Adelaide United’s Young Reds shared the points with an in-form Adelaide City side on Saturday, finishing 2–2 at Adelaide City Park.
The Reds produced a dominant first-half display and will feel they had done more than enough to take a comfortable lead into half-time, hitting the woodwork twice, having a goal disallowed and numerous other chances only for an experienced City outfit to respond with the quality expected of a side in strong form.
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There were key changes for Paul Vanis’ side, with Kalan Alagich handed his NPL starting debut in place of the injured Jake Najdovski, while Ethan Cox returned in goal to replace Max Vartuli.
United started on the front foot and created early chances, with Luka Blazevic unable to keep his effort down from close range in the fourth minute after a dangerous cross from Panashe Madanha. Alagich then showed composure and vision on 13 minutes, feeding Alex Battistella with a clever pass, but the young striker couldn’t quite find the right angle to beat former Red John Hall.
The breakthrough the Reds deserved arrived on 37 minutes. A quick-thinking free kick released Harry Crawford down the left, and his delivery inside found Battistella, who turned his defender and finished superbly low into the corner.
The Young Reds celebrate Alex Batistella’s first of two goals. Image: Chris Kelly
At half-time, the Young Reds were forced into a change with Crawford unable to continue, and City struck quickly after the restart. Goals from Dom Costanzo and Yuki Kitano turned the match and put United on the back foot.
The response, however, was exactly what Vanis would have wanted. Madanha pressed high, won possession from a City defender and delivered into the area for Battistella to tap home his second and restore parity at 2–2.
United searched for a winner late — including the introduction of Liam Stam — but both sides ultimately had to settle for a draw.
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Head Coach Paul Vanis said:
“I’m really proud of the boys, particularly with the way we approached the match. We played on the front foot, pressed well, and created enough opportunities to be comfortably ahead — we hit the woodwork, had a goal disallowed, and still kept our discipline and structure in transition. City are a quality team and they punished us with two quick goals after the break, but I was delighted with the character we showed to respond.
Kalan Alagich in his first 62 minutes in Senior NPLSA football. Image: Chris Kelly
“The mentality to go again, win the ball high and score the equaliser is exactly what we want to see from this group. We’ll take a lot of confidence from it and now our focus turns to Comets on Friday night.”
The Young Reds now turn their attention to a Friday night trip to face Comets at LJ Hooker-Mile End Sports Park (Ellis Park).
Starting XI
#36 Panashe Madanha (C)
#40 Ethan Cox (GK)
#45 Alex Battistella ⚽️⚽️
#54 Bailey O’Neil
#58 Harry Crawford (off 46’)
#62 Fabian Talladira
#67 Luka Blazevic
#74 Amlani Tatu
#78 Malual Nichola
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
#88 Kalan Alagich (off 62’)
Substitutes
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga (on 80’)
#47 Mutsa Mupandawana (on 46’, off 80’)
#57 Liam Stam (on 62’)
#60 Hugo Ng (GK)
#77 Sajjad Nasiri
#86 Luke Hurst
Header image: Chris Kelly
