Ivan Karlović has applauded the application and intensity Adelaide United Women illustrated in securing their first win of the 2019/20 campaign.
The Reds raced to a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to Chelsie Dawber’s opener and a brace from Mallory Weber.
Wanderers fought back in the final stages with two goals, making for a nervous finish, but Adelaide managed to hold on for the victory.
Karlović praised the team’s ability to implement the game plan effectively to beat the second-place Wanderers and move off the foot of the table in the process.
“We spoke about how we were going to come out and play,” he told reporters post-match.
“We said to the girls that we’ll set you up in a manner that we feel will give you the best joy in a game against a side like this.
“It’s about you guys going out there and executing but with an intensity and hunger to get a result.
“I thought from the very first second all the way to the end they were really good.
“We’ve been like that for a number of games this year and we haven’t come out with the three points, but I’m just glad for them that they got what they deserved out of the game finally.”
Karlović also made a tactical alteration for the match, switching from a traditional 4-3-3 formation to a 3-4-3 which at times morphed into a 5-4-1.
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Brazilian attacking midfielder, Lais Araujo, was deployed as a third centre-back with the surprise decision reaping the rewards.
“It’s probably a position she (Lais Araujo) doesn’t play regularly but she has filled in at the back previously,” he explained.
“She’s got the attributes to be able to do that and we felt what we were looking to trying achieve out of the game tonight, that change was an important one and I think it worked.”
Adelaide take on bottom side Newcastle Jets Women this Saturday, in a catch-up game after the match was postponed in mid-January due to the bushfire crisis.
The Reds then face Canberra United Women in the nation’s capital before hosting the Jets at home to close the season.
The boss said the aim now is to build some momentum and end the campaign strongly.
“We’ve sort of set ourselves a target over the last few weeks is to really make sure we get the most out of all the games,” he continued.
“We got a good result tonight and now we move over to Newcastle next week away and we’ll look to hopefully get a good result over there and finish off the season in a good fashion.
“And like I said we can’t play finals football but we can finish off the season well in the manner that we’ve played all year and hopefully take our opportunities.”
Adelaide United Women face Newcastle Jets Women in Round 12 of the Westfield W-League 2019/20 season on Saturday, 1 February at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACDT. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football Live App.
