Western Sydney Wanderers have come from behind to end Adelaide United’s three-match A-League Men winning run with a thrilling 2-1 victory at Coopers Stadium.
REACTION: Wanderers win poses test of consistency – ‘These two games could turn our season around’
After a slow start, the visitors worked their way back into the contest and goals to Ramy Najjarine and Phillip Cancar cancelled out Craig Goodwin’s stunning opener.
Wanderers coach Mark Rudan was full of praise for his side’s performance, saying two things had stuck out for him.
“One was the win obviously, but in the manner coming back from behind away from home and winning away from home, I think is massive for the mentality of this group,” said Rudan.
Reds coach Carl Veart felt United had created enough chances to avoid defeat.
“It was disappointing to concede in the second half,” he said.
“We had enough opportunities to get a goal though.”
Adelaide made a flying start and opened the scoring in the eighth minute thanks to a spectacular free kick from Goodwin.
Zac Clough had been brought down 25 metres from goal and was lining up the set piece along with Goodwin, but it was the Reds skipper who pulled rank and unleashed an unstoppable curling shot around the wall.
United pressed and looked threatening but their lead didn’t last long with Wanderers equalising on 26 minutes.
The Reds failed to clear and Western Sydney recycled possession, with Keanu Baccus playing a one-two with Dimi Petratos before threading a delightful pass through Adelaide’s defence for Najjarine.
The attacker brilliantly controlled the ball, darted forward and slid his shot past onrushing Adelaide ‘keeper Joe Gauci from just inside the area.
Adelaide produced a slick counter on the half hour with Goodwin finding Louis D’Arrio with an impressive, outside of the foot pass, but the midfielder’s shot was thwarted by Daniel Margush who was quickly off his line.
In first-half injury time, Goodwin again tried his luck from a set piece on the edge of the area, but Margush got down low and parried the effort clear.
Adelaide started the second half with purpose and almost found a second.
Ryan Kitto broke through the Wanderers defence and squared a ball for Hiroshi Ibusuki but the Japanese striker knew little about the cross and headed over the bar.
On 76 minutes the visitors took the lead after a dangerous left-footed corner from Najjarine.
The corner was whipped in with pace and with Gauci caught under it, the ball hit the deck.
Substitute Alexandar Popovic could only clear it straight into the lunging Cancar with the ricochet looking to have crossed the goal line.
Play continued and Tomi Mrcela eventually banged the ball into the back of the net with replays confirming the goal for Cancar.
Adelaide pressed hard for an equaliser but their knack for finding a late goal eluded them on this occasion.
RE-LIVE: ADELAIDE v WESTERN SYDNEY, AS IT HAPPENED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP.
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.
