Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory had their seasons ended after missing numerous opportunities while Central Coast must over turn a two-goal deficit away from home in the second leg against Brisbane.

For the most part, Phoenix outplayed a sloppy Adelaide side in terrible conditions at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Although they created a couple of chances and struck the crossbar with one, the Reds will go through thanks to one outstanding passage of attacking play that resulted in the only goal of the game.

Captain Travis Dodd popped up for the second week in a row to send his team into a meeting with Gold Coast United.

United rode their luck although not as greatly against Victory as both missed chances around goal until Dino Djulbic rose highest in stoppage time.

Victory had their chances and eventually paid the penalty in hot conditions on the Gold Coast.

The Mariners were arguably the unluckiest of the three as they hit woodwork three times against Roar.

Michael McGlinchey, Daniel McBreen and Matt Simon all struck the post or crossbar before Roar showed how clinical they can be in front of goal.

The beauty of finals football is there are no second chances, proven by the elimination of Phoenix and Victory.

Although Central Coast can redeem themselves in the second leg against Brisbane, they have fallen behind the eight-ball after losing 2-0 at home when they possibly could have won.

The rest of the finals series will be a similar story and missed chances won't win the championship.

Adelaide United 1 (Travis Dodd 70')
Wellington Phoenix 0
Crowd: 10,285 @ Hindmarsh Stadium

Adelaide United fought to a 1-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix, ending the visitors' season in a gruelling contest in driving rain at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The visitors were arguably the better side throughout the 90 minutes but a tidy strike from captain Travis Dodd gave the Reds victory.

It was all Phoenix early on and Nick Ward forced Eugene Galekovic into a strong save from a strong header in the first half.

Marcos Flores was still a constant danger and his clever run, including a nut meg, almost reaped rewards before he shot well over the bar.

While general play was dominated by Phoenix, the visitors struggled to create any clear scoring opportunities against the Reds.

In heavy rain and on a puddly pitch marred by prolonged rain fall in Adelaide, much of the second half was dominated by turnovers through midfield.

But Adelaide's movement of the ball was rewarded with a goal in the 70th minute when Dodd stepped up to score the winner for the second week in a row.

The slog in midfield resulted in Flores winning the ball with a sliding challenge before smartly playing a pass into Dodd while seated.

He passed into the feet of Sergio van Dijk, who turned and returned the favour with a perfectly weighted return pass.

Danny Vukovic might have been slow off his line with the run of the ball unpredictable but Dodd finished in clinical fashion, slotting into the bottom corner.

Phoenix went close minutes later when captain Andrew Durante's header hit the cross bar and Adelaide eventually cleared their lines.

It was a disappointing finish to the season for Phoenix, who outplayed their victorious opponents for most of the 90 minutes.

Adelaide United: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 3. Nigel BOOGAARD, 6. CASSIO, 8. Adam HUGHES, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 10. Marcos FLORES (7. Lucas PANTELIS 75’), 11. Andwele SLORY (19. Mathew LECKIE 62’), 13. Travis DODD (c), 14. Cameron WATSON, 16. Dario BODRUSIC, 21. Francisco USUCAR (2. Robert CORNTHWAITE 85’)
Unused subs: 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 17. Iain RAMSAY
Yellow cards: Watson (23’), Flores (37’)
Red cards: None

Wellington Phoenix: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 13. Troy HEARFIELD (9. Chris GREENACRE 74’), 15. Jade NORTH, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 21. Marco ROJAS (11. DANIEL 89’), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER (8. Paul IFILL 62’)
Unused subs: 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 17. Vince LIA
Yellow cards: Muscat (4’), Ward (29’)
Red cards: None

 

Adelaide United

1. Eugene GALEKOVIC – 7

3. Nigel BOOGAARD – 8

6. CASSIO – 7

8. Adam HUGHES – 6

9. Sergio VAN DIJK – 8

10. Marcos FLORES – 8

11. Andy SLORY – 5

13. Travis DODD – 7

14. Cameron WATSON – 6

16. Dario BODRUSIC – 7

21. Francisco USUCAR – 6

19. Mathew LECKIE – 7

7. Lucas PANTELIS – 6

 

 

Wellington Phoenix

19. Danny VUKOVIC – 6

2. Manny MUSCAT – 7

3. Tony LOCHEAD – 6

4. Nick WARD – 5

6. Tim BROWN – 6

13. Troy HEARFIELD – 5

15. Jade NORTH – 7

18. Ben SIGMUND – 6

21. Marco ROJAS – 7

22. Andrew DURANTE – 7

23. Dylan MACALLISTER – 6

8. Paul IFILL – 5

9. Chris GREENACRE - 6

 

Man of the Match – Adelaide have been hoping for an Iain Fyfe replacement to emerge and, for this match at least, Nigel Boogard was the answer. The centre-back’s strength in each contest stifled the in-form Dylan Macallister.

Key Moment – Marcos Flores’ desperate sliding tackle to win the ball from Ben Sigmund initiated the Dodd/Van Dijk combination for the winner. Often lauded for his silk, this time it was the graft of the Argentine which won the battle for Adelaide. Ratings by Matt Dorman

 

Central Coast Mariners 0
Brisbane Roar 2 (Kosta Barbarouses 52’, Matt McKay 73’)
Crowd: 10,166 @ Bluetongue Stadium

 

Brisbane Roar gained the upper hand over Central Coast Mariners with an entertaining 2-0 win in the first leg.

Second half strikes from Kosta Barbarouses and Matt McKay gave the visitors two away goals and lifted their chances of hosting the grand final.

But the Mariners had their chances and failed to capitalize before being made to pay by Roar.

Roar midfielder Mitch Nichols had the first sight on goal, half volleying well over the bar before the home side created an even better chance a minute later.

Patricio Perez created space for himself on the edge of the box before delivering a cross to the back post that Matt Simon headed just over.

The Mariners took the game to their more fancied opponents and the impressive Pedj Bojic forced Michael Theoklitos into a smart save from a swerving shot.

Mathew Ryan turned stopper later in the half, saving a smartly taken shot from Barbarouses down low.

Michael McGlinchey then went closest after a mazy run down the right resulted in him cutting back and shooting into the post after a deflection.

The home side was made to pay in the second half after a sloppy turn over in midfield resulted in McKay passing into Barbarouses, who twisted and turned before opening the scoring with a good finish.

They hit the post twice more before the second when Perez released Daniel McBreen to strike the woodwork with the rebound falling for Simon, who did the same.

McKay ghosted into the box for the second, heading past Ryan from a fine cross from Barbarouses.

The Mariners need to overturn the two-goal deficit at Suncorp Stadium to host the grand final but look more likely to have to fight for their spot.

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON (8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS 67’), 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC (22. Mustafa AMINI 80’), 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON
Unused subs: 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk), 17. Chris DOIG, 23. Adam KWASNIK
Yellow card: Bojic (88’)
Red cards: None

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. HENRIQUE (9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 66’), 15. Matt MCKAY, 17. Mitch NICHOLS (8. Massimo MURDOCCA 67’), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
Unused subs: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE
Yellow cards: Henrique (55’), Paartalu (66’)
Red cards: None

Central Coast Mariners

20. Mathew RYAN – 6

2. Daniel MCBREEN – 5

3. Joshua ROSE – 7

4. Pedj BOJIC – 6

6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK – 6

7. John HUTCHINSON – 6

10. Patricio PEREZ – 6

11. Oliver BOZANIC – 6

14. Michael MCGLINCHEY – 7

18. Alex WILKINSON – 6

19. Matt SIMON – 5

8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS – 6

22. Mustafa AMINI – 6

Average team rating – 6

 

 

Brisbane Roar

1. Michael THEOKLITOS – 7

2. Matthew SMITH – 7

4. Shane STEFANUTTO – 7

5. Ivan FRANJIC – 7

6. Erik PAARTALU – 8

7. Kosta BARBAROUSES – 8

10. HENRIQUE – 6

15. Matt MCKAY – 8

17. Mitch NICHOLS – 7

22. Thomas BROICH – 7

23. Milan SUSAK – 7

9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO - 6

8. Massimo MURDOCCA – 6

Average team rating – 7

Man of the Match – Brisbane Roar’s Kosta Barbarouses was excellent, celebrating his birthday with a goal and an all-round excellent performance.

Key moment – Choose any of the chances the Mariners had to go 1-0 up in the first half. Matt Simon, Daniel McBreen, Oliver Bozanic, Patricio Perez – oh, forget it. With Simon’s performances fizzling out in recent weeks, Arnie needs to sign up someone who can score all season, every season (see: Sergio Van Dijk). Ratings by Arabella Vaughan


Gold Coast United 1 (Dino Djulbic 90+1’)
Melbourne Victory 0
Crowd: 3281 @ Skilled Park

A late header from Dino Djulbic proved to be the difference as Gold Coast United ended Melbourne Victory’s season with a 1-0 win in hot conditions.

Victory had their chances, as did United, but it took until the first minute of stoppage time for the only goal of the game to be scored.

After scoring a brace against United last time, Danny Allsopp forced the first save of the match with a stinging drive directly at Glen Moss.

Tahj Minniecon was denied by Michael Petkovic before Robbie Kruse couldn’t find enough bend with his shot and struck it over the bar.

Substitute Joel Porter came close for the home side early in the second half with a superbly executed volley.

He took a cross from Peter Perchtold first time, but could only strike the crossbar with his weaker right foot.

The sides continued to exchange chances and Victory looked dangerous after introducing Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez.

But Djulbic was the hero, rising high and freeing himself to head home a corner from Perchtold in the 91st minute.

Gold Coast will travel to play Adelaide in another knockout final on Sunday.

Gold Coast United: 1. Glen MOSS (gk), 2. Steve PANTELIDIS, 3. Michael THWAITE (c), 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Zenon CARAVELLA, 8. ANDERSON, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 11. Bruce DJITE (27. Chris HAROLD 81’), 16. Tahj MINNIECON (16. Kristian REES 90+3’), 22. Adama TRAORE (14. Joel PORTER 49’), 33. Peter PERCHTOLD
Unused subs: 20. Scott HIGGINS (gk), 23. Steve FITZSIMMONS
Yellow card: Pantelidis (83’)
Red cards: None

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC (10. Archie THOMPSON 53’), 4. Petar FRANJIC, 5. Surat SUKHA (14. Billy CELESKI 34’), 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA (16. Carlos HERNANDEZ 70’), 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 26. Danny ALLSOPP
Unused subs: 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 17. Matthew FOSCHINI
Yellow card: Angulo (86’)
Red cards: None


Hyundai A-League Finals Week 2

Saturday, February 26 – 7pm

Match A: Brisbane Roar (2) v Central Coast Mariners (0) @ Suncorp Stadium

 

Sunday, February 27 – 5pm

Match B: Adelaide United v Gold Coast United @ Hindmarsh Stadium

 

Hyundai A-League Finals Week 3

Match C: Loser of Match A v Winner of Match B

 

Hyundai A-League Grand Final

Winner of Match A v Winner of Match C