Emilio Estevez had a seventh minute sight of goal for the visitors, the midfielder shooting from outside the penalty area at the end of a counterattack by the visitors that forced Joshua Smits into a diving save.

That early warning sparked Adelaide United into life and by the 19th minute the hosts had taken the lead.

Jonny Yull’s pass over the top of the defence released Jay Barnett down the right side of the Tai Po penalty area and he cut the ball back to the unmarked Alagich, who thumped a right-foot shot beyond Tse Ka Wing.

Four minutes later Adelaide United threatened through Luke Duzel and he charged down the left flank to send the ball towards Barnett at the far post, but his first-time effort fizzed harmlessly across the face of goal.

With seven minutes left in the half Tse managed to deny Brody Burkitt, the Tai Po goalkeeper making a flying save to his right to palm the midfielder’s shot from distance to safety.

Adelaide United showed their quality to double the lead three minutes into the second half when a patient build-up was ignited by Panagiotis Kikianis, the defender threading a pass from inside his own half into the path of Muniz and he stroked the ball beyond Tze.

Fernando, introduced as a substitute for Estevez seconds before, drew Smits into a smothering save with his 74th minute strike from wide on the Tai Po right but within a minute Adelaide United had added to their tally.

Goodwin burst into the penalty area to feed possession to Fabian Talladira and, after receiving a return pass, the former Australia international slotted past Tze to put the result beyond doubt.

Yull was twice denied by Tze as Adelaide United sought a fourth while Amlani Tutu shot across the face of goal as the home side cruised to victory.