Eugene Galekovic seems to be making a habit of turning it on in the AFC Champions League.
Eugene Galekovic seems to be making a habit of turning it on in the AFC Champions League.
Not for the first time, Galekovic-s efforts between the posts against Nagoya went a long way to proving the difference in a crucial ACL match for the Reds.
Time and again he has proved an impenetrable force on the Reds- last line of defence and last night was no different.
His save at full stretch low to his left to keep out a Josh Kennedy header will long be etched into the memories of everyone at Hindmarsh Stadium who witnessed it.
Trying to recall the 33rd minute moment that had United fans with their hearts in their mouths, Galekovic played down the expertise that was required to keep the ball from going in.
“It happened so quick. It-s a reflex thing, you kind of think to yourself just go for it – if I get it I get it, if I don-t it-s going to be in the back of the net. I got a fingertip to it and I suppose it helped the boys out.”
“I haven-t seen it so I wouldn-t mind seeing it on TV but it was an important game and to keep us at nil-all, I-m happy to make any save.”
On top of that effort, he pulled off a host of other crucial saves to deny Nagoya, and while he modestly admits it was probably one of his finest displays, Galekovic was not about to start basking in the limelight.
“I haven-t seen the game again yet, we were under the pump a little bit and we held out, scored that crucial goal, put them under pressure and changed their game,” Galekovic said.
“Personally I don-t think I have (played a better game), it was an important game for the club and some of the saves were probably some of the best I-ve had, so I was just happy to get through that 90 minutes without conceding a goal.”
“We-ve done great in these competitions and credit to the boys to turn the season around and get to the Quarter Finals,” Galekovic said.
“They showed a lot of character, we-re in the Quarter Finals and we can-t wait for pre season to start again.”
There was also a hint proving all of the critics wrong who thought the Reds would be lucky to win a game in the competition, let alone make it to the Quarter Finals.
“To finish on that note it-s brilliant for the players and the club because of how we went in the A-League, but we made up for it and there-s still a bit to go and we want to win every game from here,” Galekovic said.
“The character of the boys is massive. We could have sulked a little bit but we got on with business and proved everyone wrong.”
Just like 2008, the Reds are on an amazing ride on Asia-s biggest club stage, but Galekovic says they are not satisfied or done yet.
“There is still a long way to go. You need a bit of luck in these competitions because you do play against quality teams and if you get that luck and play some good football you-re always a chance,” Galekovic said.
The dual Club Champion and crowd favourite also paid tribute to the home supporters that turned up for the game, and throughout the ACL, their value to the team-s success certainly not lost on the Reds captain.
“They were massive. It-s always good to play at home and when they-re back on your side it-s even better,” Galekovic said.
“They were fabulous and you saw after the final whistle it got so loud, everyone was happy and it was back to the good old times again.”
