After a sensational individual performance, Paul Izzo lamented Adelaide United’s 1-0 loss to Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Saturday night.
The young shot-stopper played an instrumental role in keeping the Reds in the game, after making several crucial saves – particularly in the opening 10 minutes.
He denied Diego Castro from the penalty spot on four minutes and then pulled off an instinctive save to thwart Andy Keogh from close range.
Late in the second-half, the 22-year-old also prevented Adam Taggart from scoring with a phenomenal finger-tip stop.
But Izzo’s heroics ultimately counted for little with Keogh breaking the deadlock to grab the match-winner in the 80th minute.
“(Disappointed to lose) Especially when we grinded out for so long, I think that’s what hurts the most, conceding at the end,” Izzo told Fox Sports after being awarded the NAB Man of the Match.
“But it was always going to be tough to come here in Perth, they’re strong at home.
“So there’s some positives but we look to next week already.”
Castro ️⚽️ ➡ @P_izzo 🙌 #AUFC #PERvADL #ForeverUnited pic.twitter.com/kdWkgfHShF
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) November 5, 2017
Izzo discussed his penalty save and the importance of not conceding an early goal.
Marco Kurz’s men had trailed in the opening quarter of an hour in each of their preceding four league games.
“We talked about it in the change room that we don’t want to give anything cheap early on,” he said.
“Thankfully I did enough (to save the penalty), but still at the end of the day we are looking for more than just a good performance.”
The Reds have been ravaged by injury to start the season and were missing six first-team players for the clash.
However, Izzo did not want to make any excuses for the defeat after dominating possession and creating a couple of decent chances.
“We have got a few players out, big players for us as well,” he continued.
“That create a lot and do a lot of damage for us, but it’s no excuse really.
“We have got plenty of quality that played tonight and like I said we move on to next week with a positive mindset.”
Adelaide United host Newcastle Jets in Round 6 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Saturday, 11 November at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.05pm ACDT.
