Sydney FC staged a thrilling comeback to earn a 3-3 draw against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium, showcasing the dramatic prowess of player Douglas Costa who netted two goals and assisted another.
The match unfolded with Adelaide taking the lead early. Archie Goodwin scored just six minutes in, making the most of a setup from Dylan Pierias. But Sydney’s Costa was quick to respond, smashing the ball home from the edge of the box to equalize shortly after.
Stefan Mauk put Adelaide back ahead as he capitalized on two initial saves by Sydney keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares, finishing off with precision from close range. Sydney’s attempts to level—including Joe Lolley’s shot just before half-time—were thwarted, as the Reds maintained their lead.
The second half saw Sydney grow increasingly desperate, pushing forward against the Adelaide defense. Despite several chances, including Aaron Gurd hitting the bar from a free-kick delivery by Costa, the visitors found themselves behind again when Jay Barnett netted the home side’s third goal, creating what seemed to be insurmountable odds at 3-1.
Most may have counted out Sydney, but they roared back within the final minutes of play. Costa struck again, scoring his second with what many thought would be nothing more than consolation. But the drama didn’t end there! With just seconds remaining, Costa delivered a pinpoint corner kick, and Jordan Courtney-Perkins headed it home, clinching the draw as the whistle blew.
Ufuk Talay, Sydney FC coach, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, saying, "Douglas Costa is an important player for us, and for the league. Overall I’m pleased the boys worked hard until the last minute to at least get a point away from home." He noted the team’s strong efforts to push for the equalizer as they faced pressure.
Costa himself was thrilled with his contributions, stating, "I’m really happy to help my team. I was injured five weeks ago and now there’s nothing to help my guys and to score goals. Now it’s time to climb the ladder and get some points." His return from injury has provided not only morale but has bolstered the team's scoring capabilities.
Rhyan Grant, captain of Sydney FC, acknowledged the game’s intensity saying, "Overall it wasn’t a great performance for us but we spoke about character and it was nice to get a couple of late ones and snatch a point so we’ll take it." He praised Costa’s impact on the game and emphasized the need to mend their defensive leaks moving forward.
Looking forward, Sydney FC now has its eyes set on the upcoming match against Melbourne Victory, scheduled for December 28 at Allianz Stadium. With their newfound confidence and determination, they hope to climb the rankings and improve their performance as they progress through the league.
