A healthy crowd of in excess of 10000 greeted the first game of the Hyundai A-League Finals Series 2011 at Hindmarsh Stadium as Adelaide United matched up against Wellington Phoenix.
The Reds put a turbulent week behind them by grinding a 1-0 result through a wonderful series of finals football interplay commencing with season-long magician Marcos Flores. The Argentine played a cheeky pass from a seated position to Adelaide Captain Travis Dodd who found Sergio van Dijk with his back to goal. With great awareness, the Dutchman played a first time pass return pass to Dodd who finished in clinical style past ‘keeper Danny Vukovic in goals.
The Phoenix goal hero from the penalty spot last week could do nothing to prevent the cool finish from the Adelaide stalwart, whose goal sent a message to Rini Coolen in the wake of Paul Reid’s signal of intent to join Sydney FC.
The work from Flores, Dodd, and van Dijk is emblematic of the work achieved by Adelaide United in the front third this season under Coolen following the poorer showing of last season which yielded far fewer goals.
The A-League’s two-time finalists will push on into next week’s Hyundai A-League Finals Series with a win that will galvanise a squad whom have endured a divisive week.
Adelaide withstood significant pressure in the first 30 minutes as the Wellington Phoenix set up shop in the Reds half. Only a sequence of timely interventions from Socceroos ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic meant the difference as Phoenix committed men forward but could not capitalise on the weight of possession and favourable field position.
The quality that would most please Rini Coolen coming out of the win was the composure in defence that ultimately won the day. In previous years the Hyundai A-League Finals Series has not proved an arena in which the Reds have shown consistency and it is clear Coolen has instilled a sense of cohesion and confidence in his chargers from South Australia.
Adelaide will remain at Hindmarsh Stadium next weekend for a mouth watering match up against the winner of the Gold Coast United – Melbourne Victory clash at Skilled Stadium. Adelaide would relish a repeat meeting with Melbourne Victory, as they’ve enjoyed the balance of play against the Victory at both AAMI Stadium and at Adelaide Oval this season.
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