Adelaide peppers the Wellington goal but can’t find a winning strike in Hindmarsh stalemate
Adelaide United has failed to capitalise on a second-half red card to Wellington Phoenix in a heated goalless draw at Hindmarsh Stadium.
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Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix could not be separated as they went into Saturday’s A-League clash with identical records.
Ninety minutes later, the stalemate between the sides remained as the Reds failed to capitalise on a second-half red card to the visitors in a heated goalless draw at Hindmarsh Stadium.
United created the better openings throughout the encounter.
But the hosts were left frustrated as a combination of poor finishing and fine goalkeeping by Wellington’s Filip Kurto meant the clubs stayed locked in fifth place on the table.
The match sprung to life just after the hour when the Phoenix was reduced to 10 men.
Vince Lia tangled for the ball with Liberato Cacace while the pair lay on the ground just outside the Wellington box.
Mandi ran in to join the contest, but only connected with the prone Lia when he swung his boot wildly in the direction of the ball.
Referee Stephen Lucas initially booked the Spaniard, but upgraded the punishment to a red card after viewing a sideline replay of the incident on the VAR’s advice.
The Reds had a late flurry as they twice went close to grabbing the winner.
First Kurto produced a superb save to deny Kitto from close range in a crowded box after Galloway played a dangerous ball into the area.
Then substitute George Blackwood fired over the bar at the death following a goalmouth scramble from Kitto’s cross, much to the anguish of the 8954 home crowd.
Adelaide welcomed back defender Jordan Elsey from suspension in place of Taylor Regan, while wide man Kitto replaced fellow speedster Nikola Mileusnic in the starting XI.
But Marco Kurz’s side produced a sluggish start.
Reds keeper Paul Izzo shanked a backpass in the fourth minute which was shifted wide to David Williams, then recovered well to claim the Phoenix wide man’s low delivery.
Tom Doyle then headed over the bar moments later when well placed as the visitors started brightly.
Adelaide first threatened as good work by the impressive Ryan Strain down the right ended with a cut back which Lia fired over from a tricky angle at the second attempt.
United had a penalty appeal waved away on the quarter-hour.
Craig Goodwin’s free kick bounced awkwardly at the back post where Michael Jakobsen claimed the ball struck Doyle’s hand. But the VAR upheld the official’s original decision.
The Reds grew into the game as half progressed.
Goodwin’s corner from the right was only punched half clear by Kurto and Ben Halloran blazed loose ball over the bar.
United’s best chance of the half came three minutes before the break.
Ken Ilso fed Kitto who dinked in a delightful ball from the left flank with the outside of his foot which Lia headed powerfully but within reach of the diving Kurto.
Izzo stood tall to preserve the Reds’ clean sheet just after the break when Williams was played into the box after a lovely turn and release on halfway by Roy Krishna.
Elsey then connected well with a header from Goodwin’s corner and was again denied by the desperation of Kurto on the goal line.
Lia was booked for a challenge on Mandy, before the Phoenix playmaker earned himself an early shower when seeking retribution soon after.
Halloran fired into the side netting with an angled drive 10 minutes from time and just failed to connect with Kitto’s brilliant low ball across the face of goal.
But it was Wellington which was celebrating the full-time whistle as it stretched it’s unbeaten run to six games and United missed a chance to pull away from the dogged Kiwi outfit.
ADELAIDE UNITED 0
WELLINGTON PHOENIX 0
At Coopers Stadium.
Crowd: 8,954.
Referee: Stephen Lucas.
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