Adelaide coach Rini Coolen admitted he thought the floodgates were going to open against North Queensland at Hindmarsh Stadium and his side would put five past the hapless Fury after racing to a 2-0 lead inside the opening quarter of an hour.
Despite the Reds blistering opening they couldn’t add a third goal and kill off the Fury and Coolen conceded there was always a chance the visitors could have pinched a late goal.
United controlled the match and rarely looked troubled during the 90 minutes but Coolen acknowledged the final killer pass eluded the Reds on Friday night.
“The match could have been made easier if we scored more goals,” he said.
“As long as the score was 2-0 there was always a possibility for them to score a goal. I was looking for a third goal and I thought when the third goal came there would be a fourth and fifth goal. But the third goal took too long and it never happened.”
“You prefer to score a few more goals and it makes everything easier. There were a lot of moments where we played good football, we did a few good touches and sometimes the last touch wasn’t good enough.”
The Dutchman said although another goal would have put the result beyond doubt, he was pleased the Reds were able to create numerous chances and restrict North Queensland to a few long rage efforts.
Coolen also added victory was the only thing that was paramount for the Reds.
“I think the most important thing is the three points,” he said.
“We didn’t give a lot of chances away and we started well. We created a lot of chances but we have to score a few more goals to make the game a more better feeling and that of course is the only thing that could be better.”
Travis Dodd looked back to his best with his trademark damaging runs down the right and even a couple of nutmegs and almost scored a third for United just before half time but his header was cleared off the line.
The Reds captain continued his impressive performance in the second half, dancing past two defenders but failing to find a team-mate inside the box with his clever cut back.
Dodd admitted his confidence is growing every week but said he was pleased just to have run out 90 minutes – his first full game in seven months.
“I guess the confidence is back to try and take players on and get in the box, try and create things and score goals,” he said.
“I’m happy to have a full game as well, my first full game in seven months so I’m glad I got through that and I’m looking to build on that.”
The Reds host Melbourne Heart at Hindmarsh Stadium next Friday and the skipper said another win will keep the pressure on runaway leader Brisbane Roar.
“That’s what we need to keep doing, putting that pressure on Brisbane Roar,” he said.
“We’ve got a couple of games in hand on them but we still need to pick up the points and remain with this positive attitude and good mentality.”
