Reds Head Coach Carl Veart shared his thoughts following the exhilarating 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory.
Veart discussed the intensity of the match, the resilience of his team, and the significance of finishing with a majority of South Australian players on the pitch. Here’s what Veart had to say:
Veart on the significance of the win…
“It’s right up there. As you said, it was a real Derby tonight, the atmosphere, the intensity of the game. Some of the football wasn’t the best, but that’s what happens when you play these top games. Because we weren’t at our best tonight, to come away with that fight that we had for the whole game and get the three points, it’s right up there. So, I’m very, very happy for the playing group.”
Veart on the team’s response after going behind early…
“That first 15-20 minutes, it was really hectic. No one was really getting their foot on the ball. I told the boys at the drinks break, ‘that’s not how we play our football’. We need to keep possession.’ I think the first real time we actually kept possession for a while, we scored a goal. So, credit to Victory, because their pressure was very good, but we sort of got that goal, then the second one right before halftime gave us a real boost. So very happy with the resilience from the playing group to dig in when we’re not at our best.”
Veart on Stefan Mauk’s contribution…
“Stef plays the game very hard and works very hard for us. He’s a very important player and his leadership is key. I think you saw that tonight, he worked extremely hard again. It’s great that he rewarded himself with a goal, because he’s had some good opportunities in the last few games and hasn’t taken them. So, very happy for Stef.”
Veart on the Ethan Cox’s performance…
“It’s a tough game to come into. As I said, it was very intense, a lot of pressure on everyone. Normally, his best part of his game is with his feet, and tonight he struggled a little bit with that because of the pressure. But I was very happy with him. He stood up when he needed to. He’s a young goalkeeper working extremely hard and improving every week.”
Veart on Melbourne Victory’s pressure and intensity…
“I thought they were very good tonight. They worked extremely hard and their pressure was good. Sometimes, you’re playing good stuff and just can’t quite get that win, and that’s what they were going through. It could have been a slippery banana skin for us, but we showed resilience, and that’s what you need to do if you’re going to win championships.”
Veart on Panagiotis Kikianis’ leadership at 19 years old…
“Pana is a unique central defender in this league. Some of the passes he plays, breaking lines, his organisation—he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s made a lot of improvements in his game this season, and he’s only 19. He’s come a long way, especially after having some tough injuries the last two years. We’re now seeing him get a consistent run of games, and his real qualities are shining through.”
Veart on Ethan Alagich’s winning goal…
“I think he looked at me because he knew he owed me $100 for the one he put over the bar in the first half! That goal cancels it out for him. I am very pleased for him. Ethan gets through a lot of work, and I’m very happy to see him get that moment.”
Veart on finishing with nine South Australian players on the pitch…
“It’s fantastic. It’s something that I’m very proud of. I’ve spent a long time here—not just at this club but at Adelaide City, and they were always very strong with South Australian players. I’ve made no secret about my time here, and I’m very proud of that. I think by the end of the game, only Bart [Vriends] and Isa [Isaías] were the only ones that aren’t South Australian. But we count Isa as South Australian now; he’s been here long enough. So, I’m very happy for the club and everyone in South Australia. Football here should be proud because all the clubs and the Federation play a big part in developing our young players.”
Veart on the focus and discipline needed to win big games…
“These kinds of games can change the course of your season, so it’s important we keep our focus, discipline, and play the way we have been. The intensity of these derby games is higher, and that’s why we have to stay focused on what we’ve done well this year. If we do that, I’m sure we’ll get the result we want.”
