Adelaide United 1-1 Canberra United
by Jonathon Hagger (15/2/25)
Above: Adelaide United’s Emily Condon (red) is challenged by Sofia Christopherson in today’s game at Coopers Stadium. Photo: Adelaide United.
Chelsie Dawber’s equaliser with just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining ensured that Adelaide United extended their unbeaten run to nine matches at Coopers Stadium today.
The South Australian side’s outstanding form had seen them go into the match in third place. Opponents Canberra United have been improving rapidly and are now unbeaten in five themselves and established in the log jam of clubs trying to secure a top-six place. Perhaps then it was fitting that the points were shared.
Repeat attacking corners for Adelaide in the second minute of play provided the opening action for the match. The Reds’ structure in front of goal was excellent however Sally James, in goal for Canberra, was able to effectively close down the attack.
The home side’s opening sets of play demonstrated effective accuracy in passing, a testament to great skills coaching. Putting clean passes into space for attackers to run into proved to be an effective tactic.
Adelaide kept applying pressure on Canberra with repeated opportunities from corners. The most incredible period of play occurred in the 15th minute as James made numerous shot blocks as Canberra worked hard to clear the ball while Adelaide tried to find a gap in the defensive armour to score. Eventually, the ball was cleared up field alleviating the immense pressure.
Adelaide returned to their play strategy – possession, patience, and precision. Employing these strategies allowed them to dictate the pace of the match.
Canberra’s first real foray into the Adelaide area came in the 22nd minute from a corner. The visitors transferred the ball from one wing to the other, then into the centre of the 18 yard area to an attacker, however two Adelaide defenders were able to use their bodies to clear the ball.
The next attacking opportunity for Canberra came about from an expert pick-pocket move by Emma Robers. Her quick thinking and vision saw the ball travel to an unmarked Sofia Christopherson who then passed the ball right into the middle of the goal area but Beth Gordon’s shot resulted in nil.
The next scoring opportunity presented itself to the Reds in the 37th minute as a cross from out wide by Zoe Tolland, looked innocuous to begin with but soon became dangerous as the ball quietly curled its way extremely closely to the goal, requiring the James to make a very acrobatic diving punch to clear.
Totally against the flow of play, Canberra went ahead two minutes before the break. Their corner was not dealt with by Claudia Jenkins, who punched the ball up into the air and landed perfectly for Darcey Malone, positioned at the back post, to easily nod the ball into the goal.
No doubt frustrated by being behind despite dominated the opening half, Adelaide returned to the pitch after the break full of intent.
The match suddenly sprang into life from the 65th minute as both teams went end to end. Adelaide made an initial breakthrough by linking up clever passing across the pitch, coupled with the positive assertion of Lucia Leon.
That was countered off a fast break by Canberra attacker Aideen Keane, who was unable to get the last pass to link up with Michelle Heyman, and the ball was cleared safely.
Finally Adelaide found the net in the 72nd minute. Dawber found herself unmarked standing central at the top of the 18 yard box, off an assist pass from Fiona Worts, with only the goalkeeper to beat. A well-placed shot flew into the top of the net, just passing the outstretched glove of the James.
Just seven minutes later, Canberra had a chance to level when a turnover of possession deep in the Adelaide half gifted Heyman possession. A well-shaped left-footed chip just cleared the top of the bar.
Shortly afterwards, the capital city side had two great opportunities to retake the lead. An attacking throw-in was chipped to the feet of Keane who unleashed a shot that was blocked but not saved, and the resulting loose ball was collected by midfielder Gordon, and her shot hit the leg of a defender standing on the goal line.
The next few minutes of play saw both sides frantically trying to force a winner with both goalkeepers called upon to shut out repeated half-chances. The one golden chance came a minute into stoppage time.
Adelaide sent a corner into the box, Defender Hayley Taylor-Young had positioned herself at the far post and was able to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.
Two very good teams shared a point.
Teams: ADELAIDE UNITED (3-4-2-1): Jenkins, Tolland, McNamara, Tonkin, Leon, Dewey, Morgan, Hodgson, Healy, Condon, Dawber. Substitutes: Grove, Karambasis, Holmes, Worts, Panagaris.
Scorer: Dawber 73′.
CANBERRA UNITED (4-3-3): James, Murray (78’), Ayson, Anton, Taylor-Young, Gordon, Malone (90’), Robers, Heyman, Markovski (58’), Christopherson. Substitutes: Majstorovic, Bertolissio (78’), Keane (58’), Stanic-Floody, Dos Santos (90’).
Scorer: Malone 45′.
Referee: Mikayla Ryan.
Attendance: 2,984.
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