Adelaide United’s Young Reds were unable to complete their comeback on Saturday afternoon, falling 3–2 to Sturt Lions at Summit Sport and Recreation Park in Mount Barker.
Early goals from Thanasis Lesi and Edward Elton, plus a second-half strike from Alex Sortini, proved costly for the Young Reds, despite goals either side of half-time from Riad Rarhidi and Ali Mohtashami.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made nine changes to the starting XI from the side that defeated FK Beograd, with Ethan Cox continuing in goal, while Ali Mohtashami was also retained. Fabian Grelli, Chris Irakoze, Mitch Knight, Kaspar Kuzman, Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki, Luke Hurst, Kalan Alagich, Riad Rarhidi and Keron Longhe all came into the starting side. On the bench, Bae Versace shifted from the previous starting XI, with Ryder Dalton, Mutsa Mupandawana, Emerson Koenig, Laris Cesko and Jacob Kabazo also included in the matchday squad.
The starting XI named by Vanis was the youngest side fielded across the entire RAA NPLSA this season, with an average age of just 17.4, further highlighting the opportunities being provided to young players through the Club’s pathway.
Sturt took the lead just six minutes in when experienced midfielder Alex Sortini found space on the right and lofted a ball into the box for Lesi, who arrived to volley past Cox.
The Lions doubled their advantage five minutes later. A quick throw-in from the left found Elton, who drove into the area and placed his finish past Cox to make it 2–0.
The Young Reds grew into the contest and halved the deficit on 37 minutes after a well-worked move. A superb cross-field pass from Alagich found Irakoze, who combined with Grelli before the latter delivered into the box. Rarhidi met the cross and looped his header over Zalan Melegh to bring United back into the game.
Vanis was forced into a half-time change, with Cox replaced in goal by Cesko due to illness. Versace was also introduced at the break, replacing Irakoze.
It was a difficult start to the second half for the Reds, with Sturt restoring their two-goal buffer just 98 seconds after the restart. Sortini found space inside the area and finished to make it 3–1.
Sturt pushed for a fourth but were unable to take their chances, leaving the door open for United. The Young Reds capitalised on 65 minutes, pressing high and forcing an error from Melegh, with Mohtashami passing into an empty net to make it 3–2.
Two minutes from time, United almost found an equaliser through Grelli, whose superb strike looked destined for goal before Melegh produced an outstanding save, tipping the ball over the bar with his fingertips.
Despite a spirited second-half push, the Young Reds were unable to find a leveller, with Sturt holding on to take the points.
Next up, Adelaide United travel to Klemzig next Saturday to face MetroStars.
Squad
Starting XI
#40 Ethan Cox (C) (GK) (off 46’)
#46 Ali Mohtashami
#75 Fabian Grelli
#82 Chris Irakoze (off 46’)
#83 Mitch Knight
#84 Kaspar Kuzman
#85 Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki
#86 Luke Hurst (off 71’)
#88 Kalan Alagich
#91 Riad Rarhidi (off 83’)
#93 Keron Longhe
Substitutes
#35 Ryder Dalton
#47 Mutsa Mupandawana
#48 Bae Versace (on 46’)
#53 Emerson Koenig (on 83’)
#70 Laris Cesko (GK) (on 46’)
#73 Jacob Kabazo (on 71’)
