Adelaide United Isuzu UTE A-League head coach, Carl Veart, says there is still a lot to play for in the remaining two games of the season, despite finals being off the cards.
The Reds, who currently sit ninth on the table, behind Friday nights opponents Brisbane Roar, will be motivated to win in order to gain automatic qualification for the Australia Cup by finishing in the top eight at the end of the season.
Speaking to the media at Coopers Stadium after training, Veart also spoke about Guiseppe Bovalina’s move to MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC, how the club will benefit from the recently announce partnership with PSV Eindhoven and how fixture changes have impacted the Reds season.
Veart on the departure of Guiseppe Bovalina and the opportunity the club provides for young players:
“We’re very happy for Giuseppe. He came into the full time squad in preseason and was working extremely hard. He’s had a great first season in the league and it show the playing group that if you’re prepared to come in and work hard, the reward is there for you.”
“We don’t shy away from providing these opportunities for young players. And it’s up to them how much work they want to put into where they want to get to, and Giuseppe has.”
“There’s no secrets, Joe Gauci, (Alexandar) popović, and Bova were three of the hardest working players at the club when they were here. There’s a blueprint there for the young players, if they’re prepared to come in and do all the extras, that there’s rewards there for them.”
Veart on the partnership with PSV Eindhoven:
“It’s a very good step for the club, to get some of the ideas that PSV have been using for a very long time. They’re one of the better development clubs in Holland. So it’s a great combination that we can work together and, maybe provide some learning for some of our young players as well to get the exposure to go over and train with some of the young teams as well.”
Veart on the remaining two games of the season:
“We still have a lot of pride in the playing group. They’re going to go there and play to win. We’ve got two games, Brisbane tomorrow night, and then Central Coast on Wednesday. We won’t change the way that we play. We’re going to go there on the front foot and look to play the same attacking football that we’ve played all season.”
Veart on the fixture changes this season:
“The games that we’ve had to change this season were because of the success of the clubs playing in Asia and that’s what we want as a league. We want to be having success. It was fantastic to see Central Coast qualify for the final last night. That’s what we want. We want this league to be up there, with the best leagues in Asia.”
Match details:
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 26
Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
Friday, 26 April 2024, Kick-off: 7:15pm ACDT
Suncorp Stadium
