Adelaide youngster Bernardo’s first Isuzu UTE A-League goal has secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington appeared set to secure a fourth-straight win thanks to Mexican Gael Sandoval’s first-half strike.
But 17-year-old Bernardo’s 92nd-minute back-post header ensured Carl Veart’s team left Sydney’s Netstrata Jubilee Stadium with a share of the spoils on Saturday.
The son of Adelaide great Cassio, Bernardo charged onto a Josh Cavallo cross as two of the Reds’ second-half substitutes combined to punish a tiring Wellington, who were playing their third match in seven days.
“We’ve been trying to get a little bit more end product out of Bernardo,” Adelaide coach Veart said.
“He’s quite young and he’s learning the game.
“We keep encouraging him to be positive and he got inside the back post and got the header at the end.
“Full credit to him that he kept going there.”
The late goal was a gut punch for the Phoenix, who created the best chances of the match.
Coach Ufuk Talay stuck with the same starting XI which defeated Melbourne Victory on Wednesday in Wollongong.
That consistency shone through in the first half as English forward David Ball and Reno Piscopo regularly created chances for the Phoenix.
It was a delicious pass from Ball which found Sandoval in the 20th minute for the opener, the Mexican coolly slotting past Adelaide goalkeeper Joe Gauci to the far post to claim his second goal in just his fourth ALM appearance.
Gauci was critical in keeping the Phoenix’s lead to just one, making a smart save from Piscopo on the stroke of halftime when the Olyroo had been released by another pinpoint Ball pass.
The Phoenix had further half-chances at the start of the second-half but couldn’t beat Gauci a second-time.
Veart turned to his bench, bringing on new signing Zach Clough for his ALM debut and the Englishman almost immediately had an impact by testing Oli Sail in the Wellington goal shortly afterwards.
But it was to be fellow substitute Bernardo with the most important say, leaving Talay to rue two points lost.
“Disappointed to concede in the way that we did at the end but I think overall – three games in seven days – the boys backed up very well,” Talay said.
“If we were a lot more clinical in front of the goal, caught them in transition a few more times and scored, it would have been a different story.”
Adelaide face Melbourne City on Tuesday at AAMI Park while Wellington’s next match is against Brisbane at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday.
LIVE FEED
Written by Matthew Comito for KEEPUP
FULL-TIME: WELLINGTON PHOENIX 1-1 ADELAIDE UNITED
Heartbreak for the ‘Nix as a last-minute Bernardo header levels the scores in second-half stoppage time.
Wellington were just minutes away from notching a third-consecutive win in the league, but squandered the chance to rise into the top six by switching off late at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
GOAL! Bernardo levels in stoppage time for the Reds
Bernardo Oliveira has drawn the away side level with a headed goal at the back post in stoppage time, in a cruel blow for the ‘Nix.
Fellow Reds substitute Josh Cavallo provided the assist, darting down the left of the box and floating it up toward the opposite post for Bernardo to attack and head low into the bottom-right corner of goal.
HALF-TIME: Piscopo almost doubles the advantage (5.38pm AEDT)
That would’ve been the second moment of genuine quality from the ‘Nix to go two goals ahead – but a strong one-handed save from Gauci has kept the score at 1-0 at half-time.
It was the same Phoenix trio causing the danger, with Sandoval setting Ball free in midfield with a back-heel pass, before Ball slid the through pass into the box for Piscopo to attack.
Piscopo attempted to dink the ball over Gauci but he stood tall to get a strong glove on the shot and prevent the second scything ‘Nix attack of the half resulting in another goal.
GOAL! Piscopo, to Ball, to Sandoval – a supreme team goal from the ‘Nix (5.10pm AEDT)
A magnificent team move from Wellington left the Reds all at sea as Reno Piscopo, David Ball and Gael Sandoval combined to lethal effect to break the deadlock.
The Ball assist was put on a plate off the outside of his right foot, finding Sandoval waltzing down the right flank and into the box. Joe Gauci stood tall in goal for Adelaide but Sandoval slid the ball into the bottom left corner with ease to give his side the lead.
Tight start to the contest as Javi Lopez goes closest for the Reds (5.05pm AEDT)
A Javi Lopez strike off the right flank was smothered by the in-form Oli Sail in goal for Wellington as the first genuine chance of the afternoon fell to the Reds at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. 15 minutes have passed without a goal as these two finals aspirants suss each other out.
PRE-GAME
Wellington Phoenix are riding high after celebrating a third consecutive win on Wednesday night. Defeating fourth-placed Melbourne Victory gave Ufuk Talay’s side the confidence to set their sights on Adelaide United in fifth, with a three-point display on Saturday night capable of catapulting the ‘Nix into the top four.
Adelaide welcome new recruit Zach Clough to the mix, with the English creative midfielder formerly of Nottingham Forest arriving to bolster his new side’s attacking stocks.
TEAM NEWS
