Adelaide United show depth and quality beating Comets 4-1
Adelaide United continued their encouraging pre-season on Tuesday night with a strong showing against local Premier League side Adelaide Comets.
Although conditions were wet and windy at the Adelaide Shores Football Centre, the Reds were still able to positively implement the passing style that is now synonymous with the club and also coach, Josep Gombau.
With Gombau using the match to field an even younger squad than what was used in the fixture against Málaga a few days earlier, the game was another chance for players to gain fitness and further sharpen their touch ahead of the FFA Cup clash against Wellington Phoenix on August 5.
The slick surface enabled United to control possession early on and they dictated the pace of the game for the majority of the first half.
Mark Ochieng and youth-team player Bruce Kamau occupied the right flank throughout the first 45 minutes and combined well on numerous occasions, regularly threatening the Comets defence.
However, the game’s breakthrough goal would come through the tenacious work of Ryan Kitto, who was able to find enough room on United’s left side of midfield to square the ball across the six-yard box to the arriving Kamau, who side-footed the ball into an empty net.
And, after half-an-hour of play, United were two goals up after Ochieng whipped in a cross to the back post, finding Dylan McGowan who headed home his first goal as a Red.
After the break, a revitalised Comets side came to the fore and managed to pull a goal back through Matthew Bouzalas.
But United would prove too strong, with McGowan grabbing his second of the match after 74 minutes, as he was first to react to a parried save by the Comets goalkeeper.
Ten minutes from full-time Kamau beat an offside trap to play in Anthony Costa who finished neatly at the near post, rounding off a solid performance by a young United squad.
Following his side’s win, Gombau said he was very happy with the way his team played, especially considering the number of young players out on the pitch.
He also highlighted the contribution made by McGowan saying that although he may be relatively young in age, his ability and presence on the field is that of a senior squad member.
“But Dylan wasn’t the only good performer from tonight. Everybody showed what they can do and stood up to the challenge.”
Adelaide United will take on Wellington Phoenix on Tuesday 5 August at Marden Sports Complex as part of the inaugural FFA Cup.
Tickets for the FFA Cup match v Wellington Phoenix will be available to purchase for through the Adelaide United FC website. To purchase tickets, please click here.
Match Details
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Pre-season Friendly
Adelaide United FC 4 (Kamau 16’, McGowan 30’ 74’, Costa 80’)
Adelaide Comets 1 (Bouzalas 54’)
Venue: Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Crowd: Approx. 750
