Adelaide United may lose one of its key players when the transfer window opens next week
Adelaide United could lose a key player, but regain another in the New Year. Meanwhile, doubt has been cast over the Socceroos’ possible visit to South Australia in June. All that and more in this week’s 90 Minutes.
Local Soccer SA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Soccer SA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Get the attitude right or lose every game, says Verbeek
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Welcome to this week’s 90 Minutes, where we discuss a possible Reds move in the New Year, the likelihood of the Socceroos coming to Adelaide in June, plus plenty more South Australian-related football happenings.
REDS PLAYER ON THE MOVE?
The festive season may bring some heartache to Adelaide United and its fans as the FIFA transfer window approaches next week.
It’s understood one of the Reds’ key men on a good deal – we’ll keep him anonymous on Christmas Day to save his phone from overheating – is attracting more than a fleeting interest from first class clubs within the Asian Football Confederation.
His cheap buyout clause has made him a very inviting prospect for clubs aiming to bolster their stock during the window meaning Adelaide may soon need to counter approaches possibly by touching up his contract.
The player has had some nibbles from Asian clubs representatives and it appears that offers will become serious before the end of the Australian window closes on January 31.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly.
ISAIAS RETURNING HOME?
Former Adelaide United captain Isaias is destined to return to Adelaide.
The Spaniard with Australian citizenship signed a contract with Al-Wakrah, leaving the Reds in pre-season.
He has played every minute of the club’s 11 games and his transfer value has remained stable at $1.2 million after a buyout clause forced his Adelaide release.
It’s understood Isaias still has real estate in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and that could mean he intends on returning.
SOCCEROOS’ SA VISIT IN DOUBT
The likelihood of the Socceroos playing a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Adelaide in June appear slim after 90 Minutes talked to inside sources about the possibility.
The only window Adelaide has to host the Socceroos is the clash against Taiwan at Hindmarsh Stadium on June 4.
By the time that game comes around the Socceroos should have already advanced to the next stage of the Asian Football Confederation third round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
This could mean the June clashes against Taiwan and Jordan – which is almost certain to be played as the Socceroos farewell match in the eastern states before they leave for Copa America matches that month – would be dead rubbers.
MORE LOCAL SOCCER NEWS
Reds coach searching for answers
Stuttering United caught out by Mariners
Our NPL SA men’s Team of the Decade
BUSHFIRES IMPACT W-LEAGUE CLASH
There is a theory that W-League referee Isabella Blaess was forced to end her shift just before the 90 minutes were up at Marden Sports Complex.
As thick smoke from the Adelaide Hills bushfires stuck around for most of Sunday it appears Blaess and Canberra United captain Nikola Orgill were affected by the poor air quality.
Orgill reportedly was handed her asthma puffer by club staff in the first half.
Blaess first went down clutching her chest.
After a second Canberra United goal in a 2-1 win over Adelaide United, Blaess was subbed off for the fourth official after appearing distressed during second-half stoppage time.
EX RED LEVCHENKO BEGINS ACTING CAREER
Remember Evgeniy Levchenko, Adelaide United or indeed A-League fans?
The Ukraine Netherlands-based midfielder played just 10 games for the Reds under former boss Rini Coolen due to injury almost a decade ago.
Now Levchenko has taken to acting in a short film, which premiered at the Rotterdam sport film festival and won the best sports film prize earlier this year.
The film is now selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam after it was also screened at the Milano International Ficts Fest.
Titled ‘Becoming LEV’, the story is about a kid from Ukraine who had a dream to become a professional footballer, much like Levchenko.
THE WOMEN ARE OVER IT
Women’s NPL sides are becoming frustrated that their league games have been mainly limited to Football Federation SA venues only.
90 Minutes has heard this from more than one source.
One of the venues, Angle Park, has limited changerooms for WNPL games for two synthetic pitches where teams have to juggle their schedules to use them.
The other gripe is clubs are limited in raising revenue on game day when most WNPL games are scheduled for FFSA facilities.
SA PLAYERS ABROAD
Brandon Borrello – Freiburg (Bundesliga): Came on in the 76th minute of a 2-2 away draw with Schalke 04.
Alex Chidiac – Atletico Madrid (women’s Spanish Primera Division): Unused substitute in a 2-1 home win over Tacon.
Ben Garuccio – Hearts (Scottish Premier League): Recovering from an ACL injury.
Meni Haralampopoulos – Acharnaikos (Greek Gamma Ethniki): Christmas break.
Awer Mabil – Midtjylland (Danish Super League): Winter break.
Craig Goodwin – Al-Wehda (Saudi Arabia Pro League): Provided an assist and played 81 minutes in a 2-1 away loss to Al Taawon.