It’s a season that promised so much but while Adelaide United’s campaign has not reached the heights many tipped, a pair of scholarship players are showing there are green shoots blossoming at Coopers Stadium.
Katie Bowler and Emilia Murray scored as Adelaide overturned a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against second-bottom Newcastle Jets, but the point did not stop last season’s semi-finalists the Reds from being eliminated from the Liberty A-League finals race.
While it was undoubtedly a disappointing evening in South Australia, the two goalscorers showed the future is bright for Adelaide.
Bowler is not that young – aged 20, but she is on a scholarship contract this season, having spent the last campaign at Adelaide City, where she scored 10 goals in 16 appearances.
READ: Role of Aboriginal culture and how an Adelaide teenager is eyeing the path walked by Sam Kerr
Murray (18) is in the same boat too in 2022-23 and like her teammate, she has scored twice.
Bowler has been a shining light in recent weeks, scoring two goals in her last three matches after finding the back of the net eight minutes into the second half on Friday.
And A-Leagues great Teresa Polias had a clear message for the Reds.
“If you’re Adelaide, you’re signing her now – multi-year deal,” the former Liberty A-League star and Network 10 co-commentator said during the coverage on Paramount+.
Commentator Teo Pellizzeri joked in response: “I’m not sure if it’s Teresa Polias or Rio Ferdinand sitting next to me here. Get the pen out, the contract.”
For context, Pellizzeri was referencing former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who had famously called for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be given the permanent managerial role at Old Trafford after overseeing a dramatic UEFA Champions League win in 2019.
This season has been a breakout campaign for Murray, who spoke to KEEPUP in November.
Having captained the Young Matildas, Murray – who is embracing her aboriginal culture – has a clear path she wants to follow.
“Play Matildas. Kind of follow Sam Kerr’s career. Play Matildas then go to Europe, play in the Women’s Super League,” she said at the time.
“I want to use the A-Leagues to get more experience, put myself out there more. With Asian qualifiers coming up, just impress everybody as much as I can, show them what I have. Then hopefully work my way up to the Matildas.”
‘You just can’t do that as a goalkeeper’
Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Claire Coelho was in the thick of the action and based on the replays, she was somewhat fortunate to be on the field for the second half.
With the Jets leading 1-0 through Lucy Johnson’s opener – she became the first Tasmanian player to score in the Liberty A-League, Coelho conceded a penalty.
In a rash challenge, the Jets keeper took down Adelaide’s reigning Julie Dolan Medallist and Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts with a high boot.
Only shown a yellow card, Coelho then saved Maruschka Waldus’ spot-kick in the 22nd minute as Lauren Allan doubled Newcastle’s lead seven minutes later.
She also produced a stunning goal-line save to deny Jenna McCormick from point-blank range.
“You just can’t do that as a goalkeeper,” said Polias at the time of the penalty.
“I’ve seen very similar ones red carded,” was added.
Report – AAP
Adelaide United came from two goals down to salvage a draw against Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium.
The Jets led 2-0 at the break after an impressive first half before the Reds pulled one back just before the hour mark and then levelled two minutes from time.
After a strong opening, Newcastle broke the deadlock on 19 minutes through Lucy Johnson.
Adelaide had the perfect chance to equalise just three minutes later when Fiona Worts was cut down inside the area by goalkeeper Claire Coelho.
Referee Georgia Ghirardello issued the Jets’ custodian a yellow card, with the hosts adamant it should have been red with Worts clear of the Newcastle defence and Coelho denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Maruschka Waldus stepped up and struck the spot kick low and hard to the keeper’s left, but Coelho guessed the right way and kept the penalty out with a strong save.
On 29 minutes the visitors doubled their lead after a lightning counter attack.
As the Reds tried to push forward, Emily Garnier intercepted the ball, skipping in ahead of her opponent and hitting a long clearance.
Lauren Allan raced in behind Adelaide full-back Emily Hodgson and took a touch before firing past the onrushing Annalee Grove.
Adelaide should have pulled a goal back in first-half injury time when Nanako Sasaki drilled a free-kick from wide on the right towards the back post.
Jenna McCormick met the cross perfectly and powered a header from point-blank range but it was brilliantly saved on the line by Coelho.
Five minutes into the second half, Worts wasted a golden chance, failing to get the ball out from under her feet right in front of goal after a perfect cross from Isobel Hodgson.
But, the Reds did not have to wait long to halve the deficit, making it 2-1 on 53 minutes.
Substitute Emilia Murray broke down the right and crossed into the area, with Worts’ touch inadvertently teeing up Katie Bowler whose sweeping shot nestled into the net.
Worts continued to threaten and on 72 minutes cut inside from the right and curled in a left-footed shot only for Coelho to tip the effort onto the post at full-stretch.
After peppering the Jets goal for much of the second half, Adelaide finally got their reward on 88 minutes.
Substitute Chrissy Panagaris lofted in a cross from the right for Murray to ghost past her defender at the back post and turn the ball past Coelho with a deft touch.
