Eugene Galekovic is poised to become only the fourth player to make 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for the club.
Adelaide United FC goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic is poised to become the fourth player to make 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for the club when the Reds face Gold Coast United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
Barring any mishap between now and Friday night, Galekovic will follow Travis Dodd, Robert Cornthwaite and Lucas Pantelis as the only players to reach the milestone.
Of the Reds- current crop, only Cassio has been at the club longer, Galekovic-s Adelaide United debut coming against Brisbane Roar on 2 November 2007 after he was signed mid season to replace the injured Daniel Beltrame.
On his way to 100 Hyundai A-League appearances for the club, Galekovic has picked up two Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year awards, as well as being named Adelaide United Club Champion and Player-s Player twice.
“It-s always an achievement and it-s good to be playing it this week against Gold Coast,” Galekovic said.
Since arriving from Melbourne Victory, Galekovic has gone from strength to strength and scarily believes he is still yet to reach his prime.
The 30 year old has only missed six games on his way towards his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance for the club. He was rested for a period during the Reds- hectic 2008 AFC Champions League schedule, while a hand injury kept him out of three games last season.
“I think I-m at the age where in the next couple of years I-m probably coming into my peak and hopefully my form continues and helps the club out,” Galekovic said.
His reputation as one of the league-s best shot stoppers could easily see Galekovic as an enticing lure for overseas clubs, but on whether he was still considering a move abroad, the keeper with four games for the Qantas Socceroos to his name says he is more than content at the Reds.
“It (a move overseas) is always there if it does come up, but I-ve got a couple of years to go here and I-m happy here,” Galekovic said.
“I-m not really looking to go, I-m happy to stay in Adelaide and I love it in Adelaide so I-m not really pushing the case.”
Despite the Reds being equal with Gold Coast United as the clubs to have conceded the most goals so far this season, it has not been from a lack of quality performances from Galekovic, who was again a standout in the Reds- 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.
28 clean sheets from his 99 appearances to date arguably does not do Galekovic-s talent and contribution justice. While the Reds have only managed two clean sheets in the first ten games this season, Galekovic sent a clear message that the players were galvanising behind each other and particularly embattled captain Jon McKain.
“It has been tough. Results haven-t helped, we-re not playing the best football but we-re staying united and we-re backing everyone including our captain, it has been tough on him this year, but all of the payers, the coaches and the club are backing him and we want to move forward and get some results,” Galekovic stated.
“I think everybody was saying we-re going to be top two, top three and if you look at it on paper, individually we-re very good players, it-s just as a team we-re probably not playing as we should. It-s a shame but we-ve still got a long way to go and we-ve still got time to get there.”
Friday night-s game against cellar dwellers Gold Coast looms as a danger game for the Reds. The Hyundai A-League-s other ‘United- team were unlucky not to get three points against Sydney FC last weekend and Galekovic does not believe their position on the table reflects the football they are capable of producing.
“It-s a massive game. Obviously they (Gold Coast United) are below us on the table and it-s a game where we-re going to be favourites and going to need the three points to stay in touch with the top six, so we-ve got to work hard this week and hopefully on Friday it all turns for us,” Galekovic said.
With Galekovic contracted to the club up to the end of the 2013/14 season, it is probably fair to suggest Adelaide United-s last line of defence is in safe hands.
Tickets for Friday night-s match are available through Ticketek.
Eugene Galekovic – Hyundai A-League appearances for Adelaide United FC
Season (Appearances – clean sheets)
2007/08 (11 – 1)
2008/09 (22 – 10)
2009/10 (27 – 6)
2010/11 (29 – 9)
2011/12 (10 – 2)
Hyundai A-League Total 99 (28)*
15 appearances (5 clean sheets) in HAL for Melbourne Victory
