds at AAMI Park was their first two such meetings in November 2010 and January 2012.
- City have lost only one of their last nine ALM games at AAMI Park (W5, D3) and have won three of their four previous post-season games at the venue (L1).
- Adelaide are undefeated in their last seven league games (W6, D1), their longest unbeaten streak in the competition since a run of 14 games from December 2015 to March 2016 (W11, D3), however, that 14-game streak was ended by a 1-0 loss to City.
- The Reds have lost 10 of their 11 ALM finals games outside South Australia (W1); their only victory in that span was a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar in June 2021 while one of their 10 defeats saw them succumb to a loss on penalties (5-4) against the Perth Glory in May 2019.
- City have had 19 goals directly involving a player under the age of 23 in this season (nine goals, 10 assists), the second-most of any team in the competition behind Central Coast Mariners (23 – 13 goals, 10 assists).
- City have scored a goal from inside the box once every 17 entries into the penalty area this season, the most frequent of any team in the competition and 10 fewer entries per goal than Adelaide (27).
- No team has won more games this ALM season when they’ve finished with a lower Expected Goals than their opposition than Adelaide (six), while only Western Sydney Wanderers FC (0) have won fewer such games than City (one).
- City star Florin Berenguer has created 18 scoring chances for Jamie Maclaren in the league this term – including two assists – which is more than any other player for a single team-mate in the competition.
- Adelaide’s Ryan Kitto (149 games) is set to make his 150th appearance in the A-League Men, while team-mate George Blackwood (99 games) is on the cusp of his 100th appearance in the competition; in fact, Kitto has played more minutes this season (1,880) than in any of his previous seven while Blackwood (five) has equalled his season-best goal tally in the competition.
All to play for at AAMI Park
It’s all square heading into leg two of this semi-final after a goalless draw between Adelaide United and Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night.
City’s Andrew Nabbout struck the woodwork and Reds keeper Joe Gauci starred, in a game which had plenty of tension and its fair share of controversy. The most contentious moment of the fixture came in the second half, when Adelaide were denied a penalty after Isaias’ cross into the penalty area struck the elbow of City defender Carl Jenkinson.
It was the sliding doors moment of a game in which the visitors had the better of the chances, but ultimately neither side could gain an advantage by full-time.
It was the fourth meeting between these two teams this season, and for the fourth time City failed to defeat the Reds (three draws, one defeat). In fact, City are yet to beat any of the three other sides that finished inside the top four this season (Adelaide, Western United, Melbourne Victory). In 10 games against the three teams in question City have drawn six and lost four.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s side need to break that streak against the Reds on Sunday, then repeat the feat against one of Western or Victory in the Grand Final to win back-to-back Championships.
On Sunday, the Reds return to AAMI Park: the scene of one of their great victories in 2021-22.
In February Adelaide came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 through a late Mohamed Toure winner which shocked the reigning Champions on their home turf.
