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, AFC Champions League 2008 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 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 !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
Squad Information
First Team Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Youth Team Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. |
|
Position |
Player
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| |
 |
GK |
Lucas Andreucci
|
| |
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GK |
Luke Ostybe
|
| |
|
DF |
Michael Doyle
|
| |
|
DF |
Michael Marrone
|
| |
|
DF |
Alex Sunasky
|
| |
|
DF |
Scott Weidnebach
|
| |
|
MF |
Joel Allwright
|
| |
|
MF |
Travis Anderson
|
| |
|
MF |
Andrew Ciarla |
|
|
|
Transfers
First Team
Youth Team
Technical staff
Statistics
Squad statistics
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
|
|
A goal was scored from a penalty kick |
|
|
Two goals were scored from penalty kicks |
Attendance at home games
| Round | Date | Opponent | Score
AUFC – Away | Attendance | Weekday |
| 1 | 17 August 2008 | Perth Glory !Perth Glory | 1 – 0 | 10,510 | Sunday |
| 3 | 30 August 2008 | Wellington Phoenix !Wellington Phoenix | 3 – 0 | 7,832 | Saturday |
| 6 | 27 September 2008 | Newcastle Jets !Newcastle Jets | 2 – 0 | 8,111 | Saturday |
| 7 | 3 October 2008 | Central Coast Mariners !Central Coast Mariners | 3 – 3 | 9,074 | Friday |
| 9 | 26 October 2008 | Perth Glory !Perth Glory | 2 – 1 | 10,126 | Sunday |
| 10 | 31 October 2008 | Melbourne Victory !Melbourne Victory | 2 – 3 | 13,191 | Friday |
| 12 | 22 November 2008 | Sydney FC !Sydney FC | 2 – 0 | 9,509 | Saturday |
| 14 | 5 December 2008 | Wellington Phoenix !Wellington Phoenix | 6 – 1 | 9,442 | Friday |
| 16 | 14 January 2009 | Queensland Roar | 0 – 0 | 14,450 | Wednesday |
| 18 | 3 January 2009 | Sydney FC !Sydney FC | 2 – 0 | 23,002 | Saturday |
| 19 | 9 January 2009 | Newcastle Jets !Newcastle Jets | 2 – 0 | 13,585 | Friday |
| SF1 | 7 February 2009 | Melbourne Victory !Melbourne Victory | 0 – 2 | 14,119 | Saturday |
| PF | 21 February 2009 | Queensland Roar | 1 – 0 | 8,472 | Saturday |
|
Competitions
Pre-season
A-League
League table
Source: the-AFC.com
Rules for classification:
1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
1First place through to sixth place qualify for the 2009 A-League Finals Series.
2First place qualifies for the 2010 AFC Champions League Group stage.
3Winning the 2009 A-League Grand Final automatically earns qualification for the 2010 AFC Champions League Group stage, unless first place are champions.
4Second place qualifies for the 2010 AFC Champions League Qualifying play-off, unless they qualify for the 2010 A-League Grand Final alongside first place or become A-League Champions, subsequently third place then qualify for the 2010 AFC Champions League Qualifying play-off.
Matches
| Round | Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Attendance | Stadium |
| 1 |
17 August 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 1 - 0
 Dodd  41'
| Perth Glory !Perth Glory | 10,510 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 2 |
24 August 2008 | Queensland Roar | 1 - 1
Dodd 8' (pen) | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 12,761 | Suncorp Stadium |
| 3 |
30 August 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 3 -0
Pantelis 15'
Cristiano 49', 60' | Wellington Phoenix !Wellington Phoenix | 7,832 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 4 |
12 September 2008 | Melbourne Victory !Melbourne Victory | 1 - 0 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 24,812 | Telstra Dome |
| 5 |
20 September 2008 | Sydney FC !Sydney FC | 3 - 0 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 12,462 | Sydney Football Stadium |
| 6 |
27 September 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 2 - 0
Cristiano 72', 60' | Newcastle Jets !Newcastle Jets | 8,111 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 7 |
3 October 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 3 - 3
Dodd 7' (pen)
Cornthwaite 19'
Cristiano 50' | Central Coast Mariners !Central Coast Mariners | 9,074 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 8 |
17 October 2008 | Queensland Roar | 0 - 1
Cornthwaite 60' | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 11,117 | Suncorp Stadium |
| 9 |
26 October 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 2 - 1
Alemão 80'
Dodd 82' (pen) | Perth Glory !Perth Glory | 10,126 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 10 |
31 October 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 2 - 3
Dodd 28' (pen)
Cássio 67' | Melbourne Victory !Melbourne Victory | 13,191 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 11 |
15 November 2008 | Central Coast Mariners !Central Coast Mariners | 3 - 0 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 7,865 | Bluetongue Stadium |
| 12 |
22 November 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 2 - 0
Ognenovski 45+2'
Dodd 78' | Sydney FC !Sydney FC | 9,509 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 13 |
30 November 2008 | Newcastle Jets !Newcastle Jets | 1 - 1
Ognenovski 90+4' | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 7,136 | Energy Australia Stadium |
| 14 |
5 December 2008 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 6 - 1
Ognenovski 21'
Cristiano 43', 74'
Cassio 47', 70'
Dodd 90+1' | Wellington Phoenix !Wellington Phoenix | 9,442 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 15 |
6 January 2009[13] | Melbourne Victory !Melbourne Victory | 1 - 0 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 27,196 | Telstra Dome |
| 16 |
14 January 2009[13] | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 0 - 0 | Queensland Roar | 14,450 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 17 |
26 December 2008 | Perth Glory !Perth Glory | 0 - 1
Sarkies 40' | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 12,581 | Members Equity Stadium |
| 18 |
3 January 2009 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 2 - 0
Cassio 45'
Alemão 82' | Sydney FC !Sydney FC | 23,002 | Adelaide Oval |
| 19 |
9 January 2009 | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 2 - 0
Barbiero 23'
Pantelis 74' | Newcastle Jets !Newcastle Jets | 13,585 | Hindmarsh Stadium |
| 20 |
18 January 2009 | Wellington Phoenix !Wellington Phoenix | 1 - 1
Reid 9' | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 8,241 | Westpac Stadium |
| 21 |
25 January 2009 | Central Coast Mariners !Central Coast Mariners | 0 - 1
Cristiano 82' | Adelaide United !Adelaide United | 12,351 | Bluetongue Stadium |
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Finals series
FIFA Club World Cup
References
External links
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Alemão
