There was to be no fairytale debut win in the Hyundai A-League for Adelaide United’s Dutch coach Rini Coolen, as the Reds shared the points in a hard fought 0-0 draw with the Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
Newcastle would perhaps feel unlucky they didn’t come away with more than a point after controlling much of the game.
Marcos Flores was a late withdrawal for the Reds after sustaining a thigh injury at training on Thursday. The Argentine was given until the last minute to prove his fitness but Coolen decided against risking the creative playmaker.
His absence was obvious as United lacked a player in the middle of the park to direct traffic and control the tempo of the game.
Paul Reid was tireless for the Reds in midfield and enjoyed a solid battle with Jets’ star recruit Kasey Wehrman.
The visitors threatened early, dominating possession in the opening five minutes and keeping United camped in their own half.
When the Reds finally went forward they nearly took the lead when a Daniel Mullen header flashed past the post in the ninth minute from a Cassio corner.
Captain Michael Bridges was stamping his authority in the middle of the park while Adam D’Apuzzo was getting plenty of joy down the left for Newcastle.
The pair combined on 20 minutes when the Englishman laid it off just on the edge of the area for D’Appuzzo, who was screaming forward, but his low drive was well saved by Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic.
Sergio van Dijk was having a torrid time shaking the tight marking of Ljubo Milicevic while Matthew Leckie had little opportunity to use his pace and run at the jets defence.
Frustration appeared to set in for United late in the half and Leckie was booked for a late challenge and a minute later Reid also went into the book.
Reid brought down Wehrman in the centre of the park with a tough tackle that saw players from both camps remonstrate with the referee.
Bridges continued to test Galekovic and his volley five minutes after the break had the Socceroos keeper diving to his right.
Leckie had a great chance minutes later when Iain Ramsay pounced on a poor back pass from the Jets’ defence.
The ex-Sydney FC player squared it for the Young Socceroo who took on a defender before blasting over the bar from just inside box.
Lucas Pantelis was next to go close for United but also saw his shot whizz over the bar after he had cut inside his defender.
Mullen found the back of the net just after the hour mark, tapping in a free kick after van Djik had flicked it on but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The Jets continued to attack and as the match wore on looked the more likely to steal a late match winner.
With the 90 minutes winding down, both sides appeared content to settle for the draw in chilling conditions.
Adelaide United 0
Newcastle Jets 0
8479 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
