Adelaide Blue Eagles twice equalised to draw 3-3 with Adelaide Comets in a pulsating Round 20 PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia match at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.

 

Goals from captain Evan Kostopoulos and Christopher Pepe had Comets clear, but Anthony Dimas’ instant response offered Blue Eagles hope.

 

Mattia Perrotti equalised immediately after half-time, only for Vasilis Carapanayiotis to restore the Comets advantage. The Italian striker netted again inside the final 15 minutes to ensure a share of the spoils.

 

Blue Eagles drop to sixth, four points clear of West Adelaide with two matches remaining. Evan Kounavelis said they had hoped to their spot in the finals series.

 

“It’s a bit disappointing to draw as we were at home and know how close the six is at the moment,” he stated.

 

“We thought we could win and consolidate our place, but this result will keep us focused for the last two weeks.

 

“We started a bit slow, but the two comebacks showed character. That’s good for morale.

 

“We look forward to the game against Raiders next week. We need a few more results and remain confident we will get in the six as we have good and experienced players to lead us through.”

 

Adelaide Comets coach Theo Tsiounis felt his side deserved to win, as it seeks another point to confirm a finals position.

 

“It was an end-to-end game and we created good opportunities. I thought we were unlucky to not walk away with three points,” he said.

 

“All the players did their jobs, everybody contributed. We wanted to get on top in midfield and Jack Bladen, Evan Kostopoulos and Kingsley Francis had control. We knew they would be dangerous on the counter.

 

“There’s still work to be done, but making the top six was a goal at the start of the season and would be a reward for the players.”

 

An entertaining game almost had its first goal after only nine minutes as Fortunato Filletti capitalised on a defensive error to chip goalkeeper Alexander Woodlands, who managed to tip the ball behind.

 

From the resulting corner Yvan Boyokino struck the near post from a tight angle.

 

A Chris Atsikbasis mistake led to Comets taking the lead, as Kostopoulos cracked in from distance after 19 minutes.

 

Comets extended the lead in the 37^th minute when Pepe steered a shot into the bottom corner, although Chris Christofilos could well have cleared the ball.

 

But Blue Eagles hit back instantly, with Dimas on the end of an Alemayo Kebede pass to get the better of Woodlands.

 

It took the home side just 20 seconds of the second half to equalise. Boyokino burst clear on the right and crossed perfectly for Perrotti to nod in from close range.

 

However, this see-sawing contest took another turn when Carapanayiotis slotted the ball past goalkeeper Pedram Sourjani just past the hour mark, after good lead-up work from Pepe.

 

Blue Eagles made it 3-3 with 13 minutes remaining. Dimas headed a deep cross back across goal and after the initial shot was kept out, Perrotti got down to head the ball in from close range.

 

The mid-season arrival nearly won it in the 86^th minute, but saw his attempt from distance stopped by Woodlands.