Adelaide United have returned to the top of the RAA NPL SA after a tense 2-1 win over MetroStars on Saturday.
United were boosted by the inclusions of speedsters Panashe Madanha and Nestory Irankunda, alongside Ethan Alagich, who started for the Young Reds on a blustery afternoon.
United gained an advantage due to the 20th minute dismissal of Noah McNamara and didn’t look back, with a Musa Toure brace the decisive factor in a physical game in front of a packed T.K. Shutter Reserve.
Youth Head Coach, Airton Andrioli, was pleased with his side’s resolve against an experienced Metro unit.
“It was nice to get a result against Metro who I think have been the best team in the competition so far,” Andrioli said.
“We actually started well regardless of the early sending off, and I was particularly pleased with this immediate response after last week’s result.
“Towards the end we dropped a little bit deeper and they put a lot of players up front which made things difficult, but at the same time I’m very happy with the way we defended that.”
Meanwhile United’s Reserves could not defy a first-placed Metro Reserves, falling to a 2-0 defeat courtesy of goals from Marco Matto and Francesco Schimizzi.
Musa magic:
The youngest Toure brother continues to press his claim for higher honours with a brace to secure his side an important victory.
Notably, the dazzling winger calmly finished a pulsating transition from the Reds immediately following a disallowed offside goal, to put his side 2-0 ahead.
Toure remains a key component to this team and his regular appearances will help United firm their place at the top of the standings.
“Musa is another one in our system who has a lot of talent but, like anyone, he has to continue to work hard and keep up the consistency,” Andrioli said.
“He had a great game and was aggressive in his pressing which rewarded him with two goals and caused a lot of chaos for them.
“Hopefully he can take confidence from this game and continue on the path forward.”
Cup break:
United’s Seniors will have a break for the Federation Cup this weekend while their Reserves seek a Round 3 victory against State League Two’s Adelaide University at ServiceFM Stadium.
The squad will be looking to build on their 8-1 demolition of Modbury Vista the last time out.
Ryan White and Jake Porter will aim to extend their hot run of form, with the former claiming a hat-trick, and the latter a brace, in Modbury.
As is written into the scriptures of football history, anything can happen in a Cup competition.
Beograd beckons:
Following the Cup pause, United will resume the NPL competition with a tantalising Round 8 encounter against FK Beograd at ServiceFM Stadium.
Beograd have struck form winning the last two games on the trot, including an impressive 4-1 rout of South Adelaide at home on the weekend.
Will the bye disrupt them? Andrioli knows the danger they possess through talisman and previous United injury replacement player, Joshua Mori.
“Beograd are always a dangerous side and we’ll have to be at our best and be ready to defend solidly as we have been,” Andrioli admitted.
“Josh is a tough player to play against and one of those players you have to keep an eye on, as well as a number of players on their side.
“The pleasing thing for me is the way we’ve been defending and we showed that against Metro and their dangerous striker in James Temelkovski, who we kept scoreless.
“We’ll be confident we can get a result if we stick to our style and keep solid at the back.”
United’s Reserves will start with a 5:00pm (Pitch 2) kick-off before the Seniors play at 7:15pm (Pitch 1) on Saturday, 22 April at ServiceFM Stadium.
Upcoming match details:
2023 RAA NPL SA – Round 7
Adelaide United vs FK Beograd
Saturday, 22 April 2023, Kick-off: 7:15pm (ACDT)
ServiceFM Stadium
