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.
| 2008–09 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Aurelio Vidmar Chairman Mel Patzwald | ||
| 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 | ||
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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 edit
Squad information edit
First Team roster edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Youth Team roster edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers edit
First Team edit
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In
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Out
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Youth Team edit
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In
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Out
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Technical staff edit
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Aurelio Vidmar
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| Assistant coach | Phil Stubbins
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| Specialist coach | Carl Veart
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| Goalkeeping coach | Peter Blazincic
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| Youth Team Coach | Joe Mullen
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| Youth Team Assistant Coach | Tony Vidmar
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| Women's Team Coach | Michael Barnett
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| Women's Team Assistant Coach | Richie Alagich
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Statistics edit
Squad statistics edit
| 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 | 
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| 1 | GK | Daniel Beltrame
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Robert Cornthwaite
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17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 41 | 10 | 0 |
| 3 | DF |  Alemão
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18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Angelo Costanzo
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12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | Michael Valkanis
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5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Cássio
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14 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| 7 | MF | Lucas Pantelis
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10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Kristian Sarkies
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10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Paul Agostino
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7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Cristiano
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21 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 36 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Osama Malik**
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | MF | Travis Dodd
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20 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | Scott Jamieson
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21 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | Jonas Salley
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17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 16 | DF | Daniel Mullen
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9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | Isyan Erdogan
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Fabian Barbiero
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15 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | Saša Ognenovski
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20 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 3 | 12 | 0 |
| 20 | GK | Eugene Galekovic
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18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | Jason Spagnuolo
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10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | Diego
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8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Michael Marrone
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1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | Paul Reid
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18 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 25 | FW | Robert Younis
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12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | MF | Matthew Mullen
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | Rostyn Griffiths
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0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | GK | Mark Birighitti
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3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| —— | DF | Richie Alagich*
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| —— | FW | Bruce Djite*
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| —— | DF | Milan Susak*
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| —— | FW | Nathan Burns*
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| —— | FW | Dez Giraldi*
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| —— | MF | Shaun Ontong*
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 edit
| 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 | |
Cristiano | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 7 | |
Travis Dodd | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 4 | |
Cássio | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | |
Saša Ognenovski | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | |
Robert Cornthwaite | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | |
Alemão | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | |
Lucas Pantelis | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | |
Kristian Sarkies | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | |
Fabian Barbiero | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | |
Paul Reid | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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A goal was scored from a penalty kick | |
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Two goals were scored from penalty kicks |
Attendance at home games edit
| 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 edit
Pre-season edit
| 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 edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne Victory (C) | 21 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 39 | 27 | +12 | 38 | Qualification for 2010 AFC Champions League group stage and Finals series |
| 2 | Adelaide United | 21 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 31 | 19 | +12 | 38 | |
| 3 | Queensland Roar | 21 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 25 | +11 | 36 | Qualification for Finals series |
| 4 | Central Coast Mariners | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 32 | +3 | 28 | |
| 5 | Sydney FC | 21 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 33 | 32 | +1 | 26 | |
| 6 | Wellington Phoenix | 21 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 23 | 31 | −8 | 26 | |
| 7 | Perth Glory | 21 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 31 | 44 | −13 | 22 | |
| 8 | Newcastle Jets | 21 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 39 | −18 | 18 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Matches edit
Finals series edit
| 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 edit
| 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 edit
- ^ Burns is Athens bound Archived 21 September 2012 at the Wayback MachineRetrieved on 11 June 2008
- ^ "Rivaldo Inspires Burns", Adelaide Advertiser, Friday 13 June 2008, p118
- ^ Adelaide United set to reach magic million Archived 28 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Adelaide United – Waitakere United Match Report". FIFA. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Travis makes Adelaide sing". FIFA. 11 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Adelaide United – Gamba Osaka Match Report". FIFA. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Endo the road for Adelaide". FIFA. 14 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Al-Ahly – Adelaide United Match Report". FIFA. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Adelaide's high five". FIFA. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ a b Match rescheduled due to Adelaide's participation in FIFA Club World Cup