Following Adelaide United’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets on Sunday afternoon, Eugene Galekovic says the Reds will continue to fight through the season, continuing with Melbourne Victory in Round 8.
Despite United managing eleven shots throughout the 90 minutes on Sunday, compared to the Jets’ zero, the home side were unable to convert any of their chances.
But the Reds’ Captain, Galekovic, remains positive, saying a defining factor in the match’s end result was the notable performance of Newcastle’s ‘keeper, Mark Birighitti.
“They (the Jets) obviously came to Adelaide not wanting to lose, so I think they set themselves out like that and didn’t have a shot on goal,” Galekovic said.
“It’s good for us to have had a clean sheet and we were unlucky not to have won the game.
“I believe that it was just one of those days (when things don’t go your way in front of goal).
“(Birighitti) had a great game and we had our chances. If there was any other goalkeeper (for the Jets in goal) I think we would have won the game.”
Adelaide was fortunate to welcome Galekovic back into the starting XI following a six-week injury layoff as a result of knee surgery.
But while there was good news for Galekovic and the squad prior to kick-off, the Reds suffered an early blow when defender, Osama Malik, went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury within the opening ten minutes.
As a result, United was forced to call upon young defender, Jordan Elsey, who had last played a competitive Hyundai A-League match 593 days prior to his involvement against Newcastle.
“Personally, coming back from having an operation, I think you naturally have in the back of your mind that you just want to get through the game,” he continued.
“It was god to get through it and not reinjure myself in any way.
“Losing a player early on was definitely not great, though. But Jordan Elsey who came in, I think he was superb especially considering it was his first game back after nearly two years.
“A young boy to come in and do the job that he did is great and he might have to do the same next week again, I guess.”
United remains the only side in the competition this season yet to secure a win and Galekovic is fully aware of the pressure currently resting on the shoulders of the Reds.
Looking ahead, though, he stated that his side’s attention must immediately switch to their next opponent, fierce rivals, Melbourne Victory, to ensure their winless streak ends.
“Everyone’s upset with the way we’ve been going, but I think we’ve been improving and it’s the results that haven’t fallen our way so far.
“There’s always pressure, but there’s more pressure within the squad than outside it.
“We go into every game to win and considering we’ve not won a game so far, what better game to go into than Victory away from home.
“We’ll fight and we’ve been fighting all year.”
Adelaide United will face Melbourne Victory in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season on Saturday, 28 November 2015, at Etihad Stadium. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT.
