“We’ll carry that same spirit into tomorrow’s game.”- Veart Confident Ahead of Phoenix Clash

Adelaide United Head Coach Carl Veart expressed confidence ahead of their Saturday afternoon clash against Wellington Phoenix, with momentum on the Reds’ side after their remarkable comeback victory over Macarthur FC.

Speaking to the media, Veart provided updates on the squad, praised his team’s resilience, and discussed the upcoming challenges. Here’s what Veart had to say:

Veart on the Squad Update: Kitto’s absence and Panashe’s injury

“We came to Wellington straight after the Macarthur game, bringing 20 players with us. Unfortunately, Ryan [Kitto] stayed home as his wife is expecting a baby any day. Panashe [Madanha] sustained a serious hamstring injury in our last training session before Macarthur. He’ll meet with the surgeon next week, and we’ll find out how long he’ll be sidelined. Apart from that, the rest of the boys are healthy and have had a great week in Wellington.”

Veart on the positive atmosphere in Wellington

“The mood in the camp has been excellent. After the win last week, the five days here in Wellington have been a great way to keep the group together. We’ve enjoyed meals outside the hotel, and the players have been able to explore the city. The weather’s been fantastic, and the training venue has been excellent. It’s really ticked a lot of boxes for us this week.”

Veart on Stefan Mauk taking over as Captain

“With Ryan Kitto out, Stefan Mauk will take over the captaincy. He’s part of our leadership group alongside Zach Clough, and we expect them both to step up and lead.”

Veart on carrying momentum into the next game

“We’ve been talking about improving our performances week by week. Last week was no different. Even though we conceded first, the team showed great resilience to come back in the final 10 minutes and secure the three points. We’ll look to carry that same spirit into tomorrow’s game.”

Veart on the challenge from Wellington Phoenix

“They’re a tough side, especially at home. They defend well, and we’ll need to be sharp with our goal creation. We have to be very careful in transition because they’re dangerous in those moments.”

Veart on the excitement of tickets selling fast for the Original Rivalry against Melbourne Victory

“It’s fantastic. Our fans always support us, and this season has been no different. We’ve had great backing, and it’s the perfect time to give them a home win, especially against Melbourne Victory.”

Veart on Luka’s match winning performance against Macarthur

“I always tell the young players they’ll make mistakes, but it’s about learning and bouncing back. Luka did exactly that by coming on and scoring a goal. It’s a credit to his mentality, and we expect more from him this week.”