A dominant Adelaide United has had to settle for a 0-0 draw against the Newcastle Jets in its opening National Youth League game at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday.
The Reds had a handful of quality chances to score throughout the match but lacked the finishing skills to deliver the killer blow.
Overage player Robbie Younis must have crossed paths with a black cat before the game as his promising performance was soured by a number of disappointing misses.
At the 14-minute mark he had a penalty kick blocked and then slid the ball past the right of the goal post in his second attempt when the keeper was sprawled on the ground.
And in the second half a Francesco Monterosso cross found him on his lonesome but his attempt was stopped again.
While Younis would’ve been disappointed, he showed plenty of potential and regularly put himself into good areas.
Overall, it was a pleasing effort from the home side which displayed superior skills for the first 75 minutes of the clash.
Osama Malik wasn’t overly busy but struck the ball powerfully, Joel Allwright displayed some pace in the first half while Alex Sunasky’s set pieces and midfield touches after the break were dangerous.
Former Reds captain Michael Valkanis also looked composed in defence.
It was an admirable performance by the visitors who were initially outclassed but finished the clash strongly.
And they almost stole the points at the 81st minute when Jon Griffiths took a well-timed, 20-metre shot. It went hard and low but couldn’t beat the left hand of United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
At the other end of the pitch, Jordan Griffiths was the hero for the Jets. He stopped several Adelaide shots and led the defence well.
It was also a valuable experience for the entire squad with the visitors wringing the changes in the second half. Adrian Karakolevski was the best of the substitutes and staged several runs through the midfield and into attack.
Match Details
Adelaide United 0
Newcastle United 0
Hindmarsh Stadium.
Adelaide United line-up: 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 3.Scott WEIDENBACH, 4.Michael MARRONE (2.Michael DOYLE 60-), 5.Michael VALKANIS, 6.Alexander SUNASKY, 7.Joel ALLWRIGHT, 8.Matthew MULLEN, 10.Osama MALIK (11.Shane TOBIAS 63-), 16.Daniel MULLEN, 17.Robbie YOUNIS, 21.Angelo ARAMBATSIS (9.Francesco MONTEROSSO 60-)
Substitutes Not Used: 40.Lucas ANDRUCCI (gk)
Yellow cards: Matthew Mullen 53-
Red Cards: Nil
Newcastle Jets line-up: 1.Jordan GRIFFITHS (gk), 2.Antun KOVACIC, 3.Jarrad ROSS, 4.George STROGYLOS, 5.Jon GRIFFITHS (12.Joel WITHERDIN 60-), 6.Taylor REGAN, 7.Kaz PATAFTA, 8.Matt HARPER (14. Jesse PINTO 46-), 9.Jason NAIDOVSKI, 10.Marko JESIC, 11.Brodie MOOY (15.Adrian KARAKOLEVSKI 56-).
Substitutes Not Used: Nil
Yellow cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
