Adelaide United coach Carl Veart has been pleased to see a stirring response from his team, who bounced back from their Mariners hammering by snatching a dramatic last-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 A-League Men draw against Perth Glory.
United had been pumped 4-0 at home by Central Coast the previous week, leaving Veart to slam his side’s intent and effort while threatening to wield the axe.
He made four changes to United’s starting XI for Friday's clash against the Glory and the Reds were impressive in the first half, racing into a 2-0 lead after 17 minutes thanks to a header from Hiroshi Ibusuki and a Zach Clough penalty.
But Adam Taggart pulled one back for Perth just before the break, while David Williams and Josh Rawlins had the Glory 3-2 up on 82 minutes.
Stefan Mauk then had an 88th minute spot kick saved by Perth keeper Oli Sail before Panagiotis Kikianis equalised for the Reds in the 98th minute.
While the first half was the just response Veart had hoped for, he also lamented both Taggart and Williams scoring from sloppy defending at corners.
“I think we got the reaction that we wanted from the playing group,” he said.
“And then it’s just that focus – to concede from set pieces and the way that we conceded the set pieces as well.
“There was just a couple of lapses of concentration as a group and sometimes it’s what happens when you’re struggling to find a win.”
Glory coach Alen Stajcic expressed similar disappointment, with second-bottom Perth just seconds away from an impressive win.
“Overall, disappointing for us. That’s the third time we’ve conceded a goal with the last kick of the game,” he said.
“So, potentially we cost ourselves six points. We could be in the top six or on the edge of the six barring those things, but it’s just another 'would’ve, could’ve, should’ve'.”
Despite that last minute equaliser, Stajcic applauded his troops’ second-half performance.
The visitors attacked immediately from the restart and had a handful of chances.
Taggart headed just wide before Glory made it 2-2, while young attacker Daniel Bennie hit the post, for the second time, after a mazy run through the Reds’ defence.
“I think it was clear to see there was a big shift in the game and the way that the momentum of the game changed, right from the whistle, or the second half, I thought we were on top right from the first challenge,” Stajcic said.
“That’s the players on the pitch – they’re responsible and accountable for those behaviours and they carried it out so when they do it well, full credit goes to them not the halftime team talk.
“I was really pleased that we can do it, and I think we’ve shown that all year that we’ve got that resilience and that belief to be able to come back and score goals and be a competitive team.”
