Adelaide United coach Carl Veart acknowledged the significance the Reds’ fans played in their hard-fought 2-0 win over Melbourne City on Sunday.
While matches in football’s top leagues around the world being are being played in front of empty stadiums due to the COVID pandemic, Veart paid tribute to the 10,000-plus fans who rolled up to Coopers Stadium.
With the game in the balance, City skipper Scott Jamieson was expelled for a second bookable offence before the Reds broke the deadlock through Tomi Juric from the resultant free kick.
Veart said the home fans’ involvement from that point helped get his side over the line.
“I just think Hindmarsh is like a fortress for Adelaide United and it has always been from day one,” he said.
“And today again – how great was it in the second half when the fans got right behind us and that sort of lifted and spurred us on and it was fantastic.
“The atmosphere in that second half was great.”
Veart admitted United were made battle for the victory and conceded City were probably the better side in the opening 45 minutes.
Some tactical tinkering at the break helped Adelaide wrestle their way back into the contest before Juric’s opener and a second soon after from Stefan Mauk.
“The rotation and movement in their midfield was very good and we struggled to cope with that a little bit in the first half,” Veart said.
“We fixed that up, tightened our midfield up in the second half which allowed us to intercept a lot more balls and provide a few more balls in behind them and we started to stretch them a little bit and that’s when we started to get a bit more success.”
Pre-match, the United coach had labelled Juric as the best striker in the country and pressure was already mounting on the No.9 to open his Reds’ account in his second stint with the club.
Juric was the focus of the Reds attack and had a couple of chances in the first half but lacked polish, ailing to get a shot away or laying off when shooting would havebeen the better option.
But the striker made no mistake when he opened the scoring, confidently picked out the bottom corner after a well-rehearsed set piece assisted by Louis D’Arrigo.
“Tomi puts that pressure on himself,” Veart said.
“He knows where he wants to be and again he showed glimpses that he is the best striker that Australia has. I truly believe that.”
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Watching this game at home I was lucky I didn’t have a brick next to me or else I would have thrown it at the telly. Jamo single handedly turned the game in favour of AU and they took their chances smartly. We only have ourselves to blame for the defeat.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
melb city keep up a performance like that hot and cold the will finish bottom 4.Disgraceful performance Sunday,they do it every year to their fans.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
first of all it was great to be back watching a game live. As much as I enjoy watching the EPL it seems pointless without the fans being there. This game game was born of the fans, regardless of what some of the hierarchy think, it is just a meaningless 'kick around' without them being there. To all the naysayers who 'whimped out' because they were asked to look out for others, by wearing a mask and using a little common sense, you missed being part of the reason the game is being put on. Carl was right, when it was obvious we were starting to get on top, the crowd lifted, sensing something was going to happen and it did, we started to get in behind their defense more often, you could just feel a goal was coming. that feeling you get when you know you have your opponent on their knees and all it was going to take was a little luck or something special. Jamo was caught out of position[not for the first time] and the race horse of M. Toure got the better of him, Jamo took one for the team and got his marching orders. he hasn't learnt to not speak out of turn to a match official. I'd like to know the statistic of yellow cards he has picked up by trying to 'gutter talk' a Referee. The goal was a well worked move, even though the Fox commentators [gee how we miss Simon Hill] tried to warn the City defenders to watch out for Tomi GUN Juric. He was left free at the back, a quick movement as the other REDS sold the dummy, and before you knew it the ball was in the back of the net. A well practiced free kick and something that City will have to work on defending. After the goal, the crowd did come to life, it was as if we had all forgotten how to sing and carry on. It was only a matter of time before the second one went in, again quick feet and movement inside the box and Captain Mauk got a toe poke in and an ever so slight deflection which had Glover going the wrong way. It should of been more as both sides had plenty of chances and a 4-2 finish would have done the game justice. The crowd were up and about [all within the strict protocols of the current pandemic] and it felt good. Victory next up, so an early start to make sure you miss the long que's and the QR coding and the 'over the top' crowd control measures we football fans seem to accept now days. It seems the management of the stadium really do believe we are a threat to the social order of the community. Once again there was no 'safe smoke' allowed, even though the club are seriously considering the use of it. I believe it would add to the atmosphere, especially with the RED Army in full voice, so i encourage the club to quickly make a decision and allow it, even encourage it, they could sell it inside the ground to both home and away supporters. Let the debate begin.
Big Red
Roar Rookie
What an exciting front four Adelaide ended the game with. Mohamed Toure, Kusini Yengi, Pacifique Niyongabire and the returning Nathan Konstandopoulos. The future looks bright for the Reds.