By Cam Wallace
Photo Judith Kate
A game themed around Remembrance Day ended as a match Adelaide United would rather forget as the Reds suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.
In the Reds’ only home game amongst a stretch of six matches, the Jets soared to a two goal lead before Fabio Ferreira breathed life into the home side with 20 minutes remaining to set up a tense finale.
But there would be no fairytale ending as Newcastle held on for their first win of the season to leave the Reds needing to pick themselves up for a trip west to face Perth Glory next Saturday.
The first 45 minutes was one of numerous chances at both ends. The Jets were denied twice by goal saving blocks, Tarek Elrich producing a desperate tackle in his 150th Hyundai A-League appearance on former Red Nathan Burns to keep Adelaide on level terms in the 10th minute.
Newcastle goalkeeper and another former Red Mark Birighitti was also called into action after Jeronimo steered a shot on target.
The Reds were well on top in the opening half hour, but its defensive errors were again on display and there was a real sense around the stadium that without a goal it wouldn’t be long before the Jets would capitalise – Andrew Hoole looking the most dangerous for the visitors.
The game moved towards a stalemate at the break before Newcastle’s Kew Jaliens pounced on a Burns corner in the 41st minute, a simple tap-in.
Down at the break, Adelaide began the second half with fresh intent and threatened through a move down the right by Ferreira.
However turnovers in midfield followed by a bursting run by Hoole soon after created Newcastle’s second which was calmly taken by Taggart as he chipped the ball over Socceroo Eugene Galekovic.
This caused Gombau to go make changes as he introduced fans’ favourites Bruce Djite and Cassio, both of whom were making their first appearance of the season, much to the delight of the 10,244 in attendance.
Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond responded with his own substitution, replacing Taggart with former English and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey.
But just a minute later Ferreira gave the Reds hope when he met Jeronimo’s cross with a ghosting run at the far post to direct his header into the back of the net.The goal rocked the crowd, and the Reds into action but any momentum swing was blunted in the 90th minute when Nigel Boogaard was shown a straight red card for a dangerous, two-footed challenge from behind on Heskey.
Coaches verdict:
“I am unhappy today because we didn’t play the way that we want to play and the way that we are working,” Gombau said.
“I’m unhappy with the result, unhappy because we lost at home, unhappy with the way that we played, but this is football.”
“On Monday we have training again and we need to work. I have one thing that is very clear and that is the style I want to play.”
Marcelo Carrusca was awarded the Tomas Dale Medal.
For me, it was Tarek Elrich against his former side that was the strongest of the Reds, solid in defence and distributing the ball efficiently. Jeronimo was next best as he is just so dangerous up front with yet another assist (6 of 7 this year), he’s always looking to break open the game and Michael Zullo who will be missing next week due to Socceroos commitments was again, solid, reliable and creative playing out from the back.
Next week, the Reds travel to nib Stadium in Perth on Saturday, November 16 hoping to re-join the top six having already beaten Perth in round 1.