Michael Marrone says the Reds will use their confidence-boosting win over the Wellington Phoenix to extend their unbeaten run and climb the Hyundai A-League ladder in the coming weeks.
Through their win over the Wellington Phoenix on Boxing Day, Adelaide United have now made it three wins in four matches and are just two points outside the top six.
The Reds largely controlled the game against the travelling Phoenix, a match that proved a mere shadow of the two sides’ previous meeting, which Wellington won 4-2 in New Zealand in Round 6.
“We’re very happy with the win and our performance against Wellington,” Marrone said. “We’ve kept another clean sheet and scored some good goals to help us with a decent win.
“Of course, the match changed a lot after the red card (to Albert Riera) and opened up a lot more which made it easier for us.
“Even before their sending off, though, I still felt pretty comfortable with how we were going and confident that we could take it on from there.
“A win is a win and we’ll push forward and keep working towards getting into the top half of the ladder.”
Craig Goodwin provided the assist to United’s first half opener, before registering a goal under his own name with 20 minutes to go. Shortly after, Marrone got his name on the score sheet for the fist time in the Hyundai A-League, adding to the one goal he has already scored for the Socceroos from 2012.
“It was great to score a goal,” Marrone admitted. “Guillermo (Amor) encourages everyone to get forward, even us as fullbacks, and wants us to play with freedom.
“I just happened to realise that at that particular attack, we didn’t have too many numbers forward, so I thought I’d try my luck and get into the box.
“I didn’t even intend to get the ball, but it just sort of landed at my feet after it hit the post. I didn’t have much work to do with it and didn’t have any time to think about it either, which was probably a good thing for me.
“I was feeling a little flat just before it and then got my second wind and just wanted to keep going.
“I went forward again later and had another shot on goal, so I could have had a second, but I’ll definitely take my one.”
The Reds will next travel to New South Wales later this week for their New Years Day fixture with current league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers.
Adelaide United will face Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 13 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season on Friday, 1 January 2016 at Pirtek Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.10pm ACDT.
