Carl Veart believes all of Adelaide United’s fighting qualities came to the fore in its comeback 2-2 draw against Melbourne City on Saturday night.
The Reds appeared dead and buried trailing the reigning champions 0-2 with less than 15 minutes remaining.
However, a Stefan Mauk tap-in and Ben Halloran’s 90th minute equaliser ensured a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Veart felt his team started the brighter of the two sides before Jamie Maclaren finished off an incisive move.
Andrew Nabbout then doubled the advantage for City past the hour mark, but Adelaide’s resolve meant they always remained a threat.
“It was hard to take to be 2-0 down,” Veart said in the post-match press conference.
“I thought we played some good stuff tonight, we’re just lacking that final ball, that final decision in and around the box.
“They’re a good side. They punish you, they don’t need many opportunities (to score).
“They got us on the counter-attack quite a few times tonight, but the boys responded well – that spirit.
“To come back the way that they did was fantastic. If the game went another four or five minutes I reckon we would’ve got a winner.”
Veart thought the momentum began to swing in United’s favour following the second-half introductions of Craig Goodwin and Mohamed Toure.
“I think when Craig came on it started to change a little bit,” he said.
“We started to get the ball out to him a little bit quicker.
“When we brought Mo (Mohamed Toure) on it was again just to be a little more direct, put them under a bit more pressure at the back.
“Lucky enough tonight the boys worked hard enough that we got the rewards that they deserved.”
The result translates to Adelaide starting the 2021/22 campaign unbeaten with back-to-back draws.
Veart said it was frustrating not to come away with six points from its opening two games.
“As a coach you always want to have the three points,” he said.
“On the balance of both games you’d have to say coming away with a point in both games you’d take it.
“Disappointing in not to have taken maximum points in both games but that’s football.”
Next match details:
Saturday, 4 December vs Brisbane Roar
Isuzu UTE A-League 2021/22 – Round 3
Kick-off 4.35pm ACDT
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium
Stream: Paramount+
