Auckland FC and Adelaide United faced off in one of the most thrilling matches of this A-League season, ending the pulsatile contest at Go Media Stadium with both teams sharing the points following a stunning 4-4 draw. The dramatic contest highlighted not only the competitive nature of both teams but also set the stage for potential future clashes as they vie for playoff positions.
From the outset, Auckland’s left-footed Uruguayan striker Guillermo May wreaked havoc on the Adelaide defense. Just ten minutes after kickoff, he struck the opener with his right foot, unleashing a howler from 25 meters out, leaving Adelaide keeper Ethan Cox with no chance. May’s performance has been noteworthy this season, and his magic on the field continued as he added to his tally later on, but the match quickly turned chaotic.
Just four minutes later, on the back of some disorganization within the Adelaide defense during a long throw-in, May struck again. Francis De Vries’ throw seemed to catch the visitors off guard, allowing May to toe-poke the ball home for his team’s second goal, taking him to seven for the season.
Adelaide, eager to respond, saw Jordan Elsey reduce the deficit to 2-1 at the 30-minute mark. Following a corner from Zach Clough, Elsey capitalized on the chaos after Clough’s header hit the post, tapping the ball home as Auckland slipped defensively away from the action. The visitors’ resilience was evident, and as they continued to press, they finally managed to equal the score through Zach Clough, who converted not one, but two penalties awarded via VAR decisions.
The first penalty awarded to Adelaide sparked confusion for Auckland coach Steve Corica, as it appeared the foul was not clear-cut. “There were a few controversial decisions,” Corica remarked during post-match interviews. “I’m sure tomorrow we’ll get an apology, but that's not good enough.” Nevertheless, Clough calmly converted both chances, pulling Adelaide back to 3-3 and showcasing his skills from the spot.
Auckland again surged forward, putting themselves back on top when Logan Rogerson scored the third, nodding home from close range off another well-placed De Vries corner.
What unfolded was something of a football classic — both teams refusing to go quietly. With Auckland leading again, the stage was set for what appeared to be the decisive moment with a late goal from Hiroki Sakai. Just after the 90-minute mark, he tapped the ball home after Cox spilled the cross, pushing Auckland to what seemed like the brink of victory.
But the drama did not stop there. Bart Vriends, Adelaide’s Dutch defender, had other plans. Just minutes later, he leveled the score with a tap-in during the 98th minute, controversially bringing the score to 4-4. “We’re disappointed to give away the lead as many times as we did – that's not us,” remarked veteran defender Tommy Smith post-match, clearly frustrated by the team’s inability to solidify their defense when it mattered most.
This exhilarating match, marred with contentious calls, kept Auckland on top of the league table, holding onto their eight-point advantage over third-placed Adelaide. “It was another game unbeaten to keep a decent run going,” Smith continued, acknowledging the importance of the outcome for his team as they approach the end of the regular season.
Adelaide’s resurgence is noteworthy, showing strong improvement after struggling earlier this season. Their attack demonstrated potency, particularly with Clough finding the scoresheet twice from the penalty spot, reflecting their determination to push for playoff contention. After this draw, Adelaide only sits behind Auckland on goal difference, both eager to secure advantageous positions for the finals.
The fans were treated to the captivating spectacle of Australian football at its finest, and as the teams concluded the match, both sets of supporters recognized the potential of seeing these two formidable opponents clash again, possibly when the stakes are even higher.
“What happens next will be anyone’s guess,” one enthusiastic fan expressed, encapsulating the uncertainty and excitement surrounding the remaining matches of the season. With eight games remaining, both teams look set to make deep playoff runs, and their epic showdown has only heightened anticipation for what’s to come.