‘That’s unsafe’: Adelaide United urges A-League to address Covid booster shot situation

Adelaide United has had to roll up its sleeves for booster shots in between games in order to cross Western Australia’s notoriously strict border.

The Reds’ schedule was already hectic enough, and now they’ve got another hurdle to overcome. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has slammed the timing of his squad having Covid-19 booster shots to cross the WA border before facing Perth Glory on Sunday.

Glory will host its first home A-League clash since round one, when it drew 1-1 with Adelaide in November, after the state had been isolated from the rest of the world due to the pandemic.

Before crossing the border to play in Perth, Adelaide United players were required to roll up their sleeves for Covid-19 boosters in accordance with Western Australia’s border regulations.

All interstate travellers must provide proof of triple vaccination, or double vaccination if ineligible for a third dose, before entering the state.

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Veart claimed his side lacked energy during the thrilling 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium because of the booster shots.

“We were a little bit flat at the beginning (against the Mariners),’’ Veart said.

“It was a difficult week for the players, we came off a three-game week and then we had to have boosters.

“It’s something that the league has to look at making players getting jabs between games that’s unsafe, I think.

“A lot of the players lacked the energy that they normally have.

“Our team is the only team that didn’t really have Covid through it, we all have to have a booster to get into Perth.

“They could have played us (Glory and Adelaide) in Tasmania because all the (other) teams didn’t need to take it (boosters) because they have had Covid.

“I just don’t understand it, we’ll go to Perth without four or five starters.”

Veart is frustrated at the timing of his side’s booster shots. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

However, Veart’s men had the energy to burn when it counted at home on Saturday night.

After the Mariners had taken a first-half lead via Frenchman Beni Nkololo following Craig Goodwin’s penalty that was saved by Mark Birighitti, Adelaide staged a comeback that has become all too familiar this season.

Adelaide is the late show specialist of the A-League, with the side recording last-gasp stoppage-time goals in five matches, which have earned the side nine points this season.

After Hiroshi Ibusuki pegged back the deficit seven minutes after the break, teenager Nestory Irankunda scored the winner deep in stoppage time.

“It just happens by design at the minute,’’ Veart said.

“That’s the spirit we have, we made a couple of changes at the end bringing in Nestor (Irankunda) and a little bit of speed with Mo (Toure) as well.

“15 to 20 minutes that’s all they could play, they did well.”

The Reds scored a 2-1 win on Saturday night. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Veart must also contemplate naming a new captain for the Glory clash.

Skipper Stefan Mauk played his last Reds match on Saturday before starting a J2-League contract with Fagiano Okayama but Veart believes English playmaker Zach Clough is the ideal replacement.

“The quality that he (Clough) has, the way he finds the ball, (he is) a different player to what we’ve got here,’’ Veart said

“He takes up great positions, he’s always looking for the ball and to play those passes in behind.

“We have to get used to playing with him and get the ball to him more, the more opportunities we will get.”

Originally published as ‘That’s unsafe’: Adelaide United urges A-League to address Covid booster shot situation