Melbourne Heart FC has reignited its Hyundai A-League season in dramatic fashion after the side recorded a stirring 2-1 comeback win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight.
Melbourne Heart FC has reignited its Hyundai A-League season in dramatic fashion after the side recorded a stirring 2-1 comeback win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight.
After falling behind to a Sergio van Dijk goal just before half time, Heart mounted a stunning late fight back to claim its first win in seven matches and reclaim a spot in the top six.
With Heart laying siege on the Adelaide goal in the final stages of the match, Club Captain Simon Colosimo rounded off a marauding display to head home in the 89th minute to inject life back into the contest.
And three minutes later, Heart claimed an unlikely, but deserved win as Socceroo legend John Aloisi fired home deep in injury time to send the band of travelling supporters into raptures.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip revealed his delight at the result, stating the win was just reward for his side-s perseverance and refusal to abandon hope.
“It-s a very important win. We have been looking for it for a long time and finally it fell our way. To win in the last few minutes is even better,” he said.
“I was really happy for John Aloisi to score in what could be his last game at Hindmarsh Stadium. You know that John always has the sense of knowing where the ball could fall and he was in the right spot to score a great goal.”
Adelaide made the brighter start to the contest as Argentine star Marcos Flores immediately came to the fore, with his class and vision on the ball providing a challenge for Heart.
And the midfielder almost sent his side into the lead inside 10 minutes as he latched onto a cross from van Dijk but was only able to direct his effort wide.
The chance though served as warning for Heart, which immediately regrouped as the side sought to build attacks from deep.
Heart had its best chance minutes before half time as Rutger Worm headed high after a centring header from Matt Thompson, but it was Adelaide that took the lead on the break, as van Dijk powered a home.
The Dutchman latched onto a cross from Travis Dodd, who was cleverly played through on goal by Flores to hand the Reds a critical lead.
Following the break, Heart attempted to wrest its way back into the contest, as Nick Kalmar produced a fine display in midfield to continue his fine debut season.
It was Jason Hoffman though who came closest to bring Heart back on level terms, his thundering header flying inches wide of the upright.
Aloisi was closer soon after, but he was denied by the host as Heart continued to lay siege on the Adelaide goal.
And as the match reached its dying embers, Heart managed to secure a deserved equaliser, as Colosimo headed past Eugene Galekovic with a minute remaining in normal time.
Buoyed by the goal, Heart ventured forward again in injury time, and this time Aloisi wouldn-t be denied as the talismanic striker fired home after stellar lead-up work from substitute Josip Skoko and Wayne Srhoj to secure three points in front of his hometown crowd.
