Flashback: Redlands leave Adelaide red faced
In what was a battle dyed in red, the reds from Redland in Queensland left then reigning A-League champions Adelaide United red-faced.
The second-oldest football club in the sunshine state recorded the greatest shock in the club’s history when they defeated Adelaide 2-1 after extra time on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.
It was a match that truly showcased the magic of the Australia Cup, and it followed another cup-set, just two days prior Green Gully defeated Central Coast Mariners.
1,564 people packed into Brisbane’s Perry Park to witness Redlands take on the then best side in Australian football.
What they were treated to was perhaps one of the best upsets in Australia Cup history.
Redlands United road to the Round of 32
The side from Cleveland began their 2016 Australia Cup campaign in the Fifth Round in an away match at Pine Rivers United, which they won 2-1.
In the Sixth Round, Redlands United defeated foundation NSL club Brisbane City in another away match that finished 1-0.
And in the Seventh Round, Redlands picked up a 2-1 win over Rochedale Rovers to book their spot in the Round of 32.
The key to the Redlands output was their midfield unit. Scottish attacking midfielder Graham Fyfe paired well with ex-Manchester United academy player Michael Lee.
On top of that, Brazilian playmaker Igor Sao Jose and Paul O’Brien rounded out an excellent midfield unit.
Reigning A-League Men champs Adelaide United
Coming into this match, Adelaide United were the reigning A-League champions. In the 2015-16 season, they topped the league table and then went on to win the grand final, defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1.
In that season, The Reds mounted a 14-game unbeaten run, further highlighting their domination in Australia’s top-flight.
Their then manager, former Barcelona great, Guillermo Amor, employed an exciting brand of football which saw him win the A-League Men Coach of the Year award.
For this Australia Cup match though, the star-studded Adelaide squad was limited as Pablo Sanchez, Bruce Kamau, Stefan Mauk, Bruce Djite and club top-scorer Craig Goodwin had all moved on to new pastures.
They did however still have Championship winners Marcelo Carrusca, Isaias, Dylan McGowan, Tarek Elrich, lacopo La Rocca (who was unfortunately injured after just three minutes), Eugene Galekovic and Jordan Elsey in the team plus local talents Ryan Kitto, a very young Riley McGree and fellow South Australian Ben Garuccio who had recently arrived from Melbourne City.
The Reds from Redlands up against it
There wasn’t much to report on from the first half of football, however the visitors were in control of the match as they dominated possession.
After the half time break, Adelaide upped their game and took the lead when Kitto, who had been lively all game, scored in the 62nd minute.
Adelaide remained dominant in possession right up until added time as well, and it looked likely that the expected result would come to fruition.
However, with seconds to go there was a moment of madness that saw Galekovic fumble the ball and defender Tarek Elrich to slip over, allowing Michael Lee to slam home into an empty net.
This disastrous defensive mix-up took the game to extra time, and the both the Redlands players and fans had a renewed hope.
Fortune favours the brave
It took just eight minutes of extra time for the hosts to get in front for the first time.
A cutback into the box from Lee found substitute Tyler Bradley-Combe, who squared a pass for Paul O'Brien to smash past Galekovic to make it 2-1.
Queue pandemonium at Perry Park. But the job was far from done. Adelaide launched an onslaught of attacks in a frantic search of an equaliser.
Redlands were forced to hang tight throughout the second half of extra-time and despite efforts on goal from Jesse Makarounas, Ben Warland and Jordan Elsey, Adelaide were unable to equalise.
"When the Reds go marching in" was heard all around the ground after the game, signifying a night to remember for the Reds of Redland. A tough journey home for the Reds from Adelaide.
Speaking after the game, Redlands coach Matt Chandler said: “It’s a huge achievement, we can’t underestimate what we’ve just done here tonight.
“This is football. Sometimes, it can happen - it shouldn’t happen, but sometimes it does.”
What happened after
Redlands United were drawn against Canberra Olympic in the Round of 16 of the Australia Cup that year.
The trip to Deakin Stadium in the capital proved a difficult task for The Reds as they were defeated 2-0.
However, the grit and determination they showed in the win over Adelaide United carried over to the league campaign.
Chandler led Redlands to the 2016 Queensland National Premier League title that year, really rounding off a memorable season.
The squad was well-formed and played with a great level of harmony – which is what Redlands goal scorer Lee credits to the historic Australia Cup win.
He said: “We fight for each other every tackle; every week and I genuinely think that’s why we won.”
“We’ve all got each other’s back. That’s why I think we got over the line.”
