A-League finals results and news: Botic fires Western United into semis, ends Adelaide’s season

Noah Botic fired home a brace as Western United recovered from a nightmare start to beat Adelaide United and set up an A-League semi-final against Melbourne City.

Noah Botic fired a hat-trick as Western United recovered from a nightmare start to beat Adelaide United and set up an A-League semi-final against Melbourne City.

Just the third men’s treble in Western’s history saw them come from behind at Ironbark Fields after an upset had been threatened when Luka Jovanovic struck inside three minutes.

The Adelaide striker, deputising for joint golden boot winner Archie Goodwin, sidelined by a hamstring injury, found space inside the penalty area to firmly head in Javi Lopez’s precise cross.

This, as it turned out, was an ill-advised red rag to a bull, and the direction of traffic quickly shifted, with the turnaround completed shortly past the half-hour mark.

Noah Botic was nigh-unstoppable for Western United. Picture: Getty Images

Botic’s curler, finding the far corner via the unfortunate Bart Vriends, levelled matters when Adelaide, through some scrambled defence, were hoping the danger had passed. It, led by Botic, was just getting going.

Angus Thurgate’s swirling ball forward was gathered by the impish Riku Danzaki, who gave Botic the ingredients to produce a first-time, left-footed finish at the near post.

A third unanswered goal, completing Botic’s first senior hat-trick, proved critical for not only securing him the matchball but the team’s progression, as Stefan Mauk gave the visitors faint hope during the closing exchanges.

NOAH BOTIC IS ON FIRE - SPREAD THE WORD 🙌😮‍💨

The @wufcofficial star notches a hat-trick in the Elimination Final. He's just inevitable 🚀

📺 Watch #WUNvADL live and exclusive NOW on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/enbjunpOOB

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 9, 2025

WESTERN MAKE GOOD ON BAD BEGINNING

Adelaide’s opening act indicated the Reds had rested well thanks to their round 29 bye, but they would not last the distance.

Contrastingly, Western did not have a kick up to Jovanovic’s opener, with this serving as a much-needed wake-up call.

Luka Jovanovic celebrates his early goal for Adelaide United. Picture: Getty Images

From the moment they fell behind, it was wave after wave of green and black attacks.

There was a Matthew Grimaldi rebound correctly ruled out for an offside in the build-up, and Michael Ruhs - through a one-on-one and a free header - could have scored twice before Botic wrestled the tie in Western’s direction, taking his goal tally to 15 for the campaign.

.@AdelaideUnited pull a goal back thanks to Stefan Mauk! 🫡🔴

He gives the Reds a glimmer of hope in the Elimination Final. Is a comeback on the cards?!

📺 Watch #WUNvADL live and exclusive NOW on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/ZZpzC8yeji

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) May 9, 2025

CARL VEART: OVER AND OUT

Adelaide lost their first elimination finals match under Carl Veart’s stewardship in his final game as their manager.

His departure was announced in April and appeared scheduled for the first weekend of May when they ended 2024/25 by winning one in 11. Instead, back-to-back Sydney FC losses saw the Reds cling onto sixth.

However, the 54-year-old’s stay of execution was almost as short-lived as his team’s lead in Tarneit.

Western United’s Angus Thurgate is challenged by Adelaide United’s Stefan Mauk. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE CITY MATCHUP NEXT

John Aloisi’s side, the highest-ranked elimination final winner, courtesy of finishing third, will do battle with their Victoria neighbours over the next two weekends.

It is, though, doubtful they will be able to stage a home semi-final at Ironbark Fields, with the likelihood that both legs will be played at AAMI Park.

This was the venue for each of their regular-season clashes, during which City claimed two victories to nil.

Originally published as A-League finals results and news: Botic fires Western United into semis, ends Adelaide’s season