Adelaide United have booked themselves a home final next Sunday with an impressive 2-1 win over Western United at Coopers Stadium
The Reds were made to come from behind after an early goal from the visitors, but locked down fourth place on the A-League Men table with the victory.
REACTION: ‘THE TWO TEAMS WITH THE BEST FORM’ SET FOR EPIC FINALS KNOCKOUT
United’s opponents look all but confirmed with Central Coast occupying fifth spot, three points clear of Wellington Phoenix – who meet Melbourne City in their final regular-season match on Monday – and with a far superior goal difference.
Western United made a blistering start, attacking the Reds from the outset and breaking the deadlock after just six minutes.
Adelaide were dispossessed in the middle of the park and Lachie Wales tore down the right flank unchallenged, before supplying a short cut back for Dylan Wenzel Halls who tapped into an unguarded net from close range.
The home side equalised on 14 minutes thanks to a delightful strike from full back Javi Lopez.
Craig Goodwin crossed to the back post where Bernardo controlled and laid off for Lopez on the edge of the area who curled his shot over goalkeeper Jamie Young into the far corner.
Western almost punished the Reds on 25 minutes after some sloppy playing out from the back.
Connor Pain stole the ball and drove towards goal, cutting back for Aleksandar Prijovic who forced Joe Gauci into a brilliant double save from point-blank range.
The Reds had a great chance just before the break when Goodwin and Ryan Kitto combined on the left with the latter supplying a dangerous cross for George Blackwood, but his diving header was kept out by Young.
On 50 minutes, Adelaide found themselves in front thanks to a superb strike from Kitto.
The full back drove towards goal before cutting inside and unleashing a curler from outside the area which nestled into the inner side of the net.
The visitors should have equalised just after the hour when again, sloppy play in defence almost cost Adelaide a goal.
Prijovic received the ball outside the box, took a touch and powered a shot towards goal but Gauci produced a stunning save, scrambling back into position and tipping the ball around the post.
A minute later and the Reds wasted a chance to extend their lead. Substitute Zach Clough teed up Blackwood who shot on the turn from 12 yards but again Young was equal to the task.
Clough was involved again soon after this time crossing for fellow substitute Lachlan Brook, but he blazed over from 10 metres.
As the clock wound down, Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki came off the bench to find a sealer for the Reds and almost succeeded, forcing another impressive save from Young in injury time.
RE-LIVE: ADELAIDE UNITED 2-1 WESTERN UNITED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
It’s win number five on the bounce for Adelaide, who seal fourth spot on the table in fine fashion.
The Reds now have a home elimination final to look forward to next weekend.
63′: SAVE! Gauci (2-1)
Gauci comes up clutch for the Reds with a diving save preventing Aleksandar Prijović’s curling strike from finding the bottom-right corner.
51′: GOAL! Kitto (2-1)
From one goal down to 2-1 up, Ryan Kitto gets the Reds on top early in the second half.
“The two full-backs have scored for Adelaide – and they were both absolute peaches!” Said Hill on commentary as Kitto’s shot off the left flank drifted into the top-right corner.
49′: CHANCE! Kilkenny (1-1)
Lopez to the rescue for the Reds as Kilkenny elects to play the ball across the six-yard box instead of testing Joe Gauci from close range.
Western runners arrived at the back post to finish but Lopez got there first, sending the ball out for a corner.
46′: SECOND HALF (1-1)
Adelaide need a win to clinch fourth spot, so expect some fireworks from the home side as they attack for a home final in the second half.
Louis D’Arrigo comes on for the hosts, with Isaias making way.
HALF-TIME
45′: SAVE (1-1)
Jamie Young was at full stretch to deny George Blackwood’s diving header, with the Western custodian palming the ball out for a corner.
25′: Prijović denied twice (1-1)
Arriving in the box to receive the cut-back pass from Connor Pain, Aleksandar Prijović struck a first-time effort on goal directly into the path of Reds keeper Joe Gauci.
The rebound fell back to Prijović to strike again, but this time the Serbian forward failed to find the necessary accuracy to hit the back of the net.
14′: GOAL! Lopez (1-1)
“Wow, that was some hit!” Said Paramount+ commentator Simon Hill as Javi Lopez curled the ball from the right-hand side of the penalty area toward the opposite corner of goal, and finding it in style.
7′: CHANCE! Yengi (0-1)
In his first appearance of the calendar year, Kusini is making up for lost time. A neat piece of skill followed by a powerful strike which called Jamie Young into a save showed the young Reds forward is eager to quickly get back to his best.
5′: GOAL! Wenzel-Halls (0-1)
Western are off to a flyer in Adelaide!
Lachie Wales sparked a rapid counter attack down the right flank, waiting for defender Alexandar Popovic to commit to closing the space before sliding the ball into the path of Dylan Wenzel-Halls to finish.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
The Reds get play started at Coopers Stadium!
