Adelaide United slump to second straight loss, going down 3-0 to Perth Glory
Adelaide United’s season lurched to equal a club A-League record of four consecutive losses, after going down 3-0 to a resurgent Glory in Perth on a baking Saturday night.
Adelaide United
Don't miss out on the headlines from Adelaide United. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide United’s season lurched to equal a club A-League record of four consecutive losses, in Perth.
The last time the two sides played in Perth, Adelaide was 2-0 down before forcing extra time and a 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.
There was no indication that this clash would reach those dizzy heights of the Reds final game of last season before the penalty shootout loss in the match before the grand final.
Adelaide cracked 3-0 to a thoughtful Perth Glory at HBF Park.
The Reds get close to penetrating early but the reigning premier weathered the early storm with their street smart game of sit, wait, counter and punish – a trait of Tony Popovic coached teams.
Adelaide is now six points adrift of a home final – fourth place – and meets eternal rival Melbourne Victory at home on Friday night.
The last time the sides met Adelaide played its best match of the season, belting former coach Marco Kurz’s side 3-1.
Title talk was the common theme six games ago.
Victory was in all sorts of bother sitting second bottom and Adelaide was third, four points off top spot .
Since then Kurz’s team has caught up on 15 points and sits sixth – a spot above and United is now 19 points behind leader Sydney FC.
“We’re too sloppy at the back and not good enough upfront,’’ Ben Halloran told Fox Sports.
“We’re not playing terrible football but still not good enough to beat the better teams of the competition, we need to improve
YOU HAVE THE BALL WE’LL WAIT, CONSERVE AND BEAT YOU
When the score was locked at 0-0 Adelaide had 62 per cent of the ball, forced five corners and looked to be in complete control but it wasn’t.
Adelaide switched off when Diego Castro – one of the most dangerous men to have the ball in the A-League – had time to deliver the ball on the edge of the box to Joel Chianese between Michael Jakobsen and Ryan Kitto.
Chianese was well aware, saw there wasn’t any pressure inside, took that turning option and scored with a neat finish before a drinks break was ordered.
Bruno Fornaroli made it 2-0 when Castro again was allowed time outside the box, this time he fed the Uruguayan.
The Reds made a poor choice and backed off.
Fornaroli welcomed the lack of pressure and unleashed his right leg 25m out.
The ball crashed against the body of a desperate Jakobsen and Glory entered the sheds preserved and with a handy lead.
Substitute Chris Ikonomidis made it 3-0 when he used his body to latch onto a long ball over the top, shrugged Michael Maria and tucked the ball home.
Anticipating Fornaroli and Castro seemed to be the key to halting the pair.
Once they have the ball in areas where they are close enough to goal it’s too late.
VAR CONFUSION AGAIN
Referee Alex King could have been asked to look at two handball incidents in the first half inside the box but the young official wasn’t required.
Why? We’ll never know.
But if the past is any indication Fornaroli’s handball when his body wasn’t in a natural position and Ivan Franjic touching the ball with his arm when he was on the ground should have at least warranted another look.
It’s not the technology but the interpretation from humans which is baffling many.
THE HEAT IS ON SUMMER SOCCER
Calls last week for the A-League to synch its seasons with grassroots and NPL to play through winter probably got much louder when the clash kicked off in 35C heat for the 4.30pm Perth-time kick off.
Heat, fluent and beautiful soccer don’t mix – it slows the game down to a slog.
The clash wasn’t the best spectacle not through the fault of the men who had to sweat it out in oppressive conditions.
The independent A-League must immediately consider for the benefit of selling its own product by perhaps trying to force all summer matches to be played in the hours where the sun goes down for now.
SPEED NOT THE SMARTS
Adelaide definitely missed injured playmaker James Troisi (hamstring).
The clever midfielder’s ability to dictate the tempo and his leadership were sorely missed.
Adelaide had enough players to outsprint Glory but not the technical ability to use that trait to get through the lock tight defence.
As much as the Reds tried to force the issue with a high press and ensuring Glory was forced back to defend in numbers, when penetration wasn’t available United wasn’t able to move Perth out of their respective zones to create openings.
Glory blocked the wide channels for most of the game and had two banks of defenders waiting patiently to get the ball back before counter attacking.
Adelaide did not have the patience to bring that game plan undone, it lacked an x-factor.
FINAL SCORE
PERTH GLORY 3 (Joel Chianese 26m, Bruno Fornaroli 44m, Chris Ikonomidis 68m)
ADELAIDE UNITED 0 at HBF Park