Carl Veart admits Adelaide United was rather fortunate to come away with a point against Western United at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
The Reds had a numerical advantage for more than half the contest over their opponents after Victor Sanchez was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 36th minute.
However, Adelaide was unable to capitalise, struggling to create chances as Western defended resolutely and even caught the hosts on the counter.
“You would say it’s two points dropped when you play against 10 men for over half a game,” Veart said in the post-match press conference following the 0-0 draw.
“But we weren’t good enough, so you could almost say it was a point we were lucky to get.”
The Green and Black had scored twice but both goals were ruled out for a handball and offside before Mohamed Toure was sent off in the final stages for a second yellow card.
Veart said his side lacked urgency and failed to consistently penetrate Western with the extra man.
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“Our decision-making wasn’t great,” he said.
“We didn’t actually implement the things that we wanted to do in the second-half.
“Whether the players just got caught in the heat of the moment and just didn’t do the things that we wanted them to do.
“… It’s important that you control the tempo of the game and play with that speed and recognise when the opportunity is to go quick and when’s the opportunity to just to play that position football and we didn’t get that right.”
The result leaves the Reds in equal second on 31 points.
Veart remained defiant that his team will be able to turnaround its recent dip in form.
“We’ve still got seven games to go,” Veart insisted.
“Next week we’ve got another tough game and we just have to regroup.
“We’ve got a couple of days off now, our boys were going into the game tonight they were a little bit sore and a little bit tired, jaded.
“They’ll have a few days off to freshen up and we’ll have a good hit for the last seven games.”
Next match details:
Friday, 7 May vs Wellington Phoenix
A-League 2020/21 – Matchweek 20
Kick-off 7.05pm ACST
Gates open 6.05pm ACST
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Broadcast: Fox Sports
Stream: Kayo Sports, MyFootball Live App
