| HARBOURSPORT |
| A-LEAGUE |
| Adelaide United was a club on the ropes after their disastrous major semi-final series against Melbourne Victory. Going down 2-0 in the home leg and 4-0 away, and with coach Aurelio Vidmar publicly raising issues of the club's internal issues and derogatory comments about his club's "Pissant" home town; their campaign looked terminal. And just 8,472 people, the smallest crowd ever to attend an A-League finals match, was on hand for their preliminary final clash against Queensland Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium. But somehow the Reds rallied and rediscovered their form, bouncing back off the canvas to take the preliminary final 1-0 and earn themselves an Asian Champions League berth as well as a grand final rematch with Melbourne Victory and a shot at redemption. After a nervous opening in which both sides struggled to create chances, the game was turned on its head at 25 minutes. Pouncing on a bouncing ball just inside the area, Fabian Barbiero struck the ball past the despairing dive of Roar keeper Liam Reddy into the corner of the net. And suddenly, against all expectations and against the run of play, the Reds were in front. It was still 1-0 at the break. The second half saw the Roar throw everything at the Reds, looking for an equaliser. They came close several times, with a string of corners and some determined strikes by Sergio Van Dijk which it took all of the brilliance of Eugene Galekovic to keep out. But the Reds prevailed, and for the second straight year the Roar's hopes of a grand final appearance was to fall at the final hurdle. The Reds are into their second grand final, and like the first they will be playing Melbourne Victory at Telstra Dome. On that pervious occasion, the Victory humiliated Adelaide 6-0. Can the Reds turn the tables and bounce back from recent disasters to take the A-League title? Adelaide United 1 (F Barbiero 25) Queensland Roar 0. Yellow Cards : Reds - Nil. Roar - C Miller 90. Referee - S Delovski. Crowd - 8,472 at Hindmarsh Stadium. |
| FINALS FIXTURES - SEMI FINALS Minor Semi-Final - 1st Leg Central Coast Mariners 0 Queensland Roar 2 Major Semi-Final - 1st Leg Adelaide United 0 Melbourne Victory 2 Minor Semi-Final - 2nd Leg Queensland Roar 2 Central Coast Mariners 1 Major Semi-Final - 2nd Leg Melbourne Victory 4 Adelaide United 0 Saturday 21st February Preliminary Final Adelaide United 1 Queenalnd Roar 0 Saturday 28th February Grand Final Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United (Telstra Dome, 7:30pm) All times shown are Sydney time |
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