Adelaide United will face Adelaide City in tomorrow’s RAA NPL SA derby on a wave of adrenaline.
United snatched a point with a last-minute equaliser last weekend against Adelaide Comets, in what was also Patrick McGregor’s first goal for the Senior side.
The Reds struggled to breach a stubborn Comets side desperate for a result for 95 minutes, but McGregor was able to continue United’s seven-game unbeaten run in the League with the last kick of the game.
Youth Head Coach, Airton Andrioli said it was just reward for his young charges.
“Last week against Comets was a good test for the boys with several younger players in the squad and this will be what we’ll have to deal with for the remainder of the season.
“But I’m pleased we were able to get a result against Comets and very happy for Patrick who has worked hard for this moment.
“I think the boys overall were rewarded, and we’ll go into this week against City confident we can keep going.”
United’s run has firmed them in third position with a nine-point buffer on nearest challengers, Modbury Jets, with MetroStars in first place just four points away.
The Reserves will face City after they played out a pulsating 3-3 draw with table-toppers, Comets, and it was a late strike from Amlani Tatu after 85 minutes that secured the point.
Witness the future
With the Isuzu Ute A-League season cut cruelly short for United’s first team, fans hungry for quality football can see the next generation star in the NPL.
There’s no better place for high-level viewing than ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday, when two Clubs who have previously clashed in the Australia Cup competition and storied rivals compete.
Despite United’s current run of form, Andrioli and his coaching staff are constantly ensuring the training environment is of the highest level that it can be, like that of the A-League team.
“We are always challenging the players and getting them out of their comfort zones so they can keep growing and developing in the game,” he said.
“Even though we are on a decent run at the moment, it could always be better with a few draws in the mix, so we’re always working to improve.
“Our goal is to create an atmosphere that is ruthless, yet still creating players that are confident, so that anybody coming in or out of the squad is ready to perform.
Veart’s old City
United Head Coach, Carl Veart will be in attendance on Saturday to further witness first-hand the development streaming through Adelaide.
It so happens to be a derby against the side that gave him his grounding in football in Adelaide City.
Veart’s background and passion for youth development was clear for all to see this A-League season, and he will be there watching his current and former teams clash with an eye to the future.
“I’ve spoken with Carl this week and he’s really looking forward to this upcoming match and of course he started with Adelaide City,” Andrioli said.
“We’ve had some great games against City and we’re expecting a tough game of course against a similar bunch of players that we have faced before.
“With the likes of their captain and talisman Bucco (Nicholas Bucco) and Matthew Halliday who have been regulars for them, we know they bring a lot of experience.
“We’ll need to stand up and perform well and the result will take care of itself.
“I hope as many fans as possible can make it this weekend to continue their support of this United Club.”
The Reserves will first play Adelaide City at ServiceFM Stadium (Pitch 2) at 12:45pm, followed by a clash of the Seniors at 3:00pm on Pitch 1.
