Marco Kurz felt Adelaide United could have snatched the three points following their goalless draw to Newcastle Jets, but stated he was equally impressed with the team’s defensive structure.
The Reds came the closest to scoring, boasting the best chance of the game when Craig Goodwin saw his one-on-one rattle the crossbar in the 42nd minute.
Kurz bemoaned the fact they were unable to strengthen their status in the top four and move further clear of Melbourne City.
However, he believed given his team’s injury issues it was a decent result, and reserved praise for Michael Marrone’s display at centre-back on his 200th Hyundai A-League game.
“I think we played a good game away here in Newcastle,” Kurz told reporters in the post-match press conference.
“We had in the first-half the control of the game and we have to score from two chances, one goal for sure.
“Goody’s (Craig Goodwin) shot on the crossbar and maybe we had the better chances.
“And we had a little bit of luck after two crosses from them but I think it was not easy for us because at the moment we’ve got a lot of injured players.
“The replacement for Jordan Elsey with Michael Marrone was not easy but Mickey did a good job and played a good game.”
Kurz admitted he was pleased with how his side largely curtailed the involvement of Newcastle’s influential players.
Dimitri Petratos, Jair and Roy O’Donovan were contained quite well by a disciplined Reds defensive unit.
“You have to control him (Dimitri Petratos),” Kurz added, after Adelaide’s fifth clean sheet of the season.
“Maybe he’s one of the key players from them and he can decide a game with a cross or with a final pass.
“Also you have to control (Roy) O’Donovan in the box and also Jair who is always a player who can make a difference.
“And we had the control over all of them and it was a good defensive performance from the whole team.”
Adelaide United face Sydney FC in Round 21 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season on Friday, 1 March at Leichardt Oval. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT. Live on Fox Sports, and streamed on the My Football Live App and Kayo Sports.
