Adelaide United’s Young Reds showed plenty of resilience on Saturday, earning a hard-fought 1–1 draw away to MetroStars after playing more than half the match with 10 men.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made eight changes to the starting XI from the side that faced Sturt Lions, with Max Vartuli returning in goal. Israel Monga, Harry Crawford, Joey Garuccio, Luka Blazevic, Amlani Tatu, Malual Nichola and Feyzo Kasumovic also came into the side, while Ali Mohtashami, Mitch Knight and Luke Hurst were retained from the previous starting XI. On the bench, Laris Cesko was named as the reserve goalkeeper, alongside Bae Versace, Fabian Grelli, Chris Irakoze, Kaspar Kuzman and Kalan Alagich.
The Reds started brightly and created three golden chances inside the opening nine minutes. Tatu fired a low effort on goal inside two minutes, with Garuccio unable to turn home the follow-up, before Crawford found himself in the box after pouncing on a high-press turnover, only to shoot straight at MetroStars goalkeeper Cody Oestreich.
A minute later, Oestrich came off his line to clear a long ball, with the clearance falling to Garuccio just outside the centre circle. The forward attempted an ambitious lob, but his effort trickled wide.
Vartuli was called into action on 20 minutes, palming away a strike from former Red Arbri Mollas to safety.
The major turning point arrived on 37 minutes when Vartuli came out to deal with a through ball and brought down Niyonkuru outside the area, resulting in a straight red card. Cesko was introduced in goal as the Young Reds were reduced to 10 men.
Despite the setback, United remained a threat. Five minutes into the second half, Crawford went close with a delicious curled lob that drifted inches past the post.
MetroStars then came within inches of taking the lead on 50 minutes, when Scott Nagel poked the ball past Cesko, only for the far post to come to the Reds’ rescue.
Moments later, United struck first. Garuccio was in the right place at the right time after a corner, cleaning up inside the area to send the Young Reds into raptures and give them a 1–0 lead.
From there, MetroStars lifted the pressure and pushed hard for an equaliser, but United defended bravely and continued to look dangerous when opportunities opened up.
The hosts eventually found their breakthrough in the 84th minute, with patient build-up play ending in Andre Carle poaching home to make it 1–1 and break United hearts late on.
In the end, the points were shared after a spirited performance from the Young Reds, who now turn their attention to next Saturday’s clash with Para Hills Knights with two games remaining in the regular season.
Squad
Starting XI
#13 Max Vartuli (C) (GK)
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga
#46 Ali Mohtashami (off 38’)
#58 Harry Crawford (off 75’)
#65 Joey Garuccio
#67 Luka Blazevic
#74 Amlani Tatu (off 84’)
#78 Malual Nichola
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
#83 Mitch Knight (off 75’)
#86 Luke Hurst (off 46’)
Substitutes
#48 Bae Versace (on 75’)
#70 Laris Cesko (GK) (on 38’)
#75 Fabian Grelli
#82 Chris Irakoze (on 84’)
#84 Kaspar Kuzman (on 75’)
#88 Kalan Alagich (on 46’)
