Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has conceded his side was second best in the Original Rivalry match against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night but was pleased to come home with a share of the points.
The one-all result kept the Reds on top of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder and unbeaten after three matches.
After the at times spiteful match at AAMI Park, Veart admitted his side was fortunate not to have been further behind when Hiroshi Ibusuki poked home his first goal of the season from a set piece in the 59th minute.
The second half was an arm wrestle with both sides having a player sent off.
The Adelaide coach discussed the rivalry, goal keeper Joe Gauci’s fine form and the sending off of teenage star Nestory Irankunda just before the final whistle.
Carl Veart on the one-all result:
“We’re disappointed at the end of the game to finish one-all but overall we’re very fortunate that we were still in the game. Overall most of the night they were the better team than us. So, yes, we’re disappointed but to come here, not play well and get a point, yeah, we’ll take that.”
Carl Veart on Joe Gauci making numerous saves to keep the Reds in the contest:
“He’s been fantastic since the beginning of the season. And again tonight he made some great saves. And that’s why I say he’s the best goalkeeper that’s playing in Australia.”
Carl Veart on his side’s slow start:
“We were just not at the races really. They were a lot more aggressive than what we were and we just sort of got caught a little bit. And then they were just more aggressive and seemed to be a little bit more desperate than what we were in the first half.”
Carl Veart on Nestory Irankunda’s late send off:
“Nestor has to be better. And it’s something that we’re working with him with his frustrations, and he has to learn to be able to control them a little bit better. But it doesn’t help when you look at the first yellow card, it’s the Melbourne Victory player that’s instigated and grabbing Nestor, and he gets the yellow card for that. And then the second one, it’s a clear foul, everyone in the stadium can see it’s a clear foul but he didn’t give that one. And then I actually asked Alex (King), why he didn’t give the free kick, he said because I told him, he has to be stronger. This is a young Australian player that we hope that’s going to have a very big career and referees keep telling us that they’re going to protect the good players, but I didn’t see any protection for Nestor.”
Carl Veart on the rivalry between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory, and the atmosphere at the derbies between the sides:
“It’s passion for the sport, it’s passionate for the players and that’s something you know at times, we can lack in this game in this country, we don’t have the passion. And, I think the atmosphere created tonight by the Melbourne Victory supporters was excellent. They did everything they could to get their team over the line so that’s the same as when we play at home as well, our support is the same.”
Carl Veart on his assessment of his side after three rounds:
“If you said to me at the beginning of the season that we’re going to after three games have seven points, I would have taken it very gladly. To have Central Coast, Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory, you know, it’s a tough run and we’ve got Sydney FC next week. It was a very tough beginning of the season and the boys have done exceptionally well, at this point. Tonight, we weren’t at our best, but you know, they got something out of the game so I’m happy going on in that regard.”
