Adelaide United FC has taken a valuable three points after defeating the Newcastle Jets thanks to a second half double from Brazilian striker Cristiano.
Cristiano took his season tally to four with his two goals which came in the 72nd and 89th minute and gave United a crucial win at home to cap off its five games in 16 days. Fellow Brazilians Cassio and Alemao were also instrumental on the night to keep United in touch near the top of the table.
After backing up from Wednesday night's emotional win in the AFC Champions League, The Reds did it tough against a Jets team that had four players injured and played the last 30 minutes with 10 men.
United Coach Aurelio Vidmar started midfielder Diego alongside Cristiano in attack with the inclusion of Jonas Salley into central midfield. Within 45 seconds of the kick-off The Reds were firing on goal, Cristiano testing Jets keeper Ante Covic with a well hit effort.
As The Reds tried to give themselves some early breathing space, they came close again in the 12th minute when a curling Paul Reid free kick just skidded past an outstretched Travis Dodd.
The Jets then went close in the 19th minute but United's in form keeper Eugene Galekovic managed to get a strong hand to a goal bound ball. As Newcastle tried to press high on United, the visitors were dealt a blow when they lost both Griffiths brothers, Adam and Joel, in the space of five minutes through injuries. United was made to battle for the remainder of the first half as the visitors appeared the livelier of the two teams, and Vidmar would have wanted a lift from across the park for the second 45 minutes.
A spark was nearly provided in the 68th minute through some delightful interplay down the left from Scott Jamieson, Reid and Cassio, the latter sending a cross in only to see Cristiano's header rebound off the chest of Covic from on the goal line. United was beginning to lift and with Newcastle striker Jason Hoffman the fourth Jets player to go down injured, the advantage was now with The Reds and they made it count in the 72nd minute.
Cassio sent a cross to the far post to substitute Alemao, with the defender bringing it onto his left foot to shoot. His effort was parried onto the cross bar by Covic, but the ball fell to Cristiano, his header finding the back of the net from point blank range.
Relief for the United faithful as their team had scrapped its way in front. United were goal up, but there was still work to do as the Jets continued to press, then in the 85th minute Galekovic showed why he is one of Australia's leading keepers when he flicked a fierce Tarek Elrich shot from 12 metres over the bar.
But in the 89th minute United secured the points, when Covic made a mistake with an attempted clearance from just outside his penalty area, kicking the grounded ball into a charging Cristiano who rounded the Jets keeper from the rebound and slotted the ball away to make it 2-0.
Game over, the three points were secure and The Reds could boast another clean sheet, its 11th from the last 18 appearances in all competitions.
Vidmar was pleased his team had got the job done, especially considering the position they entered the game in.
"They've gone through five games in 16 days and that's a massive effort," Vidmar said.
"There was a bit of doubt in my mind tonight of how they were going to come up tonight and they were a bit flat but for the boys to go out tonight and really squeeze every last bit of energy they had in their bodies, it was superb effort."
"It was extremely important that we take the three points tonight. Sure, we had a bit of luck with Newcastle's injuries but that's the way it goes so it probably fell into our hands a little bit in the second half."
The Reds are at home again on Friday night when they host the Central Coast Mariners in another important clash before the much anticipated 1st leg of the AFC Champions League Quarter Final against Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor on Wednesday 8 October at Hindmarsh Stadium.