Andrioli lauds ‘mature’ Reds performance

Adelaide United

May 17, 2023 | 4:04PM AET

Adelaide United's NPL side has returned to winning ways, with a tense 0-1 victory over South Adelaide last Friday night.

Played in South Adelaide on a cold autumn evening, the Reds went into the game prepared for a stern test.

The Panthers began the brightest, peppering Ethan Cox's goal to the delight of a strong home crowd. The young Olyroo stood up to the occasion, pulling off multiple reactive saves to keep the sides all square.

United flicked the switch in the second half, gaining the upper hand and consistently piled the pressure back on their opposition.

Fabian Talladira's stunning goal was the difference, with a strike from range that soared into the top corner after 52 minutes

The Reds saw-out the game in a professional display, much to the satisfaction of Youth Head Coach, Airton Andrioli.

"It was a mature performance in the end and we needed to get back to winning ways after a series of draws," Andrioli said. "We had very good moments and we kept our composure and remained calm, which will go a long way for us this year in these tight games.

"South Adelaide is not an easy place to play, especially under lights and then you have a team fighting to keep their place in the top six.

"It was a tough game, but I think the boys played really well, and particularly at the back where we limited their dangerous forwards to a lot of half-chances."

The Youth Reserves rounded out a positive weekend in the RAA NPL SA with a 2-3 win against the same opposition.

Jake Porter scored a statement brace followed by a Luka Blazevic effort that proved to be the decider.

Mid-week Cup opens the door:Adelaide United's Youth Reserves will take on Croydon Kings in an enticing mid-week Round 4 Federation Cup game at ServiceFM Stadium (Pitch 2) on Wednesday night.

United will be desperate to make amends for their last-gasp heartbreak against Polonia a fortnight ago, and continue a Cup run that can only further boost the development of United's younger guard.

This same guard will need to be on red alert for Senior NPL action in the coming weeks, and this game presents an opportunity for players to put their hand up for selection.

Porter will be someone potentially called upon by Andrioli to raise the bar at Seniors level for the second half of the season, with depth to be tested following the Isuzu UTE A-League approaching its climax, and the expectation that United's best will be selected in the next Joeys squad.

"It's an exciting time for the Club right now with our first team in the A-League Semi Finals and we’re getting more and more of our young players selected for national teams," Andrioli said.

"We will be further tested in the NPL, but I’m sure the boys will be up to the challenge and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do, and maybe they can surprise us a little bit starting tonight against Croydon.

"This is what we want because at the end of the day we are producing players for the top level, and we must all be aligned in this goal."

Men's Head Coach, Carl Veart, will also be utilising as many resources as possible to overturn his side's one goal deficit in Gosford when the Reds take on Central Coast Mariners in the second leg of the Semi Final.

Righting the wrong:United lost to Adelaide Comets 0-2 in the second round of the season and will be eager to reverse that result when the two sides meet on Saturday.

Simultaneously, Comets will be looking to bounce back after a comprehensive 0-3 defeat the hands of frontrunners, MetroStars, and will be especially eager to dispel a rough patch that has yielded one win from their last five.

"If we look back, we reviewed thoroughly the first game against Comets and it clarified that we were still doing the right things early, but we didn't take our chances," Andrioli said.

"They also have evolved their game at the same time, with a lot of experience in the squad with some good players who again will be frustrated with where they are placed at the moment.

"Like any other game we’ll prepare the best we can and put our best foot forward for an exciting game on the weekend."

Fans not making the trip to the east coast can be treated to NPL action from 12:45pm and 3:00pm this Saturday at ServiceFM, when the Reserves and Seniors take on Comets respectively.

Upcoming match details:2023 RAA NPL SA – Round 13Adelaide United vs Adelaide CometsSaturday, 20 May April 2023, Kick-off: 3:00pm (ACST)ServiceFM Stadium