ADELAIDE (Interstat) — Lion City scored twice in the closing stages and defeated Adelaide United 2-0 in a global football match on Thursday. Gomes Hugo broke the deadlock in the 80th minute, and Lennart Thy added a second in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time as the visitors turned a tight contest into a two-goal win. Adelaide United created pressure and held more of the early possession, but could not find a goal before the visitors struck late. The home side pushed forward in search of an opener for much of the first hour, while Lion City stayed compact and waited for space to open.

The first half produced few clear chances and two yellow cards for the home side. Anselmo was booked in the 43rd minute. Lion City made an early change in the 23rd minute when Mance A. entered. Adelaide United made a substitution at halftime, with Anselmo coming off in the 46th minute. The match remained scoreless at the break, with both sides working through midfield and limiting space near the penalty areas. Adelaide United continued to press after the restart, but Lion City’s defense held and the visitors began to find more room on the counter.

Lion City opened the second half with a change in the 59th minute as Karseladze J. entered. Adelaide United also made a substitution in the 59th minute, bringing on Muniz J., and followed with Goodwin C. in the 60th minute and Tatu A. in the 70th minute. Phillis S. received Adelaide United’s second yellow card in the 74th minute. Lion City made another substitution in the 77th minute when Fandi I. came on. Adelaide United used its final listed change in the 83rd minute, with Crawford H. entering. The substitutions gave both sides fresh legs as the match entered its final stretch.

Hugo finally found the breakthrough in the 80th minute, giving Lion City the lead. Matthias Phaeton provided the assist for the opening goal and was involved in Lion City’s attacking play throughout. Thy, who had entered as a substitute, sealed the result with a goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. Hugo and Phaeton played the full match for Lion City. The late goals rewarded Lion City for a patient performance and left Adelaide United with little time to respond. Adelaide United kept pushing until the final whistle, but Lion City protected its lead and closed out the win.

For Lion City, the result improved its record in this competition to 2 wins and 0 losses. Adelaide United’s record in the competition moved to 1 win and 1 loss. Across all competitions, Lion City is now 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Adelaide United is 2 wins and 2 losses across all competitions.

Lion City entered the match after a 6-0 win over Tanjong Pagar, a scoreless draw with Tampines, a 2-0 win at Jurong, a 1-0 win at Tai Po, a 6-1 win over Young Lions and a 1-0 loss to Cong An Ha Noi. Adelaide United had beaten Pathum United 2-1, beaten Perth Glory 3-1 and lost 2-1 at Sydney. Lion City is next scheduled to play at Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore Premier League. Adelaide United is next scheduled to play at Perth Glory in the A-League.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Lion City 4, Adelaide United 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Adelaide United with a 64.3 percent probability to win. Adelaide United had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 2.5.