Adelaide United defender, Dylan McGowan, lauded the team’s performance after producing a determined 3-1 victory over Jeju United in the AFC Champions League at the Jeju World Cup Stadium on Tuesday night.
The result keeps alive the Reds’ chances of progression to the round of 16 after climbing into second place in Group H, due to a superior head-to-head record.
McGowan, who recaptured the lead after half-time with a header from a corner, hailed his side’s ability to contain a potent South Korean outfit.
“We said yesterday Jeju are a very good team,” McGowan said.
“They’re very strong, they’ve a lot of great players that we had to watch today.
“I think as a team we did very well.
“To come here to Korea and win is very difficult so we’re very happy with the result.
“And very happy now we have a chance to qualify out of this group and this was our aim for this game.”
Either side of McGowan’s goal, Kim Jae-sung manufactured a sensational strike from distance to open the scoring inside seven minutes, while Riley McGree made it 3-1 with an instinctive finish.
When asked about the impact of Kim after scoring against his former team, McGowan revealed he was an absolute pleasure to have in the dressing room.
“Kim is a very good player for us and he gives 100 per cent every game,” he said.
“We’re very lucky to have him in our team, I think Jeju fans will know him well from his time here.
“But he showed today what a good player he is and he’s a very important for our team and he’s a very good guy to have in the change room.
“Everyone in the team loves him and we’re very happy that he played well today.
“As did the whole team, I think every player played very well and this is why we got the result.”
McGowan said the team’s mentality will not change going into their matchday five away clash against Japanese outfit Gamba Osaka on April 25.
“I think the same as we prepare for this game,” McGowan said after scoring his fourth goal in all competitions this season.
“We go into every game to win it whether it’s home or away.
“And now we give ourselves a chance to go to Gamba and if we win … it gives us a really good chance to qualify.”
Adelaide United host Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 27 of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season on Saturday, 15 April at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
