Adelaide United’s Youth Team has opened the new National Youth League season with a positive 1-1 draw against Sydney FC Youth at Leichhardt Oval in the harbour city.
Adelaide United-s Youth Team has opened the new National Youth League season with a positive 1-1 draw against Sydney FC Youth at Leichhardt Oval in the harbour city.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Mitchell Mallia put Sydney FC ahead in the 51st minute before Liam Wooding found the Reds- equaliser with less than 20 minutes remaining.
In warm conditions, neither side managed to seriously threaten in the first half, however the young Reds were made to repel a number of Sydney FC early after the resumption.
Sydney-s persistent pressure eventually saw Mallia open the scoring, the goal testing the character of United-s new young brigade and whether they could fight their way back into the contest.
The answer came in the 71st minute when Wooding sent a well directed header from a pinpoint cross into the back of the net from six metres.
Nick Munro was required late on to ensure the Reds came home with a point, the keeper tipping an effort from Sydney substitute Hassan Daramy over the crossbar in the dying minutes.
The work of midfielder Shaun Harvey and senior listed Ricardo Da Silva, particularly in the second half, was influential in getting the Reds back on level terms, while Jake Monaco and Jordan Elsey were both outstanding in defence.
Coach Michael Valkanis was extremely proud of his team-s opening hit out.
“Sydney put us under real pressure in the first half but credit to the boys, they fought back after going down 1-0,” Valkanis said.
“They kept to their structure and kept trying to play football, and I thought their effort was outstanding considering the travel and the heat.”
Adelaide United Youth-s next game is against Brisbane Roar Youth on Saturday 29 October 2011.
Sydney FC Youth 1 (Mallia 51-)
Adelaide United Youth 1 (Wooding 71-)
@ Leichhardt Oval
