Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar have played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the National Youth League match at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.
The Reds came from behind to take a 2-1 lead and looked to have the three points in their keeping before confusion in the box saw the Roar’s Tim Smits swoop on a loose ball and score the equaliser from close range in the 88th minute.
A seemingly harmless Brisbane kick towards goal was grabbed by United’s substitute goalkeeper Codey Larkin. But some body contact from an opposition player saw him lose balance and spill the ball and open up an opportunity for the Roar.
Adelaide was frustrated Larkin was not awarded a free-kick but the visitors were not complaining after Smits’ effort earned them an unexpected point.
The Reds were outplayed in the first half and trailed after a composed and clever Jordan Farina scored in the 22nd minute.
He trapped the ball on the left side, just outside the box, and chipped a ball over the top of Reds first-half goalkeeper Dan Godley who was a metre off his line.
Adelaide coach Joe Mullen made some inspired half-time substitutions with Larkin replacing Godley in goals while Andrew Ciarla was given a spell so Evan Kostopoulos could have a run.
Larkin denied Smits in the 46th minute, Jordan Farina from long range in the 52nd minute and seven minutes later Robert Malcolm from close range.
In between that Roar flurry Kostopoulos bobbed up with his team’s first goal – he trapped a cross near the spot, spun and rocketed the ball into the right hand corner of the net.
Five minutes later and Matthew Mundy was called for handball in the box after being put under pressure by a spritely midfield run by Inseob Shin.
Matthew Mullen took the penalty kick and beat the diving Luke Muir to put his side in front.
The Roar were the better side in the first half and strung together some dangerous plays in attack with Smits hitting the woodwork in the ninth minute.
But it was the deft touch of Farina which put his team in front. There was plenty of heat between the two teams and an aggressive United worked their way into their contest.
Their best chance of an equaliser came in the 41st minute when Mullen found himself in space just outside the penalty box. But his attempt hit the legs of grounded goalkeeper of Muir. Shin also had a chance to swoop from close range but somehow a frantic Roar cleared the ball.
Adelaide United 2 (Kostopoulos 51, Mullen 56)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Farina 22, Smits 88)
@ Hindmarsh Stadium
