City prevail past Playford with title fate in their hands

Adelaide City control their RAA National Premier League minor premiership aspirations heading into the final matchday of the regular season after a 1-0 win over Playford City on Friday night.

The Black and Whites moved one step closer to lifting silverware for the first time since 2022 after Francesco Schmizzi proved the super sub once again to claim the crucial victory at Adelaide City Park.

Sitting one point clear of West Torrens Birkalla at the top of the table before the penultimate round, City knew anything less than a triumph would be detrimental to their hopes.

And as fans frantically checked for live updates during the match and saw Birkalla comfortably taking care of West Adelaide – ultimately thrashing them 6-1 – time was running out for City to score.

But Schimizzi allayed those fears in the 82nd minute when he slammed the ball home from a swift counter-attack, causing jubilant scenes with an iconic knee slide celebration.

Asad Kasumovic raced down the right flank and with numbers streaming forward, flashed a low ball across the face of goal which fell to the striker, who had time to adjust and finish into an empty net.

By no means a defensive team, a cornerstone of Vas Parhas’ side’s success this campaign has been built upon a solid foundation at the back.

The Black and Whites have astoundingly recorded clean sheets in seven of their last eight matches and have not conceded in their previous three.

Now 14 games unbeaten, they will be demanding those same expectations as they prepare to face FK Beograd and aim to be crowned Premiers for 2026.

Match Details

Adelaide City 1 (Schimizzi 82’)

Playford City Patriots 0

RAA National Premier League – Round 21

Friday, 7 August 2026

Adelaide City Park