Our top-five Adelaide United players to watch as the Reds go for A-League finals glory
Adelaide United is just two wins from an A-League grand final after a rollercoaster season. We countdown the top-five Reds players key to championship glory ahead of their elimination final against Melbourne City.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A rollercoaster season of fluctuating performances and off-field drama has ended in Adelaide United’s highest regular campaign finish since its 2016 title win.
With a fourth-place finish and Sunday’s home final against Melbourne City secured, the Reds now needed their star performers to shine and propel them deep into the playoffs.
Departing coach Marco Kurz had squeezed every drop out of an at times injury-ravaged squad to guide United to within two wins of the A-League grand final.
We present the five Adelaide players who might prove the difference between another post-season exit at the first hurdle and a genuine challenge for the club’s second championship.
1. ISAIAS
He has played every minute of every game and again proven to be Adelaide’s inspirational leader and most important individual.
Captain Isaias took his already elite game to new heights during his sixth season at the Reds thanks to a level of consistency, tenacity and pure ability rarely seen in the A-League.
The midfield linchpin, who claimed a record fourth club champion award last week, led United for touches (2121), passes (1649), duels (330) and tackles (66).
While generally screening the back four, breaking up opposition attacks and starting offensive moves with pinpoint passing from deep, he had also added a more creative edge to his output.
Isaias had scored four goals – his best regular campaign return for the club – and provided two assists, including the cross for George Blackwood’s winner against Melbourne Victory.
But his influence went way beyond statistics.
In a campaign the Spanish-born dynamo became an Australian citizen, he shone when United was its best and, more importantly, dug deep to inspire others when his team was struggling.
Isaias lifted his first silverware as Adelaide skipper when he led the Reds to FFA Cup glory in October, three years after playing a major role in United’s first A-League title.
He will be the driving force behind the Reds’ potential passage to another championship decider.
Best 2018/19 moment:
Isaias’ stunning round-23 volley at Central Coast not only snapped Adelaide’s 351-minute barren run in front of goal, but also secured a first win in five to restore its top-four hopes.
2. CRAIG GOODWIN
The three-cap Socceroo began the season in blistering form, grabbing seven goals and four assists in 14 league games to raise calls for a national team recall.
He also hit the headlines in the FFA Cup, banging in five strikes, including a sublime brace in the final against Sydney FC, as Adelaide claimed the trophy for a second time.
Goodwin fell on tougher times mid-campaign and failed to find the net during a frustrating eight-match stretch.
But the winger bounced back to top form in eye-catching fashion to inspire the Reds to a dramatic 5-3 success over Brisbane in their last match of the regular campaign.
He remained the player most likely to trouble opposition coaches as they grappled with a plan to nullify his pace, trickery and creative genius.
Goodwin had also added more end product to his armoury following a two-year stint with Sparta Rotterdam in the cutthroat Dutch top flight.
His 10 goals made him United’s leading scorer, while he led the league for assists (nine) and ranked second in both chances created (70) and crosses (202).
As he regained the confidence so abundant during the first-half of the season, Goodwin loomed as the man capable of steering Adelaide deep into the finals.
Best 2018/19 moment:
His FFA Cup heroics aside, Goodwin’s one-goal, two assist masterclass at Brisbane last week proved he was back to his brilliant best and encapsulated his devastating capabilities.
3. PAUL IZZO
Adelaide faces a long and challenging road if it is to become just the second team in A-League history to come from fourth to win the championship.
To do so, it must advance from a home elimination final, then succeed in two further knockout clashes, likely on the road against higher-ranked opponents.
Step up goalkeeper Izzo, who had already earned a glut of priceless points for the Reds away from Hindmarsh this season in matches United had spent large chunks of on the back foot.
He made seven saves in December’s smash and grab win over Newcastle in the Hunter and three world class stops in last month’s goalless draw with Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
The SA-born talent had endured a couple of dicey moments, most notably a soft goal conceded at home to Brisbane and an occasional tendency to overplay with the ball at his feet.
But the league’s fourth most saves (83), along with United boasting the competition’s third best defensive record, demonstrated Izzo’s quality and growing maturity.
The ex-Australian youth international, an ever-present this campaign, had also recorded three clean sheets in his past five outings as he hit peak form at the business end of the season.
Best 2018/19 moment:
It came among a string of fine saves against City, but Izzo’s effort to tip Harrison Delbridge’s point-blank header on to the bar highlighted his lightning reflexes and outstanding athleticism.
4. GEORGE BLACKWOOD
He has scored four goals this campaign as he fought his way back from the devastation of an early-season broken collarbone.
But Blackwood had proven himself to be Adelaide’s man for the big occasion and might again deliver when needed most during the heat of playoff battle.
The forward had just recovered from a fractured tibia, when he collided with Newcastle goalkeeper Glen Moss in round two to sustain an injury which sidelined him for seven games.
He initially found goals hard to come by on his return, before nodding in a late winner against Central Coast and a towering header in the 4-3 success over Brisbane a week later.
Blackwood, 21, had also demonstrated his versatility, playing much of the second half of the campaign as a No.10 behind the main striker.
His unselfish teamwork and clever link up play was rewarded in the past fortnight, when he headed home the winner over Melbourne Victory and tapped in a leveller against the Roar.
Adelaide had managed just 37 goals this season, the second-lowest return behind wooden-spooner the Mariners, as its attackers had struggled for fitness and touch.
But if his teammates can consistently deliver quality service into Blackwood, the 188cm front man’s threat in the air and developing 18-yard box instincts might prove decisive.
Best 2018/19 moment:
His text book downward header nine minutes from time against Victory sent the Reds faithful into dreamland and put United in the box seat to land a coveted home final.
5. NIKOLA MILEUSNIC
Evenly-matched sides slugging it out in do-or-die finals often need an X-factor to give them an advantage with an unpredictable piece of magic.
Mileusnic represented the Reds’ ace in the pack, capable of a flash of brilliance to unlock even the tightest of fixtures, as demonstrated on numerous occasions this campaign.
The White City and Adelaide City product’s pre-season was marred by a bout of appendicitis and a foot injury, before an ankle problem meant he played just one game from round 19-24.
But in his third year at A-League level Mileusnic had developed a cutting edge in the front third, scoring five goals and registering three assists in 19 matches.
The winger’s brilliant Boxing Day brace against Western Sydney and stunning stoppage-time winner over Brisbane in particular highlighted his ever-increasing value to the Reds.
Mileusnic’s cooler head in the box, improved decision-making in possession and growing ability to regularly influence games had complimented his searing pace and natural trickery.
Do not be surprised if the wide man bobs up with a decisive strike or matchwinning contribution for a colleague to help United advance in its pursuit of glory.
Best 2018/19 moment:
Seven minutes into additional time and the Reds’ crucial fourth strike in a seven-goal thriller, Mileusnic’s last-gasp winner against the Roar at Hindmarsh will live long in the memory.
Originally published as Our top-five Adelaide United players to watch as the Reds go for A-League finals glory
‘Golden age’: Smith century makes history
Steve Smith has done it again, rewriting the cricket history books with another century and breaking records held by Ricky Ponting.
Nathan Cleary’s brother turns heads in NRL
All eyes were on Nathan Cleary’s younger brother as fans got their first taste of NRL action with an injury concern to one star player.