Adelaide United’s training ground overhaul, SA soccer legends return, Carl Veart resumes rivalry
Adelaide United is taking steps to avoid the problems which left it without a training ground last season, while SA soccer greats roll back the years and Carl Veart rekindles an old rivalry, all in 90 Minutes.
- Golden memories inspire fresh start for Veart
- Goodwin: ‘I’d be ecstatic to lead Reds’
- Kurz confirmed as Victory’s new coach
- New coach on offensive as United rolls out red carpet
- West coach, club part ways after just nine months
Adelaide United is taking steps to avoid the problems which left it without a training ground late last A-League season.
Former coach Marco Kurz shifted sessions to Adelaide City’s Oakden home in March, after refusing to train on the Reds’ Ridley Reserve pitches as he deemed them too hard.
But United teamed up with Playford Council last month to launch a major upgrade of the Elizabeth complex.
The project replaced the irrigation system on the two pitches and the adjoining community playing field, installing new piping and more than 400 sprinklers.
An irrigation controller and weather station have also been added, as well as improvements to the turf.
The work forced new coach Gertjan Verbeek to kick-off pre-season on the open grounds outside the training centre fences.
But Reds chief executive Nathan Kosmina said it was a necessary sacrifice.
“We have been working collaboratively with council to resolve the irrigation issue at the venue,” Kosmina said.
“The works currently being undertaken will ensure the playing surface remains at an elite standard for the long-term.
“In addition to the irrigation works, we have undertaken a significant renovation program in the off-season which will see the pitches return to play in the coming weeks in better condition than they have ever been before.”
United was responsible for ongoing maintenance of the $700,000 training ground, which it moved to in 2015 after enduring a nomadic existence for its first 12 years.
Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said the council was working closely with the club to ensure the upgrade met its needs.
“There are enormous benefits to having Adelaide United based in our sports precinct and our community enjoys having the Reds here,” Docherty said.
“Playford’s relationship with the Reds continues to be very strong and we are looking forward to seeing another successful season from the club in 2019/20.”
The Reds were expected to return to their training pitches next month.
Past stars return
A host of SA football greats have rolled back the years to celebrate the opening of MetroStars’ new artificial pitch.
The Klemzig club hosted a legends match against Adelaide Comets on Saturday to mark the $1.4 million upgrade of its TK Shutter Reserve home.
MetroStars’ side boasted star names from their past including ex-Adelaide United winger Jason Spagnuolo, as well as former NSL talents Nathan Day, Corey Artone, Dino Menillo and Michael Pirone.
Comets, meanwhile, fielded the likes of ex-West Adelaide, South Melbourne and Sydney Olympic forward Elias Demourtzidis, as well as current first-team coach Kon Antonoiu.
The match was played as a curtain-raiser to the National Premier Leagues SA clash between the clubs and the formal opening of the new playing surface.
For the record, MetroStars prevailed 3-2 thanks to goals by Vince Schimizzi, Michael Cinco and Mark Graham.
Demourtzidis and George Aslandis were on target for the visitors.
Former foes team up
Carl Veart has wasted no time in rekindling an old rivalry from his playing days as he begins his second stint on Adelaide United’s coaching staff.
The former Reds striker returned to the club last week as one of new manager Gertjan Verbeek’s two assistants.
But Veart, who also served as United’s forwards and youth mentor from 2007-11, was quick to settle a score with one of his soon-to-be colleagues.
Ex-Melbourne City target man Gerald Sibon was expected to be confirmed as another Adelaide assistant in the coming weeks, once his working visa was cleared.
But the Dutchman’s playing CV hit a lighthearted nerve with Veart.
Sibon scored 36 goals in 129 games for English club Sheffield Wednesday from 1999-2002.
It came five years after Veart got his European break with the second-tier side’s bitter cross-town rival, Sheffield United.
“I’ve of course said to him that United is the better team,” said Veart, who notched 15 strikes in 66 appearances after joining the Blades from Adelaide City.
“Even though Wednesday is supposedly the bigger club, if you go to Sheffield, United is definitely the bigger club and I’ve told Gerald that.”
Cup run over
Elvis Kamsoba’s off-season adventure has ended in disappointment, despite the SA-raised winger making his international tournament debut.
The Melbourne Victory speedster was a surprise call-up to Burundi’s squad for its maiden appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Kamsoba, who moved to Adelaide aged 11, came off the bench in his homeland’s Group B opening 1-0 loss to powerhouse Nigeria in Alexandria last week.
But the 23-year-old failed to make another appearance, as the Swallows lost 1-0 to Madagascar and 2-0 to Guinea to exit the tournament without a point or a goal.
Kamsoba’s attention will now shift to the upcoming A-League campaign, where he will link up with ex-Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz.
The former refugee joined Victory from NPL Victoria outfit Avondale last year, having previously played for Playford City, Raiders and Croydon Kings in SA.