Cassio’s powerful strike from a free kick cancelled out Nikita Rukavytsya’s 54th minute goal that initially gave Perth the lead.

On a night that contained a winter chill, both teams felt their way into the contest early on before the Glory had the first real chance of the game in the 9th minute. Attacking down the left, Billy Celeski swung in a cross that was met by a fierce glancing header from Rukavytsya that was heading for the top corner if not for a super reflex save from Adelaide keeper Robbie Bajic.

Perth continued to test United down the left hand side, while trial central defenders Les Anastasiou and Milan Susak were trying to impress Coach Aurelio Vidmar as they vie for an A-League contract.

Soaking up the Perth momentum, United went looking to assert some of their own authority. Young strike pair Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns started up front for The Reds and the former provided United with a half chance in the 15th minute when the ball came out to him at the top of the penalty area but flat footed, the Olyroo could not harness enough power into his left footed shot.

The following 15 minute period of the game provided few opportunities, as both sides were stagnant in bringing the ball forward.

Rukavytsya was finding room in the middle of United’s defence but could not hit the target before Cassio had Adelaide’s best chance of the first half in the 29th minute. Burns was brought down 25 metres out and from the resultant free kick, Cassio nailed a sublime shot towards the corner of the net but keeper Tomich just saw enough of it to keep it out. Then from the follow up Burns tried to flick the ball goalward but it hit the bar.

For the remainder of the opening 45 minutes Perth looked the most threatening, as Bajic was asked to come to the rescue on a number of occasions and Angelo Costanzo and Jonas Salley were kept busy trying to control the midfield.

Nine minutes after the break United were caught napping at the back as Rukavytsya found himself one on one with Bajic and with a touch to the left, he tucked it away to give Perth the lead.

However, the deficit was erased on the hour mark when The Reds won another free kick, With Bobby Petta and Cassio both standing to unleash the shot, it was the exciting Brazilian left back that rolled in and cracked a devastating drive past the wall from 35 metres and into the net giving Tomich no chance. From long range, this Brazilian showed he knows where the goals are and how to hit them and the home fans will be looking forward to seeing a lot more from the United number 6.

Cassio’s goal seemed to lift The Reds as they began to attack Perth’s last line. Djite slid a ball through to Burns but Tomich was alert to the threat, coming off his line to clear but the ball fell to Djite who had time to pick his spot as the crowd held its breath, but his shot went just wide.

The next chance fell to Richie Alagich who forced another save from Tomich after play broke clear down the right allowing the defender the opportunity to shoot.

Burns had one final chance to give United the lead but Tomich again did his job, and despite late surges from both teams, neither could break the deadlock after 90 minutes.

United showed they still have plenty to work on but Coach Aurelio Vidmar would have been encouraged to see his team continue to gel and create scoring chances. Two rounds into the Pre-Season Cup and two draws – the process towards United’s first game of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season continues to build up steam.

Match Details
Adelaide United FC 1 (Cassio 60’)
Perth Glory 1 (Rukavytsya 54’)
Crowd: 3,513 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee: Steven Gregory