Semi-Finals Poised on a Knife’s Edge After Tense First Legs

James Bebendorf

The opening legs of the UTE A-League semi-finals produced two tightly contested battles, with neither tie separated heading into next weekend’s decisive return fixtures. Auckland FC and Adelaide United fought through difficult conditions in New Zealand, while Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets traded blows in an entertaining clash at Allianz Stadium.

Auckland and Adelaide Locked Level

Auckland FC and Adelaide United will head to Coopers Stadium next week level at 1-1 after a hard-fought first leg at a rain-soaked Go Media Stadium.

The slippery conditions made clean football difficult, but both sides still created chances in a tense and physical contest. Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud continued the strong form he showed in the Elimination Final, producing three difficult saves inside the opening eight minutes to keep Adelaide at bay.

At the other end, Josh Smits responded with an excellent diving save to deny Jesse Randall as both teams threatened early.

After a sustained spell of Auckland pressure, Lachlan Brook broke the deadlock when Cam Howieson’s mishit strike fell kindly into his path, allowing the winger to fire home from close range. Auckland thought they had doubled their lead later in the half through Guillermo May, but the Uruguayan’s finish was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

May’s evening ended prematurely early in the second half after landing awkwardly on his ankle, while Auckland were later forced into another change when Howieson suffered an eye injury following contact from Ryan White.

Adelaide found their equaliser on the hour mark through Harry Crawford, who arrived at the back post to convert a superb low cross from Yaya Dukuly. The goal, Crawford’s first of the season, shifts momentum heading into the return leg in Adelaide.

Tempers flared after the restart, with both coaches furious on the sidelines and Auckland boss Steve Corica booked for dissent. Adelaide nearly stole a late winner in stoppage time when substitute Juan Muñiz rattled the crossbar with a powerful long-range strike.

Sydney and Jets Still Deadlocked

Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets are also level after a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their semi-final at Allianz Stadium.

The match had an open feel throughout, with both sides creating chances in a fast-paced first half that threatened to explode into a shootout at any moment.

Sydney eventually broke through five minutes into the second half when Apostolos Stamatelopoulos reacted quickest to a loose ball following a blocked Tiago Quintal effort. The striker’s looping header beat Jets goalkeeper James Delianov after the bounce caught the Newcastle defence flat-footed.

The Premiers responded swiftly and in spectacular fashion. Clayton Taylor sparked a sweeping counter-attack from deep inside his own half, surging downfield before slipping a perfectly timed pass to Eli Adams, who finished calmly past Harrison Devenish-Meares.

Stamatelopoulos nearly restored Sydney’s lead midway through the half, firing narrowly across the face of goal in what proved the hosts’ best chance to take an advantage north.

There was late controversy when Sydney appealed strongly for a penalty after Ahmet Arslan collided with Daniel Wilmering inside the area, but referee Daniel Elder waved away the claims and VAR declined to intervene.