MELBOURNE, Australia (Interstat) — Substitute Eli Adams scored and assisted on another to help Melbourne Victory rally for a 2-2 draw with the Newcastle Jets in the A-League season opener for both clubs Friday at AAMI Park.

Newcastle’s Charles Nduka scored twice in a three-minute span late in the first half, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead after Adams’ opener for Victory. Adams then assisted on a second-half equalizer to salvage the draw. The result defied pre-match projections that favored Melbourne Victory. Each side received two yellow cards in a physical contest. Both clubs begin the campaign with an 0-0-1 record.