Marco Kurz says he was encouraged with what he saw in Adelaide United’s pre-season opener of the 2018/19 campaign.
The Reds recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over local National Premier League side Para Hills at the Paddocks on Tuesday night.
Nathan Konstandopoulos opened the scoring inside nine minutes before Kurz made a raft of changes after the break which included handing several opportunities to players from the Club’s Youth Team.
And it was a Young Red which doubled United’s advantage as utility Aladin Irabona etched his name on the scoresheet with five minutes remaining.
Kurz admitted although his team could have scored more goals during the first period he was ultimately content with how they acquitted themselves.
“I think after two-and-half weeks training of the pre-season it was a good test,” Kurz said.
“I think in the first-half we had a couple of good chances to score more goals than only one.
“And then after the substitutions in the second-half with a little break, but the young boys they came in and did it well.
“I’m happy with the test and also with the result.”
A great start to our pre-season last night, our boys beating @PHKnights at The Paddocks.
📰 Match report: https://t.co/nAmp0hBiB5 pic.twitter.com/yyN7Lim7t5
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) July 10, 2018
Kurz said he was impressed with the level of performance from his players, considering it was their first match following a gruelling couple of weeks of training.
“The fitness for this moment is okay,” he said.
“I think it’s a very intense time for the boys.
“We trained in the morning also a ninety-minute session and then it’s not easy to play in the evening, a game.
“But it’s normal in the pre-season it’s a normal moment and also it’s good to have the first friendly game.
“It’s different to play a friendly game than to just train.”
Fans also got the chance to see new signings Michael Jakobsen, Ken Ilsø as well as the return of Craig Goodwin in action.
Kurz said he was pleased with how they have adapted, particularly Ilsø, who arrived late last week.
“I think it was easier for Michael (Jakobsen) and also for Goody (Craig Goodwin) to play the game because they’ve a higher training level than Ken,”
“Ken Ilsø trained also five days with the team but I’m happy that he played 45 minutes.”
The German went on to reveal the plan was to organise a friendly once a week in the lead to the Reds’ first competitive clash of the season.
That clash will see Adelaide host Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32 of the FFA Cup.
“Now I hope we can play every week one game,” he continued.
“That we have two or three more games before the FFA Cup game.
“I think it’s very important to have games because you cannot simulate games in the training and for us it’s important because we’ll do our best to prepare the team as best we can for the FFA Cup.”
Adelaide United host Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32 of the FFA Cup 2018 on Wednesday, 1 August at Marden Sports Complex. Kick-off is at 7.00 PM ACST.
