Adelaide United wrapped up a valuable weekend of international competition at the Otten Innovation Cup, finishing eighth after two play-off matches on the tournament’s final day.
The Reds first faced SL Benfica in the 5th/6th play-off before returning to the pitch against Club Brugge in the 7th/8th play-off, ending the tournament against two more renowned European academies.
Benfica 4-0 Adelaide United
The play-offs began against Portuguese giants SL Benfica, who made a fast start and threatened early through Neves, who struck the post before Laris Cesko produced an excellent save to deny Castel-Branco.
Benfica eventually broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when Neves collected the ball near halfway, drove forward and calmly finished to make it 1-0.
The Reds remained in the contest, with clear chances at a premium for much of the match. Adelaide’s best opportunity to level came in the second half when Amlani Tatu looked destined to score, only for a Benfica defender to make a crucial goal-line clearance.
Benfica then took control in the closing stages, adding three further goals through Djalo, Coelho and Almeida to secure a 4-0 victory.
Israel Monga was shown a red card late in the match for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, with the Reds finishing the contest with ten men.
Adelaide United 2-3 Club Brugge
With seventh place on the line, Adelaide returned to the field against Belgian side Club Brugge.
The Reds started strongly and took the initiative early, with Amlani Tatu opening the scoring with a simple finish after a cross found Tatu in the box.
Adelaide soon doubled their advantage when a missed interception from the Club Brugge goalkeeper allowed Harry Crawford to pounce and make it 2-0.
Club Brugge looked for a response but struggled to create clear opportunities before the break.
The contest changed early in the second half when Adelaide were reduced to ten men due to a yellow card four minute “sin bin”, allowing the Belgian side to increase the pressure.
Club Brugge pulled one back through captain Stan Troch and then the equaliser 11 minutes later through Jeoffrey Mbambi capitalising on a keeper error.
The Belgian side continued to press after the second drinks break and completed the comeback late in the match. Jippe Caes fired a powerful finish into the near corner with just three minutes remaining to put Club Brugge 3-2 ahead.
Despite a determined defensive effort, the Reds were unable to find another equaliser as Club Brugge claimed seventh place.
A week of valuable experience
The result saw Adelaide United finish eighth at the Otten Innovation Cup, but the tournament provided the Reds with an invaluable opportunity to test themselves against some of the biggest youth academies in world football in SE Palmeiras, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, SL Benfica and Club Brugge.
