A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm)

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Sydney FC v Adelaide United Saturday, 1 September 2007 Kick-Off 5:00pm AEST (7:00pm NZST, 4:30pm ACST, 3:00pm AWST) Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Radio: Fresh FM (Adelaide) 92.7FM www.freshfm.com.au Sydney FC squad: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk) 2. Iain FYFE 3. Nikolas TSATTALIOS 4. Mark RUDAN 6. Tony POPOVIC (captain) 7. Robbie MIDDLEBY 8. Ruben ZADKOVICH 9. David ZDRILIC 10. Steve CORICA 11. Brendon SANTALAB 12. PATRICK 14. Alex BROSQUE 15. Terry McFLYNN 19. Michael ENFIELD 21. Adam BIDDLE 22. JUNINHO 23. Ufuk TALAY 30. Matthew NASH (gk) * three to be omitted In: Nick Tsattalios (promoted), Mike Enfield (promoted), Brendon Santalab (return from illness), Patrick (new signing) Out: Mark Milligan (illness - one week) Others Unavailable: Ben Vidaic (thigh - two weeks), Jacob Timpano (thigh - five weeks), Adam Casey (hamstring - two weeks), Ivan Necevski (ankle - five weeks) Adelaide United Squad: 20.Robert BAJIC (gk) 2.Richie ALAGICH 4.Angelo COSTANZO 5.Michael VALKANIS (Captain.) 6.CASSIO 7.Lucas PANTELIS 9.Paul AGOSTINO 10.Nathan BURNS 11.Bruce DJITE 13.Travis DODD 15.Jonas SALLEY 16.Bobby PETTA 17.Isyan ERDOGAN 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE 40.Scott HIGGINS (gk) In: Nil Out: Nil Others Unavailable: Dez Giraldi (quad – 2 weeks), Milan Susak (hamstring – 3 weeks) Impending stats, facts and trivia: Despite being the only team to record a loss in the opening round of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season, previous home & away form indicates that Sydney FC will take the honours against Adelaide United. Sydney FC have won all four previous Sydney-Adelaide Hyundai A-League encounters in Sydney, which is all the more remarkable given Adelaide's overall positive away record in the Hyundai A-League (W11-D4-L10).

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) Head-to-head Eight league meetings: Sydney - 5 wins, Adelaide - 2 wins, 1 draw Previous meeting Adelaide 1 Sydney 0 (Hindmarsh Stadium, Hyundai A-League 2006/07 round 20, January 2007) Past five results Sydney: Loss - Loss - Loss - Win - Loss Adelaide: Draw - Win - Win - Win - Draw Sydney FC coach Branko Culina will take heart from the club's 100 per cent record against Adelaide United at Sydney Football Stadium, but knows he must avoid a second successive home defeat on Saturday after opening the new season with slim loss to the Mariners. The inaugural champion has a superb record in Hyundai A-League home matches against Adelaide, winning all four games between the sides in the harbour city and losing just two in eight meetings overall. But Culina will be demanding his players eliminate the individual errors which littered the first-half in last weekend's 1-0 loss to the Central Coast when a defensive mix-up allowed former striker Sasho Petrovski to pounce. Sydney's improved second-half showing came on the back of Culina's tactical switch to a back three and with both Robbie Middleby and Ruben Zadkovich pressing claims for a first-team recall, he may decide to stick with that formation. Middleby is available after making a quicker than expected recovery from an ankle knock while Zadkovich has enjoyed a full week's training in Sydney after his exploits with the Qantas Olyroos. However, makeshift right-back Terry McFlynn will answer a charge of violent conduct on Thursday afternoon after allegedly stomping on Central Coast striker Nik Mrdja in the second-half last week while Mark Milligan is ill. Brazilian striker Patrick is expected to make his debut after receiving clearance while Brendon Santalab returns from a virus and forward Michael Enfield is promoted but Adam Casey (hamstring) and Ben Vidaic (thigh) remain on the casualty list. Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar has resisted the temptation to rest Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite after the pair's opening round goals in Brisbane handed the visitors a worthy point. Djite's goal against the Roar was his fourth in four competitive outings but ex-Socceroo Paul Agostino will still be breathing down his neck for his first Hyundai A-League start after a much-needed half-hour run on his comeback from a broken foot. In fact Vidmar names an unchanged squad for Adelaide's second successive away fixture meaning no places in the travelling party for goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Spagnuolo or Diego.

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) CURRENT ODDS Centrebet Sydney $2-55 The Draw $3-20 Adelaide $2-65 Sportingbet Sydney $2-40 The Draw $3-25 Adelaide $2-75 Sydney have the wood on Adelaide in recent times and this is going to be a good match. Adelaide great odds on their recent form, but the home team with Juninho having a game under the belt will be hard to beat.

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) McFlynn free to face Adelaide United Terry McFlynn is free to face Adelaide United after Football Federation Australia handed a two-match suspended sentence to the Sydney FC star. A Football Federation Australia disciplinary hearing found McFlynn guilty of violent conduct relating to an incident in the 71st minute of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season opener between Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners at Sydney Football Stadium. But the sanction will only be activated if McFlynn receives a yellow or red card in either of his next two Hyundai A-League appearances for Sydney FC.

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) Sydney vs Adelaide

This should be a quality clash this afternoon between two of the A League's top teams.

Previous Meetings Sydney W5-D1-L2 (Home: W4-D0-L0)

Date	Home		Away
1/14/2007	Adelaide	1-0	Sydney
11/19/2006	Sydney	2-1	Adelaide
10/2/2006	Adelaide	1-4	Sydney
2/19/2006	Sydney	2-1	Adelaide
2/12/2006	Adelaide	2-2	Sydney
2/3/2006	Sydney	2-1	Adelaide
11/27/2005	Adelaide	3-2	Sydney
10/9/2005	Sydney	2-1	Adelaide

Sydney have won 5 of 8 meetings against Adelaide and they heave never lost to them at this venue. Oddly enough, Adelaide have scored a goal each time they come to this ground and the four games have ended up being 2-1 wins to Sydney. So if you like correct score bets then a bet on a 2-1 result to Sydney would probably be worth a crack.

	Shots	On Target	Goals	Shots per Goal	0-45	45-90	Per Match	Avg Min.	GF every
Sydney	14	8	2	7
Adelaide	10	7	2	5	50%	50%	2	27	45 min.

Last week Sydney had a number of shots, thanx mainly to Juninho, and they managed to get 8 on target but were unable to find the net. In 2006 Sydney scored a goal every 6 or 7 shots and they were fairly clinical at times. Adelaide had 10 shots with 7 on target, but they never really looked that threatening apart from the Nathan Burns cracking goal and the Djite top class header where they scored the 2 goals. Adelaide were another team who had a goal every 7 shots or so. Both of these teams have the capability to score multiple goals at any time.

In the first round Sydney lost to the Mariners by the solitary goal and it was plain to see the quality of Juninho and how he is going to really benefit the home side the longer the season progresses. Ins include Nick Tsattalios, Mike Enfield, Brendon Santalab, and the new Brazilian signing Patrick. With Rudan and popovic down back and Patrick and Juninho pushing forward then Sydney will need to be respected.

Adelaide name an unchanged side from the one that went to Queensland last week for a 2all draw. This is Adelaide’s second trip on the road this season and this worries me a little as last season they were sensational at home but not so effective away. They have started the season off very well by winning the pre season cup and going up north to snatch a draw with the Roar. To be honest, the Roar should have won by 2 or 3 goals last week and it was only poor finishing that they didn’t. Burns and Djite will be better for the weeks rest and up forward they are a potent duo. Adelaide’s defence led by Costanzo is a polished one and they can be hard to get past at times.

	1	X	2
Sydney	2-55	3-20	2-65	Adelaide

Conclusion

My gut is telling me that Sydney will win this game and at $2-55 they are good odds to do so, and when you facter into the equation that the away team have never won a game at this venue then Adelaide will have to create history to win this game, although they are quite capable of doing it. I feel Juninho is the key to this game, as his class was evident last week and with a better understanding of his team mates I think Sydney may be too strong here tonight. For mine Adelaide were lucky to escape with a draw last week and really should not have got a point, but they did, and they are capable of taking chances when they arise. I am not too sure how many chances they are going to get against the Sydney defence, so it is a home win for me. This game also has every chance of being a goal fest so the Over 2.5 is on the cards for me.

Sydney to WIN @ $2-55

Over 2.5 Goals @ $1-95

Correct Score Sydney Win 2-1 @ $9-00

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) LIVE WEB BROADCAST OF SYDNEY/ADELAIDE GAME Fresh FM (Adelaide) 92.7FM www.freshfm.com.au Game starts in just under 45 minutes

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) 8m Sydney 0 - 1 Adelaide Cracking strike by Richie Alegich and Adelaide lead by one goal

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) 12m Sydney 1 - 1 Adelaide Alegich goes from hero to villain as he gives away a pentaly down the other end. Talay takes the penalty and kicks it straight to the keeper and deflects back to Talay who calmly slots it into the goal. Over 2.5 goals looking good, and if Sydney get the next goal then the 2-1 correct score a chance too :dude

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) Sydney 1 - 1 Adelaide 8m Alagich (AU) 12m Talay (SC) 1st Half 45:01 - Referee Mark Shields calls half-time and the scores in an action packed first half are 1-1 1st Half 45:00 - Alagich crosses to Djite who chests it, but the Sydney defence clear 1st Half 44:00 - Bobby Petta is booked by Mark Shields, who may have been a little harsh in pulling the card out 1st Half 43:00 - Brosque tries one from outside the box but it fades wide 1st Half 42:00 - Juninho runs into space but Travis Dodd closes in and clears the ball 1st Half 37:00 - Djite goes around the keeper but his shot is cleared off the line by Corica!! 1st Half 34:00 - The corner is saved by Bolton, to stop Adelaides attacking foray 1st Half 33:00 - Djite with the run, has a shot and just off the keeper for a corner 1st Half 28:00 - Sydney doing all the attacking in the last 5 mins, with no reward as yet 1st Half 24:00 - Brosque has a wild shot on goal, but goes across the face 1st Half 20:15 - Petta goes with the cross, to set up a goal attempt, but puts too much on it, and goes past the line 1st Half 19:30 - Dodd with the shot, but just to the left 1st Half 17:00 - Talay late with the tackle on Burns and the ref awards the free kick 1st Half 16:00 - The game has slowed down a touch since the equaliser was scored 1st Half 12:00 - Talay lines up to take the penalty, Bajic saves it but the rebound comes back and he scores. Sydney GOAL!!! 1st Half 11:00 - Richie Alagich turns from hero to villain as he tugs the shirt of Middleby & gives away the penalty! 1st Half 08:00 - Burns cuts it across to Alagich who smashes it into the back of the net!! Adelaide GOAL!!! 1st Half 02:00 - Sydney have started attacking early 1st Half 01:00 - We are under way here with Sydney hosting Adelaide

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) 73m Sydney 2 - 1 Adelaide Jininhon puts Alex Brosque through and he does the right thing and slots the goal home to give Sydney a 2-1 lead.

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) 76m Sydney 2 - 2 Adelaide Mistake at the back by Zadkovich when he fluffs the clearance and allows Djite an easy cross to give Burns an easy header to equalise :sad One minute you are on cloud nine and the next you are off it. That goal should never have happened :dude

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) 2nd Half 93:00 - In what has been a truly memorable game, the full time whistle is blown and the scores finish at 2-2 2nd Half 92:00 - No they cannot as a short corner is taken and it is cleared 2nd Half 91:30 - Adelaide have a late corner - can they score? 2nd Half 90:00 - Adelaide have had a couple of late shots at goal but is not looking like scoring 2nd Half 85:00 - Sydney make the change and Santalab comes on to replace the Brazilian maestro 2nd Half 83:30 - Juninho has injured his shoulder and has signalled to the bench to substitute him 2nd Half 81:45 - Paul Agostino makes his return to Australian football as he comes on for Djite 2nd Half 81:30 - Salley is back on his feet and back on the field 2nd Half 81:00 - Jonah Salley goes down in the challenge and he stays down 2nd Half 79:00 - Adelaide make a change as Burns makes way for Pantelis 2nd Half 77:00 - Alagich tries a long range shot but Bajic stops it 2nd Half 76:00 - Zadkovich fluffs the clearance, Djite squares it and Burns equalises with the header! Adelaide GOAL!!! 2nd Half 74:01 - This has been Juninho at his best! Brilliant pass that split the defence!! 2nd Half 74:00 - Juninho reverse passes to Brosque and he slides it past Bajic and into the back of the net! Sydney GOAL!!! 2nd Half 72:00 - Djite crosses into the box but Bolton reads it well and grabs the ball 2nd Half 71:00 - Juninho has been brilliant today - well worth the admission price 2nd Half 66:00 - Juninho lines up to take the free kick, he curls it and but it hits the cross bar! 2nd Half 64:40 - Costanzo brings down Juninho on the edge of the box and concedes the foul 2nd Half 63:45 - Talay crosses to Patrick but his header is high and well over 2nd Half 62:15 - Talay is late in his tackle on Petta and Mark Shield issues him with a yellow card 2nd Half 62:00 - Corica passes to Brosque in the box but he loses the ball 2nd Half 61:00 - Brosque passes to Patrick right under the cross bar and he misses!! 2nd Half 60:00 - Both teams seem to be employing all out attacking tactics 2nd Half 57:00 - Djite goes around Bolton but his shot is once again blocked off the line 2nd Half 56:00 - Bobby Petta runs, uses Burns as a decoy and shoots but Bolton is equal to the task 2nd Half 53:00 - From the free, Juninho receives the pass and his shot blasts the cross bar and cleared 2nd Half 52:00 - Salley pushes Juninho and concedes the free kick 2nd Half 51:00 - Cassio tries one from long range but it bounces safely into the lap of Bolton 2nd Half 49:00 - Bobby Petta chips the ball but it is goes straight to Bolton 2nd Half 48:00 - Sydney have started the second half full of run 2nd Half 45:02 - A substitution for Sydney with Patrick coming on for Popovic

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Re: A League Round 2 - Sydney v Adelaide (Sat 1st Sep - 5pm) FT: Sydney 2 - 2 Adelaide 8m Alagich (AU) 12 Talay (SC) 74m Brosque (AU) 76 Burns (SC) Exceptional game full of quality and feel a bit robbed by the Burns goal for Adelaide on 76 minutes after the Sydney defensive error, after having Sydney leading 2-1 with 15 minutes to go, would have been a great result, especially the scoreline bet. But it wasn't to be and it ended up a 2-2 draw and at least the over 2.5 goals got up. Adelaide were the better side in the first half and could have had another goal when Djite was one on one with the keeper but didn't capitalise. Sydney got a bit better late in the first half and they came out after halftime a different side. The home side dominated the second half and had two Juninho shots hit the crossbar underneath, and the side post, while new recruit Patrick missed a sitter from 2 metres out. Djite from Adelaide also had another one on one with the keeper and did the same thing and never got to score. Patrick looked very good for Sydney up front, and with Juninho feeding him in future games I fancy Sydney could be quite a prospect in a few weeks, especially considering they play 7 of their first ten games at home.