Melbourne City vs Adelaide United – Shark Highlights | Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 | Round 28
Auckland FC has been crowned the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Premiers following a goalless draw between Melbourne City and Adelaide United on Friday evening, which effectively dashed City’s hopes of clinching the top position.
City was the last remaining team that could have caught Auckland by the close of the regular season, but their failure to secure three points against the Reds has left Auckland with a commanding five-point advantage at the summit of the table.
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On the other hand, Adelaide have made a resurgence into the top six by securing a point from their final regular-season match against City. Carl Veart’s side now has a bye in Round 29, while Sydney FC, trailing Adelaide by just one point in seventh place, still have two fixtures remaining against Western United and City.
Sydney need only a single point from their remaining matches to leapfrog Adelaide and end the Reds’ finals aspirations.
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With their Premiership hopes hanging in the balance, City aimed to seize an early lead at AAMI Park, almost getting on the scoresheet as Marco Tilio and Max Caputo both posed threats to the Adelaide goal during a tense goalmouth scramble.
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Disaster struck for Adelaide United halfway through the first half when young striker Archie Goodwin went down, clutching his right hamstring. He entered Round 28 tied for the lead in the Golden Boot race but was visibly upset as he was assisted off the field, marking a setback not only for his personal goals but also for Adelaide’s pursuit of a crucial point against City.
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Adelaide’s club captain, Ryan Kitto, came close to scoring just before the interval, but his attempt was pushed away by City keeper Patrick Beach, maintaining the stalemate as the teams headed into the break.
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With more than an hour gone at AAMI Park without a breakthrough, Nathaniel Atkinson created a golden opportunity for Andreas Kuen, who found himself one-on-one with Reds keeper Max Vartuli. It seemed destined for City to take the lead, but Vartuli made a crucial intervention, denying Kuen.
City intensified their offensive efforts as Tilio initiated a speedy counterattack, finding Kuen, whose clever flick released Yonatan Cohen in the penalty area. Cohen’s shot boasted pace, power, and precision, but Vartuli was once again there to save the day for Adelaide with a stunning diving stop.
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Not long after, City found the back of the net, but referee Shaun Evans halted play for an offside against Medin Memeti, who had ventured beyond the last defender during a heavy clash with Vartuli, leaving Adelaide’s goal momentarily unguarded for Cohen to strike home.
Younger City player Lawrence Wong had a late opportunity to secure all three points for the hosts but unfortunately shot agonisingly wide from a tight angle as Adelaide held firm, earning a vital point and keeping their hopes alive in the top-six battle.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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