Australian A-League
Feb 21, 2015 8.30am
2
1
HT : 0 1
FT
  • Bruce Djite 51' goal
  • Tarek Elrich 67' yellowcard
  • Isaias 70' yellowcard
  • Sergio Cirio 92' goal
  • goal Labinot Haliti 19'
  • yellowcard Mateo Poljak 45'
  • yellowcard Matthew Spiranovic 54'
  • redcard Matthew Spiranovic 83'
  • yellowcard Tomi Juric 91'

Late Sergio Cirio strike earns Adelaide United win

Late Cirio strike earns Adelaide win

Adelaide United have moved one point off top spot in the A-League table after a 93rd-minute goal from Sergio Cirio earned them a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.

Wanderers had looked on course for just their second away point of the campaign before the Spaniard earned the Reds three deserved points.

It was the home side who created the first chance of note when Isaias fired the ball over the crossbar, but on 19 minutes, Wanderers edged ahead when Labinot Haliti netted from inside the area after Adelaide failed to clear a free kick.

Moments later, Nikita Rukavytsya threatened a second by drilling a strike towards goal only to see Eugene Galekovic claim well, before Adelaide responded through Cirio, who sent the ball off target after neat approach play around the penalty area.

Six minutes after the restart, Adelaide were back on level terms when Bruce Djite slotted home from close range and the equaliser sparked the hosts into life as they strived to move level on points with Melbourne Victory in the standings.

Cirio was involved in much of his team's work in the final third but on three occasions, he couldn't apply a finishing touch as goalkeeper Ante Covic kept his team in the contest.

As the game ticked into the final 15 minutes, Awer Mabil volleyed narrowly wide of the post before Adelaide's cause was helped when Matthew Spiranovic was dismissed for two bookable offences.

After the match entered added-on time it appeared as though the visitors would hold on to a vital point, but with a minute of injury time left, Cirio found the back of the net to close the gap on Perth Glory.

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