Jacob Windon

6 years ago

Around the grounds: Reds impress in pre-season friendly as Verbeek’s revolution gains momentum

New signings Michael Maria and Riley McGree have both found the net as Adelaide United put on a show against Adelaide City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.

The Reds, who are already through to the FFA Cup 2019 Quarter Finals, cruised to a 6-0 win over the South Australian NPL side at Taperoo Reserve.

Maria opened the scoring on 11 minutes with a powerful near-post strike after a neat one-two with McGree on the edge of the box.

WESTERN UNITED: Everything you missed from the club’s first match
SEB PASQUALI: Why Aussie starlet traded Ajax for Western United’s blank slate
HILARIOUS: Brisbane Roar’s UK recruits try Aussie slang

Season-Draw-201920

McGree went from provider to scorer soon after when he won – and then converted – a penalty by sending the keeper the wrong way.

Ben Halloran added a third before the break, in what was a dominant display by Gertjan Verbeek’s side.

The Dutchman made 11 changes at half-time, including the introductions of Kristian Opseth and Nikola Mileusnic.

Adelaide didn’t add to their lead until 17 minutes from time when City defender Jackson Stephens put one into his own net, before Louis D’Arrigo and Mileusnic rounded out the scoring.

Corica’s ‘homecoming’ perfect preparation for Sydney FC

Steve Corica will make a trip back to familiar territory to fine-tune Sydney FC’s pre-season preparations.

Corica, 46, is leading Sydney to Cairns next week for a training camp and trial match against a Far North Queensland Select XI.

FIXTURES: The Sydney Derby clash set to get blood boiling
INS AND OUTS: Sydney FC

The Sky Blues boss hails from Innisfail and was at the helm for the club’s 2-1 win over Cairns in the FFA Cup 2018, a game that saw nephew Harry Corica turn out for the opposition.

Sydney’s pre-season destination of choice has been the Gold Coast for the last few years, but Corica is relishing a change of scenery as he drills his Premiership winners into shape ahead of their title defence.

“I’m expecting a series of intense training sessions and a challenging trial match which will be great preparation,” Corica told the club website.

“Make no mistake, we’ll be pushing the boys all week to get the maximum out of them and camps like this are crucial to fine tuning our combinations ahead of the campaign.”

Sydney travel to Adelaide United to get the kick off the new Hyundai A-League season on October 11.

Glory turn up the heat on the Gold Coast

Tony Popovic is ramping up Perth Glory’s pre-season training with a 4,300km journey across the country.

But there’ll be no beachside relaxation for Perth on the Gold Coast, where Glory are embarking on one of Popovic’s famously demanding pre-season camps, and new recruit Nick D’Agostino is well aware of what the Perth taskmaster might have in store.

FRIENDLY RECAP: D’Agostino scores six-minute hat-trick
IKONOMIDIS: There’s more to come from me, says fit-again Perth star

Sign up to a Football Account

 “All the boys know it’s going to be tough. Training’s going to be very intense, very long and very demanding…the heat and the humidity in the Gold Coast is very different to Perth as well.

“Popa demands the highest and most out of you that you can possibly give.”

Perth will also face Hyundai A-League rivals Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets in the inaugural Surf City Cup tournament.

Phoenix link with powerful sporting brand

Wellington Phoenix have partnered with New Balance in a move the club says is a big signal of intent.

The United States-based manufacturing giant is partnered with some of the biggest clubs in world football like Liverpool, Celtic and Athletic Bilbao.

“New Balance are a huge brand in the world of sport and we are very excited to showcase their product through the team,” said Nathan Greenham, Wellington Phoenix Head of Commercial.

INS AND OUTS: Wellington Phoenix

Get Onside Limitless banner

A-League Men
Related News View More