With his squad depth tested to the limit, Marco Kurz was pleased with how his players fought back to earn a deserved point against Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday night.
An undermanned Adelaide United secured a 1-1 draw at ANZ Stadium, courtesy of a first Hyundai A-League goal from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Jack Clisby had opened the scoring when WSW took advantage of Adelaide attempting to play the offside trap.
But the visitors remained well in the contest to register a justified goal on 86 minutes.
Kurz was extremely proud of his team’s endeavour and specifically how the younger players acquitted themselves.
“I was very proud about the team’s spirit and the team’s performance today,” he told Fox Sports after the game.
“We lost a lot of players and we started with a completely new line-up.
“And for that I think we did a good job and we played well and I’m very happy with the draw.”
The German was also asked to give his thoughts on Jordan O’Doherty’s performance in what was his first start of the league season.
“(Jordan) O’Doherty always trained very well,” he revealed.
“It’s not easy for the boy because he hasn’t played a lot of minutes.
“But he always pushed the starters in training and now it was his time to start and now he was ready to play and I’m happy for the boy.”
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Speaking in the post-match press conference, Kurz insisted a draw was a fair outcome after dominating the final half an hour of action.
“I think the last thirty minutes we had more chances than Western Sydney,” he said.
“But when I saw the whole ninety minutes, the draw I think is a correct result for both sides.
“We played for a good result and we believe in our quality and we know that we can score goals in the last fifteen or twenty minutes.
“That’s one of the qualities of the team to never stop and always fight for the three points.”
The ex-Schalke 04 defender was also happy for Stamatelopoulos after finding the net.
“It was not so complicated to score from this position I think,” he claimed.
“But it’s good for the boy and we know about the qualities from our young boys and every game it’s good for them to adapt.”
Kurz also gave his assessment of where his team is at having gone just past the midpoint of the season.
United currently sits in outright fourth on the ladder with 21 points.
“I think every game is very close and you saw that today,” he said.
“Both teams played for a win and you must play every game very well to get points and now we stay in a good position.
“But we cannot stop and try again in the next games to get points.”
Adelaide United host Sydney FC in Round 16 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Sunday, 14 January at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 6.30pm ACDT.
