Adelaide United Women Head Coach, Ivan Karlović, attributed the inability to take their chances the reason behind their defeat against Newcastle Jets Women on Friday night.
The Reds suffered a last-gasp 2-1 loss after conceding against the run of play as they themselves pushed for a winner.
Fanndís Friðriksdóttir’s first-half equaliser was rendered meaningless when the Jets scored in stoppage time.
Karlović was left to the rue the missed chances and believed their wastefulness ultimately was their downfall.
“Disappointed that we couldn’t get something out of the game and we didn’t capitalise on all the opportunities that we had,” he told reporters after the match.
“… I just think our inability to capitalise on the amount of chances that we created cost us tonight.”
It certainly was an uncharacteristic performance from the hosts in front of goal.
Leading Reds goal-scorer, Veronica Latsko, squandered three golden opportunities which she normally would have buried, while Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir also struck the crossbar among a plethora of other opportunities United passed up.
Karlović believed the pressure of the situation – being a must win game to maintain their Finals aspirations – did not contribute to their profligacy.
“She (Latsko) had a couple of one-on-ones in the first-half,” he said.
“I think she had another in the second-half and even Gunny at the end there with a header, normally that’s in the back of the net.
“Sometimes those things happen they just won’t go into the back of the net the way you’d hope.
“It’s hard to pin-point what that’s down to but we’re creating the chances so that’s obviously a positive we just need to convert them.”
Despite the loss and disappointing start to 2019, Karlović revealed he was extremely proud of the group and the strides forward they have illustrated throughout the campaign.
“I think we’ve certainly improved this year,” he said.
“It’s a difficult one because you’re pleased but you’re also disappointed at the same time because we set the benchmarks high here now.
“We’re really striving to go places and we’ve made some huge inroads in that area so we just have to continue to work hard.”
Adelaide United Women host Brisbane Roar Women in Round 14 of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 season on Friday, 1 February at Marden Sports Complex. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACDT. Gates open at 6.00pm.
