Adelaide United’s Young Reds held firm for a hard-earned point on Saturday afternoon, playing out a 0–0 draw with Adelaide City after spending the majority of the second half with 10 men.
In a high-paced contest between two attacking sides, both teams had moments to break the deadlock, but neither could find the finishing touch in a game that deserved goals.
Head Coach Paul Vanis made two changes to the starting XI from last week’s match against West Adelaide, with Ali Mohtashami and Sajjad Nasiri coming into the side. Fabian Grelli and Riad Rarhidi shifted to the substitutes bench, while Fabian Talladira again wore the captain’s armband and Laris Cesko continued in goal. On the bench, Daniel Wojcik and Campbell Mattner were added to the matchday squad alongside Mutsa Mupandawana, Grelli, Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki and Rarhidi.
United created the first clear opening on eight minutes when Liam Stam cut inside and drilled an effort from just inside the box, forcing former Red John Hall to palm the strike away to safety.
City responded with chances of their own. Nicholas Francese fired over on 12 minutes, before Jonny Lawrie-Lattanzio was unable to keep his effort on target after a smart chest-down from Dom Costanzo. Lawrie-Lattanzio went close again on 24 minutes, curling narrowly wide after a quick City counterattack.
The Young Reds thought they had found the breakthrough on 33 minutes. Malual Nichola broke down the right and fed Luka Blazevic inside the area, with his first effort parried by Hall. The loose ball sparked a moment of chaos in the six-yard box, and although Blazevic followed up to tap towards goal, Hall recovered brilliantly to make a second save before the danger was cleared.
Two minutes later, Sajjad Nasiri’s powerful volley was blocked on its way towards goal as the Reds continued to threaten.
The second half began in controversial fashion when Feyzo Kasumovic was judged to have committed a foul on the edge of the box and was shown a second yellow card by referee Thomas Brinkworth.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, United maintained a positive outlet and continued to play bravely in possession. Vanis responded by introducing Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki, who slotted in at right-back, while City’s resulting free kick was sent high over the bar.
Clear chances became limited from that point, though Keron Longhe tested Hall on 61 minutes with a strike from distance that was gathered comfortably.
City came closest to winning it deep into stoppage time when Costanzo cut inside and curled an effort towards the top corner. The strike had Cesko beaten, but grazed the crossbar as the Young Reds survived a late scare.
The result leaves Adelaide United seventh on the ladder, level on points with Croydon FC, with attention now turning to next Saturday’s clash against Adelaide Comets.
Squad
Starting XI
#15 Israel Mbula-Monga
#45 Alex Battistella (off 83’)
#46 Ali Mohtashami (off 52’)
#57 Liam Stam (off 83’)
#62 Fabian Talladira (C)
#67 Luka Blazevic
#70 Laris Cesko (GK)
#77 Sajjad Nasiri (off 83’)
#78 Malual Nichola
#79 Feyzo Kasumovic
#93 Keron Longhe (off 67’)
Substitutes
#47 Mutsa Mupandawana (on 83’)
#63 Daniel Wojcik (on 67’)
#75 Fabian Grelli (on 83’)
#80 Campbell Mattner (GK)
#85 Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki (on 52’)
#91 Riad Rarhidi (on 83’)
Images: Chris Kelly
