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A-League Mens 25/26 - Round 14

RIMB said:
We played a good game for no result last night.

O'Shea was an unexpected starter for me - I had read earlier he was still out. Had a really strong game and was heavily involved from a right wing sort of position.

Long and Ruhs up front in a 4-4-2 formation, with Klein and others driving in from midfield, saw several chances that 'should have' been finished in the first half. We had some very tame shots and some off target shots and scoring a single goal was more from our poor finishing than the Adelaide defence and keeper.

Klein's goal was beautiful placement. He did not smash the ball but from outside the box placed it perfectly away form the keeper.

Long's goal was a beauty and one he earned himself. A piledriver back across the keeper that gave him no chance. Certainly offset some of Long's rather awful attempts leading up to that - especially the one where he was so obviously in two minds about shooting or passing that he just passed the ball beautifully to their keeper.

We played some excellent football for probably two thirds of the game - pressing hard without the ball, forcing some dodgy passing out from the Adelaide keeper, and playing good, fast attacking football to create chances.

The first half was actually the cleanest, nicest half of football I can recall between us and Adelaide. There was not a great deal of niggle or exaggeration from either side - mostly just open positive football. Roar clearly the more dominant side in an attacking sense but Adelaide able to combine into attacks enough to be in the game.

In the second half I was a bit dirty on whichever one of our attackers (Klein?) ran along for 10 or so metres literally dragging an Adelaide player who was hanging onto his shirt the whole way. Our player finally had a petulant kick towards goal - which constituted an 'advantage' in the eyes of Alireza and avoided what was always going to be a yellow card. Not intelligent, composed play - which would have seen a card and a central set piece just out from the 18 yard box.

The period from halftime we went a bit flat and lost the drive and focus that had given us a good foothold in the first half. At the same time, and maybe the cause of that; Adelaide started to play much more cohesive and attacking football. Starting the game with Anselmo and Tatu up front may have been a bit of a masterstroke by the Adelaide coach. They were largely ineffective but maybe they ran our defenders around enough to tire them.

Once Yull, Burkitt and Dukuly came on the attacking raids became more common and obviously effective - looking much more like the Adelaide United we have come to expect with the ball.

Our poor defence was our biggest problem. Adelaide just clinically put away 3 of their few chances.

No way Burkitt is a regular 3 goal a game player. He finished all three goals beautifully but we should have been able to put better pressure on him to stop him and prevent at least 1 of his goals. Surely.

Yull ran through the midfield surrounded by Roar players and showing how dangerous he is if he is not shutdown.

Dukuly just tore past us up the wing and we could do nothing to stop that - but he also brings the ball in towards goal very skilfully when he gets in behind.

Burkitt's runs and positioning for his goals were excellent and the passing to him spot on.

One thing I notice about us every game - we cannot keep a straight defensive line at the back. I don't know 'football' like may of you but we always have one of our back 4 or 5 dropping deeper than others (and it varies who does it). We have an awful staggered line under pressure. Opposition players run through and their marker holds up their arm for offside but another of our players was keeping them on. It happens often and I have to ask if the staggered defensive line is deliberate or just a lack of group awareness...?

I liked us for the first half and the later stages of the second. It was the football I like to see us play. Fast accurate passing, options across the pitch, a good presence in midfield, and intensity.

We lost our way at the same time as Adelaide found theirs - and I don't think either was the cause of the other really - just how it happened with Adelaide subs and general play making a difference to them and our dropping off a separate thing.

Daggers was on a flogging to nothing coming on. Adelaide were in ascendance and we were getting scrappy - not a chance for Daggers to shine really with our attacks being disjointed and weary by then and forwards becoming more isolated and outnumbered.

Attempting to apply pressure on Adelaide at one point middle of the second half saw our two forward trying to get the ball off 7 Adelaide players in their half. Pointless and energy sapping.

I am not bothered by the late goal conceded as such. It was not a heartbreaker. As the game wore on and Adelaide played better it was one of those games where either side could have pinched a late one - and we did it to Adelaide last time from memory.

A good game mostly for us but showing how much we need to improve our defence (yes, without Herrington).

Adelaide (Burkitt) took their chances and played the better 90 minute game. An unlucky bounce off a post onto the keeper then away from goal just one of the chances that could have seen a different result for us.

Next time...
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Agreed. First half best football I've seen from us this season, or at least the most attractive. But I had a slight sense of dread descend at half-time knowing we should have been further ahead and reckoning that we had spent more energy in that half than Adelaide so I felt they could easily come back into the match second half. In the end a bit freakish what Burkitt did so not too disheartened but defence needs work.
 
Dylan scicluna putting in the sort of shift he did before his acl.

He probably isnt on any ones radar, but it wouldnt be crazy for him to be a world cup dark horse

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Should be 2-3 goals up here not including the offside.

Surprised how empty the top tier is for such a big game.
 
southmelb said:
Should be 2-3 goals up here not including the offside.

Surprised how empty the top tier is for such a big game.
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It’s 33 degrees in Australia Day.

After all the excuses I have heard through the NPL season, I’d say that stacks up for people not going to the football
 
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