The Red Review: New Year, New Team (January)

Part 1 of 2

Adelaide United returned home for the start of the new year, a clash with the ladder topping Wellington Phoenix on the cards. United started the game in much the same way as they ended 2023. Wellington’s right back Tim Payne was running down the Manton Street side of the ground where his cross, whipped into the box, found the running Bozhidar Kraev. Neither James Delianov, nor Alexander Popovic could stop the 6-foot Bulgarian, and that familiar feeling was present around Hindmarsh again. Luckily for the home fans, video assistant referee (VAR) would save United and chalk the goal off to leave the score at 0-0.

United wouldn’t heed Wellington’s warning shot! 60 seconds after the goal was ruled out, a free kick from Phoenix’s captain Rufer would find Lukas Kelly-Heald. The right back would head over the top of James Delianov and find Kosta Barbarouses on the other side of the 6-yard box. 1-0 to Wellington with no saving grace this time. United were behind at home, for a third time in six games in season 23-24. However, United’s return punch would connect, and it would be Hiroshi Ibusuki firing the headed ball into the net to send United fans into raptures in the Adelaide stands.

Despite United’s dominant first half, the Reds would trail again just one minute into the second half. To add insult to injury it would be a United mistake; Tim Payne’s cross would be poorly cleared by Bovalina, the ball chested into the middle of the 18-yard box. The poaching Kosta Barbarouses would be waiting in the wings to fire the ball back past Adelaide’s number 43 and into the back of United’s net. The score now 2-1 Wellington. In the 55th minute, Nestory Irankunda’s driving run down the Manton Street side of the ground would end in a cross to deliver a brace for Hiroshi Ibusuki’s second goal, the score now at 2-2. United, looking the stronger of the two teams, were beginning to believe there was a third, and more importantly three points up for grabs for the 8th place United, who were in desperate need of a win. Over the rest of the half, United would have 16 more shots at the Wellington goal, compared to four at the other end of the ground.

With United hitting the bar twice it would break for Wellington’s Oskar Van Hattum. This would spell disaster for Ben Warland, the United defender’s challenge making contact with the New Zealand defender after the ball had been played. With no choice, referee Jonathan Barreiro reached into his pocket, drawing a red card for United’s number three. This met with a chorus of boos from the home fans, with Paramount Plus lead commentator, Robbie Thomson saying, “It’s not a goal, but they’ve got another victim.” There were chances still at both ends, the last of which saw Wellington’s Sam Sutton’s header hit the upright and the ball trickled out for a goal kick. All ends square in the first game of 2024, a 2-2 draw at Hindmarsh.

After the game Carl Veart was asked if he would have taken the draw against Wellington at the start of the game,

“No, not really, not at home. We always want three points at home, and I think we were good enough for the three points tonight”. – Adelaide United head coach, Carl Veart, after the game vs Wellington, 4th of January 2024

With four points since the start of December, it was paramount that United took all three points at home against Macarthur. The Reds were heavy favourites by the bookies, and at home under the lights, all things pointed Red. Seven minutes in, and disaster almost struck for Adelaide, as the upright was hit by Rodrigues.

It would be Bovalina’s cross from the wide position that would find a running Ben Halloran who hit it “without breaking stride,” for a simple tap in as the clock struck the 16 minutes. Adelaide for the second time in three home games, would be ahead.

As the half an hour mark came and went, Kearyn Baccus would fire the ball back across the six-yard box to find the in form Valere Germain. The Frenchman would net his 6th goal of the season. With the score at 1-1, it began to look very similar to the game the clubs had played a month earlier in Sydney, a 4-3 win to Macarthur.

The new year had brought Nestory Irankunda’s red hot form back to Hindmarsh. Fresh from an assist vs Wellington, in the 40th minute, he waltzed past a defender, and crossed the ball onto the head of Hiroshi Ibusuki. Hiroshi Ibusuki would head wide, a golden opportunity passed up for the Reds to restore their lead. Adelaide and Macarthur would go in level at half time, 1-1.

Inside the 63rd minute as a corner was about to be taken, the Bulls began seeing Red as a melee broke out inside the six-yard box. The Reds had just been denied a penalty after Kitto went to the ground. It ended as quickly as it began, with cards for Isaias and Matthew Jurman. With minutes remaining, Matt Jurman headed toward the bottom corner, however Delianov saved the game with it ending 1-1.

In part 2 of the January review, Adelaide plays a game against Sydney for Unite round in Sydney. These are followed by games against the last placed Western United in Tarneit and Melbourne City at AAMI stadium. This is available on the Hub website right now under, ‘The Red Review: January, Part 2’.