BSP-24 Adelaide move to fourth spot, Sydney lead A-League

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BSP-24

FBL-AUS-ASIA

Adelaide move to fourth spot, Sydney lead A-League

SYDNEY, Dec 26, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – Adelaide United climbed to fourth spot in
Australia’s A-League following their 1-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in
Adelaide on Tuesday.

The Reds’ winner came from a 14th minute Ryan Kitto goal — his fifth of
the season — when he prodded home a cross from Ryan Strain.

Brazilian striker Bobo claimed a hat-trick for competition leaders Sydney
FC to dispatch bottom-of-the-table Wellington 4-1 in New Zealand.

Sydney FC’s win, their sixth in succession since losing to Central Coast
in early November, came against a Phoenix side under pressure after losing
assistant coach Rado Vidosic and his striker son Dario.

Defending champions Sydney brutally punished errors by the home side,
scoring twice inside the first half-hour, and lead the Newcastle Jets by five
points after 12 rounds.

The Jets continued to surprise with a smashing 4-0 win over crisis-hit
club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Inspired by attacking midfielder Dimi Petratos, the Jets put the Wanderers
to the sword with one of the best offensive displays of the season.

A moment of madness by goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis allowed Melbourne Victory
to snatch a last-gasp 1-0 win in the Melbourne derby.

Third-placed Melbourne City looked set to take a point from the festive
match until Bouzanis’ clumsy trip on Mark Milligan led to the spot kick which
Socceroo Milligan converted in the 96th minute.

Two goals in two minutes helped sixth-placed Perth to a come-from-behind
2-1 win in Brisbane.

The Roar were leading 1-0 late in the second half and searching for the
buffer goal, until Perth’s Irish striker Andy Keogh and Spanish playmaker
Diego Castro combined to inflict the sixth loss on the Roar in 12 games.

BSS/AFP/ARS/1752 hrs