Anything you can do, I can do better; That was the moto on Saturday as teenagers Harry Crawford and Jacob Brazete traded incredible goals in Adelaide United’s 1-1 Isuzu UTE A-League draw with Brisbane Roar.
A moment of magic from Crawford not only give the 18-year-old academy product his maiden A-Leagues goal but it put Adelaide ahead in first-half stoppage time in sweltering conditions at Coopers Stadium.
Not to be outdone, substitute Brazete rescued a point for Roar with a golazo of his own in the 68th minute as the 19-year-old celebrated his first goal in the competition and he nearly stole all three minutes in the 97th minute.
“Brisbane Roar have a gem on their hands,” Network 10 commentator and former A-Leagues star Roy O’Donovan said.
It was frustrating result for Premiership and top-two-chasing Adelaide, who dropped down to fourth and could potentially slip to sixth by the end of the weekend amid their four-game winless streak.
As for bottom side Brisbane, they remain at the foot of the standings but have drawn three of their past four fixtures.
It was a milestone day for one Red as Adelaide welcomed back a trip of AFC Under-20 Asian Cup champions, with Panagiotis Kikianis in the starting XI and Luka Jovanovic and Jonny Yull among the substitutes.
For captain Ryan Kitto, it was his 200th A-Leagues appearances in an Adelaide jersey.
Brisbane were bottom of the standings heading into the game but you would not know it on the field as Roar started brightly.
Putting Adelaide on the back foot, Roar came close to hitting the front in the eighth minute but Antonee Burke-Gilroy rattled the post from the edge of the area.
A sublime team move nearly resulted in the breakthrough 20 minutes into the first half – Harry Crawford and Zach Clough combined brilliantly as the latter’s flick with the outside of his boot released Crawford, who sliced his attempt agonisingly wide of the post.
Matt Acton came up big for Roar in the 37th minute, when the Brisbane goalkeeper produced a fine diving save to get down low and keep out Bart Vriends.
Adelaide got their goal on the stroke of half-time, though and it was worth the wait as Crawford’s memorable golazo put the Reds ahead in the fourth minute of additional time and his backflip celebration added icing on the unforgettable moment.
Roar were forced into a concussion substitution after defender Austin Ludwik suffered a nasty facial injury.
At the other end, Brazete came off the bench and after being denied by James Delianov just past the hour, he would not be stopped four minutes later.
It was another show-stopping goal, this from Brazete as he opened his A-Leagues account in stunning fashion to level proceedings.
