Gold Coast United
Skilled Park
Sunday, 12 Feb 2012
6:30AM AEDT
Adelaide United
D Bowles
28
C O'Connor
40
M Thwaite
3
Z Anderson
4
K Rees
5
A Traore
15
B Halloran
14
G Salley
29
G Mebrahtu
7
M Rigters
16
B White
30
J Brillante
0
D Severino
21
C Harold
17
D Bragg
31
M Thwaite
0
Preview: Gold Coast United v Adelaide United
Date: Sunday 12 February 2012
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT, 4.30pm local
Venue: Skilled Park
Head-to-head
Played: 9 Wins: Gold Coast 3, Adelaide 2, Draws: 4
Previous encounter
Gold Coast 3, Adelaide 0, 16 December 2011
History:
There hasn't been much between the two Uniteds in the past, but their last match put Gold Coast in front by a nose in the head-to-head stakes. Goals to Ben Halloran, Maceo Rigters and Dylan Macallister gave the Queensland side a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium. It was the final straw for the Adelaide board, who brought in John Kosmina as coach and turned Rini Coolen into the most expensive youth coach in Australian football history. Just a few days into his demotion, Coolen understandably quit. Looking ahead, Sunday's match will be the first time Gold Coast will play Adelaide at Skilled Park this season. All three past fixtures between them at the Robina stadium have been draws, but with both sides desperate to dodge the wooden spoon that may change this weekend.
Form:
Past five matches:
Gold Coast: DLLDL
Adelaide: DLDLL
Summary of form:
Life over the past month would have been tough if you're a fan of Gold Coast or Adelaide. They occupy the last two spots on the A-League ladder and, based on their more recent results, there's no indication that is going to change anytime soon. The Coast have had a dreadful campaign, and the worst result yet came on Monday night. A tired, depleted and distracted United side took on Perth and came away on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline. With just three wins in total - and none since Boxing Day - they sit in tenth spot, five points behind the Reds but with a game in hand.
Adelaide aren't doing a great deal better. Their winless streak at the moment is six games, but their maddening inconsistency stretches back a great deal further. The return of Kossie brought with it a minor upturn in results but the Reds have since come crashing back down to earth. Having conceded a total of 11 goals in their last six outings, the South Australians haven't kept a clean sheet since the visit of Wellington just before the New Year. All this means they have no real reasons to be confident of victory against the other United.
Match Committee:
The problems keep piling up at Gold Coast United. Maceo Rigters (foot) is the latest addition to the club's bulging injury list, which already includes Dylan Macallister (hamstring), Joel Porter (calf), Chris Broadfoot (foot), Tahj Minniecon (heel), Glen Moss (adductor) and Paul Beekmans (released - compassionate grounds). Fortunately, custodian Jerrad Tyson should be right to resume his spot in goal after overcoming a wrist problem. He played 90 minutes in the NYL on the weekend and recovered well.
For Adelaide, they'll again be without Olyroos trio Antony Golec, Mark Birighitti and Daniel Mullen, while Milan Susak (hamstring), Spase Dilevski (groin) and Jon McKain (knee) will also miss out on the trip to the Glitter Strip.
Danger men:
Kristian Rees - The former Adelaide centre-half has enjoyed something of a career renaissance this term. Rees has started almost every single match for Gold Coast this season, and has been a model of professionalism for the younger players at the club. Rees is a tough customer, but can also play the ball as well as any defender and doesn't mind scoring the odd goal or two either, as he's shown this season. The veteran always enjoys playing against his hometown club, but he won't show them any mercy.
Eugene Galekovic - Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg likes to joke that every visiting goalkeeper to Skilled Park ends up being named man of the match, such is their bad luck in terms of scoring. Don't be surprised if Adelaide skipper Galekovic turns Sunday's match into another nightmare for Miron. The experienced shotstopper has had a reasonable season thus far in the goalmouth, and given the Coast's near-inability to hit the back of the net at any consistency he will most likely play a key role in this weekend's match.
At the end of the day…
Gold Coast United have spent most of the season with their hands glued to the wooden spoon. This is their final opportunity to free themselves of it. According to the ladder, Adelaide are just about level with the Coast on performance this year and with the match at Skilled Park - their home turf - this looms as a six-point game for Miron Bleiberg's men. Win and anything can happen - as the A-League has shown, consecutive victories can rocket a team up the ladder at breakneck speed. Lose, and Gold Coast had better get comfortable with the dreaded mythical kitchen utensil in their grasp. Sunday's match will be a difficult task for them, given their bulging injury list and hectic travel schedule. However, coming off one of the worst results in the club's short but proud history, it's just as difficult to back them. The Reds should be capable of driving the final nails through the coffin of Gold Coast United's season.
Teams:
Gold Coast United Squad: 40.Chris O’Connor [gk], 2.Josh Brillante, 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 11.Jake Barker-Daish, 13.Ante Rozic, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 17.Chris Harold, 18.James Brown, 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk], 21.Daniel Severino, 22.Peter Jungschlager, 23.Dylan McGowan, 24.Jonas Salley, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan, 30.Brendan White [gk]
*four to be omitted*
In: 2.Josh Brillante (promoted), 11.Jake Barker-Daish (promoted), 18.James Brown (return from ankle injury), 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk] (return from wrist injury), 28.Daniel Bowles (return from ankle injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Glen Moss (groin injury – 4 weeks), 6.Paul Beekmans (compassionate leave - indefinite), 9.Joel Porter (calf – 3 weeks), 10.Tahj Minniecon (foot injury – 1 week), 12.Dylan Macallister (hamstring – 5 weeks), 19.Chris Broadfoot (ankle injury – indefinite)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (c), 2.Osama Malik, 3.Nigel Boogaard, 6.Cassio, 7.Zenon Caravella, 8.Evgeniy Levchenko, 9.Sergio van Dijk, 10.Dario Vidosic, 11.Bruce Djite, 12.Ricardo Da Silva, 14.Cameron Watson, 15.Jacob Melling, 17.Iain Ramsay, 18.Fabian Barbiero, 21.Francisco Usucar, 39.Nick Munro (gk)
*one to be omitted
In: Ricardo Da Silva (promoted), Nick Munro (gk) (promoted from NYL)
Out: Paul Izzo (gk) (knee)
Unavailable: Daniel Mullen (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Mark Birighitti (gk) (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Antony Golec (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Spase Dilevski (groin), Milan Susak (hamstring), Jon McKain (knee)
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT, 4.30pm local
Venue: Skilled Park
Head-to-head
Played: 9 Wins: Gold Coast 3, Adelaide 2, Draws: 4
Previous encounter
Gold Coast 3, Adelaide 0, 16 December 2011
History:
There hasn't been much between the two Uniteds in the past, but their last match put Gold Coast in front by a nose in the head-to-head stakes. Goals to Ben Halloran, Maceo Rigters and Dylan Macallister gave the Queensland side a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium. It was the final straw for the Adelaide board, who brought in John Kosmina as coach and turned Rini Coolen into the most expensive youth coach in Australian football history. Just a few days into his demotion, Coolen understandably quit. Looking ahead, Sunday's match will be the first time Gold Coast will play Adelaide at Skilled Park this season. All three past fixtures between them at the Robina stadium have been draws, but with both sides desperate to dodge the wooden spoon that may change this weekend.
Form:
Past five matches:
Gold Coast: DLLDL
Adelaide: DLDLL
Summary of form:
Life over the past month would have been tough if you're a fan of Gold Coast or Adelaide. They occupy the last two spots on the A-League ladder and, based on their more recent results, there's no indication that is going to change anytime soon. The Coast have had a dreadful campaign, and the worst result yet came on Monday night. A tired, depleted and distracted United side took on Perth and came away on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline. With just three wins in total - and none since Boxing Day - they sit in tenth spot, five points behind the Reds but with a game in hand.
Adelaide aren't doing a great deal better. Their winless streak at the moment is six games, but their maddening inconsistency stretches back a great deal further. The return of Kossie brought with it a minor upturn in results but the Reds have since come crashing back down to earth. Having conceded a total of 11 goals in their last six outings, the South Australians haven't kept a clean sheet since the visit of Wellington just before the New Year. All this means they have no real reasons to be confident of victory against the other United.
Match Committee:
The problems keep piling up at Gold Coast United. Maceo Rigters (foot) is the latest addition to the club's bulging injury list, which already includes Dylan Macallister (hamstring), Joel Porter (calf), Chris Broadfoot (foot), Tahj Minniecon (heel), Glen Moss (adductor) and Paul Beekmans (released - compassionate grounds). Fortunately, custodian Jerrad Tyson should be right to resume his spot in goal after overcoming a wrist problem. He played 90 minutes in the NYL on the weekend and recovered well.
For Adelaide, they'll again be without Olyroos trio Antony Golec, Mark Birighitti and Daniel Mullen, while Milan Susak (hamstring), Spase Dilevski (groin) and Jon McKain (knee) will also miss out on the trip to the Glitter Strip.
Danger men:
Kristian Rees - The former Adelaide centre-half has enjoyed something of a career renaissance this term. Rees has started almost every single match for Gold Coast this season, and has been a model of professionalism for the younger players at the club. Rees is a tough customer, but can also play the ball as well as any defender and doesn't mind scoring the odd goal or two either, as he's shown this season. The veteran always enjoys playing against his hometown club, but he won't show them any mercy.
Eugene Galekovic - Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg likes to joke that every visiting goalkeeper to Skilled Park ends up being named man of the match, such is their bad luck in terms of scoring. Don't be surprised if Adelaide skipper Galekovic turns Sunday's match into another nightmare for Miron. The experienced shotstopper has had a reasonable season thus far in the goalmouth, and given the Coast's near-inability to hit the back of the net at any consistency he will most likely play a key role in this weekend's match.
At the end of the day…
Gold Coast United have spent most of the season with their hands glued to the wooden spoon. This is their final opportunity to free themselves of it. According to the ladder, Adelaide are just about level with the Coast on performance this year and with the match at Skilled Park - their home turf - this looms as a six-point game for Miron Bleiberg's men. Win and anything can happen - as the A-League has shown, consecutive victories can rocket a team up the ladder at breakneck speed. Lose, and Gold Coast had better get comfortable with the dreaded mythical kitchen utensil in their grasp. Sunday's match will be a difficult task for them, given their bulging injury list and hectic travel schedule. However, coming off one of the worst results in the club's short but proud history, it's just as difficult to back them. The Reds should be capable of driving the final nails through the coffin of Gold Coast United's season.
Teams:
Gold Coast United Squad: 40.Chris O’Connor [gk], 2.Josh Brillante, 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 5.Kristian Rees, 7.Golgol Mebrahtu, 11.Jake Barker-Daish, 13.Ante Rozic, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 17.Chris Harold, 18.James Brown, 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk], 21.Daniel Severino, 22.Peter Jungschlager, 23.Dylan McGowan, 24.Jonas Salley, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan, 30.Brendan White [gk]
*four to be omitted*
In: 2.Josh Brillante (promoted), 11.Jake Barker-Daish (promoted), 18.James Brown (return from ankle injury), 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk] (return from wrist injury), 28.Daniel Bowles (return from ankle injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Glen Moss (groin injury – 4 weeks), 6.Paul Beekmans (compassionate leave - indefinite), 9.Joel Porter (calf – 3 weeks), 10.Tahj Minniecon (foot injury – 1 week), 12.Dylan Macallister (hamstring – 5 weeks), 19.Chris Broadfoot (ankle injury – indefinite)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk) (c), 2.Osama Malik, 3.Nigel Boogaard, 6.Cassio, 7.Zenon Caravella, 8.Evgeniy Levchenko, 9.Sergio van Dijk, 10.Dario Vidosic, 11.Bruce Djite, 12.Ricardo Da Silva, 14.Cameron Watson, 15.Jacob Melling, 17.Iain Ramsay, 18.Fabian Barbiero, 21.Francisco Usucar, 39.Nick Munro (gk)
*one to be omitted
In: Ricardo Da Silva (promoted), Nick Munro (gk) (promoted from NYL)
Out: Paul Izzo (gk) (knee)
Unavailable: Daniel Mullen (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Mark Birighitti (gk) (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Antony Golec (Qantas Australian U23 duty), Spase Dilevski (groin), Milan Susak (hamstring), Jon McKain (knee)
League Position
Top Scorers
| Goals | Pens | First | Last |
| Goals | Pens | First | Last |
Discipline
| Yellow | Red | Total |
| Yellow | Red | Total |
94:00
FULL TIME - Gold Coast started well but Adelaide steadied. Djite, Vidosic, Rigters and Ramsay provided the edge the visitors needed to take this one and keep their finals chances alive.
93:00
Anderson gets on the end of the corner, but his header goes over the top for a goal kick.
92:42
Gold Coast will have one last chance to level the score, with a corner. They've sent the keeper in to assist.
90:00
Three minutes of injury time to play.
89:12
Ramsay again looks to send the ball inside the box, however Anderson denies him. Adelaide persist, and Vidosic ends up with the ball inside the box. He sprays his shot right of the upright.
87:00
Bowles is off for Brillante. Bowles should consider his substitution a reward in the form of an early shower rather than being dragged for poor performance. He did quite well today.
85:21
Iain Ramsay picks out Barbiero with his cross, but the substitute can't control it sufficiently and it goes over the crossbar for a goal kick.
83:11
Bowles tries his luck from distance after pouncing on a poor pass from Adelaide. It's on target but straight at Galekovic.
81:01
Rees commits a sloppy error in the last line of defence and Van Dijk pounces, moving to the edge of the box before releasing his shot. The angle is too much for him and it goes wide.
79:49
Severino makes contact with Salley's back pass from outside the box. The shot stays low and on-target, but is deflected by the Adelaide defence.
77:31
Anderson commits a foul in his attempt to make contact with Severino's corner kick. Goal kick.
75:45
Vidosic weaves inside the back four before releasing an impressive shot. O'Connor dives to his left, parrying it away to keep the deficit at one goal.
74:12
O'Connor almost makes a goalkeeping blunder up the other end, losing his footing as he wheeled back to deal with Ramsay's long cross. Barbiero gets to the end of it but sprays high.
72:18
Harold gets a look at goal after Salley intercepts in midfield. He takes a second touch rather than shooting inside the box though and Levchenko can scramble to make a goal-saving tackle.
70:20
Galekovic almost makes a critical error, leaving his line to punch a long ball away. He misses the lot and Salley almost makes him pay! Boogaard gets back in time to save his keeper's skin!
69:41
Levchenko is quick to apologise to Halloran, having committed a foul in midfield.
68:21
Severino is coming on for Golgol Mebrathu, who has been superb today.
66:34
Caravella's day is over, making way for Barbiero.
65:28
Levchenko concedes a free kick inside his own half, wide of the penalty box. He has to be careful, already being on a yellow. The referee has a chat to him but no card is given.
64:48
Djite finds Caravella all alone inside the box but his first touch isn't clean enough and Gold Coast can recover.
62:34
Djite gets space wide. He releases inside but no red shirts are there to get on the end of it.
60:20
ADELAIDE GOAL - Vidosic guides his free kick low, bouncing awkwardly before beating Chris O'Connor to the near post. It ricochet's off the upright and spills in. Adelaide hit the lead.
59:39
Vidosic dragged back by Salley. The referee picks it up and awards a free kick 30m out from Adelaide's goal.
59:03
Ramsay grinds out a corner against Kristian Rees. Vidosic to take it.
57:01
Traore commits a foul against Caravella deep in Adelaide's attacking territory. He gives the referee a bit of lip before immediately being told to zip it. Adelaide free kick.
53:30
How that one missed we'll never know! Mebrathu unlucky there as he deserved to be rewarded for his electrifying run through midfield. He outpaced his opponents but just couldn't finish.
53:22
Mebrathu puts on the after-burners and charges through midfield. He gets inside the box untouched before shooting under the keeper. It deflects underneath Galekovic and then off the crossbar!
51:41
Bragg delivers the free kick in to Salley, who keeps the ball alive with a header across the face of the goal. Anderson gets to the end of it, but can't steer it in to the goal.
49:40
Djite is handed a yellow card for his attempts to hold up a breaking Ben Halloran, who was away through the middle of the field. Can't argue with that one.
49:35
Bowles makes a charge down the far side of the pitch, but runs out of space before the cavalry can arrive. Goal kick.
48:22
Ramsay and Bowles get tangled on the ground, the referee looking for any advantage for Adelaide before electing to bring it back for a free kick against Bowles.
45:00
The good news from the Gold Coast is that the rain has dissipated which will hopefully result in some cleaner football. The second half around the corner.
44:55
Gold Coast successfully defend Brisbane's corner, ending the offensive possession for the visitors. The referee agrees and brings the first half to an end. 1-1 after 45 minutes.
44:11
Malik barrels in to the back of Ben Halloran, who has been a foul magnet thus far. Free kick awarded to Gold Coast.
42:34
ADELAIDE GOAL: Brilliant persistance by Adelaide has paid off, refusing to give up on the 50/50 ball. Cassio's desperation cross on a deep runaway ball finds the head of Bruce Djite and the goal!
38:02
Vidosic lays his pass off to Van Dijk just outside the box. The dutchman keeps the ball low but it sails left of the keeper's post for a goal kick.
35:41
Levchenko is now in the referees book for his physical challenge on Ben Halloran in midfield. He dropped his shoulder in to the Gold Coast midfielder having been beaten to the ball.
33:23
Vidosic tires his luck from downtown but can't direct it enough. Quite a tough shot given the conditions.
30:02
Van Dijk is lucky not to be on a yellow after a careless challenge from behind on Anderson in midfield.
28:36
Ramsay is being given space down the wing, again crossing in to the box. None of his teammates can capitalise on this occassion and Gold Coast recover.
25:40
Van Dijk gets in to the back of Anderson in his attempt to make contact with the cross. Goal Kick.
25:01
Mebrathu gets too deep and is deemed offside by the assistant.
23:10
Bragg almost makes it 2-0, getting on the end of Daniel Bowles' low cross. He could have put it anywhere but can only find the body of Galekovic. It spills behind the keeper but he manages to recover.
19:34
Thwaite goes in with two feet against a streaming Djite and the referee wastes no time in getting his card out. It's a yellow and Thwaite has nothing to complain about really.
19:01
Djite almost evens the score, sliding in to make contact off Ramsay's cross. He can't steer his shot though and misses despite being 2 yards outside the goal. Missed chance there.
17:38
Cam Watson of Adelaide is given a yellow card for his aggressive challenge on Jonas Salley. He got beaten inside and tried to stop him with two hands in to the back.
15:51
Gold Coast looking very composed in offense, finding space wide against Adelaide. The scrambling defenders can only clear for a corner.
14:35
Malik lobs across the goal to Van Dijk who gets a head on it. The angle was too tight though and it goes high and wide.
13:33
Levchenko concedes the free kick within his own half after being late to tackle Mebrathu, who is looking threatening early.
11:01
Golgol Mebrathu almost doubles the lead after staying onside to receive the through ball. Mebrathu breaks away but shuts his own angle down in the process. His shot trickles wide of the far post.
10:20
Vidosic gets on the end of a lob-pass from midfield, but his first touch let him down and it spills out for a goal kick. Would have almost certainly been a goal had he been able to control it.
09:45
Traore and Salley link up in midfield to provide some positive movement in Adelaide's half. The tourists eventually manage to pressure the error from Bragg and it's a goal kick.
087:00
J. Brillante enters the game and replaces D. Bowles.
08:40
Speaking of heavy, the rain is really starting to come down now.
08:12
Iain Ramsay attempts a deep cross but it's too heavy and goes over the line for a goal kick.
072:00
F. Usúcar enters the game and replaces B. Djite.
068:00
D. Severino enters the game and replaces G. Mebrahtu.
067:00
F. Barbiero enters the game and replaces Z. Caravella.
061:00
C. Harold enters the game and replaces D. Bragg.
06:07
Rigters gets on the end of Halloran's cut-back back pass. The ensuing shot deflects off Nigel Boogard who was flat-footed inside the box. It beats the keeper in the top corner! Gold Coast lead early.
059:00
D. Vidošic has scored a goal for Adelaide United!
049:00
B. Djite gets yellow.
042:00
B. Djite has scored a goal for Adelaide United!
04:50
The rain has started to come now in what has been a sloppy opening few minutes, with players struggling to adjust to the damp pitch conditions.
035:00
E. Levchenko gets yellow.
020:00
M. Thwaite gets yellow.
017:00
C. Watson gets yellow.
007:00
N. Boogaard is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
00:01
Welcome to the Gold Coast for Gold Coast vs Adelaide in what will be a battle for pride more than points. The heavens are threatening to open but have stayed away thus far.
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: C. Beath
Adelaide claim the spoils
Adelaide United have all but consigned Gold Coast to the wooden spoon with a hard-fought 2-1 win in torrential rain at Skilled Park on Sunday.
A Nigel Boogaard own goal gave the hosts an early lead, but strikes from Bruce Djite and Dario Vidosic helped the ninth-placed Reds open up an eight-point gap over the A-League cellar dwellers in front of 1723 fans who braved the brutal weather at Robina.
While Gold Coast still have seven matches to play and a game in hand on Adelaide, the rest of the competition is fast getting away from them - and their rotten luck and lengthy injury list are not helping.
They were extremely unfortunate not to have taken something away from the game, with the woodwork once again proving a menace on their home turf.
The loss was the Coast's 11th for the season, leaving them with an alarming total of just three points from their last eight matches.
They were missing 11 regular players - including Peter Jungschlager, James Brown, Jerrad Tyson and Ante Rozic, who all failed to prove their fitness.
With nowhere else to turn but his youth squad, Miron Bleiberg handed 19-year-old Daniel Bragg his A-League debut, while wing-back and man-of-the-match Daniel Bowles grabbed his first ever start.
Bleiberg's babes started brightly but as the game wore on, the experienced heads of the Reds eventually took over.
The United coach sprung a surprise, though, in naming Maceo Rigters, who has been relying on pain-killing injections to play through an ankle injury.
But the dynamic Dutchman looked far from laboured when seven minutes in, he helped put the home side ahead after smashing home a cutback from rising star Ben Halloran.
The youngster showed a clean pair of heels to Adelaide defender Yevgen Levchenko and found Rigters lurking, with his shot taking a wicked deflection off Boogaard.
Halloran was giving veteran Adelaide fullback Cassio a torrid time on the right flank, but in the shadows of half time the Brazilian made amends by beating him before providing the cross for the equalizer.
The man on the end of it, Djite, also made up for an embarrassing earlier miss from barely two metres out - this time, he found the target with his header to make it 1-1 at half time.
In truth the equaliser came against the run of play - right at the end of a first stanza largely dominated by the men in yellow.
But they were back to their inquisitive ways after the interval, with Zac Anderson's 51st minute header going close to giving Gold Coast the lead again.
Two minutes later, only the most bizarre set of circumstances kept Golgol Mebrahtu from slotting home his maiden A-League goal.
On the counter with Halloran in tow, Mebrahtu used his sizzling pace to find himself one-on-one with Eugene Galekovic - but his shot was saved by the Reds custodian, bouncing off his hand, onto the underside of the crossbar and then somehow harmlessly away to safety.
Heartbreakingly for the hosts, the woodwork was clearly on Adelaide's side after Dario Vidosic goaled on the hour mark.
His stunning long-range free kick bent around the Gold Coast wall and went in off the upright, with the Reds marquee man enjoying the good fortune that had only moments earlier deserted Mebrahtu.
The two sides essentially went shot for shot in the latter stages of the match, with numerous chances going begging, but the killer blow had already been landed.
Gold Coast United 1 (og 7)
Adelaide United 2 (Djite 42, Vidosic 60)
Crowd: 1723 at Skilled Park, Robina
A Nigel Boogaard own goal gave the hosts an early lead, but strikes from Bruce Djite and Dario Vidosic helped the ninth-placed Reds open up an eight-point gap over the A-League cellar dwellers in front of 1723 fans who braved the brutal weather at Robina.
While Gold Coast still have seven matches to play and a game in hand on Adelaide, the rest of the competition is fast getting away from them - and their rotten luck and lengthy injury list are not helping.
They were extremely unfortunate not to have taken something away from the game, with the woodwork once again proving a menace on their home turf.
The loss was the Coast's 11th for the season, leaving them with an alarming total of just three points from their last eight matches.
They were missing 11 regular players - including Peter Jungschlager, James Brown, Jerrad Tyson and Ante Rozic, who all failed to prove their fitness.
With nowhere else to turn but his youth squad, Miron Bleiberg handed 19-year-old Daniel Bragg his A-League debut, while wing-back and man-of-the-match Daniel Bowles grabbed his first ever start.
Bleiberg's babes started brightly but as the game wore on, the experienced heads of the Reds eventually took over.
The United coach sprung a surprise, though, in naming Maceo Rigters, who has been relying on pain-killing injections to play through an ankle injury.
But the dynamic Dutchman looked far from laboured when seven minutes in, he helped put the home side ahead after smashing home a cutback from rising star Ben Halloran.
The youngster showed a clean pair of heels to Adelaide defender Yevgen Levchenko and found Rigters lurking, with his shot taking a wicked deflection off Boogaard.
Halloran was giving veteran Adelaide fullback Cassio a torrid time on the right flank, but in the shadows of half time the Brazilian made amends by beating him before providing the cross for the equalizer.
The man on the end of it, Djite, also made up for an embarrassing earlier miss from barely two metres out - this time, he found the target with his header to make it 1-1 at half time.
In truth the equaliser came against the run of play - right at the end of a first stanza largely dominated by the men in yellow.
But they were back to their inquisitive ways after the interval, with Zac Anderson's 51st minute header going close to giving Gold Coast the lead again.
Two minutes later, only the most bizarre set of circumstances kept Golgol Mebrahtu from slotting home his maiden A-League goal.
On the counter with Halloran in tow, Mebrahtu used his sizzling pace to find himself one-on-one with Eugene Galekovic - but his shot was saved by the Reds custodian, bouncing off his hand, onto the underside of the crossbar and then somehow harmlessly away to safety.
Heartbreakingly for the hosts, the woodwork was clearly on Adelaide's side after Dario Vidosic goaled on the hour mark.
His stunning long-range free kick bent around the Gold Coast wall and went in off the upright, with the Reds marquee man enjoying the good fortune that had only moments earlier deserted Mebrahtu.
The two sides essentially went shot for shot in the latter stages of the match, with numerous chances going begging, but the killer blow had already been landed.
Gold Coast United 1 (og 7)
Adelaide United 2 (Djite 42, Vidosic 60)
Crowd: 1723 at Skilled Park, Robina
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: C. Beath
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 1 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: C. Beath
1
E Galekovic
3
N Boogaard
6
J de Abreu Oliveira
14
C Watson
2
O Malik
7
Z Caravella
8
E Levchenko
9
S van Dijk
10
D Vidošic
11
B Djite
17
I Ramsay
0
J Melling
18
F Barbiero
21
F Usúcar
21
J Halls
38
J Hall