The A-League season kicked off with an understandable rustiness as Adelaide United and Sydney FC battled across ninety minutes at Coopers Stadium, ultimately finishing the match in a draw.

With both Baba Diawara and George Blackwood unavailable, Marco Kurz opted to play fringe Socceroo Ben Halloran up front, a move that saw some moments of superb build up from United.

Both teams appeared out of sorts throughout the match, although Adelaide largely dominated the affair as Sydney struggled to find their rhythm. Despite the caginess of the match, Scott Galloway’s opener was well taken, with Sydney FC’s subsequent equaliser a product of the magic of Milos Ninkovic.

The loss of Trent Buhagier seemingly appears to have hampered Sydney more than was expected, as the Sky Blues appeared bereft of pace up front.

Adelaide United

Paul Izzo 5 —

Some poor clearances in the first half, including a moment that would have been one to forget had de Jong’s dipping shot found its way in. Untroubled for most of the match.

Michael Marrone 5 —

Did not have much to contend with in the way of pace but was caught out as Ninkovic was played through to create Sydney’s equaliser.

Jordan Elsey 6 —

Was a force to be reckoned with at times, displaying all the qualities of a player growing in to one of the better defenders on offer in the league. Arguably should have handled Ninkovic’s cross in the build up to the equaliser with better judgement.

Michael Jakobsen 6 —

Unnecessarily mishit his passes at times, but was composed defensively alongside Elsey.

Scott Galloway 7 —

Made some positive marauding runs through midfield but was kept mainly to defensive work for most of the first half. That was until he stunned all watching by spotting Andrew Redmayne off his line and unleashed with a screamer from outside the box, the opener of the 18/19 A-League season.