The Blacks handled the pressure of conceding early to win in a critical bottom of the table clash against PAC to secure safety from relegation.

 

SAASL Division 3 Round 10 Replay

Adelaide University Black 3-1 PAC

Scorers: Nishiyama 2, Ugalde

 

The Blacks played on Astroturf at Valo Park for their Tuesday night replay of round 10.

A minute in, the Blacks lost possession of the ball in their defensive goal-box and a PAC striker capitalised on the mistake by scoring to give his team the lead.

At 5 minutes, Joe Henderson lofted a free kick into the box from just inside his attacking half and the PAC ‘keeper unconvincingly punched the ball out, but the Blacks couldn’t follow up.

Shortly after, Blacks centre-back Lucas Bragagnolo gained possession following a clearance from PAC and dribbled past a player before he took a shot at goal, but the referee signalled Bragagnolo was fouled.

Henderson put the ball into the box from the resulting freekick and Kevin Ugalde almost met the ball before the PAC keeper claimed it.

At 17 minutes, the Blacks passed the ball around before Billy Roumeliotis laid the ball off to Tim Capps who took a long shot which landed on top of the net.

In their next attack, PAC sent a through-ball to their attacker but Bragagnolo made a perfectly timed slide tackle to deny them possession in a dangerous position.

A minute later, Ugalde sent a pass through the defence to meet Daisuke Nishiyama’s darting run and he took a few touches before he placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal to level the score.

The Blacks were into their stride as at 36 minutes a counterattack led to a Nicholas Sonza lofted through-ball to Nishiyama who controlled the ball and finished the chance with composure for 2-1.

The half ended 2-1 to the Blacks

Just after the restart, Thom Primer hacked their striker down on the edge of the box and received a yellow card.

The resulting freekick was blocked by the sturdy Blacks wall of defenders.

At 56 minutes, Sonza sent a looped pass to Nishiyama who made an attempt for his hat trick but the keeper saved the shot at goal.

Just after the hour Henderson slid through a defence-splitting ball to Ugalde who was in heaps of space and calmly scored for 3-1 to the Blacks.

At 67 minutes, PAC had possession of the ball on the wing and attempted a cross and hit the post.

With 20 minutes until full-time, Nishiyama was taken down on the wing and their player received a yellow for cumulative fouls.

Another of their players contested the booking and received a yellow card too for dissent.

At 83 minutes, PAC had an opportunity to score from close range, but Davey extended himself and saved the attempt at goal.

The match ended 3-1 to the blacks.

‘Best game of the season!’ Blacks coach Mohan Karthigeyan exclaimed after the match.

 

Main Photo: Durkes Waran