Having returned from a successful stint with the Qantas Socceroos, Eugene Galekovic was back at Reds training this morning with just one thing on his mind and that is taking three points against Wellington on Sunday.
Having returned from a successful stint with the Qantas Socceroos, Adelaide United FC captain Eugene Galekovic was back at Reds training this morning with just one thing on his mind and that is taking three points against the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
Galekovic made two appearances for the Socceroos at the recent East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) East Asian Cup 2013 qualifying tournament in Hong Kong, taking his total number of Socceroos caps to six.
Clearly buzzing from his time with the national side, Galekovic was delighted to be part of helping Australia qualify for the East Asian Cup.
“It-s good to get a few more caps and get through to the next stage,” Galekovic said.
“The next stage is in July so obviously everyone is happy we got there and we-ve got some big games coming up.”
Being away on international duty meant Galekovic has missed United-s past two Hyundai A-League matches, but he is now ready to step straight back in and hopes the Reds can continue where they left off against Melbourne Victory last Friday night.
“Obviously against Melbourne the boys were great and we-ve got to continue that,” the dual Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year said.
“Three points (against Wellington) is vital, it-s our home ground and we-ve got a good record against them but records don-t really mean anything unless we work hard and play to our potential.”
The Reds- record at Hindmarsh against the Phoenix is a favourable one, the tally reading seven wins, a draw and two losses at the venue. But history does mean little and Wellington are certain to come to Adelaide wanting to right the wrong of their loss to Sydney FC at home last weekend as well as reverse the result from when they were last in town which saw the Reds run out 3-1 winners.
But as determined as the team from across the Tasman will be, Galekovic knows there is no reason the Reds cannot notch up a fifth win at home. At this stage last season the Reds had conceded twice as many goals as they have ten rounds into this campaign, while they have also scored nine more goals.
“I think this year it-s probably the least amount of work I-ve had to do since I-ve come to Adelaide, which has been good and credit to the players, defensively we-ve been doing well and keeping them out so hopefully it continues,” Galekovic said.
Much of the Reds- early season success could be put down to the competition for places amongst the squad. The Reds had a full quota on the track at this morning-s training session, meaning no room for complacency and that the players currently in the starting eleven are all too aware that they must keep performing to hold down their spot.
Given the choice, Galekovic would not have it any other way despite the fact there are quality players in the squad who are finding it tough to break into side at the moment.
“If you look from the coach-s perspective I think today was the first time in five years that we-ve had every single player on the park training, so there are going to be 12 or 13 players missing out every week and it-s about Kossie trying to man manage the players,” Galekovic said.
As good as it is to have this wealth of riches, Galekovic did stop short of declaring whether this was the best squad he has been involved with, stating it had not achieved anything yet and that it could and would only be measured by its success when it counts at the business end of the season.
“With having everyone on the park it-s a great dilemma to have and it could be up there (with the best squads I-ve been involved with) but we-ll wait to the end of the season to see how many points we-ve got and if we-ve won a championship or not.”
Kick-Off against the Phoenix is at 4.30pm and tickets are available through Ticketek.
