Defender Jordan Elsey says Sunday’s goalless draw with Sydney FC “feels like a win” given the youthful side Adelaide United were forced to field against the Hyundai A-League champions.
The Reds were without 10 first-team regulars through injury or international duty against the Sky Blues but put in a courageous display to take a point away from Coopers Stadium.
Marco Kurz fielded eight players under the age of 21 in his squad, while teenagers Lachlan Brook (16), Pacifique Niyongabire (17) and Kristin Kondstandopoulos (19) all made their Hyundai A-League debuts.
It all pointed to what was expected to be a big Sydney FC win but the Reds’ young guns showed their resolve with an energetic and gritty display.
“We wanted to win but to show what we did with the boys we had out there, it was great character,” Elsey told Fox Sports.
“We’ve showed it throughout the year and we could have snatched it late. It’s credit to all the boys.
“We just told [the debutants] to go out and play like they were playing in the youth league or a local game and they showed they are capable and I’m proud of them.
“The A-League is about momentum and we want to build on this and take character from this and go on to next week.”
While there was delight for the Reds at the draw, it was disappointment for the Sky Blues, who were kept scoreless for just the second time in 16 games this season.
“We don’t make the chances, we lose the ball too fast. It sometimes happens,” Sydney defender Jordy Buijs said.
“We are disappointed of course, we’ve dropped two points today I think. It wasn’t an easy game.
“We tried to put pressure everywhere on the pitch and as high as possible. I thought we did this good but sometimes you don’t have the luck to score the goals and today was one of them. We keep moving on.”
