Adelaide United kicked off the 2011 Weifang Cup with a clash against Benfica FC, one of the best known clubs in the world.
In what proved to be a very attacking and even affair, Benfica won the match 2 nil with 2 goals in 2 minutes. The first from a penalty and then a second goal which came from a rebound from a save from Izzo.
The Adelaide United team which was put together over a week, played fluent attractive football but were unable to capatilize on some clear chances including Mavromatis in the 22 min and attempts by Melling and Mauk in the first half.
The second half provided further opportunites for the Adelaide Utd team, but again a lack of finishing cost Adelaide any chance of snatching a point. Adelaide lost Markham after 50mins due to a cut above the eye from a crude elbow during an aerial challenge which meant Valkanis and Vidmar had to make forced adjustments to the team.
“The squad has only prepared and trained all together for a week and have worked hard at training. Taking the short preparation into account I think the players did an incredible job against a team that-s been together for 4 years and has 14 internationals in their squad” said Coach Michael Valkanis,
“We played some good football and created nore chances than Benfica FC but didn-t have their finishing qualities. It was a two minute lapse of concentration that we were punished in two attempts at goal. In saying that I liked our metal strength and attitude continuing to play and attempt a come back. In the second half we had our chances to get back into the game but failed to convert. All up there was a lot of positives to take from the game.
Adelaide showed that considering the lack of preparation time, the football youth of Adelaide, can given the right opportunities produce quality football players.
Benfica 2 (25,27) Adelaide United 0
Starting List:
Izzo
Monaco
Elsey
Markham ( 50min) replaced by Hatzipanagiotis
Halliday
Kirk
Welsh (c)
Melling (75 min) replaced by Makridis
Mavromatis ( 65min ) replaced by Garuccio
Mauk ( 70min) replaced by Mauk
Kallios (45min) replaced by Radice
