Adelaide United Youth has produced a stunning comeback win over MetroStars, prevailing 2-1 at Smith Partners Stadium on Sunday.
It was an entertaining and at times tempestuous Round 14 affair, but United held on in the second-half after Carlo Armiento’s free-kick ultimately proved the difference.
Metro initially opened the scoring from the penalty spot through Christian Esposito, before Pacifique Niyongabire levelled proceedings in clinical fashion to ensure parity at half-time.
It was a patient start to the match with both sides not looking to commit too many players forward.
But in the ninth minute the visitors struck first after Aladin Irabona was adjudged to have fouled Cohan Morris inside the area.
Esposito buried the subsequent spot-kick to give Metro the advantage.
Adelaide continued to push for an equaliser and it arrived via a magnificent finish from Niyongabire from the right flank some fifteen minutes later.
Approaching the interval, the Young Reds had legitimate shouts for a handball in the box waved away before Armiento came close to scoring from close range.
The second-half picked up from where the first stanza ended with Armiento again being the focal point.
He saw goalkeeper Isaac Carmody off his line and his audacious chipped effort from distance smacked the crossbar.
As both sides exchanged chances United would finally capitalise. Armiento unleashed a curling free-kick beyond the flailing gloveman and into the far corner after Ryan Yates was brought down.
Paul Pezos’ side needed every ounce of resilience and focus in the final few minutes as Metro threw the kitchen sink at them.
However, they staved off the late Metro rally to secure a vital three points.
The Young Reds, fifth, return to action in a fortnight when they take on Adelaide City at Adelaide City Park.
Key moments:
9’ | GOAL: Esposito coolly slots his penalty past Isaac Richards, handing Metro the lead.
24’ | GOAL! Niyongabire strikes the ball, low and hard across Carmody, from the right flank and into the far bottom corner.
38’ | Strong shouts for a penalty following a handball inside the 18-yard box are dismissed by the referee.
45’ | Armiento’s shot from close proximity is repelled by Carmody to ensure both teams head into the sheds on par.
47’ | Armiento’s daring attempt to try and chip Carmody from distance almost pays off with his effort striking the crossbar.
56’ | Richards makes a brilliant save, tipping a looping header over the bar.
78’ | GOAL! Armiento this time gets his goal to make it 2-1 for the Young Reds, after dispatching a sensationally hit free-kick into the far right corner.
85’ | Richards is called into action again, pulling a strong save down to his right and pushing the shot around the outside of the post.
Reserves:
Adelaide United 4
MetroStars 1
