A Robbie Fowler inspired North Queensland Fury claimed their first A-League point at the expense of an injury-hit Adelaide United after the two sides staged a dramatic 3-3 draw at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
The Fury led twice before cruelly bowing to a 93rd minute penalty from United’s stand-in captain Lucas Pantelis after sub Dyron Daal handled a corner as he jumped between two opponents.
Pantelis coolly stroked home his spot kick to save the home team’s blushes after it had led at halftime but looked headed for a third consecutive defeat when the Fury netted twice in four minutes to go 3-2 up.
But the A-League rookies couldn’t hold on despite carving out the bulk of the good chances across the 90 minutes.
Goals from English import Lloyd Owusu, in his first start, and Pantelis ensured United led 2-1 at halftime after Liverpool great Fowler opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a slick half volley from a James Robinson cross.
But they had to ride out a rollercoaster game in rain-soaked conditions with a much improved North Queensland unit almost breaking their duck after three losses.
They came out aggressively and were unlucky not to at least net a couple before halftime as defender Michael Marrone chested a shot off the line in the 23rd minute and keeper Eugene Galekovic also had to work overtime to keep Fowler and company at bay in his 100th national league match.
Galekovic could only dive in vain when Fowler stole into the penalty area late to connect perfectly with Robinson’s cross.
Socceroo squad member Shane Stefanutto rifled a drive just past the far post in the 19th minute before United drew level through Pantelis in the 23rd minute.
The left footer neatly brought down a Marrone cross and beat Fury defender Paul Kohler before squeezing it past Paul Henderson with his right foot.
Robinson should have put the brave Fury back in front in the 32nd minute when he ran onto a cushioned header from Daniel McBreen but Galekovic blocked his low drive and then palmed over his rebound lob for a corner.
Less than a minute later, former Sheffield Wednesday and Cheltenham Town striker Owusu made it 2-1, heading a Pantelis cross into the opposite corner to electrify the 10,773 fans, including a “hip hop-style” celebration.
But the Fury were not done and Daal ran onto a long pass in the 83rd minute to tap it past Galekovic for 2-2 and then Daniel McBreen started wild celebrations as he headed home a Fred Agius cross in the 87th minute for 3-2 before Pantelis levelled it.
Fowler praised his team-mates’ performance, saying the service up front had been good.
“We’ve shown last week and tonight that we’re heading the right way,” he said. “Tonight we took it to Adelaide who were one of the best teams in the A-League last season.”
Fury coach Ian Ferguson was pleased with the point and buoyed by the performance.
“I’m disappointed that we dropped two points but happy to get one,” he said. “We’re starting to get the balance right (in the team) and we kept attacking tonight and created many good chances.”
Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said his team was “absolutely lucky” to get a point from the match.
“We’re very fragile mentally at the moment,” he said. “It’s not easy when you lose a couple of games. We’re certainly playing very jittery. Now we need to show real character. It’s not going to be easy to turn around.”
The Fury finished with nine shots on target to Adelaide’s six.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I was happy they got a point, only saw the highlights but it looked entertaining. I think they have been a good addition to the comp :) Finals series with any combination of Perth, GCU, Melb, SFC and Roar seem exciting. Newcastle are looking good too with quite a few good young players gettign a shot. The nix triangle of Bertos, Iffil and Greenacre show promise. I feel a bit for Adelaide, Aurilio is doing ok on a budget ther getting good crowds ... and then Cornflake goes and gets himself in trouble. They have Rudan and Fyfe now so if he is guilty I think he should be sacked. So any final that doesn't involve CCM should be a goody :)
Pippinu
Roar Guru
There's no doubt we love the underdog - until they starting beating our own team that is. And there is nothing sweeter than an underdog beating an asshole of a team like GCU.
DiCanio
Guest
Agree but just because Daal is a dumbass doesn't make it ok for the referee to miss the clear foul. Compounds well with the Man U v Arsenal game in my belief that there is a bit of discrimination in anglo leagues when it comes to foreign / non-anglo players Anyway I seem to be barracking for Fury in any non Syd FC games lately so I guess we really do love the underdog.
jimbo
Guest
DiCanio definite push in the back, but why did he put both hands in the air? You can get away with most things in the penalty area these days, but touch the ball with your hands and you leave the ref with no option.
DiCanio
Guest
Does anyone else feel Daal was fouled before he handled? The AUFC player seemed to be standing behind him with his arm over Daals chest Fury defending (inc keeping) is all thats letting them down at the moment a bit more quality there they would have 1 point from SFC and 3 from AUFC.
Koala Bear
Guest
More likely the Melb Vic with the shit on the stick trophy... :lol: ~~~~~~~ KB
jimbo
Guest
I was really impressed with the work rate and enterprise of Daniel McBreen who was involved in everything and Agius when he came on. I think the Fury have a few points left in them yet and the Roar better be careful or they might end up with the wooden stirrer this season.
Koala Bear
Guest
Fowler was fantastic; he is starting to look a much fitter player from when I saw him last play at “Fortress Miron”... He seemed to look a pound or two lighter to me... All credit to him for a wonderful performance and a well taken goal on the volley... It had world class written all over it... I think the Fury’s fans will come out in great numbers in their next home game... They were very entertaining and worth the trip down to my club to see them perform... I bet he can’t wait for the return match at the MV Dome to grab his first hat-trick for the season against the hapless Melb. Victory... Let’s face it, if Timmy Cahill can get 2 goals in front of Timmy’s Army then surely Robbie could get a hat trick for the Liverpool expats army in a weakening Grooky land environment... As the Foz has said, fear all over their faces... :lol: ~~~~~~~~ KB
David V.
Guest
Aurelio Vidmar doesn't have a clue does he?
Midfielder
Guest
How they did not win FFS ... closing seconds ... hand ball in the box... For all those MV fans ... the Mariners after we win today ... Up yours ... No body rates Us, We Don't Care
albatross
Roar Pro
I don't think they will finish 10th. I picked them for this draw in the tipping comp and you could see it coming. Last we they were a curate's egg - good in parts - like they were in Rd 1. NQF's goals were first class. If they can get the GK sorted and their best 10 others out on the park they will be a difficult proposition this season. Fowler is like having a second manager on the field. You can see him talking all the time organisng things. Big asset Lets hope it keeps up when it gets warmer.
MVDave
Roar Rookie
Another drama filled game and Fowler was very influential...involved in many of the excellent attacking moves from Fury. They have acquitted themselves very well in all but one game. Hopefully they can get some points at home to get their season up and running.
tifosi
Guest
Exciting finish to the game, NQF are looking better as each game goes on. One thing to say was how good was the pitch at this game and the Perth v Victory game also. I wish all pitches were in this good of a condition. Speaking of Perth v Victory, Victory dominated that game but still missed out on the points.
Luke W
Guest
The Fury played well, particularly in attack, but the goals they conceded were woeful (what was Henderson doing from Owusu's header?!?). They will get the spoon, but I think their only goal for this season is to be competitive, win five or six matches and just establish themselves.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Congrats to the Fury on earning the very first point in the comp.