Young Reds Captain Asad Kasumović was pleased with the manner in which his side responded to punch its NPL SA finals ticket.
Adelaide United Youth suffered a 7-0 loss to Adelaide Comets the week prior, but bounced back with a convincing 4-1 win over West Torrens Birkalla at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday to finish the regular season in fifth spot.
The 20-year-old praised the team’s mentality after getting the job done and accomplishing a pre-season objective.
“It’s always great to bounce back especially after a bad loss,” he said following the match.
“So it shows a lot of character from the boys and it’s good to finally get into finals for the first time since 2018.”
After missing a penalty and seeing several attempts saved by Birkalla’s goalkeeper, Kasumović would get his deserved goal in stunning fashion.
The forward was released through on goal and rifled an emphatic left-footed finish into the near-post top corner in injury time.
“It’s always a good feeling to get on the scoresheet,” Kasumović said after ending the campaign with 10 goals in 19 appearances.
“The ‘keeper was on fire today, but it’s good to finish the season on double digits for once.”
Before joining the Club on a scholarship contract in December last year, Kasumović was on the books of Adelaide City winning the championship.
He is the only player who boasts that type of experience in the squad.
That pedigree will be important to lean on ahead of Adelaide’s elimination final meeting with MetroStars next weekend.
It is the Young Reds’ first finals appearance in four years and that’s a significant milestone, according to Kasumović.
“It’s a big achievement,” he admitted.
“Having the youngest squad in the competition it just shows a lot of character and how we play.
“So credit to the boys, credit to the coaching that we put up a good fight during the season, and now it’s time to go as far as we can in the finals.”
