Adelaide United has begun the A-League 2020/21 season with a solid performance after a 0-0 draw with Western United at GMHBA Stadium on Monday night.
It was a tense and occasionally heated game with nine yellow cards brandished, six of which were shown to the Green and Black.
James Delianov impressed in his first game for the Club while Tomi Juric also linked up well with his teammates.
Both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock with United having more possession, but a stalemate was probably a fair result.
Adelaide dominated the opening 20 minutes and had the hosts camped in their own half.
Yaya Dukuly was dynamic in the early exchanges but lacked the final product to trouble goalkeeper Filip Kurto.
Mark Rudan’s side began to gain the ascendancy for the final 15 minutes of the first-half; Alessandro Diamanti was threatening while the Reds negotiated a plethora of corners.
Carl Veart’s side began the second-half well as Juric and Ben Halloran had chances but it was Delianov who was the busier of the two ‘keepers – forced into a couple of routine saves.
The 21-year-old commanded his area with assuredness from corners and was confident when claiming crosses.
Nathan Konstandopoulos also returned to action for the first time in 10 months with a late cameo appearance after recovering from his ACL injury.
The result extends Carl Veart’s unbeaten start with the Reds to six matches, joining fellow Adelaide managers, John Kosmina and Rini Coolen as the third Head Coach in the history of the competition to achieve such a feat.
Team News
There were several debutants in Carl Veart’s maiden starting line-up as permanent Head Coach. As expected, James Delianov assumed the number one spot, while Joe Caletti was deployed in midfield alongside Louis D’Arrigo in a double pivot, while Yaya Dukuly featured on the wing. Tomi Juric led the line in his first appearance with the Club since 2013 and 20-year-old Noah Smith made his full debut at left-back.
Key moments
35’ | CHANCE! Elsey delivers a lofted ball over the top of the defence which Juric gets hold of and shoots, but Imai is there to clear his goal-bound effort.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6218584393001
38’ | CHANCE: Delianov is called into action for the second time and parries Diamanti’s half-volleyed effort.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6218596516001
69’ | CHANCE: Delianov is equal to another angled attempt, thwarting Connor Pain from close range.
Match details:
Game date: Monday, 28 December
A-League 2020/21 Matchweek 1
Western United 0
Adelaide United 0
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
