Comment: Bright times ahead for Adelaide United despite A-League elimination final defeat

ADELAIDE United’s brave but devastating elimination final defeat to Melbourne Victory mirrored much of its A-League campaign. But Rob Greenwood predicts bright times ahead for Marco Kurz’s Reds.

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz took the Reds back to the A-League finals in his debut season. Picture: Calum Robertson

ADELAIDE United’s brave but devastating elimination final defeat to Melbourne Victory mirrored much of its A-League campaign.

The Reds went into the knockout clash with relatively low expectations, having failed to beat their traditional rival in eight playoff meetings or win a post-season match on the road.

They started brightly, frustrating their more fancied hosts, and took a second-half lead through Nikola Mileusnic. But just when Adelaide appeared on the cusp of an upset triumph, a defensive lapse allowed Leroy George to equalise before Besart Berisha’s inevitable winner at the death.

It ended United’s promising season and left it with a familiar feeling of what might have been. But the sinking feeling as the full-time whistle sounded at AAMI Park need not be the overriding emotion looking towards next summer.

Wind the clock back 12 months and the Reds were in disarray. They avoided their first wooden spoon by a point and lost championship-winning coach Guillermo Amor following their AFC Champions League exit. United legends Eugene Galekovic and Marcelo Carrusca departed, while key players Dylan McGowan and Sergio Cirio, as well as young gun Riley McGree, left.

When Adelaide unveiled Marco Kurz as the man to usher in a new era, most supporters were hopeful rather than confident of success.

The charismatic German mentor laid down an early marker for his no-nonsense approach, introducing gruelling double pre-season training sessions. A host of new faces also arrived, three of whom – Daniel Adlung, Johan Absalonsen and Ersan Gulum – soon became fan favourites. United offered a glimpse of the high octane football Kurz would instil in its entertaining run to the FFA Cup final. Its unbeaten three-match start to the A-League campaign also gave belief to disillusioned fans. Most eye-catching was the shift in playing style.

Gone was the patient, possession-at-all costs approach, in favour of a full-throttle, high pressing game plan, full of quick transitions and counter attacks. United was hit hard by a glut of injuries and mid-season national under-23 call-ups.

A gallant 0-0 draw with reigning champion Sydney FC, despite missing 10 regulars, and a 2-1 win with nine men away to Victory demonstrated its new-found fighting spirit.

The emergence of once fringe players Jordan Elsey, Nathan Konstandopoulos and Ryan Kitto was a positive, as was inspirational skipper Isaias thriving with the armband.

Captain Isaias was a standout for Adelaide United this A-League campaign. Picture: AAP Image/George Salpigtidis

But a run of just two wins in nine games ultimately left Adelaide frustratingly short of a top four berth. Kurz’s impressive debut turned the heads of rival clubs, but he thankfully looks set to fulfil the second year of his contract.

The Reds must now convince the likes of Absalonsen, a revelation despite his injuries, and Elsey to sign new deals.

A second loan campaign for Turkish international Gulum unfortunately appears less likely. Crucially Adelaide needs to strengthen in key areas to take the leap from inconsistent finals participant to genuine title contender.

It has to replace already-departed playmaker Karim Matmour and find a proven goal scorer. Much will depend on United’s new ownership consortium to bankroll quality additions. But most signs point to the Reds building on this season and avoiding more heartache at the business end.

Adelaide United Report Card 2018