Over the last two weeks, Carl Veart’s side have played four pre-season friendlies as preparations for the 2022/23 season hits full-speed.
Registering three wins and one loss overall, the four fixtures have provided the Reds with great opportunities to get valuable minutes into their legs.
Whilst all these games so far have been played in South Australia, if you’ve missed anything don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
Adelaide United vs Para Hills Knights
Carl Veart: “It’s always good to have pre-season games because it’s an opportunity for the boys to work on their chemistry and the movements we’re looking to put in place against a competitive opposition.
“We’re wanting to make a few changes to the way we play compared to the last couple of years, so it’s going to take a few games for the players to completely implement.
“What was promising was that we saw glimpses of that tonight with the goals that we scored, which is very positive as we get closer to the season.
“Full credit to Para Hills for coming to play against us tonight too because it was tough for them after the long and hard season that they’ve had this year.
“Despite the scoreline, they made it difficult for us at times, which is what we needed.”
Match details:
Pre-Season Friendly — Tuesday, 13 September 2022
Adelaide United 9 (Blackwood 3′ 34′ 42′, Ibusuki 14′ 52′, Halloran 30′, Bernardo 65′, Toure 75′ 83′ (P))
Para Hills Knights 0
Marden Sports Complex
Adelaide United vs Adelaide Cobras
Carl Veart: “It was our second hit-out this week, so it was good for some of the younger boys to get a run in pre-season.
“It’s hard to get games, but this gives us an idea of how players are travelling and their fitness levels.
“It was a tough night for us because it was wet and windy on a bit of a bumpy pitch.
“Cobras did a good job of pressuring us as well and they made it difficult for us throughout the 90 minutes.”
Match details:
Pre-Season Friendly — Thursday, 15 September 2022
Adelaide Cobras 0
Adelaide United 2 (Mori 13′, Crawford 67′)
Weigall Oval
Adelaide United vs Western United
Carl Veart: “We’re very happy with how we played in the first half in particular.
“We played some really good football and kept the pitch quite small, which made it difficult for the opposition to play their transition and fast-break attack that they like.
“In the second half the match got a little bit stretched, bringing them into the game and it stopped us from playing the football that we found successful in the opening 45 (minutes).
“The goals we conceded were soft goals that can come in pre-season, but it shows us where we have to refine our game and we’ll keep working.
“Having said that, we did create some good chances in the second half that we didn’t take and we’ll have to be more clinical when the season starts.
“There were plenty of good signs for us to work on over the next three weeks to get ready for Round 1.”
Match details:
Pre-Season Friendly — Saturday, 17 September 2022
Adelaide United 2 (Halloran 4′ 37)
Western United 3 (Wenzel-Halls 56’ (P) 70’, Pierias 63’)
ServiceFM Stadium
Adelaide United vs SA NPL Select XI
Carl Veart: “It was a very good performance from us, especially in the first half where the football that we’ve been working on this pre-season was definitely on display.
“From the start of pre-season until now, we’re really happy with the progress we’ve made.
“We’re trying to improve our physical style of play, as well as our tactical football, and I believe we executed that well today in particular.
“On behalf of our squad, I want to thank all the boys from the NPL that came out to play us because it’s something we really needed and will help us this season.
“James (Delianov) getting 90 minutes with the NPL boys is important for us too because it’s crucial we get as many minutes into all of the squad so we’re all ready for the start of our A-League campaign.”
Match details:
Pre-Season Friendly — Saturday, 24 September 2022
Adelaide United 6 (D’Arrigo 16′ 56′, Halloran 25′, Clough 28′, Kasumovic 31′, Blackwood 88′)
SA NPL Select XI 0
Marden Sports Complex
