2008–09 Adelaide United FC season

Adelaide United
2008–09 season
Manager Aurelio Vidmar
A-League 2nd
Pre-Season Cup 2nd
AFC Champions League Runners-up
Top goalscorer League: Cristiano (8)
All: Cristiano (10)
Highest home attendance 23,002 (vs Sydney FC, 3 January 2009)
Lowest home attendance 7,832 (vs Wellington Phoenix, 30 August 2008)
Average home league attendance 12,500
Home colours
Away colours

The 2008–09 Adelaide United FC season was the club's fourth A-League season since the inception in the Australian football league since it first started in 2005. The club competed in the 2008–09 A-League, 2008 AFC Champions League and 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.

For the 2008–09 season, Adelaide United made some significant signings to strengthen the squad, most notably striker Cristiano from Willem II for two years on a free transfer. Another key signing to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Richie Alagich was Alemão formerly of CA Juventus. Saša Ognenovski joined the club from Queensland Roar to help shore up the defence, midfielder Paul Reid joined from Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., while promising youngsters Scott Jamieson, Daniel Mullen, Mark Birighitti and Robert Younis also signed. Bobby Petta, Shaun Ontong, Milan Susak, Dez Giraldi and Robert Bajic were all released, Bruce Djite was sold for an A-League record of A$850,000 to Genclerbirligi, whilst Nathan Burns also transferred to pursue his European dreams, joining Greek first division outfit AEK Athens[1] for A$500,000.[2] Kristian Sarkies, Lucas Pantelis and Fabian Barbiero all had their contracts renewed.

This season, Adelaide United passed the one millionth spectator milestone of total crowds since the inception of the A-League. They reached this achievement when their 7,052nd fan passed through the gate, for the Round 3 match against Wellington. Adelaide United are only the third A-League club to do so thus far, the other two being Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.[3]

The round 18 A-League match against Sydney FC at the Adelaide Oval saw $23,002 donated to the Starlight Foundation as $1 from every ticket sold for the match went to the charity.[4]

By the end of round 27, Adelaide had drawn level for first, equalling Melbourne's 38 points on the ladder, having needed to win 2–0 against the Central Coast Mariners away to win the premiership and only securing a 1–0 win. Adelaide was pushed down to second because of goal difference. The Reds, along with Melbourne, the Queensland Roar and Central Coast, proceeded to the finals where they lost 1–0 against Melbourne Victory in the grand final at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne.

An early highlight for the season was Adelaide's run to the final of the AFC Champions League against Gamba Osaka.[5][6] Because of this performance, Adelaide participated in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. They played in the play-off round against Waitakere United on 11 December, defeating them 2-1.[7][8] The Reds' next game was played against AFC Champions League rivals, Gamba Osaka, in the quarterfinal round on 14 December in Toyota, Japan. This match, despite Adelaide's grown skill since their first meeting with ACL champions, was won by Gamba Osaka 0-1.[9][10] Adelaide's last appearance in the Club World Cup was against Al-Ahly, from Egypt, to determine the fifth-placed club. The match was played on 18 December, and Adelaide defeated Al-Ahly 0-1.[11][12]

This season also saw the introduction of the Adelaide United W-League team and the A-League National Youth League team. Former Adelaide player Richie Alagich, along with Michael Barnett and former Socceroos Tony Vidmar and Joe Mullen joined the coaching staff of these teams.

Players

Squad information

First Team roster

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Australia GK Daniel Beltrame
2 Australia DF Robert Cornthwaite
3 Brazil DF Alemão
4 Australia DF Angelo Costanzo
5 Australia DF Michael Valkanis
6 Brazil DF Cássio
7 Australia MF Lucas Pantelis
8 Australia MF Kristian Sarkies
9 Australia FW Paul Agostino
10 Brazil FW Cristiano
13 Australia MF Travis Dodd (captain)
14 Australia DF Scott Jamieson
No. Position Player
15 Ivory Coast MF Jonas Salley
16 Australia DF Daniel Mullen
17 Australia DF Isyan Erdoğan
18 Australia MF Fabian Barbiero
19 Australia DF Saša Ognenovski
20 Australia GK Eugene Galeković
21 Australia MF Jason Spagnuolo
22 Brazil MF Diego
24 Australia MF Paul Reid
25 Australia FW Robert Younis
28 Australia MF Rostyn Griffiths
30 Australia GK Mark Birighitti

Youth Team roster

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
Australia GK Lucas Andreucci
Australia GK Luke Ostybe
Australia DF Michael Doyle
Australia DF Michael Marrone
Australia DF Alex Sunasky
Australia DF Scott Weidnebach
Australia MF Joel Allwright
Australia MF Travis Anderson
Australia MF Andrew Ciarla
No. Position Player
Australia MF Joe Costa
Australia MF Osama Malik
Australia MF Matthew Mullen
Australia MF Ivan Pavlak
Australia FW Angelo Arambatsis
Australia FW Michael De Bono
Australia FW Francesco Monterosso
Australia FW Shane Tobias

Transfers

First Team

In

Name Position Moving from Fee
Australia Mark Birighitti Goalkeeper Australia Australian Institute of Sport Free
Australia Saša Ognenovski Defender Australia Queensland Roar Free
Australia Daniel Mullen Defender Australia Australian Institute of Sport Free
Australia Scott Jamieson Defender England Bolton Wanderers Free
Brazil Alemão Defender Brazil CA Juventus Free
Australia Paul Reid Midfielder England Brighton & Hove Albion Free
Brazil Cristiano Striker Netherlands Willem II Tilburg Free
Australia Robert Younis Striker Australia APIA Leichhardt Free

Out

Name Position Moving to Fee
Australia Robert Bajic Goalkeeper Released -
Australia Milan Susak Defender Released -
Australia Richie Alagich Defender Retired -
Netherlands Bobby Petta Midfielder Australia Para Hills Knights Free
Australia Shaun Ontong Midfielder Australia Newcastle Jets Free
Australia Bruce Djite Striker Turkey Gençlerbirliği €500,000
Australia Dez Giraldi Striker Released -
Australia Nathan Burns Striker Greece AEK Athens €290,000

Youth Team

In

Name Position Moving from Fee
Australia Lucas Andreucci Goalkeeper AustraliaSouth Australian Sports Institute Free
Australia Alex Sunasky Defender AustraliaAustralian Institute of Sport Free
Australia Michael Doyle Defender Australia Adelaide Galaxy Free
Australia Scott Weidnebach Defender Australia Adelaide City Free
Australia Michael Marrone Defender Australia Para Hills Knights Free
Australia Joel Allwright Midfielder Australia Para Hills Knights Free
Australia Andrew Ciarla Midfielder Australia North Eastern MetroStars Free
Australia Matthew Mullen Midfielder AustraliaAustralian Institute of Sport Free
Australia Osama Malik Midfielder Australia Adelaide Raiders Free
Australia Angelo Arambatsis Striker Australia Adelaide Blue Eagles Free
Australia Francesco Monterosso Striker Australia South Australian Sports Institute Free
Australia Shane Tobias Striker Australia Para Hills Knights Free

Out

Technical staff

Position Name
Head CoachAustralia Aurelio Vidmar
Assistant Coach Australia Phil Stubbins
Specialist Coach Australia Carl Veart
Goalkeeping Coach Australia Peter Blazincic
Youth Team Coach Australia Joe Mullen
Youth Team Assistant Coach Australia Tony Vidmar
Women's Team Coach Australia Michael Barnett
Women's Team Assistant Coach Australia Richie Alagich

Statistics

Squad statistics

No. Pos. Name A-League A-League
Finals
Pre-Season Cup ACL CWC Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1GKAustralia Daniel Beltrame 00000000000000
2DFAustralia Robert Cornthwaite 17230301021303541100
3DFBrazil Alemão 1822030002025220
4DFAustralia Angelo Costanzo 12000301001026080
5DFAustralia Michael Valkanis 501020200010020
6DFBrazil Cássio 14420301001029461
7MFAustralia Lucas Pantelis 10240201110026320
8MFAustralia Kristian Sarkies 1011000702020110
9FWAustralia Paul Agostino 703010300013000
10FWBrazil Cristiano 21840326131361240
11MFAustralia Osama Malik** 00000000202000
13MFAustralia Travis Dodd 207403012321401160
14DFAustralia Scott Jamieson 2122030603036070
15MFAustralia Jonas Salley 1702030501027021
16DFAustralia Daniel Mullen 904020303120110
17DFAustralia Isyan Erdogan 00000000000000
18MFAustralia Fabian Barbiero 1514130612029360
19DFAustralia Saša Ognenovski 20340109020353120
20GKAustralia Eugene Galekovic 18040301103038020
21MFAustralia Jason Spagnuolo 1000030901023020
22MFBrazil Diego 8000101142022430
23DFAustralia Michael Marrone 10100000103000
24MFAustralia Paul Reid 1814000503029130
25FWAustralia Robert Younis 1200020003017010
26MFAustralia Matthew Mullen 10000000001000
28MFAustralia Rostyn Griffiths 00200000002010
30GKAustralia Mark Birighitti 30000010004010
——DFAustralia Richie Alagich* 00000061006110
——FWAustralia Bruce Djite* 00000031003100
——DFAustralia Milan Susak* 00000020002000
——FWAustralia Nathan Burns* 00000060006000
——FWAustralia Dez Giraldi* 00000050005000
——MFAustralia Shaun Ontong* 00000020002000

1 – does not include own goal(s)
* – player(s) who competed in the ACL but not in the 2008–09 A-League season or the CWC
** – player(s) who competed in the CWC but not in the 2008–09 A-League season or the ACL

Goal scorers

Total Player Goals per Round
 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
8 Brazil Cristiano 2 2 1 2 1
7 Australia Travis Dodd 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
4 Brazil Cássio 1 2 1
3 Australia Saša Ognenovski 1 1 1
2 Australia Robert Cornthwaite 1 1
2 Brazil Alemão 1 1
2 Australia Lucas Pantelis 1 1
1 Australia Kristian Sarkies 1
1 Australia Fabian Barbiero 1
1 Australia Paul Reid 1
A goal was scored from a penalty kick
Two goals were scored from penalty kicks

Attendance at home games

Round Date Opponent Score
AUFC Away
Attendance Weekday
1 17 August 2008 Perth Glory 1 0 10,510 Sunday
3 30 August 2008 Wellington Phoenix 3 0 7,832 Saturday
6 27 September 2008 Newcastle Jets 2 0 8,111 Saturday
7 3 October 2008 Central Coast Mariners 3 3 9,074 Friday
9 26 October 2008 Perth Glory 2 1 10,126 Sunday
10 31 October 2008 Melbourne Victory 2 3 13,191 Friday
12 22 November 2008 Sydney FC 2 0 9,509 Saturday
14 5 December 2008 Wellington Phoenix 6 1 9,442 Friday
16 14 January 2009 Queensland Roar 0 0 14,450 Wednesday
18 3 January 2009 Sydney FC 2 0 23,002 Saturday
19 9 January 2009 Newcastle Jets 2 0 13,585 Friday
SF1 7 February 2009 Melbourne Victory 0 2 14,119 Saturday
PF 21 February 2009 Queensland Roar 1 0 8,472 Saturday

Competitions

Pre-season

Round Date Home Team Score Away Team Attendance Stadium
1 20 July 2008 Melbourne Victory 1 – 2
Cristiano  33',  90'
Adelaide United 4,720 Aurora Stadium
2 26 July 2008 Newcastle Jets 0 – 0 Adelaide United 2,756 Baddeley Park
3 2 August 2008 Adelaide United 0 – 0 Perth Glory 3,000 Vansittart Park

A-League

League table

Template:2008–09 A-League Position Ladder

Matches

Round Date Home Team Score Away Team Attendance Stadium
1 17 August 2008 Adelaide United 1 – 0
Dodd  41'
Perth Glory 10,510 Hindmarsh Stadium
2 24 August 2008 Queensland Roar 1 – 1
Dodd  8' (pen)
Adelaide United 12,761 Suncorp Stadium
3 30 August 2008 Adelaide United 3 -0
Pantelis  15'
Cristiano  49',  60'
Wellington Phoenix 7,832 Hindmarsh Stadium
4 12 September 2008 Melbourne Victory 1 – 0 Adelaide United 24,812 Telstra Dome
5 20 September 2008 Sydney FC 3 – 0 Adelaide United 12,462 Sydney Football Stadium
6 27 September 2008 Adelaide United 2 – 0
Cristiano  72',  60'
Newcastle Jets 8,111 Hindmarsh Stadium
7 3 October 2008 Adelaide United 3 – 3
Dodd  7' (pen)
Cornthwaite  19'
Cristiano  50'
Central Coast Mariners 9,074 Hindmarsh Stadium
8 17 October 2008 Queensland Roar 0 – 1
Cornthwaite  60'
Adelaide United 11,117 Suncorp Stadium
9 26 October 2008 Adelaide United 2 – 1
Alemão  80'
Dodd  82' (pen)
Perth Glory 10,126 Hindmarsh Stadium
10 31 October 2008 Adelaide United 2 – 3
Dodd  28' (pen)
Cássio  67'
Melbourne Victory 13,191 Hindmarsh Stadium
11 15 November 2008 Central Coast Mariners 3 – 0 Adelaide United 7,865 Bluetongue Stadium
12 22 November 2008 Adelaide United 2 – 0
Ognenovski  45+2'
Dodd  78'
Sydney FC 9,509 Hindmarsh Stadium
13 30 November 2008 Newcastle Jets 1 – 1
Ognenovski  90+4'
Adelaide United 7,136 Energy Australia Stadium
14 5 December 2008 Adelaide United 6 – 1
Ognenovski  21'
Cristiano  43',  74'
Cassio  47',  70'
Dodd  90+1'
Wellington Phoenix 9,442 Hindmarsh Stadium
15 6 January 2009[13] Melbourne Victory 1 – 0 Adelaide United 27,196 Telstra Dome
16 14 January 2009[13] Adelaide United 0 – 0 Queensland Roar 14,450 Hindmarsh Stadium
17 26 December 2008 Perth Glory 0 – 1
Sarkies  40'
Adelaide United 12,581 Members Equity Stadium
18 3 January 2009 Adelaide United 2 – 0
Cassio  45'
Alemão  82'
Sydney FC 23,002 Adelaide Oval
19 9 January 2009 Adelaide United 2 – 0
Barbiero  23'
Pantelis  74'
Newcastle Jets 13,585 Hindmarsh Stadium
20 18 January 2009 Wellington Phoenix 1 – 1
Reid  9'
Adelaide United 8,241 Westpac Stadium
21 25 January 2009 Central Coast Mariners 0 – 1
Cristiano  82'
Adelaide United 12,351 Bluetongue Stadium

Finals series

Final Date Home Team Score Away Team Attendance Stadium
Semi (1) 7 February 2009 Adelaide United 0 – 2 Melbourne Victory 14,119 Hindmarsh Stadium
Semi (2) 14 February 2009 Melbourne Victory 4 – 0 Adelaide United 34,736 Telstra Dome
Preliminary 21 February 2009 Adelaide United 1 – 0 Queensland Roar 8,472 Hindmarsh Stadium
Grand 28 February 2009 Melbourne Victory 1 – 0 Adelaide United 53,273 Telstra Dome

FIFA Club World Cup

Final Date Team 1 Score Team 2 Attendance Stadium
Play-off 11 December 2008 Adelaide United 2 1
Mullen  39'
Dodd  83'
Waitakere United 19,777 National Stadium, Tokyo
Quarter 14 December 2008 Adelaide United 0 1 Gamba Osaka 38,141 Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Fifth Place 18 December 2008 Al-Ahly 0 1
Cristiano  7'
Adelaide United 35,154 International Stadium Yokohama

References

  1. Burns is Athens boundRetrieved on 11 June 2008
  2. "Rivaldo Inspires Burns", Adelaide Advertiser, Friday 13 June 2008, p118
  3. Adelaide United set to reach magic million Archived 28 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. "Adelaide regains top spot with win over Sydney FC". Adelaide United. 3 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  5. "AFC Champions League 2008 Final (First Leg) Summary" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 5 November 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  6. "AFC Champions League 2008 Final (Second Leg) Summary" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  7. "Adelaide United – Waitakere United Match Report". FIFA. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  8. "Travis makes Adelaide sing". FIFA. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  9. "Adelaide United – Gamba Osaka Match Report". FIFA. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  10. "Endo the road for Adelaide". FIFA. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  11. "Al-Ahly – Adelaide United Match Report". FIFA. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  12. "Adelaide's high five". FIFA. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  13. 1 2 Match re-scheduled due to Adelaide's participation in FIFA Club World Cup
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.