Evan Kostopoulos.

Quinn Rooney © Getty Images

Adelaide United Youth is through to the National Youth League finals after a hard fought 1-1 draw with Gold Coast United Youth at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Entering their final minor round match knowing they were guaranteed a place in the semi finals providing they did not suffer a heavy loss to a side that was also aiming to sow up a finals berth, the young Reds took an early advantage when Evan Kostopoulos struck in the 9th minute, before it was cancelled out by Tahj Minniecon 11 minutes into the second half.

Led superbly by senior midfielder Paul Reid, who looks to be near back to his best after an injury disrupted season, the point was enough to see Adelaide United Youth finish in third spot, while Gold Coast also qualified for the knockout semi finals as they edged out reigning champions Sydney FC for fourth.

Without Coach Joe Mullen, who is in China with the senior squad for the AFC Champions League, the young Reds started well and took the lead when Kostopoulos scored his seventh goal of the season. The young striker was played in by Lloyd Owusu before hitting a venomous shot that proved too hot to handle for Gold Coast keeper Jerrad Tyson.

There was no addition to the scoreboard for the remainder of the half, despite Owusu manufacturing a couple of half chances.

Then in the 56th minute Minniecon brought the visitors back into the match when he weaved his way down the left hand side and from an acute angle, sent his shot past Reds keeper Codey Larkin.

Although he did not find the back of the net and was substituted just after the hour mark, striker Francesco Monterosso secured his second straight National Youth League leading goal scorer honour, as he finished three in front of his nearest challenger, Gold Coast’s Chris Harold, who was also replaced in the second half.

Both sides were denied by the woodwork late on as the victory could have gone either way, but the points were shared in a tough and intense encounter that gives the Reds an ideal lead in to their knockout semi final away against Perth Glory next weekend.

Match Details
Adelaide United Youth 1 (Kostopoulos 9’)
Gold Coast United Youth 1 (Minniecon 56’)
Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee: Regis Queffelec

Adelaide United line-up: Evan KOSTOPOULOS, Codey LARKIN (gk), Dane MILOVANOVIC, Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO (Andrew CIARLA 64’), Matthew MULLEN (c), Inseob SHIN, Alex SUNASKY, Joe WRIGHT (Liam WOODING 54’), Lloyd OWUSU (OA) (Brett RAYNER 59’), Paul REID (OA)

Substitutes not used: John SOLARI (gk)
Yellow Cards: Wright 44’, Reid 45+2’, Shin 83’, Wooding 90+3’
Red Cards: Nil

Gold Coast United line-up: Joshua BRILLANTE, James BROWN, Ben HALLORAN (Koh SATAKE 61’), Chris HAROLD (Richard GREER 65’), Steven LUSTICA (c) (Mitchell BEVAN 64’), Tahj MINNIECON, Steven TOPALOVIC, Jerrad TYSON (gk), Ben WEARING, ROBSON (OA), Dino DJULBIC (OA)

Substitutes not used: Tim ANDERSON (gk)
Yellow Cards: Djulbic 50’, Brown 52’, Topalovic 74’
Red Cards: Nil