Veart Adelaide’s lucky charm again

Carl Veart’s knack for winning games for Adelaide United on debut – this time as the interim coach – has now struck three times.

Adelaide United’s Kristian Opseth, second from left, celebrates after scoring against Brisbane Roar at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

Carl Veart’s knack for winning games for Adelaide United on debut – this time as the interim coach – has now struck three times.

Auditioning for a permanent coaching role since Gertjan Verbeek walked away from the Reds when he was not getting paid during the COVID-19 lockdown in April, Veart steered the Reds to a 1-0 win against the odds over Brisbane Roar at Cbus Stadium on Sunday night.

After Veart scored to give Adelaide a maiden win during its NSL debut in 2003 over Brisbane Strikers (1-0) and scoring the first A-League goal during the competition’s debut in 2005 over Newcastle Jets (1-0) he led his side back into the top six on the Gold Coast.

Adelaide United coach Carl Veart calls the shots to his players against Brisbane Roar at Cbus Super Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

Kristian Opseth scored the sole goal in the sixth minute when he nodded the ball into the back of the net from 6m after a perfect Ryan Strain cross but it was goalkeeper Paul Izzo who Veart should really commend for a man-of-the-match performance.

Izzo, 25, was forced into eight thrilling saves as Roar peppered the Reds goalmouth only to draw blanks.

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Veart also gambled on debut, handing 2001-born Taras Gomulka who was discovered by the Reds youth scouts in 2017

Gomulka slotted into injured teenager Louis D’Arrigo’s usual holding midfield role but must have had his heart in his mouth when he lost possession to Scott McDonald before Dylan Wenzel-Halls’ header was saved on the line in the 22nd minute before finding his rhythm.

Izzo then made two superb saves to keep Roar scoreless in the opening 45 minutes before Nikola Miluesnic watched his shot cannon off the upright as the Reds used the counter attacking game to its advantage just before the break.

With Roar’s new boss Warren Moon opting to keep the status quo for the start of the second half Izzo was again at his best when he parried two more good chances from Wenzel-Halls.

Six minutes later Izzo blocked another effort from Wenzel-Halls this time from point blank range.

After Izzo kept denying Roar substitute George Blackwood watched in agony as his header from a corner crashed against the crossbar 12 minutes before time.