Sport

Reds Suffer Setback

Adelaide UnitedAdelaide United FC is still not assured of a place in the Round of 16 after falling to Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 at the Hiroshima Big Arch in Match Day 4 of the AFC Champions League 2010 on Tuesday night.

A goal on the stroke of half time from Sanfrecce captain and Japanese international Hisato Sato, was enough to condemn the Reds to their first defeat in this year’s competition, the loss is United’s first since January.

In an uninspiring first half from the visiting Reds, goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic kept United in the game until Sato struck.

But despite Galekovic’s early heroics and a much improved second half display from the Reds right across the park, they could not penetrate the Sanfrecce goal or put enough pressure on Hiroshima keeper Shusaku Nishikawa.

Other than a self created half chance from van Dijk in the 9th minute, most of the early possession came from the home side.

Key defender Iain Fyfe found himself victim of the increasing Sanfrecce pressure as he went into the referee’s book in the 34th minute, meaning the defender will miss United’s next match against the Pohang Steelers in a fortnight.

As the half drew to a close, Galekovic thought he had ensured the Reds went into the break level when he produced a brilliant reflex save to keep out a stinging shot from Satoru Yamagashi.

But from the ensuing corner, the first of the match, Galekovic could do little as an unmarked Sato at the far post capitalised on a rare defensive lapse from the Reds, as he headed home from point blank range after the ball was flicked on from the near post.

Led by Flores, United came out a different side after the break, pressing higher up the field and playing with more intent as they chased an equaliser.

But despite a better display in the second 45 minutes, the all important goal was not forthcoming. Dodd came close in the 85th minute when he nodded his header just over the bar from a Cassio cross.

Sanfrecce’s win keeps

Adelaide United FC is still not assured of a place in the Round of 16 after falling to Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 at the Hiroshima Big Arch in Match Day 4 of the AFC Champions League 2010 on Tuesday night.

A goal on the stroke of half time from Sanfrecce captain and Japanese international Hisato Sato, was enough to condemn the Reds to their first defeat in this year’s competition, the loss is United’s first since January.

In an uninspiring first half from the visiting Reds, goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic kept United in the game until Sato struck.

But despite Galekovic’s early heroics and a much improved second half display from the Reds right across the park, they could not penetrate the Sanfrecce goal or put enough pressure on Hiroshima keeper Shusaku Nishikawa.

Other than a self created half chance from van Dijk in the 9th minute, most of the early possession came from the home side.

Key defender Iain Fyfe found himself victim of the increasing Sanfrecce pressure as he went into the referee’s book in the 34th minute, meaning the defender will miss United’s next match against the Pohang Steelers in a fortnight.

As the half drew to a close, Galekovic thought he had ensured the Reds went into the break level when he produced a brilliant reflex save to keep out a stinging shot from Satoru Yamagashi.

But from the ensuing corner, the first of the match, Galekovic could do little as an unmarked Sato at the far post capitalised on a rare defensive lapse from the Reds, as he headed home from point blank range after the ball was flicked on from the near post.

Led by Flores, United came out a different side after the break, pressing higher up the field and playing with more intent as they chased an equaliser.

But despite a better display in the second 45 minutes, the all important goal was not forthcoming. Dodd came close in the 85th minute when he nodded his header just over the bar from a Cassio cross.

Sanfrecce’s win keeps Group H very much alive with two match days remaining in the Group Stage and the Reds still have the job of securing a top two spot in front of them as they next head to face the reigning ACL champions, the Pohang Steelers, in South Korea in a fortnight.

Check the website for all the details for the next match.

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