Adelaide United registered their seventh straight win at Hindmarsh Stadium with a convincing 2-0 win over a hapless North Queensland Fury on Friday night. Both goals came early in the first half leaving North Queensland with plenty to do to try and save the game. The win sees the Reds move to within four points of Brisbane Roar at the top of the table.
Adelaide was given a boost before kick-off with fullback Cassio declaring himself fit to play after the Brazilians suffered an injury scare in a training session on Thursday. In contrast the Fury’s pre-match fortunes were bleak with head coach Franz Straka unavailable to make the long journey to Adelaide due to a severe flu virus.
Assistant Stuart McLaren took over the coaching duties and could not have hoped for a worse start for his side with Adelaide United’s Argentinean import Marcos Flores opening the scoring after six minutes.
Already considered to be one of the best signings of this Hyundai A-League Season, the playmaker endeared himself even more to Adelaide fans when he took advantage of some poor defending by the Fury by blasting the ball home from six yards out from a Paul Reid cross.
Barely ten minutes later Cassio showed his worth to the Adelaide team as he embarked on a storming run down the left before delivering a pin-point cross to Sergio Van Dijk who powerfully headed home to double the Reds advantage.
The goal sees Van Dijk equal Melbourne Victory’s Robbie Kruse and Brisbane’s Jean Carlos Solorzano tally as the league’s top goal scorers.
Adelaide had numerous chances to increase the margin, but were let down by some poor finishing in front of goal. The best chance falling to Van Dijk in the 33rd minute, but he could not fire his shot past Fury goalkeeper Justin Pasfield who made a fine save down low.
After an entertaining first half the second period was lacklustre in comparison with both sides failing to construct any meaningful chances.
As usual the focal point of the Fury’s attack rested on the shoulders of strike partners Dyron Daal and David Williams, but unfortunately for the visitors most of their chances came from long-range.
The loss sees the Fury remain bottom of the competition ladder with just 15 points and they now head into Wednesday’s nights showdown with Sydney FC with their season on the line.
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