Match Report 19 May 2007

MAY

22

Round 6 saw the Africa United Allstars make the short trip across Sir Donald Bradman Drive to the Western Youth Centre for this season’s first “western derby” clash with FC Adelaide. Conditions were perfect down at Neill Road and although the weatherman predicted rain, the only rain we were treated to was of the goal variety. The crowd on hand witnessed two action-packed and, at times, controversial games with FC Adelaide having mixed results – a win to the Reserves and an unlucky defeat for the First team.

Reserves Match Report

The match started well with Adelaide pushing the ball around nicely out of the middle, John Falidis enjoying a return to the park and again putting in a solid performance alongside Sharok. Adelaide had the flow of the game and our first taste for goal came on 15 minutes with Cosi pulling a shot wide out to the right, unaware that he had time to settle. Not wanting to again rue missed chances, Nicky “The Kid” Cosma capitalised only moments later with a clever toe-poke in the air while pressed up against the keeper and last man – the perfect start to his comeback game after returning from suspension – 1-0. The first goal set the lads in motion and our persistent hunger for the ball paid off with Adelaide retaining most of the possession. Some clever touches and pin-point passing out of defence allowed us to begin to take control. A disappointing injury was sustained by Damian “the D-Train” Simpson who regretfully made way for club legend Paul Kaka. From this point on it was a “Case of the two Pauls” as Soteriou and Karkafiris were reunited once again in defence to propel their charges forward, ably assisted by Lee and Zac. Nick Gala was enjoying a lot of the ball on the right wing and orchestrated some excellent runs, while on the opposite side of the park Syed continued to dazzle the opposition with his pace and trickery. The pressure was starting to take its toll on the Allstars and a penalty was awarded and cooly converted by Syed – 2-0. Johnny “Mr. Free Kick” Falidis showed the boys how it’s done with a well struck free-kick off the left boot, reminiscent of David Beckham, which tucked itself just under the bar in the top right-hand corner to make it 3-0 about 20 minutes from half-time. Keg delivered an excellent drop-punt in the direction of Syed and he used his speed to outplay his opponent before scoring a brace with a well placed shot over the keeper – 4-0. After the break, the Allstars lifted their game momentarily and their flashes of pace began to threaten. A counter-attack was mounted after Adelaide had pressed hard and the Allstars made a break through the middle. The player could not be caught and slotted a low ball past Keg who was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet and again impressed with his goal-keeping prowess – 4-1. Falidis was presented with another opportunity to convert from a set-piece – this time striking the bar with the ball falling to the knee of the African defender slotting it past his own keeper – 5-1. Tempers flared as the Allstars had now been fully exposed and became increasingly frustrated – a combination of late tackles and incidents off the ball had tensions at breaking point with calls for referee Katsambas to exercise his power and take more control of the game. To add insult to injury for the Allstars, Cosi made it 6-1 with another solid effort on goal before Micky made a welcome return to the scorer’s list with a superb strike inside the box to round out the victory 7-1. The win has further boosted the boys confidence and is an example of how well we are working together as a team.

THE BOTTOM LINE: FC Adelaide Reserves continues its march for premiership glory, consolidating their position at the top of the table while Africa United Allstars are sent marching back to Cowandilla Primary to pick up the pieces after this, their second loss on the trot.

First Team Match Report

The boys started well, all with a point to prove and eager to impress coach Ziatas after last week’s dour 0-0 draw. Several changes to the line-up saw Benny Ward get his first taste of First Team football for the season and Bobby Kim made the step-up, rewarded for his solid performances for the Reserves in recent weeks. Reza was again an integral part of every FC Adelaide attack, combining superbly with Shane and Antonis to set up a number of chances but unfortunately we could not convert. Forbes’ European football experience was evident in his play-making and well planned surges forward to assist the strikers and also create a few chances for himself in the process. Adelaide dominated the game and pushed the ball around the park well bringing all of our key players into the mix but a well orchestrated counter-attack by the Allstars made us pay for our missed opportunities earlier and JC was unlucky to get beaten after a scramble on the edge of the 18yard box – 0-1. Adelaide increased the intensity ever so slightly, the players all aware that only a victory would be a satisfactory result today but the Allstars were able to match us for pace and fancy footwork every time we broke forward and we were again left to rue our failed attempts on goal when the Allstars advanced to 2-0. The frustration was now visible in coach Ziatas’ face and the players rallied and dug in hard controlling the game with both their feet and their hearts. Reza peppered several shots at the relentless keeper, Antonis unlucky to miss a superb diving header, “Mr. Dependable” – Roy also unlucky to see a well struck shot outside the box trail just over the bar but our persistence paid off and Roy made no mistake the second time round after being slipped a perfect through ball to run into the box and bury the shot into the back of the net past the bewildered keeper – 2-1. The crowd was brought to life and the smell of victory spurred the players on as the win now seemed achievable after early doubts. After the break Adelaide again controlled possession and restricted the Allstars to their half of the park. Some excellent man-marking and our renowned fighting spirit left the sideline supporters believing that the equaliser was only around the corner until the Allstars were awarded a penalty against the run of play. Stevie G was the victim of the dubious penalty call by the referee and JC was again tested from the penalty spot but on this occasion was unable to match his superb effort from last round as the ball hit the back of the net to make it 3-1. When a penalty was awarded to Adelaide it seemed almost inevitable that this would be the defining moment of the game. However, it was not to be – club captain and stalwart Arthur “AD” Damascus lined up to take the kick at the Hounslow Avenue end but in a cruel twist of fate was unlucky to have his well placed penalty saved by the fingertips of the keeper and our failure to capitalise on the second effort had the crowd in disbelief. The Allstars gained momentum and as Adelaide pressed the pressure began to mount as the minutes ticked away and coach Ziatas paced the touchline. A late charge saw Bobby convert with a header from a well-taken corner but there was just not enough time to finish the job – Adelaide going down 3-2.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A solid team performance and a well rounded effort but FC Adelaide again haunted by a host of missed opportunities and left to ponder what may have been.

By Jonathon Milne