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.
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 AthensBurns is Athens bound Retrieved on 11 June 2008 for A$500,000."Rivaldo Inspires Burns", Adelaide Advertiser, Friday 13 June 2008, p118 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.Adelaide United set to reach magic million
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.
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. 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. 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. 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.
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
Squad information
First Team roster
Youth Team roster
Transfers
First Team
In Name Position Moving from Fee Mark Birighitti Goalkeeper Australian Institute of Sport Free Saša Ognenovski Defender Queensland Roar Free Daniel Mullen Defender Australian Institute of Sport Free Scott Jamieson Defender Bolton Wanderers Free Alemão Defender CA Juventus Free Paul Reid Midfielder Brighton & Hove Albion Free Cristiano Striker Willem II Tilburg Free Robert Younis Striker APIA Leichhardt Free
Out Name Position Moving to Fee Robert Bajic Goalkeeper Released – Milan Susak Defender Released – Richie Alagich Defender Retired – Bobby Petta Midfielder Para Hills Knights Free Shaun Ontong Midfielder Newcastle Jets Free Bruce Djite Striker Gençlerbirliği €500,000 Dez Giraldi Striker Released – Nathan Burns Striker AEK Athens €290,000
Youth Team
In Name Position Moving from Fee Lucas Andreucci Goalkeeper South Australian Sports Institute Free Alex Sunasky Defender Australian Institute of Sport Free Michael Doyle Defender Adelaide Galaxy Free Scott Weidnebach Defender Adelaide City Free Michael Marrone Defender Para Hills Knights Free Joel Allwright Midfielder Para Hills Knights Free Andrew Ciarla Midfielder North Eastern MetroStars Free Matthew Mullen Midfielder Australian Institute of Sport Free Osama Malik Midfielder Adelaide Raiders Free Angelo Arambatsis Striker Adelaide Blue Eagles Free Francesco Monterosso Striker South Australian Sports Institute Free Shane Tobias Striker Para Hills Knights Free
Out
Technical staff Position NameHead coach Aurelio VidmarAssistant coach Phil StubbinsSpecialist coach Carl VeartGoalkeeping coach Peter BlazincicYouth Team Coach Joe MullenYouth Team Assistant Coach Tony VidmarWomen's Team Coach Michael BarnettWomen's Team Assistant Coach Richie Alagich
Statistics
Squad statistics
No.Pos.NameA-LeagueA-LeagueFinalsPre-Season CupACLCWCTotalDisciplineAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1GK Daniel Beltrame000000000000002DF Robert Cornthwaite172303010213035411003DF Alemão18220300020252204DF Angelo Costanzo120003010010260805DF Michael Valkanis5010202000100206DF Cássio144203010010294617MF Lucas Pantelis102402011100263208MF Kristian Sarkies10110007020201109FW Paul Agostino70301030001300010FW Cristiano2184032613136124011MF Osama Malik**0000000020200013MF Travis Dodd20740301232140116014DF Scott Jamieson212203060303607015MF Jonas Salley170203050102702116DF Daniel Mullen90402030312011017DF Isyan Erdogan0000000000000018MF Fabian Barbiero151413061202936019DF Saša Ognenovski2034010902035312020GK Eugene Galekovic1804030110303802021MF Jason Spagnuolo100003090102302022MF Diego800010114202243023DF Michael Marrone1010000010300024MF Paul Reid181400050302913025FW Robert Younis120002000301701026MF Matthew Mullen1000000000100028MF Rostyn Griffiths0020000000201030GK Mark Birighitti30000010004010——DF Richie Alagich*00000061006110——FW Bruce Djite*00000031003100——DF Milan Susak*00000020002000——FW Nathan Burns*00000060006000——FW Dez Giraldi*00000050005000——MF Shaun Ontong*00000020002000
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 TotalPlayerGoals 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 A goal was scored from a penalty kick Two goals were scored from penalty kicks
Attendance at home games Round Date Opponent Score 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
Pre-season Round Date Home team Score Away team Attendance Stadium 1 20 July 2008 Melbourne Victory 1–2Cristiano , 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
League table
Matches
Round Date Home team Score Away team Attendance Stadium 1 17 August 2008 Adelaide United 1–0Dodd Perth Glory 10,510 Hindmarsh Stadium 2 24 August 2008 Queensland Roar 1–1Dodd Adelaide United 12,761 Suncorp Stadium 3 30 August 2008 Adelaide United 3 -0Pantelis Cristiano , Wellington Phoenix 7,832 Hindmarsh Stadium 4 12 September 2008 Melbourne Victory 1–0 Adelaide United 24,812 Telstra Dome 5 20 September 2008 Sydney FC 3–0 Adelaide United 12,462 Sydney Football Stadium 6 27 September 2008 Adelaide United 2–0Cristiano , Newcastle Jets 8,111 Hindmarsh Stadium 7 3 October 2008 Adelaide United 3–3Dodd Cornthwaite Cristiano Central Coast Mariners 9,074 Hindmarsh Stadium 8 17 October 2008 Queensland Roar 0–1Cornthwaite Adelaide United 11,117 Suncorp Stadium 9 26 October 2008 Adelaide United 2–1Alemão Dodd Perth Glory 10,126 Hindmarsh Stadium 10 31 October 2008 Adelaide United 2–3Dodd Cássio Melbourne Victory 13,191 Hindmarsh Stadium 11 15 November 2008 Central Coast Mariners 3–0 Adelaide United 7,865 Bluetongue Stadium 12 22 November 2008 Adelaide United 2–0Ognenovski Dodd Sydney FC 9,509 Hindmarsh Stadium 13 30 November 2008 Newcastle Jets 1–1Ognenovski Adelaide United 7,136 Energy Australia Stadium 14 5 December 2008 Adelaide United 6–1Ognenovski Cristiano , Cassio , Dodd Wellington Phoenix 9,442 Hindmarsh Stadium 15 6 January 2009Match rescheduled due to Adelaide's participation in FIFA Club World Cup Melbourne Victory 1–0 Adelaide United 27,196 Telstra Dome 16 14 January 2009 Adelaide United 0–0 Queensland Roar 14,450 Hindmarsh Stadium 17 26 December 2008 Perth Glory 0–1Sarkies Adelaide United 12,581 Members Equity Stadium 18 3 January 2009 Adelaide United 2–0Cassio Alemão Sydney FC 23,002 Adelaide Oval 19 9 January 2009 Adelaide United 2–0Barbiero Pantelis Newcastle Jets 13,585 Hindmarsh Stadium 20 18 January 2009 Wellington Phoenix 1–1Reid Adelaide United 8,241 Westpac Stadium 21 25 January 2009 Central Coast Mariners 0–1Cristiano Adelaide United 12,351 Bluetongue Stadium
Finals series 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
Final Date Team 1 Score Team 2 Attendance Stadium Play-off 11 December 2008 Adelaide United 2–1Mullen Dodd 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 0–1Cristiano Adelaide United 35,154 International Stadium Yokohama
References
External links Official website AFC Champions League