Adelaide United head coach Carl Veart has explained his decision to leave 19-year-old striker Luka Jovanovic out of his matchday squad to face Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 10.
Jovanovic began the season as Veart’s starting striker but has since lost his spot to the in-form Archie Goodwin. In Adelaide’s meeting with Sydney FC in Round 9, Jovanovic was an unused substitute and after full-time, expressed his frustration at not seeing game time in the 3-3 draw.
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Veart elected not to select the teenager in his 18-player matchday squad against the Wanderers at Coopers Stadium on Friday night and before the game, the Adelaide coach was asked by former Adelaide defender Robbie Cornthwaite whether Jovanovic’s reaction after the Sydney draw prompted his decision to leave him out of the squad in Round 10.
“Luka Jovanovic started the season as your starting striker, obviously in battle with Archie Goodwin,” said Cornthwaite on Network 10’s pre-game show.
“He’s (Goodwin) taken the number one spot. He’s not in the squad tonight; I know he remonstrated at the end of the game last week, threw his bib down and walked up the tunnel. Did that have anything to do with leaving him out tonight?”
“Yes, it did,” Veart replied.
“Look, we’re trying to teach these young players what it takes to get to that next level, and we weren’t happy with his attitude after the game last week. It’s a tough lesson for him to learn, but he needs to learn that now.”
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