Adelaide United down Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in Gosford despite missing Al Hassan Toure
Adelaide United came from behind to defeat Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in Gosford despite missing star youngster Al Hassan Toure to international duty.
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Central Coast Mariners averted a ‘war’ when injured star Australian U-23 Daniel De Silva was ruled out for its 1-3 loss to Adelaide United on Saturday.
United coach Gertjan Verbeek asked pre-game why Mariner De Silva wasn’t on Olyroos duty alongside his Reds teenage gun striker Al Hassan Toure in China, and that was answered before kick off when the team sheet was issued.
Mariners officials were also fuming when Olyroos captain Riley McGree was allowed to play in Gosford despite not being selected due to an “ongoing investigation” according to a Football Federation Australia official.
McGree and three Olyroos teammates have been asked to respond to allegations of misconduct in Cambodia during a tour in March.
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Despite the off-field dramas, United took the three points to secure a third straight win.
Ben Halloran, Nikola Mileusnic and Kristian Opseth scored first half goals in what was a polished display on the road according to United’s Michael Maria, who had Verbeek in his ear in Dutch for most of the first half.
“I’m used to it, he is always talking to me and he is also just like I am,” Maria said, who had Verbeek as a coach in Europe.
“I understand everything he is telling me and try to perform as best as I can, more than that I can’t do.
“We want to be the ones that are setting the pace.”
Yet, it was the Mariners who opened the scoring just after five minutes from the penalty spot through Milan Duric.
Michael Marrone was booked after up-ending Sam Silvera inside the box, issuing the Reds an early warning.
Tommy Oar was causing Adelaide grief with his early balls inside the box from the flank, but his teammates failed to read two perfect opportunities to double the score before 20 minutes were up.
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Halloran soon made the Mariners pay and squared the ledger in the 26th minute as their defence was caught napping.
With Silvera not tracking left back Maria, he became the Reds first half weapon, and Halloran was on the receiving of a Maria run and cut inside.
The Reds winger slammed the ball towards the near post, beating former Reds keeper Mark Birighitti to equalise.
Maria created the assist for a brilliant second goal when Mileusnic cannoned the ball into the top corner from a neat 10m cross to give Birighitti no chance.
That goal arrived two minutes after Reds captain Michael Jakobsen cleared a deflected Jordan Murray header off the line.
James Troisi became the provider for Adelaide’s third goal before the break when he released the marauding Halloran.
He outran the Mariners before delivering a near post ball to Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth, who made no mistake to score his maiden A-League goal in the 45th minute.
“It felt good,’’ Opseth said.
“A big relief, it was a good run by Ben and to get a foot on it and it went in before half time, it’s good timing.
“We started slow and then we got going.”
The Mariners forced Reds gloveman Paul Izzo into a fine save before the break before the Reds returned intent on scoring more.
With Mariners forced to chase the game, it left gaping holes in the home side’s defence.
Adelaide peppered the Mariners’ goal mouth refusing to veer away from a high press but Jakobsen was forced to end his shift with back spasms in the 54th minute.
Jordan Elsey replaced the centre back, putting on the skipper’s armband for his first appearance since round one where he injured his knee.
McGree then won a penalty in the 58th minute when he was flattened by Giancarlo Gallifuoco.
Opseth had the chance to score his second but his spot kick was brilliantly saved by Birighitti’s legs.
Izzo rescued the Reds with a stunning save from a Gallifuoco header, before the Reds Ryan Strain was booked for dragging Silvera on the hour.
Mileusnic hobbled off the pitch in the 77th minute, replaced by George Blackwood who also made his first appearance since round one after injury.
United will face fierce rival Melbourne Victory next on Saturday night.
CENTRAL COAST 1 (Milan Duric 5’)
ADELAIDE UNITED 3 (Ben Halloran 26’, Nikola Mileusnic 38’, Kristian Opseth 45’) at Central Coast Stadium
Crowd: 5773
Mariners (4-2-3-1): Birighitti; Gordon, Fox (Miller 46’), Tongyik, Clisby; Gallifuoco (Simon 77’), Stensness (Kim 67’); Silvera, Duric, Oar; Murray.
Adelaide (4-3-3): Izzo; Strain, Marrone, Jakobsen (Elsey 54’), Maria; D’Arrigo, Troisi, McGree (Konstandopoulos 90’); Halloran, Mileusnic (Blackwood 77’), Opseth
Referee: Kurt Ams
Yellow cards: — Adelaide: Marrone, Strain, Opseth
Mariners: Gallifuoco
Red cards: —