After securing a maiden finals appearance, Adrian Stenta believes Adelaide United is capable of achieving more this season.
The Reds produced a pretty comprehensive 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory, courtesy of a Fiona Worts hat-trick.
However, despite the overall convincing and professional performance, Adelaide was a little slow to begin the match with Stenta citing a few nerves.
“I think they started a little nervously and we had a bit of trouble in the first fifteen minutes just keeping the ball,” he told reporters post-match.
“But once we were able to hold the ball a little bit and move it around, we were able to create a few opportunities and take a couple.
“So it was good that they managed to settle themselves down after a nervous start.”
Stenta said while he is extremely proud of what the team has accomplished his overriding emotion is relief.
The Head Coach went on to add that feeling is due to believing this squad can genuinely compete for the title.
“To be honest it’s a relief more than anything else, because it’s been spoken a lot about at the Club and I understand why because of our history,” he admitted.
“So it’s a good box to tick and I don’t want to downplay it, but we think we’re capable of more this year and we’re going to give it our best to try and finish as high as we can and do as well in the finals as we can.”
United cannot finish lower than third this season which means they will either play a home final in the first or second week of the finals depending on its position on the table, once the top-four permutations are confirmed after next weekend’s clash against Sydney FC.
Worts was again in rampant form, scoring her second treble of the campaign and taking her overall tally to 13 goals.
Worts now leads the Golden Boot race by three goals and looks set to achieve the accolade in style.
“It’s great she could do that in front of her home crowd,” Stenta said.
“Last time it was in Brisbane. I’ve said it all year, she’s had a fantastic year but for me it’s not important who scores the goals.
“Couple of great team goals in there and more importantly they’re playing well and they’re playing to their potential which is very pleasing.”
Stenta felt his side’s success is for all the predecessors at the Club who have been a part of the women’s program throughout the previous 14 years.
“I think it means a lot for the Club and it means a lot for the players, especially the players that have been here for a long period of time,” he continued.
“There’s been a lot of people who have put in a lot of work over the years at the club and what’s the saying, ‘you stand on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before you’.
“So for me it’s great this group has achieved this, but it’s for everyone that’s ever represented or worked for Adelaide United in the women’s team before.”
