In their maiden National Premier League finals appearance, Adelaide United Youth recorded a 3-1 Elimination Final win over Adelaide Comets, thanks to a tantalising first-half blitz.
A 10-minute period saw Taras Gomulka open the scoring before Carlo Armiento’s quick-fire brace ultimately secured progression to Week Two of the Finals Series and another do-or-die meeting with MetroStars this Saturday.
Ibrahima Kamara pulled a goal back for the hosts after the break as United were naturally on the back foot during the second-half, but the damage had already been inflicted.
Paul Pezos’ side started with the ascendency, dominating possession and showing a sense of urgency when going forward.
But Comets gradually wrestled back some of the momentum and had a decent chance through Stefan Simic.
However, the match swiftly turned on its head as Gomulka was expertly played through by Pacifique Niyongabire to finish confidently past Julian Torresan.
One-nil soon became 2-0 on 27 minutes following a lighting counter-attack. Niyongabire was again the architect as he dribbled at pace down the wing, before squaring to Armiento, who had the simple task of tapping home from close range.
And the onslaught did not abate as Armiento netted his second four minutes later in dramatic style.
The winger swung in a corner to the back post and with the assistance of the wind beat gloveman Torresan, clipping the upright to make it 3-0.
The Young Reds had two more opportunities approaching the interval, while Comets hit the crossbar from a centering volley on the stroke of half-time.
From virtually the outset of the second stanza, United were forced to defend deep in their own half and absorb copious amounts of pressure.
For the most part they were successful as the Young Reds rarely appeared troubled, displaying maturity and composure negotiating the second 45.
Nevertheless, Comets’ relentless pressure did come to fruition in the 65th minute as Kamara curled a bouncing shot into the far corner.
Adelaide prevented Comets from building any real energy from that goal as they held on to claim a deserving 3-1 win.
https://twitter.com/aufc_YouthTeam/status/1028181615271264256
Key moments:
21’ | GOAL! With Comets dragged out of position, Niyongabire threads a pass to Gomulka, who finishes in convincing fashion.
27’ | GOAL! Armiento rounds off an incisive counter-attacking move after meeting Niyongabire’s low cross.
31’ | GOAL! Armiento scores a corner, bending his effort in off the back post.
65’ | GOAL: Kamara shoots from the edge of the 18-yard box and curls his shot beyond Isaac Richards.
83’ | Blake Carpenter makes a vital block on the six-yard box to deny a near certain goal.
