Adelaide United’s Young Reds continued their preparation for the Otten Cup with a strong 5–2 win over already-relegated Para Hills Knights at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
United came flying out of the blocks, scoring three times inside the opening four minutes to take control of the contest early.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made three changes to the starting XI from last week’s draw with MetroStars, with Laris Cesko coming into goal, while Daniel Wojcik and Kalan Alagich were also promoted into the side. On the bench, Hugo Ng was named as the reserve goalkeeper, with Sajjad Nasiri, Riad Rarhidi and Keron Longhe also included alongside Israel Mbula-Monga and Kaspar Kuzman.
The Reds opened the scoring inside 104 seconds when Amlani Tatu received a lovely through ball from Ali Mohtashami on the edge of the area. Tatu cut inside, then outside, beating his defender twice before calmly finishing to make it 1–0.
It took United just nine seconds to double their lead. A mix-up at the back was pounced on by Garuccio, who showed composure to drag the ball back, beat the goalkeeper and slot home.
The Reds were in no mood to slow down and made it 3–0 just 30 seconds later. This time, Luka Blazevic raced onto a long ball from Tatu, rounded the goalkeeper and rolled into an empty net. It was effectively job done inside four minutes – a perfect start for Vanis’ side as they continue building towards the Otten Cup in the Netherlands.
Tatu added his second in the 27th minute in fine fashion. The young winger brought down a cross-field ball from Garuccio, showed neat footwork to come inside and then slotted his finish inside the post to make it 4–0.
Para Hills pulled one back just before the break, with Siyani tapping home from close range to reduce the deficit.
Vanis made three changes at half-time, introducing Kaspar Kuzman, Riad Rarhidi and Sajjad Nasiri in place of Luke Hurst, Kalan Alagich and Daniel Wojcik.
It took the Reds just seven minutes after the restart to add a fifth. Some lovely link-up play between Garuccio and Tatu in the middle of the park led to a clever through ball for Malual Nichola, who finished under Thomas Di Maria to make it 5–1.
Para Hills grabbed a superb late consolation through Adejo, but the result had long been secure as the Young Reds capped off a strong attacking display.
Next weekend, in the final round of the regular season, United travel to face WT Birkalla.
Feature and article images: Pagonis Photography
Squad
Starting XI
#46 Ali Mohtashami
#63 Daniel Wojcik (off 46’)
#65 Joey Garuccio (C) (off 63’)
#67 Luka Blazevic
#70 Laris Cesko (GK)
#74 Amlani Tatu
#78 Malual Nichola (off 63’)
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
#83 Mitch Knight
#86 Luke Hurst (off 46’)
#88 Kalan Alagich (off 46’)
Substitutes
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga (on 63’)
#60 Hugo Ng (GK)
#77 Sajjad Nasiri (on 46’)
#84 Kaspar Kuzman (on 46’)
#91 Riad Rarhidi (on 46’)
#93 Keron Longhe (on 63’)
