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The Sky Blues lost midfielder Nick Carle in the 68th minute after a second bookable offence before United were gifted a penalty just three minutes later, Matthew Jurman adjudged to have fouled debutant Anthony Costa inside the box.
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“Every week there’s something controversial and to be honest I’m tired of talking about it.
“When I was a young coach coming in I would have been complaining about this and complaining about that but you learn over time that you can’t do anything about it, nothing is going to change so there’s no point talking about it,” he said.
United coach Josep Gombau lost forwards Bruce Djite and Sergio Cirio to injuries inside the opening half-hour forcing his hand to throw youngsters Awer Mabil and Anthony Costa into the fray.
“In the first 25 minutes we had to change two players that are important. We played with young players and they did very well,” Gombau said.
“I can’t say anything to my players because they gave 100% and the youth players that played did very well.
“I’m happy with the team but not happy with the result,” he said.
Sydney took the lead in the 8th minute when Despotovic got in front of his defender to slot home from close range, finishing off some good build-up play from Ali Abbas and Richie Garcia.
The visitors looked to be well on top until an injury to Bruce Djite forced Gombau to inject the pace of Mabil into the game in the 20th minute. The move was a turning point for United who fought their way back into the game and equalized through Fabio Ferreira in the 24th minute.
With the ball at Lustica’s feet near the byline, Mabil’s run down the wing drew his defender to allow the central midfielder the space to pick out Ferreira at the back post. The Portuguese winger’s side-footed volley bounced off the post but managed to cross the line to the delight of the 15,000-strong crowd.
The match took a controversial turn in the second half with Nick Carle ejected for his second yellow in the 68th minute before the Reds were awarded a penalty just three minutes later. Jake Barker-Daish was starting in place of the injured Marcelo Carrusca and stepped up to send Janjetovic the wrong way.
The numerical advantage Adelaide held would not help them secure the points however as Corey Gameiro gave Sydney a lifeline in the 82nd minute from a set-piece. A lofted delivery in was read best by the striker who nodded the ball into the far net to equalize and stun the home crowd.
Farina felt the match was an even contest before he saw his side reduced to 10 men.
“I thought we were going very well up until we had the red card,” Farina said.
“Prior to that I thought we were well in the game and most probably in more control,” he said.
Adelaide United: Galekovic, McKain, Malik, Isaias, Cirio, Djite, Lustica, Zullo, Barker-Daish, Elrich, Ferreira
Subs: Boogaard, Bowles, Mabil, Izzo, Costa
Sydney FC: Warren, Despotovic, Jurman, Petkovic, Bojic, Del Piero, Garcia, Carle, Janjetovic, Abbas, Gligor
Subs: Necevski, Emerton, Gameiro, McFlynn, Thompson Crowd: 15,347