It’s a game of firsts for Veart and Juric

Carl Veart continued his extraordinary run of firsts for Adelaide United in stunning A-League upset.

Tomi Juric of Adelaide United celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal against Melbourne City Picture: Getty Images

There is something about Hindmarsh Stadium for Carl Veart especially when he represents Adelaide United.

The now permanent Adelaide coach has got an incredible record of firsts for the team including the club’s maiden goal in 2003 against Brisbane Strikers in the now defunct National Soccer League.

In 2005 he scored Adelaide’s first A-League goal in a 1-0 win over Newcastle Jets.

Veart was at it again on Sunday night, this time as a leader. The Whyalla-born Adelaide City and Reds legend guided United in his home coaching debut to a stunning 2-0 win over Melbourne City in front of 10,000 fans.

Adelaide had four ex-City players in their side while there were six ex-Reds on the opposition’s team sheet.

It was a telltale sign that these clubs really like each other. But one of Adelaide’s ex-players Scott Jamieson copped it hard from his former fans in the 64th minute when he was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

The affable City captain had fouled his former City teammate Yaya Dukuly. It was a game breaker. The short free kick by Louis D’Arrigo caught City’s defence off guard. Tomi Juric stepped away from his markers and was allowed to turn before firing the ball into the back of the net.

Another ex-City player, Reds captain Stefan Mauk, made it 2-0 when a wobbly defence allowed the midfielder a shot that was deflected before rolling into the back of net in the 76th minute.

The pressure was on for returning Reds striker Juric who had never scored for Adelaide.

City’s incredible goal machine Jamie Maclaren was invited to a shootout against Juric and he was clearly in front in the first half.

Maclaren was denied twice by the reflexes of former City keeper Jame Delianov in the first half.

Maclaren got behind Adelaide’s defence twice within minutes and always threatened to add to his 79 A-League goals, but Juric had the final say.

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