Second Half Leaves Reds Disappointed in Central Coast Draw

After a bye in week one, Adelaide United returned home to Hindmarsh to kick off its season against the Central Coast. 

In a promising first half, it was Luca Jovanovic who scored first for the Reds. 

The reigning premiers hit back in the second to spoil the Red party. Recent Mariners signing Sabit James Ngor scored, and both teams left with a point. 

Former Western Sydney playmaker Dylan Pieras looked lively in his first game. Early on, he linked up with Zach Clough to devastating effect.

At the 10 minute mark, Jovanovic’s first shot was blocked. However, Central Coast couldn’t clear their defensive lines.

The ball fell back to Jovanovic moments later, and with Central Coast keeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen otherwise occupied, Adelaide’s number nine was able to get the goal. 

Zach Clough had the opportunity to turn it home. Instead, he watched the ball across the line as Jovanovic celebrated Adelaide’s first goal of the season. The stadium shook as Reds fans everywhere felt something akin to relief.

After the goal, Adelaide was in cruise control. They owned possessions and cut down Central Coast’s passing lanes in the rare instances they weren’t on the ball. 

In the 24th minute, Alou Koul was able to get on the end of a ball from Brandtman for the Mariners. James Delianov was waiting; he saved with relative ease to start another United attack.

Just after the half-hour mark, Isaias’s ball from deep was met by Mauk in the box. Mauk’s first touch was brilliant, but the second was disappointing and opened the door for Peraic-Cullen to gather. 

At the 39th minute, Kikianis’s challenge on Edmonson was late. The centre-back was rewarded with a yellow card.

Minutes later, Ayoubi cut in and had a hit; it was gathered on the line. United were putting the sword to the Central Coast’s throat, but just couldn’t seem to draw blood. 

End-to-end football was the order for the first 10 minutes of second of the half. 

Mark Jackson made changes at half-time. Strom Roux and Alou Koul were taken off, replaced by Ngor and Nathan Paull, as Central Coast moved from a back four to a back five. 

These changes worked, and Jackson’s men found a foothold in the game. 

The Mariners thought they’d found the way back when Ryan Edmondson scored. However, the goal would be ruled out for offside. 

Central Coast wouldn’t have to wait long for the equalizer. 

In the 62nd minute, Delianov was able to parry the first shot away. After a header from Vitor Feijao, the ball would spill wide and into the path of Ngor for his first A-League goal. 

The goal wouldn’t be without victims, with Feijao leaving the field after heavy contact with multiple players. He did, however, make it back onto the field after receiving treatment.

With 20 minutes left, Stefan Mauk grabbed at his hamstring. United’s head coach, Carl Veart, quickly brought him from the field. The Adelaide number six looked in some discomfort as he made his way to the bench.  

The game wouldn’t pass without United chances. In one play, United should’ve found a second through one of Goodwin, Pierias, or Folami, as each had the opportunity to put the ball past Peraic-Cullen. Central Coast held firm to keep the score at 1-1. 

Adelaide looked scared to take on the game as time ticked away. Central Coast had gone from second best to absolutely dominant. The Reds had no answer, as shades of last year began to shine through.