Knights hold Adelaide to a draw

A 71st minute equalizer from substitute Xioabin Zhang threatened the upset of the season as the New Zealand Knights held their much vaunted Hyundai A-League opponents to a creditable draw at North Harbour Stadium tonight.

The first half suggested one way traffic with Adelaide a constant threat from the moment Louis Brain put them ahead with a well directed header in the 21st minute. Until that point the match had been relatively evenly balanced with Jeremy Brockie and Kris Bright forcing Robert Bajic into early action.

Adelaide failed to score a crucial second despite their dominance and the Knights headed to John Adshead knowing they may have weathered the storm and so it almost proved.

The second half effort was much improved, the link between midfield and attack smoother and the defending more sure against the big Adelaide side.

The Knights survived a number of close calls and exerted some pressure of their own on the runaway Hyundai A-League leaders. John Adshead made just the one change but it was one that that paid off.

Xaiobin Zhang entered the match in the 67th minute, scored in the 71st and was booked in the 72nd for a celebration that saw the removal of his shirt. The 3079 loyal fans had been repaid for the faith they had shown in the side and sang their hearts out for the remainder of the match.

Both sides had chances to win it, with Adelaide pushing on the break and the Knights chasing a first and only home win. But both were denied.

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