A-League: James Troisi’s late strike has Adelaide United ticking over just nicely heading into the break
The heat was on Adelaide United in more ways than one after their stunning capitulation at home the previous week. But the Reds found a way to keep the temperature gauge in check against Newcastle Jets.
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Adelaide United has gone from insipid to effective in the space of seven days.
But the Reds know they dodged a bullet in snatching a 2-1 victory from unlucky Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh on Sunday, thanks to James Troisi’s winner seven minutes from time.
Adelaide served up a feeble display to surrender its five-match winning streak in a shock home loss to Wellington Phoenix a week earlier.
It took a halftime lead over the Jets against the run of play, when Al Hassan Toure brilliantly teed up George Blackwood in sweltering heat.
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But Matthew Millar headed in an equaliser early in the second half, before only goalkeeper Paul Izzo’s brilliance kept United in the contest.
Just when it appeared the hosts would escape with a point, Troisi showed his class to shrug off Ben Kantarovski, cut inside Lachlan Jackson and slot a superb finish.
It was the SA-born midfielder’s first goal since joining his hometown club from Melbourne Victory.
The triumph, which kicked off in punishing 38C temperatures, lifted the Reds to third on the table heading into next weekend’s bye.
United was without Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth, sidelined with an adductor strain, and it’s lack of firepower showed in a first half the Jets had 16 shots to seven.
Izzo had to be alert to turn away Kantarovski’s header at full stretch in the third minute, as Jets danger man Dimitri Petratos’ wreaked havoc with an inswinging free kick.
United had another lucky break midway through the first half, when Nick Fitzgerald cracked a strike against the outside of the post with the host’s defence napping.
Adelaide had been ponderous in possession and too slow in transition against the Phoenix and the trend largely continued in the opening period.
The Jets should have been in front just before the half-hour, as Steven Ugarkovic was allowed to ghost into the Reds’ penalty area and fire off a shot which cannoned against the cross bar.
Petratos’ follow-up strike was blocked, before Izzo somehow denied Angus Thurgate from point-blank range.
But United took the lead almost immediately after.
Toure, who during the week signed a new contract which tied him to the club until the end of the 2022/23 campaign, had been his side’s brightest spark in the first half.
He again showed his quality after being fed wide on the right by Troisi, tormenting young Croweater John Koutroumbis then leaving him in his tracks.
Toure jinked along the byline and cut back an inch-perfect ball for Blackwood, in for the injured Riley McGree, to smash home from 5m.
Both sets of players enjoyed a much-needed second drinks break of the half, but it was the Jets who again threatened before the interval.
Petratos fired a long-range skimmer inches wide of the post.
The visitors then had a penalty calls for Toure’s accidental clip on Topor-Stanley and Izzo’s lunge, which appeared to catch Thurgate, rejected by referee Chris Beath and the VAR.
The hosts could have doubled their advantage straight after halftime.
Toure again got free on the left and played in Troisi, whose shot was inadvertently deflected on to the post by Blackwood.
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Newcastle was level two minutes later.
Petratos whipped in a menacing corner from the left and Millar out-muscled Michael Jakobsen to power in a header through the crowded area.
Izzo had to beat away a Millar strike moments later and was out sharply to block Thurgate’s effort as the Jets resumed control of the match.
Mileusnic hit the side-netting from a tight angle, but Adelaide’s No. 1 again needed to be at his best to push Fitzgerald’s back post finish over the bar.
Nathan Konstandopoulos was introduced in place of Blackwood 20 minutes from time, as Reds coach Gertjan Verbeek looked to breathe life into his team.
The midfielder had a strike from distance gathered at the second attempt by Glen Moss, before defender Jordan Elsey and youngster Lachlan Brook were also brought on.
United looked like it would have to settle for a share of the spoils, but Troisi’s moment of magic at the death sealed a workmanlike success.