Adelaide United’s Young Reds played out a tense 0–0 draw against Campbelltown City at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday, their third draw in the past four matches.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made four changes to the starting XI from the side that faced Croydon FC, with Israel Mbula-Monga, Jacob Kabazo, Sajjad Nasiri and Chris Irakoze coming into the side. Max Vartuli continued in goal. On the bench, Bae Versace shifted from the starting XI, with Malual Nichola and Kalan Alagich also included alongside Laris Cesko, Mitch Knight and Kaspar Kuzman.
Campbelltown started brightly and forced the first major moment of the match on 10 minutes, with Vartuli called into action to deny Jayden Lobasso from close range. The young goalkeeper made himself big and produced an important point-blank save to keep the visitors out.
United looked to threaten from set-pieces in the first half, with Tatu sending a free kick over the bar from outside the area on 22 minutes. Ten minutes later, Garuccio stood over a similar effort, but dragged his strike wide of the target.
Campbelltown had the best chance of the opening half shortly before the break, when Josh Mori was played through on goal by Jordan Maricic. One-on-one with Vartuli, Mori dragged his effort just wide of the upright as the Reds survived a major scare after a dominant first half display.
The visitors again went close again 10 minutes into the second half, with Jordan O’Doherty striking the post from close range with a header.
United responded on 66 minutes when Kasumovic rose to meet a corner, but his header drifted wide as both sides continued to search for the breakthrough.
The final 10 minutes opened up, with the game threatening to swing either way. Six minutes from time, Vartuli produced another strong save, palming away Jordan Elsey’s header from a corner. Two minutes later, Nichola was inches away from turning home a loose ball from a United corner, only for it to drop agonisingly into the grateful arms of Daniel Vaughan.
Campbelltown had one final chance almost immediately after, with Lobasso cutting inside at the end of a quick counterattack, but his shot was straight at Vartuli.
In the end, both sides were forced to settle for a point after a hard-fought contest. The Young Reds now turn their attention to an away clash with FK Beograd on Saturday, 18 July, with no RAA NPLSA fixtures this weekend due to the Federation Cup Final, where Beograd will face Cumberland United.
Images: Chris Kelly
Squad
Starting XI
#13 Max Vartuli (GK)
#46 Ali Mohtashami (off 70’)
#48 Bae Versace
#52 Sotirios Phillis (C) (off 65’)
#57 Liam Stam (off 84’)
#63 Daniel Wojcik (off 65’)
#65 Joey Garuccio (off 65’)
#67 Luka Blazevic
#74 Amlani Tatu
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
#85 Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki
Substitutes
#70 Laris Cesko (GK)
#75 Fabian Grelli (on 65’)
#82 Chris Irakoze (on 65’)
#83 Mitch Knight (on 65’)
#84 Kaspar Kuzman (on 84’)
#91 Riad Rarhidi (on 70’)
