Adelaide United have recorded a gritty 2-1 win over Sydney FC with ten men at a rain-soaked Hindmarsh Stadium. Adelaide United: 2 (Cristiano '29, '54) Sydney FC: 1 (John Aloisi '78)
Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium Crowd: 10,291
The contest began poorly for the home side when midfielder Fabian Barbiero lost the ball in the centre of the pitch in the 8th minute to Mark Bridge who found a vacant half of the ground in front of him and took off.
Barbiero gave chase but on the outside of the area pulled Bridge down unnecessarily and was shown a red card for a professional foul, reducing the Reds to ten men.
The rain then began to tumble to dampen the Hindmarsh Stadium atmosphere even further but it was picked up in the 29th minute when Scott Jamieson whipped in a corner that was met powerfully by Brazilian striker Cristiano who sent a bullet of a header straight past Clint Bolton and into the back of the net.
Minutes before half-time, Adelaide defender Mark Rudan made what could become a match-saving tackle when his former Sydney teammate Alex Brosque was through on goal and seemingly only had to tap it past Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic.
The veteran centre-half calmly slid from behind the Sky Blues striker with a perfectly timed challenge that thwarted Brosque's attempt.
Five minutes into the second half, Sydney were almost on level terms when Steve Corica weighted a perfect ball into the area for Karol Kisel who put his header straight into the upright, leaving Galekovic stranded.
Minutes later, the Reds doubled their advantage again through Cristiano who again was on the end of a Jamieson cross from a set-piece.
The Brazilian's glancing header bounced awkwardly towards goal but Sydney keeper Bolton could only knock it in next to the post.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, Sydney finally struck.
Byun's corner was knocked to the top of the area where Terry McFlynn was on hand to drive his shot towards the left post, giving Galekovic the chance to save but his deflection dropped back off the crossbar and into the path of John Aloisi who calmly headed home from close range.
But the Reds managed to hold out the league leaders with just ten men, which is a result that may kick start their season.
