Adelaide United’s Head of Youth Football and Head Coach of the Club’s Youth Team, Airton Andrioli, was suitably impressed with his side’s start to the 2023 RAA National Premier League.
United’s Seniors stormed to an emphatic 6-2 victory over South Adelaide on Saturday, and they were in control from the outset.
Exciting forward prospect, Luka Jovanović, scrambled home from the third minute to begin the carnage, in the first of a four-goal haul.
Finishes from Giuseppe Bovalina and Musa Toure capped the result and a deserved three points for the hosts.
The only blemish from a commanding display was the two goals conceded from set-pieces, and while Andrioli admits it is often difficult to practice them at training due to alternating personnel, it would be addressed going forward.
“Starting the season with a positive result was very pleasing of course, but particularly in the manner that we did it and we played the way we wanted to play,” Andrioli reflected.
“When you work with young players, confidence is very important, so to start the season in this way can put us in good stead for the year ahead.
“Luka is that traditional number nine and he thrives on scoring goals, and if we can strike that balance of some frustration at times from him missing out on the scoresheet to creating chances for others at the right time, he can be incredibly dangerous.”
In a fruitful weekend for United’s youth across the board, the Reserves also trounced the Panthers 6-3, featuring a brace from Joey Garuccio.
Bernardo:
In what is a ‘One Club’ philosophy, United also uses the NPL to put minutes into returning players, and it was a joy for all to see Bernardo run out a full game following a serious foot injury sustained in September.
“He played a couple of friendlies with us which included 45 minutes game time in the first one, and a little bit more in the second,” Andrioli said.
“This was his first 90 minutes since the injury and we were monitoring him throughout the game.
“He said he felt okay and wanted to finish the game off.”
Fans at ServiceFM Stadium were also treated to a powerful effort from the young midfielder that struck the upright, which will no doubt have them excited for his return to first team football following his stint with the Young Socceroos.
The New Boys:
Jay Barnett and Luke Duzel also featured in red for the first time this season after their signings were announced earlier this month.
Barnett is no stranger to United’s youth system, originally hailing from Adelaide’s western suburbs, and he has also worked with Carl Veart through the SA NTC program.
Duzel previously had 16 senior appearances since 2019 at Western United, and he relished the opportunity for more minutes under his belt.
“I think Jay and Luke are going to be very good assets to the A-League team and they performed strongly on the weekend.
“I’m excited to watch them get further opportunities.”
Looking ahead to Comets:
“Adelaide Comets is a traditional Club that has done really well in recent years and they have a new coach, George Tsonis,” Andrioli said.
“I know him very well and he likes to play good football, and we’ll have to be aware of players like Binyam Kebede, who has been here with us at United before, and their captain, Ryan Yates, as a couple of examples.
“They like to dictate the rhythm for them in a very solid squad with a lot of experience.
“For us, it’s about doing what we did last week and follow our style and our principles and embrace the difficult patches in games.”
Comets fell to a 2-0 loss to Metro Stars at T.K. Shutter Reserve in Round 1, and United ought to be wary of the bounce back.
United’s Reserves will kick the action off from 2:45pm at ServiceFM Stadium (Pitch 2) on Saturday, and the Seniors will play at 5:00pm (Pitch 1).
Upcoming match details:
2023 RAA NPL SA – Round 2
Adelaide Comets vs Adelaide United
Saturday, 25 February 2023, Kick-off: 5:00pm (ACDT)
ServiceFM Stadium
