Boogaard sees red as Adelaide United draw

Adelaide United has held on to earn a point in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets, despite having defender Nigel Boogaard sent off after 65 minutes.

In a game of few chances, both teams had to settle for a point which leaves them stranded for now in the lower half of the Hyundai A-League table.

English striker Francis Jeffers returned to the starting line-up for the Jets for his first start since re-signing with the club.

Adelaide Head Coach Rini Coolen was forced to draft Milan Susak into the left-back position after Brazilian Cassio was struck down with a foot injury in last week’s clash with Wellington.

In the opening exchanges of the game Newcastle were the more patient of the two teams, controlling possession and building methodically towards United’s goal.

The Jets wasted a good chance in the 12th minute with Sung-Hwan Byun breaking down Adelaide’s left flank. Byun cut the ball back into Galekovic’s box and caught out the Reds’ defence, however Brockie’s curling shot flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

Adelaide’s first real chance came in the 21st minute after striker Bruce Djite outmuscled Nikolai Topor-Stanley. Djite held off the Jets defender’s challenge and moved the ball onto his left foot, but his shot couldn’t find its way past Matthew Nash.

Iain Ramsay proved Adelaide’s most potent threat going forward, providing plenty of movement down United’s left flank. Unfortunately the winger’s final ball let him down on a few occasions after finding himself in advanced positions.

Francisco Usucar found his way into Matthew Gillett’s book in the 30th minute for a cynical foul on Ruben Zadkovich. Boogaard soon followed suit, carded in the 33rd minute after the referee played advantage to the Jets.

In an often dour first half there were few chances to get excited about. Newcastle controlled almost 60 per cent possession but couldn’t capitalise as they managed to register just a single shot on target.

In the end both Nash and Galekovic had very little to deal with as the first 45 minutes ended 0-0.

United should have opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a golden chance falling to Ramsay. After a brilliant through-ball by Djite put the winger one-on-one with Nash, Ramsay rounded the keeper but his shot was stopped on the line by Tarek Elrich.

Adelaide’s backline went a man down in the 65th minute after Boogaard received his second yellow for talking back to referee Gillett after fouling Jeremy Brockie.

Kasey Wehrman’s ensuing free-kick was well saved by Galekovic whose outstretched palm tipped the ball behind for a corner.

Both teams went continued their search for the opening goal in the second half but just as in the opening 45 minutes, very few clear chances presented themselves as players from both teams began to get frustrated.

Newcastle’s best chance of the second half fell to substitute Labinot Haliti in the 80th minute, with the 26-year-old finding a free header in the centre of the box. The Reds’ defence were let off however as Haliti’s glancing header landed just outside United’s post.

Adelaide was denied a dramatic winner in the 88th minute after substitute Fabian Barbiero was called back for offside. Tiago’s attempted clearance rebounded off of Ramsay and fell to Barbiero who slid the ball past Nash before being called back.

In the end neither team could press hard enough for a late goal and had to settle for a point each.

Attendance: 8403
Referee: Matthew Gillett

The Football Sack 'Player of the Year' points:

3: Tiago Calvano
2: Iain Ramsay
1: Ruben Zadkovich