United Falter in Final Fadeout
Why can’t the Reds win at home?
From seven home games, United have left at least nine points on the table. They have won two games, drawn four and lost one.
On Wednesday Night, the Reds returned home to face Auckland, in a top of the table clash. Auckland, unfortunately for United, proved what everyone heading into Coopers would have dreaded;
Saturday Night’s win against Victory was not the new normal, but a magic moment in a winless run. Wednesday night again showing the problems of yesteryear.
Thirty seconds from full-time, a Francis De Vires’ corner saw Logan Rogerson equalise. A 2-all draw was the final result. United barely defend the corner, and again switched off in the final moments.
It’s been an incredible job from Steve Corica and his men this campaign. Auckland City, are performing well above even their own expectations in their debut season. However, still they chase the Reds’ who sit a point clear on top of the table.
In the first 45 minutes, the game failed to live up to the occasion. However, there was moments;
At the half an hour mark, Adelaide’s best attack of the first half came from Dylan Pierias, he wrapped his foot around the ball as it swung in from the left wing. Auckland keeper, Alexander Paulsen, pushed the ball over the bar and out of the danger zone.
Right on half time, Max Mata nearly found the opener for the Kiwis. His run to get on the end of a dangerous cross would’ve beaten the diving Ethan Cox in the Adelaide goal. However, the chance would go begging, and both clean sheets remained heading into the break.
Veart turned to his bench first, bringing on both Yaya Dukuly and Archie Goodwin. Veart did what he’d done his entire coaching career and turned to his youth.
Yull’s delivery into the box just minutes after the substitutions nearly found United a lead. The ball fell to Stefan Mauk, who hit the ball back at goal, the crossbar rang out, Mauk a millimetre from scoring.
United had failed to capitalise, and the door remained opened for Auckland, more specifically, for Neyder Moreno who drove the ball into the bottom of the net.
The substitute less then one minute after coming onto the field was celebrating with the away fans. VAR would put an end to those celebrations momentarily, before the goal was allowed. Auckland were sent two points clear at the top of the table.
Then Adelaide hit back when Veart’s substitutes combined to score. Dukuly pulled the ball back and as it went through the legs of Nando Pijnaker, Goodwin scored.
Again, VAR looked. Dukuly pulled the shirt of his defender, Callan Elliot, and it looked for all money that Adelaide would still have work to do. Unfortunately for Auckland, the goal stood, and nine minutes from time, it was anyone’s game, 1-1 now the score.
Pierias had been brilliant all night. Five minutes into added time, his ball found Goodwin’s foot, who turned it home past the sprawling keeper in Alexander Paulsen and Adelaide again cheered as one.
However, it wasn’t to be, as Rogerson scored to seal the 2-all result. United had let another opportunity slip at home.