Soccer: Knights must now get up to face in-form Adelaide

The bad news keeps coming for the New Zealand Knights.

Still licking their wounds after the inept 3-0 loss to Newcastle Jets, which sent them to the bottom of the Hyundai A-League points table, the Knights head back across the Tasman for Sunday's showdown with an Adelaide United side who have it all to play for.

Fresh from their upset 1-0 away win over formerly unbeaten leaders Melbourne Victory on Sunday, Adelaide will be thirsting for more points and the chance to continue their recovery from their stuttering start to move into the top two.

There is also the chance for United to avenge last month's loss to the Knights, the last of four points the Knights picked up on the back of the solitary goal they have scored this season.

In front of 32,368 fans at the Telstra Dome, Adelaide stunned the rampant Victory with Greg Owen's 82nd minute strike.

There was no place for the faint-hearted in the clash of the round.

One player from each side was booked within the opening minute. By the end, seven players were in referee Matthew Breeze's black book.

He also sent Adelaide coach John Kosmina packing after a sideline incident involving Victory captain Kevin Muscat.

Defending champions Sydney FC had a trip north to forget, dumped 3-1 by Central Coast Mariners after Benito Carbone had struck a 12th-minute freekick into the Mariners goal to give Sydney the early lead.

Paul O'Grady gave the 11,567 home fans something to celebrate with his 40th minute equaliser.

Two second-half goals from ace goal-grabber Damian Mori earned them the points and their second win of the season. Stewart Young provided the crucial crosses for both Mori's goals - the first drilled home, the second headed.

Perth Glory had the dream start of their home match with Queensland Roar when Stuart Young scored just 30s after kick-off. Ante Milicic equalised 14 minutes later.

Dario Vidosic scored the only goal of the second spell to give the visitors their 2-1 win, their first victory since the fourth round when they thumped the Knights 5-0.

In front of the smallest crowd of the round, 5725 at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle needed 72 minutes to open the scoring against the Knights. But once Jade North struck, the home side took control.

Most ninth-round interest will be focused on the big-city clash between Sydney FC and the sulking Melbourne Victory in Sydney, with both chasing a return to winning form after weekend losses.