Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek backs youngsters Isaac Richards and Luis D’Arrigo following FFA Cup semi-final win
Coach Gertjan Verbeek has praised the rookie duo which helped Adelaide United to another FFA Cup final, in a show of faith to the young talents as they eye regular first-team action this season.
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Gertjan Verbeek has given a vote of confidence to the rookie duo which overcame a tough introduction to help holder Adelaide United book another home FFA Cup final.
The Reds coach offered a mixed appraisal of his side, after it secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over 10-man Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Wednesday night to advance to the decider.
But he backed the displays of goalkeeper Isaac Richards and teenage midfielder Louis D’Arrigo, who made their starting debuts in the gutsy come-from-behind triumph.
D’Arrigo was drafted in to replace injured veteran Mirko Boland in the holding role and put in an energetic, disciplined shift, before being replaced by Vince Lia on the hour.
Richards, meanwhile, was a surprise inclusion ahead of more experienced back-up Daniel Margush, following regular No. 1 Paul Izzo’s withdrawal due to illness.
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The 20-year-old was caught out for Jack Clisby’s long range free kick for the host’s opener, but stood tall to deny Jordan Murray with a crucial second-half stop.
“He was not bad,” Verbeek said of Richards, last year’s NPL SA goalkeeper of the year.
“For the goal they (Mariners players) were attacking the goalkeeper … and I think also it was offside.
“Before that there was one shot he did react to well and for the rest (of the game) he was doing his job.
“Louis also did it well.
“After one hour, I took him off but it was not because he was playing not good, it was more to get more experience in the team at that moment.
“They can only get experience when they get chances like this.”
Verbeek’s willingness to blood the youngsters in a starting XI which also featured Riley McGree, 20, and Al Hassan Toure, 19, demonstrated his faith in the youth at his disposal.
His selections were rewarded when homegrown talent McGree slotted in the Reds’ 90th-minute winner, following 22-year-old George Blackwood’s equaliser.
Verbeek praised the fighting spirit of his team, which scored twice in the last quarter of an hour to secure a third-straight knockout final berth.
But he said it remained a work in progress, ahead of next Friday’s A-League season-opener against reigning champion Sydney FC and the October 23 cup meeting with Melbourne City.
“It was enough to win and that’s what’s satisfying, but we have to play better football,” said the Dutchman, of the Mariners success.
“It was not dynamic enough, the possession play has to be better.
“We played too many long balls and then you have a lot of fights for the second balls.
“In the first half, it was a tough game and we weren’t in our best shape, but we still keep fighting and try to come into the game.
“In the end, we were doing well so I can only give a compliment to my team.
“It’s also saying something about our fitness.”
Verbeek was unsure how long Boland would be sidelined with his hamstring problem, given the 32-year-old suffered a similar set back last summer.
But he was confident both Izzo (flu) and Curacao international Michael Maria (abdominal) would be fit for the campaign kick-off.
Verbeek remained adamant a pair of recruits, including one from Chinese sister club Qingdao Red Lions, would arrive in the next eight days.
“We have a very difficult start to the season.
“But we’re still waiting for two players, so we’re not done.
“Hopefully it will be improving the quality of the team.
“We’re not ready yet, but we did a good job in the pre-season.”