George Blackwood goal secures win for Adelaide United over Melbourne Victory

A George Blackwood headed goal has put Adelaide United in the box seat to win a home final and perhaps give outgoing coach Marco Kurz the fitting farewell he deserves after all.

Adelaide United striker George Blackwood celebrates scoring against Melbourne Victory on Friday night. Pictuer: Sarah Reed

A George Blackwood headed goal has put Adelaide United in the box seat to win a home final and perhaps give outgoing coach Marco Kurz the fitting farewell he deserves after all.

The was no pre-game fanfare for what was potentially Kurz’s last time on the bench at Hindmarsh before he leaves the club when he completes his two-year tenure.

A Reds cheerleader was given more attention than Kurz by ground announcer Jarrod Walsh before kick off in what was definitely a first for the club in its 16 year history.

Adelaide United striker George Blackwood celebrates scoring against Melbourne Victory on Friday night. Pictuer: Sarah Reed

However there was definitely not sentiment from the Reds through the clash as the 81st minute headed goal — Blackwood’s third goal of the season — arrived when man-of-the-match Isaias landed a perfect cross onto the skull of the lanky striker to sink eternal rival Melbourne Victory.

Adelaide is now four points clear of fifth and sixth placed Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City.

These sides meet in Wellington on Easter Sunday before the Reds play Brisbane Roar away in the final match of the regular season on Anzac Day.

The perfect score was played in front of played in front of its biggest home crowd — 12,866 fans — on a balmy Good Friday and it was Adelaide’s second win over Victory this season when on January 9 United smacked its rival 2-0 before an audience of 12,155.

Adelaide United’s Ben Halloran shoots as Melbourne Victory’s Leigh Broxham looks to block. Picture: Sarah Reed

However after the German claimed an FFA Cup trophy, led the Reds to a second top six campaign which in itself is a superb achievement considering all the hurdles Kurz and his men faced this season, he didn’t disappoint when he put out a team which was dwarfed by star quality but not sheer heart and street smarts.

In typical Kurz fashion, Adelaide was in the face of Victory from the off, the German’s tactics worked wonders for the first 23 minutes but there was a sense the visitor’s five star quality could do much more damage in the blink of an eye.

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz celebrates the win. Picture: AAP

After forcing a flurry of corners which didn’t get past Victory’s first defenders, the reigning A-League champion issued a small warning that it could punish an off-guard Reds on the counter attack.

Swedish FIFA World Cup star Ola Toivonen finally had space but his mistimed shot was mocked by the parochial audience before Japanese marvel Keisuke Honda threatened to get involved if Mirko Boland or Isaias weren’t shielded in midfield by Reds zones.

Adelaide United’s Ryan Kitto looks to get past Melbourne Victory’s Keisuke Honda. Picture: Sarah Reed

SA’s James Troisi was Victory’s most liveliest front man before he was subbed off with a muscle related leg injury in the 30th minute but it was Isaias commanding the tempo of the first half with gamesmanship and intelligence.

Terry Antonis replaced Troisi in another twist where Kurz responded with a perfect tactic to quell the hard working midfielder who had to contend to battle the effervescent Isaias.

However it was Toivonen that was millimetres away from breaking the deadlock just before the break when Honda relayed the deftest of touches before the Swede unleashed a 25m bender which left Reds gloveman Paul Izzo stranded.

Adelaide United players celebrate their win on Friday night. Picture: Getty Images

Nikola Mileusnic responded seconds later when his left footed 25m effort had Victory’s No. 1 Matt Acton scrambling before the ball bounced wide for a goal kick.

With Victory boss Kevin Muscat also made to think about his side’s slim chances of making the AFC Champions League’s knockout stage when it hosts Italian FIFA World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro’s Guanghzou Evergrande on Tuesday night, Adelaide again forced the issue early in the second half.

But the stalemate threatened to be broken when Victory’s James Donachie headed the ball into the back of the net from a corner in the 78th minute but referee Peter Green called a foul on German Georg Niedermeier.

ADELAIDE UNITED 1 (George Blackwood 81m) MELBOURNE VICTORY 0 at Coopers Stadium. Crowd: 12,866. Referee: Peter Green.