Adelaide United produced a spirited second-half comeback to draw 2-2 with Manchester United in their final group-stage match of the Otten Innovation Cup.
The Reds faced another stern test against one of the world’s biggest clubs, with Manchester United controlling much of the opening half and taking a 2-0 lead through goals from Camacho Sidos and Mpofu.
Adelaide responded strongly after the break, lifting the intensity and pushing forward in search of a way back into the contest.
The pressure paid off when Amlani Tatu pulled a goal back to make it 2-1, before the Reds continued to threaten the Manchester United defence.
Joey Garuccio and Harry Crawford both went close as Adelaide pressed for an equaliser, with another effort narrowly missing the target.
The deserved leveller eventually arrived in the 37th minute, with Crawford capping an impressive second-half performance by finding the back of the net to bring the Reds level at 2-2.
Manchester United had a late opportunity to reclaim the lead through a free-kick, but McEvoy’s effort landed on the roof of the net as the points were ultimately shared.
The result brought Adelaide’s group-stage campaign to a close, with the Reds having tested themselves against three of the tournament’s biggest names in SE Palmeiras, PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United.
While the draw was not enough for either side to reach the podium, Adelaide can take plenty from a tournament that provided valuable experience against some of the world’s leading youth academies.
