Adelaide United created an uphill battle of their own doing according to Craig Goodwin following a 2-1 loss to Sydney FC.
Goodwin said it was frustrating to not be able to consolidate their strong performance against Melbourne Victory midweek.
The Reds trailed in the 13th minute when Siem de Jong arrowed a free-kick into the top corner when Nikola Mileusnić was adjudged to have fouled Milos Ninkovic.
It certainly took some time for United to re-set and alter their approach.
“Obviously it’s disappointing after last week’s good result,” Goodwin told Fox Sports after the game.
“But I think it got made really hard for us at the start, we were unlucky with two decisions.
“The referee gives a throw when it should be our ball and then he gives a foul when we win the ball for a free-kick and it’s an unbelievable strike from the free-kick, so it sets us back from the start.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5988921529001
Goodwin said conceding a soft goal from a corner further compounded their woes, but was pleased with the response.
George Blackwood won a penalty which Goodwin subsequently converted to take his league tally to six goals.
“And I think the killer blow was the goal so early after half-time from the corner,” he said.
“Obviously we got back into it from the penalty won by Georgie (George Blackwood).
“I think we just made it difficult for ourselves and I think we just have to put it to the back of our minds there’s a lot of games left to play and a lot of points to pick up.”
The 27-year-old was also pleased with how the Reds finished the match and were unfortunate not grab a last-gasp equaliser through Ryan Kitto, had it not been for a superb stop by Andrew Redmayne.
“I think we’re confident in our ability and we did create some good chances,” he said.
“Probably lacked a little bit, the crossing into the box was not so good at times but having said that we were very unlucky from a fantastic save from Redmayne right at the end.”
Adelaide United face Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 14 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season on Friday, 18 January at ANZ Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT. Live on Fox Sports, and streamed on the My Football Live App.
