Adelaide United had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Melbourne Victory in the Original Rivalry at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
After falling behind through Besart Berisha, a pair of spectacular Vince Lia goals either side of the break had given the Reds a 2-1 lead.
However, substitute Mitch Austin grabbed the visitors their first point of the season with an 82nd minute equaliser.
Marco Kurz named an unchanged line-up for the match following the Reds’ 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar in Round 2.
The Victory drew first blood when Berisha headed home Leroy George’s incisive free-kick.
However, Lia restored parity with an emphatic left-footed half-volley. The Reds then grabbed the advantage in similar fashion as Johan Absalonsen again assisted Lia, who unleashed a blistering low drive.
But Adelaide were unable to seal the three points after Austin pounced to dispatch his shot into the back of the net.
Key moments
13’ | GOAL: Berisha opens the scoring with a clinical header off George’s incisive delivery.
18’ | Rhys Williams man handles Isaías to the ground and lands on his shoulder, however remarkably the referee or VAR takes no action.
The midfielder smashes home his strike after Absalonsen teed him up inside the 18-yard box.
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) October 20, 2017
23’ | GOAL! Lia nets the equaliser to score his first goal in Red. Michael Marrone finds Johan Absalonsen, who lays off a pass to the veteran midfielder and he rifles a stinging drive on the half-volley into the top corner.
39’ | Isaías beats his opponent before unleashing a shot from outside the 18-yard box which swerves away from the top right corner.
45’+2’ | Berisha throws Jordan Elsey down to the floor at the half-way line and a scuffle breaks out. The striker subsequently enters the referee’s notebook.
Absalonsen drags the ball back to Lia on the edge of the area and his first-time drive beats Thomas. Lia only scores worldies!!
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) October 20, 2017
62’ | GOAL! Lia bags another stunning striker with the identical modus operandi. Absalonsen is again the provider, dragging the ball to the edge of the area and allowing the midfielder to fire his low drive past Thomas.
74’ | Matmour’s inviting cross is volleyed over the top by Absalonsen.
82’ | GOAL: Berisha’s initial shot is blocked by Elsey and sub Austin capitalises on the loose ball to steer his finish beyond Paul Izzo.
Match Details:
Friday, 20 October 2017
Hyundai A-League Round 3
Adelaide United 2 (Lia 23’ 62’)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Berisha 13’ Austin 82’)
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Attendance: 19,416
