Melbourne City ended its road trip with defeat away to Adelaide in Round 2 of the A-League Men’s season.
The hosts scored twice in the first half, before City had a chance to equalise from the penalty spot but it wasn’t to be as the hosts would eventually run away with the three points.
Team News
Head Coach Rado Vidosic made two changes from the starting XI that defeated Buriram United in Thailand midweek.
Tolgay Arslan and Curtis Good both came out of the line-up after the busy recent schedule, with the latter being named among the substitutes. As a result, Callum Talbot returned to the XI and Terry Antonis made his first City start.
Starting XI: 1. Jamie YOUNG (GK), 25. Callum TALBOT, 4. Nuno REIS, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 8. Hamza SAKHI, 44. Marin JAKOLIS, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN (C).
Substitutes: 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 11. Leo NATEL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 35. Zane SCHREIBER, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Harry POLITIDIS.
What happened?
It was an even start at Coopers Stadium as both teams enjoyed spells of possession in the first 10 minutes.
A foul on the edge of the area opened the door for Adelaide to find the opener from a free kick in the 14th minute, Nestor Irankunda finding the top corner from the set piece.
Although general play continued to be a balanced affair, things went from bad to worse for City in the 29th minute when Callum Talbot’s attempted headed clearance found the back of the net.
The linesman initially ruled offside due to Adelaide striker Hiroshi Ibusuki being involved in the play in front of the City fullback, but VAR would eventually deem him onside by the slightest of margins.
Aziz Behich was City’s best performer in the first half, providing plenty of energy bombing down the left hand side and often joining in play in the midfield.
Leo Natel was introduced following the break and City began the second 45 minutes strongly.
While initially missed by the referee, VAR intervened for the second time of the night, this time awarding City a spot kick following a clear handball from Adelaide defender, Panashe Madanha.
Jamie Maclaren stepped up to take the spot kick and got plenty of power behind it, but Reds goalkeeper Joe Gauci did well to make a last-ditch stop with his foot.
Despite the save, City continued to press in search of a way back into the contest but struggled to find the incisive pass to create a clear chance.
Ryan Tunnicliffe made it three for Adelaide with 15 minutes to play as the hosts then took hold of the momentum until the final whistle and made City pay on the scoreboard.
What’s next?
After over a week on the road, City will return home on Monday to prepare for a Friday night clash against Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
