Marco Kurz hailed Adelaide United’s ability to convert their chances in a dominant 5-2 win over Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Daniel Adlung’s first-half brace put the Reds in a strong position, before second-half goals from substitute Ryan Kitto, Johan Absalonsen and Džengis Čavušević rendered Ben Kantarovski’s double insignificant.
Kurz was impressed with the overall performance and pleased the Reds were clinical in taking their opportunities.
He was content that Adelaide did not panic once the visitors halved the deficit at 2-1 just past the hour mark, as they responded with three quality goals.
“I think we played a very good first-half, we stayed very compact, disciplined and very strong in the duels,” Kurz said in the post-match press conference.
“We waited for the right moments for our transition game and that’s one of the goals today that they give us a lot of space behind the back four line and we have more speed.
“I think today we scored all the goals after our chances, in the last games we’ve created a lot of chances but we didn’t score.
“Also after 2-1 we stayed calm, we waited for the right moment and scored some very good goals.”
Kurz dismissed suggestions his side had virtually secured a finals berth, insisting United need more points to guarantee a place in the top six.
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The German further implored Reds fans to flock to Coopers Stadium and support the team in their final regular season home game of the campaign against Wellington Phoenix this Friday.
“We need points and I think next week and I hope all the people from Adelaide come and support us,” he said.
“That we have a very good crowd and we need every voice next Friday.
“It wasn’t easy (against the Jets) but it was a good game and a good result and we are happy and now we have done a small step to the finals, but only a small step.”
It was also the Reds’ first win against a top three side in the league all season.
However, Kurz believed his side had played well against the likes of Sydney FC and Newcastle previously without the result.
“I think we’ve played well against the teams in the top three,” he said.
“Sydney and Newcastle, not really against Melbourne City but maybe in the future we’ve better results.
“But it’s not too easy to play against them (the Jets) because you must stay very compact and disciplined and a lot of runs and they’ve a lot of movements in their offensive game.”
Adelaide United host Wellington Phoenix in Round 25 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Friday, 30 March at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
