Ben Halloran, Steven Hall and a century of wins.
There was plenty to dissect after Adelaide United finally celebrated a victory in the 2021-22 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
A brace of Craig Goodwin penalties in the second half helped guide Adelaide to maximum points on New Year’s Day, while George Blackwood and Javi Lopez were also on target at Coopers Stadium.
MATCH REPORT: ADELAIDE UNITED 4-0 WELLINGTON PHOENIX
After ending their five-match winless run to open the campaign, attention swiftly turned to the January transfer window.
Halloran swaps A-League for K-League
Reds fans won’t be seeing Halloran again in an Adelaide jersey after head coach Carl Veart confirmed his departure to South Korea.
Halloran, who scored one goal in five league appearances this term, was a notable absentee for Saturday’s clash against Wellington.
And he is bound for the K-League effective immediately, according to Veart, who is now eyeing a VISA replacement.
The 29-year-old Halloran returned to Australia in 2018, joining Adelaide after stints with Fortuna Dusseldorf, Heidenheim and V-Varen Nagasaki, but the six-time Socceroo is now set for another period abroad.
Hall enters history books
It was a game to remember for unheralded teenager Hall in more ways than one.
The 16-year-old was thrust into the spotlight in the first half after goalkeeper James Delianov suffered a shoulder injury.
Hall was not overawed by the occasion, keeping a clean sheet in his bow as he became the youngest goalkeeper in Isuzu UTE A-League history aged 16 years and 350 days.
“He did brilliant. Congrats to him,” Goodwin told Paramount+ after the game.
“Obviously sad for Dely, I hope he is okay. But Hall has been great, he’s been training with us for a while. He deserves his chance so what better to do it in front of Coopers Stadium and to get a clean sheet?”.
Milestone win for Veart’s men
Adelaide had only scored once in their three previous league games entering the Phoenix matchup, so what a time to get back among the goals.
The result brought up a century of victories for Adelaide at Coopers Stadium as Veart looks to build on the momentum.
“As I said all the time, the boys have been playing some really good football they just haven’t been taking their rewards,” Veart told Paramount+.
“Tonight we managed to get a few goals. It’s great for the confidence for the boys. A great way to start the New Year and we will take this confidence into next week.”
