A scrappy goal from Francesco Monterosso in the 19th minute has been enough to see Adelaide United claim a 1-0 victory over Queensland Roar in their Round 4 National Youth League encounter at Suncorp Stadium.
The win sees the Reds grab top position on the Youth League ladder, taking the mantle away from the home side after coming away with all three points in a compelling curtain-raiser for Friday night’s Hyundai A-League clash.
After a tight start where neither side was able to construct a genuine chance, the Reds looked like being the first to get on the scoreboard in the 18th minute when a strong header from Kristian Sarkies was well-saved by a jumping Griffin McMaster who flicked the ball over the crossbar.
But the visitors grabbed the opening goal from the resulting corner when Monterosso kept a cool head amongst a scramble in the box and tapped the ball home, in-between the legs of hero-turned-villain McMaster.
But the Roar were able to regain their composure and Isaka Cernak looked to put the visitors on the back-foot in the 24th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box, but the shot was fired straight at Adelaide keeper Lucas Andreucci.
The two sides struggled to control the tempo as the intensity ticked up a notch, with referee Kevin Docherty handing out yellow cards to Reds duo Alex Sunasky (33′), Joel Allwright (39′) and Queensland midfielder David Dodd.
The Roar almost leveled the score on the eve of half-time when a fine cross from Tommy Oar found Josh McVey free in the box, but McVey fired his shot just wide.
Roar coach Rado Vidosic searched for a spark at half-time, bringing on Michael Angus for Cernak before again reshaping his strike-force at the 60th minute when Mitchell Bevan entered the fray for Mitch Nichols.
While Reds coach Joe Mullen looked to sure up victory, calling his four substitutions in a ten minute period following the 52nd minute, bringing off goal-scorer Monterosso, Allwright, Sunasky and Lucas Andreucci.
The Roar continued to press throughout the second half and Oar loomed large up front for the home side, with a sizzling strike in the 68th minute particularly notable.
But despite dominating possession throughout the second half, Queensland weren’t able to find the all-important equaliser.
The Roar have the bye in Round 5 of Youth League action, while Adelaide will be looking to cement their spot at the top of the table when they take on Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Match Details
Queensland Roar 0
Adelaide United 1 (Francesco Monterosso 19′)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Crowd: 706
Friday 17 October 2008
Referee: Kevin Docherty
Queensland Roar line-up: 1.Griffin McMASTER (gk) (OA) (20.Matthew ACTON (gk) 60-), 3.Josh McVEY, 4.Isaka CERNAK (12.Michael ANGUS 46-), 6.Matt MUNDY, 7.Adam SAROTA, 8.David DODD (OA), 9.Luke DE VERE, 10.Michael RYAN (2.Daniel BOWLES 60-), 11.Thomas OAR, 13.Chris GROSSMAN, 17.Mitchell NICHOLS (5.Mitchell BEVAN 60-)
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: David Dodd 43-, Chris Grossman 93-
Red Cards: Nil
Adelaide United line-up: 20.Lucas ANDREUCCI (gk) (30.Lucas OSTBYE (gk) 62-), 2.Daniel MULLEN, 3.Scott WEIDENBACH, 4.Michael MARRONE, 5.Michael VALKANIS (OA), 6.Alexander SUNASKY (17.Shane TOBIAS 58-), 7.Joel ALLWRIGHT (10.Osama MALIK 55-), 8.Kristian SARKIES (OA), 9.Robert YOUNIS (OA), 16.Francesco MONTEROSSO (12.Matthew MULLEN 52-), 11.Lucas PANTELIS (OA)
Substitutes not used: Nil
Yellow cards: Alexander Sunasky 34-, Joel Allwright 40-
Red Cards: Nil
