A relentless Adelaide United have drawn 2-2 with a gutsy Melbourne Victory after a feisty clash at Adelaide Oval on Friday night in front of almost 20,000 fans.
Reds midfielder Vince Lia was the hero with two smashing strikes after Besart Berisha had given the visitors an early lead.
The Reds are unbeaten this season after coming back from a goal down in the opening 15 minutes for the third game in a row.
United now must prepare for a midweek FFA Cup semi final in Sydney with Wanderers.
Meanwhile, Victory proved their mettle with a courageous display to come back and equalise to pick up their first point of the season.
STORY OF THE GAME
- The spite and edge was evident early on before this “Cross-border Clasico” exploded with two goals in the opening 22 minutes.
- The bite continued in the second half before a stunning second goal to Lia gave his side the lead with half an hour left.
- It looked like the game was slipping away for Victory till sub Mitch Austin found the equaliser in the final 10 minutes.
- Johan Abaslonsen with two assists proof again that the Dane has been a superb signing for Marco Kurz.
GOALS
Berisha, Victory 13’: 0-1
Leroy George with a superbly accurate curling free kick with his left peg and Berisha found himself in space to head home with relative ease to give Victory a deserved early lead.
Lia, United 22’: 1-1
The Reds worked it wide with Absalonsen receiving the ball in the box and the United midfielder deftly laid it back for Lia who went boom! Lawrence Thomas barely saw it as it burst the net.
Lia, United 62′: 2-1
The Phoenix legend had time and space at the top of the area and, reminiscent of his goal in the first half, drove a sizzling strike inside the left hand post and past the outstretched arm of Lawrence Thomas.
Austin, Victory 82’: 2-2
After Berisha’s initial attempt was blocked, the ball fell for Mitch Austin who, on the turn, struck it delightfully into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
