Adelaide United 0-5 Melbourne City
By Callum Logie (06/01/24).
Above: Melbourne City’s Daniela Galic celebrates a goal against Adelaide United. Photo: Melbourne City
The league leaders Melbourne City visited the 11th place Adelaide United in a fixture that pitted two teams on different sides of the table against each other at Marden Sports Complex in South Australia. Melbourne City registered their largest win of the season in a complete performance.
Melbourne City came into the game off an impressive 5-3 win over an improving Brisbane Roar side. Adelaide United on the other hand fell short in a 2-0 defeat to the Melbourne Victory.
Adelaide brought in 5 different players to try and change their fortunes. Ella Tonkin came into a central defence spot with Sarah Morgan and Jenna Holtz joining the midfield. On the wing and up front, Katie Bowler and Emily Condon got the start. City started their hat trick hero Emina Ekic on the bench due to fitness concerns which brought Leticia McKenna into the midfield as the lone change for the team.
Unsurprisingly, the game started with City controlling the possession, playing between the backs while looking for Kaitlyn Torpey and Julia Grosso overlaps to create a chance to break forward. The United midfield of Nanato Sasaki, Morgan and Holtz did well to hold off any play developing from the City midfield in the first 10 minutes of the match.
City did get the first chance after a very well placed chip from Naomi Thomas-Chinnama released Daniela Galic on goal. Annalee Grove however won the one-on-one and was able to turn a low driven effort around the post for a corner. Hannah Wilkinson’s subsequent header from the corner was a tame effort that Grove was able to collect.
The scoring opened after a well worked move on 15 minutes from City, as Grosso wandered forward and played in Daniela Galic who turned and finished across goal with composure far beyond her years. The 17 year-old continues her rise in the Liberty A-Leagues. Wilkinson sent an effort over a few minutes later as she tried to volley home a Rhianna Pollicina cross.
Adelaide’s first chance came with a beautiful passing play between Sasaki and Morgan which led to a half volley that was directed wide by Morgan. Sasaki very quickly showed why she’s the creator of the United midfield.
At 25 minutes, Pollicina again played Wilkinson in. Grove charged off her line which ultimately put off Wilkinson’s effort which went well wide of the goal. A moment later, a long ball forward to Kaitlyn Torpey released her in on goal. The wingback unselfishly squared the ball across to Galic who slotted home into an empty net.
Galic could not avoid the action for even a moment as Grosso played the ball across to Galic in a wide position. Galic then delivered an exquisite ball to the far post allowing for Torpey to tap home and extend the lead to 3-0. Galic sealed her hat trick with a beautiful Pollicina delivery bringing the teenager in on goal once again. 3 goals in 19 minutes for Galic meant that City were comfortably ahead 4-0 at halftime with Pollicina sending a half-volley over the bar before the halftime whistle.
The second half saw Adelaide employ a tighter press on the City midfielders and defenders. This led to a few fouls from United as they looked to unsettle the City players with a more physical style. New Zealand international Hannah Blake almost broke through on goal via the press but cover provided by the athletic Taylor Otto meant that the substitute could not get a shot away.
The pacey American Mariah Lee came on at halftime as well and used her pace to win a corner at the 52 minute mark. The corner found its way to Lee who directed a header toward the 6 yard box which was awkwardly but competently dealt with by Lysianne Proulx. Mariah Lee’s speed and persistent crossing helped Adelaide maintain good territory in the early portion of the second half.
It took 17 minutes for City to get their first chance of the second half. Bryleeh Henry found herself at the end of a long ball and broke through on goal. Grove was once again quick off her line and was able to make the save and deny the City substitute a goal to extend the impressive lead.
The second half was much better for Adelaide as they managed a few shots on goal and much more possession. The pressing and counterpressing measures proved effective in creating some more in attack but City’s defence was able to prevent any major chances from being created.
At 72 minutes, Blake took a low driven shot from outside the box via a pressing effort by Sasaki. However, Proulx proved to be equal to the effort, able to collect it low to her left. Sasaki took a free kick from comfortably outside the box which was directed on target but too tamely struck to test Proulx.
At the 80 minute mark, Galic tried to chip the ball over Grove for a fourth goal but was unable to lob the ball over the keeper who collected confidently in what was a much better half of football from United. Hannah Wilkinson then struck an impressive solo goal in the 83rd minute. Receiving the ball from Laura Hughes outside the box, Wilkinson dribbled into the box before taking a touch onto her right foot and slotting the ball past Grove to make it 5-0.
Substitute Chrissy Panagaris had a chance at the edge of the 18 yard box late in the second half but the 24 year-old’s effort was deflected out for a corner after an extensive passing play between fellow substitutes Blake and Lee. Blake hit a half-volley from outside the box over the bar in injury time to round out the match.
Adelaide were ultimately outmatched by the pace and passing of the City side. Adelaide were both figuratively and literally chasing the game as City never looked to lose control in a comprehensive performance. Adelaide’s press in the second half did prove to be a prudent change which may be a tactic they look to implement if they want to turn their season around.
Blake and Lee were a boost, coming on in the second half and energetically allowing United to be much more competitive. It does beg the question as to why neither of the international players got the start to begin with but will further endear the players to the Adelaide fans.
On the other side of the field, Melbourne City’s emphatic performance was buoyed by a spectacular first half display. The way City are able to move the ball from side to side with so much control and composure allows them to create a huge amount of chances. This marks the second fixture in a row where City were able to put five past their opponents, and the league leaders look absolutely unstoppable as the season continues.
Without a doubt, this was the Daniela Galic show that we were blessed to witness. Three goals and one assist for the 17 year-old marked what was a dominant performance from the midfield starlet. Melbourne dominated possession and everytime Galic even came near the ball, it felt as if there would be yet another goal put past United.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (4-3-3): Grove, I. Hodgson, Waldus, Tonkin, E. Hodgson, Sasaki, Morgan, Holtz, Jancevski, Condon, Bowler. Substitutes: Jenkins, Blake, Tolland, Lee, Panageris
MELBOURNE CITY (5-3-2): Proulx, Torpey, Stott, Otto, Chinnama, Grosso, Hughes, L. McKenna, Galic, Pollicina, Wilkinson. Substitutes: Barbieri, Roestbakken, T. McKenna, Henry, Ekic
Scorers: Galic 25′, 27′, 34′, Torpey 30′, Wilkinson 83′.
Referee: Isabella Libri
Attendance: TBC
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