Sydney FC took its comeback crusade to another level tonight, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with a rejuvenated Adelaide United in front of a healthy Christmas crowd of 10,212 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Sydney FC took its comeback crusade to another level tonight, coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with a rejuvenated Adelaide United in front of a healthy Christmas crowd of 10,212 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
New Adelaide coach John Kosmina asked his team to play like warriors and that-s what he got, turning the match into a war with referee Jarred Gillett handing out eight yellow cards and a red card in the dying minutes to Adelaide-s Iain Ramsay.
For the 5th time this year Sydney FC secured points after falling behind but against Adelaide they came back twice after falling behind in the 7th and 56th minutes only for Karol Kisel and Dimi Petratos to even the ledger on both occassions.
Sydney FC coach Viteszlav Lavicka resisted the temptation to bring back fit again duo Mark Bridge and Terry Antonis, staying with the same side that came from behind to defeat Newcastle 2-1 and gained seven out of a possible nine points over the last three matches.
Rhyan Grant replaced the injured Nick Carle, meaning a reshuffle to the midfield but Juho Makela and Mitchell Mallia kept their places on the bench alongside Sebastian Ryall and Ivan Necevski.
Adelaide opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Daniel Mullen out-jumped the Sydney FC defence to head home a Dario Vidosic corner.
As has been the case in recent matches, the Sydney FC team lifted after going behind with Brett Emerton letting fly with a strike that brought a save out of Adelaide custodian Eugene Galekovic in the 15th minute.
Four minutes later Sydney FC levelled the scores when Karol Kisel converted a penalty after Bruno Cazarine was adjudged to have been dragged down inside the penalty area by Adelaide defender Nigel Boogaard.
The teams went to half time locked at 1-1 after a tight 45 minutes that saw the Adelaide side fire up and Sydney FC give as good as they got.
After the break Sydney FC settled first and should have gone ahead when Cazarine hit the post with a strong header off a Dimi Petratos cross in the 47th minute.
Despite the strong start to the second period it was Adelaide that re-took the lead in the 56th minute. Adelaide was awarded a penalty after Djite was fouled by Liam Reddy and although Reddy saved the penalty, Vidosic put away the rebound.
Lavicka responded by injecting striker Juho Makela for midfielder Grant in an attacking 60th minute move.
The move paid dividends in the 66th minute when Petratos pulled Sydney FC level for the second time in the match. Jamie Coyne sent a marvellous cross into the penalty area that was only half cleared and Petratos half volleyed the ball past Galekovic.
Adelaide was forced to play the last few minutes with 10 men after Iain Ramsay was sent off for a second bookable offence and neither team was able to find a last-ditched winner.
Sydney FC now switches its attention to a clash with Melbourne Heart at the Sydney Football Stadium next Thursday night, 29 December.
Sydney FC (Karol Kisel 19 pen, Dimi Petratos 66) 2 drew Adelaide United 2 (Daniel Mullen 7, Dario Vidosic 56)
Sydney Football Stadium
Crowd: 10,212
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Sydney FC: 1. Liam Reddy, 3. Jamie Coyne, 4. Pascal Bosschaart, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Karol Kisel, 9. Bruno Cazarine (24. Mitchell Mallia ‘79), 11. Dimi Petratos, 12. Shannon Cole, 15. Terry McFlynn (c), 23. Rhyan Grant (18. Juho Makela -59).
Subs not used: 20. Ivan Necevski, 2. Sebastian Ryall.
Yellow cards: Terry McFlynn 43, Liam Reddy 55, Pascal Bosschaart 64, Bruno Cazarine 71,
Red cards: Nil
Adelaide United: 1. Eugene Galekovic, 3. Nigel Boogaard, 5. Daniel Mullen, 7. Zenon Caravella (2. Osama Malik ‘79), 10. Dario Vidosic (16. Spase Dilevski ‘64), 11. Bruce Djite, 14. Cameron Watson, 17. Iain Ramsay, 18. Fabian Barbiero (12. Antony Golec ‘82), 21. Francisco Usucar, 22. Milan Susak.
Sub not used: Mark Birighitti (gk).
Yellow cards: Daniel Mullen 13, Nigel Boogard 19, Iain Ramsay 34, 88
Red cards: Iain Ramsay 88
