Adelaide United’s Young Reds opened their 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 4–2 defeat away to a fit, strong and well-drilled Playford Patriots outfit after leading 2-1 at half time.
We made a bright start and struck early when Malual Nichola’s long-range effort from outside the box took a heavy deflection and looped into the net inside the opening two minutes to give us the lead.
Playford responded immediately, with Christos Pounendis finding space in the area and slotting home just two minutes later to level the contest at 1–1.
Wearing the captain’s armband, Max Vartuli produced a standout moment on eight minutes, pulling off a point-blank save to deny Shota Babaski and keep the Young Reds in the fight.
United regained the advantage on the half-hour mark when Harry Crawford latched onto a long ball from Max Vartuli, capitalised on a defensive error, rounded the keeper and finished well to send the Reds into the break 2–1 up.
Image: Harry Crawford and Max Vartuli celebrate after United’s 2nd goal. Credit: Pagonis Photography
The second half belonged to Playford’s fitness and physicality, with the momentum shifting on 51 minutes as Babaski made amends for his earlier miss, placing his finish past Vartuli to make it 2–2. The forward then struck again on 79 minutes, volleying home from a Braden French cross to put the home side in front.
Playford sealed the result on 84 minutes when Reece Jurjevic slammed home from close range to make it 4–2.
New faces for the reds included Israel Monga and Liam Stam making their starting debuts, while Kaspar Kuzman and Chris Irakoze were introduced late on to record their first senior minutes for the Young Reds.
A sincere thank you to Playford Patriots for hosting – as always, a welcoming club and great hospitality
Squad
Starting XI
#13 Max Vartuli (C)
#15 Israel Monga (off 85’)
#18 Jake Najdovski
#57 Riley Stam (off 62’)
#58 Harry Crawford
#62 Fabian Talladira
#67 Luka Blazevic
#74 Amlani Tatu
#77 Sajjad Nasiri (off 85’)
#78 Malual Nichola
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
Substitutes
#48 Bae Versace (on 62’)
#60 Hugo Ng (GK)
#63 Daniel Wojcik
#82 Chris Irakoze (on 85’)
#84 Kaspar Kuzman (on 85’)
#91 Riad Lazarou-Rarhidi
Relive the full match below
Header Image: Pagonis Photography
