Nigel Boogaard’s denies Adelaide United a slice of A-League history

NIGEL Boogaard’s A-League record eighth red card has cost the competition a scenario which is as rare as a blue moon.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 24: Nigel Boogaard of the Jets walks off after receiving a red card during the round 16 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

NIGEL Boogaard’s A-League record eighth red card has cost the competition a scenario which is as rare as a blue moon.

His expulsion for two cautions within 11 minutes on the weekend has denied Adelaide United having 16 players — current and former — on park at one time when Newcastle Jets face the Reds at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.

Before the Jets were belted 1-6 by Perth Glory at the Hunter Stadium, they started the clash with five former Reds players.

Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti, Daniel Mullen, Cameron Watson, Boogaard and Ryan Kitto were once Reds before moving on.

And Adelaide’s Tarek Elrich and Craig Goodwin who have both played for Jets will take the tally to seven that have played for both clubs in the A-League.

But the tide has certainly turned since the last time Adelaide and Jets met at Hunter Stadium to grind out a second 0-0 draw this season on December 18.

Adelaide at the time, was near the start of a run which has seen the Reds earn 20 points since December 6, culminating with a brutal 4-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Adelaide has also since its 0-0 bore draw scored 13 goals.

On the other hand, the Jets have only scored a miserly four goals which included a run of six matches without finding the back of the net.

And after the Jets were challenging for top spot before facing Adelaide in the first scoreless draw of the season at Hindmarsh in November, the club is now just sitting second last — one position better than the same time last season.

Originally published as Nigel Boogaard’s denies Adelaide United a slice of A-League history