Melbourne City FC have suffered a 2-1 defeat, going down to Adelaide United at CFA Melbourne in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday afternoon.
Head Coach Erick Mombaerts’ side got off to an impressive start, as Florin Berenguer, Craig Noone and Connor Metcalfe looked lively in the opening 10 minutes of play. City’s first chance came inside the opening 90 seconds as Berenguer found space before delivering a dangerous cross towards Metcalfe, the youngster lost his marker before meeting the ball, although his glancing header was well-saved by a diving Paul Izzo in the Reds goal.
Despite City’s dominance in the opening stages, Adelaide made the most of their first chance down the other end to open the scoring. Nikola Mileusnic found space on the left wing, before earning his side a corner. Louis D’Arrigo stepped over the dead ball, sending it towards the back post, Michael Jakobsen did well to head it back across goal allowing Al Hassan Toure to nod the ball home from point blank range and hand the Reds a 1-0 lead.
In the 28th minute, Josh Brillante picked up the ball 35-yards from goal, the midfielder tried his luck with a fierce swirling effort although Izzo was equal to the task, diving low to stop the strike.
Moments later George Blackwood looked to play Ben Halloran through on goal, only to be beaten to the ball by a quick thinking Dean Bouzanis in City’s goal.
With half time fast approaching, Ramy Najjarine found City striker Jamie Maclaren, although the forward’s first-time strike was saved by Izzo.
Much-like the first period, City came out of the blocks with great attacking intent in the second half. Noone tried his luck from range before Maclaren found Najjarine who failed to control the ball at the back post.
A flurry of near misses and continued pressure on the Reds defence led to an equaliser for the hosts. In-form number 9, Jamie Maclaren latched onto a long ball over the top of Adelaide’s defence before showing great composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner beating Izzo one-on-one.
Adelaide looked to respond immediately as Mileusnic found Blackwood, although the attacker blazed his effort well wide.
The end to end contest continued as Najjarine attempted to play Maclaren through again, but Izzo was quick off his line, beating the attacker to the ball.
In the 67th minute, Adelaide would restore their lead through central defender Jordan Elsey. D’Ariggo stepped over the set piece as the Reds won a free-kick on the right wing, the playmaker played another perfectly weighted ball in which was met by Elsey to slide it home and make it 2-1.
Less than 60 seconds later Craig Noone went inches away from adding to his already impressive highlights reel. The winger turned his marker, before cutting onto his right book and curling an effort towards the top corner, despite his best efforts he was denied by a wonderful save. From the resulting corner, Noone whipped in a dangerous ball, although Harrison Delbridge’s towering header drifted just wide.
With seven minutes of regulation time remaining it was Noone again, this time the Englishman played an audacious chip over Elsey which was met by Maclaren in the box. Despite the attacker’s best efforts, his first time finish was placed wide.
In the 90th minute, City had one final chance to equalise as Delbridge again met Noone’s corner with a powerful header which was saved by Izzo.
A second XI took on Adelaide following the first match, as City ran out 5-3 victors at the City Football Academy.
Moudi Najjar netted an impressive brace, as Denis Genreau found the back of the net with a fantastic effort. Lachie Wales and Nathaniel Atkinson also featured on the scoresheet.
Melbourne City’s attentions now turn to their FFA Cup Semi Final clash with Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park on Tuesday 1 October.
Match Details
Melbourne City – 1 (Jamie Maclaren 54′)
Adelaide United – 2 (Al Hassan Toure 14′, Jordan Elsey 67′)
Starting XI: Bouzanis, Jamieson, Good, Delbridge, Galloway, Brillante, Metcalfe, Berenguer, Noone, Najjarine, Maclaren
Second XI: Glover, Griffiths, Cabrera, Atkinson, Genreau, Wales, Luna, Najjar, Stokes, Windbichler, Karlic
