BILLED AS… Season one’s two fiercest rivals get stuck into each other.

IN REALITY… This one lived up to its billing with both sides going hard at it in a seesawing encounter. Adelaide went a goal up before Sydney came surging back. A one-two combo saw brought the boys in blue back into it with a seemingly safe 2-1 lead but they couldn’t hang on with just over a quarter of an hour to go. Despite new bosses and players the rivalry, thankfully, remains the same.

THE GOOD… Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite’s combination upfront for Adelaide has the makings of being a bona fide quality pairing for years to come.

THE BAD… Branko Culina will have torn shreds off his defenders at the end of the game after gifting Adelaide their second goal. There was little resistance for Adelaide’s equalising goal after a mix-up and poor clearance from Ruben Zadkovich and Iain Fyfe at the back.

THE UGLY… Sydney’s two biggest recruits left the match nursing injuries following collisions during the match. Tony Popovic copped a pair of knees to his rib cage while Juninho’s shoulder took a battering.

THEY SAID WHAT… “I thought we played a good game. Attacking-wise we did well. I missed a few chances but I set up a goal and we’ll come away from here happy, Sydney are a great team. We’re still undefeated from the start of the Pre-Season Cup, which is seven or eight games, so I think we look good for the season.” Bruce Djite looks at the bigger picture after blowing two clear scoring opportunities.

THE FALLOUT… Adelaide go home happy, while Sydney nurse injuries and wonder what they can do to get more Sydneysiders through the turnstiles.

Sydney FC Clint Bolton (gk), Iain Fyfe, Mark Rudan, Tony Popovic (Cptn) (Patrick 46’), Robbie Middleby, Ruben Zadkovich, Steve Corica, Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Juninho (Brendon Santalab 85’), Ufuk Talay
Bookings Ufuk Talay 62’
Goalscorers Ufuk Talay 12’, Alex Brosque 73’

Adelaide United Robert Bajic (gk), Richie Alagich, Angelo Costanzo, Michael Valkanis (Cptn), Cassio, Nathan Burns (Lucas Pantelis 79’), Bruce Djite (Paul Agostino 82’), Travis Dodd, Jonas Salley, Bobby Petta (Isyan Erdogan 86’), Robert Cornthwaite
Bookings Bobby Petta 44’
Goalscorers Richie Alagich 8’, Nathan Burns 76’

MATCHRATING 4/5