In a thrilling encounter at Coopers Stadium, Adrian Segecic scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 3-2 victory for Sydney FC over Adelaide United on April 5, 2025. The win propelled the Sky Blues into the top six of the A-League Men, marking a significant moment in their campaign as they prepare for the Asian Champions League semi-final next week.
The match kicked off with high intensity, and it was Sydney FC who struck first in the 18th minute. A long ball from Joe Lolley caught the Adelaide defense off guard, leading to a mix-up between defender Bart Vriends and debutant goalkeeper Max Vartuli. This confusion allowed Sydney striker Patryk Klimala to capitalize, tapping the ball into an empty net to give his side an early lead.
Despite falling behind, Adelaide United responded well and created several chances. However, they were denied by Sydney's goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares, who made crucial saves to maintain his team's advantage. In the 23rd minute, he thwarted a one-on-one opportunity from Dylan Pierias, and just minutes later, he again showcased his skills by saving a powerful shot from Archie Goodwin in the 30th minute.
Adelaide's persistence paid off less than a minute into the second half. Archie Goodwin, who has been in fine form this season, equalized for the Reds in the 46th minute. He latched onto a well-placed cross from Jonny Yull, smashing the ball past Devenish-Meares to level the score.
However, Sydney FC quickly regained the lead in the 52nd minute. Klimala struck again, scoring his second goal of the match after Vartuli parried a cross from Jordan Courtney-Perkins. The Polish striker was in the right place at the right time, rifling home to make it 2-1 for Sydney FC.
Adelaide United, however, was not done yet. In the 73rd minute, Goodwin scored his second goal of the match, heading in a cross from substitute Yaya Dukuly. This goal not only brought the Reds level again but also marked Goodwin's 12th goal of the season, putting him at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
With the score tied at 2-2, both teams pressed for a late winner. Sydney FC thought they had clinched the match in the 91st minute when Segecic found himself in a prime scoring position but squandered the opportunity by shooting wide from close range.
Yet, the young midfielder was not to be denied. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Segecic made amends for his earlier miss. After receiving a cutback from Anas Ouahim inside the box, his initial shot was saved by Vartuli, but Segecic reacted quickly to slot home the rebound. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the traveling Sydney FC fans and sealed a vital three points for the visitors.
After the match, Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay acknowledged the importance of the victory, stating, “It wasn’t as pretty as we would’ve liked, but the boys worked hard, conceded some soft goals. Harrison had to make some very important saves especially in the first half but overall I’m pleased.” Talay emphasized the need for points at this stage of the season as they push for a playoff spot.
On the other hand, Adelaide United coach Carl Veart expressed frustration over his team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, saying, “I suppose it’s a little bit of the story of the last few months where we just haven’t taken our opportunities when we’ve created some really good ones and then just defensively conceded some soft goals.” His side has now gone seven matches without a win, dropping out of the top six for the first time this season.
The match attracted a packed crowd of 10,239 at Coopers Stadium, who were treated to an entertaining contest filled with end-to-end action. Sydney FC’s win not only boosts their morale but also positions them favorably ahead of their upcoming ACL semi-final in Singapore on April 9, 2025.
As the season progresses, both teams will look to address their respective challenges. Sydney FC will aim to build on this momentum, while Adelaide United will seek to end their winless streak and regain their form as they continue their campaign in the A-League.
