Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau says he can cover the losses of two key players for Friday night’s A-League grudge match against Melbourne Victory.
Reds recruit Isaias Sanchez and defender Nigel Boogard will miss the fixture after being red-carded in Adelaide’s season-opening 3-1 win against Perth Glory yesterday.
Adelaide joined Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar as victors in a bumper opening round, watched by a record crowd of almost 101-thousand.
In other round two matches, Melbourne Heart meets Central Coast Mariners on Saturday as both clubs seek their first wins of the season, while Brisbane host Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Attacker Jeronimo Neumann scored twice as the Reds downed the Glory to triumphantly open their A-League season on Sunday.
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Jeronimo’s brace, and a Fabio Ferreira goal, gifted new coach Gombau a win on his A-League debut.
Perth striker Ryo Nagai scored for the visitors at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide.
Jeronimo scored in the ninth minute with a swivelling right-footer which struck the near post and dribbled in.
But while Adelaide were seemingly still celebrating, Perth equalised.
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Just 90 seconds later, Glory’s Brazilian signing Sidnei Sciola, who was impressive on debut, tore along the left flank and, with a pinpoint cross, found Nagai unmarked near the penalty spot.
The Japanese striker scored with a neat header.
Despite Perth’s blow, Adelaide enjoyed general control and Jeronimo netted again in the 25th minute.
The Argentine attacker scored after his teammate Ferreira’s header was instinctively parried by Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
With Vukovic grounded, the ball fell kindly to Jeronimo who slotted his second into an open goal.
Adelaide’s 2-1 halftime lead was just reward, the home side completing a whopping 80 more passes for the half than Perth.
But the tide turned early in the second half with Glory marksman Jamie Maclaren narrowly missing two chances in two minutes – a right-footer from 15 metres, and a close-range header which sailed just over the cross-bar.
Adelaide made the most of the reprieves 10 minutes later when their Spanish recruit Sergio Cirio angled a cross from the left flank which appeared to be sailing to a Perth defender metres from goal.
But the speedy Ferreira rushed from behind to pounce and shrewdly score with a side-boot to seal the win for the Reds, who were reduced to nine men when Isaias Sanchez was marched for a second booking in the 65th minute, followed by Nigel Boogaard suffering the same fate 15 minutes later.
