Adelaide United boss Josep Gombau concedes his side may have paid the price for some complacency in going down to Central Coast on Saturday.
The Reds led for large periods against the Mariners in Gosford thanks to Awer Mabil’s classy first half goal.
But despite dominating possession and field position they failed to create many goal-scoring chances, with the Mariners scoring twice in the last 11 minutes to snatch victory.
“After we scored the goal, we had control and its 1-0 but we can’t afford to have that feeling that we will win,” a disappointed Gombau said.
“Because any single action from the other team, they can score and you can lose the game, and today that happened.
“I think it will be a good lesson for us, but this is football and we have to learn from our mistakes.”
It was a hot and humid day on the Central Coast and Gombau admitted his side struggled to finish out the match at their top level, allowing the Mariners to storm home over the top of them.
“We drop a little bit in the last 20-25 minutes and we paid the price. It’s not the players mentally don’t want to do things just physically,” the Spaniard said.
“I’m satisfied with the way we played, with movements that we did. We had missing players and had other players in other positions and doing well.
“We didn’t create many chances this is true but not in any moment did we feel we didn’t have control of the game.
“We felt we were doing the game in our way and the way we wanted. We have to accept this part of the game and improve the mistakes that we made.”
The defeat means Adelaide missed the chance to close the gap on league-leaders Perth Glory and depending on other results could drop to as low as fourth on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Not that Gombau is overly concerned.
“There’s a long way to go,” he declared.
“I’m not a coach that every day is looking at the ladder.
“For me important how we play. If we play well we will win.”
Adelaide United next host Perth Glory at Coopers Stadium in Round 17 of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season on Sunday 15 February 2015. Kick off is at 4.30pm ACDT. Click here to purchase tickets.
