Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has demanded national coach Holger Osieck reward Eugene Galekovic’s goalkeeping heroics in the Asian Champions League.
Galekovic produced two upper-class saves as the Reds shocked Japan’s Nagoya Grampus 1-0 in a knockout bout on Tuesday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.
It was the fifth clean sheet of the Asian tournament for Galekovic, who has conceded just two goals in the seven matches.
Galekovic’s match-winning display ensured Adelaide advanced into September’s quarter-finals against a yet to be determined opponent.
The Adelaide captain rated his performance the best of his career, while Kosmina implored Osieck to take notice.
“One of the saves he made, the first one, might happen once every two or three years if you’re lucky,” Kosmina told reporters on Wednesday.
“He has made two – and a third good save, but not as spectacular – in one game.
“It is a team game.
“But goalkeepers, the ones that make the special saves that win you games, that is when you really say you have got a world class keeper on your books – and we have.”
Kosmina said Galekovic’s consistency should be rewarded by the Socceroos.
The national team have again selected around Galekovic – a 2010 Socceroos World Cup squad member – for the upcoming friendly against Denmark.
With back-up keeper Adam Federici’s withdrawal through injury, the younger Mitch Langerak has been called up as a replacement.
“(Incumbent national keeper Mark) Schwarzer doesn’t want to put the nail in the wall at the moment,” Kosmina said.
“But he (Galekovic) should be there or thereabouts, he should at least be taken into camp and had a look at.
“When you look at the quality he’s producing consistently over the years, he’s one of the best in the country, if not the best.”
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