In a match of the season contender, Melbourne City and Adelaide United left it all on the pitch in a match played with finals like intensity.
Right from the onset this contest was a dogfight.
Two sides desperate for points and for the opportunity to leapfrog the fourth placed Wellington Phoenix on the table.
The tone for this classic was set within the first two minutes when both sides exchanged good chances.
Craig Goodwin forced a low save out of City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic inside the first minute before Rostyn Griffiths struck the post from outside the box in the very next play.
Jordy Thomassen was forced off due to injury in the 35th minute – replaced by Nikola Mileusnic who almost scored seconds after coming on with his attempt deflecting off Harrison Delbridge onto the post.
With the opening half coming to a close George Blackwood was gifted a golden chance in the 42nd minute but was denied by the heroics of Galekovic – who somehow managed to keep out Ben Halloran’s attempt as well on the follow through.
City would count themselves lucky going into the break all square after the Reds threw themselves desperately into attack late in the first half.
The second half started in the similar fashion to the first – with the home side on the front foot.
Jamie Maclaren – who was causing plenty of headaches for the Reds – lobbed the ball into a crowded penalty area which was attacked aerially towards goal by Delbridge who forced Paul Izzo into a save on the line.
The 27-year-old would be on the end of another big chance in the 63rd minute as he pounced on a Shayon Harrison set-piece which was tipped over the bar by Izzo.
With the only thing lacking from this cracking contest being a goal, Maclaren took matters into his own hands but, like two of his teammates, only managed to strike the woodwork.
Despite the match drawing to a close the intensity and desperation shown by both sides never wavered.
On the back-foot for much of the second half, Adelaide United were given a chance as Isaias was fouled just outside the area.
Goodwin, as he has done so often this season, looked to have found the cobwebs in the top left corner but was denied yet again by the palm of Galekovic who was frustrating his former side.
Ultimately neither side were able to break the deadlock in this entertaining affair, resulting in Adelaide United jumping to fourth on the table.
Melbourne City will meanwhile gear up for another Elimination final type match-up against the Wellington Phoenix next week.
Featured Image: Ngau Kai Yan
Melbourne City – 0
Adelaide United – 0
AAMI Park
Melbourne City
Starting XI:
18.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Ritchie DE LAET, 4.Harrison DELBRIDGE, 7.Rostyn GRIFFITHS, , 9.Shayon HARRISON,(8.Riley McGREE 64′), 13.Nathaniel ATKINSON, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, (21.Ramy NAJJARINE 92′) 22.Curtis GOOD, 25.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 26.Luke BRATTAN, 27.Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER,(19.Lachlan WALES 79′), 29.Jamie MACLAREN
Unused substitutes:
1.Mark BIRIGHITTI, 34. Connor Metcalfe
Adelaide United
Starting XI
2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.Isaías SÁNCHEZ (c), 11.Craig GOODWIN, 14.George BLACKWOOD (6.Vince LIA 92′), 19.Jordy THOMASSEN,(17.Nikola MILEUSNIĆ 35′), (32.Carlo ARMIENTO 89′)20.Paul IZZO (gk), 22.Michael JAKOBSEN, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 31.Mirko BOLAND,
Unused Substitutes :
1.Daniel MARGUŠ (gk), 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS,
Match Official: Alex King
Assistant Referee 1: George Lakrindis
Assistant Referee 2: Wilson Brown
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
Video Assistant: Peter Green
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